special needs student middle school in new york city The ongoing border crisis has resulted in an influx of immigrant children who could be expelled from campus, and this impending decision has sparked protests against the relocation.
Justin Holland, a student at West Prep Academy, which is in the same building as PS 145 on the Upper West Side, said he felt like he was being “pushed” out of his safe space.
“This is a change for me, but I don’t like change. I don’t like being forced into a new environment that’s not safe for me,” said the seventh-grade student. new york post.
Some of my Dutch colleagues echoed the same sentiment. India Ringgold said she feels “safe” in the school’s current location, and sixth-grader Logan Padron added that the new campus cafeteria “feels like a prison.”
43% of West Prep’s population includes children with special needs. Instead, they were given an old school building without outdoor space or adequate accommodations for students with disabilities, the Post reported. One of her parents, Bianca Rouch, was worried.
“There are smoking areas everywhere and some cranky people outside. Why would you let your kids play in the street when there’s literally a park right there with basketball and all kinds of sports?” Ruch said. he told the Post.
Father of son with special needs appeals unusual case over attempted recording of school assembly to Supreme Court
Middle school students at West Prep Academy are forced into an old building to accommodate the influx of immigrant students. (Google Earth)
“We want to make sure all of our students are safe, whether it’s in our current building or any other building,” said Ty Ellis, the school’s PTA president. I don’t want them to just provide something to the public.” . ”
The former Ascension School campus on 108th Street is now proposed to become West Prep’s new home without any renovations or remodeling to accommodate students, the Post reported. reported. Parents are making a request to the city. Ministry of Education We can let you stay or offer suitable alternatives to meet your needs.
This Tuesday, 20 students and parents wore shirts that read “All Student Deserve FAPE(E),” which stands for Free, Adequate, and Equitable Education. They gathered outside the building and protested the relocation, chanting “No relocation!”
The Post reported that John Tyler School, the building West Prep shares with PS 145, was already full before the influx of immigrants began.
Influx of immigrant children estimated to cost public school systems $2 billion annually: report
The once-closed Ascension School is being proposed as a new home for West Prep Academy students. (Google Earth)
Denise Johnson, another West Prep mother, was also concerned about the situation at the school’s potential new home.
“This building is not equipped to accommodate students with special needs.” [or] “These are students who don’t have special needs. It’s not well-equipped and it’s 127 years old,” she said. “The problem is we come from a building that is well-equipped. [the] The facility is designed to serve students in under-resourced buildings. ”
“To me, the problem is the building itself. It’s not up to the standard for everyone to come in to learn. It’s like a prison. And I don’t think it should be available to black and brown children. ‘That’s someone else’s decision,’ Johnson added. “My parents didn’t vote. [problem], there are other options as well. ”
California Board of Education Chairman Ordered to Pay Legal Fees Following LGBTQ Flag Debate and Death Threats
Inside the facility that will be the new home for West Prep Academy students. (Google Earth)
At a City Hall meeting earlier this year, Kariris Salas, a member of the Department of Education’s Education Policy Committee, expressed safety concerns about children in the proposed facility.
“There are multiple doors on the floor that allow children to open them and walk around. There are concerns regarding outdoor space. Children in the ASC nest program are unable to provide outdoor time and We know we’re obligated to service ‘inside that building,”’ Salas said. “Likewise, many of us at PEP are very concerned about this particular move and would like to see the Department of Education address those concerns.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
As community members look forward to the board’s May 22 vote, academy parents have filed the following petition: change.org “Stop the eviction of West Prep kids.”
West Prep’s principal and assistant principal did not respond to requests for comment, and the Department of Education did not return requests for comment.
