Yonkers Insider: Majority Leader Rubbo Celebrates New School Opening.

 

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** 
 

John Rubbo, Majority Leader of the Yonkers City Council, Celebrates the Ribbon Cutting of the New Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School.

 
 
YONKERS, NY - September 17, 2024 - Yesterday, Yonkers City Council Majority Leader John Rubbo proudly celebrated the official opening of the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School, which will serve as a beacon of academic excellence, diversity, and community engagement. The school, named in honor of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 16, 2024, attended by local leaders, educators, parents, and students.
 
The Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School is designed as a Dual Language institution, offering students a rigorous academic program that embraces multilingualism and multiculturalism. Its mission is to foster the social, emotional, and intellectual development of every child while providing native and non-native English speakers with the tools to achieve bilingualism, biliteracy, cross-cultural competence, and academic success. The school’s instructional program, delivered in both English and the students' home languages, aligns with New York State and Yonkers Learning Standards.
 
“This school represents the Yonkers City Council’s commitment to preparing students for a globalized world,” said Majority Leader Rubbo. “With the Dual Language program, our children will not only be well-prepared academically but also be equipped to navigate diverse cultural environments. It’s a program that truly enriches their education.”
 
“This project represents a tremendous investment in the future of Yonkers, and I am proud of the Yonkers City Council for recognizing the importance of this school,” Rubbo continued. “The $75.6 million bonded is not only funding this state-of-the-art facility but is also the first step toward building additional schools that will serve the needs of our growing city.”
 
Students at the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School will have the opportunity to earn the prestigious New York State Seal of Biliteracy upon graduating from high school, marking their proficiency in two or more languages.
 
In addition to its innovative academic offerings, the school has been designed with the community in mind. It features multi-functional spaces that are accessible during evenings and weekends without the need to open the entire building. Key amenities include a multi-purpose gymnasium and meeting room with a stage, a full-sized basketball court with locker rooms, a cafeteria and meeting room with a full kitchen, and a health suite equipped with exam rooms and a dental exam room.
 
The Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School is also a landmark in sustainable development, as the first school in the district to be built in accordance with Yonkers' green building standards.
 
Rubbo expressed his gratitude to the residents of Yonkers, adding, "I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the people of Yonkers for their unwavering commitment to supporting our wonderful education system. It’s because of your dedication that we can continue to provide our children with the resources they need to thrive."
 
Majority Leader Rubbo concluded by thanking his council colleagues for their support and expressing his optimism for the future, as the city continues to expand its educational infrastructure.