Rockville JCC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there such a thing as “anti- preschool people”, that is just a weird thing to even write.

you must be new here.

[Anonymous]

As a newer parent in the JCC preschool, I have kept quiet until now. I couldn’t believe what I saw the other day when I looked at the facebook group for our preschool families. The director hijacked the page, and posted a multiple paragraph posting which included calling out one parent by name, and insulting other parents. At the end she blamed parents in the school who are speaking up against her poor leadership for ruining the community. Shocking that a post like this was not grounds for firing her. Things seem to be running off the rails. If you are looking for a Jewish preschool, there are at least 5 in a couple mile radius of the JCC. I recommend looking at them. We are.

Here is an excerpt from the Director's facebook post to the families:

XXXX (preschool parent’s name) met with me for an hour and a half yesterday. If she had questions or concerns about this, she should have raised them with me directly. Since I started here, there have been parents that have not demonstrated the values that we hope to teach our students—respect, flexibility, questioning, perspective taking, and problem solving. In the fall when we responded directly to a teacher concern and request to try a change specifically so they could better meet their team and students’ needs, I had parents, before we even had a chance to see what was, or wasn’t, going to work, write some of the nastiest emails I’ve ever received. Emails that question not only my credentials, but my intelligence and called me all manner of childish names. I had a father, who towers over me, get in my face, and SCREAM and threaten me. This is unacceptable behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a newer parent in the JCC preschool, I have kept quiet until now. I couldn’t believe what I saw the other day when I looked at the facebook group for our preschool families. The director hijacked the page, and posted a multiple paragraph posting which included calling out one parent by name, and insulting other parents. At the end she blamed parents in the school who are speaking up against her poor leadership for ruining the community. Shocking that a post like this was not grounds for firing her. Things seem to be running off the rails. If you are looking for a Jewish preschool, there are at least 5 in a couple mile radius of the JCC. I recommend looking at them. We are.

Here is an excerpt from the Director's facebook post to the families:

XXXX (preschool parent’s name) met with me for an hour and a half yesterday. If she had questions or concerns about this, she should have raised them with me directly. Since I started here, there have been parents that have not demonstrated the values that we hope to teach our students—respect, flexibility, questioning, perspective taking, and problem solving. In the fall when we responded directly to a teacher concern and request to try a change specifically so they could better meet their team and students’ needs, I had parents, before we even had a chance to see what was, or wasn’t, going to work, write some of the nastiest emails I’ve ever received. Emails that question not only my credentials, but my intelligence and called me all manner of childish names. I had a father, who towers over me, get in my face, and SCREAM and threaten me. This is unacceptable behavior.

This was posted for all parents to see!?!?!?

[Anonymous]

Isn’t the director a RABBI?

[Anonymous]

This director obviously does not have the skills to run the school. What a shame for the families and staff.

[Anonymous]

This thread is unbelievable. There is a SMALL subset of parents and teachers who are very upset that the Curriculum Director was fired. Many other parents and teachers in the community really felt like that Curriculum Director catered to that subset, and weren't really affected by her departure, other than to acknowledge that she was a very loved teacher (when she was a teacher) and it's always sad to see someone like that go. She didn't make much of an effort to reach out to the parents outside of who she already knew once promoted, which should have been part of what she did in the first few months of that position. The communication right before break was jarring to people who knew and loved her (understandably), but from an outside perspective it was a clean break as things were clearly not working out for the few months she was in the position. I think it's important to assume positive intent. No new director in their right mind wants to come in and make enemies with parents and teachers. I have met with the new director about personal concerns with my children and she responded thoughtfully and timely. I called the preschool on a Friday afternoon and was in her office within two hours. She's very compassionate and I think it would be beneficial for everyone to assume positive intent and give her a chance. I have two kids in the preschool and they are happy and healthy. The building and resources are unmatched from most of the other preschools my husband and I visited, because the children have access to the JCC facilities and classes (swimming pool during summer, dance/karate/science classes, etc.). There is some turnover, which affected my daughter's class greatly last year, but I think people need to keep in mind that it's hard to find teachers (especially leads) after the start of the school year. Teaching preschool is a very hard job and if you aren't looking to make a career out of (early) childhood education, many people burn out and leave. I find that kids at this age are so resilient even if it takes some of them a few weeks to get used to changes, which shouldn't be a problem with the support of the existing teachers and supportive parents. Let's stop the witch hunt and move on.

