Thoughts on the new Churchill principal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thus far, she is as unresponsive as the previous principal. Perhaps not replying to emails is an ok practice for MCPS principals?

I also sent an email and didn't receive any response at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I had the opportunity to meet the new principal and am impressed by the energy she brings to Churchill. We continue to have positive experiences at Churchill in the classroom and on various sports teams. Don't be scared off by the one parent who posts non stop (posts and replies to their own posts ) about their negative experiences with the cross country/track coaches and school staff. It is nothing but defamation. The team seems to have record enrollment this season! Speaks highly of the coaches! My child loves being on the team.

It is a false assumption that there is only one person posting negative experiences, just like it is a lie that only one athlete and one family came forward last year with issues.

Glad your child's experiences are more positive than the others. It is my prayer that your child remains safe even though mine was not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thus far, she is as unresponsive as the previous principal. Perhaps not replying to emails is an ok practice for MCPS principals?

I also sent an email and didn't receive any response at all.

I guess the energy Heckert brings to Churchill is selective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thus far, she is as unresponsive as the previous principal. Perhaps not replying to emails is an ok practice for MCPS principals?

I also sent an email and didn't receive any response at all.

I guess the energy Heckert brings to Churchill is selective.

Given how vocal the board is, she may just be overwhelmed by the number of emails, etc. But if that's the case, she ought to be forwarding to her staff for responses rather than letting things fall in the cracks.

[Anonymous]

You may want to touch base with her secretary. I’ve spoken with her and she’s been helpful. Not excusing the emails that haven’t been responded to of course, but as a way to follow up.

[Anonymous]

I pray for children’s safety wherever they may be, including in their own home. It is well documented that a parents mental health illness can have devastating effects on the children in the home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Missed the change in drop off -- what is it?

They did a tiny bit of construction and have cones in place to form two entry lines rather than one. I think they also opened the parking lot near the stadium for drop off. (?? I've never tried that, but they indicated as much in the back-to-school letter??)

Traffic is much more backed up on the side streets in the morning than it used to be. The original traffic loop designed was flawed and the flow stops to a standstill because there is not a 4 way stop at the exit so no one can leave the loop.

In the afternoon, I have seen children driving out of the lot in the wrong direction. It is only a matter of time before a student has a head on collision or heaven forbid, strikes a pedestrian because he/she is not obeying the new traffic patterns. Perhaps the Principal or Assistant Principal can stop this behavior by withdrawing parking passes from Seniors who cannot use the proper exit for the lot.

Finally, it never made any sense for the drop off and pick up loop to be in the Senior Parking Lot. There is a lot less traffic flow in the faculty parking lot. Perhaps switch the Faculty and Senior lots around so parents could drop off and pick up in a lot where the faculty cars are just parked, not Senior cars coming and going. The change would distribute the flow of traffic better.

I agree that the main problem with the traffic flow is the exit. Not only slows traffic, but is dangerous for either driving straight or turning left out of the lot because of poor visibility. (And turning right is terribly backed up.)

Why do so many kids get dropped off and picked up?

Because so many kids don't actually live in bounds for Churchill. Well known that many families in MCPS use alternate addresses to attend different schools. Even the teachers at Churchill know this happens. They admit it's the side effect of working at a school with a 'good reputation'. People want to attend, even if they don't live in bounds.

We live in bound and drive our child to school in the morning as it's a long walk (about 1.5 miles) and we don't have a school bus. Obviously, it's doable, but it's a long walk in the morning. It's also on the way to work so it's easy for us. That's what most of the parents do in our neighborhood, and then the kids make their way home in the afternoon by themselves (Ride on bus or walk). The Ride-on bus isn't really an option in the morning as it's not very reliable and we'd be concerned about our child getting to school late.

Why don't you just drop them a half a mile away? Why do they need curbside?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I pray for children’s safety wherever they may be, including in their own home. It is well documented that a parents mental health illness can have devastating effects on the children in the home.

It's well documented how dangerous coaches who give students rides in their cars can be. This week a JV Coach at Springbrook was arrested for raping a 16 year old girl.

http://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-employee-faces-sex-charges/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thus far, she is as unresponsive as the previous principal. Perhaps not replying to emails is an ok practice for MCPS principals?

When you have 100 emails from parents, 25 from teachers, and 30 more from headquarters and still try to run a high school it might be a couple of days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thus far, she is as unresponsive as the previous principal. Perhaps not replying to emails is an ok practice for MCPS principals?

When you have 100 emails from parents, 25 from teachers, and 30 more from headquarters and still try to run a high school it might be a couple of days.

It was more than a couple of days in my situation.

I agree Mrs. Heckert must receive a lot of emails so delegating ones that can be passed off to subordinates like the previous poster suggested would be a vital skill to learn. Letting parents know who to follow up with at school or Central Office shouldn't be that difficult if she isn't going to personally take care of the issue.

For anyone else with difficulties, the new Director for Churchill is Peter Moran. He can help if you don't receive a timely response. Per MCPS policy, 2 business days is sufficient time to receive a response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Missed the change in drop off -- what is it?

They did a tiny bit of construction and have cones in place to form two entry lines rather than one. I think they also opened the parking lot near the stadium for drop off. (?? I've never tried that, but they indicated as much in the back-to-school letter??)

Traffic is much more backed up on the side streets in the morning than it used to be. The original traffic loop designed was flawed and the flow stops to a standstill because there is not a 4 way stop at the exit so no one can leave the loop.

In the afternoon, I have seen children driving out of the lot in the wrong direction. It is only a matter of time before a student has a head on collision or heaven forbid, strikes a pedestrian because he/she is not obeying the new traffic patterns. Perhaps the Principal or Assistant Principal can stop this behavior by withdrawing parking passes from Seniors who cannot use the proper exit for the lot.

