Some NYC schools are cutting down on recess just as studies show how integral it is to students’ development

It turns out that taking a break from fractions to play football in the schoolyard has more than just physical health benefits. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a statement emphasizing the importance of recess, and touting its benefits for the “whole child,” including academic improvements and the opportunity for the child to grow and learn social skills that cannot be taught in the classroom.

“We went into this study with the attitude that recess was good for preventing childhood obesity,” said Dr. Robert Murray, one of the authors of the study. “We discovered it had a lot more influence than we thought.”

But still, Dr. Murray says that in schools across the country, as many as 40 percent are cutting down on recess, or doing away with it all together, partially because of pressure to perform well on standardized tests.

“Teachers assume that they can teach kids more if they cut recess, but their best bet is to use these recess breaks to allow the child to process,” said Dr. Murray. “Adults take breaks throughout the day, but we just don’t call it recess.”

In Manhattan, a child’s recess experience is as varied as the schools themselves. But of almost two-dozen recent graduates from The City College of New York’s teaching program, 14 out of 16 current New York City elementary school teachers have recess where they work, and most have it every day.

At Ascension School on West 108th Street, a private Catholic School, recess is taken very seriously, and students rarely play inside. In fact, the street in front of the school is shut down every day just so kids can play outside. This has stirred up controversy in the community over the past couple of years from neighbors complaining about the noise. But, Principal Christopher McMahon said, they will continue fighting for their children.

“This struggle will not deter us because recess is too important to our program,” said McMahon. “Recess is a time for kids to release energy. It needs to be unstructured because it gives kids a chance to express themselves.”

According to Dr. Murray, unstructured recess, like the program at Ascension, is actually the best way to go.

“Unstructured recess gives kids maximum control over their own time,” he said. “Some kids may want to read, some may want to play kickball or dodgeball. It forces the kid to be creative.”

At Yorkville Community School on East 91st Street between First and Second Avenues, recess is just as important. The difference is four coaches come to the school every day during recess to organize sports games with the students, thus making the recess experience more structured.

“It keeps every child directed and they have someone supervising them so no one’s straggling off or not keeping active,” said Principal Samantha Kaplan.

Principal Kaplan has also observed that recess has had a positive influence on Yorkville students’ social abilities. She once observed a new student who was shy to make friends bond with classmates through a game of basketball.

“Once kids find common interests they become members of the community pretty quickly,” she said, referring to the atmosphere on the playground.

But despite good intentions, many schools simply do not have the budget for a regular recess program. The Lillian Weber School on West 92nd Street would not have a recess program if the PTA had not intervened. With all of the DOE budgetary restrictions, PTA president Jeanne Moreland said the school could not pay for teacher aides to watch kids on the playground. So, the PTA had to scrape the money together to hire teacher aides on their own.

“There’s not enough money for anything right now. We have enough money for the teachers’ salaries basically,” said Moreland. “I don’t think it’ll fix itself unless there’s a culture change on education and how things are funded.”

Schools have certainly had to get creative to keep recess in their programs. At P.S. 76 on West 121st Street, interns from Americorp come every day to watch the kids during recess, as well as teach them games and sports. As a result, said Principal Charles De Berry, recess budgets are usually not a concern.

Dr. Robert Murray did mention that school budgets were a factor that contributed to quality and quantity of education. And poorer schools, he said, are most likely to cut recess in order to get test scores back up. Ironically though, he said, it’s the kids in troubled areas who need recess the most.

At P.S. 46, on 8th Avenue and Harlem River Drive, recess has always been an important part of the school day. Principal George Young said this is especially important because most of the students come from housing projects and many parents do not want their children playing outside.

“I work in a challenging area. Recess is the only time they get to actually play outside,” he said. “When you see the children getting along and playing with one another, it reinforces the fact that we’re all in this together.”

On Feb. 6, Councilwoman Gale Brewer honored the Martin Luther King High School Knights soccer team in a ceremony on the steps of City Hall. The varsity team won their 14th Public School Athletic League title in 17 years. The Knights finished their season with an almost perfect record of 21-1. Since 1994, the Knights have amassed an impressive record of 344-25-14, and this past year were ranked 10th in the country in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s final poll of the season.

