More problems dumped on Rockaway

"Just received this email from local friends which was dispersed by a local police officer. I would appreciate your not using names nor my name. But this is just terrible if it’s true. We are a dumping ground here in the Rockaways. There seems to be no way out for us to improve." - Anonymous

My source telling me of 270 troubled youths who will soon be using the Stella Maris School in Rockaway Park is TRUE. My source also states coming in from other boroughs is TRUE. Yes... the Martin De Porres School will be opening when school starts and their staff will be there the day before. I drove by the school this afternoon and just happened to talk to some worker there who gave me the information, but then in the front of the school I ran into the Assistant Principal (Frank) of this new school and he gave me the same information. If you don't know, as a non profit they do not have to go thru the Community Board. Also I contacted our local officials, papers etc. to make them aware of what is going on in our Community.

Now for the next bit of lovely news my source gave me today, the St. John's Boys Home will soon be housing (this Sept) 12 Criminals. I don't have the information on the ages or what their status is but the program will be called "NON SECURE PLACEMENT." Someone else sent me the information below on this program that runs in Richmond Hill, Queens.

St. John's operates one "Non Secure Detention" group home facility, which is funded by the New York City Department of Juvenile Justice. This 10 bed facility, located in Richmond Hill, Queens, serves as a short term residence for adolescent males as they await Family Court outcomes.

Stella Maris to become home to charter school

From the Daily News:

The politically connected Queens charter school that held classes in drab trailers with no playground, lab or gym is finally moving into a real building.

Following a Daily News investigation earlier this year, Peninsula Preparatory Charter School officials announced they'll move into a Catholic school building five miles away this fall.

The space will become available because Stella Maris High School is closing.

The announcement marks the end for the 67-year-old, all-girls Stella Maris High School, which will close its doors because of declining enrollment and a looming budget deficit. School officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.

"I'm all for charter schools, and it's nice they're moving out of the trailers into a beautiful building," said Theresa McCann, a 1978 Stella Maris graduate. "But it's a tragedy that the high school won't exist."