Insightful reflection on Eximius
Including Eximius College Preparatory High School on the Do Not Apply list set off a mini-war in the comments section. I closed off comments (you may continue here) after an ex-teacher left these particularly thoughtful words:
I am a former Eximius teacher also. I loved the students at Eximius and I did my best, day in and day out, to help them reach their potential. I truly believe they deserve much better, not just from Eximius, but from the whole system which has failed them miserably. They deserve good teachers, but the only way they’ll get them is if there’s a healthy working environment that attracts and sustains good teaching. All members of the school community deserve to be heard and respected! Teachers are people too, and it is only fair for potential employees to know what they’re getting into before it’s too late to change their mind. Throwing people in who have no clue what they’re in for is a recipe for disaster for the kids and is certain to breed resentment for all.
It’s really too bad that this blog is literally the only place some staff members and parents feel free to tell their truths
The tone is set at the top. It’s almost like Ms. Smith keeps waiting for the teachers to do it, but the only one who can really set a positive tone is Ms. Smith herself, and for whatever reason, she has not been able to do so.
But I’m fairly certain that the way Ms. Smith treats her staff is a direct reflection on the way the DOE treats her.
But to be fair, I don’t think Ms. Smith wants her school to fail or has ulterior motives. In fact, I think she cares a lot. I just don’t think she knows how to turn it around. She is drowning and has been for a while. She clearly has little support herself. The AP and the former AP’s are/were between a rock and hard place. (And contrary to other posters, I think Ms. Breitling does what she feels is right for her students, however unpopular).
I definitely learned a lot … unfortunately … mostly survival skills in the harsh world of DOE politics, and little about the actual craft of teaching.
(more beneath the fold – > )
I firmly believe that for anything to change, the problems must be named truthfully, and open dialogue must ensue. It’s really too bad that this blog is literally the only place some staff members and parents feel free to tell their truths. As one poster suggested, it can be cathartic to finally speak freely about a negative experience. However, I wish we all could have been heard when we actually could have changed things.
I wanted to add that I think the big issues at Eximius are systemic issues also. It is a complicated thing to try to figure out what went so wrong. But I’m fairly certain that the way Ms. Smith treats her staff is a direct reflection on the way the DOE treats her. She cares about bulletin boards because that’s what the DOE cares about when they walk in and take a cursory glance. You ask, how can these schools throw a first-year teacher into the worst schools, watch them flounder, and then blame them? But the same can be said of the principals. How can the DOE, in all good conscience, continue to throw inexperienced leaders into the worst schools and turn a blind eye while they continue to drown? It should not be the case that “good” principals are the ones who are willing to buck the system to do what’s best for kids, while the “status quo” principals are the ones who tow the party line, often to their school’s detriment.
Obviously there is a breakdown in the current system if the school leaders are not being held accountable for what actually goes on in their building. There should be checks and balances on power and there should be transparency in the information used to judge the schools, principals, and teachers. Under Klein and his corporate cronies, and especially in these “empowerment schools,” the balance of power has been tipped way too far and the information seems even more opaque (and therefore susceptible to manipulation) than ever. It should not be the case that incompetence, greed, or corruption, is allowed to run amok, in any school or at any level. The natural ‘check’ on power – the UFT – has not really helped either, I’m afraid to say. They have really dropped the ball when it comes to some of these small schools. This is no accident. I truly believe the small schools have become a union-busting tool and sadly it’s working.
But let me be clear: understanding the dysfunction within the DOE is not an excuse for the abuse that happened in Eximius and in some of the other schools on the list. I am only saying that fixing the larger problem is not as easy as removing one principal. Shame on the DOE for allowing and continuing to allow these situations to occur in the first place.
Anyhow, I have a heavy heart about my experience there, wishing I could have been more successful, but I’m not ashamed to say that I’m very glad to have moved on with my life. Eximius really did suck me dry emotionally. I definitely learned a lot from the experience, but unfortunately it was mostly survival skills in the harsh world of DOE politics, and little about the actual craft of teaching. I certainly hope, for the sake of the great kids whom I had the privilege of knowing at Eximius, that Ms. Smith and her new staff will be able to turn things around by fostering a trusting and open atmosphere — in other words, a healthy working environment — where good teachers want to be — so that the kids can actually get the education they deserve.
JD2718 
So question #1 from me (I’ve effectively made you a guest poster!):
Eximius is one of the worst of the worst. Its existence daily threatens not only the education of its charges and the careers of its employees, but also the health (both physical and mental), welfare and safety of all who enter its halls.
Yet you suggest that it can be turned around. When is too much just too much? When is it okay to say, this institution has failed, it is irredeemably bad and dangerous, it needs to be closed?
Jonathan
hey im an eximus student :)
It was too much for me, and that’s why I left. But to close it? You know, the schools around Eximius aren’t exactly wonderful, and I used to hear from parents that they’re happy their kids are at Eximius, even with its problems, because it’s better than their zone school. It could be the case that it is terrible for teachers but not as bad as other options for kids. Like I said, the problem is much bigger and more complicated than just one principal or one school.
So I honestly don’t know, and it’s not my decision to make or my battle to fight anymore. Whatever happens, I just hope that the DOE and the principal will put politics aside and really do what’s best for the kids — which is not that different from what’s best for other people in the building — teachers.
I do know that if it is to be turned around, honest and open dialogue is the first step.
The school has had 3 years (?) to get it right. How many more years of the students’ lives can be gambled away waiting for Eximius to improve? In the business world, a lack of productivity for a significant length of time is usually “solved” (in part) by changes at the top.
Even if Ms. Smith is not ultimately the cause of all of the failures at Eximius, (even I can admit that) her continued presence there will only discourage the remaining staff and repel any new staff from coming on board.
I believe that the 6-12 structure should be scrapped as well. HS and MS are truly different worlds. Having both in one building is like having 2 schools in one. Eliminating this structure would improve the cohesiveness of the department, synchronize expectations and channel resources better.
So with a change at the top, a different mission/vision would also be a good idea. While we’re at it, a name change wouldn’t be bad idea either just to ensure that new teachers/students aren’t scared away.
With all of these changes, such a school would bare no resemblance to Eximius, which basically points to the idea that perhaps Eximius needs to be shut down entirely.
Interestingly, I am told that the school below Eximius (the building is shared between 2 schools) is thriving. The students seem much better behaved. The staff is more cohesive. It seemed, from what I saw, to be run by the principal quite well. Albeit a science/math school , the population and demographics are the same as Eximius’, I believe.
By the way, the principal at Eximius actually got a bonus in 2007–about 15K if I am not mistaken. Don’t ask me what this was for because I can’t find any data supporting it. I find this not only remarkable but it illustrates how clueless the NYCDOE is. Here’s the link: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/education/2007/06/29/2007-06-29_bad_schools_getting_shut___principals_ge.html
This school is run by two administrators who do not know that when people work together, you get better results. Ms. Smith has had how many secretaries during the time she has been principal.
We have a secretary that comes after she leaves her regular job to help us with inputting coverages. She has been a Godsend, as she is a veteran secretary. Before she came, we were not getting our per session or coverages pay. Every time she came, she would smile and say she was there to help us and she did. If we needed help, we just had to email her and she would get us the information. I would check my email when I got home and there it was the information I had requested. Thank YOU Ms. Delgado
The bulletin boards all are covered with red and gold borders, which are the school colors. The hallways yes, that’s right, red and gold. We are not allowed to post anything in the teacher’s lounge regarding information UFT, which is our union.
Wow…Ms Smith, the secretary, is no longer there? She was great too. What about Ms. DeJesus, the payroll secretary?
How bout the following teachers…are they still there?
Burnside
Loughren
Ezeoke
Green
Allbrooks
Mayers
Diaz
Rappaport
It is said when teachers write about how great Eximius really is but they are some of the ones that left and even finished off the year.
We don’t even have a secretary. Ms. Delgado comes to do the payroll after school because she works at another school. If it wasn’t for her, we would not have received our coverages or per session money. She answers our emails of many questions and concern regarding our pay. She has been a Godsend. I have emailed her and received a response within the same day.
Another thing, no one does the xeroxing for us so we have to work till late to get all the copies done for the next day. The machines don’t work all the time. It is unbelievable we teachers must make our own copying. All we receive from Ms. Smith and Mr. Trillana are counselling memos. Perhaps, they should concentrate on what’s reallly important instead of memos. Or better yet, going to what we teachers know as “rehearsal dinners” That’s right, they go to dinner to rehearse what they are going to say when they give us the memo.
Mr. Trillana, will speak to you all friendly not to worry but then he speaks just like Ms. Smith in conference. And you still want to know why we don’t trust you. You are afraid of being absent but almost fainted in the room. Wipe your nose and you will feel better.
haha yea right…… no1 but ezeoke is still there and the great wonderful ms breitling who should be promoted… we had alot of great teachers like Ms. Van sickle, Ms. Martell, Allbrooks, Mr. Torres, Dean Williams and the list goes on. The only teacher thats never left us and is still there n i thanx her for that is again Ms. Breitling.
my experience at Eximius is horrible and as many times i have tried to leave i cant. Ms. Smith is too much n she is a bad principle. she does nothing at all to help us. She’s hardly at the school. we cant even call her a principle. shes just another person in the building thats there like once a week tryna tell us what to do!! i have a mother and father for that.
ive been suspended and pre suspended from that school so many times that if i was paid for it i’d be rich. this isnt the only place i can speak my mind because i do it all the time in school toward the staff n our so called principle. things that happen in that school can be avoided if we got support from all n not just some of our teachers.
im going to put all the teachers on blast. Ms. Stollwerk, Ms. Dsouza andc Ms. Ezeoke are the MOST DISRESPECTFUL teachers i have ever met. Ms. Mickenzie howeva u spell her name is the worst. She had a nasty attitude and so did Dean Franklin. thank goodness both of them are gone. Sadly Ms. Delamata had to leave us. for her own personal reasons…
This school leaves me speechless when i think about the bad stuff. there isnt 1 positive thing i can think of that happened in our school that didnt go bad. it shouldnt even have the privilege to be called a prep school there is nothing preppy about it. AT all. thank GOD this is my last year in this school n i will be graduating in 2009. and sad to say this school makes me not want to go to my prom or show up at graduation because im tired of seeing every1’s face… SERIOUSLY.
and mr. trillana and ms. boyd arent good deans n assistant principles…. like there is no help
I Would just like to thank the following
Ms. Breitling
Ms. Martell
Ms. Pozzi
Ms. Williams
Ms. ….. idk who else
and that is true the machines never work, water is brown, there shouldnt be a MS and a HS in building… but what can i do im only a current 17 yr old student attending Eximius.
