Chancellor Fariña Shows Charters Some Love on First Day of School

Monday was the first day of school for many charter schools in New York City and, to mark the occasion, Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña stopped by Girls Preparatory Charter School in the Bronx. 

Accompanied by James Merriman, chief executive of the New York City Charter Schools Center, Fariña toured the elementary school of 450 girls where classrooms are named after important women. Fariña was pleased to see one named for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, noting, "I just had lunch with her." But she took a few seconds at the Majora Carter room before remembering the South Bronx activist. Pausing at the Malala Yousafzai room, Farnia was surprised to learn the young pupils had read the Pakistani teenager's book.

Speaking to reporters after her visit, Farina said she saw a few things she'd like to share with regular district schools, though she didn't get very specific. She merely said she anticipates, "a lot of cooperation and a lot of visiting each other's schools because we have a lot to learn from each other, it's not a one-way street."

When asked if charters - which often have higher than average test scores - had an advantage over the city's own schools because many of them have a longer school day and school year, Fariña said there was no one answer for a successful school. She noted, however, that struggling schools in the city's Renewal program would have a longer day beginning this fall.

The chancellor downplayed any impression that Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration was hostile toward charter schools. The mayor had a high-profile feud shortly after taking office last year with one charter network leader, Eva Moskowitz, over the siting of some of her schools. Since then, the administration has emphasized collaborations with charters.

Merriman, of the Charter Center, added that Fariña's visit sends "a great signal."

Fariña said she's always had a "great relationship" with charters.

"I believe that all schools, including parochial schools, have a role to play in New York City because all these kids, whatever school they're in, are eventually going to be the workforce of tomorrow," she added.

The chancellor also visited Growing Up Green charter school in Queens. The school year for regular district schools begins Sept. 9.