1420 E 5th St
Brooklyn, NY 11230

I made the difficult decision to withdraw my child from this school after experiencing what I believe was inappropriate and verbally harsh behavior from a kindergarten special education teacher. The situation was internally investigated by the principal, but the findings concluded there was no wrongdoing. From my perspective, the process did not feel impartial.During meetings, I was asked to submit questions for the teacher in advance so she could prepare responses. This made it feel less like an open discussion and more like a controlled process, which limited honest dialogue and accountability.I also found interactions during meetings to be concerning. At times, the teacher’s tone and responses came across as impatient and, in some instances, confrontational. There were moments where directions from the principal’s assistant were not followed by the teacher in front of others, which made the environment feel tense and unproductive. As a parent, this made it difficult to feel confident in the level of professionalism and support being provided.What concerned me further was the overall environment. Multiple staff members, teachers and assistants, privately expressed dissatisfaction with the school climate and administration. While none were willing to go on record, several shared that they remained only because they needed the job. Hearing this as a parent was disheartening and raised concerns about morale and the level of support students may be receiving.I have also spoken with several other parents who expressed dissatisfaction with the school. Many felt they had limited options and kept their children enrolled due to zoning and district placement policies, rather than confidence in the school itself.Based on my experience, I did not feel confident that the school could provide a supportive and nurturing environment, particularly for children with special education needs. Every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and encouraged at school, and unfortunately, that was not our experience here.