“The lessons they’ve learned on the field, particularly teamwork and sportsmanship, will remain with these students throughout their entire lives,” Brewer said in a statement.

Mandated Physical Education

Pretty soon it might be mandatory for New York City schoolchildren to play that dreaded game of dodgeball, or some similar activity. On Thursday, Feb. 7, Council Members Melissa Mark-Viverito, Robert Jackson, Letitia James and Gale Brewer held a press conference on the steps of City Hall, with Women’s City Club and American Heart Association, urging the Department of Education to make physical education mandatory.  The Women’s City Club released a report that showed New York’s inadequacies with physical education classes in public schools, including a shortage of PE teachers. The Women’s City Club also recommends a plan of improvement by necessitating mandated PE time and space in school buildings.

Paying a Parking Ticket: It’ll Cost You!

Drivers beware: Without any apparent notice, the service charge for paying an average $115 New York City parking ticket online has increased from $2 to $2.86. According to driver-advocate and parking watchdog Glen Bolofsky, who runs parkingticket.com, that’s a 43 percent increase.

“In essence, the city is charging its citizens a premium for something that actually eases the city’s workload, streamlines costs and reduces man hours,” Bolofsky said in a statement.

Drivers who think they do not deserve a parking ticket can report it on parkingticket.com through “Worry Free Parking,” where users can contest tickets that they receive through the city.  It’s worth a try. Parkingticket.com guarantees that it can reduce or dismiss their customer’s tickets.

How we should be hearing reality during a needless bus strike

By Helen Rosenthal

As we now know, New York City spends more than twice as much busing our kids to school compared to any other city. The mayor’s plan to bid the contracts to lowest-bidder bus companies who keep their costs down by hiring the newest, lowest-salaried employees—is not likely to have much of an impact on the $1.1 billion the city spends annually—nor is it structurally sound. Eventually workers’ salaries will increase again with longevity.

Real budget savings will happen when the routes are managed more efficiently.

Parent coordinators on the Upper West Side say that it’s not unusual to have two kids who live on the same block come in two separate buses with fewer than six kids on each bus—buses that are meant for 20 kids. The reason that New York City spends so much money on buses is because they are used inefficiently. It’s not about the union drivers and matrons asking for job protections—and frankly it is in our best interest to have drivers and matrons with experience, especially when they are helping our special needs kids get to school.

We count on city government to spend our tax dollars wisely and efficiently. How efficient are the 7,700 bus routes that are devised by the Department of Education? According to the DOE, nearly 400 routes have fewer than 6 children, and 27 routes have just one child. How many routes are filled to 90 percent capacity? What incentive does the DOE have to maintain efficient routes?

Meanwhile the strike, going into its fourth week, is having a real impact on kids, their families, and the workers.

One Upper West Side family struggles daily to get their son to his special needs school in Brewster, 23 miles away, along with their two other children who attend local public school. After a harrowing year identifying the right school, he finally settled into a routine with a bus driver and matron who are extremely kind and attentive. Needless to say, all of that is turned upside down again.

Maria, a bus driver who lives in the Bronx, is striking because she has seven years of experience, makes $34,000 annually and is mother to three young children—asking her to give up her “seniority” would have too great an impact on her family. As a taxpayer and parent, I appreciate her seniority—her commitment—to the kids she safely brings to schools.

Our children deserve experienced drivers, matrons, and mechanics—we count on them every day.

At issue is the RFP (Request for Proposals) that the mayor plans to issue this week so bus companies can bid for these contracts. Unlike the previous contract, the RFP does not include the employee protections that give workers with seniority first dibs on available jobs.

ATU 1181, the union representing the striking bus workers, recently asked Mayor Bloomberg for a “cooling off” period which allows them to go back to work with the understanding that the Mayor would hold off on putting their contracts out to bid. This would give time for the two sides to come to an understanding about employee protections; it would also give the DOE more time to properly analyze how many bus routes are needed.

