Wednesday, January 13, 2010

School Closure Forums at Columbus High School (1/7/10) and at the Choir Academy of Harlem (1/8/10)

The Columbus community walked around their school building three times in a demonstration of school pride before they confronted the New York City Department of Education in their school's auditorium. Members from the Columbus community, including students, parents and teachers, presented data from the DoE's own web site that not only disputed claims that they are a failure, but proved that Columbus is improving dramatically and that they are a success.



Students were eager to share their thoughts and feelings about the New York City Department of Education's proposed closure of Columbus High School.




New York City Department of Education representatives, including Chancellor Klein and Deputy Chancellor John White, have been scolded by the public during recent closure forums and PEP meetings for paying more attention to their blackberries than to the public. This has contributed to the public's assertion that these forums are only a formality for the DoE and that a city wide rally is required at Mayor Bloomberg's residence on January 21st.


Choir Academy of Harlem students, parents, teachers, alumni and friends demonstrated their school pride, while they protested their closure on Friday, January 8th. The community then gathered in the school's auditorium to comment on the New York City Department of Education's plan to shut them down.



New York City Department of Education's Deputy Chancellor, John White, had to stop the public forum at the Choir Academy of Harlem because the vocally passionate and furious community shouted him down. At one point Mr. White stated that the meeting would be stopped unless it could "move forward in a functional manner." What Mr. White did not say was that he was only interested in the DoE's agenda being functional.


The New York City Department of Education has subjected thousands of young students throughout New York City to high levels of stress and insecurity about their future.

1 comment:

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