Comments on: Backing her kid’s school, actress Cynthia Nixon joins UWS war http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Michael D. Markowitz, P.E. http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-7/#comment-118868 Michael D. Markowitz, P.E. Sat, 16 May 2009 02:27:55 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-118868 Huzzahs to the above comment by DML. A little Googling later, here's the paper, "Unpacking the Knapsack": http://www.case.edu/president/aaction/UnpackingTheKnapsack.pdf Personally, and as the son of a former school board president who was instrumental in integrating the schools in my home town, I would most welcome a city-wide discussion of de facto segregation in New York City. But as long as there are "zoned" elementary schools -- and a reasonable expectation that each New York City child deserves a high-quality elementary school within walking distance -- the long overdue public conversation on desegration must not be conflated with the current overcrowding crisis. Shoving families around willy-nilly is neither an overcrowding solution nor a desegregation policy, even 55 years after Brown v Board of Ed. It's just bad planning and bad public policy. http://brownvboard.org/programs/200905anniversary.htm Huzzahs to the above comment by DML.

A little Googling later, here’s the paper, “Unpacking the Knapsack”: http://www.case.edu/president/aaction/UnpackingTheKnapsack.pdf

Personally, and as the son of a former school board president who was instrumental in integrating the schools in my home town, I would most welcome a city-wide discussion of de facto segregation in New York City.

But as long as there are “zoned” elementary schools — and a reasonable expectation that each New York City child deserves a high-quality elementary school within walking distance — the long overdue public conversation on desegration must not be conflated with the current overcrowding crisis.

Shoving families around willy-nilly is neither an overcrowding solution nor a desegregation policy, even 55 years after Brown v Board of Ed. It’s just bad planning and bad public policy.

http://brownvboard.org/programs/200905anniversary.htm

]]> By: Danielle Moss Lee, Ed.D. http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-7/#comment-118562 Danielle Moss Lee, Ed.D. Fri, 15 May 2009 16:16:35 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-118562 I believe the article above represents a gross misrepresentation of my sentiments regarding the need to address pervasive segregation in District 3 schools. I was deeply disappointed by the behavior and manipulations of parents on both sides of this issue at the meeting in question. The fact is that the evening became a slogan-fest that lost track of the real issues of overcrowding facing the district and the lack of developer accountability or taxation for school capital projects. But the reality of de jure segregration throughout this district to me was a separate issue from the need to relocate The Center School. There was no evidence to suggest that their physical co-existence with P.S. 199 had any impact whatsoever on the fact that P.S. 199 is incredibly white and privileged. It seemed to me that if segregation were the real issue here, the Center School parents could have pushed P.S. 199 and a nearby elementary school that largely serves public housing students in the area, to work on a desegregation plan together. Unbeknownst to most people in that room, when I first joined the CEC I told my colleagues and the superintendent that the district should take a strong look at its limited lack of progress in reducing racial and cultural segregation in its schools. I offered to host forums and to call on my numberous colleagues in the education and nonprofit sectors to help facilitate the creation of meaningful strategies. I provided each person on the CEC with a copy of Peggy Macintosh's groundbreaking white paper on white privilege - Unpacking the Knapsack. I introduced everyone to the work The People's Institute - a cross-sector consulting group that hosts a series of Undoing Racism workshops around the city. My expertise in the area and enthusiasm for the need to bring lasting change were met with general indifference. If Cynthia Nixon and the head of The Center School think voting against the move was a stand for equality in district 3 I say that is a pretty naive and narrow view. Anyone who knows anything about me or my career knows that the day I tell a group of entitled self-righteous white people that we can deal with racism "later", hell will probably have frozen over. But I guess Elaine was too busy yelling in my face to let me finish my comments. I'm alot more savvy than the above article suggests. We cannot solve this issue without real public will and reflection, or without a cross-section of parents of every background who are committed and courageous enough to do what needs to be done. Yes, we can, Cynthia...but will we? I believe the article above represents a gross misrepresentation of my sentiments regarding the need to address pervasive segregation in District 3 schools. I was deeply disappointed by the behavior and manipulations of parents on both sides of this issue at the meeting in question. The fact is that the evening became a slogan-fest that lost track of the real issues of overcrowding facing the district and the lack of developer accountability or taxation for school capital projects. But the reality of de jure segregration throughout this district to me was a separate issue from the need to relocate The Center School. There was no evidence to suggest that their physical co-existence with P.S. 199 had any impact whatsoever on the fact that P.S. 199 is incredibly white and privileged. It seemed to me that if segregation were the real issue here, the Center School parents could have pushed P.S. 199 and a nearby elementary school that largely serves public housing students in the area, to work on a desegregation plan together. Unbeknownst to most people in that room, when I first joined the CEC I told my colleagues and the superintendent that the district should take a strong look at its limited lack of progress in reducing racial and cultural segregation in its schools. I offered to host forums and to call on my numberous colleagues in the education and nonprofit sectors to help facilitate the creation of meaningful strategies. I provided each person on the CEC with a copy of Peggy Macintosh’s groundbreaking white paper on white privilege – Unpacking the Knapsack. I introduced everyone to the work The People’s Institute – a cross-sector consulting group that hosts a series of Undoing Racism workshops around the city. My expertise in the area and enthusiasm for the need to bring lasting change were met with general indifference. If Cynthia Nixon and the head of The Center School think voting against the move was a stand for equality in district 3 I say that is a pretty naive and narrow view. Anyone who knows anything about me or my career knows that the day I tell a group of entitled self-righteous white people that we can deal with racism “later”, hell will probably have frozen over. But I guess Elaine was too busy yelling in my face to let me finish my comments. I’m alot more savvy than the above article suggests. We cannot solve this issue without real public will and reflection, or without a cross-section of parents of every background who are committed and courageous enough to do what needs to be done. Yes, we can, Cynthia…but will we?

