Check all of your docs for accuracy before and after meetings. Have a paper trail after meetings about what was discussed or agreed to that you send to staff. Document anything she says that you disagree with. |
Syphax decides without consultation. The Superintendent flip-flops if there's much public pressure. It pays to meet with him personally. Repeatedly. He's a pleaser. |
But how do you meet with him? As a Williamsburg parent, I'm really concerned. I'm trying to talk to other SPED parents, but it's hard to know who they are. |
What would you say if you met with him? I heard from an anonymous stranger on a message board that this new person is terrible? |
Lol. I actually know that she is terrible because several SPED parents I know have dealt with her gaslighting. Not from WMS though. I don't want to deal with her myself as an LEA/AP. There's a reason why people are sounding the alarms now in DCUM. Must be nice if you're not affected. I know it's too much to ask, but I really would appreciate an answer from someone who can actually help. |
Make a public comment to the school board and get a lot of other parents to do the same thing. That'll get their attention. |
Is this actually true? principals have no say in who their APs are? |
Why does WMS cycle through APs like Kleenex? |
Principals also have no say in where they get re-assigned. |
That's bad advice IMO. It'll get attention, but of the bad sort. Parents may be setting themselves up for retaliation against their children. And Dr. Koval knows all about gaslighting and retaliation unfortunately. I wouldn't do this publicly. |
My advice is to work any connections you have connections to see if you can meet with Dr. Duran or maybe Kim Graves and just express your concerns to them. Try to gather as many WMS SPED families as possible. Good luck! |
Just email Duran. I’ve emailed him and he responds and usually directs me to who I can talk to and we’ve gotten results.
But agree more ppl complain the more results. And document everything!! Esp progress reports. Make sure you are getting these ‘ |
I don't think that Duran can speak to personnel issues, so I wouldn't expect a response. But I agree that the more people who do so, the more he might take it seriously. I hope Williamsburg families find this thread. It's actually useful for once! Good luck, OP. |
I'm sending my friendly wishes to you all.
If you have a bad interaction with a "team" member, you can ask that they not be invited to the next meeting. I did this and yes, it's not often done but I had a paper trail, direct quotes, a couple of teachers who had left APS and backed me up so it wasn't my first step. It was step 3700 or something. I agree with posters who suggest meeting with other parents, sharing stories but also choose your path. I was part of a group of dozens of parents of SN kids at a school and we all choose different paths. I low-key worked within the system until I deemed it bad for my. mental health and went private. Others sued. Others got admin transfers after squeaking a lot. It's so weird how APS's focus on equity doesn't include SN kids. |
You can call his attention to issues, and like I said, he will direct you to the right person who can address them. I would go to your school administrator before going this route. But you absolutely can email Duran. |