LI schools to skip Model Congress event in New Rochelle
ALBANY — A Westchester school is imploring six high schools on Long Island to abandon their plans to skip a Model Congress event for students in New Rochelle out of fear stemming from a recent classroom stabbing.
New Rochelle High School Principal Reginald Richardson said an official at George W. Hewlett High School in Hewlett told him his students won’t participate in the March 23-24 event that culminates a year of debate at each of more than a dozen schools in the region. Richardson said he contacted the Wantagh, Seaford, Oceanside, Long Beach and Lawrence high schools, and officials confirmed they also wouldn’t attend.
A letter to parents of Model Congress students by the George W. Hewlett High School, confirmed by New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, states: “The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority and there is too much uncertainty at this time.”
None of the Long Island school districts responded to requests for comment Friday.
At issue is a classroom stabbing last month. A suspect, a student, remained at large Friday. Days before, two other attacks in the neighborhood on students — one fatal — prompted police to bolster security at the school.
“Over the past few months, New Rochelle has been painted with a broad brush,” states a letter addressed by Model Congress students on the New Rochelle website to the Long Island schools.
“Please do not let the acts of a handful of children, none of whom are involved with Model Congress, determine the reputation of a school that has over 3500 students,” the letter states. “Please do not deduce that New Rochelle, our home, is a dangerous place, simply because that is how it has been portrayed by the media. Finally, please permit your students to attend New Rochelle Model Congress this year.”
The students have invited the Long Island schools to a tour and discussion before the event.
“The whole point of the Model Congress is to hear the opinions of other people and form well-founded opinions about things,” said Julia Middlesworth, 17, a senior at New Rochelle.
Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.
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