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The Sycamore School in Arlington???
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Anonymous
| Whoever keeps posting needs to learn how to quote prior posts here. The formatting in this thread is awful and makes it hard to follow! |
Anonymous
| ^^RP here, 100% agree with first 24’. This information is a great learning opportunity to reflect and make changes for the betterment of the school. |
Anonymous
| Former employee here & new post - this thread has been shared amongst past staff. I am sure it has also been shared with present staff. I am one of seven staff that left from the 2022-2023 school year, only two of them left last year due to spouse relocation, others left due to the work environment. I think out of all the teachers, four stayed and one quit at the start of this school year I believe. It seems like in past post they are counting counselors as teachers, who teach health every other Friday and two administrators who teach one periodically due to refusal of paying for substitutes. It is a very troubling work environment where administrators bully teachers who disagree with them or request to be compensated appropriately. Administrators give little to no support in classroom and the curriculum is nonexistent. It’s up to teacher discretion, which would be okay if they hired experienced teachers, but they won’t or can’t because the salaries aren’t realistic for the work expected. Plus, I think administrators are aware they’re underselling how many of the kiddos have high needs and behavioral problems, so teachers are accepting of the low ball salaries. The math curriculum is pulled from a website (it’s not good either). The school started in either 2016 or 2017, it has since been a revolving door of teachers. Beyond administration who’s salaries continue to sky rocket each year, one counselor, and the office manager, there has not been once teacher to have worked there beyond 3 school years. Start up or not, that tells you something about management and it doesn’t tell you anything good. As a teacher and hopefully parent one day soon, I would not suggest TSS or send my child there. |
Anonymous
| ^^^ I realize the numbers may not be perfect, I’ve tried to put the toxic experience behind me, but the information is true. |
Anonymous
|
[quote=Anonymous]^^^ I realize the numbers may not be perfect, I’ve tried to put the toxic experience behind me, but the information is true.[/quote]
Since at least four teachers hired this year had multiple years of experience at multiple schools, no they're not. In the social sciences, course maps for this year's courses already existed, but these experienced teachers were given space to adapt and expand them to suit the skills and knowledge that they brought to the school. All of the experience classes worked well. Ask the students. Those facts are correct. |
Anonymous
|
Come August, school will start again at TSS with a few new teachers, a majority of non-seniors returning, and new students who interviewed and shadowed enough to decide that Sycamore's very different structure and curriculum would work best for them. Some will come from school environments they literally hated or were terrorized by, finding out that Sycamore offers a safe space for them to be whatever they want to be with the school's support.
Previous staff and students voting with their feet is inevitable at any school, even healthy in the sense that those who don't feel it's a good fit move on looking for what works for them. Sycamore will never be more than a place that works for the people it works for. Everyone else should find their right niche whether it's a big public or some other small private. The atmosphere will clearly be more positive and calmer after the departures. Returning staff and students voted with their feet too. |
Anonymous
|
I am a current parent and I am saddened to see this thread. I will admit that our experience has been imperfect, the worst part being the departure of beloved teachers, especially when it happens mid-year. I, too, have had many questions about what environment has led teachers to leave like that.