J TOLD ME IN THE FIRST STUDENT TO WRITE ON THIS BLOG STUFF N IM PROUD OF IT. THE ADMINISTRATORS CAN DO WHATEVA THEY WANT AND GET MAD WHATEVA I DONT CARE. IMMA SPEAK MY MIND.
As a parent i was excited 3 years ago to have my daughter accepted to this school. I loved the ideas and philosophy that Ms. Smith had envisioned for her students. She seemed caring and motivated and geared toward the best interest of the students. I am sad to say that Eximius nor Ms. Smith have lived up to my expectations or those she set forth in orientation 3 years ago. The problem lies within the administration. The teachers (some, not all) think they they can talk down to students and it be okay. There have been too many changes in staff, inconsistent teachers and teaching methods and overall loss of control of the students. The security (some, not all) as well as the deans and assistant principals need to learn how to speak to the students. We send our children to Eximius to be educated and not treated like nobodys. In order to get respect you have to give it and I think the adults in that building are lacking in that area. Yes, some students are at fault for their behavior but let’s be realistic…they are teenagers and they are going to try us. All the staff at Eximius ( on every level) needs to learn how to appropriately deal with situations and how to talk to and resolve problems with our children when they arise. Thank the LORD this is my child’s last year and with a new outlook on life, my daughter, Krystal, will be one of the Class of 2009; Eximius’ first graduating class. I anticipated this being a drama free year. I hope that the teachers who start off teaching my child in September remain there thru June so that my child can get the education she deserves. Ms. Smith, I think u had a wonderful vision for your students but some changes need to be made so that their is consistency in these children’s education.
alsooooo there isn’t enough space. There are 3 classes for each grade (6-12) and we have a floor n a half to move around in… that’s our space. That’s 90 kids per grade… smh. We will never get a real high school experience and we have to share it with lil kids…. its just akward.
I honestly liked most of the teachers I taught with at Eximius. But unfortunately I felt like some the teachers were just Ms. Smith’s “flunkies”. I like to refer to them as “Smunkies”. :) I will not give any names but if you taught there, you know exactly who I am referring to.
It’s ok to buy into (and I mean really believe that stuff) the mission and vision of the lead administrator, flawed though it may be. I don’t fault Smunkies for this. Any behavior or belief that directly benefits the Eximius would also obviously be acceptable.
The “crime” that makes the Smunkies so offensive to me is their propensity to go running to Ms. Smith with any info they have acquired (either directly and usually, indirectly) for the sole purpose of damaging other teachers.
Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t believe poor or abusive teachers should be protected in any way. If a teacher does anything that may negatively affect students, this rightly should be reported. But I believe things that colleagues say to each other in confidence should remain in confidence.
The fact that there were 2 or 3 individuals that couldn’t wait to go running to tell Ms. Smith every negative thing they heard, was absolutely disgusting to me! Believe me, there were/are some flat-out dangerous people in that place! I was not the only one that felt that way.
When teachers feel like the administration is out to get them AND their colleagues, do you think morale will be good in a building like this? Moreover, do you think teachers will be very close to each other overall? Do you think teachers will likely trust or work with each other? The answers to these questions are obvious.
I believe that administration not only knew about this problem, but encouraged it. I say it was encouraged because the individuals most likely to go running their mouths were given preferential treatment and other extra benefits. What else does this do but encourage Smunkie-like behavior? That’s just basic conditioning! You give a doggie a cracker when he rolls over and he’ll do it even more. :) I won’t be very specific about this but if you taught/teach there you know exactly what I referring to.
If you never noticed it before, watch closely and see if you don’t notice the same individuals with unusual privileges that you don’t have for some reason or constantly being complimented in emails, etc. These are probably the same individuals that you need to watch out for.
Frances – You said that you had to do your own copying – lucky you Do you want to know how much money I spend at Staples each week? Of course the machine would not work most of the time. I am sure too many copies were being made on a machine not made for that many, You must be a new teacher. In a small school you are lucky to have access to a copier. I worked in a large school and was only able a few pages copied and that had to br at least 2 days in advance
Dear blogger #14 – why did you care about who carried news – the smunkie – As a veteran teacher, I am in a school where people are blamed for carrying news to the administration. Unless you heard with your own ears – do not get caught up in that. It is interesting to know what preferential treatment one is given when you work for the DOE. A little bit of advice the people who you are calling smunkie might not be the ones because it is always the ones you do not suspect. Do your job to the best of your ability and stop worrying about others. If you have a problem ,approach that person and settle it; but leave all the rest alone. The only ;privilege you should look forward to is your compensation (pay check)
(FIXED PHRASING)::WHAT ON EARTH… THIS WHOLE THING IS B.S KRYSTAL V. YOUR RIGHT BUT ALL THIS OTHER LOAD OF CRAP BEING DISCUSSED BY EVERYONE ELSE NEEDS TO STOP EITHER BRING IT FORTH TO A HIGH POWERED PERSON ON THE NYC BOARD OF ED. OR JUST HUSH LIKE YA’LL WAISTING TIME BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY NOTHING IS BEING CHANGED. IF THE SAME THING HAS BEEN HAPPENING FROM “3YRS AGO” LIKE COME ON STOP THE UNNECESSARY CHIT CHAT BECAUSE THERES SOME THINGS THAT WILL NOT CHANGE MS.BREITLING HAS MADE ME REALIZE WE GOT TO MAKE BEST OF THE WORST BECAUSE THERE ARE BIGGER PROBLEMS IN OTHER SCHOOLS THAT IS HAPPENING & OUR SCHOOL IS TRYING ITS BEST…P.S.>MS.SMITH DOES SUCK AT HER JOB BUT WHAT CAN YOU SAY SHE CAME INTO THIS POSITION BIG TOE FIRST LMFAO0 “SAD PURE SADNESS”
Actually, K, there are new teachers who have read this and spared their careers by taking their first job somewhere else. There are more people thinking about what should be done with Eximius.
You are right that you need to make the best of what you are faced with. But in the meantime it doesn’t hurt if others are looking for ways to make things better.
And you know, it is worth writing. You wrote, and rewrote, so you know it, too. You had something to say, just like all these other people. (next time caps lock off, right?)
Veteran teacher,
Why should I care about who carried the news? First of all, I care especially when “the news” is about me. Secondly, it offends me so deeply on a personal level because I don’t believe it is the job of teachers to report on each other to the principal–unless something illegal occurred. This behavior destroys morale and from a union
standpoint, creates some serious issues.
And what gives you the impression that I DIDN’T hear these things with my own ears? Try not to jump to conclusions.
And of course the paycheck is the tangible compensation for our work. But are you suggesting that as long as I am getting a paycheck, I should just put up with harassment or disproportionate workloads? Smunkies did not have to put up with this at Eximius. This is what I meant by “privileges”.
Does that seem fair to you? Do you think it causes teachers to resent each other?
Frankly, I believe it works within the strategy of the administration to create discord between teachers because it limits the power of teachers in the building. A more unified school would have more leverage to change things at Eximius. It’s no secret that Eximius and schools like it are adverse to unions.
The human resource strategy is: Keep ’em young. Keep ’em separated. Make sure that don’t know their rights. These are the enforced only non-negotiables in my opinion.
For the two 11th graders who wrote please understand some of your problems might stem from the fact that you do not know the difference between principle and principal. Also waste and waist.
I doubt that. They go to one of the worst high schools in the city, live in the Bronx, and you think their problem is spelling?
@XA2, you are no longer welcome here. Please don’t come back.
I took my child out because of all the fights that occurred at Eximius. Granted this is something that happens in every school, but Eximius was way too much. Principal Smith, all cared about was that they wore their uniforms. Uniforms that are very costly. A jacket is costs $90. and when your chld grows, there goes another out of pocket again. This is a public not parochial school. Jackets, ties, shirt, skirt etc. The person wrote about waste and waist, principal and principle. Well caring more about uniforms and suspending them for not wearing them is much more important to Ms. Smith. In May & June there were so many fights that school safety called the regular police to help. This is ridiculous. A college board school? Even after all of this they are still going to keep this
principal. Yeah, Principal not Principle, after all she is a waste not waist. Well she does have a big waist too.
The problem is that the DOE is hiring just about anyone these days. Bring back the community district without the community school boards. Jobs are created, and given to non-licensed people. This is a grave situation. What’s the use of getting a license if preference has it that you can supervise a licensed person when you are not.
Uniforms to Ms. Smith is more important than principal/principle or waste/waist. Uniforms that are very costly. Jackets are anywhere from $80 – $90. then there’s the tie, shirt, skirt and pants. Come on this is a public school not parochial.
The college board is not going to do a thing about this but keep her and Mr. Trillana. How much are the rehearsal dinners and who pays for them, the college board.
I agree with this parent about the uniforms. When you purchase the jacket and your child wears it out because he/she outgrows it, there goes more out of pocket expense.
This website is better than my space because at least you are told the truth about our city schools. My child would come home and tell me about the fights, water balloons, not able to bring in water. Yes I understand about water being brought in, but on days that it is too hot, they should be permitted to bring at least one plastic not bottle of water.
