NEST M

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New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math (NEST+m)
Established 2001
School type School for Talented and Gifted Children (Public School)
Principal Dr. Olga Livanis (interim acting)
Students 758 students
Location 111 Columbia Street
New York, NY, USA
Information (212) 677-5190
Website http://www.newexplorations.org

New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math, usually referred to as NEST+m, is a public school, located at 111 Columbia Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, which serves New York City students from kindergarten through grade twelve. Students are selected based on grades, test scores, and personal interviews. The school was founded by Principal Celenia Chévere, and the current prinicipal is Dr. Olga Livanis.[1]

NEST+m founder Celenia Chévere studied at the progressive Bank Street College of Education. However, she had also come to appreciate the benefits of a classical education, and at NEST, the focus is on achievement. There is emphasis on spelling and grammar, and the school ensures that students know the material they need to pass the Regents Examinations. Students are expected to work hard – 4 or 5 hours of homework a night is not uncommon in the high school.

NEST is defined not only by its rigorous and demanding standards, but also by its strong sense of community. The school employs some unusual educational methods, including Singapore Math and gender-split Math and Science classes (from the middle school years on).

[edit] Controversy

Principal Chévere objected to a proposed building sharing arrangement with the Ross Global Academy Charter School, and was removed from her post in 2006, amid charges of misconduct dating back to the school's opening in 2001.[2] She was replaced by Dr. Olga Livanis, formerly an assistant principal at Stuyvesant High School. Chévere was cleared of all charges and has retired in good graces from a long and illustrious career as an education leader.[3]

The administration has both ardent defenders and vocal detractors. Many parents have been disappointed by what they consider the school's unnecessarily punitive reaction to minor behavior problems (note that this is a criticism of the old administration), and by the daunting admissions process (the admission process across NYC Gifted and Talented Schools has been normalized as of 9/25/2006). Many also criticize the unexpectedly high levels of academic challenge and discipline. Others love the school and express it with generous donations of time, energy and other resources, including financial resources.

On 2006-10-27, New York City Police closed down a meeting of the NEST+m Parent Teacher Association.[4] This occured because there was no security in the building and it is against the rules to use a public school building for a meeting without security. After violence nearly erupted at the meeting, Dr. Livanis called the police to close the meeting until it could be held with the proper security in place.[citation needed] Earlier, during the meeting eight members of the PTA executive board announced their resignation "en masse" citing multiple grievances against the interim acting administration.[4] It is worth noting that at this same meeting an election for the School Leadership Team was held. The outcome of that election was that 4 of the 5 seats went to candidates who had earlier publicly announced their intentions to work amicably with the new Administration. It appears that the members of the PTA Executive Board who resigned, and who shared an overtly antagonistic towards the administration, do not neccesarily represent the parent body at NEST+m.[5]

Additional controversy has surrounded NEST+m in regards to its admissions process prior to September of 2006. In a front page article in the New York Times on 11/4/06, the New York City Department of Education has alleged that interviews of parents were factored into the admissions process -- with cases where less qualified children were granted admission due to their parent's performance during an interview. Similarly, there are allegations of cases where more qualified children were denied admission due to their parent's characteristics (in at least one case due to a parent's abilities in English).[6] From September of 2006 onwards no parent interviews will take place at NEST+m, or any other New York City Talented and Gifted School. Parent Tours will still be conducted to help inform new families about the more challenging aspects of the school.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hartocollis, Anemona (2002-01-08). New School Takes The High Road. New York Times. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
  2. ^ New Explorations Into Science, Technology and Math (NEST+M). InsideSchools.Org. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
  3. ^ Save the Nest. SaveTheNest.org. Retrieved on 2006-11-01.
  4. ^ a b Tempers Flare As Police Break Up PTA Meeting At Lower East Side School. NY1. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
  5. ^ Andreatta, David (2006-10-29). Princi'pals' Stick Up For Embattled Educator. New York Post. Retrieved on 2006-11-02.
  6. ^ Gootman, Elissa (2006-11-04). Chancellor Cites Favoritism at a New York School. New York Times. Retrieved on 2006-11-10.

[edit] External links

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