Latest news with #MelissaAviles-Ramos
New York Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC teachers getting anti-Israel literature in DOE schools
Hateful anti-Israel propaganda has slipped into city Department of Education literature and schools at least five times in the past two months, The Post has learned. In the latest instance, faculty members at a large Brooklyn elementary/middle school received an email Monday with the subject line: 'How Much Jewish Wealth From The Black Slave Trade Was Used To Help Create Israel?' Among a dozen links to inflammatory texts, the email includes several articles branding Jews as former slave owners; a piece by Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakahn claiming 'Jewish behavior has ill-affected Black people and others;' and a Palestinian children's workbook decrying 'bullies called Zionists.' 4 Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos has vowed to crack down on dissemination of 'politically one-sided materials deeply offensive to the Jewish community.' Andrew Schwartz / 'It's clearly an attack,' a Jewish teacher who received the diatribe in her DOE email told The Post. The incident is evidence of rising antisemitism in NYC schools and other educational institutions since the Israeli-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, experts say. The emails came from think.285@ an encrypted account hiding the sender's identity. The teacher asked that she and her 'amazing' school, which she described as close-knit and harmonious, not be named. 'There was never an issue with antisemitism — not once,' she told The Post, adding she wears a Star of David at work. 'It wouldn't be fair to drop such a stain on the school. I would put my last penny on the fact that I don't think it's a person from the school' who sent the offensive missive. 4 The links to antisemitic literature in an email sent to Brooklyn teachers include a Palestinian children's handbook that refers to 'bullies called Zionists.' Obtained by the New York Post Like many other NYC schools, the Brooklyn school posts its teachers' DOE email addresses on a public website. Two assistant principals were 'horrified' by the cyber stealth, but the teacher has not discussed the emails with the principal — who did not address them with staff. It's the latest in a series of anti-Israel attacks popping up in DOE communications. In early April, schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos apologized after a 17-page 'Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit' was linked in a newsletter sent to teachers and parents. 4 Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos apologized in early April after a 17-page 'Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit' was linked in a newsletter sent to teachers and parents. Weeks later, a 'Teacher Career Pathways' newsletter for master teachers in the city's 1,800 schools called for student voices to be heard on the 'genocide in Gaza.' In a DOE crackdown on 'politically one-sided materials that are deeply offensive to the Jewish community' being disseminated, Aviles-Ramos halted the release of mass communications sent to educators, students and parents without her approval. At the same time, an anti-Israel group, the Labor for Palestine Network, sent an email blast to city teachers on their DOE accounts calling for a May Day strike and other 'civil disobedience' to protest the Gaza war. The DOE said it would investigate. Last month, a flyer distributed in several Manhattan schools urged teachers voting in their union elections to back a campaign to divest pension funds from Israel. 4 Elias Rodriguez, 31 of Chicago, is charged in the May 21 murders of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington, D.C. Katie Kalisher via Storyful The flyers came after the cold-blooded murder of two young Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. by a gunman who yelled, 'Free Palestine.' The United Federation of Teachers disavowed the flyers. The DOE said it removed them from schools. Karen Feldman, a middle-school teacher and Holocaust educator studying the rise of antisemitism in NYC public schools, said the mounting incidents 'point to a systemic issue.' 'We must all demand stronger oversight and safeguards to ensure public institutions do not become platforms for hate,' she said. Asked whether the Brooklyn school had reported the emails, a DOE spokeswoman said, 'We are investigating this matter and will address it as appropriate with disciplinary action, community engagement, and educational intervention.' Officials said the DOE has identified who sent previous anti-Israel emails, but would not elaborate on 'personnel matters.'
