The Sycamore School in Arlington???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“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.“

The second root of the school is, social and emotional development with the first approach being regular mindfulness practice. I sure hope the Movement and Mindfulness class is not the equivalent to PE. Also, what are low-level English classes? What is a fill in? That’s great the other core staff are staying, but I’m confused on these statements.

If there are “fill ins” which there aren’t because TSS offers full contracts to teacher then why haven’t they hired a “fill in” for the teachers that left?

And let’s not belittle children’s intelligence in the process when trying to prove a point.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]“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.“

The second root of the school is, social and emotional development with the first approach being regular mindfulness practice. I sure hope the Movement and Mindfulness class is not the equivalent to PE. Also, what are low-level English classes? What is a fill in? That’s great the other core staff are staying, but I’m confused on these statements. [/quote]

The school is currently hiring for a Middle-school Literacy teacher, hence the term lower when "lower grades" might have been more accurate.

The fill-in was hired to cover maternity leaves by others that ended.

Social and emotional learning is supported and assessed in all TSS classes. M&M is one slice of the full school day.[/quote]

Oh okay, thanks for clarifying!

[Anonymous]

I'm posting for the very first time on this forum. I'm a current TSS parent and my student is absolutely thriving there. We just attended student-led conferences and my kid was amazingly honest and detailed. We were impressed.

My kid is wired a bit differently. Sycamore has been a saving grace for our family. I'm very sorry to hear about some unhappy teachers. I would hope that you take your grievances directly to the person you feel can help you. Anonymously bad-mouthing a niche school could only hurt my kid and others like them.

Please think before you post and ask yourself if vitriol is a positive path forward.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]I'm posting for the very first time on this forum. I'm a current TSS parent and my student is absolutely thriving there. We just attended student-led conferences and my kid was amazingly honest and detailed. We were impressed.

My kid is wired a bit differently. Sycamore has been a saving grace for our family. I'm very sorry to hear about some unhappy teachers. I would hope that you take your grievances directly to the person you feel can help you. Anonymously bad-mouthing a niche school could only hurt my kid and others like them.

Please think before you post and ask yourself if vitriol is a positive path forward.[/quote]

RP-
That is wonderful that your child is thriving! Truthfully it is. But there aren’t just past employees posting, there are current employees, as well as, past and current families sharing their experiences. It’s not bad mouthing to in any sense, especially when it’s the truth. I have read through all the posts, many people share similarities of negative experiences, and a handful have shared positives. All valid. There is a lot of proof to support what’s been said, it doesn’t need to be acknowledged or agreed upon, but it’s there. Instead of calling it vitriol, ask yourself why there are so many negatives geared towards the treatment of others by the HOS. I think this an opportunity to reflect and see what can be done. Like others have mentioned, this school has a great mission, I hope board members, current teachers, and administrators come together to fix these issues for the success of the school and students.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure it helps the school to keep this thread going but I do want to chime in as a current parent to say that my child has been very happy at Sycamore. I don't deny what the teachers are saying and we have hated all the turnover. I hope that the situation improves for them because they have been consistently GREAT, not only at educating but at connecting and supporting, and it is really hard to watch them leave. I like the school's mission and love the warmth, but in my opinion the teachers have been the best part. I would think that it would be the school's number one priority to retain them. As far as I know, Sycamore is a unique school in the area and has done well for a lot of students. This year has the first "large" graduating senior class and from what I have heard they have done really well with college admissions. Again, so much of the success is due to the teachers so for the sake of current and future students, I hope the school makes every effort to hold onto them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not sure it helps the school to keep this thread going but I do want to chime in as a current parent to say that my child has been very happy at Sycamore. I don't deny what the teachers are saying and we have hated all the turnover. I hope that the situation improves for them because they have been consistently GREAT, not only at educating but at connecting and supporting, and it is really hard to watch them leave. I like the school's mission and love the warmth, but in my opinion the teachers have been the best part. I would think that it would be the school's number one priority to retain them. As far as I know, Sycamore is a unique school in the area and has done well for a lot of students. This year has the first "large" graduating senior class and from what I have heard they have done really well with college admissions. Again, so much of the success is due to the teachers so for the sake of current and future students, I hope the school makes every effort to hold onto them.

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