Some parents of students at P.S. 169 believe the school's new principal could be putting their children's futures at risk.
More than a dozen parents gathered outside the school Wednesday to speak about changes they say have been implemented by principal Jaela Kim, including shortening the lunch period and moving up the school start time.
Parents say they didn't receive any notification of the changes other than a sign posted to the school's front door.
They say Kim's written notices are sent out in English and Cantonese, but not in Spanish, even though 50 percent of the student body is Latino. They believe this sort of exclusivity is creating a racial divide within the school.
Parents say an official meeting was held earlier this week between administrators and parents, but at a time when none of them could actually attend. They are confident that communication can improve and hope another meeting will be held in which all parents and administrators can address concerns.
A Department of Education spokesperson told News 12 that they are working to ensure that parents are welcomed as partners in every school and that the superintendent is in constant contact with the principal. They add that the department is closely monitoring the situation to provide ongoing support.