MAKING THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE’S OFFICE WORK FOR NYC PARENTS AND STUDENTS

October 17, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:           Alex Zablocki
                        347-885-1200

 
MAKING THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S OFFICE WORK FOR NYC PARENTS AND STUDENTS:
ZABLOCKI SAYS HE WILL PUSH FOR EDUCATIONAL GREEN ROOFS ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, APPOINT A PARENT OF A SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENT TO THE CITYWIDE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL EDUCATION, WORK WITH COMMUNITY BOARDS ACROSS THE CITY TO CREATE A LOCAL POINT OF CONTACT FOR PARENTS TO SPEAK ABOUT ISSUES REGARDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS, DEVISE A CURRICULUM FOR 6TH GRADERS ON LOCAL HISTORY AND IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS AND SCHOOLS

 
New York – Alex Zablocki, Republican candidate for Public Advocate, announced today how he would use the tools of the Public Advocate's office to affect change in our public school system. The measures range from creating new educational initiatives and raising environmental awareness to giving parents a voice in their child's education on the most local level.
 
If elected Public Advocate, Zablocki would:
 
·        Work with the Department of Education and a non-profit partner to transform most flat public school roofs into green roofs.  This initiative would allow students to cultivate fruits and vegetables in pots, learn about gardening, provide much needed green space, especially in the inner-city, and educate students about nutritional foods.
·        Appoint a parent of a special needs student to the Citywide Council on Special Education.  Zablocki will also work with this representative to engage all parents of school children in District 75, holding forums in each borough, to hear from parents and speak about issues important to them on the Council.
·        Work with all 59 Community Boards across New York City to create a local point of contact for parents to come and speak about issues regarding public schools.  Zablocki would look to publish a report on each forum quarterly, publishing it online and seek public input.  These reports would be used to reform the Department of Education and seek to affect public school policy. 
·        Devise a curriculum on local New York City history (by borough), as a board member of the Museum of the City of New York, to be approved by the State Department of Education, for 6th grade students.
·        Improve communications between schools and parents by discussing and implementing new online tools as a member of the Commission on Information and Communication.
 
"These initiatives can all be carried out as Public Advocate. While we have to look at ways to give parents more of a voice in the public school system, I think the position of Public Advocate can also be used to improve education programs," Alex Zablocki said.
 
Zablocki said recommendations from each forum on public education would be made to the CEC and the Department of Education.  The Public Advocate has the power to introduce legislation and sits on every City Council Committee, which includes the Education Committee, and these recommendations could lead to legislation and discussion in the City Council. Zablocki will also use the position to speak out against cuts to public education.
 
"We have to look at the Public Advocate's office in a new way and that means utilizing the defined duties of the Public Advocate to affect positive change in our public school system.  The Public Advocate is our independent voice in city government and is the best place for parents to turn when they aren't getting results from City Hall," Alex Zablocki said. "This office shouldn't just be used as a soap box by politicians looking to run for Mayor. It should be used in a positive way to make our government work for all New Yorker's," Zablocki said.
 
Zablocki also notes that he would seek to work with the private sector to improve, and in some cases bring back, arts and physical education programs in schools.
 
Alex Zablocki is the Republican candidate for Public Advocate.  At 26 years old, he is the youngest person ever to run for the position.  Alex is public school educated and his mother is a teacher in NYC public schools for nearly 40 years.  Alex's sister serves as a special education teacher as well.  More information about Alex and his campaign can be found at www.alex2009.com.
 

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