From the moment the switch was flipped in January of 2025, this endeavor has grown exponentially. Rows of fresh vegetables, from cucumbers to kale to basil to arugula, are all grown there, and the kids are responsible for it.

"There's not a lot of healthy alternatives to eat in schools"

"I've been working with the hydroponics clubs since freshman year, and in the beginning we had a much smaller operation upstairs in a classroom with, like, only two little towers. And now to have this much expansion is really impressive, because it just shows how much the scale can move towards, you know, increasing production. And then also it's much faster at growing," student Winter Collin said. 

The students recognized a nutritional void. 

"Usually in a lot of schools, especially in New York City, there's not a lot of healthy alternatives to eat in schools or not even just in schools in your community. There's not lot of healthy alternatives," student Fama Sall said. 

"Everyone deserves a chance at good, high quality, healthy, clean produce"

At the school, the definition of a "maker" is "when we see a human need that is not being met, we make things." The hydroponic farm will grow 10,000 pounds of produce annually for free community distributions with their partners at Gotham Park, which provides fresh produce to NYCHA houses. They fill the cafeteria salad bar, and for families of Maker students.

"One of our key things that we have to keep in mind whenever we're doing this kind of work is food justice. And it's the idea that no matter who you are or where you are, everyone deserves a chance at good, high quality, healthy, clean produce. So in a city where, as I said before, inequality is visible, it's definitely valuable. And it makes me happy to do this kind of work," student Marcus Perez said. 

"Twice a month, we get produce [to] the entire campus. So all four schools, staff, janitors, the police guards, anybody can come and get a full bag of produce. Every single Thursday, we give to Gotham Park, which is our community partner. They run the park right underneath the two bridges, and they give away to the elderly, the seniors, anyone with assisted living in the neighborhood. And we also do after school programming," student Francesca Whitecross said. 

"A great opportunity for expanding what we're learning"

The deep-rooted level of interest and involvement of the students, the ability to see a problem and fix it is the kind of growth Maker students experience. On the big harvest day. The bags of fresh vegetables on the move seem endless. The assembly line of fresh produce is then en route to those in need. 

"It's incredible. I think having a resource like this is really impressive and very unique for our high school, but also a great opportunity for expanding what we're learning outside of just typical math, science, history," Collin said.

Instead, they are making history. The in-school hydroponic farm has grown rows of produce and greens as far as the eye can see, and all of the students see to it that no one is left out. 

"It makes like all these students, I feel they can make a change, like, especially through harvesting," said Sall. 

"It's honestly astounding the amount of progress that we've made in this school as, you know, an educational institution. It is great to give people from all across this city this type of opportunity," Perez said. 

"We got a lot of interesting takes about kohlrabi, or collards, or arugula, and then coming out of the classroom saying, hey, actually, I'm going to come back during lunch and get some more. Or I'm gonna come back after school and take some extra basil to bring home to my family and show them how I cooked it in class. And that's felt really good," said Whitecross. 

Alexander Stepnowsky was arrested Tuesday. The 23-year-old Connecticut resident, in his fourth year at NYU this year, turned himself in to police.

Stepnowsky was charged with burglary as a hate crime, criminal trespass as a hate crime, and aggravated harassment. 

Stepnowsky pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday and released without bail. He's due back in court in August. 

Police sources say Stepnowsky made statements to the police expressing frustration with NYU's involvement with Israel's political issues. 

Stepnowsky allegedly raised the flag back on May 13. He was allegedly captured on surveillance video using his NYU ID to swipe his way into the facility where he raised the flag. 

The flag itself was purple and resembled the flag of Israel, with stripes above and below a Star of David in the center. Inside the star was NYU's torch emblem, and flanking the star on both sides were large swastikas. 

"The University cooperated fully with the NYPD. We are grateful for their exhaustive work and for the efforts of the Manhattan District Attorney in identifying the person responsible for this heinous crime. The symbols that were represented are antisemitic and hateful to every person of conscience; this appalling act violated our sense of community and solidarity. In addition to criminal proceedings, we will immediately pursue our disciplinary procedures, which carry the most severe consequences," said Wiley Norvell, senior vice president for university relations and public affairs at NYU. 

Why the original bill came up short

If the mayor had signed the bill into law, it would have required the NYPD to establish a plan for outside educational facilities.

"Protests around schools is, sorry for the trite metaphor, is as American as apple pie," said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union.

The bill was part of a City Council plan to combat antisemitism, but its opponents argued the legislation would restrict free speech.

"The effect that may mute our young people from raising their voices at a time when everyone is under attack makes no sense at all," Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said.

Menin's new approach to 175B

While Speaker Menin insisted that she has enough support to override the mayor's veto, she is tweaking the bill instead.