New York Post
10-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
UFT 'stunt' violates school rules as NYC mayoral hopefuls vie for endorsement
NYC mayoral candidates likely violated long-standing rules forbidding the use of school visits for political purposes to participate in an endorsement 'stunt' by the powerful teachers' union, The Post has learned. With the blessing of schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, the United Federation of Teachers announced in March that candidates must spend a full day teaching in a NYC public school to be considered for its endorsement. 'To be eligible for the UFT endorsement, you will need to spend at least seven (7) periods in a public-school classroom, helping the teacher and paraprofessional with lessons, classroom management, and whatever needs to be done to keep the students engaged,' read an invitation to candidates from Vanecia Wilson, director of the UFT's Political Action Department. Advertisement 8 The UFT enforced a new requirement for endorsement in the NYC mayoral race this year: each candidate had to teach for a day in a city public school. Jack Forbes / NY Post Design 'If you choose not to participate, we will not consider you for mayor,' read the invite that went to 12 Democratic, GOP and independent candidates. 'Mayoral candidates have traditionally promised to listen to educators and to base their education policies on the recommendations of the people doing the work,' UFT President Michael Mulgrew said in a press release. 'Then they get in City Hall and all that goes out the window . . . If you want our endorsement you have to understand the work we do.' Advertisement The UFT picked the schools where the candidates would teach, and put a union staffer in the classroom 'to facilitate' if necessary. Aviles-Ramos 'signed off' on the plans, and the press was banned. 8 City schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos signed off on the union requirement, according to an emailed invitation. Gabriella Bass The Post confirmed that at least four mayoral candidates — former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, state Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens), Comptroller Brad Lander and former Comptroller Scott Stringer — all taught for a day last month. Lander said he taught third-graders what a comptroller does and served as a judge on a mock 'Shark Tank' competition at PS 96 in East Harlem. Advertisement Ramos visited PS 224 in East New York where she prepped students for state math exams, participated in an exercise about Earth Day and spoke with teachers about chronic absenteeism. 8 Former NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, at a town hall this month, spent a day at PS/IS 30 in Sunset Park in April. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post 8 NYC Comptroller Brad Lander taught 3rd graders at PS 96 to meet the UFT's requirement. Robert Miller Stringer went to PS/IS 30 in Sunset Park and helped a class of English language learners with math drills. Advertisement State Sen. Zelnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn) is 'scheduled to teach soon, and [is] looking forward to it,' a spokeswoman said. In a 'Good Day New York' interview Tuesday, Mulgrew said Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D-Queens) and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Queens) also taught in schools for a day. Mulgrew, who was seen Friday in Lower Manhattan chanting alongside Cuomo at a rally for gun safety, said the UFT endorsement will come in June. 8 UFT President Michael Mulgrew appeared on 'Good Day New York' for Teacher Appreciation Day on Tuesday. FOX 5 At least one candidate refused the offer because it appears to blatantly violate Chancellor's Regulation D-130, which restricts political activities in school buildings. 'While I think I am the best candidate to support our courageous public school teachers, I cannot agree with the UFT's process for making its endorsement,' Jim Walden, a lawyer running a longshot independent campaign, told The Post. 'Chancellor's Regulation D-130 makes clear that public schools should not be used for political purposes. The endorsement process is, by definition, political,' he said. 'I hope the UFT will grant me an exemption from this requirement. If not, I will not be seeking its endorsement.' 8 Independent candidate and former federal prosecutor Jim Walden hopes the UFT will grant him an exemption. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement The regulation, which applies to DOE employees, states that candidates can visit schools if approved by the principal, but that 'schools must request and seek to ensure that such visits are not to be used as vehicles for personal political purposes.' The rules also prohibit any person, group, or committee to use any school during school or business hours 'on behalf of, or for the benefit of any elected official, candidate, candidates, slate of candidates or political organization/committee.' David Bloomfield, an education law professor at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center, said mayoral candidates should have done their due diligence before agreeing to the UFT's 'quid pro quo.' 'Woe betide the poor principals who gave in to this stunt, which appears to violate one or more protocols of D-130,' Bloomfield said. Advertisement 8 David Bloomfield is an education law professor at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center. 'Teachers, too, need to beware of actions that can be construed as campaigning for their classroom visitor,' he added. Investor Whitney Tilson, seeking the Democratic nomination, said he would guest teach but isn't seeking the UFT's endorsement, according to Chalkbeat. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa said he would take part, though it's not clear if he did or is scheduled to do so. The DOE acknowledged that candidates are not permitted to visit schools as a condition for political endorsement by any group, but said regulations carve out 'allowable conditions' for visits. Spokespersons for the DOE and City Hall refused to specify the conditions. Advertisement 8 Mayor Adams made a mental health announcement in a Lower Manhattan subway station this week. Paul Martinka The UFT insisted the regulations were followed. 'Providing anyone who wants to be New York City's next mayor an opportunity to see what goes on in our classrooms is a net benefit for our students, educators and for public education,' Mulgrew said in a statement provided to The Post. A veteran teacher blasted the move. Advertisement 'I would not judge a mayor on classroom skills,' said Arthur Goldstein, a part-time ESL teacher at Francis Lewis HS in Queens who retired after 39 years in the DOE. 'And I'm sorry, but one day in a classroom with big shots standing around does not make you understand what teaching entails.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NYC to open new schools focused on AI, career education, dyslexia support
