TJ Commended Student Emails Released - Who is really responsible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a PP. I agree with some previous posts. I think Bonitatibus has given administrators too much leeway for years. Frankly this isn’t the first issue where administration failed to do the job they are supposed to and it severely impacted the student when they didn’t do their required jobs. It’s just that it’s blown up.

She should have tightened the reigns years ago but she hasn’t. She’s chosen to focus on the political aspects and dignity visits part of her job. She needs to refocus on the management of the school. If she’s not able to pivot back to managing a school, she need to go too.

The Bonitatibus administration is pretty unpopular among students too, though for somewhat opposite reasons: they believe she and her staff don't give enough leeway and only institute pointless rules. It'll be interesting to see how she changes the administrative side of things following this, and how that affects the experience for the students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, he screwed up, finally admitted it and seemingly is working to fix things.

+1
This. It's unfortunate but for sure I've dropped the ball occasionally in my own job and I imagine everyone has at some point as well. Sounds like he forgot about the packet for a few weeks. Also perhaps notable re: timing - TJ only has advisory on Mondays I believe. No school 10/24 or 10/31 so prior to 11/14 there was just one other Monday: 11/7 and it too was after the 11/1 cut-off. Naturally they could have figured out some other way to hand them out but really it seems like just an error. One that's been apologized for, that TJ's working to help clean up with outreach to colleges, and that he already said they would handle it differently moving forward.

Are you trying to make excuse for him? Where are the accountability and responsibility?

He already apologized (accountability) and reached out to all schools applied to by the affected students (responsibility). What else do you think he should do?

Dropping the ball at work happens. Dropping the ball on an important, time sensitive process you have managed for 15+ years and then making of some dumb excuse about not hurting kids feelings? He should probably be reassigned to a different position that has less risk for impacting students with applications. Perhaps a central administrative job or grades below HS.

Every word in this is correct except for “important”. Otherwise, agree completely. He should be reassigned.

If he really screwed up, he should be terminated. If he didn't, he should stay at TJ.

No other school wants TJ's damaged goods, and Gatehouse is already full of former school-based administrators who were stashed away there on the often false assumption that they couldn't cause any further mischief in a desk job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, he screwed up, finally admitted it and seemingly is working to fix things.

+1
This. It's unfortunate but for sure I've dropped the ball occasionally in my own job and I imagine everyone has at some point as well. Sounds like he forgot about the packet for a few weeks. Also perhaps notable re: timing - TJ only has advisory on Mondays I believe. No school 10/24 or 10/31 so prior to 11/14 there was just one other Monday: 11/7 and it too was after the 11/1 cut-off. Naturally they could have figured out some other way to hand them out but really it seems like just an error. One that's been apologized for, that TJ's working to help clean up with outreach to colleges, and that he already said they would handle it differently moving forward.

Are you trying to make excuse for him? Where are the accountability and responsibility?

He already apologized (accountability) and reached out to all schools applied to by the affected students (responsibility). What else do you think he should do?

Dropping the ball at work happens. Dropping the ball on an important, time sensitive process you have managed for 15+ years and then making of some dumb excuse about not hurting kids feelings? He should probably be reassigned to a different position that has less risk for impacting students with applications. Perhaps a central administrative job or grades below HS.

They actually pulled him into working on the virtual campus during the pandemic. He just came back to TJ this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a PP. I agree with some previous posts. I think Bonitatibus has given administrators too much leeway for years. Frankly this isn’t the first issue where administration failed to do the job they are supposed to and it severely impacted the student when they didn’t do their required jobs. It’s just that it’s blown up.

She should have tightened the reigns years ago but she hasn’t. She’s chosen to focus on the political aspects and dignity visits part of her job. She needs to refocus on the management of the school. If she’s not able to pivot back to managing a school, she need to go too.