]]> By: The End http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-7/#comment-1882 The End Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:08:30 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1882 DOE rules that the move of the Center School is official. Sorry for all the hurt feelings but it is time to move on. DOE rules that the move of the Center School is official. Sorry for all the hurt feelings but it is time to move on.

]]> By: Shut up http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-7/#comment-1841 Shut up Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:04:00 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1841 Stop being such damn hypocrites. None of you cared about any of these issues until your poor little kids had to move schools (OH SO TRAUMATIC), and your principal threatened you with resignation. You don't care now. You never did. You still don't care. Shut up and move on. Teach your kids how to accept democracy for what it is, and to accept loss graciously. Stop being such damn hypocrites.

None of you cared about any of these issues until your poor little kids had to move schools (OH SO TRAUMATIC), and your principal threatened you with resignation.

You don’t care now. You never did. You still don’t care.

Shut up and move on. Teach your kids how to accept democracy for what it is, and to accept loss graciously.

]]> By: disgusted http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-7/#comment-1838 disgusted Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:37:11 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1838 If you have to start somewhere, why not the most crowded school, or better yet a plan that helps more than one school? I didn't say schools can't move, but it doesn't make sense if that move is only a temporary fix for one school's benefit. If it is not so traumatic to move, you could move to a school that is less crowded. Good luck with that, since there are a lot of schools with bigger classes and less space. If you have to start somewhere, why not the most crowded school, or better yet a plan that helps more than one school? I didn’t say schools can’t move, but it doesn’t make sense if that move is only a temporary fix for one school’s benefit. If it is not so traumatic to move, you could move to a school that is less crowded. Good luck with that, since there are a lot of schools with bigger classes and less space.

