As part of his health initiative efforts, Borough President James Oddo has kicked off a “Fizz Free February” campaign on social media. The initiative is designed to educate the public about the realities of sugar, especially in soda and sugar sweetened beverages. Given the severity in the overall health statistics of Staten Islanders, Borough President Oddo feels that it is important to bring attention to health education and positive lifestyle changes, beginning with the importance of cutting sugar in your diet.
 
The campaign will take place over the month of February. Each Friday on Borough Hall’s Staten Island USA social media accounts, a post will highlight the realities of how sugar affects the way our bodies function as well as the overall state of our health.
 
Statistics show that in this country, sugar sweetened beverages are the largest source of added sugar to a person’s diet. Increased sugar consumption has been shown to lead to obesity, which dramatically increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
 
The public will be encouraged to put down their soda and sugar sweetened beverages, and to instead consume only sugar-free beverages, such as water, seltzer, or unsweetened iced tea. Examples of sugar sweetened beverages include regular soda, diet soda, sweetened tea, sweetened coffee, fruit drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks.
 
“By educating Staten Islanders about the dangers of sugary drinks, we can help them make informed decisions about their health,” noted Borough President Oddo. “We’ve encouraged the participants to get creative in educating their peers about the negative effects of these beverages, which we hope will inspire them to eventually ‘kick the can’ for good.”
 
Borough President Oddo is excited to see Staten Islanders “Fizz Free February” sugar-free drink options. Tag our social media accounts with photos of friends, family, coworkers, or classmates drinking healthy alternatives to soda and sugary drinks and we will repost them.

On Sunday, January 27, Borough President James S. Oddo hosted his first annual “BP Assist Live” at Susan E. Wagner High School.  This was adapted from the previous “Direct Connect Sunday,” a tradition he began when he took office.
 
“When I first got elected borough president in 2014, the notion of having a really stuffy swearing-in inauguration didn’t quite fit my style,” said Borough President Oddo. “I wanted to get to work. I tried to figuratively and literally open the door to Borough Hall and host Staten Islanders I have never seen, and it was really a positive event.”
 
Borough President Oddo began the afternoon with a Q&A with students from Staten Island’s high schools. Topics addressed included the opioid epidemic, street conditions and how to portray Staten Island in a positive light. Borough President Oddo also spoke of the importance of sleep, healthy eating and managing stress for teenagers.
 
On the drug epidemic, he said the crisis knows “no demographic.”
 
The schools represented included Susan E. Wagner High School, Curtis High School, Monsignor Farrell High School, New Dorp High School, Michael J. Petrides High School, Staten Island Technical High School, McKee Technical High School, Concord High School and the College of Staten Island High School for International Studies.
 
Another aspect of the day included a resource fair where Staten islanders were able to meet with representatives from 48 city agencies, cultural organizations and community groups to learn about their services and ask questions.

​We welcomed over 200 people at the event. 

Missed our BP Assist Live event? No problem, click here to learn about what our staff are up to.

Borough President James S. Oddo is pleased to announce the expansion of his reading initiatives for students in 2019. The Readers Are Leaders program is an institution in fourth grade classes on Staten Island, with over 110,000 students and more than half a million books later, it clearly has been a monumental success. This year’s additional reading initiatives will include more than just the fourth grade, in an effort to ignite the spark in this younger generation with the power and enjoyment of reading.

“At a time when children are beginning to learn the power of reading, my office is making an effort to do all we can to encourage and reinforce the notion that reading is an essential part of life,” said Borough President Oddo. “I’m thrilled to continue the ‘Readers Are Leaders’ tradition and hope these new initiatives encourage reading at all levels.”

Now in its 23rd year, the Readers Are Leaders program challenges fourth graders across the Island to read six books in five weeks. Staten Island author and magician Mike Lane joined the challenge three years ago with his book series, “The Magic Shop.” Along with reading the six books, students are offered a mini-challenge within Readers Are Leaders to read Lane’s four book series and write a book report. The winner of that challenge, chosen by Lane, will receive a free magic show for their school. The Readers Are Leaders challenge runs from February 18th to March 25th.

As a partner program and expansion of the successful Readers Are Leaders, Borough President Oddo will be challenging first graders with a new Readers Are Leaders Jr. program. This program will run concurrent to the fourth grade program. The first grade will be challenged to read “Mikey and the Dragons” by Jocko Willink, along with one book of their choice. 

