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Students Stage Walkout At Bronx Science

Submitted by Sad alum, Jan 27, 2008 12:09

By no means was Stanley Blumenstein a great principal, but every time I go back and every time I read about the school in the newspaper, I wish Blumenstein hadn't left.

I owe much of my success to Bronx Science. (And my father owes much of his success to the school, too.) I have a wonderful career serving the people of Bronx County and I love serving the Bronx because it gave me so much. Which is why seeing Bronx Science go down the tubes hurts so much.

The first time I went back to Bronx Science after Reidy took office, I was struck by the high-tech surveillance system installed in the main lobby. I asked one of the school safety officers -- who shall remain nameless -- how much the system cost, and he estimated its cost at around ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. Are you kidding me!?!? The one and only time I got mugged was outside of Bronx Science, but even I wouldn't dream of diverting that much funding away from education and into surveillance. As a side note, I'm not even sure the cameras survey away from the building. If I recall correctly, the same school safety officer told me it could look into the building.

The first time I came back I was also struck by how many of my great teachers were gone. A long-time teacher who hadn't left at that point told me that the reason those great teachers left was because they were forced out. They were forced out because Reidy wanted young teachers who would teach according to her own personal style. So the teachers who had their own styles -- which didn't mesh with Reidy's own -- were made to feel unwanted.

I'd also like to note that Reidy threatened to have me arrested, and I was an ALUM at that point! It's a long story, and not particularly entertaining.

Finally, as to the "doctor" title... Immediately before threatening to have me arrested, I was having a conversation with her in the school auditorium and addressed her as "Ms. Reidy." Bad move. "It's Doctor Reidy," she replied.

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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...	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... [MORE]	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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