]]> By: to disgusted http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-7/#comment-1835 to disgusted Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:56:56 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1835 No one is saying 199 should be the ONLY school to get relief, but we have to start somewhere. You are very defensive about this. If the school needs to get capped, it will, but it doesn't need to yet. Frankly, it is not that traumatic to move a school every 26 years. people move all the time. You need to move on. No one is happy about this, but we need to start somewhere and rezoning will not have any effect for at least 5/6 years based on numbers. Good luck. I hope you still get into Center, but I don't know if there will be enough room after sibs get in. No one is saying 199 should be the ONLY school to get relief, but we have to start somewhere. You are very defensive about this. If the school needs to get capped, it will, but it doesn’t need to yet. Frankly, it is not that traumatic to move a school every 26 years. people move all the time. You need to move on. No one is happy about this, but we need to start somewhere and rezoning will not have any effect for at least 5/6 years based on numbers. Good luck. I hope you still get into Center, but I don’t know if there will be enough room after sibs get in.

]]> By: disgusted http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-7/#comment-1827 disgusted Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:34:27 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1827 A complex answer: Without a district wide change in zoning, there will come a time when the physical space of 199 will be too small. So, at some point, the school will have to put a cap on new students. The Center School leaving doesn't change that. So, do you want to wait a couple of years down the line until 199 has become 800 students, or address that issue now? How CS staying helps: fewer students in the playground, and fewer students in the cafeteria for a start. When Elaine Schwartz and CS are gone, and you have to turn away those "neighborhood" kids, who are you going to blame? You will then have to look at the developers, CEC, DOE, city planners, and yourself. A simple question for you: Why should 199 be the only school to get relief when other schools are more crowded? A complex answer: Without a district wide change in zoning, there will come a time when the physical space of 199 will be too small. So, at some point, the school will have to put a cap on new students. The Center School leaving doesn’t change that. So, do you want to wait a couple of years down the line until 199 has become 800 students, or address that issue now?

How CS staying helps: fewer students in the playground, and fewer students in the cafeteria for a start.

When Elaine Schwartz and CS are gone, and you have to turn away those “neighborhood” kids, who are you going to blame? You will then have to look at the developers, CEC, DOE, city planners, and yourself.

A simple question for you: Why should 199 be the only school to get relief when other schools are more crowded?

]]> By: Dear Disguted http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-7/#comment-1822 Dear Disguted Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:56:15 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1822 A simple Question: please explain how - if the CS stays - that HELPS our overcrowding situation? A simple Question: please explain how – if the CS stays – that HELPS our overcrowding situation?

]]> By: disgusted http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-7/#comment-1807 disgusted Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:12:19 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1807 Actually, I'm not missing the point. No one from 199 is willing to admit that 199 is not the most crowded school, and say why there should be a solution that only helps 199 (at the expense of another school). And, if overcrowding is as going to be as bad as forecasted, how is gaining the extra space more that a temporary fix? By the way, there are a lot of school buildings (intended for only one school) that house two or three schools in them. If the problem for you is only next year, and only 199, then I guess this is the fix for you. Actually, I’m not missing the point. No one from 199 is willing to admit that 199 is not the most crowded school, and say why there should be a solution that only helps 199 (at the expense of another school). And, if overcrowding is as going to be as bad as forecasted, how is gaining the extra space more that a temporary fix? By the way, there are a lot of school buildings (intended for only one school) that house two or three schools in them.

If the problem for you is only next year, and only 199, then I guess this is the fix for you.

]]> By: to disgusted http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-7/#comment-1788 to disgusted Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:14:27 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1788 If you are a 199 parent look at your class list. It's not that hard. and you really miss the point. The problem is next year more than this year. We need space for 7 K classes. and no, I don't want a bigger school, but it is what it is. And 199 was intended to hold one elementary school when it was built. If you are a 199 parent look at your class list. It’s not that hard. and you really miss the point. The problem is next year more than this year. We need space for 7 K classes. and no, I don’t want a bigger school, but it is what it is. And 199 was intended to hold one elementary school when it was built.