About the water balloon fights, there seems to be lot of supervision if so much water fight have taken place. I heard the hallways were completely wet and people sliding. Again. where is the supervision when the students are in the hallways going to the bathroom or during class changes. As principal and assistant principal you should be with the staff watching these students, not sitting in your office writing memos of discipline to the teachers. It is obvious, that you don’t want your school to succeed. That’s a shame. And as the parent before me said, what is the college board going to do about this. I friend said she received a call about an orientation for incoming students and if they did not attend this meeting they would not be allowed to come to the school in September. What makes her think that we parents sit at home waiting for the school to call us about a meeting. It is vacation, students and parents are away. Not to allow a student to come in September for not attending a meeting in July, Think again, if it were me, I would bring in the media ont he first day of school and let’s see her turn these students away. Maybe not such a bad idea afterall, this is not a specialized school.
I am also a concerned parent. These uniforms are costly. The emphasis of a school is to focus on a child’s education so that he/she may enter college not on uniforms, this is a public not parochial school. Perhaps, the funds of the uniforms is used towards their rehearsal dinner. The college board should look into this. Eximius is an empowerment school, college board. They are under so many people and yet they get away in charging parents so much money for uniforms and the fact that teachers don’t even stay for the entire year. They should be ashamed of themselves.
There seems to be lack of supervision when the students go to the bathroom or change classes that there were water spilled all over the halls from water balloon fights and the cafeteria fights where the regular police had to come because it was too much for security to handle. This is all happening because the principal and assistant principal are to busy writing memos to the teachers and having their plans as to where to go for their rehearsal dinners.
My friend received a call for an orientation meeting. When she told them that they would be away on vacation, she was told that the principal yes P R I N C I P A L said the student would not be allowed to attend Eximius in September for not attending the meeting.
NEWS 12, SHAME ON YOU, 311, and THE COLLEGE BOARD, DID YOU HEAR THIS. Parents must decide whether to change their vacation plans and lose money or bring your child (if he/she is already away on vacation) back otherwise the principal, Tammy Smith will not allow them entrance in September.
Do we tell you when you can or can’t go on your vacation.
I agree with this parent. I had to purchase the jacket and other clothes and yes it was expensive, especially when you have to buy them again because your child has outgrown them.
The problem with Eximuis is lack of supervision. Where was the principal and assistant principal when these so called water balloon fight took place. How come the hallways were all wet cause of the water fight. How about the food fights in the cafeteris where security could not handle it alone and the regular cops had to come in.
My friend received a call about an orientation. Her child is away on vacation and she was leaving to be him. She was told that the
P R I N C I P A L said that if her child must attend the orientation or he would not be allowed to come to Eximius in September. She explained that he was away and again was told that because he did not come to the orientation, he would not be allowed to attend in September. Are you kidding me. Do they think that we sit at home doing nothing. We work as well and enjoy going on vacation.
HEY, NEWS12, SHAME ON YOU, 311, AND THE COLLEGE BOARD,
DID YOU HEAR THAT. What are you going to do about this. The DOE denying a child the right of an education even from a school as Eximius.
DOE doesn’t really care about hiring anyone off the street. They believe human resources are unlimited. As long as schools are stocked with bodies with pulses, they are perfectly satisfied.
It isn’t concerned with retention either. In fact, from DOE’s perspective, it’s better to keep hiring new teachers every year. This keeps salaries low, first of all. It also keeps the staff relatively uninformed. It generally weakens the union. (New teachers don’t really appreciate the union or even believe that unions are necessary.) It also allows DOE to keep moving the bar on various policies since new teachers generally don’t complain much when they are REQUIRED to do things that historically used to be OPTIONAL. (ie; teach on weekends, come in on summer days, advise clubs, etc)
You are right about hiring teacher at a lower salary. Teaching Fellows is one of the methods used in hiring. These are young teachers that become afraid of their own shadow after being in a classroom with unruly students. Parents are just as bad. Parent comes in with an attitude especially in front of the child. What does this tell you about the child’s upbringing. The apple does not fall far from the tree. Then you have people like Tammy Smith and Trillana who do not suppot these teachers instead give them a disciplinary memo or a counseling memo. You call this good leaders! Trillana is is afraid of Ms. Smith that he is willing to do anything for her.
I heard Ms. Smith was never a supervisor but a teacher for two or three years and then offered a principal’s position. When was she ever an AP. Isn’t that part of the process learning to become a good principal, be an assistant principal first. The AP do more work than the Principal. Well except for Trillana who should stop being nice to the teachers and then stab them in the back when he gives them the counseling memo. He need to take a vacation, throw away his cell so that Ms. Smith doesn’t call him to do her job. Maybe then, he can reflect on what she is having him become. An Igo – of Yes Master.
Please don’t think that I am insensitive to the issue of uniforms. BUT….to be fair, parents know from the beginning that Eximius is a uniform school. I know the uniforms are expensive but I think they are a lot less expensive than 5 pair of jeans and 5 shirts of the types kids wear today. I say this of course never having to buy a uniform. :)
I had a different problem with the uniform issue, however. We were told that the principal would be standing at the front door to ensure the strict adherence to the uniform policy by every student entering the building. We were told this in the beginning of the year. Well, this never happened.
Instead, the AP and dean would interrupt you in class (right in the middle of teaching) to pull any number of kids out of class for not wearing the uniform properly. You (as the teacher) would have to stop teaching and wait as the students got up to collect their belongings, which usually took unnecessarily long. You had to wait because no eyes would be on you. The ejected students would (of course) voice their displeasure in various obscene ways while leaving. After this point, teaching became more difficult, as you would have to compete with the student “buzz” created by the ejections. If you have been teaching long enough, you know what I mean by “buzz”.
The ejected students would miss instruction and homework assignments for that day. This is what enraged me the most. It got to a point where I actually started to believe students were intentionally not conforming to the uniform policy simply to get out of class.
Also, while this was happening I often got the feeling from the AP and dean that they expected me to confront the student about the uniform before they did. Yeah right! Sorry, but I am not the fashion police. My job is to teach the students I have in front of me to the best of my ability.
I never confronted any students about uniforms while I was there. Frankly, I was usually more concerned with getting them in on time, seated with notebooks out and getting my lesson started. I almost always had this under control. This is why my reasons for leaving were never student oriented.
The inconsistency and arbitrariness should be troubling to all. For students, not knowing what rules are really rules is a problem. As teachers we know the effects of being inconsistent. And even administration should recognize (I know, I know, they probably don’t) that the spot checks in the classrooms are not getting easier over time.
Did the principal ever teach?
If they are serious about uniforms, enforcing them up front is difficult at first but gets easier. But saying that it matters, then punting the responsibility for enforcement – kids should be confused, teachers frustrated, and probably no one should be surprised that the guideline/rule is widely disobeyed.
I understand that policies enforced in every classroom have the effect of setting the tone for the whole building. Policies like no hats, walkmans, (What? How old am I?) discmans, mp3 players or phones are examples. Kids usually comply with these policies either in advance of being told or quickly thereafter being told. But uniforms? What can a child really do at the point of being counseled about uniforms, if he or she isn’t wearing one? Nothing unless the child can materialize articles of clothing in Genie-like fashion. So what is the point of pulling the child out of class for the offense? The child is really the only one being punished by this action. I am really surprised the school never got sued for this policy.
WITH ALL THE GOSSIP THAT GOES AROUND THE PRINCIPAL STARTS IT! THIS ONE OF THE UNDERCOVER RULES. EXIMIUS IS NOT AND EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX. THIS IS A PLACE OF CONFUSION AND BACK BITING. KISS ASS–N I MEAN . ALL THE THINGS SAID ABOUT EXIMIUS ARE ALL TRUE. THE ONLY SHAME IS YOU WALK IN HERE A SOMEBODY AN LEAVE A NOBODY. TO START ALL OVER AGAIN IS FINE FOR THE TEACHERS AND STAFF, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE STUDENTS WHO DROP OUT OR JUST PASS ON AND WHAT ABOUT THE GRADUATES OF 2009 # ONLY 20 OUT OF 120 WHO STARTED. THE REAL PROBLEM IS WHAT HAPPEN WHEN THEY GET TO COLLEGE AND FALL BEHIND OR DROP OUT BECAUSE THEY DID’NT LEARN ANY THING AT EXIMIUS COLLEGE PREPARTORY ACADEMY. GO FISH.
You have got to be kidding! 20 out of 120 that started??? Is that an actual stat or just an exaggeration? That is pretty bad! Do you think the DOE is watching this? Now that I think about it, I have to say that 20 is probably about right. I only remember about 20 that I thought would actually graduate on time.
It is now time for the parents of Eximius students to call on all of the local politicians and to hold them accountable for Ms. Tammy Smith and the mess known as Eximus. It is time for the parents to tell all of the politicians that serve (supposedly serve) the community in which Eximus is located that if they don’t and/or won’t do something with Eximus and Ms.Smith asap, then they will definitely be actively campaigned against and will definitely be voted out of office in November. After all, they (the politicians) should be ashamed of themselves for allowing a school and a principal like Ms. Tammy Smith to exist within the boundaries of their political districts. Additionally, while the parents are at it, they should also totally shame and embarrass The College Board by contacting the Dell Foundation and the BIll and Melinda Gates Foundation to let them know how The College Board is using their funds to support a school like Eximius and a Principal like Ms. Tammy Smith. I am sure that the founders of both of these foundations will be honestly hurt. disappointed, and disgusted about Eximius because I believe that these individuals honestly and truly want to help improve the education and educational opportunities for both urban youth and others. I mean, just look at the beaucoup dollars that they have so generously given to the College Board for this very purpose.
