The local press coverage went beyond what even I was hoping when we set up a press conference for Monday to tell of the plight of Jamaica High School's students and staff. We have two editorials supporting us and four articles in the local Queens papers.
Senator Tony Avella and our students were willing to tell it like it is and the community weeklies picked up on it. DOE's answer that we were given a $50,000 technology grant is puzzling since we haven't seen any new technology in years.
The Queens Chronicle said it best in their passionate editorial: "What's going on at Jamaica High School is simply a travesty. These children are being denied the state constitution's guarantee of a quality education. They're being denied equal protection under the law. Since the majority are minorities, the city's neglect even carries the appearance of racial discrimination."
Please spread the word far and wide about what a phasing out school has to endure as it downsizes.
http://www.qchron.com/news/queenswide/city-turned-its-back-on-jamaica-hs-students/article_137e6568-5b0f-5fce-9519-acc0d4b39c1c.html
http://www.qchron.com/opinion/editorial/city-crushes-hope-at-jamaica-hs/article_93562f4c-2bec-59c6-bafe-dbd6aaf1fa59.html
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2011/49/jthighpresser_jt_2011_12_08_q.html
http://www.queenstribune.com/deadline/Deadline_120811_StudentsStruggleWithPhaseOut.html
http://www.queenstribune.com/inour/Our%20Opinion_120811.html
http://queenscourier.com/2011/parents-and-officials-say-doe-has-turned-back-on-jamaica-high-school/
Update: I just saw the list of schools slated for closure this year. Please contact us if you are from any of those schools and want help. We support you fully.
Unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteWas an appeal ever filed with the Commissioner of Education pursuant to Education Law §310?
ReplyDeleteIf so, what's the status?
If not, why not?
I would hope that an appeal had been filed long ago when DOE first started this nonsense!
http://www.counsel.nysed.gov/appeals/
State has been informed and so have lawyers.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are like Davey Crockett at the Alamo.
ReplyDelete