Navy Elementary - Principal Resignation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the PTO newsletter:

The PTO will host Dr. Douglas Tyson (click here for his bio), Assistant Superintendent for Region 1 on Thursday, October 24th from 7:00-8:00PM. This event will be a hybrid meeting in the library and on Zoom.

Dr. Tyson will answer questions about FCPS support for our school. Please use this link to submit a question by 8:00 PM Monday, October 21st. Similar questions will be consolidated and the majority of the meeting will be devoted to the pre-submitted questions with limited time for follow-on live questions.

This email also stated it is a townhall.

Definition of townhall: an event at which a politician or public official answers questions from members of the public.

They are answering questions - just ones that were pre submitted.

Carefully scripted.....answering nothing. It's the FCPS way.

[Anonymous]

Anybody go to the meeting and find out answers? Did Simms-smith get relocated to Gatehouse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents need to demand that only an experienced principal be hired for Navy. Fort Hunt ES went through the same thing last year. Principal was fired after 7 mos (never should have been hired) and then there was a string of interim admin. Now there’s an experienced principal there cleaning things up.

ok....you go demand. You will be lucky if anyone applies for a Navy position. You all have quite the reputation.

Unless a principal shakes down the county for a bonus or a stipend to go move over there (which I fully support, they should do this) there is very minimal benefit to leaving a current situation that they have a grip on, to a new one, with angry families and teachers that they are unfamiliar with. Principals are on a scale just like teachers are. I would demand some serious cash or a nice deal before I touched the navy admin gig.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anybody go to the meeting and find out answers? Did Simms-smith get relocated to Gatehouse?

You could have clicked the link on the zoom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those wondering why the principal resigned, let’s clear things up. He wasn’t driven out by parents; he was forced out by the county after numerous complaints from both parents and staff about his incompetence. If anyone still believes he was a good principal, it’s probably because your child hasn’t had any issues that required you to contact the admin. Those of us who’ve had to deal with him firsthand know just how ineffective and dishonest he was.




Last year, when concerns were raised about his leadership, many of you defended him. Now, with the mass exodus of teachers and your kids feeling the effects, you’re seeing what some tried to warned about. The teachers left because they weren’t supported and were treated poorly.

And let’s not forget how some of you attacked “the sub” for passing around the letter about the principal. She was trying to shine a light on what was really going on, and she was right. Thank you, SUB, for having the courage to speak up when others stayed quiet.

Now, Navy’s stuck with a revolving door of unqualified replacements and no principal in sight. This is what happens when someone unfit for the job is allowed to run the school. Maybe if more people had listened last year, Navy wouldn’t be in this mess.

Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call. Our kids deserve better.

Excuse me, how about if the original principal didn’t drive drunk into a house and flee the scene, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Please put blame where it really belongs.

Shall we go tar and feather him?

Seriously though, get Coch back from rehab and get him into Navy. I’m saying it in all seriousness. He was actually amazing. He was so responsive. Two kids in Navy. One graduated (thank god) and LOVED navy. We never had a complaint. But this year with my child in first, they have hired such incompetent new teachers (across the board.) Navy has gone downhill and it’s so sad because so many moved here for the school. I may end up putting my child in private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those wondering why the principal resigned, let’s clear things up. He wasn’t driven out by parents; he was forced out by the county after numerous complaints from both parents and staff about his incompetence. If anyone still believes he was a good principal, it’s probably because your child hasn’t had any issues that required you to contact the admin. Those of us who’ve had to deal with him firsthand know just how ineffective and dishonest he was.




Last year, when concerns were raised about his leadership, many of you defended him. Now, with the mass exodus of teachers and your kids feeling the effects, you’re seeing what some tried to warned about. The teachers left because they weren’t supported and were treated poorly.

And let’s not forget how some of you attacked “the sub” for passing around the letter about the principal. She was trying to shine a light on what was really going on, and she was right. Thank you, SUB, for having the courage to speak up when others stayed quiet.

Now, Navy’s stuck with a revolving door of unqualified replacements and no principal in sight. This is what happens when someone unfit for the job is allowed to run the school. Maybe if more people had listened last year, Navy wouldn’t be in this mess.

Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call. Our kids deserve better.

Excuse me, how about if the original principal didn’t drive drunk into a house and flee the scene, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Please put blame where it really belongs.

Shall we go tar and feather him?