P.S. A list of Politicians who Serve the Area in Which Eximus is Located:
1) Bronx Borough President: Adolfo Carrion:- I believe that this guy wants to run to become the next mayor of New York City. Well. if he really wants it that badly, then hold his feet to the fire until he does something about Eximius.
2) Congressman Jose Serrano- The Honorable Mr. Serrano is a good guy who has done a whole lot for both the Bronx and his constituents. Thus, I believe that if he were told about Eximius, he would do something about it.
3) State Senator Ruth Hasell Thompson- I believed I spelled her name correctly.
4) State Assemblyman Micahael Benjamin
5) City Council Representative- I believe that Helen Foster represents the area in the CIy Council.
PLEASE CONTACT THE ABOVE LISTED FOLKS ABOUT EXIMIUS IMMEDIATELY!!!
This little communication effort is mostly addressed to poster #12 (Tawanna, Krystal’s #1 Supporter): While all adults who come in contact with young people should mostly definitely be respectful in their conduct towards young people and should speak to them in appropriate ways, young people should also be respectful and speak to adults appropriately too. That’s the problem with Eximius. Everything is completely out of order. Also, in case you didn’t know, I must tell you that many of the teachers at Eximus were being unfairly and unjustly written up by the administration on a regular basis while simultaneously being disrespected, cursed at, yelled at, and even hit at in the worst kinds of ways by students. Now please don’t misunderstand me because I am not making any excuses for any adult’s inappropriate speech and/or conduct towards young people. However, teachers at Eximius are not supported by the administration and they are oftentimes abused from both the front (the administration) and the back (some of the students), and we all know that the verbally abused may unfortunately become the verbal abusers at some point,
The school is a wonderful school. Everyone in the last three years have tried many ways to make our school better. It takes more than one person to run a school. In our situation, no one’s input counted so only one person ran the school. When you run a school like a master’s plantation, no one will be happy. WHen slavery was finally over and master’s ruled was no longer in rule, freedom for all to make decisions was for the betterment of all and and not for only one person’s agenda. When Eximius changes its principal and acknowledges that we are not unified and the the leadership’s vision is solely for one’s own benefit,then we can move forward towards a change. We need a board of members that have a unanimous vote for the agendas, monies, and academics of Eximius. DOE made a mistake when it gave principals sole power because now its not a team effort but instead a business deal. And the biggest losers are our children.
To XA2 your job was supposed to be to teach the difference between principle and principal since you are a veteran teacher. you wasted alot of peope’s education and alot of people’s time. You drove people to have a big waist from stress, meds that were taken and emotional disomfort just by having to come to a place of mental instability. when a uniform becomes more important than an education, an image more than substance, then you need to get re-educated. what you dont see is that these kids are the future. What they needed were leaders and role models to lead them to the vision that the school had. when empty bulletin boards were not able to be used to educate and inform parents, teachers, staff, student etc…then we have to wonder what’s in the minds of our current leadershipn of the DOE and down. new teachers were punished and not educated, supported or taught by the veterans . the new techers were penalized and so were tyhe students. All respect was lost. so as obama said, “CHANGE. YES WE CAN!!!!”
I predict a troubled year for Eximius this year, especially between March and June. As graduation day approaches and students learn that they will graduate (or not), look for things to get out of hand.
There will be increased pressure from Smith to get the graduation numbers up, so look for harassment about this issue.
I don’t believe Smith will be there next year however. When the numbers are crunched for the 1st graduating class, I think the powers that be will have to make a decision.
From a psychological standpoint, I think Smith is also holding on just to see the 1st class graduate, then she might move on before being asked to leave. She will definitely spawn some place else, however.
Someone brought up the issue of sharing decision making and delegation of duties. I thought this was a great point. I often felt that I was being told exactly what to do and when to do it without having any input.
On another note, from what I have seen, the policy of putting 2 or 3 schools in one building and then starving them of resources is a failure and should be stopped immediately.
When you put the lack of support and resources (that is typical of small schools) together with disciplinary issues and an autocratic principal, you have a recipe for failure.
And here come the budget cuts……..
I am concerned as well about schools sharing buildings… certainly in the Bronx there have been losers and non-losers (very few actual winners) as the physical resources (classrooms, office space, gym, cafe, entrances, libarary) are divided, partitioned, or shared.
But, isn’t there another school sharing the building with Eximius? And doing ok?
Yes. There is another school sharing the building. It seemed to be doing ok. Schools like this are a very small minority, from what I have seen and heard. But this school is doing well in spite of having to share the building. I believe this comes from the fact that it is managed well. The teachers collaborate with each other and the principal. I know this for a fact, unless things have dramatically changed since I taught at Eximius. I believe it could be doing much better with its own space. I’ve had opportunities to speak with the teachers in this building and this is how they feel.
Granted, you would expect any teacher to say he or she would rather have more space. But their arguments seemed more than generic to me. They had legitimate and specific reasons why they should have more space. I would list some of the things I heard but all of my information is so content specfic that I am afraid I might blow my cover here. :) Not that I am afraid of Smith or her Smunkies….or maybe just a little bit. :)
OMG i can’t wait to burn all my papers that have the word eximius on it.
the other school sharing the building IS doing much better. they have a better faculty, a better principal and the school has more structure which is what kids need.
also, to poster #12 Tawanna, teachers and parents need to work together to help students out. i don’t think teachers wake up in the morning saying to themselves “well, i’m going to talk down/disrespect krystal vigo (or some other child) today”. all in all, this school has A LOT of very very disrespectful students, and this perhaps stems from the disrespect Smith shows her teachers, the admin shows the teachers and of course parents like yourself who condone true disrespectful behavior from children (as i have seen with my own eyes).
teachers are/were trying their best at Eximius, even the ones who “think they they can talk down to students and it be okay”. but we, as parents should not give our children the message that its okay to talk to adults any way they please. because let’s face it: children must understand that they cannot talk like that to their boss, or supervisor when they get a job.
the best thing the school needs is a new direction/new principal. maybe then your child can get the education she deserves because i don’t think her needs or those of any other student are being met the way they should be with Ms. Smith around.
Ok. I’ll admit it. I DID wake up and ask myself, “How should I disrespect Crystal Vigo today?” :)
The disrespectful talk of children at Eximius will never end. I am not saying that Eximius should accept the behavior. But I think teachers need to train themselves to respond as unemotionally as possible to this behavior.
When I was there, I wouldn’t even let my facial expressions change–not even slightly. I never even raised my voice. I think this took away a lot of their reward and made them even angrier inside. By “reward”, I am referring to the sense that you are hurt or affected by their comments. Of course, the offending student would always be asked to leave the room after engaging in this behavior, which always seemed to make them angrier.
Some students would try to engage you in arguments in front of the students. They love to try this! I would always insist that they would have to speak to me after class if we had a disagreement and this would usually shut them down right there. If they persisted, I would make them leave the room immediately.
At some point, they began to realize that I had a zero ( and I mean zero) tolerance for disrespectful behavior and so very few students engaged in this behavior. I guess they figured to themselves, “I am not going to make this guy angry” or “I am tired of being the only one thrown out everyday”. Eventually, the ones that could not behave, stopped coming. I can’t say that I was saddened by this.
As I said before, the students were bad, but manageable.
(the previous comment discussed an individual child’s suspension record. It was removed for reasons of privacy – jonathan)
hi jonathan,
i just want to know: how do we get the word out about this school and others? i’ve already warned several new teachers. but can we do more? write up more blogs. the more that’s written out there the more the word spreads.
this thread is great, but its going over and over the same things again and again.
bottom line:
Eximius admin is terrible, it is very disorganized and extremely abusive.
The kids are terrible (no really, the post you deleted got it right on) and the admin doesn’t do anything about it.
The teachers keep leaving every year as a result of these two issues.
So DON’T apply there.
Its not going to change but the scores the school is churning out are still good and that’s all DOE cares about so how do we warn more teachers?
i hate that school all they do is talk about the kids nd about how they do bad in class one of the teachers ms.amany told a 7th grade class that her and her sons grade test and all they do is laugh about how bad the grades are nd the classes are to filled up with kids 32 kids per class in the 7th grade nd did i mention that the classes are broken up by race 1 class is hispanics and the other class is african americans thats just not cool .. !!!!!!! nd there are tremendiosly bad boys nd they just dont listen the only teacher that i really learned from was english ms.mayers because she used to teach nd made sure we learned she was tough at times bhut overall she was the best teacher all the other ones were horrible .. !!!!! ms.smith is another story she walks around with new pradas nd bags everyday (well when she actually comes to school cause she is rarlley there .. !!)instead of worrying about her students actually learning things nd from experiance i complained about my learning all the time nd she never listened .. !!!! i highly recommend that students dont apply there because its the WORST EXPERIENCE .. !!!!!!!!
“Its not going to change but the scores the school is churning out are still good and that’s all DOE cares about so how do we warn more teachers?”
If that’s true, (particularly the part about scores being good) then I am afraid nothing will change at Eximius.Let’s be honest. DOE doesn’t care if teachers are happy or not. They never have and never will. DOE cares about numbers of students moving through the system–not teachers moving out of the system.