[Anonymous]

I have a child at the JCC. She is happy, safe and thriving. We experienced teacher turn over last year but was lucky to have a good set of teachers for the second half of the year. Again, this year we having absolutely amazing teachers and most importantly my child LOVES going to school. I would still recommend the JCC to any parent who asks. Change is hard. If the changes are not best for your child (not you as the parent) then find another school. There are many great options in the area.

I see so many comments here about how that in previous years there was this sense of community and the previous administration was amazing, etc. I seem to remember having a similar forum last year for parents to "raise concerns" and complain about communication and other issues with the previous director. It even got to the point where there were secret face book groups off of the main ECPC group. Apparently not every parent was happy last year either. Many teachers left at the end of the school year--can't really blame the new director for that.

People are upset about the termination of the curriculum director who was a long time teacher. Have you been privy to anything else that happened internally? Perhaps it was not a good fit. Perhaps she wasn't doing the job. Perhaps she was a better teacher than curriculum director. People keep talking about how the teacher do not feel supported. Although I haven't talked to every teacher (I highly doubt any of you did) the teachers I spoke to do NOT feel that way.

It's like a witch hunt against the new director. I have had nothing but good experiences in all of my interactions with the new director. I expressed a concern and we promptly met to discuss it, it was addressed (or at least an explanation of why was provided). I've seen her in my child's classroom on multiple occasions and her interactions with the children were warm and welcoming. I have heard from multiple families who were at the previous school she was a director at say wonderful things. Many parents haven't even given her a real chance. Maybe someone should copy and paste the FB wall with all of the attacks against her. That's a great way to build community right? Frankly, if I was her I wouldn't want to be apart of the community that involves many of these parents either. If we go to another school, it'd be because of that, not the care my child is receiving!

[Anonymous]

Witch hunt?! We are really using that Trump-like language to describe this situation?

How can you say that a group of parents who are genuinely concerned about the quality of a school that, for better or worse, we are committed to at least through the end of the year, are just out to get the director? This is not just about the new director -- this is about the greater systemic issues at the JCC!! The preschool is just being used as the cash cow of the place. As long as the school is full enough, no one cares what actually happens beyond those doors!

And before I get responses of "Just leave if you are not happy"... Many of us will leave at the end of the year and have already been in touch with local Jewish preschools but for now, we're stuck.

My son is definitely feeling the repercussions of the chaos at the JCC. His teachers seem stressed. One of them who has always been incredibly sweet and loving is not filled with the same enthusiasm that we used to see earlier in the year.

[Anonymous]

This is really ridiculous. It seems like the people on here are looking for minor reasons to complain. Many of you were not happy last year and begged for a change and now with the change, you are looking for another reason to complain. I currently have a child at the JCC preschool and I would not even think twice about sending my second to the JCC. It is a no brainer, of course I will.

For those of you complaining about a director making changes, I ask you have you ever ran a company or worked in a corporate environment? From what I am reading it seems like that is not the case. A person can be a great individual contributor for many years but strategies and an organization's vision changes. You also state that prior to being a curriculum director she was a teacher and a great teacher. Someone can be a great individual contributor but when it comes to leading, it is not the right fit for them. I never am happy that someone gets let go but if it is the right move for the school then I am fine with them moving on. That being said have any of you stopped for one second and thought about the teachers that are there and every day are showing up working their a$$ off every day to make sure your children have a good experience and thrive? Next time you post on a site like this I want you to take one second and think about how this makes you look. I understand forums like this are typically used for people to gripe and it's not common for someone to say things positive so I want to take one second and say thank you to all the teachers and the administration. You have a tough job. Not only do you work all day at the school but then you get to go home and log on to a site like this and here these entitled people go off on you. That is just not right!! At this point, I don't even know if my post will show up as Anonymous and I just don't care.