The Borough President has incorporated Jocko Willink’s first children’s book series, “Way of the Warrior Kid,” into his reading initiatives for the past two years. This year, that effort will be expanded into the Summer Reading Challenge as an extension to the fourth grade Readers Are Leaders program. To keep students engaged during the summer months, students will be challenged to read both of the books in the “Way of the Warrior Kid” series. 
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Rounding out the new reading initiatives is a reading program for the second grade students. Staten Island second grade students will be challenged to read Nick Katsoris’ “Loukoumi’s Good Deeds,” from the “Loukomi” book series, about Loukoumi and the good deeds she does in her community. A discussion will take place in the classroom about what good deeds the students have done in response to reading this book, as well as take part in Make A Difference Day on October 26th.

​On Monday, December 11th, BP Oddo hosted the annual Borough Hall Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. At the event, carols and theatrical scenes were performed by local talents, including Al Lambert, House of Cadre, Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre, and D. Sharp Studios. Santa joined BP Oddo to light the Christmas tree and give out books to children who attended.
 
“This is a great moment for all of us to come together and celebrate the season,” said BP Oddo. “I hope all Staten Islanders have a safe and happy holiday season!”
 
The event was sponsored by Allstate, Cake Chef's Cookie Jar, the Gavel Grill, the National Lighthouse Museum, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Staten Island Yankees.

On Thursday, December 6th, BP Oddo honored two outstanding educators with the Patrick F. Daly Award. This award goes to two educators who exemplify the values of the fallen principal, who was gunned down 26 years ago in Red Hook, Brooklyn while searching for a student who had left the school building. The award was established shortly after Mr. Daly’s death and was revived last year to honor his legacy of service to the community, his steadfast commitment to his students, and his leadership.

This year’s recipients were Ingrid Ebanks, Physical Education teacher at Curtis High School and teacher at the JCC Beacon Afterschool Program at I.S. 49, and John Fodera, President of St. Peter’s Boys High School. Speakers at the event included Pat Daly, Mr. Daly’s son, and David Pascarella, his nephew. In addition, Korina Toledo and Clare Cranston, who nominated Ms. Ebanks and Mr. Fodera respectively, spoke about the educators’ impact on their lives. At the conclusion of the event, the names of the two winners were unveiled on a plaque that is permanently installed in Borough Hall. 
 
“I’m happy to continue this award to honor Mr. Daly’s legacy, and sacrifice, as well as recognize outstanding educators in our community,” said BP Oddo. “I believe Ingrid Ebanks and John Fodera embody many of the exceptional qualities Mr. Daly had as an educator. Both have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their students and a love of education and their communities. As the Daly family members noted when we selected them, both Ms. Ebanks and Mr. Fodera are following in the footsteps of Mr. Daly through their inspiring work inside and outside of school.”

Lovingly referred to as a “giver and a dream maker,” Ingrid Ebanks has taught and encouraged students for many years as a former Dean and current Physical Education teacher at Curtis High School and at the JCC Beacon Afterschool Program at I.S. 49 in Stapleton for the last 23 years. Her approach to teaching physical education is innovative and designed to keep the students active, engaged, and comfortable; however, she is more than just a teacher. She has taught generations of students how to exhibit respect, integrity, and community spirit. Her students consider her someone they can confide in, knowing she will not judge and will help them navigate their problems in school or at home. She has shown a strong commitment to the St. George and Stapleton communities, fighting to care for and protect these community’s students. Ms. Ebanks has beaten cancer twice and returned each time with a determination to teach her students about the cycles of life and the battles that must be fought. She has earned the reputation as a trusted educator whose will for her students to succeed sometimes surpasses her own needs. Ms. Ebanks teaches her students what it means to take risks—“never give up or settle” is her motto. Through her teaching, she has helped open doors for her students and shown them a different perspective and path for a successful life.

John Fodera, who currently serves as the St. Peter’s Boys High School President, graduated from St. Peter’s in the early 1960s and returned to teach at his beloved alma mater after finishing college. Prior to serving in his current position, he served as Assistant Principal from 1968 until being named Principal in 1990. However, Mr. Fodera is more than just the President of the school—he is a mentor to every boy there. He greets every student by name each morning and throughout the day all year long. He works hard to get to know each student personally and is there for them in times of both crisis and joy. Mr. Fodera has built great relationships with the community, giving back to local businesses who donate their time to the school and ensuring students perform community service by helping out in the local soup kitchen and tutoring at local schools. Throughout his tenure at the school, he was able to raise money for needed repairs as well as a new multimillion dollar gym and state-of-the-art football field to attract more potential students. His vision and hard work successfully reflected in increased enrollment, which continues to expand today. The dedication and unwavering support he has showed the school and its generations of students has ensured its success during a time of continuous Catholic school closures among the Archdiocese of New York. To all who know the school, John Fodera is the face of St. Peter’s.
​
“My family and I want thank the Borough President and his staff for continuing to honor my father and his legacy through this award.  We also would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to this year's award recipients,” said Patrick Daly, son of the fallen educator.
 