But from what I have seen and heard, the numbers are not good–at least not at the HS level. Unless there has been some funny business going on, the numbers couldn’t have been that good.
wow where do i begin? ive been at eximius since 2OO5! i my self find it hard to believe that i am still here this school has so much history in such short years since 6 grade we have had teachers leave for the main reasons that we all wanna/leave for Ms.Smith had trickd us into believing that eximius would be set far apart from other schools.when in reality eximius is worse then zone schools.we are crapd up in the limited space we have and when its summer OMG we go through it.our uniform is way too pricy.and we are given as much respect as a newborn baby.we have voices and ms.smith(trillana and the rest of the RUDE staff)have ears but they choose tto not hear us.we are almost treatd like we are juivies when we are just young adults trying to make our way through the system.for all the teachers that left i dont blame you.we are going through so much.like this year when i was in the 8th gtade our classes we were like a lab experiment the school tested things out on the expense of us! like splitibg up the classes based on race and banning water bottles because the school didnt take time to fix the a.c’s .i have so much to say and even though this may seem like alot trust me its only the begining.i may not know what it takes to be a principal or teacher but i do know that for ANYTHNG you do in life you must LISTEN.TALK.COMMUNICATION IS KEY!! fortunaetly i have had 2 things that HELP ME SURVIVE eximius:
teachers:
daly
davis
scho.
grape
mayers
c.
my friendss
we should as a teacherof mine use to say us as a student body need to be given enough rope to hang ourselves
now that i will be goung to eximius for ONE MORE YEAR ONLY i think we should be given more freedom but as sad as it to say with ms.smith still at the school we will never have any PROGRESS
i am wishing myself luck and hopefully a peaceful year
any1 message me for dissucsiion please
teachers i misss:
chandra
van sickle
perry
diaz
This school is not that bad of a school, but with all the havoc like teachers leaving, food fights, violence, sexual harassment, and teachers/students getting abused verbally and physically.
I entered this school in 2006, the orientation seemed pretty good and the school sounded wonderful.
The first few days went smooth but eximius had so many false promises
and lied to us. In my 2nd year things were much worse. The teachers left and we had to get coverages every day, there is no space and the high school is interacting with the middle school. The hallways are cramped and we must always in the same class. When we go to lunch we are guided like small children and our opinions matter nothing in improving the school. Ms smith is also very unprofessional. All the 7th grade classes had a lack of air conditioning or functioning water fountains.
The lunch schedules were hectic and crammed, tension between the other school and even some of the high schools fighting with middle school students.
Eximius would also be a better school if there were more materials
and a consistent basis of teachers learning.
Even when us students protested when the water was banned ms smith forced us into the school and told cameras to go away.
I am just a student speaking out against Eximius, it’s not bad just very flawed
Can someone explain in more detail how the class was split by race? Did they give a rationale that didn’t have to do with race (maybe separating native speakers from non-speakers in Spanish?)
Even if you thought it was lame, did they give a reason? Any reason?
And was it the whole school? Just one grade? Just one or two classes?
ty
Well what happened was the spanish teachers wanted the latinos in one class because the african americans didn’t know spanish and it would be unfair. It was just the middle school, the 8th graders were split into 3 classes while the 7th and 6th graders were crammed into two classes. It was really hectic and we had no room for chairs or desks.
They also did it to make room for the new grade 12th, personally i think Eximius should stop as a high school because those high school students are violent, and are always in the halls.
EXIMIUS SUXX N MS.SMITH SUXX N THE BUILDING SUXX N SUM OF THE TEACHERZ SUXX N THE EDUCATION SUXX
i wana give a shoutout to the teacherz who never suckd, n never will suck:
ms.davis
ms.daly
mr.sho
ms.grape
ms.perry
mr.chandra
ms.vansickle
ms.mayers
ms.candelario
ms.diaz
ms.davis
ms.daly
mr.sho
ms.grape
ms.perry
mr.chandra
ms.vansickle
ms.mayers
ms.candelario
ms.diaz
How many of these teachers are still there? What did they teach?
Ms Davis teaches math as well as Candelario
Ms Perry, Ms Diaz, Ms Vansickle, and Mr. Chandra left
they taught english, art, french, and math respectively.
Ms candelario idk if she’s returning
Ms mayers and grape teach english while Mr. Scho teaches history
So right there, that’s almost 50% turnover.
Some of these people I knew, very well Some I don’t know. Most of these people left after 1 year, maybe shorter.
The reason I asked the question is to confirm that the issue of turnover is significant. I know that some individuals from other schools have tried to come on this board to dispute their “do not apply” status. Well that ain’t gonna happen here. This school is definitely a “do not apply” school–perhaps the most legitimate one given the amount of posts confirming what is being said.
Yes it’s true a lot of teachers leave annually and we are left with coverages of high school teachers. Ms. Smith doesn’t even give us dress down days so we are forced to wear uniform every day
even if she split the kids up based on the language, that should have only been done for spanish class, but she did it for all classes/subjects. in fact it was based on last name (spanish sounding name vs. non-spanish sounding last name). there were still some kids in the latino class that did not know spanish! but they had a spanish last name. then the problems began with the kids because they felt it was based on race and so they started acting out. this is is a problem and should be considered illegal.
STATE OF THE STAFF AND FACULTY: the turnover rate has now been 66.66% confirmed for the 2007-2008 school year. this is 2/3’s of the staff. more might be leaving but this status is current.
first and formost i must say that eximius school at the beginig i thought it was perfect for my daughter.after one year being there the true colors came out.my daughter started to get suspended repeatedly,phone calls after phone call at my cell phone.i will go to da school and all at once teachers came out of all angles to complain.the classrooms was left unattened and teachers all around the hallways after they decided to go back to work i heard the teachers yelling at the students for no apparent reason only for their mistake.another thing is when the teachers was complianig about the students their body language was real ghetto.one teacher at one point put her finger up to my daughters face when i confronted her she did not admit it.well the principal for all the times i went to school if i saw her 3 times it was to much.as far as i am concern i never heard a student ever recieve a letter to there home of acknowlegedment only for suspension and detention. my daughter suffers from asthma and was out from school on and of and they were quick to send a letter of absence.i am so disapointed and over whelmed.they need to start fresh w/new staff and rules .kids will communicate w/teachers only if they give this kids space to feel comfortable to confide in them.communication is the key to continue your goal.
It is funny that most of the teachers praised by the students posting are those that let them do whatever they wanted during their classes. Students were for the most part not learning anything in these classes.
lol!
That is a total lie,
most of those teachers were really hard on us and gave us
a hard time, but they also helped us,
and who are you to say that
Who is lol, Ms. Breitling? Still hatin’ huh? That’s ok :) ….God don’t like ugly.
I cant believe that Barbara Flores has the audacity to say that she only learned from Ms.Mayers.
[remainder of this comment, a personal attack, removed by blog owner]
[Personal attack removed by blog owner]
jd,
I think adult attacks (or student ones, but most likely adult attacks) on students on this board is uncalled for. Don’t you?
ade,
Thank you, I agree, and removed the personal attacks.
jd,
Maybe the personal attacks were called for afterall. Could you put them back? lol
I see my sarcastic humor was a bit much for the young lady. Yet I will still agree that the personal attacks on Krystal weren’t called for even if it seems they were. No good deed……. :)
Well Anyways these teachers isz madd crappy
they can’t teach, they suck
so any new teachers out there who are in eximius this year, hows the experience so far? watch out for tell-tale signs of tammy’s incompetence and be mindful of who you open up to over there. all were quick to go and report to tammy for favors and protection in return.
also, KEEP EVERYTHING DAMN PAPER YOU GET…..even if it’s rubbish, keep it in a folder. you will regret it if you don’t.
LOL…..They won’t find out just yet. Give it at least 3 weeks.
After the first major breakdown in procedure……..
After the first “non-negotiables” are broken and clearly shown to be completely unenforced………….
After the first teachers have been threatened by administration…..
After the first teachers have quit in absolute horror……..
Then there will be stories to tell.
As for now….the honeymoon continues………
“Keep every paper you get in a folder”? You need a file cabinet to keep every paper you’re gonna get in that place.
You’ll be emailed senseless nonsense every 19 secs so make sure you set your spam filter to “complete panic”, clear out old emails or you’ll max out on space limits in 8 days and remember to deny every return receipt request you get.
Yes there are a chockful of new teachers
but…it’s more organized than before…
a little too organized, they have made so many hanges
The school is too proper, and it’s lost its previous adrenaline rush
Yes that’s true, my old teachers have shown me how much emails
tammy has bombarded them with
Well High School in Eximius is boring
Good Bye World
organized? are you sure you’re a student? i have never met a teacher that will show a STUDENT emails from administration. that’s weird!
and organized?? are you kidding? teachers didn’t have their programs or classroom assignments till 30mins before they started teaching on tuesday!
and she couldn’t find teachers this year! because she hired back a teacher that she had given a U to. makes you think…..but she still has a lot of new teachers so to all the new teachers…Good Luck and Take Care! it’s going to be a loooong year…..but life after eximius is sooo much better!
LOL Prior Teacher,
I didn’t think this was from a student either. This was written by someone in administration most likely or a Smunkie.
“Chock full of new teachers”? I laughed at that one. I could be wrong but I doubt a kid would write that. A kid also wouldn’t call Ms. Smith “Tammy”. The kids can be disrespectful but they always refer to Tammy as Ms. Smith.
And showing students emails? Come on now……LOL I also like the attempt at veracity by admitting the email harassment, which we know is true, so that we’ll believe the whole thing. Hardy…har….har
Um….nice try…whoever you are but…..no cigar for you! LOL
Thank You. Come again!
A.d.e., prior teacher
you are not correct. The kid’s probably been talking to an adult, but it’s a kid. Thoughtful, too, and trying to be balanced, even if you don’t agree with everything.
Jd,
I am not a liguistic expert or psychic. I also accept that I could be wrong. But do you have any evidence (other than gut feelings) that this is a student?
If you spoke with the kid face to face then I could see your point. If you have, please do tell. But my gut tells me (and this is admittedly all I have) that this was written by an adult.
I taught there and although I obviously can’t know what every kid will write, I have a sense for the students’ writing styles and the kinds of things they say.
Yes, I do have evidence. It is a student, and one with an interest in maintaining anonymity, which I will respect.
OK. Fair enough. Just curious though. Did you have a chance to meet with the student personally or did the evidence come by email?
I have to believe that you knew I wouldn’t respond. I understand your curiosity, and I hope you will trust my judgment, but you should drop this line of inquiry. Thanks.
