Jackson Heights: From Ice Age to Space Age teaches fourth graders the history of their neighborhood
PHOTO CAPTION – (left to right) Jackson Heights Beautification Group Secretary Edwin Westley, Author and Judge Rudolph E. Greco, NYC Council Education Committee Chairperson Daniel Dromm, PS 69 Principal Martha Vasquez, PS 69 Arts Coordinator/Liaison Deborah Strack Cregan and fourth grade students pose with copies of Greco’s book Jackson Heights: From Ice Age to Space Age in PS 69’s auditorium.Â
Jackson Heights, NY – On Friday, NYC Council Education Committee Chairperson Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst) joined Jackson Heights Beautification Group Secretary Edwin Westley, Judge Rudolph E. Greco, PS 69 Principal Martha Vasquez and PS 69 Arts Coordinator/Liaison Deborah Strack Cregan to distribute approximately 200 free copies of Greco’s children’s book Jackson Heights: From Ice Age to Space Age to the school’s fourth grade students. The books were generously donated by the Jackson Heights Beautification Group.
Featuring illustrations by neighborhood children, the book tells the story of a community comprised of people from over 70 countries and speaking 40 languages. First printed in 1996, the book was a project supported by the Beautification Group. It was written by Rudolph E. Greco, Jr. and Claudia Solomon.
The Jackson Heights Beautification Group will distribute several hundred additional copies to fourth graders in other parts of the neighborhood in the coming weeks.
“These books are an exciting way to teach children about Jackson Heights and just why it is so unique,” said Dromm.  “They help provide local students with a sense of local history and help foster neighborhood pride. I am most grateful to Judge Greco and the Jackson Heights Beautification Group for making this book giveaway a reality.”
“The Jackson Heights Beautification Group is excited to resume distribution of our children’s book to all fourth graders in Jackson Heights, naturally free of charge,” said Jackson Heights Beautification Group Secretary Edwin Westley, a past president of the organization.  “The book is in its fourth printing. Through the efforts of Council Member Dromm and Judge Greco, author and former Beautification Group president, the distribution will be made during the holiday season.”
Judge Rudy E. Greco, the book’s author, said, “It is a pleasure to work with Council Member Dromm and the Jackson Heights Beautification Group on this book giveway. This book helps instill a pride of place in the minds of young people that will stay with them their entire lives.”
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