Most importantly, a “cooling off” period would end the disruption in the lives of the 150,000 children and their families who count on the bus each day. It would allow parents, drivers, matrons, and mechanics to get back to work. Our New York City economy needs this to happen.

Helen Rosenthal is former Chair of Community Board 7 and is currently a candidate for NYC Council, the Upper West Side District 6.

As a child, everyone is taught to look both ways before crossing the street. But for certain people, looking isn’t always an option.

“As you can see—those of you who can see me—I am vertically challenged,” Milagros Franco said from her electric wheelchair. “With large crowds of people, I can’t see the crosswalk signs. People block my way because they forget I’m there.”

Whether they’re vision-impaired or confined to a wheelchair, some New Yorkers need assistance navigating crowded intersections. And last week, they came from across the city to the Upper East Side to make their voices heard.

Last Wednesday, blind and disabled activists dominated the public session portion of Community Board 8’s full board meeting, repeatedly speaking up about the need for audible pedestrian signals at busy crosswalks in the neighborhood. Their testimonies came in response to the community board’s December meeting, where plans to install the devices were rejected by several residents who expressed concerns that they would waste money and create noise pollution.

“It is a matter of basic dignity for the independence of people who are blind and visually impaired. I know there are some people who say, ‘Well, just find someone to help you across the street,’”

Charles Gourgey explained to the crowd. “Those days are gone. We are now in an age where people with disabilities are more independent than ever and deserve the respect and treatment as equals, and not as other or inferior.”

Of New York City’s roughly 12,500 intersections, only 48 have an audible pedestrian signal, which can be either beeps or verbal messages to announce when it is safe to walk. The New York City Department of Transportation is now required to install 25 new audible pedestrian signal units each year, and proposed locations on the Upper East Side include 72nd, 79th, 86th and 96th streets.
Following the eight speakers, Chair Nicholas Viest reminded the audience that the community board does not control whether audible pedestrian signal devices actually get installed.

“We don’t have real power,” he began. “Well, we have power in the sense that we can advise the city government or the state government, but this is an advisory role—that’s important for everyone to know.”

Despite the serious tone, and in some instances, tearful speeches, overall, the group of activists was pleased with the meeting, Afterwards, a community board member thanked them for bringing awareness to the issue, and in general, the activists felt better understood.

“I feel like [the meeting] was a really positive situation,” said Gabriela Amari, who also spoke at the hearing. “We weren’t out there to attack. We just needed to get out there and educate the board as to how important these signals are.”

YOUTHS’ PHONES SWIPED

Last Monday, three male middle-school-aged friends were walking down West 83rd Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway, when two unknown male youths approached them. One perp told the boys, “If you don’t give me your phone, I’ll shoot,” and patted his jacket, indicating a hidden gun. One youth gave up his phone, while one suspect grabbed another boy’s backpack and swiped his phone. The muggers warned the victims, “not a word,” and they walked away. In total, one Droid and another cellphone were stolen.

TWO SENIORS SWINDLED
Last Thursday, a 74-year-old Upper West Side resident reported a disturbing discovery to police. After the woman noticed that someone was withdrawing money from the joint account she shares with her 90-year-old mother, she investigated with Chase bank. She was shocked to find that an unknown person had been taking money from her mother’s accounts for the past two years—to the tune of $33,753. The elderly mother had lost her bank card, and her daughter told police neither she nor her mother has any idea who could have gained access to her funds.

I BROKE INTO AN APARTMENT AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY LOCKBOX
A 36-year-old woman returned from vacation last Tuesday to find that her apartment on West 81st Street had been broken into. Her glass patio door was shattered, but all that was stolen was an empty lockbox. The break-in occurred sometime between Dec. 31 and Jan. 8. During this time, the only person with access to the apartment was her pet caretaker, the victim said. No arrests have been made.