Finally, it never made any sense for the drop off and pick up loop to be in the Senior Parking Lot. There is a lot less traffic flow in the faculty parking lot. Perhaps switch the Faculty and Senior lots around so parents could drop off and pick up in a lot where the faculty cars are just parked, not Senior cars coming and going. The change would distribute the flow of traffic better.

I agree that the main problem with the traffic flow is the exit. Not only slows traffic, but is dangerous for either driving straight or turning left out of the lot because of poor visibility. (And turning right is terribly backed up.)

Why do so many kids get dropped off and picked up?

Because so many kids don't actually live in bounds for Churchill. Well known that many families in MCPS use alternate addresses to attend different schools. Even the teachers at Churchill know this happens. They admit it's the side effect of working at a school with a 'good reputation'. People want to attend, even if they don't live in bounds.

We live in bound and drive our child to school in the morning as it's a long walk (about 1.5 miles) and we don't have a school bus. Obviously, it's doable, but it's a long walk in the morning. It's also on the way to work so it's easy for us. That's what most of the parents do in our neighborhood, and then the kids make their way home in the afternoon by themselves (Ride on bus or walk). The Ride-on bus isn't really an option in the morning as it's not very reliable and we'd be concerned about our child getting to school late.

Why don't you just drop them a half a mile away? Why do they need curbside?

Churchill wants parents to drop off at the school and not on the street. They actually have police there ticketing parents who do this. I guess you could drop off further away. But, why? As I said the school is on my way to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Missed the change in drop off -- what is it?

They did a tiny bit of construction and have cones in place to form two entry lines rather than one. I think they also opened the parking lot near the stadium for drop off. (?? I've never tried that, but they indicated as much in the back-to-school letter??)

Traffic is much more backed up on the side streets in the morning than it used to be. The original traffic loop designed was flawed and the flow stops to a standstill because there is not a 4 way stop at the exit so no one can leave the loop.

In the afternoon, I have seen children driving out of the lot in the wrong direction. It is only a matter of time before a student has a head on collision or heaven forbid, strikes a pedestrian because he/she is not obeying the new traffic patterns. Perhaps the Principal or Assistant Principal can stop this behavior by withdrawing parking passes from Seniors who cannot use the proper exit for the lot.

Finally, it never made any sense for the drop off and pick up loop to be in the Senior Parking Lot. There is a lot less traffic flow in the faculty parking lot. Perhaps switch the Faculty and Senior lots around so parents could drop off and pick up in a lot where the faculty cars are just parked, not Senior cars coming and going. The change would distribute the flow of traffic better.

I agree that the main problem with the traffic flow is the exit. Not only slows traffic, but is dangerous for either driving straight or turning left out of the lot because of poor visibility. (And turning right is terribly backed up.)

Why do so many kids get dropped off and picked up?

Because so many kids don't actually live in bounds for Churchill. Well known that many families in MCPS use alternate addresses to attend different schools. Even the teachers at Churchill know this happens. They admit it's the side effect of working at a school with a 'good reputation'. People want to attend, even if they don't live in bounds.

We live in bound and drive our child to school in the morning as it's a long walk (about 1.5 miles) and we don't have a school bus. Obviously, it's doable, but it's a long walk in the morning. It's also on the way to work so it's easy for us. That's what most of the parents do in our neighborhood, and then the kids make their way home in the afternoon by themselves (Ride on bus or walk). The Ride-on bus isn't really an option in the morning as it's not very reliable and we'd be concerned about our child getting to school late.

Why don't you just drop them a half a mile away? Why do they need curbside?

Churchill wants parents to drop off at the school and not on the street. They actually have police there ticketing parents who do this. I guess you could drop off further away. But, why? As I said the school is on my way to work.

They don’t want you to drop them on the street in front of the school. 1/2 mile would put them in with the other walkers. Why? BecUse you are bellyaching about the drop off line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thus far, she is as unresponsive as the previous principal. Perhaps not replying to emails is an ok practice for MCPS principals?

I also sent an email and didn't receive any response at all.

You're probably one of hundreds of parents who has contacted her since school started . . .

In other words, you won't stand out as the special snowflake parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thus far, she is as unresponsive as the previous principal. Perhaps not replying to emails is an ok practice for MCPS principals?

When you have 100 emails from parents, 25 from teachers, and 30 more from headquarters and still try to run a high school it might be a couple of days.

It was more than a couple of days in my situation.

I agree Mrs. Heckert must receive a lot of emails so delegating ones that can be passed off to subordinates like the previous poster suggested would be a vital skill to learn. Letting parents know who to follow up with at school or Central Office shouldn't be that difficult if she isn't going to personally take care of the issue.

For anyone else with difficulties, the new Director for Churchill is Peter Moran. He can help if you don't receive a timely response. Per MCPS policy, 2 business days is sufficient time to receive a response.

I don't know why I torment myself reading these types of threads. But they only validate our reasons for moving OUT of the area. This big systems creates many small-minded people.

[Anonymous]

After school pick up will be chaotic starting October 1st. Bad idea by Mrs. Heckert to put busses in the main car loop as well as the student parking lot.

"Starting Monday, October 1st, almost all of the special education buses will pick up students in the Victory Lane loop. Officer Homrock will be outside directing the buses safely out of the lot as quickly as possible. This will impact students exiting the Victory Lane lot and parents trying to enter the lot. I have personally timed the bus departure and all of the special education buses should be out of the Victory Lane lot by 2:40 p.m. Accordingly, parents will not be able to enter the Victory Lane lot until after 2:35 p.m. in the afternoon."

One idea, if the school resource officer can be used to direct traffic in the afternoon, then why isn't this utilize to direct traffic in the morning? Perhaps get a crossing guard for the school at that location. There is after all a crosswalk.