Big Literacy Grant for the District, Dyslexia Awareness Day, and Spring Clean & Green Recap
May 16, 2025
Greetings –
With the State’s Fiscal 2025-26 budget enacted, the work in Albany now turns fully to legislative priorities. I am the prime sponsor of bills on a range of topics from protecting libraries from censorship (A.7353), to providing property tax breaks for flood mitigation projects like rain gardens (A.806), to protecting wolves in New York State (A.1229). This Wednesday in Albany, Dyslexia Advocacy Day marked a redoubling of effort on several bills related to literacy and dyslexia that I will highlight below.
Dyslexia Advocacy Day in Albany
Dyslexia Advocacy Day organized by my colleague Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon is a great opportunity for people with dyslexia, their families, and other stakeholders to come together to advocate in Albany for the needs and rights of students with dyslexia. This year I was very pleased to announce that I was able to secure in the just Enacted State Budget $250,000 to jump start a Center for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia within the State Education Department. The Center was a recommendation of the State Task Force on Dyslexia and Dysgraphia and my bill A.2687, now in the Education Committee, would enshrine this Center in law. There has also been forward movement on my bill A.5835, which passed the Committee on Libraries and Education Technology that I Chair. This bill calls on the Office of the State Librarian working with SED to provide guidance to libraries throughout the State promoting the awareness and use of evidence-based literacy practices and programming for both children and adults. I am also continuing to advocate for my bill A.2721, which would expand Medicaid coverage to include neuropsychological exams for dyslexia, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent proper diagnosis and intervention as well A.37 – The New York Individuals with Dyslexia Education Act (NYIDEA) – and A.78 – The Right to Read Act – which take a comprehensive approach to reforming New York State’s practices when it comes to dyslexia and literacy education.
Funding for Structured Literacy
Today I announced the dedication of $120,000 in state funding for structured literacy to P.S. 10 and P.S. 39 in Park Slope and P.S. 130 in Kensington. The funding was divided evenly between the three schools and will be used to support evidence-based literacy instruction and professional development. This grant is an expansion upon my previous literacy grant allocation of $140,000 to P.S. 107, P.S. 295, and P.S. 154.
Early identification coupled with evidence-based literacy interventions are essential to effectively remediating dyslexia and other phonological awareness issues. I know this because I was fortunate to have my own dyslexia identified in 1st Grade and receive evidence-based literacy interventions that were structured and sequential. Using evidence-based practices will help ensure that all our children can become fluent readers and successful students.
Spring Clean and Green Recap
On Sunday May 4th, we held our annual Spring Clean and Green event with great success. 250 people dropped off e-waste, we collected a mountain of textiles for recycling, and hundreds of people shredded paperwork with help from fabulous AARP volunteers. On top of that, 60 constituents upgraded to Real and Enhanced IDs at the DMV mobile unit. This event has become a spring tradition to connect constituents with City and State resources and help with spring cleaning. We’re grateful to Prospect Park, Brooklyn Book Bodega, City Sponge, AARP, DMV, DSNY and DEP for making this event possible.
Updates on road closures and cheering zones for the Brooklyn Half Marathon this Saturday!
Almost 10 of the 13 miles of Saturday’s Brooklyn Half Marathon are run through the 44th Assembly District. The route offers lots of cheering opportunities. Some roads will be closed to traffic so expect delays if you are driving near the course route. Specific information on road closures and no parking zones can be found here.
If you have any concerns about any legislative or community issue, please email me at carrollr@nyassembly.gov or call (718) 788-7221.
-Bobby
DISTRICT OFFICE
416 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 788-7221
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 557
Albany, NY 12248
(518) 455-5377
Assembly District 44 | carrollr@nyassembly.gov
The 26th Mashomack International Polo Challenge
Saturday | June 21 | 2025
Summer Soltice Polo & Asado
Gates open at 3:30 pm with an open bar and finger foods. At 4:00, the Challenge matches begin, followed by the Awards Ceremony. This year, instead of a formal served luncheon, we will be celebrating the start of summer polo with a traditional Agentinian Asado, music and dancing under the big tent beginning at 6:00 pm.
We look forward to seeing you as we commemorate the Summer Solstice and Polo in beautiful Pine Plains!
ESSFTA Gunning Seminar – Saturday, June 28, 2025 – 9am- 4pm
Location: Markover Hunting Preserve
699 Cook Hill Road
Danielson, CT 06239
Cost: $50.00 includes sodas/water, and training birds. BYO lunch – Grill available
Presenter: George Akkouris (george@redstonepasta.com)
Closing Date: Friday, June 20, 2025
Agenda: Participants will be provided with “The Art of Field Trial Gunning” when registered. The day will start off with classroom instruction. We will break for lunch and then go outdoors. Participants will be shooting over dogs in a brace and will have the opportunity to run a dog while others shoot.
Download registration form and detailed information here >>
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Orvis Sandanona, Millbrook, NY—September 20-21, 2025
Fly-casting and shooting lessons, falconry, hunting-dog and game-cooking demonstrations, and a variety of hands-on activities for the kids—the whole family will enjoy the Orvis Game Fair. Plus, you’ll find dozens of exhibitors and vendors, food concessions, and a farmers market on both days!
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Spaniel Training Seminar – With Andy Cullen
May 23 – 25, 2025
1098 W Alna Rd, Alna, ME 04535
Download registration form and detailed information here >>
We are pleased to have award-winning trainer Andy Cullen cross the pond to conduct a three-day seminar. The first two days will address training issues for beginner and intermediate dogs/handlers. The final day will address training issues for advanced dogs/handlers. We will limit each day to 10 dogs/handlers and 6 spectators. 8AM start.
Your hosts will be Patrick and Deirdre Keliher at Thornapple Gun Dog in the small mid coast town of Alna, Maine. Grounds consist of small fields and woods providing ample room for training in different conditions
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2025 Orvis Shotgun Classic
Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28
3047 Sharon Turnpike,
Millbrook, NY 12545
Scotland October 21-26, 2025 at Craigsanquhar Estate
Very few shooting trips you will ever take will match this shoot in Scotland. We have three days of some of the finest mixed bag (pheasant, partridge and duck) shooting available anywhere. This is a shoot you want to be on at least once in your life and once a year if you can swing it. Fly in and out of Edinburgh. Join us and treat yourselves to great shooting at Craigsanquhar Estate.
A letter – the springer trial is going to cancel the trial for this year only
I hate to be the bearer of bad news for some of you, but here it is anyway. The committee for the springer trial is going to cancel the trial for this year only. Several weeks ago Terry and I walked the Dresden land. The outbound course was mowed down to pretty much nothing. The inbound course was so thick that Terry and I could barely walk through it. I can’t imagine a dog trying to work in it. It was worse than last year!
The committee has looked into land in New Hampshire as well as Maine. Everyone has called and knocked on doors of peoples houses to complete strangers.
Through the process of looking for land Terry, Sandy Heldman and I looked at a piece of land that won’t be able to be used this year, but might provide a lease for further events for the club. Should we find this to be a more definite possibility I will schedule a meeting to take care of this pressing matter.
Sincerely, Terry O. and Terry S.