CON MEN DUPE ELDERLY WOMAN
Last Monday, an 81-year-old woman living at Central Park West received a phone call from a man posing as her grandson, who said he was in jail in Mexico City. Another man, claiming to be a sergeant from the American Embassy, told the woman to send $21,000 in bail. The victim wired over the money. Another man on the phone asked for an additional $1,800 dollars, which she sent over, but the transaction did not go through. Afterward, the victim spoke with her real grandson, who apparently was at work in New York at the time of the phone calls. The con men’s calls emanated from the 514 (Montreal) area code.

CREDIT CARD THIEF MAKES ‘YUMMY’ PURCHASES
A 76-year-old man living at West 72nd Street reported a credit card theft last Tuesday. He had received a phone call from Citibank informing him of unauthorized transactions on his credit card totaling $5,300 made by Yummy Tummy Catering. The victim could not find his credit card, which is usually at home, and canceled the card. The theft occurred sometime between Nov. 26 and Jan. 8.

EATING HABITS AREN’T REALLY SO HARD TO CHANGE

Resolutions are an easy way to absolve yourself of the sins of December. Too much eggnog? You’re going to find the diet that really works. Black out at the company Christmas party? No more than one drink a week for you from now on! Suck wind at that Turkey Trot your cousin bullied you into? This is the year you run the marathon, somehow. That’s about the level of thought that most people put into their resolutions, which translates almost directly to the ease with which those resolutions fall by the wayside. Easy come, easy go.

But we are fans of using the New Year as an opportunity for taking stock. This exercise should be about behaviors and habits, breaking bad ones and making new good ones. It’s not about punishment and low self-esteem; most importantly, it’s not quantitative—you don’t get a gold star and permission to quit once you’ve lost those 12 pounds; make a fundamental shift and stick with it.
So. Now that you’ve awakened early to go for a jog exactly twice, only to discover that it’s still dark out at 6 a.m. and your bed is somehow exponentially more comfortable after that first snooze button, you’re ready to try on a different kind of resolution. Here are the ones we’re committing to this year.

Leave the borough. The amount of time we spend seeking out new restaurants is enough to have learned a new language. But the minute we see the address on that interesting new place is in Williamsburg, our defenses clamp down. “It’s so far! It’s full of hipsters!” Well, yes. But so is the Lower East Side, and we were first in line at the Bowery Diner.

To start, get yourself to Gwynnett Street (312 Graham Ave., Williamsburg; gwynnettst.com ) ASAP; it’s been the talk of the town all year and turned up on all the “Best of 2012” lists that matter. Whiskey bread to start and a seasonally driven menu full of surprising, comfortable combinations, exquisitely presented without toppling over into the precious, will be more than enough to outweigh that moustache-packed L train ride in.

Just say no to bacon. Yes, we know, bacon is delicious. It is concentrated fat and salt, two of the things our brains are chemically wired to seek out at all costs, so saying you love bacon is as unnecessary as expounding your love of oxygen. Unfortunately, chefs have started relying heavily on this meaty crutch to prop up otherwise unlovable dishes. This year, vow to read the menu in full, and don’t fall for the shiny object dangling in front of you. At brunch at Print (653 11th Ave.; printrestaurant.com), resist the maple bacon sticky buns, an overload of sweet topped with an obscene shower of chopped bacon, and go for a properly flaky croissant or semolina raisin bread French toast, a hearty foil to as much maple syrup as you can pour on.

Try things you think you don’t like. Obviously this does not apply to serious allergies. But if you’ve always hated mushrooms because they’re too slimy or avoided cabbage because you had an over-boiled boiled dinner as a kid, now’s the time to banish that old sense memory. Ninety-five percent of the time, the fault is with the chef, not the ingredient, so find someone you trust and put yourself in their hands.

If vegetables are the enemy, go kamikaze at Dirt Candy (430 E. 9th St.; dirtcandynyc.com), whose menu is entirely vegetarian, much of it vegan, and the restaurant nonetheless remains one of the New York Times’ favorite spots. Mushrooms don’t stand a chance against a portobello mousse served with truffled toast—chances are whatever your aversion might be, it will meet its match here as well. Unless you’re one of those people genetically programmed to hate cilantro. If so, we’re sorry.

