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<div><div style="display:none;display:none !important;line-height:1px;max-height:0px;max-width:0px;height:0;width:0;font-size:0px">Open Space for our Children: Schoolyard Renovation Project</div><div><div><div align="center"><div align="center" style="max-width:602px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"><table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"><tbody><tr><td><img alt="" width="1" height="5" hspace="0" vspace="0" border="0" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/sys/S.gif"></td><td align="center" valign="top" width="600"><table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td><img src="http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/shr_drw_left.png"></td><td><a href="http://s.rs6.net/t?e=0bB3YgnwzCA&c=1&r=1"><img src="http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/shr_drw_fb.png" style="border:0"></a></td><td><a href="http://s.rs6.net/t?e=0bB3YgnwzCA&c=3&r=1"><img src="http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/shr_drw_twit.png" style="border:0"></a></td><td><a href="http://s.rs6.net/t?e=0bB3YgnwzCA&c=4&r=1"><img src="http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/shr_drw_linked.png" style="border:0"></a></td><td><img src="http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/shr_drw_divider.png" style="border:0"></td><td><a href="http://s.rs6.net/t?e=0bB3YgnwzCA&c=5&r=1"><img src="http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/shr_drw_more.png" style="border:0"></a></td><td><img src="http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/shr_drw_right.png" style="border:0"></td><td style="padding-left:5px"><a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Assemblymember-Rodneyse-Bichotte-Helps-To-Bring--1-3-Million-for--Schoolyard-Renovation-Project.html?soid=1103413547828&aid=0bB3YgnwzCA#fblike"><img src="http://img.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/shr_btn_like_sm.png" style="border:0"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><img alt="" width="1" height="5" hspace="0" vspace="0" border="0" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/sys/S.gif"></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div><img src="http://r20.rs6.net/on.jsp?a=1103413547828&r=3&c=681214d0-50f2-11e3-80e1-d4ae52a459cd&d=1130517459145&ch=6910e730-50f2-11e3-81ab-d4ae52a459cd&ca=aa984c1f-e765-4fad-9cc0-7b6b5fc3c905&o=https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/s.gif" height="1" width="1">
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<div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;text-align:left" align="left"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></div>
<div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;text-align:left" align="left">May 3, 2018</div>
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<div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;text-align:left" align="left"><strong>Press Contact:</strong></div>
<div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;text-align:left" align="left">Lisa Derrick </div>
<div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;text-align:left" align="left">718-940-0428</div>
<div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;text-align:left" align="left"><a shape="rect">derrickl@nyassembly.gov</a></div>
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<div style="font-size:22pt;margin-top:0px;font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;margin-bottom:0px;text-align:center" align="center">Assemblymember <span style="font-size:24pt">Rodneyse Bichotte </span></div>
<div style="font-size:20pt;margin-top:0px;font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif;margin-bottom:0px;text-align:center" align="center">Helps To Bring $1.3 Million for Schoolyard Renovation Project</div>
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<div><strong>(Brooklyn, NY)</strong>, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte</div>
proudly announces the procurement of a hard fought $1.3 million in funding for a desperately needed schoolyard renovation. The schoolyard, located at Midwood High School, is utilized by three local schools <strong>Midwood HS, P.S. 152, and P.S. 315.</strong></div>
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<div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif">The new schoolyard will include a farm-garden renovation allowing students from all three schools to learn about home gardening and the benefits of healthy eating. Additionally, the garden will be used as a teaching tool for urban sustainability. The presence of this redesigned schoolyard is critically important given that the 42nd Assembly District has very few open spaces. </div>
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<div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif">The schoolyard will revert to park-like access, with recreational activities for children. Whenever the school is not in session, the entire community will be allowed to use the area.</div>
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<div style="font-family:'arial' , 'helvetica' , sans-serif">"This project will be the first among many efforts to improve the quality of life for the people of the 42nd district" <strong>said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte</strong>. "Our neighborhoods are only stronger when they are stronger together."</div>
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<div style="text-align:center" align="center"><em>PS 261K playground in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn </em></div>
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<div style="font-size:18pt;text-align:left" align="left">The funding is part of New York State's Vital Brooklyn project a community development and wellness initiative. The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit, has also been heavily involved in the redesign process. The TPL will be managing the design and construction process and will be coordinating with the three schools, the principles, students and the larger community. Over the past 20 years, through its NYC Playgrounds Program, TPL has built or designed nearly 200 playgrounds with NYC public schools and their communities. </div>
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The Vital Brooklyn project may also provide funding for community-based health care, violence prevention, youth market, and a range of other initiatives will be forthcoming according to <strong>Assemblymember Bichotte.</strong> <br></div>
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<div>"All of our children should have access to open, green spaces" <strong>said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte</strong>. "We want families and children to have access to playgrounds and open spaces throughout the district. We plan to go to every school and pitch a similar model so that all children can enjoy beautiful outdoor spaces in their communities."</div>
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<div>"I would like to thank all of the <strong>community leaders, community organizations, and parents </strong>involved in this effort as well as the leadership of <strong>Council Member Jumaane Williams, Senator Kevin Parker, Midwood HS Principal Michael McDonnell, PS 152 Principal Gina Smalley, PS 315 Principal Judith Ranft</strong> and Community Leader <strong>Susannah Laskaris</strong>." </div>
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<div>Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte represents the 42nd Assembly District in the New York State Assembly representing Brooklyn communities of Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood. She is currently the <strong>Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs)</strong>, and serves on the following committees: <strong>Housing, Government Operations, Economic Development, Banks, Health, and Higher Education</strong>. She is also a member of the <strong>Task Force on Women's Issues</strong> and sits on Governor Cuomo's <strong>Domestic Violence Advisory Council.</strong></div>
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<div>As the current Assemblymember and District Leader, Rodneyse Bichotte has been outspoken advocate on issues concerning immigration, unemployment, education reform, health care access, senior citizen centers, affordable housing, women's and LGBTQ rights, as well as other issues affecting the quality of life in the community.</div>
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<div style="text-align:center" align="center"><strong>Learn more about </strong></div>
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<div><strong>Rodneyse Bichotte by visiting her website at <a shape="rect">www.rodneysebichotte.com</a> or <a shape="rect">http://nyassembly.gov/mem/Rodneyse-Bichotte</a> </strong></div>
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