"We will introduce and hold a hearing on amended legislation that more clearly defines educational facilities as early childhood education sites and most K through 12 schools," Menin said.

Institutions like teaching hospitals and libraries, as well as colleges and universities will be excluded in this 2.0 version.

In other words, the NYPD would not be required to create a buffer zone plan for protests like the ones that took place at Columbia University.

CBS News New York's Ali Bauman asked Menin if taking colleges out of the new iteration of the bill will take the teeth out of the bill.

"Well, first of all, at Columbia they're under a consent decree, and I used to be on the Board of Trustees of Columbia, so they are under a consent decree. And what the bill, the original bill, 175B, wouldn't have affected what was happening inside the actual campus of Columbia, because we would not have jurisdiction around policing around that. That would only affect, if you're familiar, Broadway or Amsterdam. So it wouldn't have had an impact on Columbia in terms of the protests," Menin said.

"Look, at the end of the day, we heard a lot of feedback from students at different nursery schools, at kindergarten, at different programs that were located within synagogues, that were located within community centers and JCCs and 92nd Street Ys. This encompasses all of that, and that is why today you saw support from organizations like UJA and JCRC, who were incredibly supportive of this amended version, and also who appreciated that the amended version brings in more members," Menin added. "I mean, we all should be joined in the fight against antisemitism, and so anytime we can actually get a broader coalition, I think that is a positive."

Mayor Mamdani's response

City Hall spokesman Sam Raskin said Mayor Mamdani will review the legislation, adding, "The mayor believes New York City must remain a place where students can access their schools safely, as well as exercise their constitutional right to protest."

The twin of this bill, which requires the NYPD to establish a buffer plan for protests outside houses of worship, passed the City Council with such a majority that it could not be vetoed.

It happened at around 1:30 p.m. on East 180th Street and Bronx Park Avenue. 

Video from the scene shows the right rear wheel of the bus caught in the hole. CBS News New York has been told there were cones around the hole at the time.

Thirty kids were on board and all were able to exit the bus on their own, according to the FDNY. One person on board suffered a minor injury, but it was not immediately clear if that was an adult or child.

The Department of Environmental Protection is investigating.

It's not the only sinkhole-related issue in New York City Wednesday. At LaGuardia Airport, a sinkhole was found near one of the runways, forcing that runway to shut down for emergency repairs. 

State aid has made it possible to add an additional 2,000 3-K seats. 

Mamdani said 70% received an offer from their top 3-K choice, up 5% from last year, and 85% received an offer from one of their top three choices. The average distance between where family lives and where the childcare is taking place has also been shortened, the mayor said. 

"Every child deserves a strong start, and every parent deserves to know their child has a safe, high-quality place to learn and grow," Hochul said. "Today's announcement ensures more families are able to access the 3-K opportunities they want, and provides universal 3-K and Pre-K to nearly 100,000 children across New York City, giving more parents access to affordable childcare in their own communities and setting up the next generation for success."

Mamdani called it "a new era for childcare in New York City." 

"Across the five boroughs, families are traveling shorter distances, more children are receiving offers to their top-choice programs, and fewer parents are being forced to choose between unaffordable private care and leaving the city they love," Mamdani said. 

"People should not underestimate what this means. It is the sign of the fruition of a real commitment to partner together to deliver something that New Yorkers have dreamed about, talked about but never had up until now," Hochul said. 

The plan is in furtherance of Mamdani's pledge to create universal childcare for New York City parents.

Anastasia Coleman has been the special commissioner of investigation for the New York City School District for eight years. Her office is the Department of Education (DOE) watchdog. 

It reviews thousands of complaints ranging from fraud and vendor misconduct to missing students. Coleman said one-third of her staff focuses on inappropriate relationships in schools. 

She said most educators have children's best interests in mind, but "there are occasionally some bad apples."

In 2023, Coleman's office substantiated 43 cases of sexual misconduct by a school employee or vendor. In 2024, it was 34. But in 2025, the number spiked to 62. 

The biggest risk factor is social media

Coleman said she advises students not to add adults on their social media because that's how boundaries start to blur. She wants educators to be banned from contacting students online. 

"We want that to be a policy, and right now the DOE has it as a guidance," she said. 

Coleman's office has recommended the DOE prohibit school staff, volunteers and vendors from contacting students through non-DOE apps and devices.

The department said staff shouldn't communicate with students through social media accounts or platforms. When misconduct is reported, the district takes action immediately, up to and including termination, a spokesperson said.

Even if prosecution stalls on a case, Coleman's office continues investigating. 

"If for some reason it doesn't proceed, we'll spring it to action and do the investigation," she said.

Coleman's advice to parents 

The commissioner said parents should pay attention to when children bring home gifts, such as new sneakers or anything else they can't explain.

