Westbrook ES or Somerset ES

[Anonymous]

I wonder if Ms. Seebachan ever received any apologies from Westbrook. Have any attempts been made to remedy the situation? I would expect the community to come out and publicly denounce such whisper campaigns. Was everybody hiding? Wow!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somerset is not overcrowded. Has a brand new school facility and no portables and no future need for portables.

You might want to pay attention to what is going on, it is at capacity now and will be over capacity next year-Yes portable will be there soon

You are ridiculous. Somerset just built out four new classrooms -- space that was planned for this purpose at the time of its design for when the need arose. One of the classrooms is not even being used, waiting for enrollment increases. While these four classrooms were being built out there was no need for portables to house any students so even with increasing enrollment, there won't be need in the future.

Somerset's enrollment has increased by one class per grade level each year for the last three years. If that trend continues in the next academic year, and if there's only one empty classroom, that classroom will be filled and the school will be at capacity. MCPS has a bad track record for predicting future enrollment in conjunction with elementary school renovation projects. Look at Bethesda Elementary -- portrables were necessary within only a few years of its expansion as well.

[Anonymous]

The primary objective for such PTA tactics at Westbrook was not just to retaliate but also to help the principal. In the end this led to his downfall.

[Anonymous]

Could someone provide a quick snapshot of the Westbrook PTA issues that have been referred to? Thanks

[Anonymous]

I'd choose Somerset because I like being close to Metro. Both schools are fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could someone provide a quick snapshot of the Westbrook PTA issues that have been referred to? Thanks

I don't think it's about the nature of the issues. The issues are the same as everywhere else. It is about the way they were handled and the retaliation that many families faced from the principal via the PTA. The idea was to pit parent against parent and to spread rumors that those parents had some underlying agenda.

My family greatly admires Gina Seebachan. She is so business savvy and is just a great person. My children adore her. It makes me sick that a group of parents in this great community could be so cavalier about destroying other families. An apology and retraction are overdue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sister is moving to the area from another state. She has to decide between Westbrook Elementary or Somerset Elementary in Bethesda. Any suggestions?

Regarding that Washington Post link about the cancellation of Westbrook's field trips -- I found that cancellation unfounded. I've visited Playseum w/ my kids and their classes and at birthday parties. Gina (the owner) has always been friendly and never (to my hearing) evangelical about her religion. In fact, religion never came up. Sounded like a witch hunt really. I can't understand why the old Westbrook ES principal would listen to a 'few' parents about the Playseum owner - I don't see anyone stopping to use the US dollar since it's got "In God We Trust" written all over it. Would they stop using it if I verbalized the words? Just sounds so uncivilized to try to destroy someone's business based on hearsay. Sounded very personal.

I doubt the principal heard from any parents on the issue of Playseum. In fact I have heard rumors that the lies about the business could have been posted anonymously by one of the PTA presidents from a few years back. The principal at the time was not very good. Many parents, including Gina were critical of him. Gina is a highly respected member of our community and what was posted anonymously about her may have been an effort to discredit her. The old PTA and principal engaged in witch hunts before often name calling and threatening those parents who demanded accountability. There were a few other whisper campaigns that were initiated by the PTA during those years.

What surprises me most is that the Executive Editor of the Washington Post is a parent at Westbrook ES. He is well aware of a very peculiar environment that persisted in that school under the old principal. Why would he let this crap be printed?

But as somebody else said here, everything is back to normal now.

The Exec Editor of the WP does not care. He has been keeping a very low profile. In fact, nobody knew he was a parent there until somebody posted a request on the listserv for a tour of the Wash post offices to raise money for the school. It was clear that the request was to a specific person. That's how we all found out.

Gina should receive an apology. Everyone at Westbrook knows it was a witch hunt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could someone provide a quick snapshot of the Westbrook PTA issues that have been referred to? Thanks

I don't think it's about the nature of the issues. The issues are the same as everywhere else. It is about the way they were handled and the retaliation that many families faced from the principal via the PTA. The idea was to pit parent against parent and to spread rumors that those parents had some underlying agenda.

.

Not exactly. Not every principal spins a web of lies.

[Anonymous]

would love to hear a quick summary. some of us are new to this and don't have a clue about what you all mean. help us out!

[Anonymous]

As someone who was once bullied I find the situation at Westbrook extremenly disturbing. I believe there is a reason why our children become bullies and this is it. I am sure the kids there are aware of all the name calling and witch hunts among the parents. The PTA consists of parents. Its mission is to advocate on behalf of the children.

Isn't there a governing body to be held accountable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:would love to hear a quick summary. some of us are new to this and don't have a clue about what you all mean. help us out!

Ditto--these comments literally don't make any sense without an explanation.

[Anonymous]

Look at Bethesda Elementary -- portrables were necessary within only a few years of its expansion as well.

Actually, when it first opened after being rebuilt and expanded, it opened with portables. Yes, their predictions were that wrong.

[Anonymous]

It's really very simple. The driving force behind it was an incompetent principal and PTA with mixed up priorities. The principal just did not seem able to tell the truth and nothing was ever done. The PTA knew but stood behind him. All those that challenged the status quo became targets. A small group of PTA activists began to call names, threaten parents and even intimidate their children, all in the name of representing the principal and PTA. Their motivation was to create a hostile environment for some parents and destroy their reputation.

Gina Seebachan represented all of us when she expressed her dissatisfaction with the principal. When we learned about the false statements about her business, everybody assumed it was the PTA from a few years ago because they did it to a few other parents too. Gina is known as an incredible professional and nobody believes that she would engage in any of the activities described in the anon posts.

The change finally came from within the PTA ranks with the new leadership when it became apparent that the level of discontent among the parents was steadily growing. Things were finally getting done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:would love to hear a quick summary. some of us are new to this and don't have a clue about what you all mean. help us out!

Ditto--these comments literally don't make any sense without an explanation.

NP who agrees. What is up with all the cryptic Westbrook posts (all from one poster?)? Spell it out, already!