SELA teacher exodus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I laughed.

Me too.

[Anonymous]

Is the Head of School returning?

[Anonymous]

I believe so.

[Anonymous]

Is that good or bad?

[Anonymous]

The head of school seemed fabulous when I met her. She seemed energetic, intelligent, and whip smart. We put Sela on our list after meeting her. We ended up getting into our top choice so we didn't go there, but I would have felt confident sending dc there.

I know she has a business background, not one in education. Perhaps this explains why some teachers are angry and leaving (per dcum). Either way I'm sure she'll figure something out.

[Anonymous]

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Since I don't see anyone addressing these questions so far (I didn't ask them but am re-asking now):

1. Has anyone contacted PCSB with concerns and questions? To make sure they're aware of the rumors being discussed here and making sure there is a back up plan for students if the school doesn't open in the fall?

2. Has anyone told parents at Sela, given them a heads up so they can also start asking questions?

3. Assuming current parents have contact info for some teachers, has anyone contacted other teachers to find out what they know or are willing to share?

I never understood why the founders expected the school to be sustainable in DC, but now that it looks like things are actually falling apart, I definitely feel for the students, their families, and the teachers. I hope when the dust settles, everyone has found a good place to learn or teach.

[Anonymous]

+1

[Anonymous]

I would like to know the answers to these questions as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since I don't see anyone addressing these questions so far (I didn't ask them but am re-asking now):

1. Has anyone contacted PCSB with concerns and questions? To make sure they're aware of the rumors being discussed here and making sure there is a back up plan for students if the school doesn't open in the fall?

2. Has anyone told parents at Sela, given them a heads up so they can also start asking questions?

3. Assuming current parents have contact info for some teachers, has anyone contacted other teachers to find out what they know or are willing to share?

I never understood why the founders expected the school to be sustainable in DC, but now that it looks like things are actually falling apart, I definitely feel for the students, their families, and the teachers. I hope when the dust settles, everyone has found a good place to learn or teach.

Well said. It's a terrible position for parents and students to be in- particularly the lack of transparency and communication.

I never thought this was a sustainable model and was surprised they got a charter. If they do fall apart now, at least it's happening relatively early, affecting fewer families than if it were more established.

[Anonymous]

The problem is (among many) is that there has been zero communication. We had Sela on our list for prek 3, accepted, and don't have great WL numbers anywhere else. If they are closing it is late in the game for us and where do we go, what do we do? It's too late for private and daycares have WL. We have no answers for any of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is (among many) is that there has been zero communication. We had Sela on our list for prek 3, accepted, and don't have great WL numbers anywhere else. If they are closing it is late in the game for us and where do we go, what do we do? It's too late for private and daycares have WL. We have no answers for any of it.

They probably aren't closing. If they were the DME would be involved and it would be publicized.

If what has been said on this thread is true they are probably frantically recruiting for new teachers.

PP - are you kids in daycare now? Can they stay put as a plan b?

[Anonymous]

The school was 'allowed' to add a PreK3 to spur enrollment. Clearly the PCSB is aware of their enrollment woes. Don't think it will close. The website says they belong to a national network of Hebrew immersion schools. Hopefully, they are receiving support from that network regarding student recruitment and teacher retention.
Why and when did the Director of Curriculum leave? Wasn't that the Principal?

[Anonymous]

I doubt they'll actually close this year too. But even a connection to a "national network of Hebrew immersion schools" cannot invent or create an interested, committed student body from thin air. I seriously wonder what kind of market research (formal or informal) the founders did. There was no reason to think this idea would "take" in DC, and the constant turnover of FAMILIES, and now STAFF should have told the founders that the seed is not growing.

In the 2 years Sela has been open, I've known several families who have attended for some period of time (6 or 7 families). None of them stayed when they had the chance to go somewhere else. That is a huge deal, since they spoke of that being the dynamic among the majority of families.

If a national network is going to keep channeling money to what is obviously a sinking ship, that's their business. I just don't understand what they think the benefit is, and who is it exactly that benefits?

[Anonymous]

I heard they don't have naps for PK3-4. Is that true? Did anyone ask during any open houses?