Hello Maspeth High School.
It brings me great honor to stand up here today to introduce this event. Before we get started with the fashion show I wanted to spend just a few moments discussing why we’re here today.
As you all know, this week is Respect for All week. This week exists to raise awareness in our school community about the harmful impacts of bullying and discrimination while highlighting importance of embracing one another.
As the leader of the Restorative Justice Team, Respect for All is the epitome of everything we stand for.
Restorative Justice or RJ is a practice based in Native American or indigenous culture that has been adopted across New York City Public Schools. Predominantly these practices seek to repair harm in a community through means that are not solely putative but restorative.
Here at Maspeth High School our Restorative Justice Team’s primary focus is to establish a strong community that embraces and celebrates one another. For that reason we put together school day based events that all students participate in to learn more about the amazing diversity that makes up our community.
We call these events “Argo Days”!
I’d like to give a huge shoutout to all the members of our RJ Team.
First and foremost I'd like to thank our student members Nay-Htut Aung, Nathaniel-Sean Perry, and Fortune Rai.
Our teacher members: Ms. Caparelli, Ms. Gao, Mr. Grunert, Mr. Lacoff and Mr. Powell.
Without their hard work, events like this one, our monthly student listening circles, monthly classroom RJ circles, and future Argo Day events would not be possible.
I’d also like to thank Principal Alicanoglu. Her support of Restorative Justice practices in our community is unwavering. Thank you!
Today’s Argo Day is “The Fashion Show”. During this event we hope to highlight fashion from the cultures and communities that make up Maspeth High School. Over the last several weeks our team has worked with over 75 students to put together this show.
It takes tremendous courage to get up on this stage and walk in front of all of you. We ask that you all demonstrate kindness and support for your peers through the show. Feel free to cheer them on, but please remain seated throughout the show!
I’d now like to turn the microphone over to our MCs for today. 10th grader Roamy and 12th grader Tiffany.
Stefan Singh
Assistant Principal
Restorative Justice,