Many students at the High School for Law & Public Service would like to bring to your attention that we have had enough and cannot bear to witness the utter disorganization and insanity at our school, especially that we once proudly called home. While there have been tremendous efforts to be heard, the higher-ups have not taken any action. The school community of High School for Law & Public Service has been experiencing challenges, and the lives of our students and teachers have become miserable. It is unfortunate that we have some new teachers that are super underqualified, and staff members that were fully experienced and qualified were excessed. It has been our experience that the lack of knowledge of a few new staff members has affected our learning. It is frightening to imagine more similar staff members being hired who require student assistance to accomplish simple tasks. What’s even more scary is that those are some vital positions. 

The environment is so dangerous on our floor because of the insane number of fights, constant arguing, and improper administrative action, that we do not feel comfortable or safe going to school. 

Sadly, improving the appearance of our school and making it the most visually appealing school has become more of a priority to the principal than focusing on providng quality education to our students. Students would much rather prefer to receive new laptops and textbooks instead of new furniture, plants, and TV screens in the hallways. The same money could be invested in hiring more teachers to teach AP classes, core subjects, and electives.

Students and teachers are all facing the same problem: no one communicates and there is no transparency. From the outside it may appear that everything is going great, but in reality, none of the members of the school community are aware of what's going on. I compare it to a bad apple, gleaming and shining on the outside but once opened you see how rotten to the core it is. Certain teachers are completely clueless and students can provide many examples that demonstrate there is no communication at all. There is always last-minute notice for students and they feel that they don't matter and are always silenced. As students from the High School for Law & Public, we are discouraged and prohibited from standing up to faculty and expressing our opinions.

We are deeply dismayed to see this unfold at a school that had been blossoming before this principal took over. Happiness, pleasure, and contentment have now become filled with tears of agony and sorrow. Many of "our teachers and administrators" whom we truly valued, are now gone. 

Mr. Almonte, our former guidance counselor, has been battling in court for justice on behalf of us all. In our petition, we call for HSLPS to be brought back to the state it was under Mr. Politis’ tenure, as well as to bring back Mr. Almonte, Ms. Carey, Ms. Emilio, and our former assistant principals under a different administration. We aim to restore HSLPS’ former glory, and with your assistance, we can do so!