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Students Stage Walkout At Bronx Science

Submitted by current parent, Jan 22, 2008 21:40

Mr. Schorr's comments are illustrative of the problems we face at Bronx Science. There is constant judging of kids, constant disparaging remarks being made. Teachers and parents feel the hostility, too. What counts as "leadership" at Bronx Science is really the raw exercise of coercive power -- just as Bloomberg/Klein want it. No wonder the school scored so low on school climate in the DOE "Progress Report". The score would have probably been lower if dissatisfied parents hadn't been so mistrustful of the DOE itself and fearful of their comments getting back to the principal. The kids themselves were blatantly intimidated when they were administered the school climate survey last spring. Any functional school would be proud that students had the interest and organizing capacity to call a walk-out. A lot of them are the high performers at the school, but I wouldn't expect Mr. Schorr to know that as the official culture of the school is that kids are nameless until they get disciplined. The kids who walked out really care about the school and have the courage not to be bullied. The fact that the Asst. Principal for Guidance was conducting surveillance of the kids during the walk-out means that some of them will be facing reprisals, especially in the college admissions process. The kids knew this and did it anyway. The entire school community owes these kids thanks for speaking truth to power. I hope the kids will continue to voice their passionate hopes about the school. If education isn't about changing the world, what's it for, exactly? Toadying to to the corrupt and powerful? Quiescence? The next time the kids stage a walk-out I hope they invite the parents. I, for one, will be there with them. If parents and teachers don't join together to support the kids in making changes at the school there will be no real Bronx Science left, just an empty shell. The great teachers and the great students will be going elsewhere. Look at the dive NEST took because of poor administration and deteriorating climate. We're next. And don't think the colleges don't know this. The time is now. Thank you, valiant students for setting the course.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
By no means was Stanley Blumenstein a great principal, but every time I go back and every time I read... [MORE]	Sad alum	Jan 27, 2008 12:09
As a recent graduate, I was at Bronx Science before and after Reidy's entrance, and I have to say that... [MORE]	2004 graduate	Jan 23, 2008 23:43
Mr. Schorr's comments are illustrative of the problems we face at Bronx Science. There is constant judging of kids, constant...	current parent	Jan 22, 2008 21:40
There are, in a sense, two kinds of students at Bronx Science. Most are so intellectually committed and emotionally... [MORE]	Fredric Schorr	Jan 22, 2008 10:31
For you to honestly say this about the students at bronx science in incredible. We are all bright articulate individuals... [MORE]	current student	Jan 30, 2008 17:43
Whether or not the pretext of a teacher's firing was true, the real cause of this was, as the aricle... [MORE]	Deposed Presdent	Jan 19, 2008 11:51
remember how much everyone liked science when blumenstein was principal? i wish you kids could have known the bronx science... [MORE]	'03	Jan 18, 2008 11:39
Keep in mind this all could have been avoided if former Chancellor Harold Levy had not strong-armed William Stark away... [MORE]	Class of 2004	Jan 18, 2008 02:10
im glad the walk out finally happened, i rmbr students were talking about doing it back then, but i guess... [MORE]	class of 04	Jan 18, 2008 00:42
As the originator of the "No Quack" campaign against Ms. Reidy in 2005 I take issue with her claiming she... [MORE]	Dr Bob Drake	Jan 17, 2008 16:02
In must concur with Dr. Drake. Although I was never taught by him, in my time at Science, I was... [MORE]	04 Science Grad	Jan 18, 2008 13:37
but she is a horrible principal who has ruined everything that was unique or fun about Bronx Science.She has pushed... [MORE]	ext. 155	Jan 17, 2008 14:41
"Dr." Reidy...HA! In 1983, I had her for bio. Because of a shift in some class and schedules for others,... [MORE]	Former Student from 1983	Jan 17, 2008 13:05
I've kept in touch with students at Bronx Science for the past 5 or 6 years, and I've been hearing... [MORE]	an alumnus	Jan 17, 2008 12:02
I graduated from Bronx Science in 2002. I am now an English Teacher in Washington, DC. I can understand the... [MORE]	Ms. V	Jan 17, 2008 11:48
As a recent graduate of Bronx Science who was not an anti-Reidy extremist, I think I can testify to both... [MORE]	yet another former student	Jan 17, 2008 10:36
Essentially what we were protesting were the unfair policies and regulations that have been placed upon us in the past... [MORE]	current student	Jan 16, 2008 22:32
I am currently a freshman of Bronx Science. I was there of the protest since I just happened to have... [MORE]	Student (Current Freshman)	Jan 17, 2008 22:51
I was a senior the year she became principal. The school used to be a lax environment where students were... [MORE]	another former student	Jan 16, 2008 20:57
The rally STARTED as a protest against the perceived firing of a teacher but many more people showed up to... [MORE]	A-3	Jan 16, 2008 18:51
The last few years has seen a "push" by the Department of Education" to make principals true managers of their... [MORE]	Ronald Stolfi	Jan 16, 2008 15:13
Ronald, As an alumni, I would think that a principal of a great institution with its proud history demands "outstanding" leader... [MORE]	Myong Jin Kim '82	Jan 17, 2008 11:49
I find it curious that 'competent' management would result in disengagement of staff and an uproar by the student body.... [MORE]	Eli Beckerman	Jan 17, 2008 12:35
From the moment she was an interim principal the students and faculty have been completely dissatisfied by her. There were... [MORE]	former student	Jan 16, 2008 10:35

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