UPDATE: See Steve Krashen piece for Substance:
Charter school in New York kicks public schools kids out of their school library... Educators Need to Know More about Libraries: The Case of JHS 126
This story has been around for over a week but this video is new and a powerful example of the undermining of public education. We'll have more to say about the people running the charter school soon as they have gotten real nasty with critics. And that's being kind (I have the emails and when if are published questions will be raised as to the kinds of people who run charters.) The latest tactic is to try to discredit the library teacher and attack 126 itself as a failing school. Typical charter school invasion tactics. They want the building. Check the resources and volunteerism it took to renovate this library. (I remember the pre-renovated library since I used to go in there to work with the computers.)
The Wonderful Renovation and Heartbreaking Dismantling of the John Ericsson Middle School 126 Library to make way for a "Charter School" "Teacher's Lounge."
10 comments:
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DESPICABLE FIENDS BEYOND REDEMPTION
AND SURELY BEYOND FORGIVING
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This is truly one of the most heartbreaking and painful to watch clips I have ever viewed on the internet.
This video which documents with
agonizing clarity the vicious, illegal and wanton destruction of a public school library brings back to me bitter memories of how my own beautiful Medical Illustration Room was wiped from the High School of Art and Design in NY after I became a Whistle-Blower and documented on film Racial Discrimination and Federal Civil Right violations occurring at the school.
Illegally removed - my acclaimed Medical program, to which the VIP's of the DOE once brought visiting luminaries from foreign countries and the U.N. as a must see DOE Showplace, was dismantled as soon as I was "disappeared" to the first of 4 (four) consecutive Rubber Room gulags.
It was imperative that there remain no vestige or trace that I had ever taught for 25 years at Art & Design High School.
I know well, from my own experience designing, funding and building from scratch, the room for my gifted, inner City Medical students exactly how much loving and tender Blood, Sweat and Tears, went into creating the childrens library depicted in the You Tube film.
This unforgettable, less than ten minute documentary is worthy of an Award for Excellence in the Special film category at every American and International Film Festival for 2009 and 2010.
No doubt both the film and the library that is the Star of the film, were both made on the slenderest of budgets.
Yet the message gets across, strong enough to break one's Heart and cause people with even the least sense of decency, morality and a conscience to be shaken to the very core of their Soul.
What type of fiends and from what type of demented and twisted minds could spring such an evil idea as to so cruelly destroy something as beautiful as the children's library that is the subject of this film.
May I be permitted to state that it is for such excuses for human beings that a place called Hell was created though surely those who are already there would not allow them to enter.
These Ed-barbarians at the School house gate are what the Regime of a former Federal Prosecutor turned "education expert" has spawned.
No doubt, Mr. Joel Klein, this Legend in his own mind gazes at himself in the mirror each morning and like the ancient despot of old, thinks to himself:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
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END - PART 1 OF 2
CONTINUED BELOW
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DAVID PAKTER COMMENT - PART 2
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This You Tube film makes us look and forces us to remember just how much wanton pain and destruction one evil human being can unleash upon other human beings upon this already anguished and troubled Earth.
Perhaps it is now high time the Great Pretender Chancellor descended from his not so lofty perch located in that non descript old building at 565 Park Ave., walked to the nearest Public Library and read Shelley's brilliant short poem in its entirety".
He has surely forgotten (assuming he ever read it), the powerful last lines.
No doubt he will not have to bother
His loyal lapdogs, lackeys and "truth squad" stooges, who scour these Blogs each day, will be certain to clip and pass these words on to him".
But will they manage to make it into and through his crusty brain cells. I rather doubt such a miracle could ever come to pass.
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"OZYMANDIAS"
BY PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp'd on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
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David Pakter, a former Teacher of the Year, personally decorated for Outstanding Achievement in Education in a New York City Hall ceremony by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani begins testifying in his own Defense at his NY State 3020a Teacher Trial on Monday, Oct. 19 and continuing on Oct. 20 & 21.
The General Public and Press are invited to attend this Public Trial WHICH TAKES PLACE AT:
49 Chambers Street, 6th Floor at 10 AM
Please request the Hearing Room of the Hon. Douglas J. Bantle, Esq.
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Absolutely spellbinding and sad. What a transformation by a librarian doing God's work and volunteers who prove that many care and want to help public school children. Quite a contrast with Bloomberg, Klein, and the Moskowitz gang.
Send Bloomberg packing!
It would be better without that awful music.
Although I am strictly a Mozart fan and all Classical Music per se, in this instance I believe the music selected adds a certain Pathos to the visuals. Perhaps the sound track had that effect on other viewers as well.
Please see:
"Charter school in New York kicks public schools kids out of their school library... Educators Need to Know More about Libraries: The Case of JHS 126."
Stephen Krashen
Published at: www.Substancenews.net
The parents and the SLT should be going bananas over this. Make a huge fuss over it, call the media in, etc.
I just visited the web site for the believe charter school (bnschs.org) and read this:
BSCHS will develop and maintain a school culture that endorses high expectations that challenge each student to recognize and achieve his/her full potential within a school environment that is nurturing, professional and that fosters within each student an appreciation for life-long learning. Importantly, all BSCHS students will mature intellectually, socially and morally as a result of being an active member of the BSCHS school community.
The site forgot to add that Believe' does not practice what it preaches. Their most important lesson is taught by example, which is to screw over, disrespect and take advantage of anyone and everyone that gets in their way. Believe is morally and ethically bankrupt. Please take the time to call them and let them know if you think so. Ms. Racquel Brown is the director and her phone number is (718) 782-9830 x220.
This is despicable. If someone were to include an email for BSCHS and the superintendent of JHS 126, I think that many of us would email to express our dismay.
Perhaps emails from across North America would hold some sway.
I am from British Columbia....
Never, never tick off a librarian. Fight on, Suzanne, and let the rest of us practice democracy and call and write letters to say powerfully WE DRAW THE LINE RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW! DISMANTLING OF LIBRARIES SHOULD NEVER OCCUR!
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