Students Petition The Principal

By COLlive reporter

Faculty members of Associated Beth Rivkah Schools, the flagship Lubavitch girls’ school based in Crown Heights, are still confused as to how a standard school procedure turned into a media sensation.

“This was an internal school issue,” Mrs. Sheindel Tiechtel, the outspoken Hebrew Studies Principal, says about reports that the school fined students for using Facebook.

Having just returned from a family affair in Germany, she said the blogger and the media reports that followed have “the whole story distorted.”

“No one ever called me for a comment or just to hear the facts. All they had is a quote from an ‘anonymous administrator,’ who I have no doubt does not exist, because they would at least have set the facts straight.”

Tiechtel told COLlive.com on Thursday, after major newspapers and TV stations have reported the story, that the school’s policy of students not using Facebook was introduced 2 years ago.

“Back then, we contacted the parents, the girls signed on their admission forms that they would not use Facebook, and no on complained,” the educator said.

What caused the ruckus now were complaints by a few parents who contacted the school, voicing concern about their high school daughters’ use of the social network.

“Internet with direction can be a useful tool,” says Mrs. Tiechtel, “but on Facebook there is a lack of privacy, and there’s often cyber bullying adding to the social peer pressure. It’s not healthy socially and safety-wise.”

The school staff did a basic search and ended up with a list of over 100 girls who had accounts with their names. “When we reminded them about the school policy, most accepted it,” Tiechtel said.

Unlike it was reported, a fine was not given. “We asked for a $100 deposit, which will be given back at the end of the year, so they don’t reactivate the account, the same way they give a deposit for the school furniture.”

Rabbi Benzion Stock, the school’s administrator, said that ever since the distorted story broke, the school has been getting many phone calls and emails.

“People, both Jews and non-Jews, are calling to say how they support the school’s decision,” he told COLlive.com.

One of the callers, a Manhattan attorney, pointed out how “there is nothing educational about Facebook. And it’s time a school shows it has standards.”

And in light of the school being put on the spot, a group of students have joined to sign an online petition supporting the educational policies of Beth Rivkah.

Addressed to Mrs. Tiechtel, it states: “We would like you to know that whether or not we are happy about the policy, we stand behind you and your decision and behind our school one hundred percent.”

Close to 200 students of the eleventh and twelfth grades have signed it. “Thank you for putting your heart and soul into taking care of us, our well-being, and our futures,” they wrote.

Mrs. Tiechtel remains certain about their decision. “We are doing the right thing,” she says.