Call to discuss the state of Hardy 05/15/23

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is NOT the principal’s fault. New flash—-edibles, fights, weed, Tik Tok and Instagram are in an every school— even Hardy. Privilege does not protect your kids. Parent them!! This is definitely hysteria. The pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone, students have been particularly affected. Many have experienced loss, isolation, and disruptions to their education. It is showing in every single school. Stop scapegoating this man and let’s try to help him. All my interactions with him has been positive. He is trying. And yes— I think race is a factor. People are shook that Hardy has a Black principal. I was around for other Hardy principals—they were okay.

What? Deal has a black principal. JR has a black principal. MacArthur will have a black principal. The Chancellor is black. The Mayor is black.

You really think the reason people are upset about the Hardy principal is because he's... black? They are "shook" that he specifically is black because most similarly situated people in DCPS are... also black?

Not everything is about race.

Go back and read the first thread ever about mcarthurs principal

I hate to shatter your worldview, but some of the biggest public proponents of Principal McCray are also the biggest public opponents of Principal Johnson. McCray will know personally at least three of the six speakers on Monday night.

What is happening on Monday night?

Last Monday.

[Anonymous]

Principal Johnson is a nice guy. His heart is in the right place. I don’t doubt his commitment. But he has yet to demonstrate to me that he has the skills necessary to effectively manage the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is NOT the principal’s fault. New flash—-edibles, fights, weed, Tik Tok and Instagram are in an every school— even Hardy. Privilege does not protect your kids. Parent them!! This is definitely hysteria. The pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone, students have been particularly affected. Many have experienced loss, isolation, and disruptions to their education. It is showing in every single school. Stop scapegoating this man and let’s try to help him. All my interactions with him has been positive. He is trying. And yes— I think race is a factor. People are shook that Hardy has a Black principal. I was around for other Hardy principals—they were okay.

What? Deal has a black principal. JR has a black principal. MacArthur will have a black principal. The Chancellor is black. The Mayor is black.

You really think the reason people are upset about the Hardy principal is because he's... black? They are "shook" that he specifically is black because most similarly situated people in DCPS are... also black?

Not everything is about race.

This is about his incompetence, dishonesty, lack of skills, and failure to perform his job and communicate truthfully with the school community. The "weapon search" saga from a couple of months ago is a perfect example. First he communicated something that left everyone confused and concerned. Parent leaders went to him to say "could you please provide a more clear explanation?" He wrote a very carefully worded second message that used the phrase "school grounds" several times to try and infer that everything happened outside. When parents went to the police for an explanation, turns out there were locker searches. The guy is not honest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is NOT the principal’s fault. New flash—-edibles, fights, weed, Tik Tok and Instagram are in an every school— even Hardy. Privilege does not protect your kids. Parent them!! This is definitely hysteria. The pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone, students have been particularly affected. Many have experienced loss, isolation, and disruptions to their education. It is showing in every single school. Stop scapegoating this man and let’s try to help him. All my interactions with him has been positive. He is trying. And yes— I think race is a factor. People are shook that Hardy has a Black principal. I was around for other Hardy principals—they were okay.

Rarely have I seen a better example of deflection of responsibility.

“All MS are dangerous! It’s the parents’ job to protect kids, not the school!”
“The pandemic was disruptive! Not at all the fault of the schools for closing!”
“The school’s failures aren’t the principal’s fault! It’s just that you’re racist!

You forgot "He's trying", as if effort in the face of persistent failure should be good enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Principal Johnson is a nice guy. His heart is in the right place. I don’t doubt his commitment. But he has yet to demonstrate to me that he has the skills necessary to effectively manage the school.

+1

That’s what I’ve heard from teachers there. He came in with no coherent plan for student behavior and it just got worse as the year went on.

[Anonymous]

Johnson got fired

[Anonymous]

Fired or quit?

Either way, massive props to the parent organizers for moving a mountain here. I would not have thought that this could be done in DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fired or quit?

Either way, massive props to the parent organizers for moving a mountain here. I would not have thought that this could be done in DCPS.

Reassigned, I think. I believe he is still an employee of DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Who is the interim principal?

—Rising sixth grader Hardy parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who is the interim principal?

—Rising sixth grader Hardy parent.

"After working with DCPS leadership to identify an interim school leader, I am pleased to announce that DCPS Secondary Schools Principal in Residence, Mr. Brandon Eatman, will lead Hardy Middle School for the remainder of School Year 2022-2023.

Mr. Eatman most recently served as Interim Principal of Roosevelt High School at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. He was also an Assistant Principal and Interim Principal at Phelps A.C.E. High School during School Year 2021-2022. He is a 28-year veteran of DC Public Schools, having served as a kindergarten teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal in the Capitol Hill Cluster. He was also the founding principal of Capitol Hill Montessori where he led for seven years. Additionally, Mr. Eatman gained valuable secondary experience while working as an Assistant Principal at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. "

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who is the interim principal?

—Rising sixth grader Hardy parent.

"After working with DCPS leadership to identify an interim school leader, I am pleased to announce that DCPS Secondary Schools Principal in Residence, Mr. Brandon Eatman, will lead Hardy Middle School for the remainder of School Year 2022-2023.

Mr. Eatman most recently served as Interim Principal of Roosevelt High School at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. He was also an Assistant Principal and Interim Principal at Phelps A.C.E. High School during School Year 2021-2022. He is a 28-year veteran of DC Public Schools, having served as a kindergarten teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal in the Capitol Hill Cluster. He was also the founding principal of Capitol Hill Montessori where he led for seven years. Additionally, Mr. Eatman gained valuable secondary experience while working as an Assistant Principal at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. "

Saw his LinkedIn. Very impressive. DCPS really has some gems, it’s a shame more gems aren’t given their due shine unless it’s out of desperation. Good luck, Hardy.

[Anonymous]

What about the budget though? Will there be any improvements next year?

[Anonymous]

I want to know if the THIRD (?!) assistant principal that Johnson hired ( before having enough teachers) is still coming to Hardy. Hardy does NOT need a principal PLUS three APs. Not when we don't have enough teachers plus we're losing 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want to know if the THIRD (?!) assistant principal that Johnson hired ( before having enough teachers) is still coming to Hardy. Hardy does NOT need a principal PLUS three APs. Not when we don't have enough teachers plus we're losing 10.

Deal has 3 APs as well. I think all MS do; one for each grade level. I also know elementary schools have 2 APs; one for the lower grades and the other for the upper grades.

I do see you point though; one APs salary may can bring on 2 teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who is the interim principal?

—Rising sixth grader Hardy parent.

"After working with DCPS leadership to identify an interim school leader, I am pleased to announce that DCPS Secondary Schools Principal in Residence, Mr. Brandon Eatman, will lead Hardy Middle School for the remainder of School Year 2022-2023.

Mr. Eatman most recently served as Interim Principal of Roosevelt High School at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. He was also an Assistant Principal and Interim Principal at Phelps A.C.E. High School during School Year 2021-2022. He is a 28-year veteran of DC Public Schools, having served as a kindergarten teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal in the Capitol Hill Cluster. He was also the founding principal of Capitol Hill Montessori where he led for seven years. Additionally, Mr. Eatman gained valuable secondary experience while working as an Assistant Principal at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. "

Dude has been in DCPS for 28 years and he's never had a permanent Principal assignment?