vivian orlen superintendent vivian orlen superintendent
And a whole bunch of people started writing to me and signing the petition. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG), Tteacher Francisco Sandoval takes a photo with his students at Orangethorpe Elementary School in Fullerton, CA on Thursday, April 27, 2023. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG), Orange Coast College teacher Kelli Elliott reacts as she is presented with a $25,000 check from Dr. Ramon Miramontes, Deputy Superintendent at the Orange County Department of Education. Dr. Ramon Miramontes, Deputy Superintendent with the Orange County Department of Education, surprises teacher Laura Blackie at San Joaquin Elementary School in Laguna Hills, CA on Thursday, April 27, 2023. All 45 district bosses were asked to reapply for their positions under the contentious process to expand the role, giving superintendents more authority in overseeing city schools. Former student Jose Camacho launched the petition over the weekend after he saw social media posts about Wenks departure, then confirmed the news with people connected to the school. Were just saying that what she has displayed as a leader is not where we want to be as a school right now.. Most questions about special education can be answered by your child's teacher or principal. Support our mission by visiting www.patreon.com/fl1 or learn how you send us your local content here. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. The petition was created Friday, the same day Wenk was officially removed as principal, and also called to save the schools arts classes. Theres obviously a [diversity] problem here, she said. The schools parents association called an emergency meeting Monday night, where approximately 40 parents, students and alumni crowded into a small art-class room and, at many points, became heated while talking to District 2 Superintendent Vivian Orlen, who emphasized that the school is not losing its arts program. hbbd```b``@$GfI?`,&E^I.3 Z/ 5 v^$0}g`bd`v#30_0 I want to make this New York City public schools, a more parent-friendly experience. Yusra Farzan is a multimedia journalist who has reported on social issues as they intersect with race and religion for The Guardian, Insider, NPR, Buzzfeed News, Teen Vogue, NextCity.Org and PBS SoCal KCET. by Julia Comnes on November 16, 2011 March 26, 2016. The board and superintendent . Superintendent Vivian Orlen gave a rousing speech, and LaGuardia Class of 2019 students Hawa Kamara and August Rosenstein (both recipients of Alumni & Friends music awards) sang "The National Anthem." Following the graduation, Superintendent Orlen sent out the following letter addressed to the LaGuardia Community: At the same time, parents, students, and graduates have complained that Mars' administration instilled what Lok calls a sense of fear and DeVito describes as threats and bullying. Many teachers left the school during Mars tenure, DeVito says, and others would only voice complaints anonymously because they feared retribution.. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG), Dr. Ramon Miramontes, Deputy Superintendent with the Orange County Department of Education, surprises Orange Coast College teacher Kelli Elliott in Costa Mesa, CA on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Voters cast their ballot at the Orange County Registrar of Voters in Santa Ana on June 7, 2022. On Monday night, Doug Cohen, an education department spokesperson, said that in collaboration with DOE leadership, Dr. Mars decided to forgo attending graduation., The statement continued: We thank Dr. Mars for her leadership, and will collaborate closely with LaGuardias community to find the next principal for the school and continue its proud history of excellence.. LaGuardias decreasing diversity is particularly distressing to those who graduated in the 1990s, when the school was more racially mixed. Blackie, who teaches second through fifth grades, started at Saddleback Valley Unified School District in 1995. Shes passionate, she knows what shes doing, said Shayda Roshdieh, a second-year student who takes two classes with Elliott. We've received your submission. You cant put a number on art.. Once state testing concludes this year, Sandovals students plan to race mousetrap cars they built. HMk@9 The move to New York had been in the works for an extended amount of time, according to Orlen. Thats not true. During this time, she works with students one-on-one or in small groups to develop their reading or math skills. