What’s going on at Travilah ES?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happened at travilah es? 3 of my kids graduated there. Just visited the school for my nephew’s graduation and wondering where the teachers went? Don’t know any of them. 🧐

Most of the teachers are all gone, we have 3 k-5 teachers are still here since 2019 school year.

Wow, that is extreme! Are CO and BOE aware of this?

[Anonymous]

To those who have valid concerns, I encourage you to try to work with the system.

The county has provided data on scores and turnover. Spending time trying to get alternative facts by looking through old school newsletters is not productive.

Having a meeting or sending a letter directly to the principal shows an interest in collaboration. Sending a letter above her head does not.

Parents sharing their positive experiences in a town hall does not invalidate concerns from other parents. It is important that all perspectives are heard, correct?

My point is, I have worked in complex systems for my entire career, and I have yet to see this type of approach work. Making it personal as if one person/principal holds all the power and responsibility is, again, not productive. Getting some skin in the game to work toward improvement - alongside the administration, rather than behind group chats and online forums - is how systems improve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To those who have valid concerns, I encourage you to try to work with the system.

The county has provided data on scores and turnover. Spending time trying to get alternative facts by looking through old school newsletters is not productive.

Having a meeting or sending a letter directly to the principal shows an interest in collaboration. Sending a letter above her head does not.

Parents sharing their positive experiences in a town hall does not invalidate concerns from other parents. It is important that all perspectives are heard, correct?

My point is, I have worked in complex systems for my entire career, and I have yet to see this type of approach work. Making it personal as if one person/principal holds all the power and responsibility is, again, not productive. Getting some skin in the game to work toward improvement - alongside the administration, rather than behind group chats and online forums - is how systems improve.

Thank you. I have had the same experience you have and agree. Am also an attorney and find this kind of public vilification to be unproductive in the run. And acting like anyone who has had a positive experience with the principal is lying is unfair - people can have multiple different perspectives on the exact same situation. I see it all of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To those who have valid concerns, I encourage you to try to work with the system.

The county has provided data on scores and turnover. Spending time trying to get alternative facts by looking through old school newsletters is not productive.

Having a meeting or sending a letter directly to the principal shows an interest in collaboration. Sending a letter above her head does not.

Parents sharing their positive experiences in a town hall does not invalidate concerns from other parents. It is important that all perspectives are heard, correct?

My point is, I have worked in complex systems for my entire career, and I have yet to see this type of approach work. Making it personal as if one person/principal holds all the power and responsibility is, again, not productive. Getting some skin in the game to work toward improvement - alongside the administration, rather than behind group chats and online forums - is how systems improve.

I saw a lot of turnover data from MCPS but not by individual schools. Do you know if we can request individual school data?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To those who have valid concerns, I encourage you to try to work with the system.

The county has provided data on scores and turnover. Spending time trying to get alternative facts by looking through old school newsletters is not productive.

Having a meeting or sending a letter directly to the principal shows an interest in collaboration. Sending a letter above her head does not.

Parents sharing their positive experiences in a town hall does not invalidate concerns from other parents. It is important that all perspectives are heard, correct?

My point is, I have worked in complex systems for my entire career, and I have yet to see this type of approach work. Making it personal as if one person/principal holds all the power and responsibility is, again, not productive. Getting some skin in the game to work toward improvement - alongside the administration, rather than behind group chats and online forums - is how systems improve.

This principal has had what, 5-6 years of stakeholders trying to collaborate? At some point, the school just needs someone who is able to competently do the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those who have valid concerns, I encourage you to try to work with the system.

The county has provided data on scores and turnover. Spending time trying to get alternative facts by looking through old school newsletters is not productive.

Having a meeting or sending a letter directly to the principal shows an interest in collaboration. Sending a letter above her head does not.

Parents sharing their positive experiences in a town hall does not invalidate concerns from other parents. It is important that all perspectives are heard, correct?

My point is, I have worked in complex systems for my entire career, and I have yet to see this type of approach work. Making it personal as if one person/principal holds all the power and responsibility is, again, not productive. Getting some skin in the game to work toward improvement - alongside the administration, rather than behind group chats and online forums - is how systems improve.

Thank you. I have had the same experience you have and agree. Am also an attorney and find this kind of public vilification to be unproductive in the run. And acting like anyone who has had a positive experience with the principal is lying is unfair - people can have multiple different perspectives on the exact same situation. I see it all of the time.

Thank you for sharing your perspective. Positive individual stories are indeed valuable and appreciated. However, our primary concerns remain unaddressed. We are specifically worried about the retention of good teachers, as many have left. Additionally, we are concerned about the decline in test scores and whether there is an actionable plan to address this issue.

Just like in any position in the world, if performance declines and the individual is unaware or lacks a plan to improve, it becomes problematic. We are questioning if the principal is aware of these issues and has a concrete plan to improve the situation.