Since I took you at your word that you had evidence, I actually figured that you would respond–at least with the general type of evidence. If you aren’t comfortable with my general line of inquiry, which you must agree is fair, then I certainly won’t push the issue.
I believe people should know where information is coming from. I certainly tried to be clear and up front with any evidence I have. I also tried to be honest in differentiating my opinions from fact, as I believe we all should.
From now on, I will simply observe and not post any more information on this board (unless someone specifically asks for my input) to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
Good Luck to all and may everyone have a happy and prosperous year. :)
I allow anonymous commenting, and I will continue to do so. Whether you continue to comment, anonymously or otherwise, is a personal choice.
But I am not answering questions about minor children who are attempting to remain anonymous. Sorry.
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ANSWER , WHY IS THERE SO MANY KIDS ON ONE FLOOR OF THE SCHOOL. THERE WAS A FIRE DRILL DURING CHANGING CLASSES. THE KIDS WERE GOING TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND WERE TOLD TO COME BACK TO THE OPPOSITE EXIT. IT WAS SCREAMING AND WILDING IN THE HALLS. THEN THE BLUE SCHOOL EAS TRYING TO GET OUT THE SAME STAIRWELL AS EXIMIUS. I WAS TOLD IT WAS —————–.BAD !!!!!!!I TRIED TO FIND OUT WHY SO MANY KIDS ARE ON THE SAME FLOOR? FIRE MARSHALLS AND BOE HAS NOT RETURN MY EMAILS. A BAD SCENE WAITING TO HAPPEN.
I THINK THAT ADULTS SHOULD GO TO HOW TO RAISE , DEAL, AND GET A YOUNG PERSON TO MIND YOU SEMINAR , MADEA FROM TYLER PERRY COULD COME AND TEACH THIS SEMINAR ALL AROUND THE WORLD.THE YOUG ONES ARE A REFLECTION OF THE OLD CHIPS OFF THE BLOCKS. ONE THING I CAN SAY ABOUT EXIMIUS YOUNG IS THAT THEY ARE PLIABLE AND IMPRESSIONABLE. IF YOU SHOW THEM WHO’S THE BOSS THEY WILL COMPLY. THIS IS FROM PERSONABLE EXPIERENCE FROM BEING AROUND THEM FOR 4 YRS.MS BRIETLING AND MS STOLLWERK, MS E. SMITH………………..YOU GO LADIES FOR STICKING IT OUT AND WORKING TO PUSH YOUR STUDENTS FORWARD.
hi i am a student at eximius…right now we have our classes to graduate but i doubt well have a large graduating class..it might be the size of one regular cohort(25-28students). The woman is crazy and i think the teachers are slowly feeling the pressure. The third floor is crowded with grades 6-12 and it is a major safety hazard. Teachers swear they getting supplies but students have warned them that if they don’t order things themselves, they will not have anything. Do the best you can and godspeed. Advice to students is don’t depend on the school for any thing like the college process or fund raising because you will not receive anything on time. the fee waivers came on the deadline day for the Oct SAT so i wonder if that’s because they applied late? hmmm…seem typical. The new staff if great and they seem like they want the students to learn but im afraid that they might not last the full year because Tammy will come crawling under their skin. (She doesn’t deserve the title ms. smith because she doesn’t deserve the respect she never tried to earn. my motto is i don’t give respect to those who don’t respect me enough for me to give it to them. I stay true to this. )
i dont think other teachers should rip on ms breitling though because she has done alot for her kids to make sure they are on track. I mean think about all the teachers who said they loved the kids and said they would stay until we graduated but left the next year. Give her props…she stayed no matter what ..made the best of her experience and when pissed off she warned us cooled down and continued to spread her contagious smile. She the only one whos been here since day one so she deserves to run this school if it means getting whatever she needs for her children to survive. If more teachers were like her, this school wouldn’t be where its at today. ms. stollwerk is also the best…..
If the teachers would just stop ripping on each other get over their differences and get together we could run this school and get ms. Tammy out. I don’t understand how people could complain and let her run over them but tell us kids to stand up for ourselves…i don’t understand that. All y’all teachers need to man up and stop acting like y’all never been dealt hardships before…stuff happens.
eximius sometimes looks like a juvenile hall but there are times when the principal is not there and theres a feeling of peace everywhere. And no one ever talks about the few good students who keep the teachers sane and who warned them to be hard from the very first day.
Stay away from eximius if your a future student and teacher but people who are there stay to help us..you can leave but were stuck here with noone.We need help and if you stick together maybe the students can join and lead this school to victory.
to the student above,
i almost cried when i read your statement. you were the reason i stayed the whole year and not walk out the countless times i thought about doing it.
you are very intelligent and i understand how you feel. i used to hear it everyday from you guys when i was there.
BUT you cannot hold our leaving against us. we had to take care of ourselves. and yes, we have dealt with many hardships, but nobody should have to go through THAT….now that i’m in a different school, my eyes are OPEN….i cannot believe the things we let tammy get away with!
we tried to get together, but have you read Machiavelli’s “the prince”?, she used every strategy in that book and mainly used divide and conquer, reward and punishment, humiliation and protection. these psychological games played havoc on our minds and soul.
as for ms brietling, you are not a teacher so you do not know or understand her the way we do. her insecurities, her deceit, her childish malicious behavior. i’m glad that she’s there for you, but why aren’t most of you graduating? isn’t she in charge of your transcripts? didn’t she look it over last year? why is it that she doesn’t have a plan to “rescue” all of you when june rolls around?
and what about your science credits? wasn’t she the one who encouraged you to NOT respect your biology (ezeoke) and chemistry (dsouza) and now your earth science teacher? this is at least what i SAW when i was there. Most of you are missing major science credits and some do not even have biology on their records. Why? because she is insecure and when june rolls around perhaps your eyes too will be open.
until then, my sweet student, just get THROUGH it. like we did. your life away from eximius is just around the corner.
yes this year at eximius is more organized than before but very hectic
sometimes i feel bad for the teachers because they seem naive and kind and i know that ms smith will run them away.
Ms. Smith is never to be found and she treats her fellow teachers like dog droppings, Ms. Breitling is so rude she thinks she has so much power yet 2 years ago she was kind and not as pissy as now.
Many of our teachers left and recently ms diaz came last week
i was so excited to see her
Yes the hallways are HELL because of the cramped classes and spaces
Kudos to Schoenfeld and other Mayers who put up with tammy’s b.s.
I hate to admit it but the other school is excelling while we are just
receding to nothing
well this is my final year and i am off….
*_Eximius Student
Hi,
Doesn’t anyone remember Mr. Mendelson? He was the shit! He was the only administrator who stuck his neck out for the teachers, students, and parents. Who do you think tried to keep Tammy Smith and her madness in check. The truth is, the District doesn’t care, Joel Kline doesn’t care, and the city doesn’t care. If they did, Tammy would be taken out of this school a long time ago. By they way, I hope this makes you feel better, Tammy was kicked out of her apartment and is now living with Ms. Ganziu and her family. What goes around comes around!
Eximius has come a long way since I was a 6th grader there in 2006. I am now a 8th grade senior, and I am glad that the school has made inprovements. The new teachers really know what they are doing from what I’ve observed so far. More of the rules and regulations are being enforced at the school. We know have a new assistant principal who wasrecently a 10th grade math teacher last year, she knows how to keep the students in check. Classes are starting on time and everything is moving pretty swiftly I’m glad to see things going the way they are. Ofcourse there’s always room for improvement.
Proud Student of Eximus Academy
thanks anonymous….hopefully and most likely i will make it out hoping others are able to hop on that train even if it is the last minute…i will be relieved to be released of the burden named eximius. Us students are taking back what we can and i do not hol anything against the teachers who left.. Maybe just a little jealous that they made it out and i didnt. But i still think thise who are here could try to stay together. I have heard of the prince and i seriously didnt know it was that bad. Im glad the ones who escaped are doing well and i pray for the student that remain…stick it out do your best and graduate.
DEAR TIRED STUDENT,
THIS IS YOUR TRAIN, MAKE THE RIDE SUCCESSFUL BY INCOPERATING A POSITIVE MIND AND THE FAITH THAT ONLY JESUS CAN GIVE. HARD WORK AND DEDICATION IS THE ONLY WAY I MAKE IT AT WORK EVERY DAY. I HAVE A VERY HARD TIME EACH TIME I WALK THRU NEGATIVE DOORS , BUT WHEN I LEAVE ,I ALWAYS LEAVE MY COWOKERS AND CLIENTS WANTING TO SEE MY FACE , POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND WORDS OF WISDOM I SEEK EVERYDAY FROM THE LORD. NO MATTER HOW I FEEL INSIDE I ALWAYS SHINE LIKE THE NOONDAY SUN FOR PEOPLE TO SEE A RAY OF HOPE. IN MY FIELD THERE IS A PHRASE CALLED[ BELONGING] . IT MEANS THAT YOU MAKE EVEN THE HORRIBLE FEEL THAT THEY BELONG AND ARE RESPECTED. ———I WAS WALKING TO THE BUS STOP TODAY AND A SENIOR MAN FELL HARD ON THE CONCRETE . I WENT TO HELP ALONG WITH OTHER BYSTANDERS BUT HE DIDN’T WANT ANY OF OUR HELP. BUT I REACH IN MY BAG FOR A HEAP OF PAPER TOWEL TO GIVE TO HIM. HE DIDNT WANT IT BUT I PASSED IT TO ANOTHER PERSON AND THEY PASSED IT TO ANOTHER UNTIL IT GOT INTO HIS HANDS TO WIPE THE GUSHING WOUND HE RECIEVED TODAY. THE MORAL … SOME TIMES PEOPLE MAY NOT WANT TO RECIEVE HELP FROM US AS A PEOPLE, BUT THE EFFORT OF WANTING TO HELP AND WANTING TO MAKE YOUR TRAIN RIDE PLEASANT IS TO NEVER TAKE IT PERSONAL AND JUST DO YOUR PART EACH DAY TILL YOU SEE YOUR NOONDAY SUN….NEGATIVES DON’T MAKE IT POSITIVE, BUT POSITIVE IS AN ADDITION.
