FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 15, 2026
Council Member Amanda Farías, DSNY Deliver New Trash Baskets Following Student-Led Advocacy at P.S. 100
BRONX, NY — Council Member Amanda Farías joined the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), educators, and students from P.S. 100 Isaac Clason Elementary School to mark the installation of new trash baskets along Lafayette Avenue—an effort driven by first grade students whose advocacy sparked real change in their neighborhood.
The initiative began in May 2025, when students in Ms. Goldman and Mrs. McAndrew’s class wrote to Council Member Farías raising concerns about litter conditions surrounding their school. By October, the students expanded their work into a full science fair project, conducting surveys and presenting their findings to support the need for additional trash receptacles in the area.
Following their presentation, Council Member Farías’ office worked in coordination with DSNY to advance the students’ proposal. After months of planning and collaboration, new trash baskets have now been installed—delivering a direct response to the students’ request and demonstrating the impact of early civic engagement.
“Ms. Goldman and Mrs. McAndrew started this work last year with their first grade class. What began as a letter to my office in May grew into a full science fair project by October, with students conducting surveys and presenting their findings to support their request. When these students came to me with a problem, I made a commitment to them that their voices would not be ignored—and within months, we made government work on their behalf,” said Council Member Amanda Farías. “What started as a classroom project turned into real action because their advocacy was clear, thoughtful, and impossible to overlook. I wanted this to be a defining moment for them—to see that their local elected official listened, took them seriously, and delivered. That’s the kind of government we work to build every day: one that shows up, responds, and empowers the next generation to lead.”
Students who helped lead the effort reflected on the importance of working together to improve their community.
“If we have the right tools, we can make the best happen,” said Ava Perez, 2nd Grade student.
“When we work together we can help our community,” said Isabella Byfield, 2nd Grade student.
Educators emphasized the lasting impact of the experience on their students’ understanding of civic responsibility and problem-solving.
“As educators, we hope that this memory visits our students whenever they encounter a problem in the world that may be too big to solve on their own. Our interaction with Council Member Farías taught them that when we investigate and learn about why a problem exists, we can take steps, often with the help of others, to fix it. When we believe in ourselves and when we keep it 100, we are better together,” said Rachel Goldman, teacher at P.S. 100.
The installation of these trash baskets reflects a broader commitment to cleaner streets, responsive government, and empowering young people to take an active role in shaping their communities.
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