[Anonymous]

Many people believe it's normal for teachers to come and go within MCPS. However, it's not normal when MCPS has a low single-digit turnover rate, while our school's rate is 18% based on the principal, this is 3-4 times higher. The departure of experienced teachers leaves us with educators who had no teaching experience, those who make critical errors at dismissal, fall asleep in class, and struggle to improve test scores. These issues create a chain effect, leading to a detrimental impact on our students' education. I think this coming year's turnover rate might decrease as the teachers who the principal retained may find it challenging to transfer or secure other positions within MCPS. Competent teachers will not stay if the leadership at the top doesn't change.

[Anonymous]

While MCPS has aimed to close the test score gap, our school has unfortunately done so by dropping significantly in performance, thereby moving closer and closer MCPS standards. We didn't close the gap by bringing the lower-scoring students up, but by bringing the higher-scoring students down. This is not the type of progress we envisioned, and it highlights the need for effective leadership and strategies to genuinely improve educational outcomes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those who have valid concerns, I encourage you to try to work with the system.

The county has provided data on scores and turnover. Spending time trying to get alternative facts by looking through old school newsletters is not productive.

Having a meeting or sending a letter directly to the principal shows an interest in collaboration. Sending a letter above her head does not.

Parents sharing their positive experiences in a town hall does not invalidate concerns from other parents. It is important that all perspectives are heard, correct?

My point is, I have worked in complex systems for my entire career, and I have yet to see this type of approach work. Making it personal as if one person/principal holds all the power and responsibility is, again, not productive. Getting some skin in the game to work toward improvement - alongside the administration, rather than behind group chats and online forums - is how systems improve.

Thank you. I have had the same experience you have and agree. Am also an attorney and find this kind of public vilification to be unproductive in the run. And acting like anyone who has had a positive experience with the principal is lying is unfair - people can have multiple different perspectives on the exact same situation. I see it all of the time.

Thank you for sharing your perspective. Positive individual stories are indeed valuable and appreciated. However, our primary concerns remain unaddressed. We are specifically worried about the retention of good teachers, as many have left. Additionally, we are concerned about the decline in test scores and whether there is an actionable plan to address this issue.

Just like in any position in the world, if performance declines and the individual is unaware or lacks a plan to improve, it becomes problematic. We are questioning if the principal is aware of these issues and has a concrete plan to improve the situation.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While MCPS has aimed to close the test score gap, our school has unfortunately done so by dropping significantly in performance, thereby moving closer and closer MCPS standards. We didn't close the gap by bringing the lower-scoring students up, but by bringing the higher-scoring students down. This is not the type of progress we envisioned, and it highlights the need for effective leadership and strategies to genuinely improve educational outcomes.

Exactly!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happened at travilah es? 3 of my kids graduated there. Just visited the school for my nephew’s graduation and wondering where the teachers went? Don’t know any of them. 🧐

Most of the teachers are all gone, we have 3 k-5 teachers are still here since 2019 school year.

Wow, that is extreme! Are CO and BOE aware of this?

You are such an obvious sock puppet. Try harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those who have valid concerns, I encourage you to try to work with the system.

The county has provided data on scores and turnover. Spending time trying to get alternative facts by looking through old school newsletters is not productive.

Having a meeting or sending a letter directly to the principal shows an interest in collaboration. Sending a letter above her head does not.

Parents sharing their positive experiences in a town hall does not invalidate concerns from other parents. It is important that all perspectives are heard, correct?

My point is, I have worked in complex systems for my entire career, and I have yet to see this type of approach work. Making it personal as if one person/principal holds all the power and responsibility is, again, not productive. Getting some skin in the game to work toward improvement - alongside the administration, rather than behind group chats and online forums - is how systems improve.

Thank you. I have had the same experience you have and agree. Am also an attorney and find this kind of public vilification to be unproductive in the run. And acting like anyone who has had a positive experience with the principal is lying is unfair - people can have multiple different perspectives on the exact same situation. I see it all of the time.

Thank you for sharing your perspective. Positive individual stories are indeed valuable and appreciated. However, our primary concerns remain unaddressed. We are specifically worried about the retention of good teachers, as many have left. Additionally, we are concerned about the decline in test scores and whether there is an actionable plan to address this issue.

Just like in any position in the world, if performance declines and the individual is unaware or lacks a plan to improve, it becomes problematic. We are questioning if the principal is aware of these issues and has a concrete plan to improve the situation.

This seems disingenuous. Of course she's aware staff have left and that the test scores were lower than the norm. You cannot make staff stay in a particular position. Often times staff leave if the new guard has different rules in place and/or they don't have the influence they previously had. People will walk and then you replace them. It's not the principal's job to run after people who no longer want to be there anymore for whatever reason. I feel like most of these posts are probably coming from disgruntled teachers who left and who now see an opportunity to be spiteful and petty. I mean who else would know where the principal's car is ALL of the time or whether she is physically in the office or not? Only staff would know that. Good Lord - good riddance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happened at travilah es? 3 of my kids graduated there. Just visited the school for my nephew’s graduation and wondering where the teachers went? Don’t know any of them. 🧐

Really? You've never seen staff turnover? I wish the annoying, "Oh my gosh, I visited the school and noticed they painted the doorbell" posts would just give it up. You sound dumb. Yes, things have changed since you left the school. I've heard first hand of so many schools having lots of staff changes. It happens. And usually when one or two people leave, others start to leave as well, especially when there is a new supervisor/principal. It's like the parents posting have never worked a day in their life.

