NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle High School offered a tour of the school and a discussion on school safety to six Long Island high schools that announced 11 days ago that they would not attend an upcoming Model Congress event in light of recent school violence in and around the high school.
There were no takers.
On February 16th, students of the New Rochelle Model Congress LIV Executive Board extended an offer to “any parent, advisor or school administrator” who has “reservations about sending their child to our Model Congress event.” The offer was an invitation to visit New Rochelle High School at 10 a.m. on February 26 for a tour and discussion.
Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne issued a statement the following day limiting the invitation to his fellow school Superintendents.
The invitation was made after a letter to Hewlett High School parents from Interim Principal Jack Lenson of Hewlett High School which said that his school plus those in Lawrence, Oceanside, Wantagh, and Seaford will not attend the event over concerns of the recent spate of violence involving New Rochelle High School students.
“The safety of our students and staff is our first priority,” said Lenson. “There is too much uncertainty (in New Rochelle) at this time.”
Colleen Wilson of the Journal News reported late Friday that New Rochelle school officials said that a sixth school Long Beach High School had joined the boycott.
No parent, advisor or administrators from any of the invited schools accepted the invitation. Those schools include Hewlett-Woodmere Union Free School District, Oceanside Union Free School District, Seaford Union Free School District, Long Beach City School District, Herricks Union Free School District, East Meadow Union Free School District, Lawrence Union Free School District and Wantagh Union Free School District.
RELATED:
Six Long Island Schools Bail Out on New Rochelle High School Model Congress Event over Violence Concerns
[http://www.newrochelletalk.com/content/six-long-island-schools-bail-out-new-rochelle-high-school-model-congress-event-over-violence]