DOE removes principal at Bayside middle school
P.S. 158 Marie Curie in Bayside Photo via Google Maps
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
Henry Schandel, the former principal
of M.S. 158 Marie Curie in Bayside,
has been removed from his post after
several students were harmed in separate
incidents in the school last year.
Schandel will now serve as assistant
principal at another school, according
to the Department of Education.
The Bayside campus, located at 46-
35 Oceania St., was thrusted into the
spotlight during the last academic
year, where students detailed disturbing
incidents at the hands of fellow
classmates.
The incidents included an eighthgrade
student who endured months
of sexual harassment from her male
classmate, and another incident where
a student forcibly put a finger in another
student’s rectum.
Although both incidents resulted
in arrests, parents of the two victims
said the students were never suspended
and that Schandel failed to adequately
address their concerns, the
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.10 COM | SEPT. 11-SEPT. 17, 2020
NY Post reported. Chaos had also escalated
at the school when two female
students were caught on video in a violent
lunchroom brawl.
During a highly contentious meeting
in January, Carranza walked off
the stage where both teachers and
parents complained of deteriorating
classroom safety and lack of discipline
from administrators.
Schandel, who was principal of
Marie Curie for four years, will be
replaced by Acting Interim Principal
Peter McHugh, officials said.
Marie Curie will begin the process
of hiring a permanent principal on
Sept. 16 to ensure the school community
plays a central role, according to
the DOE.
McHugh recently served as the
Guidance Manager/Climate and Culture
Manager at the Queens North
Borough Office.
In his role, McHugh provided educators
and school leaders of the 168
schools in Districts 24, 25, 26 and 30
with support and professional development
in building schools, crisis
interventions, therapeutic practices,
social-emotional education, and building
positive school cultures, including
direct work with Marie Curie in the
second half of the 2019-20 school year.
McHugh has 20 years of experience
in public education and began his
career as a social studies teacher at
Richmond Hill High School. He served
eight years as an assistant principal
at Robert Moses Middle School in Suffolk
County and the Choir Academy of
Harlem.
“The young people of Queens and
all of New York City went through
so much these past few months and I
will support Marie Curie in being a
place of safety, structure and rigorous
learning,” McHugh said. “As a former
District 26 parent myself, nothing is
more important to me than providing
a learning environment that uplifts
our students and prepares them for
their next steps in life.”
District 26 Superintendent Danielle
Giunta will introduce McHugh to the
school community at the start of the
school year to ensure there is a smooth
transition into the fall.
“Mr. McHugh is an invaluable resource
in providing care and support
for students recovering from trauma
— something our young people need
now more than ever,” Giunta said. “He
will provide steady, professional and
engaged leadership to the students,
staff and families of Marie Curie during
this transitional period.”
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed
by e-mail at cmohamed@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at (718) 260–4526.
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