P.S. 20 Principal wants community meeting
Gotham Schools is reporting that embattled PS 20 principal Sean Keaton has asked for a meeting, via the Times’ local blog, to hear parent concerns about his administration, citing coverage on Insideschools.org and in the Brooklyn Paper.
Demand for the school, and for other nearby public schools, has risen as the Fort Greene-Clinton Hill neighborhood has experienced an influx of young families (read: outspoken parents). But another piece of the puzzle deserves a mention: One of the two new citywide gifted and talented programs the Department of Education plans to open in September will be sited at PS 20 and fall under Principal Keaton’s leadership come September.
No details yet about the time or the place of the proposed meeting.
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I am in the neighborhood and zoned for ps 20. I elected to go elsewhere after doing the tour of the school and listening to him through his shades. I’m sure he’s a nice man, but he did not come across as someone that was open to parent involvement. Many parents opt to choose the nearby PS 11 which may or may not have better test scores. Parents want more than just good scores, they want a place where they feel their voice will be heard and kids can be kids. They also want limited excess yelling and to be part of a collective movement towards a better learning environment.
As far as the new Gifted program, i feel it’s an ego booster. It’s just a way for him to feel like “look, now I can increase my enrollment and you will have to report to only me”. The spotlight can be in his direction and he can finally have his due.
In the schools favor, they do have a really great band and there are many families that really love their teachers and the kids are doing fine. It usually comes down to the vibe from the top as to why some opt to leave.
Comment by blues clues — April 22, 2009 @ 11:28 pm