State Senator Marisol Alcántara (pictured) joined the office of Borough President Gale Brewer, Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez, parents and school leaders to protest the closure of the High School for Health Careers and Sciences and urge the Education Department to reconsider their decision.
Senator Marisol Alcántara said: “The way the Department of Education went about this school closure was disrespectful to the parents, disrespectful to the students, and disrespectful to the Dominican community. I feel that just because the Renewal School initiative was not as successful as we hoped, the High School for Health Careers and Sciences is paying the price. I urge the Department of Education to reconsider its decision. If Brooklyn Collegiate has a one-year reprieve to improve, and the High School for Health Careers and Sciences has similar numbers, why can’t our school receive the same treatment?”
“I stand with the students, parents, and community leaders opposing the closure of The High School for Health Careers”, said Manhattan BP Gale A. Brewer. “This school is outperforming many Renewal Schools on multiple measures and, crucially, has strong buy-in from its community. Closing it is a wasteful step backward.”
“The parents and the community have spoken loud and clear. The High School for Health Careers and Sciences must remain open. We must work together to find alternatives to closure and explore restructuring the four schools within the George Washington Educational Campus. Our children deserve the best quality education and a fair shot at a successful future,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez.
“They didn’t give us an exact reason for closing this school. They just said the school isn’t doing good enough, but that’s not a reason, it’s just an excuse,” said parent Ramón Romero.
“It’s unfair,” said Yahaira Javier de Suárez, whose daughter is a senior at the high school. “It’s a great school. It supports the parents with English classes, helps the kids with emotional support and gets the kids active in the community.”
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