City’s continuing ed programs respond to the changing job market

By Laura Shin

Bob Makarowski has been teaching at Baruch College’s Division of Continuing and Professional Studies for more than 20 years. In the course of those two decades, Makarowski says he has witnessed a noticeable shift in the role these programs play in students’ lives—a shift toward the practical.

“There’s a lot less interest in the courses that are more entertainment-oriented, more fun,” he said in a recent interview. “We still have fitness and swimming courses, but most people come into class not because they have intellectual interest, but because they have a financial demand.”

New York City’s economy has made a robust comeback since the 2008 recession, recovering all the jobs it lost during that time, plus more. But in order for the city’s residents to take advantage of new opportunities and stay competitive in the eyes of employers, many adults have had to learn new skills. They have turned to the city’s continuing and adult education programs to fulfill that need.
“Individuals are seeking certifications and taking classes to strengthen their resumes,” said Roy Cohen, career coach and author of The Wall Street Professional’s Survival Guide. “It also makes a difference on the job as companies measure employee qualifications, commitment and value. Continuing education demonstrates a desire to remain current and to contribute in a meaningful way.”

For some schools, the sudden influx of students seeking to improve their skills has provided an opportunity to grow their continuing education departments.

Cathy Pagano, director of Continuing and Professional Education at Pace University, said her department took off in a new direction and has been going strong since 2008 precisely when a large number of displaced, underemployed or just plain worried workers suddenly became interested in going back to school to enhance their skills.

“[The students] are busy people, and if they’re going to put their time and money toward something, they want a reward in terms of career advancement or a new job,” Pagano said. “And that’s how Pace has positioned itself with its continuing education program.”

There are many continuing and adult education programs in Manhattan, and nearly all of them have added programs or courses to accommodate the new needs of the city’s adults. Here is some more information on a few of them.

Continuing Education at Hunter College
695 Park Ave.
www.hunter.cuny.edu/ce

Though the Continuing Education division at Hunter College offers numerous personal enrichment courses, such as those offered by its Italian school Parliamo Italiano, the school has added numerous certificate programs due to an increased demand from students.

New programs include the Finance and Accounting Certificate, designed for students who may want to pursue a job at a financial institution, government or nonprofit institution. Another example is the Legal Secretary Certificate, created for both beginning secretaries as well as experienced secretaries who want to improve their skills.

The number of certificate programs has doubled from 10 to approximately 20 in the last few years, said Christy Moorman, deputy director of Continuing Education and Special Programs at Hunter.

Baruch College – Continuing and Professional Studies
William & Anita Newman Vertical Campus
55 Lexington Ave.
www.baruched.com

At Baruch College’s division of Continuing and Professional Studies, more students are seeking courses to obtain advanced level skills in computer programs such as Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint, said Bob Makarowski, technology instructor.

“We take care of adults who need to quickly become workforce-ready,” he said. “What we’ve seen now is when you’re hired, you’re expected to know these programs.”

In response to this new trend, the school has allowed for more “custom-designed” curricula, Makarowski said, allowing businesses, organizations and even government agencies to come in to take courses and request what topics they want covered in those courses.

Other popular courses include Flash programming, Photoshop, project management and Quickbooks, an accounting and payroll software suitable for small to medium businesses, he said.

Pace University—Continuing & Professional Education
One Pace Plaza
www.pace.edu/continuing-professional-education

One of the most successful new programs at Pace University’s Continuing and Professional Education department has been the Paralegal Certificate Program, said director Cathy Pagano.
It is a five- to six-month program that provides hands-on training in addition to education, she said. Students put together a portfolio while they are in school, and they are also assisted with finding a job once they complete the program.

Another popular program is the Human Resources Management Certificate program. Though the program has been around for several years, Pagano said many new classes have been added as human resource jobs have evolved in recent years.

“Human resources people are becoming revenue producers, so they’re working hand-in-hand with management now,” she said.