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG), Teacher Leslie Whitaker takes a photo with her students after being named one of six teachers of the year by the Orange County Department of Education on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Chang and her students also agree to a classroom constitution at the beginning of each school year, a document proudly displayed above the whiteboard. He is beloved by all constituents in the program for his knowledge, vision and humanity, said Friedman, whos also been in the district for almost 30 years. Seven years ago, noticing all the neighborhood schools had a robotics program, Smith approached his principal about launching a dedicated middle school robotics program. He didnt renew a contract in 2016, and let the Board of Education know they should start planning last year. You may also receive occasional messages from sponsors. The group was involved in advocating for the superintendent to stay in her position, including, a letter-writing campaign that generated more than 3,000 signatories. The superintendent appoints principals, evaluates schools and approves budgets: Elementary and middle school superintendent: Alexandra Estrella,(212) 348-2873, High school superintendent: Vivian Orlen,(212) 356-3880, Elementary and middle school family support coordinator: Elio Valdez, (212) 348-2873, High school family support coordinator:William Mark, (212) 356-3880, Elementary and middle school family leadership coordinator: Nancy Periera, (212) 348-2873 ext. Eighth-grader Brogan Driscoll has attended every one of Smiths after-school, late-evening Zoom assessment reviews, a holdover from the COVID era. LaGuardias student-led protest stands out for its effectiveness in ousting a principal not accused of committing a crime, misrepresenting credentials, or failing to prevent violence. I shouldnt find out the principal is gone from my child, said one mother, to applause from the room. ~RJh8!q1wB,O&X33zoD H *x_+_f{?c&-x33`zm]@#&(ct^+"aKA1 AbnB4/m7j)^YE^=VRD`R$UoBIG'C%F Update July 4th, 2019: This story has been updated with a statement from the Department of Education. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG). Orlen said that Premo had increased the. Nobodys happy about it. To address these challenges and implement bold solutions, we set out to build a team of superintendents who are empowered in ways that they have not been in years.. This is such an injustice.. Support Voice of OC Today. 325 0 obj <>stream In her application, Blackie wrote about her student, Alejandro, who didnt know any English when he joined her class. Brooklyn College education law professor David Bloomfield, whose son attended LaGuardia from 2004 to 2008, tells Gothamist he believes the DOE removed Mars because of all the publicity. Similar conflicts over academics emphasis vs. arts were present prior to Mars's arrival, he notes, adding that the speed with which this all came to a head in the last month is surprising, especially since the removal of a principal is relatively rare and usually done more quietly., Bloomfield told Hechinger Report earlier this week that Mars's opponents at LaGuardia were comparatively lucky, noting that plenty of less high-profile schools may have poor-performing principals as well: "Who is sitting down with these principals when they are struggling in terms of their leadership and school community relationships? After learning about the charges, Camacho said he still had questions about their validity. I am very worried about the future of this district.. Premo pressed his groin against Colins leg, under the bar-height table and kept it there during the entire 20-minute conversation, the complaint states. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG), Red Hill Elementary School teacher Vivian Chang gets high-fives from students after she was named one of the Orange County Teachers of the Year in Santa Ana, CA on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Unlike at other specialized high schools in New York City, LaGuardiawhich evolved from the High School of Performing Arts, the inspiration for the movie and TV series Fame, and which has produced dozens of well-known graduates, including actor Timothe Chalamet, comedian Michael Che, and rapper/actor Awkwafinadoes not use standardized test scores as its basis for admission. He has since worked as a dental hygienist and in a medical supply company and is now in college studying business administration and finance, she said. Orlen arrived to the Northeast Portland school in the fall of 2010 and quickly got to work pushing through controversial changes, such as limiting the number of Advanced Placement courses to help balance out offerings to help struggling students. You may also receive occasional messages from sponsors. In Whitakers classroom, just like in her life, music plays an important role. John Colin, a special-ed teacher at the Lower Manhattan Arts Academy, filed a sex-discrimination complaint with the state Division of Human Rights against his boss, Principal Derek Premo. Neil OBrien will retire in December 2021, as principal Mike Jorgensen succeeds him in the post. HKo@hfo{(I(h)P$%kUa%[o}ZEU_w0KL?WZ?lU-gg8oq$P After a Lower East Side high school principal was accused of sexually pressing his groin against a teachers leg at a staff holiday party, a Department of Education lawyerasked witnesses for help to prepare a defense, records show. endstream endobj 266 0 obj <>stream And when she goes home for the day, she is always singing or playing on her grand piano, her husband Chris Whitaker said. The job has its fair share of challenges too, she said. . 