Haycock Principal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I think every Haycock parent would be thrilled to have the interim principal stay permanently. Obviously that is not what he is looking for. OP is asking some understandable questions. My opinion is that this interim is likely better than anyone Haycock can hire, that we are fortunate to have him, and that, as long as he is willing to stay, I am happy for the process to move slowly.

Re: the last principal, I don't disagree that many Haycock parents are a PITA, but it was the teachers who had issues with the principal. The parents sided with the teachers for both logical and likely personal reasons. It had become an untenable situation and something major needed to change.

What exactly did the last principal want to do?

The former principal was a young, inexperienced guy named Jerome Donnelly, who had never been a principal before. His first 2-3 years as principal were relatively uneventful. People didn't think he was great, and the number of teachers leaving started to increase, but there were no major problems.

Then, in early 2018, he announced that he was ending the longstanding practice of allowing teachers in the upper grades to focus on a particular subject area, with kids moving to different classes during the day. And he did so unilaterally, without consulting with the teachers or families in advance and telling them at first that he wouldn't answer any questions about his decision. Many of the teachers were unhappy and made clear that even more would leave if he didn't change his mind. When the parents found out, most backed the teachers. Donnelly then backed off, but it was clear that he'd lost the trust of the teachers and parents, and he soon stepped down. He was replaced with Augie Frattali, who had previously been the principal at Carson MS for many years (and obviously had lots of experience dealing with demanding AAP parents at a large school). Frattali was the interim for the 2018-19 school year.

Next, over the summer of 2019, FCPS announced that Scott Bloom, who had been the principal at Freedom Hill ES in Vienna, would take over as the new principal. Bloom was off to a reasonably good start but was arrested last December for having failed to report allegations of abuse by two teacher's aides at Freedom Hill. Bloom was suspended following his arrest and Frattali returned. As OP notes, there hasn't been much to suggest that FCPS has been looking very hard to find a permanent replacement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, OP. Haycock isn't going to live down firing their principal. Not for years.

When your teachers raise hell against you, the Principal, it's best to hang up your hat and take the exit walk. I've never known teachers to be voice their concerns as much as they did with him present, along with his boss, and tons of parents. I don't think there was any choice but for him to leave. I don't think he has been fired, just sitting elsewhere.

If you think everyone doesn't know that Haycock parents fired the Haycock principal, you're delusional.

You all are going to have poor Augie for a very long time.

OP here, the Haycock parents didn't get the principal fired. He's still on the payroll for FCPS. He's no longer the principal at Haycock. The parents got involved in the dispute when the teachers and APs reached out to the PTA to intervene. If teachers and APs are asking for help because they have a fundamental issue with his leadership, I'm not sure why you think the parents should have sat idly by. If you knew anything substantive about what occurred, you would have known that it wasn't the parents as much as it was the rest of his subordinates who bailed on him. (I think there's a YouTube video of that fateful PTA meeting when there was mutiny on his hands. Go look that up and it should give you a good idea of where the teaching staff landed with him as the principal.)

We all know exactly what happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I think every Haycock parent would be thrilled to have the interim principal stay permanently. Obviously that is not what he is looking for. OP is asking some understandable questions. My opinion is that this interim is likely better than anyone Haycock can hire, that we are fortunate to have him, and that, as long as he is willing to stay, I am happy for the process to move slowly.

Re: the last principal, I don't disagree that many Haycock parents are a PITA, but it was the teachers who had issues with the principal. The parents sided with the teachers for both logical and likely personal reasons. It had become an untenable situation and something major needed to change.

What exactly did the last principal want to do?

The former principal was a young, inexperienced guy named Jerome Donnelly, who had never been a principal before. His first 2-3 years as principal were relatively uneventful. People didn't think he was great, and the number of teachers leaving started to increase, but there were no major problems.

Then, in early 2018, he announced that he was ending the longstanding practice of allowing teachers in the upper grades to focus on a particular subject area, with kids moving to different classes during the day. And he did so unilaterally, without consulting with the teachers or families in advance and telling them at first that he wouldn't answer any questions about his decision. Many of the teachers were unhappy and made clear that even more would leave if he didn't change his mind. When the parents found out, most backed the teachers. Donnelly then backed off, but it was clear that he'd lost the trust of the teachers and parents, and he soon stepped down. He was replaced with Augie Frattali, who had previously been the principal at Carson MS for many years (and obviously had lots of experience dealing with demanding AAP parents at a large school). Frattali was the interim for the 2018-19 school year.

Next, over the summer of 2019, FCPS announced that Scott Bloom, who had been the principal at Freedom Hill ES in Vienna, would take over as the new principal. Bloom was off to a reasonably good start but was arrested last December for having failed to report allegations of abuse by two teacher's aides at Freedom Hill. Bloom was suspended following his arrest and Frattali returned. As OP notes, there hasn't been much to suggest that FCPS has been looking very hard to find a permanent replacement.

This should have been a good first school for him to learn how to principal, with good experienced teachers and administration. But the parents were totally out of control and ruined his career.