Columbia University— School of Continuing Education
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway
www.ce.columbia.edu

There are three new areas where certificates are being offered at Columbia University’s School of Continuing Education. They are Business, Sustainability (certificates in Sustainability Analytics and Sustainable Water Management) and Bioethics.

These offerings were added in response to a growth in opportunities and global trends, explained George Calderaro, executive director of public, corporate and media relations at the School of Continuing Education.

“They all reflect developments in society and career opportunities globally,” he said. “With businesses coming out of the economic crisis, people who have business experience need to re-tool, and we also find a number of students coming from a liberal arts background who need a business edge.”

Sustainability is a growing area of interest and opportunity, particularly in the wake of events such as Hurricane Sandy and increased awareness of the environment.

Columbia already offers a master’s program in bioethics, which looks at the ethical implications of advances in biology, biotechnology and biomedicine, but the program has now been expanded and will offer a certificate option in the fall.

Unlike most continuing education schools, Columbia’s School of Continuing Education requires students to apply and be admitted to the programs.

NYU School of
Continuing Education and
Professional Studies
7 E. 12th St.
www.nyu.edu/academics/continuing-education

As New Yorkers seek out ways to be more competitive in the job market, NYU’s School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies is offering some new unique programs.
One is the Certificate in Creative and Critical Thinking with courses designed to challenge students to think in new ways, equipping them with tools to help them be more effective in the workplace.
“In a time where innovation is ever more necessary, competition is ever more fierce and product development is accelerated, the ability to generate ideas seems to be more and more important,” said Robert DiYanni, director of the program.

Other new offerings at NYU’s SCPS include three real estate certificates—Real Estate Development, Real Estate Finance and Investment and Construction Project Management.

The school has also added a “Mandarin for Real Estate Professionals” course, which teaches “basic language skills as well as cultural elements to aid real estate professionals in dealing with Mandarin speakers effectively and appropriately,” said Syd Steinhardt, senior director of public relations for the school.

Nyack College – Division of Adult Education
361 Broadway
www.nyack.edu/content/DAEExplore

At Nyack College’s Division of Adult Education, changes in the job market have inspired administrators to reformat one of their main programs—the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management program.

Students are enrolled for 12 months and participate in an applied research project, where they look at an organization in their lives, whether it is where they work or a community group they are a part of, and they identify a problem and learn effective ways to resolve that problem.
“Employers want employees to bring about positive change to help the company become more efficient,” said Julie Hood, academic department chair of Organizational Management.

Nyack also offers a wide array of non-degree courses known as “Adult Intensive Tracks,” Hood said. According to her, enrollment in these courses has skyrocketed in recent years.

What’s going to be the biggest news story to come out of your district in 2013?

Garodnick: Dan Garodnick will kiss every baby in Council District 4 in support of his reelection bid.

Quart: As the first phase of the Second Avenue Subway moves closer to completion, the MTA is going to have to start planning for the next phases of this project. We’ll begin discussing the next phases of construction and how to fund it.

What’s going to be the biggest political upset in 2013?

Garodnick: Hillary Clinton will take Mayor Bloomberg’s advice and run for mayor, but she will lose in a nail-biter to a young, charismatic politician who comes out of nowhere and gives better speeches. He is gracious enough to give her a deputy mayor post.

Quart: Scott Stringer winning comptroller. He has some serious competition in that race.

What will be the single most important development for the downtown community in 2013?

Garodnick: With the Roberts settlement announced, 2013 will be the year Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village tenants get management to work with them on a condo conversion, and begin the process of taking ownership of their community.

What’s one thing that everyone thinks will happen in 2013 that probably won’t?

Garodnick: Joe Lhota will lose the Republican nomination for mayor when his campaign is saddled by allegations that sometimes the MTA’s trains are late.

Who will win the Super Bowl in 2013?

Garodnick: Giants. I got this right last year, so why stop now?

Quart: Anybody but the Patriots.

Read our predictions on literature, Broadway, politics and fashion.

