What’s going on at Travilah ES?

[Anonymous]

Someone posted on the thread that things are not good for staff and teachers at Travilah ES. I thought that Travilah is a high sought after ES?

[Anonymous]

Travilah is a well sought out school. Unfortunately, there have been underlying racial issues with some staff and parents which has tainted the school and created false narratives of the principal being “angry”, “aggressive” and “hostile”. Non-white students, staff, and parents (I am a parent myself that has experienced this) have been mistreated and disregarded by some of those “beloved” teachers and front office staff that are no longer there. Unfortunately, there has been retaliation of the principal for bringing these issues to light to camouflage the racial issues that have been haunting the school for years. I’ve had several children attend Travilah and have never seen such a witch-hunt by some of the staff and a few parents. Despite amazing gains with student achievement (top 6% of schools and 5 star rating), increasing test scores (all of which have continued to occur within the last five years) there continues to be a few that want to create lies and false narratives to mask what is really going on. Don’t be fooled. Many of the families are tired of it and ready to speak out about the racism that goes on there towards staff of color and students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone posted on the thread that things are not good for staff and teachers at Travilah ES. I thought that Travilah is a high sought after ES?

On which thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone posted on the thread that things are not good for staff and teachers at Travilah ES. I thought that Travilah is a high sought after ES?

On which thread?

I believe it was the one about the board firing McKnight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travilah is a well sought out school. Unfortunately, there have been underlying racial issues with some staff and parents which has tainted the school and created false narratives of the principal being “angry”, “aggressive” and “hostile”. Non-white students, staff, and parents (I am a parent myself that has experienced this) have been mistreated and disregarded by some of those “beloved” teachers and front office staff that are no longer there. Unfortunately, there has been retaliation of the principal for bringing these issues to light to camouflage the racial issues that have been haunting the school for years. I’ve had several children attend Travilah and have never seen such a witch-hunt by some of the staff and a few parents. Despite amazing gains with student achievement (top 6% of schools and 5 star rating), increasing test scores (all of which have continued to occur within the last five years) there continues to be a few that want to create lies and false narratives to mask what is really going on. Don’t be fooled. Many of the families are tired of it and ready to speak out about the racism that goes on there towards staff of color and students.

"there have been underlying racial issues with some staff and parents" Can you be more specific?

Isn't it interesting that since Trump people have been more bold about going after leaders of color? Bullying from the highest office made this trend more prevelant and acceptable to some. Shameful!

[Anonymous]

Yeesh. Somebody playing janitor for this forum can't seem to take nuanced, middle-of-the-road posts, suggesting we shouldn't allow demographic impunity but should afford allowances where just.

Those got taken down. Somehow, the past post was deemed less problematic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travilah is a well sought out school. Unfortunately, there have been underlying racial issues with some staff and parents which has tainted the school and created false narratives of the principal being “angry”, “aggressive” and “hostile”. Non-white students, staff, and parents (I am a parent myself that has experienced this) have been mistreated and disregarded by some of those “beloved” teachers and front office staff that are no longer there. Unfortunately, there has been retaliation of the principal for bringing these issues to light to camouflage the racial issues that have been haunting the school for years. I’ve had several children attend Travilah and have never seen such a witch-hunt by some of the staff and a few parents. Despite amazing gains with student achievement (top 6% of schools and 5 star rating), increasing test scores (all of which have continued to occur within the last five years) there continues to be a few that want to create lies and false narratives to mask what is really going on. Don’t be fooled. Many of the families are tired of it and ready to speak out about the racism that goes on there towards staff of color and students.

"there have been underlying racial issues with some staff and parents" Can you be more specific?

Isn't it interesting that since Trump people have been more bold about going after leaders of color? Bullying from the highest office made this trend more prevelant and acceptable to some. Shameful!

