Alfano and Covert Ave. School Hold Town Hall Meeting

Alfano and Covert Ave. School Hold Town Hall Meeting at State Capitol

Covert Avenue School took the State Capitol by storm this past week when 57 students, teachers and parents went to see Assemblyman Tom Alfano in Albany and participate in their first ever Town Hall meeting -- a first in New York's Capitol. Students asked questions and participated in the political process with their state representative.

Covert Avenue students join Assemblyman Alfano and teachers Sandy Ifill and Mrs. Pepitone for a group shot at the conclusion of the meeting.

Úquot;What a great event,Úquot; said Alfano adding Úquot;great questions and a real back and forth between everyone.Úquot; The Town Hall meeting was also delivered as part of Úquot;Assembly CalendarÚquot; - a television show about the State Assembly. The event will be broadcast over local public access and the New York Network.

The event which included a tour of the Assembly and Empire Plaza took the participants to the governor's Úquot;War Room,Úquot; the Million Dollar Staircase and the Regimental Battle Flag Room.

Covert Avenue School Principal Margaret Pleta noted, Úquot;When the students were asked to describe their experience the following day they responded 'awesome.' Quite a compliment! We are grateful to Assemblyman Alfano for strengthening the connection between home, school and the community. This program, sponsored by the PTA, will yield positive rewards as our students have an excellent role model in Assemblyman Alfano.Úquot;

Sandra Ifill, assistant principal of Covert Avenue said, Úquot;Covert Avenue students probed, questioned and listened attentively to Assemblyman Alfano. A wide range of current issues, from Elian Gonzalez to the New York Senate race were dialogued during their Town Hall meeting.Úquot;

The Town Hall meeting was held in the State Assembly Speaker's parlor -- an ornate chamber with portraits of the Assembly Speaker's going back as far as Governor Teddy Roosevelt.

The meeting format opened with Alfano giving the students an overview of the Assembly and what it does. During the Town Hall, Alfano also announced that he was able to win significant increases of school aid for the Elmont Union Free School District. Additionally, he announced that he was able to secure a grant for $40,000 to redo all of the elementary school playgrounds and a special $10,000 appropriation for Gateway Youth Outreach.