The P.S. 70 chess team didn’t make it to Texas because our principal, Ms.Kerry Castellano, refused to let Mr. Alejandro take his championship chess team to Texas this weekend.
In the end, the parents and the students picked principle over their principal. They backed their chess coach all the way.
Parents of 10 of 13 members of the renowned P.S. 70 Bronx chess team have decided to forgo this weekend’s grade national championships in Houston, Texas because the school’s principal is barring their coach.
This Wednesday, at an early-morning protest in front of the school, parents said the decision to keep their children home was a heartbreaker, but that the long time coach Jonathan Alejandro merited their support.
“We only want to go if Mr. Alejandro goes,” said 9-year-old Emely Herasme.
Today, the students that refused to go to Texas without their chess coach had a big celebration in our chess room to honor their decision to support their coach. They ate pizza, ice cream, cookies and drinks while they watched the movie”Knights of the South Bronx” which was based on our school’s chess program..
We had a ball this afternoon in the Bronx. Our spirits are in Houston, Texas.
Make no mistake that we are united together. We picked principle over the principal. We are very proud of our decision.
Knights of the South Bronx
Politics and chess should not mix.
By posting this, are you not implicitly supporting the ‘chess side’ – when you have no idea what is going on in the back office?
It may be that the Principal has decided that the children are getting too obsessive about chess, and that this is to the detriment of their scholastic work.
But I thought I read somewhere that the chess coach is in some sort of process with the school, preventing him going.
I wonder what the chess coach wanted: did he want them to go or to protest on his behalf? I would be suspicious of his motives if it was the latter.
No offense to the coach who may be a great coach and a great guy but I think the parents and kids made a mistake. The principal may have a valid reason for not letting the coach go and the kids are missing out on a great experience.
Principal is wrong. Parents are right. End of story. Go coach!
Great to see parents and kids supporting the coach.
Mr. Alejandro is so dedicated to the kids of PS 70. It’s a shame that the Principal would try to destroy the best thing about that school.
I am extremely impressed with the young people who have decided to take an ethical stand. I don’t think I would have had the character that they are demonstrating had I been in their situation.
If the majority of the kids and the parents are willing to take this step, they must strongly believe that the coach is being railroaded.
I hope that this case gets more media scrutiny–not to blindly vilify one side or the other but to demand fairness and transparency for the actions of all the people involved.
I believe that in at least one article that the coach is under some sort of investigation and presumably that is why he wasn’t allowed to go.
Good and fine.
To the Principal, if he is not guilty you have just sealed your own fate. You know what he has that you don’t? He has the support and belief of these parents that have such wonderful kids that are willing to stand together as a chess team, as parents and kids and as supporters of a coach whom it seems you are attacking. You had better pray and be sure that he is guilty because if not, you will have made the worst enemies in the world that a school principal can have – angry parents that will demand your professional scalp with more resources, voice and votes that will make your position untenable.
To the parents and children. You have shown true character and firmness in your decision. I sincerely hope that it is not misplaced and that you will show that your support is based on your faith and conviction of character of the coach. Should you prevail in this messy affair, understand that unless the root cause is fixed, you may have to deal with this again next time. Solve it once and for all. You have chosen your move in life and may it be the best and strongest move.
Here is the initial report of this matter posted on youtube: Bronx Kids Scrooged Over
It is refreshing to see that kind stand on principle by young people and parents. More impressive than a first place win in national tournament! I’m sure Rosa Parks is smiling.
Michigan Chess Dad
I think it is unfortunate that a coach would allow his students to be put in the middle of his own battle. Instead of putting his students first, he decided to let 10 out of 13 students miss out on their event. I find it sad that people are so quick to blame the principal and not even consider why the coach is being investigated in the first place. I guess it would be wrong to assume that the principal was just doing her job?
I have it on GREAT authority that the Principal of P.S. 70 has a personal grudge against the chess coach of the school. My best friend is an employee there and he assured me that the principal flat out has admitted from HER OWN MOUTH that she just does NOT like the chess coach because of his position as a union representative. He has a responsibility to stand up for the other unionized teachers and their rights as employees, so that management (THE PRINCIPAL) doesn’t get TOO out of hand with the teachers. It’s just REALLY unfortunate that she has the last say as to whether or not the chess coach (which SEEMS to be doing a good job) gets to accompany his very talented chess players on the trip. He isn’t being investigated for anything. She just has to come up with a so called “VALID” reason for not allowing him to accompany them, which she cited “security” reasons. I feel she should be fired for allowing HER personal feelings get in the way of the students best interest, which she OBVIOUSLY has NO regard for. Some principal. I’m elated to know that the students stand behind the chess coach. They realize the BIGGER picture. It REALLY does matter that they don’t sell their coach out.