PS. AMBITION IS YOUR KEY TO GRADUATE THIS YEAR AND LEARN FROM THESE LAST FOUR YEARS. NEXT FEW YEARS YOU WILL BECOME THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS OF THE FUTURE. ESCAPISM IS FOR THE PERSONS WHO DARE TO DREAM FOR A BETTER DAY AND TIME. DREAM FOR YOUR TIME NEXT YEAR AND I WILL BE PROUD , FOR I KNOW YOU NEED THE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT. DO WELL!……..
SEE I TOUCH YOU AND YOU DID’NT TAKE THE PAPER TOWEL FROM MY HAND. LOL
well the school got an F grade for 2007-2008
That’s the middle school. The high school reports come out soon. And Eximius is 6 – 12, so it shows up in both.
do you know when they will be out? the F is for K-8, so do schools get separate grades for high school and middle if they have both or does one grade apply to all?
Yes, they will get separate grades for middle school and high school.
And welcome back. Once upon a time you agreed to label your comments clearly – I hope you resume.
well, the Middle school was Tammy’s pride and glory, so i can only imagine…if THEY got an F…..then the high school….
I find it inconceivable that this School received an F on the Progress Report but received a “well developed” grade on the Quality Review report for the same period.
The point is conceded that the Progress Report and the QRR aren’t measuring the same constructs, nor do they have the same scope. But shouldn’t there be at least a weak correlation between the two?
It is clear to me that the discrepancy between the QRR and the PR underscores the fact that any school can put on a good show for 2 or 3 days. Discrepancies like this completely invalidate the legitimacy of the QRR.
If DOE believes that reports like the QRR are necessary, then why not call it the “Rose Colored Glasses Report”. Maybe the DOE could send the reviewers out around Halloween. Then they could call the report the “Two Day Masquerade Report”.
But putting this nonsense on the same page with reports that have actual objective stats is in my opinion, misleading and confusing.
Yes, the midde school’s grade is an F. Not only that, but it’s the LOWEST score of all the F’s! The score was 11.1 and if you look on the sidebar, the F range was 11.1-29.4.
I think the HS score will probably be separate. The HS scores come out next month, so we’ll see. As fas as I know, the data for the HS score could still be manipulated because the HS wasn’t at full capacity and not all kids who took any given class actually took the Regents (they handpicked the best students, skewing the scores the last couple of years).
The learning environment survey is also revealing. 71% of teachers “strongly disagree” that the principal is an effective
manager and 86% of teachers “strongly disagree” that they trust her at her word. 86% “strongly disagree” that order and discipline are
maintained.
Maybe the report cards aren’t such a farce after all. This does give me a bit more confidence in the whole process. Hopefully the Mayor will make good on his promise for leadership change or school closure for the F schools. Does anyone know if this happened in all the F schools the year before?
i am curious about the high school score as well. actually, most of the high school kids did sit for at least one regents last year, with many sitting for several because they had to back up regents exams, or had failed prior ones. i too was surprised about the QRR, but you know what? when i was there last year tammy had totally planned the whole event. down to what comments the reviewers would hear. i do hope that this F is the first step to change within that school.
As far as I know schools are not closed for F the first time. I think if they get a C, D or F for three successive years then there is a problem. The school would have to go in SURR and then revamped. The schools usually get help. Closure is a long process and lots of help is given to prevent that. The new high schools would probably not get evaluated until they have a graduating class. I do not think Eximius or the other school would be given a grade this year because they would not have a graduating class until 2009
This has been very interesting to follow and I never even knew about ‘blogging’ until someone sent me links to this. But I just want to say a few things. The teenagers that I taught at Eximius last year were some of the best kids that I have ever come across in all my years of teaching and I really wish them and the school luck.
Remember if you are new there or if you have been there a while; once you close your classroom door and teach them and show them that you care than all the nonsense that happens politically in the school will happen around you rather than to you. Eximius made me a stronger teacher and as long as you find a small group of people that you can trust and just do your job, then the rewards will be there.
Some of the nonsense that I read on this blog, i.e. the teachers are crap’ is ridiculous. Every teacher that worked there last there was really special, strong and good intentioned. Many of them felt humiliated by the end of the experience because they allowed the vicious gossip to spin their worlds. Stay away from it and just do your job for the kids. The rewards will be there; just don’t look for the reward to come from anywhere but within yourself and in the student’s growth.
If all that awkward dissemination of information and accountability ‘overdrive’ would stop and the school would focus on teaching and learning rather than who is on ‘the happy boat’, then the school would pool together it’s amazing resources – i.e. teaching staff, strong students, finances (via College Board) and leadership and success would follow naturally.
Anyway. I hope next time I someone forwards me this blog, it’s to read something positive about the students or the teachers or the leadership and if that sounds too naive than maybe it’s time for those who are spreading the poison to go shopping for a new place to work and learn.
DEAR FRAN SORA.
IF YOU ARE THE TEACHER THAT I MET LAST YEAR WHO PROMISE TO HELP MAKE A CHANGE IN THE SCHOOL ATMOSPHERE ALONG WITH TAMMY IN FRONT OF A BUNCH OF CONCERN STUDENT, YOU ARE A LIAR LIAR LIAR JUST LIKE TAMMY. YOU DID NOTHING YOU AND TAMMY PROMISED . THE WORDS YOU SPOKE WITH SHOWED YOU ARE A RACIST AND I HAVENT SEEN YOU THIS YEAR SO GOOD RIDDANCE IF YOU LEFT. WE DID NOT NEED TO SEE ANY MORE TEACHERS WHO SEE COLOR RATHER THAN A PERSON. IF YOU ARE A TEACHER , YOUR JOB IS TO TEACH. EVEN THE MOST IMPOSSIBLE CAN BE TAUGHT. REMEMBER THESE KIDS CAME TO THIS SCHOOL WITH GREAT HOPES AND THIS SCHOOL HAS CRUSHED THEM . THE SCHOOL DOWNSTAIRS IS MAKING IT BECAUSE OF TEAMWORK. AND THEY ARE NOT PERFECT. YOU NEVER EVEN MET WITH THE STUDENTS OR PARENTS WHO WERE CONCERN ABOUT ISSUES SUCH AS THEIR EDUCATION, SAFTEY,AND BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS. AS I KNOW YOU WERE NEW TO THE SCHOOL AND VERY NAIVE, YOU DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE EITHER. YOU WERE A SMUNKIE TOO. ALL THE TEACHERS WHO TRIED TO MAKE A GRAVE DIFFERENCE WERE NAMED AND I SURE DID NOT SEE YOUR NAME. ONE DAY THIS SCHOOL CAN MAKE A CHANGE, WHEN ALL CONCERN SIT DOWN AND WORK OUT THE ISSUES, AND REALLY HEAR WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AS A WHOLE. AND SET A NEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! PLAN IN MOTION. LEADERSHIP COME FROM LEADERS WHO RELIZES THAT A TEAM IS WHAT BRINGS HOME THE WORLD SERIES TROPHY. JUST LIKE OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM IS BANKRUPT FROM GREED, SO IS THIS SCHOOL. BUT WHEN DOES ANY ONE COME AND BAIL THIS AND MANY SCHOOL OUT OF IT’S SITUATION? SOMETIME WHEN SOME ONE IS BIT BY POISION THEY SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR THE ANTIDOPE TO LIVE. WELL MANY HAVE BEEN SEEKING THE ANTIDOPE TO HELP THIS SCHOOL LIVE. SPREADING POISION IS MEANT TO KILL OR MAME, YOU DONT JUST GET UP AND LEAVE . YOU TRY TO SEEK THE CURE AND ONE WHO CAN ADMINSTURE IT. THIS PROBLEM IS WORLD WIDE.
PS. IF YOU ARE A DIFFERENT PERSON I AM TALKING ABOUT A TENTH GRADE TEACHER LAST YEAR.
fran sora,
“it’s time for those who are spreading the poison to go shopping for a new place to work and learn”.
i recall how you used to go to tammy after school to have your “meeting”, and then some teacher would get in trouble that week (eg. Kerryann and the whole thing about progress chart).
i’m sure glad you went shopping for a new school. i just hope you don’t spread your poison there. teachers must support teachers. this was one of the contributing factors to the problems at Eximius.
you seem sincere enough, but the people who know you know the truth.
don’t break the teachers apart, like you did before, because the kids know this and it adds to the chaos. good luck with your new school and a new year of teaching.
Those last two responses were a bit surprising. I will not dignify the first one with a response. Calling me both a racist and a liar in one ‘anonymous’ post is a bit more ignorance than I care to deal with.
As for the second ‘anonymous’ posting, I apologize if you feel that way. Had I been one of Tammy’s ‘smukies’ as they are affectionately referred to than I might still be there. Those people who you say ‘really know me’ don’t have a clue if they feel that way.
I am done with this blog. If you want to reach me to have a real discussion about this then ask Chris Boyd or Jess Delaney for my number and I will be more than happy to have dialogue rather than faceless messaging through some website for everyone to peruse.
blah
Fran,
What’s wrong with faceless blogging if people are being honest about what went on at Eximius?
[comment removed by blog owner]
well things are the same at eximius….the same from last year…tammy never changes…among us, the teachers, if you were last year then you would know…it’s the same thing.
all we ever talk about is nonsense and all she ever does is harass us…why won’t somebody help us and remove her? save us from this!
blah2
i am a student at eximius and on a daily basis i am subject to seeing fellow students utterly reeking of marijuana and the school staff turning the other cheek if this continues to become a problem ms.smith will have hell to pay from the parents and other concerned individuals.