However, overall, my child has had a positive experience. The school is incredibly warm, supportive, and accepting. There are some exceptionally bright kids and dedicated teachers there. If some good comes of this thread, I hope it's that the administration creates a better working environment for teachers. Teachers are the heart and soul of any school, and it's exasperating to watch them leave year after year. But the school also does some things very well and, at least from my personal experience watching my child and friends, teaches certain skills much better than public school and builds students' confidence. |
Anonymous
I am not asking for you to spread or articulate these rumors but I don't understand what you mean... are you saying the administration is spreading rumors about specific kids? Can you give a context here without naming anyone? I am a parent and my child hasn't reported anything so this is really confusing! |
Anonymous
|
2022-2023 past employee here,
I think those two responses are dismissive of some very serious issues. I have also been in close contact with teachers from the 2023-2024 school year. Those experienced teachers were not properly informed about the high needs behavioral problems, are not provided with adequate training, or support from administration. Maybe 1-2 plan to return next year, HOS just hasn’t been informed yet. Also, children who have learning, emotional, and mental health needs don’t just need support and teachers that lean into that, they need resources specific to their needs. Those resources require training. TSS has become a special education school, which IMO is great, those are in need everywhere, but special education schools should have special education teachers with the appropriate certifications.. public or private. Especially to help students with emotional and physically outbursts, which there are many of at TSS this year. That’s been shared by current and past teachers/parents in this thread. I have also witnessed students who I believe still remain at the school have those kinds of outbursts. Again, things like that happen, but they required appropriate special education training and/or mental health training. I only wrote on this tread because I felt inclined to truthfully inform prospective teachers and families. A tour day and shadow day where staff and students are made aware to prepare for, does not clearly reflect the atmosphere of TSS. Like the recent poster said, it may work for some people and not for others, but all should be properly informed. I hope TSS leans into the idea of a special education program, I think they’d be really successful in that aspect and would have an increase in enrollment. They could then use that increase to hire and/or train staff to best meet those needs! |
Anonymous
Speaking as one of the experienced teachers who has never heard of you, whoever you are, or heard you referenced by any of the experienced teachers hired, your assertion doesn't hold up in the classrooms I've seen with those experienced teachers. "Those experienced teachers were not properly informed about the high needs behavioral problems, are not provided with adequate training, or support from administration. " Yes, we were informed in detail about each student before students ever started. Since this is not a special ed school, we didn't get special ed training because we aren't special ed teachers. We deal with students who have challenges that were overlooked or ignored at other schools. I never felt unprepared for that (thanks to experience) and always had an open door with management to get advice and support. All of these blanket declarations come from people who weren't in the building this year and STILL haven't cited a single specific case about anything. Have you ever been in a school the whole year where no student had a verbal or physical outburst? They're teenagers, jeez, that's what they do sometimes. Competent teachers expect that and deal with it correctly. I did hear teachers expressing outrage that they weren't spoken to with perfect respect by students. Again, what do you expect? Why do you work with young people? Try teaching at a military school if your main concern is obedience. And if teachers plan to leave in a job market where almost any teacher can get hired in a flash, why did they all sign contracts for next year? Experienced teachers tell their school they are moving on and get on with it. Seems to be a lot you don't know. |
Anonymous
|
NP here:
As a member of the community at The Sycamore School, it's disheartening to witness a breach of privacy and respect during staff meetings. While these meetings are intended for collaboration and support, it's troubling that the head of school has been releasing personal information about students in a manner that is both hurtful and disrespectful. During these meetings, instead of fostering empathy and understanding, the head of school has been known to make derogatory comments about students' home environments, issues they may be facing, and even their personalities. This behavior is not only unprofessional but also damaging to the well-being of the students involved. For example, there is a student who has faced significant challenges in life. Rather than offering support and encouragement, the head of school has chosen to make fun of and dismiss the child's needs. This type of behavior is not only unacceptable but also goes against the values of compassion and inclusivity that should be upheld within our school community. It's essential that all members of the school community, especially those in positions of authority, treat students with the respect and dignity they deserve. This includes maintaining confidentiality and refraining from making hurtful remarks about students, especially during professional meetings. Moving forward, it's imperative that The Sycamore School takes steps to address these concerns and ensure that all students feel safe, supported, and respected within the school environment. This may involve implementing training programs on confidentiality and sensitivity or establishing clear guidelines for appropriate conduct during staff meetings. As members of the school community, it's our responsibility to speak out against behavior that undermines the well-being of our students. By addressing these concerns openly and constructively, we can work together to create a more positive and inclusive learning environment for all students at The Sycamore School. |