Oh how we pine for the days of President Obama when everyone loved a Black leader.
And the days of universal admiration for Mayor Marion Barry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Travilah is a well sought out school. Unfortunately, there have been underlying racial issues with some staff and parents which has tainted the school and created false narratives of the principal being “angry”, “aggressive” and “hostile”. Non-white students, staff, and parents (I am a parent myself that has experienced this) have been mistreated and disregarded by some of those “beloved” teachers and front office staff that are no longer there. Unfortunately, there has been retaliation of the principal for bringing these issues to light to camouflage the racial issues that have been haunting the school for years. I’ve had several children attend Travilah and have never seen such a witch-hunt by some of the staff and a few parents. Despite amazing gains with student achievement (top 6% of schools and 5 star rating), increasing test scores (all of which have continued to occur within the last five years) there continues to be a few that want to create lies and false narratives to mask what is really going on. Don’t be fooled. Many of the families are tired of it and ready to speak out about the racism that goes on there towards staff of color and students.

Wow this could not be more false. While e have had a great experience at Travilah, reducing the problems the staff has with the principal to just her race is reductive and dismissive of the staff’s lived experiences. The staff who most complained about this principal were Muslim, middle eastern, other black staff members, and Latino. Why are you ignoring the reality? Yes there were some white teachers and staff who complained but the overall makeup is as stated abide. Your post focuses on test scores and numbers when Travilah was always a whole community that focuses on atmosphere, culture and vibe not just numbers. I think that’s why so many staff has left, this principal retaliated against them for using their union rights and fighting for more equity for themselves. There’s more to racial issues than black and white!!! There are many race issues at travilah and many races and cultures represented. You are an outright liar if you’re coming on here to say you, the principal and other families were discriminated against for your skin color. I’ll bet you your kid has other behavioral issues and you haven’t liked being held accountable for it!!!

[Anonymous]

This thread was definitely NOT started by an insane person with an axe to grind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread was definitely NOT started by an insane person with an axe to grind.

Wait why is this insane? To think that is not to understand Travilah, the school and the area. The school’s reputation is phenomenal, the teachers and staff fantastic, and the community is an amazing place to live. The parents (from All Races and cultures) get along well and are close knit. Why is it insane that we care about this topic?

[Anonymous]

What is the current, unvarnished situation at Travilah?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the current, unvarnished situation at Travilah?

I think the first one who replied did a good job explaining. The dismissive poster is probably from the majority demographic and unable to see through someone else’s view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread was definitely NOT started by an insane person with an axe to grind.

Wait why is this insane? To think that is not to understand Travilah, the school and the area. The school’s reputation is phenomenal, the teachers and staff fantastic, and the community is an amazing place to live. The parents (from All Races and cultures) get along well and are close knit. Why is it insane that we care about this topic?

I said the person is insane. As in the person who originally made a comment in the other thread, and then made this thread pretending to ask about it, and then answered themselves, and is continuing to write more comments in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the current, unvarnished situation at Travilah?

I think the first one who replied did a good job explaining. The dismissive poster is probably from the majority demographic and unable to see through someone else’s view.

I don’t agree. You are dismissive as well and only want to see one perspective. The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle. The Muslim and staff of color who complained about the principal also deserve to have their voices heard. Travilah lost experienced female teachers of color due to this tension and other teachers of color reprimanded and SANCTIONED. This is NOT OK. You shouldn’t dismiss these concerns simply because they are made against a principal of color!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the current, unvarnished situation at Travilah?

Most unhappy staff have left and some degree of normalcy seems to have been achieved. Front office ladies quitting in December after decades was a shock but also a testament to the staff unhappiness. PTA had to fight to rally a farewell celebration for the departing staff. Another parent who knows a lot about the school said she heard the staff has to walk on eggshells 24/7 around tightly wound principal and the assistant principal seems to be do a lot. Keeping staff happy in this age is PART OF THE PRINCIPAL’S job and it’s not just about testing and online scores and equity! This is not just a school it’s a community.