NEST M
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| New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math (NEST+m) | |
| School type | School for Talented and Gifted Children (Public School) |
|---|---|
| Established | 2001 |
| Principal | Dr. Olga Livanis |
| 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, 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 former principal Celenia Chévere, and the current principal is Dr. Olga Livanis (Dr. Livanis was appointed as "Interim Acting Principal" in June of 2006, and was given the official Principal position in January of 2007).[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.
Current NEST+m Principal Dr. Olga Livanis came to the school from Stuyvesant High School where she was an Assistant Principal in charge of Chemistry and Physics. Dr. Livanis received her Doctorate in Science Education (with Honors) from Columbia University in 2002. Prior to that she received a Masters Degree (again with Honors) in Science Education from The City College of New York (CUNY). Earlier in her educational career she earned a BFA in Photography from the San Francisco Art Institute.
NEST is defined by rigorous standards and a 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. Livanis on an "interim" basis and was named as a permanent Princial in January of 2007. Chévere continues to be at the center of a misconduct investigation despite retiring from a long and illustrious career as an education leader. A final report is still pending.[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 occurred 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 in 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 necessarily 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 alleged that interviews of parents were factored into the admissions process, citing 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 limited English proficiency).[6] From September of 2006 onwards, no parent interviews have taken place at NEST+m, or any other New York City Talented and Gifted School. Parent tours are still conducted to help inform new families about the more challenging aspects of the school.
As of January of 2007, with the naming of Dr. Livanis as the permanent Principal, much of the controversy has died down. NEST+m has managed to stay out of the press and the atmosphere at the school is calm. A new PTA and SLT are in place, and a spirit of cooperation pervades the facility.
[edit] References
- ^ Hartocollis, Anemona (2002-01-08). New School Takes The High Road. New York Times. Retrieved on October 28, 2006.
- ^ New Explorations Into Science, Technology and Math (NEST+M). InsideSchools.Org. Retrieved on October 28, 2006.
- ^ Save the Nest. SaveTheNest.org. Retrieved on November 1, 2006.
- ^ a b Tempers Flare As Police Break Up PTA Meeting At Lower East Side School. NY1. Retrieved on October 28, 2006.
- ^ Andreatta, David (2006-10-29). Principals Stick Up For Embattled Educator. New York Post. Retrieved on November 2, 2006.
- ^ Gootman, Elissa (2006-11-04). Chancellor Cites Favoritism at a New York School. New York Times. Retrieved on November 10, 2006.
[edit] External links
- NEST+m in the NYC High School Directory
- NEST+m portal at the NYC DOE
- Article Fury of Booted School Parents in the New York Post on the PTA meeting closure.
- Article NEST+m PTA Claims Harassment After Audit Launched in the New York Sun on the Parent Teacher Association Audit by the DOE.
- Website Save the Nest Website" website of parent unhappy with new Principal
- Article "Chancellor Cites Favoritism at a New York School" in the New York Times on admissions policy
- Article "Princi'pals' Stick Up For Embattled Educator" in the New York Post on new Administrators supporters
- "Singapore Math Website"
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Region 9 |
|
|---|---|
| 6-12 schools | NYC Lab School |
| High schools |
Academy of Environmental Science Secondary HS | Alfred E. Smith Career and Technical HS | Americal Sign Language and English HS |
| Middle schools | 104 |
