​Port Richmond High School will partner with CSI to begin this unique six-year program

​Borough President James S. Oddo, Department of Education Chancellor Richard Carranza, College of Staten Island President William Fritz and Port Richmond High School Principal Andrew Greenfield today announced the launch of the borough’s first “Pathways to Technology Early College High School,” or P-TECH, at the start of the 2020-2021 school year.  Previously, Staten Island had been the only borough without one.
  
P-TECH is a six-year program within Port Richmond that offers students the opportunity to receive a high school diploma from PRHS, a tuition-free Associate’s Degree from CSI, and perhaps most importantly, hands-on work experience and education from an “industry partner,” yet to be chosen.  This industry partner will be selected from one of a variety of specialized fields, including healthcare, technology, public utilities or finance, including Fortune 500 companies.  The partner will provide students with work-based learning activities including work site visits, mentoring and internships. 
 
The program will also feature a summer institute that will "bridge" learning in preparation for fall opening. Summer institute and general program information will be available at www.PortRichmondHS.org.
 
The initial request for a P-TECH on Staten Island was contained in a letter from Borough President Oddo to then newly-appointed NYC Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza.  Together, they have been working to bring the program to Staten Island high school students since Carranza visited with Oddo during City Hall in Your Borough in August of 2018.
  
“No longer will Staten Island be the only borough without a P-TECH school,” said Borough President James Oddo. “Starting in September, students will have a unique opportunity to start as normal high school freshmen, but by the time they finish the fourteenth grade, they will have a diploma, a degree, and, perhaps most importantly, the knowledge and skills necessary to move right into a specialized job. Getting us to this point has not been easy. Admittedly, there have been many fits and starts. I have to thank the Borough Hall team for their doggedness in not stopping their pursuit of P-TECH until we achieved our long-standing goal. I truly believe that all of our hard work is going to pay off in a big way.”
  
“This program brings Staten Island students rigorous, career-oriented instruction and a clear path to a free Associate’s degree that will provide high-quality education, stability and certainty as we continue to navigate a global pandemic,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “This is what Equity & Excellence for All is about, and I am grateful to Borough President Oddo for his partnership and advocacy in bringing P-TECH to the borough for the first time.”
 
“This is an amazing opportunity for the students of Port Richmond High School and the entire Staten Island community,” said Port Richmond High School Principal Andrew Greenfield. “I am thankful to the Borough President, the Department of Education and the College of Staten Island for collaborating to make this program a reality. Members of this year’s incoming freshman class will have the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma from Port Richmond High School and an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science from the College of Staten Island.
 
College of Staten Island President William J. Fritz commented: “The College is excited about this unprecedented opportunity to partner with Port Richmond High School to create the borough’s first P-TECH school with the support of the Borough President and the Department of Education. This major academic initiative will advance the success of our future students in alignment with CSI’s focus on high school collaborations through the 30,000 Degrees Initiative, local economic development, and its growing role as an anchor institution.”
  
"The pandemic has accelerated the advance of the digital economy and increased the importance of initiatives like the Grades 9-14 model, which provides students with significant advantages in preparing for college and successful careers" said Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO of Partnership for New York City.

​Borough President Oddo announced today a litter PSA video featuring local kids (Borough Hall staff families) expressing their disgust for litter.
 
The PSA video shows that “even the kids know” litter is bad for where we live, but “they know what to do”: pick it up and throw it in the trash can.
 
“Staten Island listen up. Our litter problem is a self-inflicted one that Staten Islanders are doing to other Staten Islanders, one that Staten Islanders are doing to kids who are calling on you to help them keep their home clean. We hope these Staten Islanders grow up to be less inclined to act selfishly and demonstrate a greater appreciation for their neighbors and our Island,” said Borough President Oddo.
 
This first video features the children and grandchildren of Borough Hall staffers sharing the message to keep Staten Island clean. This is meant to kick off the new campaign and the Borough President is asking Staten Island parents to share videos of their kids sharing their messages to properly dispose of garbage and keep our borough clean. If interested in your child taking part in our anti-litter campaign, please contact Renee Sarno at RSarno@statenislandusa.com for details.
 
Borough President Oddo last week announced the resurgence of “Own the 18,” an anti-litter program, which encourages home and business owners to remove litter from their property, as well as 18 inches into the street, as required by NYC Administrative Code: Section 16-118(2)(a). During the weekend of July 18 (July 17-18), Borough President Oddo is asking Staten Island property and business owners to commit to taking a few moments to clean in front of their properties. Those who participate are encouraged to post before and after photos on social media with the hashtag #OwnThe18 to be re-posted by the office’s social media accounts.

