The Student-Run Newspaper of Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

The Classic

45° Flushing, NY
The Student-Run Newspaper of Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

The Classic

The Student-Run Newspaper of Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

The Classic

Sources provide accounts of interim acting principal’s behavior

Sources+provide+accounts+of+interim+acting+principal%E2%80%99s+behavior
HTML tutorial

In the recent sit-in that occurred at Townsend Harris High School, Deputy Superintendent Leticia Pineiro asked for evidence to support the claim that Interim Acting Principal Rosemarie Jahoda has harassed members of her staff. The Classic has confirmed evidence of such behavior.

We have obtained irrefutable evidence of a conversation in which the principal speaks in the following manner in response to a suggestion from a colleague that she be more present in the school’s halls: “Standing in the hallway is not gonna make a difference… I’m not [Former Principal] Anthony [Barbetta] and I’m not standing in the f*****g hallway. I’m not gonna do what Anthony did… I’m not gonna stand and hold the door open.”

In reference to this statement, Ms. Jahoda responded, “Let me explain something to you: I don’t talk like that. I don’t speak to people in that manner.”

Other sources, however, confirmed that “such language is not unusual.” Another said, that this type of discussion is “characteristic of their interactions,” explaining that the dismissive tone has led to a negative culture in the school, where ideas are disregarded and individuals feel harassed for expressing themselves.

In a wide range of conversations, we have heard specific examples of people in the building being spoken to in a manner that has been described as “rude and condescending.”

One source described interactions with the principal that were similarly dismissive and inappropriate as above and left the source in tears following the meeting. We confirmed that multiple individuals witnessed this source’s emotional response to the interaction.

Of the aforementioned example, Principal Jahoda stated, “I don’t recall that.”

Beyond the source that provided the evidence of the quotation about standing in the hallway, our sources were unwilling to consent to us providing specific quotations of their interactions with Principal Jahoda due to fear of retribution, but we can confirm that other such evidence exists. One person we spoke to said, “We believe she [Ms. Jahoda] would retaliate personally against us. I fear retaliation.”

Another person, when asked if they refrained from allowing us to provide specific quotations on the record due to fear of retribution said, “100%” and added, “I have heard clear indication [from the principal] that if you cross [her] path, you’ll get it. I’ve heard from many people about fear of retaliation.”

View Comments (3)
Donate to The Classic
$1275
$1500
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of The Classic. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment, support our extracurricular events, celebrate our staff, print the paper periodically, and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to The Classic
$1275
$1500
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (3)

All SNO Design Snapshots Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • J

    J.A.Dec 14, 2016 at 9:37 am

    Alum Parent Class of 2011.
    This is down right shameful. I have contacted NY1.

    Reply
  • B

    Barbetta FTWDec 13, 2016 at 10:34 am

    OOOH DAMN, you kids at Townsend Harris wish you still had Mr Barbetta.

    Reply
  • P

    Parent of 2010-2014Dec 10, 2016 at 9:47 am

    I learned the following from The Classic:
    We have obtained irrefutable evidence of a conversation in which the principal speaks in the following manner in response to a suggestion from a colleague that she be more present in the school’s halls: “Standing in the hallway is not gonna make a difference… I’m not [Former Principal] Anthony [Barbetta] and I’m not standing in the f*****g hallway. I’m not gonna do what Anthony did… I’m not gonna stand and hold the door open.”
    ——————————————————————
    不管在校內還是高中博覽會,我最常跟其他家長交流的體會之一就是,我們一進THHS就有一種親切溫暖的感覺,特別是前两任校長,不管是開放日还是家长会日,我们总能看到他们在学校的大厅过道微笑着和家长们打招呼,和家长们交谈的身影。这个学校的学生老师保安对人都很有礼貌很友好,这是一个让人有家的感觉的学校。
    现在这个无礼不懂得尊重人的校长,怎么可能被这个大家庭欢迎?我想她可能比较适合到监狱而不是在学校当领导。
    One of the most common experiences I have shared with other parents, whether at school or at the high school fair, is that we have a warm and warm feeling when we enter THHS. No matter it is the Open House or the Parent-Teacher’s Meeting Day, we always saw the two former principals, in the hall way, smiling, greeting and talking to parents. The students, teachers, staffs, and security people are very polite and friendly.This is a school where makes us feel like home.
    What Principal Jahoda did seems not being welcome by this family. I think she may be more right fit to be a leader in a prison not in a school.

    Reply