Following the event, light fare was provided by students from the Port Richmond High School Culinary Arts program. Students from Susan Wagner High School performed a musical selection.

On Wednesday, December 5th, BP Oddo hosted Borough Hall's annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony. At the event, students sang Hanukkah songs before participants lit the menorah and sampled traditional holiday treats.
 
“Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights, so it’s only fitting that we celebrate the joy and light in our lives at this time of year,” said BP Oddo.
 
The event was sponsored by the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island.

Borough President James S. Oddo is pleased to announce that he is continuing the Patrick F. Daly Award after reviving it last year in honor of the 25th anniversary of Mr. Patrick Daly’s death. The Patrick F. Daly Award was established shortly after Mr. Daly’s death to honor his legacy of service to the community, a steadfast commitment to his students, and his leadership. This award goes to two educators who exemplify the values of the fallen principal, who was gunned down 26 years ago in Red Hook, Brooklyn while searching for a student who had left the school building.

After carefully considering all the nominations of exemplary educators submitted by the public, members of the Daly family and Borough President Oddo’s staff selected Ingrid Ebanks, Physical Education teacher at Curtis High School and teacher at the JCC Beacon Afterschool Program at I.S. 49,  and John Fodera, President of St. Peter’s Boys High School, to receive the award. The ceremony will take place at Borough Hall on Thursday, December 6th at 6:30pm.

“I’m happy to continue this award to honor Mr. Daly’s legacy, and sacrifice, as well as recognize outstanding educators in our community,” said BP Oddo. “I believe Ingrid Ebanks and John Fodera embody many of the exceptional qualities Mr. Daly had as an educator. Both have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their students and a love of education and their communities. As the Daly family members noted when we selected them, both Ms. Ebanks and Mr. Fodera are following in the footsteps of Mr. Daly through their inspiring work inside and outside of school.”

Lovingly referred to as a “giver and a dream maker,” Ingrid Ebanks has taught and encouraged students for many years as a former Dean and current Physical Education teacher at Curtis High School and at the JCC Beacon Afterschool Program at I.S. 49 in Stapleton for the last 23 years. Her approach to teaching physical education is innovative and designed to keep the students active, engaged, and comfortable; however, she is more than just a teacher. She has taught generations of students how to exhibit respect, integrity, and community spirit. Her students consider her someone they can confide in, knowing she will not judge and will help them navigate their problems in school or at home. She has shown a strong commitment to the St. George and Stapleton communities, fighting to care for and protect these community’s students. Ms. Ebanks has beaten cancer twice and returned each time with a determination to teach her students about the cycles of life and the battles that must be fought. She has earned the reputation as a trusted educator whose will for her students to succeed sometimes surpasses her own needs. Ms. Ebanks teaches her students what it means to take risks—“never give up or settle” is her motto. Through her teaching, she has helped open doors for her students and shown them a different perspective and path for a successful life.

John Fodera, who currently serves as the St. Peter’s Boys High School President, graduated from St. Peter’s in the early 1960s and returned to teach at his beloved alma mater after finishing college. Prior to serving in his current position, he served as Assistant Principal from 1968 until being named Principal in 1990. However, Mr. Fodera is more than just the President of the school—he is a mentor to every boy there. He greets every student by name each morning and throughout the day all year long. He works hard to get to know each student personally and is there for them in times of both crisis and joy. Mr. Fodera has built great relationships with the community, giving back to local businesses who donate their time to the school and ensuring students perform community service by helping out in the local soup kitchen and tutoring at local schools. Throughout his tenure at the school, he was able to raise money for needed repairs as well as a new multimillion dollar gym and state-of-the-art football field to attract more potential students. His vision and hard work successfully reflected in increased enrollment, which continues to expand today. The dedication and unwavering support he has showed the school and its generations of students has ensured its success during a time of continuous Catholic school closures among the Archdiocese of New York. To all who know the school, John Fodera is the face of St. Peter’s.

“My family and I want thank the Borough President and his staff for continuing to honor my father and his legacy through this award.  We also would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to this year's award recipients,” said Patrick Daly, son of the fallen educator.
​
The award ceremony will be followed by a reception with light fare in the main hall of the building.

On Tuesday, November 20th, Deputy BP Ed Burke joined with Kevin Mannix of Mannix Shop Rite Stores to donate turkeys to help feed the less fortunate in our community. In honor of the Thanksgiving season, Shop Rite donated 800 turkeys to 12 local food pantries.

"Thanksgiving is a time for food and family, and we hope these donations will help all Staten Islanders enjoy this special holiday," said Deputy BP Burke. "Thank you to Shop Rite for partnering with us again on this important drive."
 
We wish all Staten Islanders a happy and safe Thanksgiving!