]]> By: disgusted http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-6/#comment-1787 disgusted Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:48:58 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1787 Still waiting on those class size numbers so I can check my math Still waiting on those class size numbers so I can check my math

]]> By: Uncle Matt http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-6/#comment-1776 Uncle Matt Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:19:24 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1776 McCarthy clearly did not get the joke. Hope his kids come out of Center School smarter than he is. PS- Center School is hardly inclusive. Read above. McCarthy clearly did not get the joke. Hope his kids come out of Center School smarter than he is.

PS- Center School is hardly inclusive. Read above.

]]> By: McCarthy http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-6/#comment-1774 McCarthy Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:11:49 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1774 Yes, let's investigate!!! I hear that Elaine Schwartz is a comie. You should investigate. You might learn how to have an inclusive, effective school. By the way, assstain is actually two words (ass stain). But no surprise you would identify with them so much Uncle Matt. Yes, let’s investigate!!! I hear that Elaine Schwartz is a comie.
You should investigate. You might learn how to have an inclusive, effective school.

By the way, assstain is actually two words (ass stain). But no surprise you would identify with them so much Uncle Matt.

]]> By: bereal http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-6/#comment-1769 bereal Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:30:39 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1769 wow - welcome back from your trip away for Thanksgiving - your ugliness is self-perpetuating it seems - you've been doing this kind of thing for years...you have a warped sense of justice, but we can take solace in knowing that justice ultimately will find you (there are plenty who already id'ed you. No need to fear or feel threatened, you've had it coming anyway. wow – welcome back from your trip away for Thanksgiving – your ugliness is self-perpetuating it seems – you’ve been doing this kind of thing for years…you have a warped sense of justice, but we can take solace in knowing that justice ultimately will find you (there are plenty who already id’ed you. No need to fear or feel threatened, you’ve had it coming anyway.

]]> By: Uncle Matt http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-6/#comment-1745 Uncle Matt Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:14:32 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1745 By the way, here is another rich, powerful Center School parent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kara_Walker There are just too many famous, powerful, connected and rich Center School parents to be a coincidence. So funny how Kara and Cynthia Nixon were chosen as the spokespeople for Center School. While Cynthia collects her multi-million dollar salary and royalties from Sex and the City and Kara's works are displayed in the Whitney Museum, we are fighting to ensure that our kids can still go to an A public school. I am with Dear Uncle Matt. Let's blow this thing wide open and get the city to investigate the Center School. By the way, here is another rich, powerful Center School parent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kara_Walker

There are just too many famous, powerful, connected and rich Center School parents to be a coincidence.

So funny how Kara and Cynthia Nixon were chosen as the spokespeople for Center School. While Cynthia collects her multi-million dollar salary and royalties from Sex and the City and Kara’s works are displayed in the Whitney Museum, we are fighting to ensure that our kids can still go to an A public school.

I am with Dear Uncle Matt. Let’s blow this thing wide open and get the city to investigate the Center School.

]]> By: Uncle Matt http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-6/#comment-1743 Uncle Matt Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:03:51 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1743 Uncle Mattt (3 T's), I guess you are another Center School parent who finds the truth to be painful. I suppose when you have as much to be ashamed of as the Center School does, and someone like me tells the whole world about it, awkward feelings can surface. Am I brutally honest? Yes. Immature? No. Immature would be reminding you that assstain is the only word in the English language where the same consonant appears three times consecutively. Ironic that this would have to be pointed out to, well, an assstain. Love, Uncle Matt (The real deal.) Uncle Mattt (3 T’s),

I guess you are another Center School parent who finds the truth to be painful. I suppose when you have as much to be ashamed of as the Center School does, and someone like me tells the whole world about it, awkward feelings can surface.

Am I brutally honest? Yes. Immature? No.

Immature would be reminding you that assstain is the only word in the English language where the same consonant appears three times consecutively.
Ironic that this would have to be pointed out to, well, an assstain.

Love,

Uncle Matt (The real deal.)

