Friday, December 22, 2006
NEST Implosion
(((UPDATE 12/23: I've fielded some correspondence from people I generally consider to be good arbiters of fairness who find the post below to be unfair to a new principal who has had a rock-solid reputation in the past. Other knocks: that I didn't emphasize that this is an unsigned letter and that I didn't emphasize that using the word "selective" is not only an understatement but an insult to special education students and others who were denied entry to the school for completely unacceptable reasons. All valid points. I stand by my comments that this whole situation - from the mess regarding sharing space last spring to what seems like a school in rapid decline - is sad, however. Nothing fun about this one.)))
The saddest thing about all the collateral damage from last spring's battle over locating a charter school inside the elite and selective NEST+m public school on Manhattan's Lower East Side is that we're very likely in the process of losing what had been a good school. This city can't really afford to lose any more good ones, especially since we're not allowed by law to create new good ones.
Pasted below is a letter from teachers to parents that is floating around:
Dear Nest+m Families:
We are your children’s teachers. During this period of change and conflict, we have been largely silent while we continue to keep our commitment to your children and to the New York City Public School system.
We can no longer remain silent. At risk to our professional and personal security, we tell you today that NEST+m is “AT CRITICAL RISK.” The school that you sent your children to is in the process of being dismantled before your very eyes.
We give 100% to our students and practice our craft as consummate professionals. Dr. Livanis’s statements and actions do not support or recognize the talent of NEST+m teachers; rather they make us feel unvalued, unwelcome and threatened with replacement.
NEST+m teachers are not being treated as educated professionals, and their opinions on how to handle situations in their own classrooms are completely disregarded. Their actions have shown a lack of respect and support toward the teachers. They have created an atmosphere that we believe is not conducive to giving your children what they need and deserve; the commitment, consistency, continuity, and communication that was once a part of NEST + m, no longer exists for your children or us.
In September, we returned to NEST hopeful and optimistic; instead, when we enter the building each morning, we are reminded of all the things we have lost and it leaves us with profound sadness and a sense of loss and defeat. We strongly believe that Dr. Livanis is not qualified to be the principal of our K-12 school.
We hope that this clears up some of your questions about the teachers’ morale. While we thank you for your commitment and your support, we also plead for your help. The bottom line is, we come to work each and every day and pour 150% of our time, effort, and energy into what we do -- and we strongly feel that we do it well. We provide your children with the best education a public school can offer. At this critical juncture in our school, we need your loyalty and support more than ever. Thank you for taking the time and consideration to listen to our heartfelt words.
Yours truly,
Concerned NEST + m teachers
The saddest thing about all the collateral damage from last spring's battle over locating a charter school inside the elite and selective NEST+m public school on Manhattan's Lower East Side is that we're very likely in the process of losing what had been a good school. This city can't really afford to lose any more good ones, especially since we're not allowed by law to create new good ones.
Pasted below is a letter from teachers to parents that is floating around:
Dear Nest+m Families:
We are your children’s teachers. During this period of change and conflict, we have been largely silent while we continue to keep our commitment to your children and to the New York City Public School system.
We can no longer remain silent. At risk to our professional and personal security, we tell you today that NEST+m is “AT CRITICAL RISK.” The school that you sent your children to is in the process of being dismantled before your very eyes.
We give 100% to our students and practice our craft as consummate professionals. Dr. Livanis’s statements and actions do not support or recognize the talent of NEST+m teachers; rather they make us feel unvalued, unwelcome and threatened with replacement.
NEST+m teachers are not being treated as educated professionals, and their opinions on how to handle situations in their own classrooms are completely disregarded. Their actions have shown a lack of respect and support toward the teachers. They have created an atmosphere that we believe is not conducive to giving your children what they need and deserve; the commitment, consistency, continuity, and communication that was once a part of NEST + m, no longer exists for your children or us.
In September, we returned to NEST hopeful and optimistic; instead, when we enter the building each morning, we are reminded of all the things we have lost and it leaves us with profound sadness and a sense of loss and defeat. We strongly believe that Dr. Livanis is not qualified to be the principal of our K-12 school.
We hope that this clears up some of your questions about the teachers’ morale. While we thank you for your commitment and your support, we also plead for your help. The bottom line is, we come to work each and every day and pour 150% of our time, effort, and energy into what we do -- and we strongly feel that we do it well. We provide your children with the best education a public school can offer. At this critical juncture in our school, we need your loyalty and support more than ever. Thank you for taking the time and consideration to listen to our heartfelt words.
Yours truly,
Concerned NEST + m teachers
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