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You became our principal last year. By the end of 2021, the superintendent who has led the Port Byron Central School District since 2004 will retire. If I am excited, they will get excited, Sandoval said on why he decided to bring his passion for racing into the classroom. The classroom, she says, is more than just for academics. Grant High School principal Vivian Orlen, who has led Portland Public Schools' largest high school for three years, is leaving the district to return to the New York City Department of. Elliott was one of six named Orange County Teacher or the Year during a stop at the college in Costa Mesa, CA on Thursday, April 27, 2023.. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG). F.A.C.E District Superintendent's Office District 13 District 17 District 22 District 23 District 14 District 16 District 18 District 21 District 15 District 19 District 20 . Manhattan HS superintendent Vivien Orlen sent an email to families on Wednesday, saying Premo, who earned $183,854 last year, had resigned. The districts under Superintendent Marisol Rosales have been selected to participate in the AP for All initiative. Orlen alluded to such changes in her message to the community, writing that she "had the opportunity to help shift the community dynamic from one where we fight for our own children to one where we advocate for all of our children." . Opponents Of Former LaGuardia Principal Say Ouster Was Over Diversity, Not Just Arts, We rely on your support to make local news available to all, Mayor Adams says more migrant buses headed to NY courtesy of Texas. We have brought together a group of 45 believers.. Working with students is what keeps her coming back. All rights reserved. The more they ask me, the more I learn, she said. Weve made the decision to reassign Dr. Wenk in the interest of students and families, Cohen said, and the superintendent is providing ongoing support to ensure a smooth transition.. But those who helped push Mars out say theres more to the story than what some have portrayed as a mutiny by entitled kids with an allergy to algebra. He didn't renew a contract in 2016, and . It has been widely reported that the protests were sparked by Mars's decision to prioritize academics over the arts. Things might be getting a bit wobbly.. Chalkbeat New Yorks reporters go inside classrooms, attend Regents meetings, and more to bring the news you need. The transition, effective immediately, was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Influenced by the story of educator Jaime Escalante in the movie Stand and Deliver, Blackie strives to instill in her students the desire, or ganas, to learn. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). Harassment of any kind is not tolerated at the DOE, and we are thoroughly investigating this disturbing allegation, while fully cooperating with the states investigation, she said. Black shoes or sneakers are required every day. I do my best to reach out to them.. For Cruz, LaGuardia was also a place to escape from the Bronx, and the first time in his life when he regularly interacted with people who werent black or Hispanic. MHS is led by Superintendent Vivian Orlen and overseen by Executive Superintendent Marisol Rosales, who have been aware of our concerns and have engaged us in continuous conversation. such as limiting the number of Advanced Placement courses to help balance out offerings to help struggling students, frustrations with the district's high school schedule and staffing allocations. VERY uncomfortable, Colin stated. As of 2:09 p.m. on Monday, there were 612 signatures. DeVito also praised Schools Chancellor Richard Carranzawho, depending on your perspective, is either going too far in attempting to integrate city schools, or failing to set goals precise enough to make a real differencefor his sensitivity and responsiveness. I continually tell them, You can do it, she wrote in her Teacher of the Year application. Some are tied to the city's geographic school districts, some to school grade level, and others to the special needs of their students. All of the allegations, except for the $80 in misspent funds, occurred since September 2017. Today, it is around 46 percent white, 18 percent