 In addition to regular day-long planning the staff and students attended evening meetings with the community to justify the program, bolster support and try to gain approval; some members of the nearby community were not welcoming.The meetings were video taped; though no tapes have yet surfaced.Approval from the New York City Board of Education was granted during a NYC School Board public meeting where students, staff and parents all spoke in favor of the school (some dissenting voices were also heard).