The Bonitatibus administration is pretty unpopular among students too, though for somewhat opposite reasons: they believe she and her staff don't give enough leeway and only institute pointless rules. It'll be interesting to see how she changes the administrative side of things following this, and how that affects the experience for the students.

Like what? I have been surprised how much freedom the kids seem to have there vs our base school experience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is this even the school’s responsibility to notify students? College Board is a business— they can do it themselves.

Say it louder for the people in the back!!! So tired of College Board taking money and making others do their work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look, this was a screw up for sure. But being commended is not a big deal, especially if you’re at TJ. I don’t understand what the fuss is about.

100% of the kids in TJ do not get commended. So, yeah! It is a big deal even in TJ, PHS, Blair, RMIB, certainly any of the magnets in MD and VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a PP. I agree with some previous posts. I think Bonitatibus has given administrators too much leeway for years. Frankly this isn’t the first issue where administration failed to do the job they are supposed to and it severely impacted the student when they didn’t do their required jobs. It’s just that it’s blown up.

She should have tightened the reigns years ago but she hasn’t. She’s chosen to focus on the political aspects and dignity visits part of her job. She needs to refocus on the management of the school. If she’s not able to pivot back to managing a school, she need to go too.

The Bonitatibus administration is pretty unpopular among students too, though for somewhat opposite reasons: they believe she and her staff don't give enough leeway and only institute pointless rules. It'll be interesting to see how she changes the administrative side of things following this, and how that affects the experience for the students.

Well there is that too - do as I say, not as I do attitude by teachers and admin. For example, turn assignments in on time or 80% for 1 day late. Oh wait - I need a month to grade your assignment because I’m sooo busy. FYI - FCPS policies say assignments should take about 7 school days for teachers to grade and record. And not that I am unsympathetic towards the teachers, it’s just that students can be equally busy or have circumstances. When my DC asked for extensions in the past they were denied because they weren’t requested early enough- like 5 days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, he screwed up, finally admitted it and seemingly is working to fix things.

+1
This. It's unfortunate but for sure I've dropped the ball occasionally in my own job and I imagine everyone has at some point as well. Sounds like he forgot about the packet for a few weeks. Also perhaps notable re: timing - TJ only has advisory on Mondays I believe. No school 10/24 or 10/31 so prior to 11/14 there was just one other Monday: 11/7 and it too was after the 11/1 cut-off. Naturally they could have figured out some other way to hand them out but really it seems like just an error. One that's been apologized for, that TJ's working to help clean up with outreach to colleges, and that he already said they would handle it differently moving forward.

Are you trying to make excuse for him? Where are the accountability and responsibility?

He already apologized (accountability) and reached out to all schools applied to by the affected students (responsibility). What else do you think he should do?

Dropping the ball at work happens. Dropping the ball on an important, time sensitive process you have managed for 15+ years and then making of some dumb excuse about not hurting kids feelings? He should probably be reassigned to a different position that has less risk for impacting students with applications. Perhaps a central administrative job or grades below HS.

Every word in this is correct except for “important”. Otherwise, agree completely. He should be reassigned.

If he really screwed up, he should be terminated. If he didn't, he should stay at TJ.

No other school wants TJ's damaged goods, and Gatehouse is already full of former school-based administrators who were stashed away there on the often false assumption that they couldn't cause any further mischief in a desk job.

He should go to Gatehouse in a non-parent facing position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, this was a screw up for sure. But being commended is not a big deal, especially if you’re at TJ. I don’t understand what the fuss is about.

100% of the kids in TJ do not get commended. So, yeah! It is a big deal even in TJ, PHS, Blair, RMIB, certainly any of the magnets in MD and VA.

When you combine Semifinalists and Commendeds, you’re talking about nearly 80% of each class. You have to remember that the Blair magnet and RM IB programs are small cohorts within much larger schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, he screwed up, finally admitted it and seemingly is working to fix things.

