New York OSIA Makes History!

A coalition formed to investigate ways to fund the Italian language program in our schools … made up of the New York Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc., the New York OSIA CSJ (Commission for Social Justice) and the Garibaldi Meucci Museum … is proud to announce that on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 a grant check was presented to St. Finbar Elementary School in Brooklyn.  This money will cover the complete cost of textbooks/workbooks for 152 students who receive Italian language study during the regular school curriculum.  The students range from ages Pre-K to 8^th grade.  This is the first time that the students at St. Finbar’s have enough workbooks so that each child can have their own Italian study book.

In attendance at the presentation were St. Finbar’s Principal Rosina Katsoulis and three Italian teachers, Carmela Ottaviano, Corrandina Ottaviano and Laura Accettiera.  The kindergarten students along with the fourth grade students entertained us with two Christmas songs performed entirely in Italian.  What a heartwarming feeling it was to know that New York OSIA will now be directly responsible for funding an “up and running” Italian language program at St. Finbar Elementary School.

New York OSIA representatives, State President Nancy DiFiore Quinn, First Gent John Quinn, CSJ President Stella Grillo, GMM President & CEO John Dabbene and State Historian Sylvia Summa were so proud to be representing all of the Brothers and Sisters of New York OSIA who have been requesting that the Grand Lodge become actively involved in the Italian Language program in our schools … and under the leadership of State President Nancy DiFiore Quinn … we finally have!  Be proud of your membership in New York OSIA and of this wonderful program that hopefully will continue to flourish as monies are raised to specifically fund programs for schools all over our great state of New York.  Details on the Italian Language Coalition Program will follow at a later date.

Buon Natale e Buon Anno!