Seriously though, get Coch back from rehab and get him into Navy. I’m saying it in all seriousness. He was actually amazing. He was so responsive. Two kids in Navy. One graduated (thank god) and LOVED navy. We never had a complaint. But this year with my child in first, they have hired such incompetent new teachers (across the board.) Navy has gone downhill and it’s so sad because so many moved here for the school. I may end up putting my child in private school.

It’s not happening, sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those wondering why the principal resigned, let’s clear things up. He wasn’t driven out by parents; he was forced out by the county after numerous complaints from both parents and staff about his incompetence. If anyone still believes he was a good principal, it’s probably because your child hasn’t had any issues that required you to contact the admin. Those of us who’ve had to deal with him firsthand know just how ineffective and dishonest he was.




Last year, when concerns were raised about his leadership, many of you defended him. Now, with the mass exodus of teachers and your kids feeling the effects, you’re seeing what some tried to warned about. The teachers left because they weren’t supported and were treated poorly.

And let’s not forget how some of you attacked “the sub” for passing around the letter about the principal. She was trying to shine a light on what was really going on, and she was right. Thank you, SUB, for having the courage to speak up when others stayed quiet.

Now, Navy’s stuck with a revolving door of unqualified replacements and no principal in sight. This is what happens when someone unfit for the job is allowed to run the school. Maybe if more people had listened last year, Navy wouldn’t be in this mess.

Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call. Our kids deserve better.

Excuse me, how about if the original principal didn’t drive drunk into a house and flee the scene, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Please put blame where it really belongs.

Shall we go tar and feather him?

Seriously though, get Coch back from rehab and get him into Navy. I’m saying it in all seriousness. He was actually amazing. He was so responsive. Two kids in Navy. One graduated (thank god) and LOVED navy. We never had a complaint. But this year with my child in first, they have hired such incompetent new teachers (across the board.) Navy has gone downhill and it’s so sad because so many moved here for the school. I may end up putting my child in private school.

You're unhinged. First off, how do you know the status of his rehab and second, you're lucky you have a teacher. Send him/her to 6th if you are unhappy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those wondering why the principal resigned, let’s clear things up. He wasn’t driven out by parents; he was forced out by the county after numerous complaints from both parents and staff about his incompetence. If anyone still believes he was a good principal, it’s probably because your child hasn’t had any issues that required you to contact the admin. Those of us who’ve had to deal with him firsthand know just how ineffective and dishonest he was.




Last year, when concerns were raised about his leadership, many of you defended him. Now, with the mass exodus of teachers and your kids feeling the effects, you’re seeing what some tried to warned about. The teachers left because they weren’t supported and were treated poorly.

And let’s not forget how some of you attacked “the sub” for passing around the letter about the principal. She was trying to shine a light on what was really going on, and she was right. Thank you, SUB, for having the courage to speak up when others stayed quiet.

Now, Navy’s stuck with a revolving door of unqualified replacements and no principal in sight. This is what happens when someone unfit for the job is allowed to run the school. Maybe if more people had listened last year, Navy wouldn’t be in this mess.

Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call. Our kids deserve better.

Excuse me, how about if the original principal didn’t drive drunk into a house and flee the scene, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Please put blame where it really belongs.

Shall we go tar and feather him?

Seriously though, get Coch back from rehab and get him into Navy. I’m saying it in all seriousness. He was actually amazing. He was so responsive. Two kids in Navy. One graduated (thank god) and LOVED navy. We never had a complaint. But this year with my child in first, they have hired such incompetent new teachers (across the board.) Navy has gone downhill and it’s so sad because so many moved here for the school. I may end up putting my child in private school.

I could not disagree with this more. My DC has one of these new teachers and we absolutely LOVE them. So please stop with the sweeping generalizations. Also, Coch is not coming back. Ever. Dr. Reid could not have made that any clearer at that initial meeting. Move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those wondering why the principal resigned, let’s clear things up. He wasn’t driven out by parents; he was forced out by the county after numerous complaints from both parents and staff about his incompetence. If anyone still believes he was a good principal, it’s probably because your child hasn’t had any issues that required you to contact the admin. Those of us who’ve had to deal with him firsthand know just how ineffective and dishonest he was.




Last year, when concerns were raised about his leadership, many of you defended him. Now, with the mass exodus of teachers and your kids feeling the effects, you’re seeing what some tried to warned about. The teachers left because they weren’t supported and were treated poorly.