+1
This. It's unfortunate but for sure I've dropped the ball occasionally in my own job and I imagine everyone has at some point as well. Sounds like he forgot about the packet for a few weeks. Also perhaps notable re: timing - TJ only has advisory on Mondays I believe. No school 10/24 or 10/31 so prior to 11/14 there was just one other Monday: 11/7 and it too was after the 11/1 cut-off. Naturally they could have figured out some other way to hand them out but really it seems like just an error. One that's been apologized for, that TJ's working to help clean up with outreach to colleges, and that he already said they would handle it differently moving forward.

Are you trying to make excuse for him? Where are the accountability and responsibility?

He already apologized (accountability) and reached out to all schools applied to by the affected students (responsibility). What else do you think he should do?

Dropping the ball at work happens. Dropping the ball on an important, time sensitive process you have managed for 15+ years and then making of some dumb excuse about not hurting kids feelings? He should probably be reassigned to a different position that has less risk for impacting students with applications. Perhaps a central administrative job or grades below HS.

Every word in this is correct except for “important”. Otherwise, agree completely. He should be reassigned.

If he really screwed up, he should be terminated. If he didn't, he should stay at TJ.

No other school wants TJ's damaged goods, and Gatehouse is already full of former school-based administrators who were stashed away there on the often false assumption that they couldn't cause any further mischief in a desk job.

He should go to Gatehouse in a non-parent facing position.

Except people at Gatehouse in non-parent facing positions can still make the lives of teachers and principals miserable.

He’s apparently your problem, so stop trying to pawn him off on others in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So kids got digital notices during the deadly global pandemic, and they showed up a week late this year. I just don't see the problem here. Is someone deliberately trying to make this big nothing into something?

I think it has more to do with the reason given, not hurting the feelings of those who didn't get the award.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this even the school’s responsibility to notify students? College Board is a business— they can do it themselves.

This happens in other schools where nobody cares or notices. It really should not be the school’s job and it may not be a priority for some schools. College Board is fully capable of contacting students and should be the ones responsible for such notifications.

LOL, I paid extra for a score report on SAT, and it's not in my account, or even a record of my child having taken it.

[Anonymous]

Why does everyone say the letters showed up a week late? Showed up where?

The letters were supposed to be delivered to students in Sept (that’s why they were dated Sept). TJ received the letters mid October. Bonitatibus signed letters within 48 hrs. That’s still roughly mid October. Students received letters on Nov 14. So almost 1 month after TJ received the letters. Also college applications were due Nov 1. Students received the letters almost two weeks after the Nov 1 deadline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, this was a screw up for sure. But being commended is not a big deal, especially if you’re at TJ. I don’t understand what the fuss is about.

100% of the kids in TJ do not get commended. So, yeah! It is a big deal even in TJ, PHS, Blair, RMIB, certainly any of the magnets in MD and VA.

When you combine Semifinalists and Commendeds, you’re talking about nearly 80% of each class. You have to remember that the Blair magnet and RM IB programs are small cohorts within much larger schools.

So if those TJ students were at base schools they would have been notified. P 8-10 of the docs is really interesting. College apps? Those National Merit status lists go to principals in the spring semester-actual documents mailed in the fall. It's a regular cycle just like the 2 tax bills generated by FX DTA-Fairfax County Dept of Tax Administration. That did have a change on it's portal for a regular annual mailer-dog license renewal was oitsourced and communicated.

Stuff like the natl merit docs are scanned by students and submitted with apps. So now TJ staff might have to contact all colleges with outstanding apps from students who did not have the opportunity to scan and submit that document. My tax dollars are yet again used for wasteful and unproductive job performance by FCPS administrators whether at Gatehouse or school based. That entity moves them around like the RC church moved priests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, this was a screw up for sure. But being commended is not a big deal, especially if you’re at TJ. I don’t understand what the fuss is about.

100% of the kids in TJ do not get commended. So, yeah! It is a big deal even in TJ, PHS, Blair, RMIB, certainly any of the magnets in MD and VA.

it is not a big deal. BTDT