CEC Meeting Doubles as JHS/MS 80 Pep Rally

By DAVID CRUZ and NIALL RIDGLEY

They came prepared with signs defending the school’s reputation. And they were very vocal about praising it. Despite reports by the New York Post portraying a school in turmoil, students and parents of JHS/MS 80 rallied behind the school. They came together at the recent Community Education Council (CEC) meeting on Jan. 18, packing the school’s auditorium. Signs held aloft by a group of students displayed the hashtag “#IstandwithMS80” superimposed on images of children holding hands in a hallway, while another student raised a hand-drawn sign reading “We R Staying.” Among the guests was Antonio Ramos, an online celebrity regularly seen on MTV’s

Staffers Defend JHS 80 Reputation (Web Picture 1)

By DAVID CRUZ

Despite a New York Post exposé detailing a history of problems at JHS/MS 80, teachers have come to the defense of their principal, embroiled in controversy. The New York City Department of Education is now investigating the school, a pledge already made by the New York City Council. The teachers, five of whom declined to give names to the Norwood News, spoke highly of principal Emmanuel Polanco and his ability to turn the school around. Dayana Nuñez, a 14-year veteran of the school, praised Polanco’s administrative performance and the school’s performance. “They tell a little truth and expand it with a bunch of

Despite a New York Post expose detailing a history of problems at JHS 80, teachers came in defense of its principal, embroiled in controversy. The New York City Department of Education is now reportedly investigating the school, a pledge already made by the New York City Council. But teachers, five of whom declined to give names to the Norwood News, spoke highly of principal Emmanuel Polanco and his ability to turn the school around. Dayana Nunez, a 14-year veteran of the school, praised Polanco’s administrative performance and the the school’s performance. “They tell a little truth and expand it with a bunch

By DAVID CRUZ

The New York State Appeals Court has ruled Junior High School 80 in Norwood receive a $3 million grant that was stripped away by the state last year after officials took the near century-old school off a so-called turnaround list for chronically failing schools. But the grant remains imperiled since the state has one last shot of denying the funds at a hearing in May. JHS 80, resting on a hilltop on Mosholu Parkway North, was part of a class action lawsuit filed last September claiming the state’s budget director illegally froze taxpayer grants intended to improve school performance

Disgruntled parents and local union members rallied last week outside of MS 80, the Norwood area’s largest middle school, to protest the school’s principal, Emmanuel Polanco. The protesters said Polanco is leading the school down a troubling path and violated the rights of at least one faculty member. They plan to continue rallying every week until Polanco is removed.

Union, MS 80 Parents Rally for Removal of Principal

This afternoon, about a dozen or so people rallied near the entrance to MS 80, the Mosholu Parkway School, holding union flags and signs. One of the participants, 11th District City Council candidate Cliff Stanton, held a sign that read “Respect MS 80 students.” Organizers said they plan to continue rallying there every Thursday at the same time until Principal Emmanuel Polanco is removed from his position.