And let’s not forget how some of you attacked “the sub” for passing around the letter about the principal. She was trying to shine a light on what was really going on, and she was right. Thank you, SUB, for having the courage to speak up when others stayed quiet.

Now, Navy’s stuck with a revolving door of unqualified replacements and no principal in sight. This is what happens when someone unfit for the job is allowed to run the school. Maybe if more people had listened last year, Navy wouldn’t be in this mess.

Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call. Our kids deserve better.

Excuse me, how about if the original principal didn’t drive drunk into a house and flee the scene, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Please put blame where it really belongs.

Shall we go tar and feather him?

Seriously though, get Coch back from rehab and get him into Navy. I’m saying it in all seriousness. He was actually amazing. He was so responsive. Two kids in Navy. One graduated (thank god) and LOVED navy. We never had a complaint. But this year with my child in first, they have hired such incompetent new teachers (across the board.) Navy has gone downhill and it’s so sad because so many moved here for the school. I may end up putting my child in private school.

I could not disagree with this more. My DC has one of these new teachers and we absolutely LOVE them. So please stop with the sweeping generalizations. Also, Coch is not coming back. Ever. Dr. Reid could not have made that any clearer at that initial meeting. Move on.

I haven't heard any complaints about the new teachers. I think they are all great and you need to have some grace as there is a huge learning curve and they need to get acclimated. Consider yourselves lucky if you have a teacher to begin with. Frankly, the only ones complaining about be the 6th grade parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those wondering why the principal resigned, let’s clear things up. He wasn’t driven out by parents; he was forced out by the county after numerous complaints from both parents and staff about his incompetence. If anyone still believes he was a good principal, it’s probably because your child hasn’t had any issues that required you to contact the admin. Those of us who’ve had to deal with him firsthand know just how ineffective and dishonest he was.




Last year, when concerns were raised about his leadership, many of you defended him. Now, with the mass exodus of teachers and your kids feeling the effects, you’re seeing what some tried to warned about. The teachers left because they weren’t supported and were treated poorly.

And let’s not forget how some of you attacked “the sub” for passing around the letter about the principal. She was trying to shine a light on what was really going on, and she was right. Thank you, SUB, for having the courage to speak up when others stayed quiet.

Now, Navy’s stuck with a revolving door of unqualified replacements and no principal in sight. This is what happens when someone unfit for the job is allowed to run the school. Maybe if more people had listened last year, Navy wouldn’t be in this mess.

Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call. Our kids deserve better.

Excuse me, how about if the original principal didn’t drive drunk into a house and flee the scene, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Please put blame where it really belongs.

Shall we go tar and feather him?

Seriously though, get Coch back from rehab and get him into Navy. I’m saying it in all seriousness. He was actually amazing. He was so responsive. Two kids in Navy. One graduated (thank god) and LOVED navy. We never had a complaint. But this year with my child in first, they have hired such incompetent new teachers (across the board.) Navy has gone downhill and it’s so sad because so many moved here for the school. I may end up putting my child in private school.

I could not disagree with this more. My DC has one of these new teachers and we absolutely LOVE them. So please stop with the sweeping generalizations. Also, Coch is not coming back. Ever. Dr. Reid could not have made that any clearer at that initial meeting. Move on.

I haven't heard any complaints about the new teachers. I think they are all great and you need to have some grace as there is a huge learning curve and they need to get acclimated. Consider yourselves lucky if you have a teacher to begin with. Frankly, the only ones complaining about be the 6th grade parents.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those wondering why the principal resigned, let’s clear things up. He wasn’t driven out by parents; he was forced out by the county after numerous complaints from both parents and staff about his incompetence. If anyone still believes he was a good principal, it’s probably because your child hasn’t had any issues that required you to contact the admin. Those of us who’ve had to deal with him firsthand know just how ineffective and dishonest he was.




Last year, when concerns were raised about his leadership, many of you defended him. Now, with the mass exodus of teachers and your kids feeling the effects, you’re seeing what some tried to warned about. The teachers left because they weren’t supported and were treated poorly.

And let’s not forget how some of you attacked “the sub” for passing around the letter about the principal. She was trying to shine a light on what was really going on, and she was right. Thank you, SUB, for having the courage to speak up when others stayed quiet.

Now, Navy’s stuck with a revolving door of unqualified replacements and no principal in sight. This is what happens when someone unfit for the job is allowed to run the school. Maybe if more people had listened last year, Navy wouldn’t be in this mess.

Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call. Our kids deserve better.

Excuse me, how about if the original principal didn’t drive drunk into a house and flee the scene, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Please put blame where it really belongs.

Shall we go tar and feather him?

Seriously though, get Coch back from rehab and get him into Navy. I’m saying it in all seriousness. He was actually amazing. He was so responsive. Two kids in Navy. One graduated (thank god) and LOVED navy. We never had a complaint. But this year with my child in first, they have hired such incompetent new teachers (across the board.) Navy has gone downhill and it’s so sad because so many moved here for the school. I may end up putting my child in private school.

I could not disagree with this more. My DC has one of these new teachers and we absolutely LOVE them. So please stop with the sweeping generalizations. Also, Coch is not coming back. Ever. Dr. Reid could not have made that any clearer at that initial meeting. Move on.

+1,000 I have heard nothing but positives about the new teachers. Kids are actually writing now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those wondering why the principal resigned, let’s clear things up. He wasn’t driven out by parents; he was forced out by the county after numerous complaints from both parents and staff about his incompetence. If anyone still believes he was a good principal, it’s probably because your child hasn’t had any issues that required you to contact the admin. Those of us who’ve had to deal with him firsthand know just how ineffective and dishonest he was.




Last year, when concerns were raised about his leadership, many of you defended him. Now, with the mass exodus of teachers and your kids feeling the effects, you’re seeing what some tried to warned about. The teachers left because they weren’t supported and were treated poorly.

And let’s not forget how some of you attacked “the sub” for passing around the letter about the principal. She was trying to shine a light on what was really going on, and she was right. Thank you, SUB, for having the courage to speak up when others stayed quiet.

Now, Navy’s stuck with a revolving door of unqualified replacements and no principal in sight. This is what happens when someone unfit for the job is allowed to run the school. Maybe if more people had listened last year, Navy wouldn’t be in this mess.

Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call. Our kids deserve better.

Excuse me, how about if the original principal didn’t drive drunk into a house and flee the scene, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Please put blame where it really belongs.

Shall we go tar and feather him?

Seriously though, get Coch back from rehab and get him into Navy. I’m saying it in all seriousness. He was actually amazing. He was so responsive. Two kids in Navy. One graduated (thank god) and LOVED navy. We never had a complaint. But this year with my child in first, they have hired such incompetent new teachers (across the board.) Navy has gone downhill and it’s so sad because so many moved here for the school. I may end up putting my child in private school.

I could not disagree with this more. My DC has one of these new teachers and we absolutely LOVE them. So please stop with the sweeping generalizations. Also, Coch is not coming back. Ever. Dr. Reid could not have made that any clearer at that initial meeting. Move on.

+1,000 I have heard nothing but positives about the new teachers. Kids are actually writing now.

Completely disagree. There are several new teachers I have heard are just not cutting it from multiple families. The quality of Navy has greatly declined. People move to this area for the school, and there is so much drama and lack of communication. I agree with the poster. The past administration was definitely much stronger. Of course, we know we can’t bring that back… It’s a shame what happened with principal Coch. I wonder if they could promote the AP (Faye Cofer) to Principal? Haven’t interacted with her but have heard she is very nice.

[Anonymous]

More importantly, who do parents go to with any issues in the interim?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those wondering why the principal resigned, let’s clear things up. He wasn’t driven out by parents; he was forced out by the county after numerous complaints from both parents and staff about his incompetence. If anyone still believes he was a good principal, it’s probably because your child hasn’t had any issues that required you to contact the admin. Those of us who’ve had to deal with him firsthand know just how ineffective and dishonest he was.




Last year, when concerns were raised about his leadership, many of you defended him. Now, with the mass exodus of teachers and your kids feeling the effects, you’re seeing what some tried to warned about. The teachers left because they weren’t supported and were treated poorly.

And let’s not forget how some of you attacked “the sub” for passing around the letter about the principal. She was trying to shine a light on what was really going on, and she was right. Thank you, SUB, for having the courage to speak up when others stayed quiet.

Now, Navy’s stuck with a revolving door of unqualified replacements and no principal in sight. This is what happens when someone unfit for the job is allowed to run the school. Maybe if more people had listened last year, Navy wouldn’t be in this mess.

Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call. Our kids deserve better.

Excuse me, how about if the original principal didn’t drive drunk into a house and flee the scene, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Please put blame where it really belongs.

