Page 3 - qt edition #50 Dec. 11 2025

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 3

Free Schools Law is Delivering Outstanding Gillibrand, Colleagues Urge Action
Results For New York Students And Teachers From Trump Administration To End

(Continued from page 1) parents are supportive as well.” ness in class are improving.” Violence In Burma, Extend Temporary
Protected Status
83 percent reported that their State Senator Shelley B. Mayer
Governor Kathy Hochul schools are experiencing more said, “As we enter December, we U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand senators began.
announced new survey results positive classroom environments have early feedback surrounding (D-NY) and eight of her Senate “We urge you to prioritize ad-
showing that her nation-leading and better student engagement the bell-to-bell ban on cell phones colleagues urged U.S. Secretary dressing the escalating violence
distraction-free schools law is since implementing a distraction- in classrooms, and the Governor’s of State Marco Rubio to take and human rights abuses in Bur-
already having a transformative free policy. survey results are consistent with strong actions in response to esca- ma, condemn the junta’s planned
impact for students and teachers Feedback from schools in- what I am hearing from school lating violence and human rights elections, and champion justice,
at schools throughout New York cluded: leaders, students, parents and violations committed by Myan- accountability, and the protec-
State. The Governor’s Office dis- • An assistant superintendent in teachers. School districts have mar’s military junta as well as the tion of basic human dignity. We
tributed the survey in November the Southern Tier said: “This has implemented plans that respect junta’s upcoming sham elections. ask this not only because it is the
and received over 350 responses been a game changer. Students students, parents, and teachers Pointing to increasing instability right thing to do, but because it is
from school administrators state- have their heads up and not down and achieve the goals of reducing and a worsening humanitarian also in our core national interest to
wide that implemented bell-to-bell looking at their phones. Students distractions and increasing social- crisis fueled by the junta’s mass achieve stability in Southeast Asia
smartphone restrictions following are having conversations with ization among students. I thank killings, forced displacement and push back on malign People’s
Governor Hochul’s distraction- each other! I observe in a lot of the Governor and school leaders, of civilians, and persecution of Republic of China (PRC) influ-
free schools law. classrooms and there is a notice- NYSUT, School Boards, students, minorities – as the country is ence in the region,” they stressed.
“Our kids are finding greater suc- able difference in student engage- and parents across the state for still reeling from the destruction “The junta’s ruthless campaign
cess in the classroom when they’re ment.” their diligent work to make the caused by a historic earthquake has devastated all of Burma’s
focused on learning, not scroll- • A district administrator in implementation a success.” earlier this year – the senators people, but religious and ethnic
ing,” Governor Hochul said. “This the North Country said: “It has State Senator John Liu said, urged Secretary Rubio in a letter minorities remain especially at
year, I was proud to champion a resulted in so many positives for “This data should hang up all to focus on diplomatic efforts to risk. […] These abuses demand
statewide distraction-free schools our students, specifically during doubt about taking cell phones restore stability in Burma while a robust U.S. response rooted in
initiative, working hand-in-hand classes and lunch. Students are out of schools from bell to bell. As countering the growing influence moral leadership and strategic
with New York teachers, students, making eye contact with adults cell phones become more involved of China and Russia in the region. interest,” they continued.
and parents to create a policy that and peers, they’re organizing into everyday life, we’re only now To that end, they outlined specific The senators went on to urge
works for each community across games that involve thinking and beginning to understand how our steps the Trump administration the administration to take several
our state. These survey results problem solving, and they’re en- overreliance on this new technol- should take to reassert U.S. lead- actions in order to address these
are indicative of that effort, il- gaging with one another instead ogy can be harmful to our young ership on human rights, help end concerns, including to: promote
lustrating the effectiveness of our of their phones. These are all hard people, especially when it comes the violence, and support a path accountability for atrocities com-
tailored approach to phone-free skills that develop during school to social media. Making sure our toward inclusive governance and mitted by the military junta;
schools, and offer a glimpse of the and are vital in the workforce later kids are able to learn without the democracy in Burma. appoint a Special Coordinator
success to come for our students.” in life. I could not be happier for persistent distractions from cell Senator Gillibrand was joined for Democracy in Burma; fully
Survey Results From Schools our students, staff and our school phones will keep our kids focused, on this letter by Senators Chris implement the BURMA Act and
Across the State 92 Percent re- community.” strengthen their critical thinking Van Hollen (D-MD), Amy Klobu- resume foreign assistance to the
ported that their transition to • A principal on Long Island skills, and allow them to fully char (D-MN), Michael Bennet nation; and extend and redesig-
a distraction-free policy went said: “It has been a very positive engage with their teachers, class- (D-CO), Peter Welch (D-VT), nate Temporary Protected Status
smoothly. shift in our school community. mates and the world around them.” Tim Kaine (D-VA), Andy Kim (TPS) for Burma.
Feedback from schools included: Thank you for all of your sup- Assemblymember John T. (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), “These measures are not only
• A principal in Central New port!” McDonald III, RPh said, “Distrac- and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). consistent with our nation’s val-
York said: “It was a seamless • A principal in New York City tion free classrooms are already “We write to express our ues, but also critical to restoring
transition. We have had zero is- said: “Student to student discourse making a difference in schools profound concern regarding the stability in the broader Indo-