To Sarah and the teachers, I say thank you keep up the good work!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Here is an excerpt from the Director's facebook post to the families:

XXXX (preschool parent’s name) met with me for an hour and a half yesterday. If she had questions or concerns about this, she should have raised them with me directly. Since I started here, there have been parents that have not demonstrated the values that we hope to teach our students—respect, flexibility, questioning, perspective taking, and problem solving. In the fall when we responded directly to a teacher concern and request to try a change specifically so they could better meet their team and students’ needs, I had parents, before we even had a chance to see what was, or wasn’t, going to work, write some of the nastiest emails I’ve ever received. Emails that question not only my credentials, but my intelligence and called me all manner of childish names. I had a father, who towers over me, get in my face, and SCREAM and threaten me. This is unacceptable behavior.

Opinions, opinions...but let the Director's own words speak for themselves...this should tell you everything you need to know...totally unprofessional!

[Anonymous]

I really love how people on here keep posting a quote from a Facebook page which shows how Sarah was mature and positive in her response. You are getting upset because she stood up for herself and didn’t take negative criticism sitting down. Good for her. I ask you this: would you want your child to be verbally abused and take it sitting down or would you want them to stand up for themselves? I hope it’s the latter of the two.

I find it funny that people who are trying to state a negative keep showing a positive aspect of our director.

All of you speaking about a community and saying you are leaving, no offense- I wave with a smile on my face goodbye and I am happy I won’t have to deal with this again from you next year. Since if you chose to stay you would find something else to complain about.

[Anonymous]

All I know is my good friend has a child there and is upset by her experience with her classroom teacher. She said she will not send her second child there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All I know is my good friend has a child there and is upset by her experience with her classroom teacher. She said she will not send her second child there.

I’m glad that you’re posting on behalf of your good friend. Seems to happen a lot. If you are part of the parent community, feel free to post. If not, tell your lazy friend that this is anonymous and he/she can respond themselves.

[SharonR217]

For anyone looking to send their child to the JCC, please do not be deterred by some of the hysterical parents who posted earlier. I can assure you, they do not represent the majority of the families sending their children to the preschool at this time! My family has been part of the Rockville JCC since January 2018 and we have made great friends, we have been pleased with the program and have loved the teachers in our child's classes, and most importantly at pick up every day our child is smiling and truly loves the JCC.

Personally, I loved the previous director. I was sad to see her go. But when the new director started working there I made a point to stop by her office with my child. We chatted and she told me a little bit about her background and her children, and I thought she seemed really personable. Now, several months later I can confidently describe her as an excellent leader who cares deeply about every child at the JCC preschool and building a strong community among staff and families. I have seen her in classrooms and events, interacting with children and families. I was proud of her for sticking up for herself on the facebook page. The disrespect she faced through nasty emails and screaming parents was appalling because she does not deserve it. The new director communicates well and keeps families informed of relevant updates and events, she responds promptly to emails and calls, she is proactive at listening to concerns and providing solutions, and she cares about building a respectful, vibrant community. The previous director was in her role for ten years, the new one has been here for only six months. Parents should be giving her a chance, and reaching out to get to know her.

Some parents are angry on behalf of the curriculum director who was fired. Those parents and a few teachers did not feel she should have been fired, but there are also a number of parents and teachers who did not feel she was handling her new role well. She was better off as a teacher. I do not see a point in debating how qualified or unqualified this person was. There is a school full of teachers there now we should focus on supporting instead! Other than one teacher, all of the other teachers I have spoken with or heard about are happy at the JCC and are not worried about termination. These parents have not articulated actual reasons why they are concerned. And these parents should think twice before believing rumors and instead focus on the happy kids they are picking up from school.

For anyone considering the Rockville JCC preschool, I am happy to provide a reference and I look forward to welcoming you to our community!

[Anonymous]

How is the situation in 2022?