Dear lord. The apologists for the principal really don’t get it. Again, even those she hired immediately left or went on leave. They could feel something is wrong. Even people like the VP need to understand that you can’t see what is going wrong if you didn’t know what was going right. You think the crumbs you’re getting are the main course because you don’t know what you don’t know. The teachers however do know and they can see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those who have valid concerns, I encourage you to try to work with the system.

The county has provided data on scores and turnover. Spending time trying to get alternative facts by looking through old school newsletters is not productive.

Having a meeting or sending a letter directly to the principal shows an interest in collaboration. Sending a letter above her head does not.

Parents sharing their positive experiences in a town hall does not invalidate concerns from other parents. It is important that all perspectives are heard, correct?

My point is, I have worked in complex systems for my entire career, and I have yet to see this type of approach work. Making it personal as if one person/principal holds all the power and responsibility is, again, not productive. Getting some skin in the game to work toward improvement - alongside the administration, rather than behind group chats and online forums - is how systems improve.

Thank you. I have had the same experience you have and agree. Am also an attorney and find this kind of public vilification to be unproductive in the run. And acting like anyone who has had a positive experience with the principal is lying is unfair - people can have multiple different perspectives on the exact same situation. I see it all of the time.

FFS these parents did approach the principal first and she ignored their concerns. That’s why they went to BOE. shouldnt big shot attorneys know enough to read the thread before they opine??? And no one is saying the parents who had good experiences are lying just that one persons positive experience isn’t universal; the test scores and staff turnover of longtime staff and tons of her new hires all don’t lie. Together they form a picture of an admin who can’t handle her staff, old and new. The test scores and staff turnover support the bigger picture if things awry, not things going well. And parents were right to go to BOE. They are involved now and hopefully will help. A lot of the anger here is misdirected. Let’s focus on what’s best for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those who have valid concerns, I encourage you to try to work with the system.

The county has provided data on scores and turnover. Spending time trying to get alternative facts by looking through old school newsletters is not productive.

Having a meeting or sending a letter directly to the principal shows an interest in collaboration. Sending a letter above her head does not.

Parents sharing their positive experiences in a town hall does not invalidate concerns from other parents. It is important that all perspectives are heard, correct?

My point is, I have worked in complex systems for my entire career, and I have yet to see this type of approach work. Making it personal as if one person/principal holds all the power and responsibility is, again, not productive. Getting some skin in the game to work toward improvement - alongside the administration, rather than behind group chats and online forums - is how systems improve.

Thank you. I have had the same experience you have and agree. Am also an attorney and find this kind of public vilification to be unproductive in the run. And acting like anyone who has had a positive experience with the principal is lying is unfair - people can have multiple different perspectives on the exact same situation. I see it all of the time.

Thank you for sharing your perspective. Positive individual stories are indeed valuable and appreciated. However, our primary concerns remain unaddressed. We are specifically worried about the retention of good teachers, as many have left. Additionally, we are concerned about the decline in test scores and whether there is an actionable plan to address this issue.

Just like in any position in the world, if performance declines and the individual is unaware or lacks a plan to improve, it becomes problematic. We are questioning if the principal is aware of these issues and has a concrete plan to improve the situation.

This seems disingenuous. Of course she's aware staff have left and that the test scores were lower than the norm. You cannot make staff stay in a particular position. Often times staff leave if the new guard has different rules in place and/or they don't have the influence they previously had. People will walk and then you replace them. It's not the principal's job to run after people who no longer want to be there anymore for whatever reason. I feel like most of these posts are probably coming from disgruntled teachers who left and who now see an opportunity to be spiteful and petty. I mean who else would know where the principal's car is ALL of the time or whether she is physically in the office or not? Only staff would know that. Good Lord - good riddance.

If the principal is aware of the situation, what has she done to improve it? You're right, we can't force staff to stay in a particular position. However, consider this: if someone is happy in their current role, would they leave unless it was for a promotion? A turnover rate of over 18% (which is not accurate) is significant and indicates that teachers are leaving for another school because they are not happy here.

It's not her job to chase after people who don't want to stay, but it is her responsibility to create an environment where staff feel valued and want to stay. Why are these teachers choosing to leave for another school? What has been done to address the concerns? These are the questions that need answers.

I don't believe these posts are from disgruntled former teachers. Most parents and teachers are genuinely want the best for our children. Trying to drive a wedge between concerned parents and hardworking teachers is counterproductive. We all want what's best for our students, and that includes having a stable, experienced, and satisfied teaching staff. Let's focus on finding solutions rather than dismissing valid concerns.