PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Erin Acosta, Director of Family Engagement and Communications at Growing Up Green Charter Schools
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Erin Acosta, representing Growing Up Green Charter Schools, testified in support of amending Intro 532 to include charter schools in security guard funding. She emphasized the need for a safe learning environment for all public school students, including those in charter schools.
- Growing Up Green serves over 1,400 diverse K-8 students in two locations in Queens
- The school has faced security issues, including a recent knife incident outside their Jamaica location
- Currently, the school must use per-pupil funding to pay for security guards, as they are excluded from security guard funding
Erin Acosta
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Hello.
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I'm Erin Acosta the director of family engagement and communications at growing up green charter schools.
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I'm also an alumni parent of the school and a longtime resident of the story of Queen's.
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I respectfully submit the following testimony on behalf of the students and families of growing up green.
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Thank you all for your attention.
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I have submitted my written testimony online, but I'll summarize here.
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Growing up green has been a part of the queen's community.
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Since we opened our 1st school in Long Island City in 2009, followed in 2015 by Greg Gug 2 in Jamaica, Queens.
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We serve over 1400 students in grades K through 8.
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We're not co located just like Dream with another public school.
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We pay rent for each of our buildings.
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Our population is very diverse and reflects the neighborhoods we serve.
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We welcome all types of learners, including students with IEPs, multilingual learners.
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And most recently, we've had many students whose families are asylum seekers.
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All of our students are public school students and have a right to a safe and secure learning environment.
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Intrue 532, if amended, should include these public school students.
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We have had security issues in both our Long Island City and Jamaica, communities.
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Most recently, there was a knife incident outside of our building on a 161st Street in Jamaica.
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Our families are very, very, very concerned.
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And their children deserve a safe learning environment just like every other kid in New York City.
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Currently, because GUCs is excluded from the security guard funding, We have to take that funding out of our per pupil to pay our security guards.
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So I urge you all to please include us and protect all the children in New York City.
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Thank you.
