Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner and INCLUDEnyc celebrate a year's investment in Bronx PS 35 Elementary School students and their families

BRONX, N.Y., May 11, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (D-Bronx, 77th AD) and INCLUDEnyc Executive Director Barbara Glassman will join teachers and staff at PS 35 Elementary School to celebrate the completion of a yearlong project at the school designed to increase awareness, supports, and progress for students with disabilities.

The need for increased supports is especially high in the Bronx, where fewer than 2% of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) test proficient in grades 3 - 8 English Language Arts assessments. Bronx graduation rates for students with IEPs are as low as 17%. The economic and social consequences of failure to effectively educate these students are well understood, and include unemployment, increased risk of incarceration, and lack of independence.

In order to help PS 35's rapidly growing population of students with disabilities (currently 22% have IEPs) succeed in school, Joyner proposed funding through the NYS Education Department for INCLUDEnyc to provide on-site workshops, coaching, support, and information to parents and educators.

"With the help of INCLUDEnyc and the superb administration at PS 35 (The Franz Siegel School), we were able to enhance access to quality education for all children and parents that make up this great school's family," said Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner. "Through the wonderful work of INCLUDEnyc, real change was seen for students with disabilities by raising awareness for the needs of those with special needs and adding a sound educational support structure for students and their families. Everyone should have access to a quality and sound education, and this program has proactively addressed the growing population of students with disabilities in our community thanks to the $150,000 in funding that I secured for this yearlong effort."

INCLUDEnyc is a NYC nonprofit whose mission is to promote positive futures and enhance the quality of life for NYC children with disabilities, from birth through 26, and their families.

"This has been an invaluable opportunity to bring our organization's mission to life," said INCLUDEnyc's Executive Director Barbara Glassman. "It is through collaborations like this – and through the commitment, action, and vision of parents, schools, and communities – that real change can be made for young people with disabilities in New York City."

Throughout the course of the school year, families of students with disabilities received one-to-one coaching and access to weekend parent support groups. All of PS 35's families – not just those of students with disabilities – gained awareness of the needs of special education students through information sessions and educational resources. All staff received information, coaching, and support on disabilities and the special education process.

At the celebration event, resource materials created and compiled by INCLUDEnyc specifically for the parents of PS 35 students will be distributed to the entire school community.

WHAT: INCLUDEnyc @ PS 35

WHO: Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (D, 77); Community School District 9 Superintendent Leticia Rodriguez-Rosario; PS 35's Principal Graciela Navarro and Assistant Principal Aidimaris Soler; INCLUDEnyc's Executive Director Barbara Glassman and Senior Manager of Special Education and Policy, Lori Podvesker

WHERE: PS 35, Auditorium, 261 E 163rd St, Bronx, NY 10451

WHEN: 4:45 p.m.- 5:30 p.m., May 12, 2016

Contact: Todd Dorman
(212) 677-4650 x18, [email protected]

SOURCE INCLUDEnyc