The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is looking for a few snow-loving New Yorkers who enjoy the great outdoors, heavy lifting and making extra cash.
Recruitment is now underway for emergency snow shovelers to work the 2024-2025 winter season to help DSNY workers keep streets clear of the white fluffy stuff.
Emergency snow shovelers are per-day workers who remove snow and ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants and step streets after heavy snowfalls.
Shovelers are paid $18.54 an hour to start and $27.81 an hour in overtime each week.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, eligible to work in the United States and capable of lifting lots of heavy snow.
The department is asking applicants to bring two small photos, an original and copy of two forms of ID, and their Social Security card to their appointments.
Will NYC be a winter wonderland?
NYC has so far remained snow-free, even as New York State was buried in nearly five feet of snow in some regions last week.
In 2023, NYC saw a measly 2.3 inches of snow–the least amount of the cold white precipitation since record-keeping in the city began, according to NBC New York.
But with temperatures expected to dip below freezing in the Big Apple before the official first day of winter on Dec. 21, snow shovelers could be in for some busy working days this year.
Je refuse que les Français paient la facture de cette censure. Nous ne pouvons nous permettre ni les divisions ni l’immobilisme. pic.twitter.com/MqZRi5SsNv
Je refuse que les Français paient la facture de cette censure. Nous ne pouvons nous permettre ni les divisions ni l’immobilisme. pic.twitter.com/MqZRi5SsNv
Girls for Gender Equity, a Brooklyn-based advocacy organization focused on uplifting Black girls and gender non-conforming youth, released a new report showing room for potential reform in school dress codes across New York City.
This report follows the enactment of Local Law 083 of 2024, a law aimed at mitigating the alleged discriminatory impacts of existing dress code policies.
GGE’s report, the third in a series examining dress code policies, analyzed compliance across all five boroughs of New York City. The results indicated that schools achieved an average score of 60% in complying with the Department of Education’s guidelines concerning dress codes. Brooklyn schools showed the highest compliance scores, averaging a grade of B, while Bronx schools scored the lowest with an average grade of D.
Quaidra Coles, director of policy advocacy for GGE, explained the impetus behind the focused research.
“We initiated this project to bolster our advocacy efforts for Local Law 083, which has been on the table for five years. The time for action is now, especially as school budgets and priorities shift post-pandemic,” she told amNewYork Metro.
The latest report identified systemic issues in dress code enforcement, finding that many policies are not accessible or clearly communicated to students and their families.Photo courtesy of Girls for Gender Equity.
More than 40% of the schools examined either did not have their dress codes published on their websites or used ambiguous language, making it challenging for students to understand what was permissible.
“How can students adhere to dress codes if they are not even aware of what those codes entail,” Coles added.
Per the New York City Public Schools website, students are free to wear what they want unless the attire is dangerous, interferes with teaching and learning or violates the DOE’s anti-discrimination policy.
Schools are also required to show justification for each dress requirement.
A significant highlight of GGE’s findings includes the impact of dress codes on mental health. In interviews, students expressed that restrictive dress codes adversely affected their self-esteem and school attendance.
For example, a young participant shared with Coles that when they felt unable to present their authentic selves through clothing, it deterred them from attending school, which ultimately affected their academic performance. This correlation emphasizes the importance of allowing students the freedom to express themselves, as it can significantly enhance their engagement and well-being.
The study also found that dress codes often reflect underlying biases. Among the schools evaluated, those with punitive measures for dress code violations disproportionately targeted Black girls and gender non-conforming youth, leading to higher rates of suspension or removal from classrooms.
“These policies are often enforced under the guise of mitigating distractions,” Coles said. “When in reality, they create an environment of exclusion.”
While the report acknowledges the difficulty of implementing uniforms across NYC’s diverse school system, it advocates for a cultural shift in how educators perceive and enforce dress codes.
“It’s essential for educators to understand the social dynamics influencing students’ clothing choices,” Coles said. “A collaborative approach that includes input from students and families can lead to healthier school environments.”
GGE’s leadership goals for the coming year include continuing to advocate for meaningful policy changes and fostering dialogue between students and educators.
“We need to ensure that young people feel empowered to express themselves, as this will positively impact their mental health and future decision-making,” Coles stated.
