We had three meetings with Principal Selenikas on February 13th, 2023, February 17th, 2023 and March 3rd, 2023. In all three meetings we asked her the same questions that were not given any direct answers. 

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Introduction 

As representatives of the student body we believe that Vivian Selenikas has violated students rights such as “The Right to Freedom of Expression and Person”, “The Right to Due Process” and anti discriminatory policy and procedures that states “Equal Employment” without regard to race as part of the chancellor’s regulations. We will discuss questions in regards to communication, visibility, curriculum, staff diversity, We are representing our student body and we would like to record this. You are invited to record us as well. I have participated in many C30, we would like this meeting to run similarly. We have 12 questions and we would like to give 5 min to answer each in order to get to all of our important questions. 

Equity and Access

In our student survey which is a small sample of our student body of 480 students, it shows that only 8.7% believe that you provide a culturally responsive environment for staff, and students. The Equity and Access team was very successful last school year under the direction of AP Bloomfield. This year AP Bloomfield was removed as a facilitator and replaced with Ms. Smith, however, Ms. Bloomfield stayed a participant. Why did this happen if we had such a successful year? This year we had a huge celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month where you purchased items as well but nothing after, until the next business day when Ms. Bloomfield’s letter came out. While you continue to say publicly that you embrace your Hispanic side and our school is 80% Hispanic, what happened to the other 20%? What excuses can you possibly have for not celebrating any other heritages/cultures through equity and access only?

Dress Code

I want to bring up one particular concern I have regarding a meeting we had last year during lunch with the principal. All of a sudden, you decide to dress code students when you know that the Department Of Education does not have a dress code. Why did you feel it was appropriate to body shame females? Are you even aware that you body shames us? We told you that curvy girls are targeted more during dress code enforcement, and your answer was, “I, too, have inappropriate clothes that I wear at night.” How is this ok?

Microaggressions and Implicit Bias

As students, we are not obligated to teach you, but yet the social Justice club presented the professional development on microaggressions; we know that Mr. Favors also contributed to the staff training. Why did it completely stop, and did you attend those training consistently as well with your staff? Were there any conversations if a staff member missed the training because it was a series of training sessions? Did you not hire new teachers who may also benefit from the training with you? Do you personally feel that all staff is in a place where they no longer engage in microaggressions and implicit biases? When a student reports a teacher, we understand there is a process but do you, as the leader, have conversations that reinforce discrimination and microaggressions are not tolerated, as you promised in the meeting when you said “sorry” for apologizing to Mr. Scott, a gay black man, a coward? We are constantly told that “Knowledge Is Power”; why would this training in particular stop?

Communication

During the peaceful protest outside, our parents received a letter. Why were parents not notified about the sit in? Again this addresses the lack of communication and appearance that parents do not need to know about occurrences in the school building.

Visibility

In our student survey which is a small sample of our student body of 480 students, it shows that 88.8% believe that you are not visible or you have never interacted with them at Long Island City High School. Last year Ms. Selenikas, you made an attempt to meet with us during lunch with the principal. Why haven’t those meetings continued? Why is it that you are not present at entry or in the cafeteria or in the gym spaces, where we can see who you are and feel like you are an approachable person? 

Safety and Security of School

In our student survey which is a small sample of our student body of 480 students, it shows that only 24% feel safe in the building. We are scared to go down certain staircases because students smoke weed, vape, drink, brandish weapons, deal drugs, and tag graffiti. The bathrooms have school aides outside, but inside the bathroom, there are always students smoking. We have not seen any improvement, instead, the staircases and bathrooms are getting worse. A classmate recently found a used condom in the staircase that they do not have cameras in. These issues have been brought up to you by student leaders last year on numerous occasions and by staff members, and there have not been any preventative measures. What will it take for you to take action? We already know that ambulances have been called for drunk kids and kids who have overdosed. When will you, as head of the school, accept that you have a safety issue in your school? What improvement in school safety have you witnessed after hiring AP Duncan?

Curriculum

Previously, students asked for modifications to the curriculum such as African Studies Curriculum, books written by black authors, and books depicting black history. Since then, what steps have you taken to address this request? Which books, in particular, have been purchased by you, and which specific courses and levels will we see it in? Has work been done to complete the African Studies Curriculum? Will we be able to request courses for the next school year? 

Staff Diversity

In our student survey which is a small sample of our student body of 480 students, it shows that 69.3% of students do not believe we have diversity amongst staff. In the English department, the following teachers were hired after the pandemic. For example, Mr. Lentine, Mr. Fisch, Mr. Wong, Ms. White, and Ms. Shaki. We asked for a more diverse teaching staff. Where is the diversity with these new hires? Who is on your hiring committee? Is representation recognized within your hiring committee?

Student’s Rights, Peaceful Protest, Retaliation 

The protest was peaceful, as stated in your letter to the parents. Why were students questioned and specifically told by AP Duncan and Dean Goranitis what to write at the end of each statement? Why were our parents not notified that we were questioned? There were over 200 students that participated. Were they all questioned? What was the purpose of your directing AP Duncan to put a stop to our IDs and take statements? My friend’s mother emailed to have her statement retracted and have yet to receive a response back. 

A student from Long Island City High School commented on the petition, “burn the  witch”. She was reprimanded for her actions. Did you do this in retaliation for student’s voicing their opinion on an outside platform not related to school? 

Dean Kritikos was removed as a dean because she was outside during the peaceful protest. She was helping school safety and moving us to safe areas. Are we responsible for her removal of her deaning position or is this retaliation by you because you know she is well respected by staff and students?

Discipline

NYC Department of Education supports progressive discipline instead of punitive punishment. Students have been hall walking a lot more than usual since last year. How is a 3 day program with a small group of students going to stop and assist these students?  My friend who is a hall walking student was told that a program will be implemented in October, why did it take until February for you to begin a program? Was this a reactive action on your end when we sent out student letters to the superintendent and chancellor? 

My Brother’s Keeper and My Sister’s Keeper 

My Brother’s Keeper and My Sister’s Keeper take place after school. AP Bloomfield was scheduled to work until 5PM. Why was she not facilitating these clubs? Are you aware of her contributions last year, guest speakers such as poets, entrepreneurs, and inspirational artists, event planning such as the women’s history month panel, and creating community service activities for MBK/MSK? Why did you replace AP Bloomfield, a black administrator from a black and brown student group and put AP Sherman, a white administrator?

Final Question

In the end we can be here for hours talking about how irresponsible you are in so many areas. There are over 700 signatures and more coming in the petition just within 2 weeks, and some of the signatures might not all be the LIC students, parents, and staff, however there  is a significant number to reflect on your need for improvement. As a public figure you are required to do better by us. Will you do better? Yes or No?