To the editor,
I read Ed Greenspan’s letter, “Focus on Discipline to Fix Schools” and Scott Krivitsky’s letter, “Help Students Grow” in last week’s Bay News. I do understand, Mr. Greenspan, that getting disruptive students out of the classroom would make life a lot easier for teachers and for the non-disruptive students who are trying to concentrate on their studies. The question remains, what is best for the confused, disruptive students who are lost and uncomfortable in an ordinary school setting? Dumping them in “600” schools until they end up in gangs or in jail, or helping each of these students find something meaningful that he or she really wants to learn, other than violence?
Community and school gardens are one way to reach and teach students. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden has excellent programs for students. Edward R. Murrow and several other high schools have excellent dramatic and musical programs in which all students can participate. If a student can’t get a role in a play, nor sing or play an instrument, he or she can learn to paint scenery, design or sew costumes or do any of the many other tasks involved in putting on a production.
There are high schools that teach auto mechanics, aviation skills, computers, woodwork, even robotics. There has to be a meaningful program somewhere for every student. No student who can benefit from a program should be excluded because of his or her past behavior in school. Each student needs to be counseled, evaluated and placed in a program that is suitable and meaningful for him. Sometimes family counseling or removal of a student from a disruptive home or neighborhood may be necessary. I do believe that every child can be helped and that dumping disruptive students in 600 schools until they either end up in jail or shot in a gang war is not the answer.Elaine Kirsch
Gravesend
Get them all together
To the editor,
This letter is in reference to the focus on discipline to fix schools that was mentioned by Mr. Ed Greenspan in last week’s publication.
Yes, I definitely applaud Mr. Greenspan for taking a stand to stop disruptive students from hurting our educational system.
As an educator and community educational advocate in Coney Island for the last 17 years, I have a different view of ways to empower our schools and improve urban education.
As much as I would like to think of the superintendent as chief education reformer, I am convinced that there is no one person who, by virtue of charisma or authority or incredible skill, can create systemic school changes that are lasting.
The truth is that in many communities, the real saviors of schools are the staff and community. Well-functioning schools generally reflect a strong sense of ownership, responsibility, and leadership from the community as well as from the ranks of teachers, principals, and other long-term employees who remain focused on quality even as the door to the superintendent’s office continuously revolves.
The members of the much-talked-about “village” must own and invest in the approaches to change that penetrate the toxic school and district cultures that have evolved over many, many years.
The approach to community engagement had to be much more than a quick fix of a couple of private meetings attended by a few well-connected stakeholders. It needed to involve community members in a sustained effort to design and implement a plan of action that addressed long-standing conflicts and the disconnection between school and community.
A strong system of education that allows all students to reach their potential is possible when schools and communities work together.
Scott Krivitsky
Coney Island
Schools going to pot
To the editor,
Our mayor never fails to amaze me. Instead of incarcerating students found with weed in school, he has decreed that a letter be sent home to their parents. Some punishment. Wouldn’t be surprised if many of the parents were on weed as well. With his actions, I begin to question the mayor’s private life as well.
The New York City school system is beset by behavior problems among the student population. We have students whose agenda is that no one learns anything when they’re around. They come to school for the supposed nutritious breakfast and lunch meals, to roam the hallways and when in the classroom, create such disruption that no learning can take place whatsoever. Conditions can only get worse with such ideas. The kids must be laughing up their sleeves regarding this outrageous form of discipline. Why isn’t the city council condemning this? Sure, it’s made up of the same progressive-liberal lunatic leaning politicos who would actually agree with the mayor.
These people have their heads in the clouds. They talk of the total child, economic and social reasons for their failures, blaming teachers for students poor academic performance and cooperative learning.
This action among others proves that the mayor has no right to have control over the schools. The State Legislature must meet and have that power removed from his jurisdiction. If you are found with anything like that in the school, the police need to be called in and the recalcitrant arrested and brought to the local police station.
You mean to tell me that when the mayor’s children attended public school, he would agree to this current arrangement? Nonsense.
How does the mayor expect teachers to control classes with such weak disciplinary measures occurring? He’d probably be the first to claim that the teachers aren’t motivating these so-called students.
Ed Greenspan
Sheepshead Bay
A losing proposition
To the editor,
For decades I have been receiving “prize-winning” notifications from various publishing houses and other organizations. Funny thing though, throughout the years, I haven’t even won a cheap imported potholder from any group.
Today, I received a dire warning that if I fail to return my entry, I’ll be dropped from the multi million-dollar sweepstakes pool. Gasp! I quickly grabbed the envelope, read the details, and assembled my winning entry. “No purchase necessary” was printed in small type, though they did everything to get me to paste a stamp to buy some useless object or publication.
I then noticed a strategically placed cut in the reply envelope, to show whether or not an order was made. I guess this is the deciding factor as if to say, “yes, I have ordered something, enter me in the prize pool,” or “no, please throw this entry away!”Robert W. Lobenstein
Marine Park
Debate, Governor!
To the editor,
Gov. Cuomo is following the infamous Rose Garden Strategy of ignoring underdog Democratic Party challenger Cynthia Nixon by refusing to participate in a series of public debates between now and the Sept. 13 primary day. He prefers to hide behind his multi million dollar weekly series of television ads. They are paid for out of his ample $32 million campaign reelection war chest raised primarily from special interest Pay for Play donors. This is supplemented by “public service announcements” run daily in heavy rotation by state agencies and independent authorities such as the Empire State Development Corporation at taxpayers expense. He will do the same prior to Nov. 6 general election day against underdog Republican challenger Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. Cuomo will stall until late October with the goal of agreeing to one or two last-minute debates, knowing full well that his election is already preordained. He did the same in 2014 to Republican challenger Westchester County Executive Rob Asterino. His father, Mario Cuomo, did the same to the late GOP Westchester County Executive Andrew O’Rourke when he ran against him in 1986. Like father, like son.
Cuomo has no interest in providing a free forum for either Nixon or Molinaro to get their respective messages directly out to voters. All newspapers and good government groups should shame Cuomo into participating in open forums and debates.
Cuomo should participate in a series of debates sponsored by daily newspapers and television stations. If he doesn’t show, leave an empty chair in the room with his name on it.
Let us hope that enlightened newspapers such as the Brooklyn Courier, Bay Ridge Courier and other affiliates call for an end all incumbents’ use of the infamous Rose Garden Strategy. Intelligent voters deserve frequent debates prior to the primary and general elections as opposed to canned television commercials.
If he refuses to participate in debates with either Nixon or Molinaro, he should be subject to critical newspaper editorials. He should forfeit any chance of endorsements by media outlets.Larry Penner
Great Neck
