June 14, 2013

Dear Juan Mndez, Superintendent, Queens High Schools

Cc: Cyndi Kerr, Network Leader, Children First Network 106,
Claire Sylvan, Director, Internationals Network for Public Schools,
James Vasquez, UFT District Representative, Queens High Schools
We, the faculty at Pan American International High School, Elmhurst, are concerned about the impending
departure of a large number of our staff. We feel that the increased turnover will have a tremendous impact on
the learning community that we have struggled to build over the last six years, and we feel obligated to
communicate this potentially negative impact on our students.
We feel that this turnover is due to the worsening professional climate at our school.
Initially, our principal, Ms. Zanca, impressed everyone with her commitment to our student population and her
willingness to work hard to improve the school. However, over the past few months there has been an
increasing pattern of behavior from Ms. Zanca that has worsened the learning environment for our students
and made it difficult to create the collegial, trusting environment that we need to be able to effectively turn
around the school.
Overall, we have heard reports that there is an abusive environment and culture of fear in the school. Teachers
say that they are often punished, humiliated or belittled in front of their colleagues when a simple conversation
would have sufficed. The principal has expressed in a number of conversations with teachers that she
welcomes a high turnover and that she is not concerned about developing a positive working environment.
First of all, there have been a number of arbitrary and financially unnecessary cuts to programs crucial for our
students and childrens development of English. Our program that supports for SIFE students was eliminated
without warning midyear, which means there is no program to support any struggling learners if they do not
have an IEP. The successful theater program was reduced to four hours of rehearsal time per week,
insufficient to support our emerging bilingual students or produce a spring show. Our art teacher was suddenly
let go because of poor financial planning.
Secondly, the rushed midyear reprogramming of students resulted in much higher class sizes. Last term there
were only eleven classes that were larger than 25 students, and none with more than 28 students. This
semester, as of this writing, 23 classes have more than 25 students, nine of which have 28 or more students.
This has made it more difficult for teachers to serve the needs of the children.
Finally, there has been a general difficulty with communication in the school. Clear information about the
school calendar and upcoming meetings is not provided. Emails often go unreturned. Lesson plans submitted
for review are given no feedback. Teachers being reviewed for tenure have not been sufficiently observed or
given sufficient support.
We would like to request your assistance in having a conversation in our community, including with the parent
body, where these concerns of the staff can be heard. We have been and continue to be open to discussions
with Ms. Zanca about trying to work together to find a proactive and productive solution for everyone,
especially for our students in whom all of us have a deeply vested interest.
We know that PAIHS has a long road ahead of it, and we are committed to seeing the school succeed.
However, we cannot do so if we are unable to build a trusting and collegial community.
Very truly yours,
The faculty of Pan American International High School, Elmhurst