Why are there no grades on the progress reports for the H.S. at Eximius? (http://schools.nyc.gov/OA/SchoolReports/2007-08/ProgressReport_HS_X250.pdf) In fact, there have been no grades for the last 2 years. Was it the NYCDOE’s decision not to publish grades? Does the school have the ability/authority to do this?
The middle school at Eximius received an F in its last evaluation. I will guess the HS would have received an F as well.
To Casual Observer :The high school section of Eximius, like all of the other new small schools that have a high school and that been created by the NYCDOE in recent years, will not receive a Progress Report grade until it graduates its first high school class. Apparently, this is some sort of allowance that the NYCDOE has only given to these schools. However, there is no need to worry: The Progress Report grade that Eximius will receive for the high school for the 2008-2009 school year is going to be truly horrific. After all, just as Eximus has one of the highest staff turnover rates in the NYCDOE, it also has an extremely high student attrition rate ( view the NYCDOE website for this info), among many other things, that will probably result in Eximius receiving an F Progress Report grade for its first high school level Progress Report grade. Moreover, I am hoping that within the high school’s first graded Progress Report that there will be some refelection of the fact that while Eximius is a losing proposition for all students, it is an especially losing situation for 2 of the NYCDOE’s most vulnerable student demographic groups: black and Latino male students.
wow!!!!
Eximius is much better than it has been. Not one teacher has given up or walked out on us this year. The teachers are very positive and dont put the students down. I will be graduating in June this year and will be staying at Eximius for high school. I find it quite sad that some teachers feel they have to resort to this blog to release thier feelings. I feel that many of you that are putting the school down oare both unprofessional and ignorant. It’s very sad. Eximius is moving up on the scale for good progress and we will continue to.
Proud Senior of Eximius Academy
Proud Senior,
It is not unprofessional but it is sad. It is sad because teachers were abused at this school–by administration and by students.
Would it be unprofessional if you wrote a review about a restaurant that you ate at and got food poisoning? How about writing a review about a product shoddily made?
In my mind, this blog is no different.
As a consumer, I want to be able to read reviews about products that others have found ineffective or even dangerous, so that I can avoid them! You, as a student, are like a consumer. To the extent that you have a choice in the matter (eg; which school you choose to attend) then you should want to know which school will meet your needs and which to avoid.
For me as a teacher, union member and a human being to help prevent my colleagues from possibly meeting the same fate that I did at this school, is quite the professional and humane thing to do.
If things are better, then this is fantastic. But I am relating what I experienced while I was there–just as you have. I make no claims otherwise. I will not fault you for relating your experiences just because they aren’t mine.
Congratulations on your accomplishment and good luck in the future!
At some extent I do agree with you but all I am trying to get out there is that many people are continuously putting the school down and it isnt at all that bad anymore. In face, for me it never was I never experience any of these problems perhaps it may be the graduating class I’m in. I just feel that teachers and former employees shouldnt pu tthe school down because were are living for whats going on now and the future. The past is behind us but that doesnt mean we forget it we just make better of it.
Thank you very much for the salutations.
Proud Senior,
You say things are better. OK. I might accept this. But you also said things were never that bad for you. Really?
Are you saying that teachers weren’t quitting mid year? Do you mean to say that more than half the staff didn’t quit at the end of each year? Are you saying that students weren’t running wild? Would you say the Principal wasn’t guilty of the things people have said here?
Understand that you would have a hard time convincing anyone that things weren’t/aren’t terrible at Eximius.
As a matter of fact no they werent that bad for me. I’m not going to come here and say no to teachers quitting and what happens between Principal Smith and the teachers is between them (and you at some point) but when it got to my education she was not a problem at all and she never is. Afterall as a student and you ass a teacher we will have different prespectives because I’m there to learn (which I do 0 and you were there to teach.
Ok… accept this. Maybe you weren’t aware of all the turmoil between Ms. Smith and the staff. And most teachers probably wouldn’t make such things public record. The fact that you were able to put the blinders on and concentrate on what is important is a skill that will serve you well in life.
SCHOOL SUCKS.
Just a thought:
In light of the fact that Klein is closing two large sized high schools, Brandeis and Bayard Rustin, could it be that he won’t close a school like Eximius or take any action against its grossly incompetent principal because to do so would be a definite sign or admission that the newer, smaller schools that the NYCDOE keeps opening are no more successful (and in some cases, less successful) than the larger sized schools that they were designed to replace and outperform ?
Hey JD,
How about a rally at Eximius? The teachers there could really use it.
wow, so the school was locked down cuz someone brought a gun in. cops everywhere and ms. smith never even bothered to come out of her office. she doesn’t care if we all shoot each other up as long as it doens’t happen to her.
i hate this school.
Wow….that is terrible news. Was it someone from Eximius (You don’t have to give names.) or was it someone from one of the other schools. As bad as Eximius was, I could not imagine anyone from this school doing something like this. Why was this not on the news? Hmmm……..
Can someone verify if the claim that “someone brought a gun in” is true or not? I personally find this hard to believe but sometimes you never know.
I cannot verify it. But I have no reason to disbelieve the report. Certainly you could ask someone in the school if you wanted to know for sure?
This question was actually directed at anyone who would have first-hand knowledge. (ie; someone who attends or teaches at the school) I have absolutely no connections to this school; thus asking someone personally would require more energy than I care to expend. I don’t understand why something like this did not make the network news, News12, the papers, etc. I actually inquired to News 12, but I have not heard back from them.
its because they dont care ade
Hello,
I am going to be a new teacher in NYC next year, with an interview at Eximius. After reading this blog, I am worried about actually what might happen. The problem is,I must have legitimate reasons to cancel my interview. Does anyone of you have good advice? Perhaps a former or current teacher will be willing to email me with some concrete background information why Eximius is unfit for teachers? Thank you so much for your help! My email is matthew6vrs34@gmail.com
M634,
Good luck in your search. Read this blog. Read the stuff on the school portal. Read the school reviews.
Can you provide me with some links in regards to the school portal or some links with school reviews?
JD may be blocking links. You should be able to find the school portal by “googling” it. Also go to insideschools.
Why would you write that?
I tried to post links 2 times (to respond to M634) the and both times I got the message “discarded”. So I omitted the links and reposted. The post went through. So… I ASSumed that you were blocking links. There are sometimes good reasons to do that–especially if you aren’t previewing the posts before they are displayed.
Nope. People post links here all the time. I moderate (hold and review before publishing) comments with more than (2? 3?) links, because those can look like spam. But your comments never made it that far. Malformed HTML?
Eximius continues to be a terrible school for all concerned parties. There are some recent events that have happened at Eximius that are so bad that I am afraid to write about them here. These events also have me perplexed as to why the principal, Ms. Tammy Smith, hasn’t been immediately removed by the NYCDOE.
I found some info about the “gun incident” at Eximius.
http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/education/96721/lockdown-ends-at-bronx-prep-school/Default.aspx
THe school was infact on lockdown and Ms.Smith was running up and down the hallways along with the other schools principal *Bronx Center for Mathematics and Science* they were very concerned. 3 students from Bronx Center of Nathematics and Science were arrested no arrest were made from Eximius. All is well and incident is in past.
THe school was infact on lockdown and Ms.Smith was running up and down the hallways along with the other schools principal *Bronx Center for Mathematics and Science* they were very concerned. 3 students from Bronx Center of Nathematics and Science were arrested no arrest were made from Eximius. All is well and incident is in the past.
I am sorry to say that the incident is not in the past for my child. Good luck with your graduation.
Well as everyone can see, nothing has changed at Eximius. Ghandi once said ” a man cannot shake hands with a fist”, and Ms. Smith’s hand is balled up pretty tight. She and I still do not see eye to eye on many things and she is a bully. I want to say to the people who added comments in the previous posts about my lovely child – thank you. As for the other person who stated I did not know what I was talking about as far as teacher certification – I worked for not only NYC DOE but NYS SED as well. I was able to bring up Ms. Smith’s credentials from the No Child Left Behind Law that allows parents to check the certification status of any school personnel. She is temporarly certified as an administrator not as a teacher. As for feeling empowered by not giving face, whoever you are, you know me and know that I do not tolerate gross violations sitting down. The power I have is that of knowledge and experience. Just for the conversation sake two Master degrees in education and administration and over 25 NYC and NYS teaching licenses, and over 7 years as a school principal. I hope that will alleviate any of your concerns, I can always forward you my resume. Eximius will not change until there is a change in the administration. As for the superintendent Joel DiBartolomeo, he has to answer to the Chancellor. Change is slow, one can move a mountain one stone at a time. We can band together and bring this to the media or community leaders, you must not show fear. Easier said than done, but not impossible. If you wish to do so, let me know and I will be your leader. I feel sorry for all of the lost souls of Eximius but do not fret for victory will be ours. I wish you all the best and I will continue to do my part as a parent to assure the safety and education of my child.
im still fed up with this school. i am a senior but not proud to be in that damn school. i wish sum1 would just make the school n the name vanish forever
eff eximius!!!!!!!!!
DO NOT APPLY. RUN AWAY!!! …Unless you are a rebel, you want to challenge the system and you are willing put your license on the line. The principal and current VP (one hired for 2009-2010 quit-walked out mid year after issuing massive and verbose letters to file) repeatedly have stated proudly, that specific staff members are “incompetent”, should not teach at all, and she will do everything within her authority to terminate you or make it difficult for you to find another job within the Department of ED. Half the staff is leaving this summer…so positions in all subject areas will be open. If you do not have Harvard, Yale or another top school mentioned on your resume she probably will not want to ask you to interview. You will not be fully supported by the union. You will need to hire your own lawyer if you accept a position at ExColPrepAc. It is truly a career ender school.
Wow! It’s a shame to see that people are still so unhappy in this school.