Taste of Forest Avenue Restaurant Stroll and Street Festival is this Sunday - May 20th

Anyone who attended last years "Taste of Forest Avenue Restaurant Stroll and Street Festival" knows that the event is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. If you missed it, I strongly suggest that you get your tickets today rather than wait for the day of because check in for pre-sale Eventbrite ticket holders begins at 1 PM - giving you a full hour jump start on eating your way down Forest Avenue.  Click here for tickets.

The street festival is hosted by our friends at the Forest Avenue Business Improvement District in partnership with NYC Weekend Walks. It kicks off this Sunday, May 20th at 2PM and runs to 5 PM so make sure that you are on time to taste all the delectable treats these Staten Island restaurateurs have to offer.

The restaurant stroll runs along Forest Avenue from Hart Blvd to Broadway, Staten Island.  The street festival runs from Hart Blvd to Bard Avenue. 

One ticket buys you tastings from over 15 Forest Avenue restaurants. Entertainment for the day
will feature balloon twisters, face painters, magicians, arts and crafts, live music, performances and more! All entertainment will be free and open to the public.

Attendees can exchange their ticket for a sampler’s card at the following locations:

Near Verizon Communications: 355 Forest Ave Staten Island, New York 10301 OR Near McDonalds 803 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310.

Attendees who wish to purchase sampler’s cards on the day of the event can go to the following locations on May 20th: Café Milano 401 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310 OR North Shore True Value Hardware 647 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310.

Participating Restaurants:

Beans and Leaves
Burrito Bar
The Kettle Black
Ho’Brah
Panini Grill
Fab Cup
Mar Mar Restaurant
Mustard Seed
Bruno’s Bakery and Restaurant
Project Brunch
Liberty Tavern Grill
Jody’s Club
Philly Pretzel Factory
Casa Franco
Jean’s Fine Wines & Spirits
Pastosa (From 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM only)
Santino’s Gourmet
Cafe Milano

Free Entertainment:

Trackless Train
Face Painters
Balloon Sculptors
Magicians
Children’s Games
Family Photo Booth
Live Music
NYPD Rock Wall (Anticipated)
DJ Team

Restaurant tastings tickets can be purchased at http://forestavenuebid.com/taste-of-forest-ave/. Follow the event page on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1748185388561286/.

Community can weigh in on proposed language immersion school

About the School - Hebrew Public Charter Schools for Global Citizens, a language immersion school that operates K-8 schools throughout New York City, has announced that they will be filing an application to open a school on Staten Island's North Shore in 2019.

Community Input - Aaron Listhaus, Executive Director and Valerie Khaytina, Vice President for External Affairs have made presentations to Community Board 1, St. George Civic, Stapleton and West Brighton area committees and others in an effort to gather community feedback about. Those interested in seeing how a language immersion school operates can join a group who will be touring Hebrew Language Academy Charter School located at 2186 Mill Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234 on May 22, 2018 at 9:30am.  For more information about the tour or to RSVP, email valerie@hebrewpublic.org or visit their Facebook page here.

Language Immersion - The above video discusses language immersion techniques and how they benefit children of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Similar to Chinese, Greek and Arabic language immersion schools located throughout New York City, Staten Island Hebrew Public will help students become proficient in the Hebrew Language and enhance their ability to learn other languages throughout their lifetime.

Take the Survey - The organization is asking for community input. Those interested can visit sihebrewpublic.org to take the survey or host a meeting by contacting kay@hebrewpublic.org. 

According to their website - "Hebrew Public Charter Schools use a proficiency-based approach to foreign language learning.  They assist students to develop at different rates in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students can often listen to and recognize Hebrew words long before they are able to use them in their own writing or speaking.

"Public schools across the country offer dual language programs in a wide range of languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Greek, and Arabic. These program, which have grown largely in response to demands from local communities, are a proven way of getting students more engaged in their studies, building literacy, raising academic achievement, and preparing children to live and thrive in a global, interdependent environment. The incorporation of an intensive focus on a foreign language in a school’s curriculum supports positive evidence-based learning and developmental outcomes in students.


HEBREW PUBLIC’S UNIQUE MODEL FOCUSES ON:

• Rigorous instruction in English Language Arts (ELA), math, science, social studies, Modern Hebrew language, music, art, dance, physical fitness, and chess.

• Immersive Modern Hebrew instruction, bringing Israel to life in the classroom.

• Individualized math and English language arts learning paths for each student.

• Advanced STEM curriculum, including technology integrated into the curriculum.

• Supportive services are available for English Language Learners and special education students.

• A curriculum designed to develop students’ attributes of global citizenship: empathy, cross cultural understanding, and inclusivity.

• Extended school day and year.

• After school options and yellow bus transportation available.

Seeking a Location - of the School officials are seeking to locate the school on Staten Island's north shore because it is Staten Island's most diverse community with many households speaking at least two languages. They will begin offering Kindergarten and 1st grade then add grades as the school enrollment grows.  Enrollment is open to all students and placement is done by lottery. 

Staten Island Hebrew Public is a public charter school teaching the Hebrew language. It is not a religious school. 

For more information visit their Facebook page or website.