Shall we go tar and feather him?

Seriously though, get Coch back from rehab and get him into Navy. I’m saying it in all seriousness. He was actually amazing. He was so responsive. Two kids in Navy. One graduated (thank god) and LOVED navy. We never had a complaint. But this year with my child in first, they have hired such incompetent new teachers (across the board.) Navy has gone downhill and it’s so sad because so many moved here for the school. I may end up putting my child in private school.

I could not disagree with this more. My DC has one of these new teachers and we absolutely LOVE them. So please stop with the sweeping generalizations. Also, Coch is not coming back. Ever. Dr. Reid could not have made that any clearer at that initial meeting. Move on.

+1,000 I have heard nothing but positives about the new teachers. Kids are actually writing now.

Completely disagree. There are several new teachers I have heard are just not cutting it from multiple families. The quality of Navy has greatly declined. People move to this area for the school, and there is so much drama and lack of communication. I agree with the poster. The past administration was definitely much stronger. Of course, we know we can’t bring that back… It’s a shame what happened with principal Coch. I wonder if they could promote the AP (Faye Cofer) to Principal? Haven’t interacted with her but have heard she is very nice.

I don't think that would be prudent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its common at other schools for classes to have long term subs for the entire school year.
So parents were crying about a long term
sub for just one subject?

Two subjects, but yes.

I thought the problem was that there was no sub. The long term sub they had hired quit after like a week. And since then there has been no one filling that role. That’s why parents have been upset.

You don’t know the facts obviously. First sub quit after 3 weeks. She was never supposed to be there long term anyway. Then they had a 2nd sub (a warm body) for a week. No one could even understand her. Then they got a long term sub who was there for 6 weeks and left the class in shambles. While there, she loosely threw some SS materials at them but it was absolute chaos in her class. Not a drop of science was taught.

Ok great. No need to be snarky to me. The point remains that it’s not just parents being upset that there’s a long term sub, like PP tried to imply. I am on your side here.

I hope you don’t speak like this to the people you need on your side in order to fix the situation. They’re not going to feel very sympathetic to you if you’re being an a-hole.

I am a new poster. I want to add that last year there was a long term sub for one of the grades and she had lesson plans. All was well and she was well liked. This year what the previous person said was true. They didn't learn much and the class was chaotic. My kid was coming home with migraines daily and overly stressed by the behaviors of some really problematic kids. The problem was not the sub but the lack of plans and support and expectations. The buck stops with admin but the current situation does sadden me as we are all human and I feel like mistakes were made and I wish there was a different outcome.

Lack of plans was because the previous teacher who taught SS/Sci had left. There was no one to provide those plans to the sub to begin with. Whose responsibility was it to provide plans to the sub? Why wasn’t everyone working together on it from day 1?

They should have all come together to support the sub and make sure she had adequate plans. Instead our kids suffered. The team and admin did not work together here it seems.

Yes but this is even more out of the teachers personal time. Yes they need to work as a team, but it’s not good doing your lessons and someone else’s for an indefinite period of time.

Unfortunately that is what happens when there is a long term sub.

I would imagine that people are a lot more willing to help if the person shows some sort of initiative and willingness to do what they can on their own to pull plans together. If the sub was not doing that, I can see why a lot of resentment would be created. You can’t expect people to just do someone else’s job for them if they are straight up incompetent.

Exactly. Even so, Mr. Dyer gave the sub his slides and typed out detailed instructions for the children to follow on Schoology every, single morning. The sub had everything she needed. Hell, the parents even had everything they needed to teach the unit on Western African Empires. But instead of using the materials she was given, she would just let the kids sit there from 12-2:50 and do whatever they wanted. I cannot even begin to tell you some of the things that were happening in that class. I used to teach in a Title 1 school, and none of it would have been acceptable. Sub or no sub.

Why was Mr. Dyer providing the plans, when he is on the AAP team? Where are the gen Ed plans for SS/Sci?(this goes back to the vacancy issue created by last year’s Gen Ed SS/Sci teacher leaving). And please note his AAP class gets SS and Science daily. If the sub was just following his plans, that would mean our kids never would get taught science as Mr. Dyer doesn’t teach science. Again, who was overseeing the plans to ensure our kids got both SS and science?

OMG this is such a Navy AAP Mama response. Sweetheart, literally the only difference between what your kid and my kid learn is advanced math.