Parents should also know who their kids are talking to online, including through games and messaging apps.

Coleman also advises not to let children share social media accounts with adults. 

If parents feel that something is off, they should report it. 

A man walking in Washington Square Park in the afternoon noticed the flag flying above one of the school's buildings and notified CBS News New York.

Here's what we know

The flag appeared to resemble a purple version of the Israeli flag, with stripes and a Star of David in the center. However, inside the star was the NYU torch emblem, and, on either side, large swastikas.

The flag was quickly taken down, but the damage was done. NYU said in a statement it is working with the police to try to identify the person responsible.

"We are shocked and deeply troubled that this hateful symbol expressing antisemitism was raised on a flagpole overlooking Washington Square Park," a spokesperson said, in part, adding, "We are one community. We protect each other. And we will not let hate and division find a foothold on our campus."

"It's just disgusting, actually"

It was a disturbing sight for students gathering to celebrate graduation week.

"It's just disgusting, actually. Kind of repulsive," graduating senior Luca Pasquini said.

"It's hurtful," nursing graduate Jiani Zou said.

Those students said the display does not reflect their experience at NYU, or the community they know.

"Everyone at NYU is always very welcoming, and whenever I see this sort of thing it's honestly shocking," Pasquini said.

"If we see something like that, we should eradicate, we should eliminate, we should not let that manifest," Zou added.

CBS News New York spoke with the student president of NYU Hillel, the university's center for Jewish student life. She said she feels supported by the administration and appreciates how quickly the flag was removed.

Still, she said the incident is troubling during graduation week, a sentiment shared by others.

"Especially during the month of May. It's a time of celebration. We are all graduating from NYU. We are all one family, and it doesn't matter our colors, race or background. This is a time when we celebrate. It's not the time to show hate," Zou said.

"On a day where it's all about happiness, and celebrating something, to have a symbol of hate just be above everything is just terrible," Pasquini said.

Hate rocked the campus back in September

The incident comes eight months after a freshman reported that someone had scrawled antisemitic graffiti on his dorm door.

Police say that act of hate happened on Sept. 9 at around 11:30 p.m., when the 18-year-old student, who had stepped out for a late-night snack, saw writing on his door inside Weinstein Hall saying "Free Palestine" and "Jew," along with an image that appeared to be that of a pig.

In a letter to the community the next day, the university's president said, in part, "The targeting of a Jewish student is inexcusable raw hatred. As a campus, we must speak with a single voice in condemning this act. NYU has a zero-tolerance policy towards antisemitism and other forms of hatred."  

ADL report details NYC's troubles with antisemitism

The Anti-Defamation League recently sounded the alarm on antisemitism in New York City and nationwide.

In its annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents for 2025, New York and New Jersey were the No. 1 and 3 locations in the country for antisemitic incidents. Within New York state, New York City had the highest amount of incidents with 860, and Bergen County has the most in New Jersey, with 139.

Anyone with any information on the raising of the swastika flag is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.

Some parents fear the damage is already done, while others are worried that the process feels rushed, but almost everybody has concerns about a technology that expands exponentially every day.

• Flashback: Analyzing the pros and cons of AI in NYC schools. Here's what experts say for the new school year.

"Will kids stop learning to think?"

There was a crowded room last week inside Public School 20 in Lower Manhattan as District 1 parents had a conversation that so many across the school system are having. It was about how their kids are expected to use AI tools that many parents don't yet understand.

The city's Department of Education announced its four-part plan back in March to develop a formal AI policy by June, which is now just weeks away. A spokesperson said the department received 6,000 stakeholder feedback submissions in the 45-day window that has since closed.

Some parents at the meeting didn't report feeling informed or involved. Queens City Councilmember Phil Wong said he heard the same from his constituents.

"What we're getting is a lot of fear and uncertainty, like will kids stop learning to think?" Wong said.

In a letter late last month, Wong told Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, "We're moving too fast without enough real input from parents and educators."

The DOE's four-part plan from March states, "Every phase includes collaboration with students, families, educators, leaders, communities, and partners."

Some parents shocked by some AI tools already in use

Stories like Brooklyn public school parent Craig Garrett's and his young daughter's may help explain the rush the DOE in to implement AI guardrails.

"A year ago, I was just a regular dad," Garrett said. "I learned that she was required to spend two hours a week speaking to an AI chatbot in her kindergarten class."

Garrett described his shock at learning about the AI learning tool already in-use at his daughter's school.

Had there been a policy at the time, he would have at least known the tool had system-wide approval.

Still, Garrett says, that wouldn't put his mind at ease.

"Learning is a social process, especially in kindergarten, that connection the child has with their teacher," Garrett said. "School leaders get to decide what's allowed in schools and what's not, and that's as true for skateboards and smartphones as it is with AI."