A large group of MOREistas joined parents opposing Eva Moskowitz's politically and economically (not educationally) motivated Success Charter expansion into the most expensive real estate in the world, a clear shift from the stated purpose of serving poor kids of color - which from day 1 we never believed. Eva used these kids as cover for her real purposes.
Some speakers were benign towards these obviously wealthy and almost all white parents, saying they understood that they wanted what was best for their kids. I saw it differently. I'm betting that what they see as best for their kids is to not be in classrooms with poorer kids of color. Their smirking at some of the positive comments about how many good public schools there were set me off.
MORE's Mindy Rosier, a teacher at the Mickey Mantle school whose kids Eva wanted out in the street - one of the 3 schools where de Blasio actually stood his groung, posted:
What surprised me the most was the SA parents. It's like they stepped out of the Stepford Wives movie and they pretty much said the same thing. They did not care what was happening to any other parents and kids as long as they were happy. Much to our delight, public school parents later called them out on that.... Mindy Rosier
Here is a video of my speech (I'm working on the others).
https://vimeo.com/107632260
I took photos of the Success Academy parents and officials and their camera and sound guys - Why do they all look so grouchy?
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Oh the horror |
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My kid is better than your kid |
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Grim and more Grim |
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My kids get gym, your don't - na na na na |
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A proud lawyer |
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Anyone named Courtney must be a charter school parent |
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One of the few I found likeable |
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Success officials - wishing they were in witness protection program |
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Do we really need to listen to this? Eva - you owe us a bonus |
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One of the regular Success cameramen |
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and the sound guy - |
More from Mindy:
Last night's Success Academy's co-location hearing in District 2
& 3 had a huge showing. Found it interesting that even at a
hearing you saw clear separation. Most pro charter on the right side of
the room an most publi school education warriors and parents on the
left. Success Academy had their own film team and we had our ever so
faithful Norm Scott filming as well. The hearing took place in the
conference room of District 2. Many people spoke from both sides.
Members from CEC, MORE, advocates, parents, etc., all gave powerful,
passionate speeches!!! Was so proud to be in the room with them. The
were no officials from Success Academy there to speak however there
were 7 "observers" present. There was one from the Success Academy team
that spoke, she is the SA President of Parent Council and claimed that
no one has been hiding anything and will answer all questions and
after many demanded transparency from SA and a moratorium from SUNY.
(Yeah, right!) I took many pics and posted most them to Twitter. (Check
out my page for the live Tweeting and pics.)
What
surprised me the most was the SA parents. It's like they stepped out of
the Stepford Wives movie and they pretty much said the same thing.
They did not care what was happening to any other parents and kids as
long as they were happy. Much to our delight, public school parents
later called them out on that. Most of those SA parents had children
with special needs and two of them had ELL's. Hmmmmmmmmm. Those are the
two areas that SA gets slammed for and those parents just so happened
to be in attendance AND give testimony. Planned much!?!? I spoke to one
of those parents after the hearing after she spoke to a few others.
This woman claimed to be a labor lawyer. She told me she defends
teachers all the time. Some of the things that came out of her mouth
really surprised me. About Special Ed Teachers, she felt they are ALL
too young and inexperienced and that's why they leave and the kids
don't do well in pubic special ed programs. I called her out on that. I
have 17yrs experience. Most of the teachers/paras in my school are
seasoned. She stumbled. About teacher attrition, she dismissed that
saying it doesn't matter. "SA teachers have very long days and work
very hard." I replied, "yes they do and they burn out and leave. How is
this good for children?" We calmly talked overall for about 10
minutes. She just didn't seem to get it. She only cared about her kid,
(I understand parents always wants what's best for their kids,) however
she clearly dismissed all of us because it does not fit into her
vision of SA. So sad how much tunnel vision there is. I'm sorry,
Success Academy CAN be compared to a cult with Moskowitz as their
leader.
3 comments:
I wish "they were in the witness protection program" too.
We have something in common... at long last!
Much Respect, Norm.....hot damn....you dropped it on their asses like it was hot!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great Article Norm. Come and visit arrival and dismissal of Success Academy Bensonhurst-co-located at Seth Low IS 96. Mostly white students, who were recruited at PRIVATE pre-k centers in the brighton beach/bensonhurst area.
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