No to the Moskowitz Success Academy Charter At PS 165 - Nov 17, 6:30PM

November 17, Weds - 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm the Community Education Council for District 3 (CEC3) will be having a meeting to discuss the co-location of Upper West Side Success Academy, a charter school, in the Robert E. Simon School Complex. As you might have heard, UWS Success already tried to claim space in another District 3 school, P.S. 145. These efforts were unsuccessful because of organized action by the community.

The building now targeted already houses a primary school, P.S. 165, and two middle schools, I.S. 165 Global Scholars, and Mott Hall II. Various members of the community disagree with this proposal because of the negative impact this would have on the existing schools in the building; there is simply not enough space. Another issue being discussed at this meeting is rezoning, they are proposing to cut the zone for P.S. 165, which would undoubtedly decrease enrollment, and make it easier to establish a charter in the building.

P.S./I.S. 165 is not a failing school. It is renown for its Dual Language and Special Education programs. Community schools deserve to be promoted and deserve to flourish. The establishment of UWS in the building is not supportive to the community schools in the building.

Teachers, parents and community members have already begun to organize in response. Please see some of our efforts at: http://thecheetah165.blogspot.com/2010/11/robert-e.html .

Comments from Donna Nevel of the Center for Immigrant Families:

"This is great--
Also, in addition to resisting the charter school co-locations, it's also about resisting co-location plans the doe comes up with for public schools as well...how are decisions made about who gets moved, who gets relocated and co-located, etc.
And it's also about all these re-zoning proposals--whose interests are being served...

And about a district that is extremely segregated and unequal and becoming more so....

We're all coming together to insist on a genuine community process--
no decisions about co-location or rezoning without full community participation!
You know--
nothing about us without us is for us!
Also, we have wonderful community schools like 145 and 165 that deserve to be respected and allowed to flourish.
Uptown parents and community members have united and will not be divided. Will be great to have lots of community support."

Please attend the CEC 3 meeting in solidarity.

CEC3 Public Meeting

Wednesday November 17^th 6:30 p.m.-9:30

p.m.

PS 165 The Robert E. Simon School

234 W. 109^th St.

Wear blue to support PS 165's

Campaign to stop the Moskowitz Charter Co-location.