🌱 The Mayor's Crisis + Principal Grievances + P.S. 5 Takes Flight

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Carlie Houser, your host of the Daily. Keep reading for the most important things going on in town. In this issue, you'll find...

• The mayor addresses his haters: "This is a crisis"
• Tensions boil over on vote of no confidence in principal at regarded Park Slope middle school
• Revamped aviation center at Bed-Stuy school is taking off ✈️

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But first, today's weather:

🌤 Breezy with periods of sun. High: 45 Low: 33.

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Here are the top stories in Brooklyn today:

1. Mayor Eric Adams is facing a wave of criticism after he announced an emergency shelter for male asylum seekers at Red Hook's Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Shortly after, the mayor announced the new "Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center (HERRC)" at the Red Hook terminal, the Legal Aid Society and Coalition of the Homeless released a statement outlining their concerns, including the shelter's location in a flood zone, leaving migrants exposed to the elements. Yesterday, the Mayor fired back a number of advocacy groups who challenged his decision to open another 1,000-bed migrant shelter over the weekend. "This is a crisis," he repeated multiple times in his address, dinging his adversaries for not recognizing the weight of NYC's dilemma — the city has had to accommodate over 41,000 asylum seekers in a matter of months.

AMNY

2. Tensions at a Brooklyn middle school reached a boiling point as parents and teachers spar with their principal. Last year, teachers and staff at M.S. 51 in Park Slope, known as one of the district's "big three" middle schools with a competitive application process, held a vote of no confidence in their principal Neal Singh. Two thirds voted for his removal, charging Singh with "gross mismanagement of our school" and describing extensive concerns about safety, lack of communication, "capricious and arbitrary decision-making," and interference with union activities. A few months later, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) filed a grievance that alleges a "pattern of harassment and intimidation of union members" — it became the largest so-called 'union animus grievance' in UFT history. And while the majority made their voices heard, others believe the vote was unfairly cast; some say the decision was racially motivated, and others defended the difficulty of Singh's position as a principle who started at M.S. 51 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chalkbeat New York

3. And in more school news, a Bed-Stuy school's aviation program has reached next level heights. Just a few months ago, P.S. 5 opened its new aviation center — revamped in the fall in partnership with American Airlines. Come Saturday the center and its flight simulators will be open to students in the community for the first time. This expansion will soon include students from nearby P.S. 309, P.S. 262, and P.S. 21. Nearly 20 students at P.S. 5 are participating in the aviation program, including a subgroup called "The Lady Flyers," where kids tackle a flight-focused curriculum aimed to prepare students for a future in the field. They also dive deep into other skills and research projects, all with tilt towards aviation. And, not only is the program growing in Bed-Stuy, professional pilots have read about P.S. 5's center and have come to visit and give inspiring talks about the job.

Patch

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Today in Brooklyn:

• Brooklyn Borough Hall Greenmarket, Court Street & Montague Street, Today @ 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Details
• 🩸 Blood Donor Month Blood Drive, 30 Flatbush Ave., Today @ 1 p.m. | Details
• Drop-In Adult Arts & Crafts Time, Brooklyn Public Library Flatbush Branch, Today @ 6 p.m. | Details
• Ice Skating, Brooklyn Commons, Today @ 6 - 8 p.m. | Details
• Comedy & Music Show [Free!], Halyards, Every Tuesday @ 8 p.m. | Details

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🐝 Brooklyn Buzz:

• 🎬 Brooklyn at Sundance: These best 2023 Sundance Film Festival offerings by Brooklyn-based creators! "One of the best projects at this year's fest is 'Chanshi,' a new comedy series with the flavor of Lena Dunham's 'Girls,' but set among Jewish friends in Israel (and without Lena Dunham). Chanshi is played by ex-pat Brooklynite Aleeza Chanowitz, and the series draws heavily from her own experience leaving her Orthodox family behind for a different taste of freedom in the Holy Land. In the show, Chanshi quickly makes the decision to 'Aliyah in Israel' (move to Israel), and in the process makes a bold assertion of her sexual identity. But her family in Brooklyn won't give up on her without a fight (Henry Winkler co-stars as Chanshi's father). And that's just one of them! Visit the link to learn more. (Brooklyn Magazine)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with your next update!

— Carlie Houser

About me: I'm a recent grad based in Brooklyn, NY. I love to write, run, read, and find new restaurants and venues around the city.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Brooklyn Daily? Contact me at brooklyn@patch.com