Maret's dismal Performing Arts Department Leadership

[Anonymous]

Longtime reader, second time poster here. Alum, with niece at Maret and family members also graduates. Go frogs!

What the heck is going on with Maret's Performing Arts Department? I thought the shamefully small chorus numbers were one thing. But apparently that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Last spring the department chair was demoted, according to an alumni friend who is very close to the board. Were any parents or students informed, no. Was a new chair hired, no. Were the major issues of the department dealt with, apparently not. I just heard that the assistant head is the department chair, zero performing arts experience.

The band director. The only band director for 300+ kids, just left. I think I'd leave too. Zero support. My sister said her kids got an email from the band director this morning, and the parents didn't get contacted or informed until dismissal. I'm sorry, what? Maret will have a great time finding someone to teach 300+ students in the middle of September, those are always the best teachers.

Faculty must be pissed. Parents can't be happy.

Maret used to be a community. Then they started focusing on the wrong stuff. Now look at it. Mark my words, five years from now, that place will be a shell of it's former self. Get it together folks, bring back Maret.

But go on, keep building bridges.

[Anonymous]

The school is turning into a sports factory.

also, covid did a number on a lot of kids where activities in general, including performing arts, is concerned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school is turning into a sports factory.

also, covid did a number on a lot of kids where activities in general, including performing arts, is concerned.

This. They seem to be focusing on sports for better or worse

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school is turning into a sports factory.

also, covid did a number on a lot of kids where activities in general, including performing arts, is concerned.

Really? My child’s grade doesn’t have that many athletes….

As for band- what a huge, huge loss. She was amazing.

Former department chair? Not so much- don’t think anyone has noticed that he’s no longer in charge- and no one takes chorus anyway, same with drama. Pretty lackluster.

Visual arts is still amazing!

[Anonymous]

Oh no! The band director is amazing and that's a huge loss. I hope she's ok (re PPs post on health issues).

[Anonymous]

Maret has finally croaked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school is turning into a sports factory.

also, covid did a number on a lot of kids where activities in general, including performing arts, is concerned.

Really? My child’s grade doesn’t have that many athletes….

As for band- what a huge, huge loss. She was amazing.

Former department chair? Not so much- don’t think anyone has noticed that he’s no longer in charge- and no one takes chorus anyway, same with drama. Pretty lackluster.

Visual arts is still amazing!

Wishing the band director well. She seems to have had major health challenges for years now, and is taking time to focus on those.

Its not right to post someone's personal stuff here.

[Anonymous]

I’m a Maret parent and the band teacher left for personal reasons, certainly not due to any lack of support. She wrote an incredible email to her current students and parents earlier today. A larger mass email to the rest of the school community went out later in the day. She will be truly missed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school is turning into a sports factory.

also, covid did a number on a lot of kids where activities in general, including performing arts, is concerned.

Really? My child’s grade doesn’t have that many athletes….

As for band- what a huge, huge loss. She was amazing.

Former department chair? Not so much- don’t think anyone has noticed that he’s no longer in charge- and no one takes chorus anyway, same with drama. Pretty lackluster.

Visual arts is still amazing!

Wishing the band director well. She seems to have had major health challenges for years now, and is taking time to focus on those.

Its not right to post someone's personal stuff here.

It’s not right to say she left on bad terms with the school. This thread’s timing is very tasteful. Specially given the information that went out today.

[Anonymous]

You are a very involved aunt!

[Anonymous]

As far as I know, she made the decision today and sent the email out to students, including my kid. The school then sent an email out to us later in the day. I imagine it was tough for everyone and it sounded like she was hoping to return and then realized she couldn't. Sad situation for all.

[Anonymous]

OP, just curious, does your sister or brother know that you keep posting (you’ve posted before) on a public forum disparaging their child’s school?

[Anonymous]

The band teacher left for personal reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, just curious, does your sister or brother know that you keep posting (you’ve posted before) on a public forum disparaging their child’s school?

Just guessing, maybe the aunt pays their tuition. Not uncommon for rich people to help their poorer relations in the form of private school tuition or college tuition for their kids. Education a better investment in the long run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a Maret parent and the band teacher left for personal reasons, certainly not due to any lack of support. She wrote an incredible email to her current students and parents earlier today. A larger mass email to the rest of the school community went out later in the day. She will be truly missed.

By lack of support do you mean that she was one person teaching that many kids while the former department chair never got a second band person to take done of her teaching load? She was amazing. She did after school clubs twice a week, the band sounded fantastic, never better. Support would have been more people in the band department, especially if she had health issues.