8 THE QUEENS COURIER • AUGUST 8, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com THE COURIER/Photo by Melissa Chan Lukas Chavez, 9, rallied with parents and teachers to get P.S. 29’s principal, Jennifer Jones-Rogers, fi red. Teachers, parents claim principal makes P.S. 29 a ‘Hostile environment’ BY MELISSA CHAN mchan@queenscourier.com Several parents and teachers in College Point want the city to end what they claim is an elementary school principal’s terror-driven reign. They said Jennifer Jones-Rogers of P.S. 29 has wrongfully placed a handful of students in special education classes without notifying parents and has mismanaged funds. Critics also say the administrator’s “hostile environment” has driven away droves of teachers and has caused parents to pull their kids from the school. “It is a shame that one person can do so much harm,” said parent Linda Briones, who has since transferred her child out of the school. Marisol Chavez said her 9-year-old son Lukas “came crying home” at the start of the school year when he was put into a special education class. “He said, ‘I don’t want to be in that class. I don’t belong in that class,’” Chavez said. He spent a week there before Chavez was able to straighten out the mishap. “I had to fi ght it. They made me cry,” she said. “She said my son would never perform well in another setting, that he will never succeed. It was horrible.” The principal’s bullish tactics are also allegedly used on teachers who complain about her. Many said they had their desks taken away as punishment. “It is clear that the principal has lost control of the school,” said State Senator Tony Avella, who joined about two dozen people at a rally on Thursday, August 1. The group called for the city to fi re Jones-Rogers and start an investigation into her use of funds. Educators say she has not provided a copy of the school’s budget to the United Federation of Teachers chapter president for the past two years as required. Jones-Rogers is also accused of getting rid of the school’s library and computer lab. “The current administrator at our school has created a learning and working environment that is detrimental to all,” said Stephanie Flunory, a second grade teacher. P.S. 29 scored a “B” on its most recent city progress report. The school received an “A” in 2010 during the principal’s fi rst term. A spokesperson for the city’s Department of Education said the department is “aware of the concerns” and will address them. The Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) vouched for Jones-Rogers, saying she is “widely considered to be a fi ne school leader.” “This is a typical case of a handful of disgruntled people and a politician who is looking to further his constituent base in an election season,” said CSA Executive Vice President Mark Cannizzaro. Jones-Rogers could not be immediately reached for comment. The Bayside Village BID Presents thursday nights Visit Bell Boulevard Thursdays this August Or Follow us on @baysidebid Bayside Village BID sponsored by Check out your favorite salons, shops, restuarants and bars for weekly specials to kick off your summer weekend. For a complete list of participating businesses and specials visit the redesigned: www.baysidevillage.net A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Join Us for the High Holidays 2013/5774 ROSH HASHANAH – SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 AND SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 SERVICES AT 8:00 AM AND 7:00 PM EACH DAY KOL NIDRE – SEPTEMBER 13, 2013 AT 6:45 PM YOM KIPPUR – SEPTEMBER 14, 2013 AT 8:30 AM Traditional Conservative-Egalitarian services, conducted by our new Rabbi: Gary D. Kessler Special offer for new members, $50 per seat. High Holiday tickets are available at the Center Office on Wednesday 8/21 and 8/28 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM and Sunday 8/18 and 8/25 10:00AM – 11:00AM • Waiver of 2013 membership dues for new members • Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation available • Daily morning minyan and weekly Shabbat services • Wheelchair accessible with Shabbat elevator • Active, warm, friendly Sisterhood • Social and educational events, and lots more. Jewish Center of Oak Hills 50-35 Cloverdale Blvd., Oakland Gardens (Bayside), NY 11364 Office Phone: (718) 631-0100 Tues-Wed-Thurs 9 AM – 5 PM Fax: (718) 631-1605
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