]]> By: Uncle Mattt http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-6/#comment-1731 Uncle Mattt Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:23:57 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1731 I just wanted to write everyone to say that recently I have started going back to therapy and realize now that many of my hostile comments were based on the fact that my children did NOT get into Center School. I felt that this was a reflection on my poor parenting. Everything I have heard about the Center School has been more than positive and I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for my ridiculous and immature postings. I hope that the Center School community can forgive my behavior. I just wanted to write everyone to say that recently I have started going back to therapy and realize now that many of my hostile comments were based on the fact that my children did NOT get into Center School. I felt that this was a reflection on my poor parenting. Everything I have heard about the Center School has been more than positive and I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for my ridiculous and immature postings. I hope that the Center School community can forgive my behavior.

]]> By: Dear UNcle Matt http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-6/#comment-1688 Dear UNcle Matt Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:01:54 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1688 Why aren't you taking this show on the road? Gotham News is too small time for you. Don't you think that Mayor Bloomberg or the Chancellor should know that Elaine Schwatrz sent out a letter basically calling PS199 parents racists? I say we all send in letters calling for the immediate termination of Elaine Schwartz and put an end to her cronyism and sibling (can you imagine??) policy. Why is it allowed - in a system that you have to apply to get in - to accept siblings? Let's bring this all to light and send letters to people who can make a difference and right this inequity. Why aren’t you taking this show on the road? Gotham News is too small time for you. Don’t you think that Mayor Bloomberg or the Chancellor should know that Elaine Schwatrz sent out a letter basically calling PS199 parents racists? I say we all send in letters calling for the immediate termination of Elaine Schwartz and put an end to her cronyism and sibling (can you imagine??) policy. Why is it allowed – in a system that you have to apply to get in – to accept siblings? Let’s bring this all to light and send letters to people who can make a difference and right this inequity.

]]> By: Uncle Matt http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-6/#comment-1685 Uncle Matt Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:25:15 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1685 "Take comfort because at this point it is a matter of public record. By putting themselves into the spotlight, the Center School has also put itself on the radar of people who have never heard of the school until recently. Now everyone wants to know if it such a great school maybe I should apply for my kid. How do you get in? Answer….well we always knew the answer but now so does everyone else. See every cloud does have a silver lining! Happy Thanksgiving!" Well thank you Welcome Back Uncle Matt. It is good to be back. I had to stay away for a while because all of the Center School stupidity,lies, hypocrasy and lies were making me sick. Doctors orders. Rest assured I am back and will continue to let the world know about the Center School's corruption, crooked ethics, and lies. “Take comfort because at this point it is a matter of public record. By putting themselves into the spotlight, the Center School has also put itself on the radar of people who have never heard of the school until recently. Now everyone wants to know if it such a great school maybe I should apply for my kid. How do you get in? Answer….well we always knew the answer but now so does everyone else. See every cloud does have a silver lining! Happy Thanksgiving!”

Well thank you Welcome Back Uncle Matt. It is good to be back. I had to stay away for a while because all of the Center School stupidity,lies, hypocrasy and lies were making me sick. Doctors orders.

Rest assured I am back and will continue to let the world know about the Center School’s corruption, crooked ethics, and lies.

]]> By: Uncle Matt http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/14/backing-her-kids-school-actress-cynthia-nixon-joins-uws-war/comment-page-6/#comment-1684 Uncle Matt Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:22:11 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=4752#comment-1684 Uncle Matt for CS Principal-- I accept your nomination! My first official deed as principal will be to expell all of Elaine Schwartz' friends, family members, and "favors" from the school. Wait... if I did that there would be NO Center School! What to do?! Maybe I am not your guy. But rest assured I will still be online to let the truth about Center School be known. And as for her retirement-- from your lips to Gods PLEASE! Uncle Matt for CS Principal– I accept your nomination!

My first official deed as principal will be to expell all of Elaine Schwartz’ friends, family members, and “favors” from the school. Wait… if I did that there would be NO Center School!

What to do?! Maybe I am not your guy. But rest assured I will still be online to let the truth about Center School be known.

And as for her retirement– from your lips to Gods PLEASE!

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