Brooklyn, NY - New Arab-American Principal to Lead Arabic-Themed School |
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News Source: NY Daily News
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Khalil Gibran International Academy in BrooklynBrooklyn, NY - Just days after a federal panel determined the Education Department discriminated against the founder of the controversial Arabic language-themed public school, the current principal has resigned.
A veteran city principal will now take the helm of the Khalil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn—and will become the first Arab-American to head the school since its founder left amid controversy.
Beshir Abdellatif will be the embattled school’s fourth principal. Its founder and first leader, Debbie Almontaser, was wrongly forced to resign in 2007,the Equal Employment Opportunity said in a decision last week.
Almontaser’s lawyer, Alan Levine, called the timing of the principal turnover “curious” and could interpreted “as an attempt to deflect the conclusion of the [EEOC] that the DOE had engaged in discrimination,” he said.
Education Department spokesman David Cantor insisted today that Holly Anne Reichert, who’s headed the school for two years, wanted to leave, announcing the decision to her superintendent back in February.
Parents at the school weren’t told until Monday, however, in a letter that cited “personal reasons.”
“Holly Reichert has decided to leave Khalil Gibran International Academy to take position as a literacy coach at a secondary school in Queens,” Cantor said.
Abdellatif has worked for the city for 19 years and was principal of Law, Government and Community Service High School in Queens until Monday.
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Read Comments (12) — Post Yours »
1
Mar 16, 2010 at 04:56 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
What's the point of these schools?
2
Mar 16, 2010 at 05:01 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
It's great to know our tax dollars are going to sponsor "Arab Pride" and creating more little shahids, and not American citizens. This is the middle of the end of America. The beginning of the end was the adoption of "Political Correctness" instead of the Bill of Rights.
3
Mar 16, 2010 at 05:31 PM Against Terror Says:Report as Inappropriate
In todays hamodia there is a very strong opinon article from someone avi klar, about this former principal, and the hamodia ends the article that even she was pro terrorism and pro intifada, it was wrong to fire her, and she should be taken back as the principal of the school
4
Mar 16, 2010 at 06:16 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Has the Jihad Club come out of the closet yet?
5
Mar 16, 2010 at 06:34 PM Good question Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ What's the point of these schools? ”
And what is the point of all of these schools with these kids with special hats and these long ringlet curls? Why can't parents send their kids to schools with other kinds of Jews and non-Jews?
6
Mar 16, 2010 at 06:56 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Don't we love to attract immigrants? Where is the Hebrew themed school?
7
Mar 16, 2010 at 07:08 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
why cant we get a Jewish themed public school
8
Mar 16, 2010 at 09:28 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ why cant we get a Jewish themed public school ”
The issue of having similar schools themed on jewish values was discussed here years ago.
Please remember the school would admit anybody but would focus on our values and Torah.
Many felt threatened by such a school. I imagine it would not take kids from our Yeshivahs but might atract Jewish kids of non orthodox parents that are currently in typical public schools. it would also atract kids of parents that recognize that jews seem to do better academically.
9
Mar 16, 2010 at 09:45 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ why cant we get a Jewish themed public school ”
To six and seven: A Jewish Theme school already exists in Flatbush.
10
Mar 16, 2010 at 10:07 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ And what is the point of all of these schools with these kids with special hats and these long ringlet curls? Why can't parents send their kids to schools with other kinds of Jews and non-Jews? ”
point is that those supposed schools with special hats are private schools and not public schools
11
Mar 17, 2010 at 12:10 AM Charlie Hall Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ It's great to know our tax dollars are going to sponsor "Arab Pride" and creating more little shahids, and not American citizens. This is the middle of the end of America. The beginning of the end was the adoption of "Political Correctness" instead of the Bill of Rights. ”
Similar things can be said regarding Jewish schools.
12
Mar 17, 2010 at 06:39 AM A. Nuran Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ why cant we get a Jewish themed public school ”
Because public funds must not be used to promote religion. A Jewish-themed public school would have to teach Torah, prayers and other religious things from which Judaism is inseparable. Arabic is a language.