Hispanic, 19 percent Asian, 7 percent multiracialand only 10 percent black, in a city that is 24 percent black. Knowing every one of my students stories is critical in order for me to be the best teacher I can be.. Her father later suffered a stroke, resulting in Chang and her brother becoming his caretakers. Initial results show Orange County Board of Educations conservative majority was defending their seats against challengers that could break their hold over the panel. Music is also incorporated in transitions between subjects or to illustrate key points during a lesson. About. Recently, Orlen joined parents and other principals in their frustrations with the district's high school schedule and staffing allocations, which pressured the district to add more teachers to the high school level. When he assigned the project, Sandovals only requirement was just to make it go. But the students got creative. Principal Support High School reform. Dr. Ramon Miramontes, Deputy Superintendent with the Orange County Department of Education, surprises teacher Francisco Sandoval at Orangethorpe Elementary School in Fullerton, CA on Thursday, April 27, 2023. This story has been shared 131,637 times. The superintendent is responsible for managing the Orange County Department of Education, which includes providing legal advice to districts, reviewing their annual budgets, and a host of other roles. The elected members of the Community Education Council (CEC) approve school zoning lines and advise on education policy: CEC:Community Education Council 4, (212) 802-3050, 2351 First Avenue, Room B15, New York, NY 10035, If these offices can not answer your questions, see, www.sites.google.com/a/strongschools.nyc/manhattan-district-4/home. Favorable:94% Q.1: My child's school communicates with me in a language I understand. And its a great way for them to show me that information without feeling embarrassed, Chang said. He credited Wenk with allowing students to express themselves and providing the push to believe in ourselves, which he said kept him on track to graduation in 2014. New York, NY, 10011 But since Mars's arrival in 2013, according to a report by NBC New York, any student who fails to get an 80 or better in any core academic subject (English, math, science, or social studies) in middle school is summarily rejected, regardless of artistic talent. Many lauded Manhattan High Schools Superintendent Vivian Orlen, who attended LaGuardias graduation ceremony in Mars stead and delivered a well-received speech, and Executive Superintendent Marisol Rosales. Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox each morning. Joseph Cassidy, then the principal of a middle school that sent many students to LaGuardia, lamented such changes in a 2000 New York Times article. Plaintiffs proposed amended complaint does not state the date of this denial but, in reply, defendants submit a letter from Vivian Orlen, Superintendent of Manhattan High Schools dated March 6, 2019, denying plaintiffs appeal (NYSCEF Doc. Principal Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos and Manhattan high schools Superintendent Vivian Orlen, the pair with the anti-AP bent, used the visit to express their concern to the AP men that the tests. Being able to talk about something that I am really passionate about, that I hadnt done in the past, made it really fun.. So much for one of the famous four pillars of the Chancellor, said Ellen McHugh, who co-heads the parent-led Citywide Council on Special Education. On February 10, in a Town Hall for Parent Leaders in the Manhattan High Schools District, Superintendent Vivian Orlen invited Director of Family Engagement, Dina Ingram to present on "The Work of Family Engagement Liasons and Parent Coordinators in Manhattan High Schools". I made a determination in several districts that I was not satisfied with either of the (finalist) candidates, said Banks. Its just between me and them.. The board majority served as the catalyst for that attention, drawing local and even national media attention over its positions against masking and other COVID-19 restrictions with studies and lawsuits against Gov. She said Wenk is passionate about the job and has earned admiration from teachers and parents alike. A publicly-listed number for Wenk was not in service, and he could not be reached for comment. Across the county, teachers were surprised on Thursday morning, April 27, with an entourage consisting of Miramontes, district officials, representatives from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union (the sponsor of the annual gala), family and friends. The main issue, she says, was that Mars slowly and steadfastly continued to chip away at the fabric of the mission, slashing rehearsal time and emphasizing Advanced Placement classes to the detriment of LaGuardias world-class student art and musical and theatrical performances. This story has been shared 131,637 times. