From the NY Post:
Insisting her "edict" is to get kids graduated, Martin Van Buren HS Principal Marilyn Shevell has declared war on athletics, outraged students, parents and coaches charge.
Last week, Shevell stormed out of a PTA meeting in the Queens school's auditorium after announcing the girls and boys basketball teams could play no games at home this fall. Last year, she slashed home games to one for the girls and three for the boys.
Shevell also barred classmates and their par ents from attending last year's games to cheer for their "Vee Bees." And just in case any specta tors showed up, she had the bleachers bolted to the gym wall so they could not be used.
Parents and students packed last Monday's PTA meeting, where Shevell ousted a Post reporter.
"She was upset. The subject was sports, and the parents wanted home games," said Diana Payne, whose daughter plays basketball. "Ms. Shevell made a statement that her edict was to get the students graduated in four years."
When parents continued to question Shevell, she walked.
Parents say Shevell has used various "excuses" for the cutbacks -- including a broken gym divider, asbestos in the gym ceiling and fights at prior games.
But when questioned by The Post, city Department of Education officials said the wall had been fixed a month ago, there is no asbestos problem, and there have been no melees -- or even any home games -- this year.
11 comments:
Maspeth Mom says... There must be some underlying issue she is not articulating. (Possibly the school doesnt have an insurance policy with decent coverage). There is no better way to get kids involved in school and like school than being part of a team or club; whether its sports, debate or poetry club.
She is just driving kids away, and they will use their dislike for her as an excuse not to attend. She is her own worst enemy.
I wonder if she would've accepted no sports in her own children's school.
Could be the students in the sports program were not keeping up academically. reason enough to halt sports. It's a shame but after all if she is focused on increasing the success of students learning or running a sport program, then learning takes priority. This is nothing new at schools everywhere.
Who hires these nuts? Sports maybe the only thing keeping some of these kids off the street.
I think this is great. Good for the principal. She wants to focus on education...not basketball. Kudos to her!
Actually...you have to have certain grades in order to participate in PSAL athletics. So being involved in sports is a motivation to keep grades up.
Killing school spirit is step one to killing a school.
Anonymous said...
"Who hires these nuts? Sports maybe the only thing keeping some of these kids off the street."
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, CITY OF NY hires these nuts. Bloomberg and Klein are her bosses. Now you do the math!!!
Anonymous said...
"Who hires these nuts? Sports maybe the only thing keeping some of these kids off the street."
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, CITY OF NY hires these nuts. Bloomberg and Klein are her bosses. Now you do the math!!!
Why thank you madame ovary, I mean bovine, I mean Bovary, my question was rhetorical!
"Killing school spirit is step one to killing a school."
That is a great quote. My alma mater MVB is on the chopping block.
Hey Anonymous...
1)You don't know your literary characters
2)You are a troll who didn't like my comment. Don't read it if you don't like the truth. The DOE is full of Shevells and other wing nuts. Maybe you're one of them....
Signed,
Madam Bovary
Actually...you have to have certain grades in order to participate in PSAL athletics. So being involved in sports is a motivation to keep grades up.
Killing school spirit is step one to killing a school.
I maybe that the athletes were not maintaining their grades to remain on the team or enforced. If they don't care to maintain their grades or go to school at 16 yrs - leave - it's only a free seat for some illegal to sit in and possibly learn a little English.
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