Update report on our elected official's support!
Press Release
**For Immediate Release** February 1, 2012
Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis at (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James Supports PS 161 PTA ‘Children Day of Boycott’
Recognizing Civil Disobedience In Response to DOE School Closings and Truncations
(New York, NY)— On January 19, 2012, Council Member James joined many of her colleagues in the New York City Council— as well as many Crown Heights parents— in opposing the New York City Department of Education’s truncation of P.S. 161- The Crown from K-8 to K-5, a move which would gradually phase-out the middle school option.
She maintains her position that the DOE’s proposal to truncate P.S. 161 impedes their ongoing success. Indeed, the school’s principal, Mr. Michael Johnson, has adopted a more productive environment since his appointment in Fall 2011— achieving 95% student attendance— and implementing a competitive curriculum to better align the students with City and State education requirements.
P.S. 161 is comprised of dedicated administrators, teachers, and parents who seek to transform this school into a highly sought-after middle-school option. The DOE states that their decision to truncate this school is to “better serve the students in this community.” However, it is truly time that the DOE worked alongside parents and elected officials representing the community in a joint effort to increase resources, support services, and maintain middle-school options in areas of need.
In light of these actions, the PTA of P.S. 161 is asking all parents & guardians to join together and participate in aChildren Day of Boycott in protest of the DOE’s school closure policy and process. The boycott will take placeMonday, February 6th, 2012.
“I do not generally support students missing school,” saidCouncil Member Letitia James. “But I support this tremendous show of civil disobedience on behalf of PS 161’s parents. If the Department of Education will not listen to the objections of elected officials and community leaders, perhaps they will recognize these actions as a firm position against the closing and truncating of our schools.”
Questions regarding the boycott may be directed towards PS 161’s PTA President at (646) 470-4622 orps161pta@gmail.com.
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Aja Worthy-Davis
Office of Council Member Letitia James
Legislative Analyst
Website/Blog Administrator
(212) 788-7081 (p)
(212) 788-7712 (f)
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