Illustration by Jensine Eckwell

Once the holidays are over, it’s easy to view the winter season as a bleak, frigid time to curse the weather and your daily commute. But it’s not all gray slush and missing mittens! Winter in New York City is the time to explore, away from the throngs of summer tourists and ubiquitous street fairs. It’s the time for real New Yorkers to dig deeper into our city and see what it has to offer up. In our 2013 Winter Guide, we scoured Manhattan to find the best cold-weather picks, whether it’s where to curl up with a nice spicy drink, who can fix the zipper on your down coat, or what to do with your stir-crazy kids home from school on a snow day. Lace up your boots and get out there.

Eats & Drinks

City Services

Lifestyle & Events

City Arts Winter Guide to the Movies

Become an Expert This Winter

Derrick Komorowski achieves his career goal of running a building

By John Friia

For a quarter century, Derrick Komorowski has been employed by TF Cornerstone Inc., holding numerous positions with the development and management company, including his most recent as the building manager of 2 Gold Street. Originally hailing from Poland, Komorowski moved to New York after living in Canada and Austria in 1986. He started working with TF Cornerstone on Nov. 2, 1987, as a concierge with a goal of becoming a building manager one day.

Setting that goal for himself, he knew he needed to take classes that would make him prepared for the job. While working, he enrolled in classes that would give him the needed skills, including lessons on boilers, pollution, carpentry, electricity, plumbing and many more. He needed to take these classes to become certified by the National Association of Homebuilders to be considered for the position of building manager.

He took those skills that he learned and used them hands-on at some of the buildings he worked in. “TFC definitely recognized my potential, and they gave me an opportunity to prove myself and reach my goal,” Komorowski said.

After he finally was hired as a building manager, the first location his managed was 45 Wall St. in the Financial District. After two years, he was transferred to 99 John St. and then he came to manage 2 Gold Street, the fairly new 51-story luxury building erected between Platt Street and Maiden Lane in the Financial District.

“It was very fulfilling for me to be entrusted with the responsibility of these buildings—these transfers showed me that I am being recognized for all my hard work,” Komorowski said.
As a residential building manager, Komorowski resides in the building and oversees everything to ensure that things are functioning properly, from technical issues to resident problems.

“One of things that I enjoy most about being a building manager are the many tasks that are given to me. I help with customer service, attending to residents’ needs, and to the building’s needs too,” he said.

Like many building throughout downtown, 2 Gold Street. was impacted by Hurricane Sandy and is currently uninhabitable due to severe flooding in the basement that damaged its systems; tenants have been told that they can expect to move back in March 2013. Komorowski explained that everyone is working hard to get the building safe for the residents, which includes reconstruction of all plumbing and heating systems, and to ensure that the building will function safely.

Working for TF Cornerstone for 25 years, he likes that everyone, even the executives, is easy to contact. “I can reach out to anyone at any level, and they will listen, and give me their personal attention” Komorowski noted.

“It is our pleasure to join Downtown Manhattan in honoring Derrick as an invaluable member of the community—as a helping hand and welcoming face,” said Kevin P. Singleton, executive vice president of TF Cornerstone Inc. “TF Cornerstone celebrates Derrick’s spirit and achievement.”
Since starting with the company, Komorowski said that the most exciting part is the opening of new buildings; as of today he has been a part of opening seven buildings. “I enjoy the process of converting commercial buildings into residential buildings, training the staff and meeting the new tenants,” he said.

A resident of downtown Manhattan for nearly 15 years, Komorowski has witnessed the transformation of the neighborhood firsthand. First living in the Financial District and currently living in the Gold Street building, Komorowski, a self-described “foodie,” noted that there has been an emergence of great restaurants and shopping in the area. He and his wife enjoy walking throughout the South Street Seaport and the many historical sites and flavors of downtown.
When he is not working at 2 Gold Street, Komorowski enjoys the outdoors while staying at his weekend house in the Catskill Mountains. “I love nature,” he said. While upstate he enjoys the tranquility and peacefulness that might be hard to find in Manhattan, and “recharges his batteries.”

“It is [far from] a boring job and I am very happy—right now I would not change a thing,” he said.