A day after Mayor de Blasio took action that could close their charter school, students at the top-performing Harlem Success Academy Middle School demonstrated why the mayor made a mistake.
The students celebrated at a previously scheduled “winter festival” aimed at showing off their achievements.
The cafeteria was filled with artwork including sculptures, collages and self-portraits. Students also took part in dance and musical performances.
Sixth-grader Bryce Walker created a sketchbook called “normal is boring.”
“It’s basically just creative drawings that came to my mind. It’s good because all the kids got to show what they learned during the semester,” the 10-year-old said.
Walker’s mom, Tanya Smith said the city’s decision to yank space from the charter put a damper on the event.
“You don’t want to get the kids down, but you can’t help thinking about the mayor wanting to close the school. We’re upset because we’re all wondering where our kids will go next year,” she said.