Talk Bronx New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Let the Kids Shine!”

The Bronx Charter School for Better Learning’s
5th Anniversary Gala Cocktail Party & Student Performance
Celebrating our first five years and our founder, Dr. Ted Swartz
New York Botanical Garden – May 14, 2008

The Board of Trustees, students, families and co-chairs, Ellen Waldman and Vicki Swartz, are pleased to announce the date of The Bronx Charter School for Better Learning’s 5th anniversary benefit cocktail party and student performance, “Let the Kids Shine,” which will be held on May 14, 2008 at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

The gala is the biggest fundraiser of the year and has been supported and attended in the past by influential community, business and political leaders. We have already received confirmation from Adolfo Carrion Jr., (Bronx Borough President), Councilman Larry Seabrook and Councilwoman Annabel Palma, and James Merriman (Institute for Charter School Excellence) that they plan to attend. This year’s gala will be a special celebration of fives — FIVE years since the school’s founding, FIVE years of outstanding achievement, our first graduating FIFTH grade class, and our full, FIVE-YEAR charter renewal! In addition, we will be honoring Executive Director, Dr. Ted Swartz, whose vision and commitment shaped the school’s community!

The evening’s festivities will begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, prepared by Abigail Kirsch caterers, served outdoors in the splendor of the tented Terrace Garden. From 6:30 p.m., the gardens will be closed to the public for the school’s guests to stroll the grounds while they enjoy the drumming of Raymond King and the enchantment of spring while they co-mingle with friends and colleagues and visit the silent auction tables. Musical entertainment during the cocktail hour will be provided by S.O.C.

At 8:00 p.m., guests will be invited into the Grand Ballroom for presentations by guest speakers on behalf of the school, including presentations from Messrs Carrion and Merriman, and a reading of a letter of commendation from the Mayor’s office. Special recognition will be given to the school’s Executive Director, Dr. Ted Swartz .

“Let the Kids Shine,” the student performance will begin at 8:15 p.m. Approximately 40 of the school’s students will read poetry, play music, sing and dance to the delight of our guests. For the fifth year, Ya Ya Kamante will be leading the children in a rousing African Village Dance. Dessert and coffee will be served following the student performance.

Guests are asked to donate $150 per person to attend. Corporate Sponsorships are also available. A commemorative journal will also be produced for this event. For ticket or journal ad purchases, or for corporate sponsorship information, visit http://www.bronxbetterlearning.org/and follow the link “Next Big Event.”

The Bronx Charter School for Better Learning also graciously acknowledges its corporate patrons — Rohm & Haas Electronic Materials, Cox Nissan and MTC Real Estate.

CONTACT: PAMELA TUCKER
914.595.6992

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Bronx charter school spent thousands on staff retreats, audit shows

A Bronx charter school spent nearly $68,000 on “staff development” retreats in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, a scathing new audit shows.

Although officials at the KIPP Academy Charter School insist the trips were educational and paid for by private donations, state Controller Thomas DiNapoli said his office couldn’t verify the claims because of sloppy bookkeeping. DiNapoli questioned why the high-achieving school - part of a national franchise - would splurge on trips to the Caribbean.

“Money intended for education should be spent on education,” DiNapoli said. “There are lots of places for retreats right here in New York State that are closer to the Bronx than the Bahamas.”

In June of 2005, KIPP sent 21 staffers to the town of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, at a price of $1,119 per person. In June 2006, 49 employees stayed at the Radisson Cable Beach in Nassau, the Bahamas, for $907 a head, the audit stated.

When approached by auditors, KIPP officials said the retreats were educational and provided agendas that listed “reflection sessions” and “solutions conversations” during the trips, along with reading lists.

KIPP Superintendent David Levin said public dollars weren’t used to pay for the trip and said the school implemented all the controller’s recommendations for keeping private and public money separate.

SOURCE: NYDailyNews.com

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