On Wednesday, June 7th, BP Oddo joined with members of the community at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex to launch the Staten Island Child Wellness Initiative (CWI). This coalition was created through help of the community along with the partnership of the Borough President James Oddo and the Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness (SIPCW).
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The idea for CWI was generated from a series of meetings of BP Oddo’s Health and Wellness Advisory Council, in which participants engaged in spirited discussions about how they could have the greatest impact on Staten Island’s health needs, particularly those of young people.

The CWI was created in order to increase the opportunities for healthy living for children and families and to reduce childhood obesity. The aim is to provide accessible options for active living as well as availability of fresh and healthy food, aiming to bring 80 percent of children below high school age to a healthy weight.

An assortment of speakers at the ceremony discussed the issue of childhood obesity, including Deputy Mayor Dr. Herminia Palacio.

“It is clear to see that childhood obesity is a real problem that must be addressed to prevent a lifetime of illness,” said Borough President Oddo. “We are getting to the heart of the matter by addressing child wellness and child health.” 

Adrienne Abbate, Executive Director of the SIPCW, noted the importance of the community member engagement, saying, “By working together with partners across Staten Island to address this urgent issue, we can shape a healthy future for our children, and reverse the rising rates of obesity in our borough. Although this is a borough-wide initiative, the CWI will use data to target communities and neighborhoods that have higher need and poorer health outcomes.”

The CWI’s progress will be measured by changes in BMI over time in Staten Island children

​On Monday, June 5th, BP Oddo joined with City Council Member Steven Matteo and Danny Cassella, President of ATU Local 726, to announce the next phase of improving the express bus system.
 
After conducting the Comprehensive Bus Study, which included studying routes and surveying riders, the MTA recently announced a plan to change routes to improve commute times. Currently, the average express bus makes 27 stops before ever leaving Staten Island. The study also found that 83 percent of riders use the busiest 50 percent of stops and that underused stops slow trips and complicate routes. The MTA’s plan includes rerouting some buses, eliminating underutilized stops and making more direct routes for more efficient commutes.
 
BP Oddo encouraged Staten Islanders to give their feedback, both online and at in-person forums, to ensure that their voices are heard.
 
“The current system is antiquated and inefficient,” noted BP Oddo. “We’re big believers in the overarching principles the MTA came out with. This is the best chance we’ve had in a generation or two to improve this service, and we want to make the most of it. We need Staten Islanders to participate in the process. Your input is critical.”
 
For more information, visit MTA.info/siexpressbus

​On Friday, June 2nd, BP Oddo joined with members of the NYPD to congratulate students who participated in this year’s Too Good For Drugs program at New Dorp High School. The curriculum is co-taught in the classroom by an NYPD police officer and a school teacher. Too Good For Drugs teaches children how to handle peer pressure, deal with outside influences and make healthy decisions through interactive games and skits.
 
The program, which is in its third year, took place in every 5th grade class on Staten Island. The program was also piloted for 7th graders in four middle schools and for freshman at New Dorp High School.
 
At the ceremony, BP Oddo and members of the NYPD spoke about the dangers of addiction and encouraged students to act as leaders in and out of the classroom. At the end of the ceremony, students took a pledge to abstain from tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
 
BP Oddo, who noted that he wants to see the program expand even further, told the graduates, “Through this program, you are going to be part of the solution. We need you. We can’t win this battle without you. We need your help in the pushback in the fight against addiction.”

“The idea here was not just to give you coping tools, but to mold yourself into that leadership role,” said Assistant Chief Edward Delatorre, Borough Commander of NYPD.
 
About 7,900 students participated in the program this year.

On Thursday, June 1st, BP Oddo announced that he is reviving the Patrick F. Daly Award, an award for educators who exemplify the values of fallen principal Patrick Daly who was gunned down in Red Hook, Brooklyn while en route to a student’s home 25 years ago this year.

​“The Daly family approached me and asked to bring back the award and I’m happy to do that,” said BP Oddo. “This award gives us as Staten Islanders an opportunity to honor Mr. Daly, his legacy and sacrifice, as well as recognize outstanding educators in our community.”

Anyone who may wish to nominate a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal or principal may do so. The award will be given in Mr. Daly’s memory, honoring his legacy of service to the community, a steadfast commitment to his students, and his leadership.

“As we approach the 25th Anniversary of my father’s death, we are honored and most appreciative to Borough President James Oddo for reinstituting the Patrick F. Daly Award. This award will ensure my father's dedication and sacrifice will be remembered and the work of a new generation of dedicated educators will be recognized,” said Patrick Daly, son of the fallen educator.
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Nominations are currently being accepted and will be accepted until July 1. Nomination forms can be found here.