Anonymous
It's confusing because it doesn't seem to have any basis in actual fact that could be reported or verified, like a lot of what we have heard here lately. Just wild assertions tossed out in hopes they will stick. |
Anonymous
"By addressing these concerns openly and constructively, we can work together to create a more positive and inclusive learning environment for all students at The Sycamore School." Same robotic, AI-sounding rhetoric that has been posted here numerous times now. And out of sync with the experience of others. |
Anonymous
|
[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]2022-2023 past employee here,
I think those two responses are dismissive of some very serious issues. I have also been in close contact with teachers from the 2023-2024 school year. Those experienced teachers were not properly informed about the high needs behavioral problems, are not provided with adequate training, or support from administration. Maybe 1-2 plan to return next year, HOS just hasn’t been informed yet. Also, children who have learning, emotional, and mental health needs don’t just need support and teachers that lean into that, they need resources specific to their needs. Those resources require training. TSS has become a special education school, which IMO is great, those are in need everywhere, but special education schools should have special education teachers with the appropriate certifications.. public or private. Especially to help students with emotional and physically outbursts, which there are many of at TSS this year. That’s been shared by current and past teachers/parents in this thread. I have also witnessed students who I believe still remain at the school have those kinds of outbursts. Again, things like that happen, but they required appropriate special education training and/or mental health training. I only wrote on this tread because I felt inclined to truthfully inform prospective teachers and families. A tour day and shadow day where staff and students are made aware to prepare for, does not clearly reflect the atmosphere of TSS. Like the recent poster said, it may work for some people and not for others, but all should be properly informed. I hope TSS leans into the idea of a special education program, I think they’d be really successful in that aspect and would have an increase in enrollment. They could then use that increase to hire and/or train staff to best meet those needs! [/quote] Speaking as one of the experienced teachers who has never heard of you, whoever you are, or heard you referenced by any of the experienced teachers hired, your assertion doesn't hold up in the classrooms I've seen with those experienced teachers. "Those experienced teachers were not properly informed about the high needs behavioral problems, are not provided with adequate training, or support from administration. " Yes, we were informed in detail about each student before students ever started. Since this is not a special ed school, we didn't get special ed training because we aren't special ed teachers. We deal with students who have challenges that were overlooked or ignored at other schools. I never felt unprepared for that (thanks to experience) and always had an open door with management to get advice and support. All of these blanket declarations come from people who weren't in the building this year and STILL haven't cited a single specific case about anything. Have you ever been in a school the whole year where no student had a verbal or physical outburst? They're teenagers, jeez, that's what they do sometimes. Competent teachers expect that and deal with it correctly. I did hear teachers expressing outrage that they weren't spoken to with perfect respect by students. Again, what do you expect? Why do you work with young people? Try teaching at a military school if your main concern is obedience. And if teachers plan to leave in a job market where almost any teacher can get hired in a flash, why did they all sign contracts for next year? Experienced teachers tell their school they are moving on and get on with it. Seems to be a lot you don't know.[/quote] 2022-2023 RP- Dismissive, but I hear you! Totally agree any experienced teacher would in an environment that’s positive, unfortunately in an environment that is not it forces people keep their cards close out of fear of retaliation. Emotionally driven responses. It’s interesting that 3-4 staff that quit this year did it either day of, or with very little notice from my understanding. All of which were very experienced teachers, no? I also think the lack of professionalism and environmental concerns were addressed by all those staff, whether in person w/ the HOS or via email. Right? Was there not also a written document signed by ALL current staff about the changes administration needed to make for treatment of staff and requesting a bonus due to no new staff getting hired to replace the 4 that are gone, right? Because teachers no longer had their prep periods or breaks. Those are facts, you even signed the proposal which tells me there’s a level of issues that you were willing to admit are present. Anyways, I was here to share my 2 cents. All the best to those involved and chose to be a part of the TSS community. I hope it improves for all those involved! |