sues with students trying to use has increased considerably. Ad- across our region, and this sur- ongoing bloodshed and oppres- Pacific region. Continued chaos
their phones in school. The com- ditionally, during recess time stu- vey highlights the importance of sion in Burma, which has lasted in Burma creates further openings
munication from the state first dents are much more engaged and working together to build on that far too long. The systematic per- for increased PRC influence that
was great, and my district and creatively playing games together. momentum. I’m grateful to Gov- secution of ethnic and religious could gain it strategically valuable
school followed up. There was no We also hear increased laughter!” ernor Hochul for her commitment minorities, including Muslims, access to the Indian Ocean. Both
pushback at all.” 75 percent reported that imple- to creating learning environments Christians, and other vulnerable Russia and the PRC have provided
• A principal in the Finger menting a distraction-free policy where students can succeed and communities, requires urgent almost $1 billion in weapons to
Lakes said: “This has been a is improving their ability to teach our teachers are respected. I be- attention and decisive leader- the junta,” the senators added.
great initiative. The state mandate effectively. lieve this effort will have a lasting ship from the United States. The “The only solution to these chal-
coupled with district autonomy Feedback from schools included: impact for generations to follow.” upcoming sham elections in lenges to U.S. interests is to work
over how to implement — i.e. stor- • A district administrator in Governor Hochul’s Phone-Free December and January further with regional partners to end the
age method and consequences for Western New York said: “High Schools Initiative damage Burma’s democracy, rule violence and place Burma on a
infraction — is important.” school teachers shared that stu- Recognizing the necessity of law, and further consolidate path to inclusive governance and
• A superintendent in the Hudson dents’ responses to literature are of ensuring safe and productive the junta’s repressive power,” the democracy.”
Valley said: “Our rollout was very deeper and more meaningful — learning environments for stu-
well planned and communicated. they are seeing students actually dents and educators, Governor
We have been very pleased with reading and not just looking for Hochul advanced legislation to Queens College Choral Society to
the response from our students Cliff Notes or quick answers. create a statewide standard for Present Duke Ellington’s The Best of
and community. Our staff have They are interacting with text at distraction-free school environ-
embraced the shared responsibil- a deeper level.” ments and secured its passage in The Sacred Concerts
ity of monitoring this regulation.” • A principal in the Mohawk the FY2026 budget. New York is
• A superintendent in the Capi- Valley said: “This policy has had a now the most populous state in the 85th Annual Winter Concert Fea- ris, artistic director of programs
tal Region said: “Much smoother positive impact on students. Their U.S. with a statewide, bell-to-bell tures Jazz Orchestra, Tap Dance, at the Louis Armstrong House
than expected… Community and interpersonal skills and attentive- restriction. and Vocal Soloists Museum. The orchestra’s rhythm
QBP Donovan Richards Jr. Comments on Queens Casino’s The Queens College Choral section will feature students from
Queens College’s Aaron Copland
Society (QCCS) will celebrate its School of Music, underscoring
gaming licenses. they embody our borough’s unri- 85th annual Winter Concert with the collaboration between profes-
That recommendation, which valed potential as a true live, work a performance of Duke Ellington’s sional artists and emerging talent.
will in all likelihood result in the and play community. The Best of the Sacred Concerts The concert will be conducted
New York State Gaming Com- From local street vendors re- on Saturday, December 14, at 4 by Queens College music profes-
mission officially issuing licenses ceiving brick-and-mortar space p.m. in Colden Auditorium at the sor James John, who also directs
to both entities later this month, at Metropolitan Park’s Taste of Kupferberg Center for the Arts. the college’s choral studies pro-
represents the most significant Queens Food Hall to local student- Ellington, one of America’s gram, graduate program in choral
step yet toward connecting tens athletes growing on and off the greatest composers, wrote three conducting, and Vocal Ensemble.
of thousands of Queens families to court at Resorts World’s Innova- Sacred Concerts in the final de- Special guest performers include
There is no safer bet in our city good-paying union jobs and mil- tion Center to families taking cade of his life, blending spiritu- tap dancer Marshall Davis Jr., a
than Queens and its unparalleled lions of residents and tourists alike advantage of 32 combined acres als, jazz, blues, and classical tra- QC faculty member with Broad-
promise. The most diverse county to world-class entertainment. of new public park space, it is my ditions into music that transcends way credits; narrator Randall
in the United States is quickly Since the very start of this belief that Queens hit the jackpot denominational boundaries. The Keith Horton, a QC alumnus who
becoming its most economically casino licensing process, both with these proposals. Best of the Sacred Concerts is a once served as Ellington’s con-
innovative and transformative Resorts World and Metropolitan I’m proud to have supported compilation of highlights from ducting and composing assistant;
— cemented by Monday’s recom- Park have held winning hands, both projects, and I’m immensely those works, performed separately and vocal soloists Maya Raisha,
mendation by the New York State with each putting forth unrivaled grateful to Governor Hochul’s and cherished for their uplifting Briana Swann, and C. Anthony
Gaming Facility Location Board community benefits packages to administration, the applicants spirit. Bryant.
that both Resorts World New York uplift our families and clear-eyed and all our neighbors for their More than 100 members of the Tickets are priced at $32, with a
City in South Ozone Park and the workforce development plans that work shaping these community- Choral Society will take the stage discounted rate of $7 for students
future Metropolitan Park complex will generate billions of dollars in centric plans. There is no doubt for 17 selections, accompanied by
in Corona receive state casino wages and tax revenue. Together, that Queens is the truly the future. a jazz orchestra led by Bruce Har- (Continued on page 11)