Tuesday, September 5, 2006
NEST + M PERSEVERES

It was a huge victory for NEST+ m and for parents all over New York City. On June 23, 2006, the New York City Department of Education announced that New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math would not be forced to share its building with the Ross Global Charter Academy. The DOE wisely listened to the united staff, parents and students of NEST+m, along with concerned political leaders, who argued that the plan to combine the two schools in one building would irreparably disrupt and harm NEST+ m. School administrators have reconsidered.

The campaign on behalf of NEST+ m marked an important moment in New York City public education. Through a combination of committed parents, students who love and support their school, concerned staff, and enlightened politicians, the community was able to make the point that two schools in one building truly would "mess with success." Our long and energetic efforts to communicate this to the DOE were finally recognized as the appropriate approach. It's an unprecedented effort, and we would especially like to thank State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, for his staunch support during this time.

We won an incredible victory but we paid a terrible price. Although NEST+m's integrity was saved, the Department of Education (DOE) spun false charges in the media against our extraordinary Principal and Founder, Celenia Chevere, who retired ahead of her planned schedule, which would have insured a smooth transition in leadership at our school. In addition, our Lower School AP, Deborah Vila-Tracomi, a founding member of NEST+ m's original design team, was harassed by the DOE with false charges and subsequently resigned from the Department of Education.

We are fortunate that Celenia was replaced by Dr. Olga Livanis, a highly qualified educator who joins us from Stuyvesant High School where she was AP of the Physics Department. It's regrettable that because of the manner in which Celenia and Deborah were bullied out of NEST+ m , Dr. Livanis and her new administrative staff were not offered the transitional support that would have otherwise been provided.

On Tuesday, September 5, school opened with hundreds of NEST+ m parents on hand to thank Speaker Sheldon Silver, who joined us at our welcome back celebration. Speaker Silver met with Interim Acting Principal Livanis for the first time. Speaker Silver welcome her, complimented her on the strength of NEST+ m's parent body and reiterated his unwavering support for our school.