Anonymous
|
[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]2022-2023 past employee here,
I think those two responses are dismissive of some very serious issues. I have also been in close contact with teachers from the 2023-2024 school year. Those experienced teachers were not properly informed about the high needs behavioral problems, are not provided with adequate training, or support from administration. Maybe 1-2 plan to return next year, HOS just hasn’t been informed yet. Also, children who have learning, emotional, and mental health needs don’t just need support and teachers that lean into that, they need resources specific to their needs. Those resources require training. TSS has become a special education school, which IMO is great, those are in need everywhere, but special education schools should have special education teachers with the appropriate certifications.. public or private. Especially to help students with emotional and physically outbursts, which there are many of at TSS this year. That’s been shared by current and past teachers/parents in this thread. I have also witnessed students who I believe still remain at the school have those kinds of outbursts. Again, things like that happen, but they required appropriate special education training and/or mental health training. I only wrote on this tread because I felt inclined to truthfully inform prospective teachers and families. A tour day and shadow day where staff and students are made aware to prepare for, does not clearly reflect the atmosphere of TSS. Like the recent poster said, it may work for some people and not for others, but all should be properly informed. I hope TSS leans into the idea of a special education program, I think they’d be really successful in that aspect and would have an increase in enrollment. They could then use that increase to hire and/or train staff to best meet those needs! [/quote] Speaking as one of the experienced teachers who has never heard of you, whoever you are, or heard you referenced by any of the experienced teachers hired, your assertion doesn't hold up in the classrooms I've seen with those experienced teachers. "Those experienced teachers were not properly informed about the high needs behavioral problems, are not provided with adequate training, or support from administration. " Yes, we were informed in detail about each student before students ever started. Since this is not a special ed school, we didn't get special ed training because we aren't special ed teachers. We deal with students who have challenges that were overlooked or ignored at other schools. I never felt unprepared for that (thanks to experience) and always had an open door with management to get advice and support. All of these blanket declarations come from people who weren't in the building this year and STILL haven't cited a single specific case about anything. Have you ever been in a school the whole year where no student had a verbal or physical outburst? They're teenagers, jeez, that's what they do sometimes. Competent teachers expect that and deal with it correctly. I did hear teachers expressing outrage that they weren't spoken to with perfect respect by students. Again, what do you expect? Why do you work with young people? Try teaching at a military school if your main concern is obedience. And if teachers plan to leave in a job market where almost any teacher can get hired in a flash, why did they all sign contracts for next year? Experienced teachers tell their school they are moving on and get on with it. Seems to be a lot you don't know.[/quote] 2022-2023 RP- Dismissive, but I hear you! Totally agree any experienced teacher would in an environment that’s positive, unfortunately in an environment that is not it forces people keep their cards close out of fear of retaliation. Emotionally driven responses. It’s interesting that 3-4 staff that quit this year did it either day of, or with very little notice from my understanding. All of which were very experienced teachers, no? I also think the lack of professionalism and environmental concerns were addressed by all those staff, whether in person w/ the HOS or via email. Right? Was there not also a written document signed by ALL current staff about the changes administration needed to make for treatment of staff and requesting a bonus due to no new staff getting hired to replace the 4 that are gone, right? Because teachers no longer had their prep periods or breaks. Those are facts, you even signed the proposal which tells me there’s a level of issues that you were willing to admit are present. Anyways, I was here to share my 2 cents. All the best to those involved and chose to be a part of the TSS community. I hope it improves for all those involved![/quote] The hiring market for experienced teachers starts in March. Most schools want their fall staff on contract by April. Experience teachers planning to leave would have nailed down future jobs by now when the best jobs are filled. They don't need to play anything "close" to anything because they have resumes that would get them hired at a lot of schools. No need to make up fearmongering here. That's how the real process works. No teacher waits until June then scrambles to get something from the leftover jobs. They don't NEED to. The teachers who departed were in the TSS equivalent of PE, low-level English classes, theater, and a fill-in. The math, science, and social sciences core staff is all still there and returning. Management has been very responsive to teacher concerns this semester and initiated a lengthy process of teacher input for changes. If others had stuck around, they would have seen that positive step. Probably why everyone else is coming back. |