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. I think that the district is going to have to really, really make sure that they make some good decisions so that the momentum that I think people have experienced over the last 3 years continues, she said. In her free time, she loves to bake, read, watch soccer or go on hikes. Looking internally was the right, and easy move, according to Paul Ryan, the school boards president. NYC plans 50 new electric car charging ports, a boon for non-Tesla EV owners, Virginia man charged with murder of Queens teenager 31 years after her death, Former Democratic state senator files to run against embattled Rep. George Santos. Elementary and middle school superintendent: Alexandra Estrella, (212) 348-2873 High school superintendent: Vivian Orlen, (212) 356-3880 For individual parent concerns, contact: Elementary and middle school family support coordinator: Elio Valdez, (212) 348-2873 High school family support coordinator: William Mark, (212) 356-3880 Dr. Ramon Miramontes, Deputy Superintendent with the Orange County Department of Education, surprises teacher Vivian Chang at Red Hill Elementary School in Santa Ana, CA on Thursday, April 27, 2023. hXnF}LPv MYr%E $w293g Dr. Paula Washington, an alumna, LaGuardia parent, LaGuardia teacher, and union chapter leader who will retire in January 2020, describes Mars as charming, beautiful, and sociopathic. She says the former principal had threatened parents and teachers who challenged her, including by convincing one teacher that she had the power to withhold her pension. Lisa Mars, who oversaw LaGuardia for six years, will be taking a new position under Chief Academic Officer Linda Chen. And her class ends each day with a song to highlight scholarly behaviors. I want to thank Vivian and her team for . f'wN!~rq!csXhk'\?&d`5>^014$kp.IXV9iu`Z[3|]YAR+Wt8V\_Z=. Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. A parent who identified herself to the room as the schools PTA president said Wenk came to their meeting last Thursday and informed parents who were there that it was his last day. Thiah Hung Phan, a second-year student, first had Elliott as a teacher when classes were online during the pandemic. The Citizen reports that O'Brien took steps to help the district prepare. She shares a passion for the arts, with a Master's in Educational Leadership from NYU and a Master's in Music and Music Education from . The biggest learning curve has been working with parents. DeVito says kids like Cruz are not being given the same chances to succeed now. Message usvia ourwebsite or staff page. And the family might soon be headed to Italy with the money Smith was awarded Thursday. When she introduces something new to her students, Chang asks them to place their fingers on their chests, showing on a scale of 1 to 5 if they understood the lesson. Those town halls ran throughout the spring as parents and teachers asked questions of the district finalists. They are so useful, Driscoll said. In an emailed statement, DOE spokesperson Will Mantell said, "We thank Dr. Mars for her leadership, and were collaborating closely with LaGuardias community to find the next principal for the school and continue its proud history of excellence.". Mijares stance against the board also spurred his first ever challenger, Stefan Bean, a close ally of Barke who said his top goal if elected is to execute the boards vision and support charter schools. A sudden reshuffling at a small Manhattan high school a new principal and advanced classes has ignited concerns that the city Education Department is trying to appease parents whose . The board of education and superintendent races have been put under a microscope this year in a way theyve never had to face before. The Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, the union for principals, did not respond to a request for comment Monday afternoon, before Chalkbeat knew of the specific allegations. I wasn't anticipating the extent of the support and the pushback they've given. Vivian Orlen, NYC DOE Superintendent Hight Schools Marisol Rosales, NYC DOE Executive Superintendent, Manhattan Dr. Kara Ahmed, NYC DOE Deputy Chancellor of Early Childhood Education Community Education Council District 2 Joshua Adams, External Affairs Manager, NYCSCA Arlene Peralta-Avila, Senior Director, NYU . About 130 internal and external candidates applied for superintendent roles, according to the Department of Education. Recognizing that a large number of students in California are now multilingual learners, Blackie said, she incorporates her personal experience as a language learner in the classroom. The teachers will also have an opportunity to compete for California Teacher of the Year.