Charter Schools Exec ‘Delighted’ at Mayor’s Change of Tone

By KIRAN SURY

Charter school advocate Eva Moskowitz expressed mild optimism at a pep rally in Washington Heights Tuesday in response to Mayor De Blasio’s softened opposition to the semi-private school movement.

“I’m delighted to see a change in tone and rhetoric,” said Moskowitz, former city councilwoman who is the founder and CEO of the Success Academy charter schools. “We can’t have mayors acting on a whim.”

Over 2,000 charter school students packed the field and bleachers of the track inside the Ft. Washington Avenue Armory, expressing a frenzy of academic anticipation for the state math and English exams next week. The children performed elaborate dance routines and chanted educationally-themed versions of popular songs such as Katy Perry’s “Roar.”

“They’re locked in all day every day studying,” said athletic coach Jason Cole. “To actually have some release time would be helpful.”

The concert-like atmosphere was punctuated by supportive statements from Success Academy officials, who have held the “Slam the Exam” pep rally annually for the past five years.

“You have a pep rally for a football game,” said communications director Ann Powell. “You have a pep rally for academic achievement.”

De Blasio has received flak for denying public school space to charter schools as former mayor Bloomberg had done. On Sunday he acknowledged making some mistakes, and said he would work on finding a building for the displaced students.