​Borough President Oddo announced today the resurgence of “Own the 18,” an anti-litter program. “Own the 18” encourages home and business owners to remove litter from their property, as well as 18 inches into the street, as required by NYC Administrative Code: Section 16-118(2)(a).
 
During the weekend of July 18 (July 17-18), Borough President Oddo is asking Staten Island property and business owners to commit to taking a few moments to clean in front of their properties.
 
“We have tried everything under the sun that a local government office can, yet Staten Island seems to as filthy with litter as it ever has been. We fully understand there is a pandemic, an economic and budgetary crisis that has resulted from it, as well as a whole host of street and mental and physical implications from them. None of this justifies the litter we see or prevents us from each doing our small role in addressing the litter we see. So while I would hope Staten Islanders would do their part every day, we are designating one weekend when each of us pledge to remove litter near our homes and begin to reclaim part of our quality of life. Meanwhile, our team is back 'in the lab' crafting new initiates, including a couple designed for children in hopes they grow up to be less inclined to act selfishly and demonstrate a greater appreciation for their neighbors and our Island,” noted Borough President Oddo. “Our litter problem is a self-inflicted one that Staten Islanders are doing to other Staten Islanders. While the majority of Staten Islanders are not engaging in it, we need the majority to help us with the solution.”
 
Those who participate are encouraged to post before and after photos on social media with the hashtag #ownthe18 to be reposted by the office’s social media accounts.

RSVP on our Facebook Event Page to tell your Staten Island friends and neighbors you will #OwnThe18 the weekend of July 18th! 

Borough President James S. Oddo announced today that his office has launched the social media campaign #outSIdeEATS to support local eateries that have shifted to outdoor dining, as designated by Phase 2 of the State’s re-opening plan.
 
This social media campaign follows the successful #DeliverSI campaign, which supports eateries that shifted to delivery and takeout during COVID-19 PAUSE order.

The #outSIdeEATS campaign offers Staten Islanders the following comprehensive spreadsheet of local restaurants, bars and cafés with curb lane, sidewalk, backyard and/or patio seating. It can be found at: https://bit.ly/outSIdeEATS. This constantly updated list is designed for those who wish to partake in an outdoor dining experience.
 
“Our Borough Hall team is looking to replicate the success we had with our #DeliverSI initiative we started when restaurants were first forced to close. We unveiled #outSIdeEATS to tell you all the great Staten Island joints that are open and ready to serve with outdoor dining options. We continue to host the #DeliverSI list for takeout and delivery. But if you are among those who want to get to a restaurant now, we will have you covered,” said Staten Island Borough President Oddo.
 
Staten Islanders are encouraged to tag the Borough President’s Office @StatenIslUSA in the places they are dining and use the #outSIdeEATS hashtag to show support and raise awareness of those open for outside dining.
 
Any restaurant, bar or café that would like to be featured in the list are asked to contact Lauren Lefkowitz at llefkowitz@statenislandusa.com with the following information: zip code; restaurant name; address; phone number; type of dining (patio/sidewalk/street/parking lot); reservation requirements; takeout/delivery availability; days and hours; social media handles; website.

Borough President James Oddo is pleased to announce that his office will be helping Cut Red Tape 4 Heroes and Super Health Pharmacy to bring essential PPE to Richmond University Medical Center staff. Cut Red Tape 4 Heroes puts free personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies directly in the hands of NYC doctors, nurses, healthcare staff, frontline workers and those in need by parking its donation truck outside of medical centers and offering PPE to anyone with a hospital badge.

Today, Tuesday, May 12, starting at 1:30pm, Cut Red Tape 4 Heroes will park their donation truck outside of Richmond University Medical Center to distribute 4,000 kits and additional supplies to anyone with a hospital badge. The pre-packaged PPE kits include: 1 face shield, 1 KN95 and 7 surgical masks. In addition the volunteers will be refilling hand sanitizer bottles, handing out gowns and Tyvek coverings based on availability.

“Thank you to Cut Red Tape 4 Heroes and Super Health Pharmacy for including our office in this distribution effort for our frontline healthcare workers. We continue to  work collaboratively in an all-out effort with every possible source to find supplies for those helping our community through this crisis,” noted Borough President James Oddo.  

Borough Hall is pleased to be involved in today’s effort, and is looking forward to future collaborative efforts with these organizations to bring PPE to Staten Island’s frontline workers.

This fundraiser, organized by Rhonda Roland Shearer on behalf of Art Science Research Laboratory Inc. in partnership with Housing Works, has distributed PPE to more than 15K healthcare workers and those at risk across the city and has purchased more than 1 million PPEs to date. The initiative, which was initially paid for by Rhonda’s own home equity line, is being funded via donations raised on www.cutredtape4heroes.org.  

