Changes in the Cap Hill cluster leadership

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I was not on the Principal interview committee, so this is second-hand....

But the "word" is that everybody wanted this woman--and that other schools were seeking to hire her, as well.

As a parent, I have strong hopes!

I can confirm that "word" from another perspective. Consider yourselves very lucky.

Meaning you're from another school who was seeking to recruit her?...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I can confirm that "word" from another perspective. Consider yourselves very lucky.

Meaning you're from another school who was seeking to recruit her?...

[Anonymous]

You all make yourselves more interesting than called for here. Schools don't do the "recruiting", DCPS does. And prospective principals typically panel for more than one school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You all make yourselves more interesting than called for here. Schools don't do the "recruiting", DCPS does. And prospective principals typically panel for more than one school.

I took lady to be a mom on the panel for another school. Or possibly from the school she's leaving. You never know with DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Odds are that this will not be read in a manner that would best help me, mostly timing. A. Lawson has settled in Colorado and is causing major waves. He is a very good administrator but is wrecking the staff. I read an article a while back stating some dirt on Anthony, now I'm not able to find it. Does anyone have any insight on where I could find the article? My goal is to alert the entire district of A. Lawson and his demeaning ways. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

What dirt did you find, pp? That might help find the article, I'm an excellent googler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's the Cluster School webpage on the Watkins/Peabody principal selection: http://www.capitolhillclusterschool.org/peabody-early-childhood/watkinspeabody-principal-selection-2015

It says that the appointment should be made in "late May or sometime in June".


And here's the email about AP departures that went out in May:

Hello Cluster Families,

I am writing with news concerning administrative staffing at the Cluster for the coming year. Both AP Harding and AP Lawson will be leaving us at the end of June. This is sad news for Watkins and Peabody as we will miss them both. Anthony will be moving into a principal roll and Scott has chosen to return to teaching. Both their personal letters are attached and should have come home in backpacks today, if not, tomorrow. Moving forward the new principal will be chosing his/her team. Once the principal selection process is completed we will begin the search for both positions.

Regards,

Principal Clemens


Dear Watkins Families,

As many of you may have heard, I will not be returning to Watkins Elementary School next year. It is with great excitement that I will be starting a new adventure in Denver, Colorado as a principal while my partner will begin in a new position as well as assistant professor at Metro State University of Denver. At the same time, it is with great sadness that I will be leaving the Watkins community – a place I have called home for the past two years. I have been proud to serve as assistant principal and watch the growth of both our students and teachers. We have seen our highest scores in school history in mathematics and will be hosting our first science fair this year in partnership with Payne Elementary. I have no doubt that Watkins will continue to grow and flourish under new leadership. We have set a solid foundation to become the best elementary school in the city and I am proud to say I was part of it. I wish all the staff, students and families the best of luck in the future.

Best,

Anthony Lawson





Dear Peabody and Cluster Community,

I want to thank you for allowing me to serve your family this past school year. This has been one of the most challenging and most rewarding chapters of my life, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity. I must also acknowledge the endless support of our PTA Working Group parents and our teacher leaders, whose encouragement has meant the world to me. I am writing today to inform you that I have made the decision not to return to Peabody and the Cluster for the 2015-2016 school year. While there may be some leadership shifts at our campus, I am confident that our incredible staff will continue the award winning instructional work your children have enjoyed.

As many of you know, I love working with young children- it has always been a personal passion. As a result, I have decided to join Van Ness Elementary’s instructional team this summer to prepare for the upcoming school opening and will later serve in the classroom and support teacher development. Van Ness, located in the Navy Yard, will be opening this fall, and I am eager to continue serving the students of DCPS in this new role.

Again, thank you for your support and partnership this past year.

AP Harding

Principal Clemens' letter refers to a principal's roll. Is that something like a hotdog roll? Also, why are personal letters a part of the discussion? Did the principal mean personnel letters?

[Anonymous]

http://century.aurorak12.org/principal/

[Anonymous]

Why was this old thread resurrected?

[Anonymous]

What dirt did you find, pp? That might help find the article, I'm an excellent googler.

There was something that mentioned a bussing issue and something that mentioned the administration not wanting a certain community of kids attending their school because those students brought down scores.

Rumor also has it that there once was a grievance filed against AP Lawson, any findings there? Another rumor has it that 16 teachers quit the year AP Lawson was AP, I believe that's more than a rumor because it came straight from the horses mouth to a small group of people. The sad part is he said in a proud tone.

Since Lawson had been in Co. 4 teachers have quit along with a few paras. He enjoys making staff and students cry. It's difficult to say but he knows his stuff. On the down side he treats his staff poorly and he loves to play favorites.

To the master googler, any info or links would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Anonymous]

You should be ashamed of yourselves. What purpose does it serve to gossip about an admin that is far away from DC?

[Anonymous]

Dear Watkins Families,

As many of you may have heard, I will not be returning to Watkins Elementary School next year. It is with great excitement that I will be starting a new adventure in Denver, Colorado as a principal while my partner will begin in a new position as well as assistant professor at Metro State University of Denver. At the same time, it is with great sadness that I will be leaving the Watkins community – a place I have called home for the past two years. I have been proud to serve as assistant principal and watch the growth of both our students and teachers. We have seen our highest scores in school history in mathematics and will be hosting our first science fair this year in partnership with Payne Elementary. I have no doubt that Watkins will continue to grow and flourish under new leadership. We have set a solid foundation to become the best elementary school in the city and I am proud to say I was part of it. I wish all the staff, students and families the best of luck in the future.

Best,

Anthony Lawson

I just love how he mentions "the growth of both our students and teachers". How much growth happened with the staff there if 16 left while you were AP.
I think that it's great that your a strong minded math person, math is very important and the base in how most science is figured.

Since you have such a great success at keeping staff around perhaps you should create a some kind of formula or equation to figure how many staff members you will go through before you reach the age of retirement. Lets say 16 from Peabody and a full potential of 10 from your current position in Colorado. 16+10=26/2= 13. So an average of 13 per year with a potential variable +/- 3. 30 years till retirement 30x13=390 staff members till retirement based on average. With the -3 variable 30x10=300. With the +3 variable 30x16=480. See, math is fun.

[Anonymous]

You should be ashamed of yourselves. What purpose does it serve to gossip about an admin that is far away from DC?

Perhaps I have friends in the Mid West that have heard of the waves coming from the storm. If you could warn others of the storm down wind would you? I know that this elementary but people should be warned of the potential.