ABOUT ME
Meet Yusra
WHERE I COME FROM
My name is Yusra Subhani and I've been a lifelong resident of Teaneck. I've fully experienced each level of Teaneck's public school system and have consistently been an active participant in its community.
During my time at Teaneck High School. I was elected president of the Asian Student Union, and seeked to address the lack of Asian representation within our schools. I took the opportunity to revitalize the club, and helped carry out two successful Asian cultural shows. I was also captain of the Fencing Team, the success of which I attribute to countless hours of practice, 6 am buses, and bake sales - all of which I was more than happy to be a part of. As a senior, I was also a participant in the Beyond Diversity Committee lead by Mary Joyce Laqui. It was a perfect opportunity for me to collaborate with others and offer my voice to the community.
Despite my involvement in the school community, there were many times I felt as though I had no say in my education. I became acutely aware of the disadvantages my peers and I faced, and recognized the need for change. It’s necessary to enhance the experience of upcoming grades and better their futures. Although I’m a relatively new Board participant, I firmly believe in the value of my ability to voice the concerns of students and am looking forward to the opportunity to do so.
MISSION STATEMENT
A Voice For The Students
Financial Barriers to Education
Upfront payments for AP tests are too expensive. Struggling families sometimes have to pay $400 upfront to get a chance on taking the test.
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Safety in Our Schools
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Fire alarms cannot be heard in some classrooms, risking the possibility of students being left in a building with fire. Police officers' presence in schools bolsters fear in school and of the school to prison pipeline, which is not conducive to a constructive learning environment.
Racism
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Euro-centric curriculum with little to no diversity. Weak or non-existent culture-sensitive communications to immigrants making it harder for those with special needs to address issues with the culture gap.
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Performance
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Students who don’t perform well are left behind with limited options for students to explore different skills. Restricting their opportunities leads to a lack of motivation and makes it more difficult for the student to catch up.
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Nutrition
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School lunch is not satisfying and nutritionally beneficial for students, resulting in inequities where some students are able to order lunch from local restaurants and others are left without a choice.
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Student Experience
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The block schedule classes need to be re-evaluated.