“We are heartened that Borough President James Oddo is going to help and distribute PPE supplies today. The needs for PPE have been huge here in Staten Island,” said Rhonda Roland Shearer, founder of Cut Red Tape 4 Heroes and Director of Art Science Research Laboratory.  “Beyond PPE, we are bringing dignity and respect to these frontline workers and saying to them that we see you, we thank you, and we have your back."

Super Health Pharmacy, a local Staten Island pharmacy, has provided trucking, banners, and PPE discounts to the project. 
​
“Super Health Pharmacy is super excited to be able to help out neighbors at Richmond University Medical Center during this time in partnership with Cut Red Tape 4 Heroes. This is what it is all about, helping our community and getting things done,” said Mayank Parikh, Super Health Pharmacy. ​

Borough President James Oddo, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and the United Federation of Teachers are pleased to announce the continued success of the “Feeding Our Frontline” initiative, a partnership established April 1, 2020, with local restaurants and caterers to provide grab & go meals to hospital staffs at Staten Island University Hospital (both the North and South campuses) and Richmond University Medical Center. The program has been able to continue thus far as a result of generous partners and members of the community who have made donations for the meals. 

The collaborative would like to extend special appreciation to National Grid, who have signed on as a $10,000 Corporate Sponsor of the initiative. 

As of Monday morning, $65,770 has been donated in total to the initiative, with donations beginning at a $35 contribution to feed five healthcare workers. Borough President Oddo, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and UFT extend their gratitude to all those who have donated and those who have come forward as sponsors to ensure this program can continue.

So far, 8,704 grab & go meals have been provided for Staten Island healthcare workers. The collaborative partnered with local businesses A&S Caterers & Luncheonette, A Taste of Honey Caterers, Aunt Butchies of Brooklyn, Beyar’s Market and The Stone House who have all stepped up to provide meals at $7 per meal. Additionally, three weeks ago, 330 pizzas were delivered from Campania Coal Fired Pizza, Ciro Pizza Cafe, Millie's of Staten Island and DiLeo's Pizzeria to SIUH, RUMC, as well as Staten Island’s skilled nursing facilities. 

The collaborative would like to thank the following corporate sponsors of the “Feeding Our Frontline” initiative: National Grid, Former Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson, Matrix Development Group, The Staten Island Yankees, Sunrise Office Services, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Plus, Miller's Launch/Miller's Tug & Barge, Former City Councilmember Sal Albanese, Cheriyn Hoti, Ana Patricia Cosentino, C.B. Contracting Corp., Deputy Borough President Edward Burke, Former City Councilmember Fred Cerullo, Notre Dame Club of Staten Island - Bread of Life Food Drive, Rebecca DelVecchio, Richmond County Baseball Club, Rossana Pontecorvo, Wendy’s (The Rawson Group), Ronald Raguso, Moving Pictures Inc., Joseph Simone, Anne Marie and Robert Rautenstrauch, Ashleigh Owens, Donald and Kathleen Helt, Jean Giobbie, M/M Frank  Coccaro, Lisa Pratti, Robert Ryan, and the Sisters of St. Dorothy.

To kick off the program, the Borough President, the United Federation of Teachers, Community Television, and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce donated over $15,000 to feed hospital staff.  

“We are grateful for the support our community has shown this program that allows us to offer free meals to our healthcare workers as they fight this crisis on the frontline. The work our nurses and front line healthcare workers do each day is nothing short of heroic. Any and every donation is welcome so we may continue to show our appreciation for their daily strength and caring. Thank you to UFT and the SI Chamber of Commerce for continuing to partner with us to meet this need,” said Borough President Jim Oddo.

“You can always count on Staten Islanders to come together when you need them the most. It’s been wonderful to see so much generosity as both businesses and residents continue to contribute to this initiative. We send a big thank you to all of our essential workers who have been working tirelessly to take care of our community,” said Linda Baran, President & CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.  “The Chamber thanks Borough President Oddo and our partners, we are honored to take part in an effort that supports our hospital workers while supporting our local businesses as well.”

“We are proud to support this wonderful initiative and thankful for the opportunity to provide food to our frontline workers, who are beyond courageous.  They selflessly perform their jobs to keep us healthy and safe, and we thank you!” said Carol T. Decina, Manager of Customer and Community Engagement, nationalgrid. 

Borough President Oddo, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and UFT also extend their gratitude to those who have used their respective platforms to promote the “Feeding Our Frontline” Initiative, including the Staten Island Advance for covering the program on multiple occasions, as well as those in the Staten Island Delegation and all community partners and constituents who have shared the donation link to help get the word out to the greater Staten Island universe.
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To make a donation or join the program as a sponsor, please visit https://statenislandnycoc.wliinc19.com/mc-forms/feeding-our-front-line.aspx. ​