New York City is opening seven new public schools to expand access to career and technical education and dyslexia support. The latest schools will add more than 3,800 seats in all boroughs but Manhattan. Top education officials say the new schools are part of a broader strategy to create more high-quality programs closer to where families live. 'These are the school choices that our families deserve,' Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said Monday at the school system's lower Manhattan headquarters. The most recent cohort includes two schools in Brooklyn focused on artificial intelligence and students with reading challenges, respectively. The Middle School of Innovation in Bensonhurst has plans to use AI to help students learn, support teachers and teach ethical use, according to Principal Eileen Herusso. Virtual reality will be part of core subjects, such as math and science, engaging students through immersive, real-world scenarios. 'For example, with systems of equations, the students may be placed in an airport setting, and there's two planes. They're about to crash, and they have to figure out how to stop them from crashing. Really, they're finding a point of intersection,' Herusso said. Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy is modeled after a newly launched school in the Bronx and will feature a level of specialized services typically reserved for private schools. The school in Crown Heights will open with 72 students in the second and third grade, eventually expanding through middle school. 'When it comes to things like phonics, they're going to get more time, more practice, more support in those areas,' said Jason Borges, the founding principal, who previously oversaw the Adams administration's sweeping literacy overhaul. Another school is expected to enroll newly arrived immigrant students who speak limited English, Queens International High School. Staten Island Rise Academy is the first District 75 school for students with significant challenges to open in the borough for more than three decades. In the Bronx, a new STEAM center will encompass high schools from three districts. Some others previously covered by The News are finally opening — HBCU Early College Prep and a health care career school, backed by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Northwell School of Health Sciences. The HBCU prep school has seen more than 1,000 applications for just 100 seats in its first year. The opening of new schools comes as New York City is dealing with major enrollment declines that, though have leveled off in recent years, continue to threaten the school system. While dwindling numbers of students have forced some schools to close or merge with those nearby, city education officials insisted that is not a reason to stop launching new programs. 'Our new school strategy is designed to directly address that challenge,' said First Deputy Chancellor Dan Weisberg. 'We can use the space in less responsive ways, and that's going to make our enrollment issue worse.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NYC to open new schools focused on AI, career education, dyslexia support
New York City is opening seven new public schools to expand access to career and technical education and dyslexia support. The latest schools will add more than 3,800 seats in all boroughs but Manhattan. Top education officials say the new schools are part of a broader strategy to create more high-quality programs closer to where families live. 'These are the school choices that our families deserve,' Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said Monday at the school system's lower Manhattan headquarters. The most recent cohort includes two schools in Brooklyn focused on artificial intelligence and students with reading challenges, respectively. The Middle School of Innovation in Bensonhurst has plans to use AI to help students learn, support teachers and teach ethical use, according to Principal Eileen Herusso. Virtual reality will be part of core subjects, such as math and science, engaging students through immersive, real-world scenarios. 'For example, with systems of equations, the students may be placed in an airport setting, and there's two planes. They're about to crash, and they have to figure out how to stop them from crashing. Really, they're finding a point of intersection,' Herusso said. Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy is modeled after a newly launched school in the Bronx and will feature a level of specialized services typically reserved for private schools. The school in Crown Heights will open with 72 students in the second and third grade, eventually expanding through middle school. 'When it comes to things like phonics, they're going to get more time, more practice, more support in those areas,' said Jason Borges, the founding principal, who previously oversaw the Adams administration's sweeping literacy overhaul. Another school is expected to enroll newly arrived immigrant students who speak limited English, Queens International High School. Staten Island Rise Academy is the first District 75 school for students with significant challenges to open in the borough for more than three decades. In the Bronx, a new STEAM center will encompass high schools from three districts. Some others previously covered by The News are finally opening — HBCU Early College Prep and a health care career school, backed by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Northwell School of Health Sciences. The HBCU prep school has seen more than 1,000 applications for just 100 seats in its first year. The opening of new schools comes as New York City is dealing with major enrollment declines that, though have leveled off in recent years, continue to threaten the school system. While dwindling numbers of students have forced some schools to close or merge with those nearby, city education officials insisted that is not a reason to stop launching new programs. 'Our new school strategy is designed to directly address that challenge,' said First Deputy Chancellor Dan Weisberg. 'We can use the space in less responsive ways, and that's going to make our enrollment issue worse.'
New York Post
01-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC public schools newsletter accusing Israel of ‘genocide in Gaza' prompts new crackdown
The New York City schools boss has suspended release of mass communications sent to educators, students and parents without her approval — sparked by a furor over a recent Department of Education newsletter claiming Israel is committing 'genocide in Gaza.' The Post first reported Wednesday on the antisemitic message that was included in a 14-page 'Teacher Career Pathways' spring 2025 newsletter — sent out to 'master teachers' across the system's 1,800 schools. 3 A New York City Department of Education newsletter sent to hundreds of public school teachers claims Israel is committing 'genocide in Gaza.' Tom Hudson/ZUMA Press Wire/ZUMA Wire / Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said newsletters and other mass communications cannot be released without first being reviewed by her office, following consultation with Mayor Eric Adams' office. 'It is egregious and deeply disappointing that despite our efforts to streamline communication protocols in this massive system, politically one-sided materials that are deeply offensive to the Jewish community were once again shared with educators,' Aviles-Ramos said in a statement Thursday. 3 Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos was forced to apologize earlier this month for a previous newsletter that linked to a 'Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit' — which sparked outrage from the Jewish community. Gregory P. Mango 'I profusely apologize for this. Moving forward, all system-wide communication will be directly signed off by my office until we can further build team capacity to reflect our core values and the highest commitment to curating materials that ONLY reflect political neutrality.' Adams — who is considering running for re-election under an independent 'EndAntiSemitism' ballot line -— was furious after hearing of the Israel-bashing message sent out by his education department. 3 The 2025 newsletter 'Teacher Career Pathways' sent over to the system's 1,800 schools mentioned, 'The genocide in Gaza, among other global injustices, emphasized the urgent need for student voices to be centered and heard.' Meanwhile, a DOE directive sent to educators Thursday was even more explicit. 'Effective immediately, please pause all newsletters and mass communications from your teams and divisions until further notice,' the memo sent by a DOE supervisor obtained by The Post said. 'This applies to any staff-facing, family-facing, or citywide messages, regardless of audience or platforms,' the memo said.
