Media Advisory: Hundreds of parents, teachers, students and community members rally before the PEP Hearing, Asking that Panel votes NO on RENEWAL School Closures

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Media Advisory

Community of RENEWAL Schools                            
For Immediate Release

Contact: Angelica Otero                           February 28, 2018

Hundreds of parents, teachers, students and community members rally before the PEP Hearing, Asking that Panel votes NO on RENEWAL School Closures

Angry and frustrated with the Department of Education´s lack of response and support for RENEWAL Schools parents, teachers, students and community members across NYC turn to the Panel for Educational Policy to hold the DOE accountable and vote NO on the closure of RENEWAL schools. “Who is held accountable for school closures?  Why do our school communities have to pay for the poor leadership and lack of support form the department of education?” says Kaliris Salas Ramirez, a community resident in Harlem. 

The Department of Education has invested millions of dollars in the Community School model to transform RENEWAL schools.  But this model takes time and requires a real partnership with the community.  Neither of which the DOE is willing to invest in. “As a parent leader and father to 2 children, I can see first hand that our school is doing well and that we can continue to improve.  But improvement cannot continue if the school is closed, the way to improve is continued hard work addressing the areas where we are not meeting standard,” states Rosendo Mejia a parent at HS for Health Career and Sciences.

In addition turning a failing school around requires resources which the DOE is not providing say parents.  Many of the RENEWAL schools have a high number of English Language Learners, students that require Special Education, students that live in transitional housing and other needs.  “We have 103 ELL students at MS 325 and only 2 ENL teachers, how can we turn the school around if we are not provided the resources we need,” comments, Nancy PA President of MS 325.

Rather than an investment in the RENEWAL schools program, the community is witnessing how these schools are being closed to make room for charters schools in their buildings.  Now the community is turning to the Panel who has the power to hold the DOE accountable and ensure the welfare of city schools and its students to vote NO on the proposed closures and ensure justice for NYC public school students. 

WHAT:           Rally and Press Conference calling the Panel for Educational Policy to vote NO on RENEWAL School´s Closures

WHEN:           Wednesday, February 28^th at 5:30PM

WHERE:         In front of the Murray Bergtraum High School

                        411 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10038

WHO:             Parents, youth and community members from MS 325, PS 50, PS322, PS42, CS 92 & MS 53 and HS for Health and Sciences

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