Bronx Borough President Ruben Díaz, Jr. will be visiting Family Life Academy Charter School (FLACS) on February 28th, 2012 to teach the first graduating eighth grade class on how government works and impacts their lives. The Borough President will also encourage all students to "Drop Everything and Read" during its D.E.A.R. time period, a tradition carried out by the entire student body and staff daily at the Kindergarten to eighth grade school, located at 14 West 170th Street, Bronx, New York 10462.
The Bronx Borough President has stated that "nothing is more important than educating our youth." He has shown his commitment to education and the youth of the Bronx by dedicating over 33% of his budget to projects such as a greenhouse on the roof of P.S. 71, technology upgrades at the Leadership Institute High School, and a library upgrade for Samuel Gompers High School.
"We are delighted with the Borough President's visit and the interest he is taking in our school. He is a good role model for our scholars having come through the schools in the very borough over which he now presides. Our school is geared for excellence in academics and character development. We are a leader in English Language Learner education and now we are gearing up to be on the forefront of whole child education," stated Principal Angel Rodriguez.
FLACS currently educates 432 low-income, minority and immigrant students in the Highbridge section of the Bronx. FLACS' mission is "to empower all students to achieve high standards, help them take responsibility for their own learning, and encourage them to explore and affirm human values." Since opening in 2001, FLACS has grown into a place that provides a solid foundation for building tomorrow's leaders. FLACS is located in a school district whose middle schools are the lowest performing in the city; the local high school graduation rates are consistently below the city's average; and nearly half the adult population does not hold a high school diploma. FLACS has been at the forefront in addressing this crisis that has faced this community for years by preparing students to beat the odds and transcend all levels of expectation to achieve academic success.
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FLACS is a public charter school, registered as a not-for-profit 501 (c ) (3) in the State of New York and it is a community grown school sponsored by the Latino Pastoral Action Center. It is located at: 14 West 170th Street, Bronx, New York 10452: Tel.: (718) 410-8100 - www.flacsnyc.com.