Now no one will touch the school. No one who values their career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I think every Haycock parent would be thrilled to have the interim principal stay permanently. Obviously that is not what he is looking for. OP is asking some understandable questions. My opinion is that this interim is likely better than anyone Haycock can hire, that we are fortunate to have him, and that, as long as he is willing to stay, I am happy for the process to move slowly.

Re: the last principal, I don't disagree that many Haycock parents are a PITA, but it was the teachers who had issues with the principal. The parents sided with the teachers for both logical and likely personal reasons. It had become an untenable situation and something major needed to change.

What exactly did the last principal want to do?

The former principal was a young, inexperienced guy named Jerome Donnelly, who had never been a principal before. His first 2-3 years as principal were relatively uneventful. People didn't think he was great, and the number of teachers leaving started to increase, but there were no major problems.

Then, in early 2018, he announced that he was ending the longstanding practice of allowing teachers in the upper grades to focus on a particular subject area, with kids moving to different classes during the day. And he did so unilaterally, without consulting with the teachers or families in advance and telling them at first that he wouldn't answer any questions about his decision. Many of the teachers were unhappy and made clear that even more would leave if he didn't change his mind. When the parents found out, most backed the teachers. Donnelly then backed off, but it was clear that he'd lost the trust of the teachers and parents, and he soon stepped down. He was replaced with Augie Frattali, who had previously been the principal at Carson MS for many years (and obviously had lots of experience dealing with demanding AAP parents at a large school). Frattali was the interim for the 2018-19 school year.

Next, over the summer of 2019, FCPS announced that Scott Bloom, who had been the principal at Freedom Hill ES in Vienna, would take over as the new principal. Bloom was off to a reasonably good start but was arrested last December for having failed to report allegations of abuse by two teacher's aides at Freedom Hill. Bloom was suspended following his arrest and Frattali returned. As OP notes, there hasn't been much to suggest that FCPS has been looking very hard to find a permanent replacement.

This should have been a good first school for him to learn how to principal, with good experienced teachers and administration. But the parents were totally out of control and ruined his career.

Now no one will touch the school. No one who values their career.

I wouldn’t say haycock has a lot of experienced teachers. Most seem to have taught under 10 years, many under 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I think every Haycock parent would be thrilled to have the interim principal stay permanently. Obviously that is not what he is looking for. OP is asking some understandable questions. My opinion is that this interim is likely better than anyone Haycock can hire, that we are fortunate to have him, and that, as long as he is willing to stay, I am happy for the process to move slowly.

Re: the last principal, I don't disagree that many Haycock parents are a PITA, but it was the teachers who had issues with the principal. The parents sided with the teachers for both logical and likely personal reasons. It had become an untenable situation and something major needed to change.

What exactly did the last principal want to do?

The former principal was a young, inexperienced guy named Jerome Donnelly, who had never been a principal before. His first 2-3 years as principal were relatively uneventful. People didn't think he was great, and the number of teachers leaving started to increase, but there were no major problems.

Then, in early 2018, he announced that he was ending the longstanding practice of allowing teachers in the upper grades to focus on a particular subject area, with kids moving to different classes during the day. And he did so unilaterally, without consulting with the teachers or families in advance and telling them at first that he wouldn't answer any questions about his decision. Many of the teachers were unhappy and made clear that even more would leave if he didn't change his mind. When the parents found out, most backed the teachers. Donnelly then backed off, but it was clear that he'd lost the trust of the teachers and parents, and he soon stepped down. He was replaced with Augie Frattali, who had previously been the principal at Carson MS for many years (and obviously had lots of experience dealing with demanding AAP parents at a large school). Frattali was the interim for the 2018-19 school year.

Next, over the summer of 2019, FCPS announced that Scott Bloom, who had been the principal at Freedom Hill ES in Vienna, would take over as the new principal. Bloom was off to a reasonably good start but was arrested last December for having failed to report allegations of abuse by two teacher's aides at Freedom Hill. Bloom was suspended following his arrest and Frattali returned. As OP notes, there hasn't been much to suggest that FCPS has been looking very hard to find a permanent replacement.

This should have been a good first school for him to learn how to principal, with good experienced teachers and administration. But the parents were totally out of control and ruined his career.

Now no one will touch the school. No one who values their career.

You are full of it. If you look at Haycock's history, just about every principal there has had a traditional career trajectory, serving at Haycock for many years and at other schools as well. The principal prior to Donnelly was at Haycock for many years and then she took a position at another school closer to her residence.

They will fill the position permanently as soon as Zuluaga actually makes it a priority to do so. With (1) a pandemic, (2) needier schools in Region 2 that consume most of Zuluaga's time, and (3) one of the best retired principals in FCPS serving as the interim, there isn't much urgency about the current situation.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if this is the same Shrevewood parent wishing ill on Haycock who has done so repeatedly on DCUM ever since FCPS moved the AAP kids living in the Shrevewood area from Haycock to Lemon Road. She was so pissed, but obviously it needed to be done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I think every Haycock parent would be thrilled to have the interim principal stay permanently. Obviously that is not what he is looking for. OP is asking some understandable questions. My opinion is that this interim is likely better than anyone Haycock can hire, that we are fortunate to have him, and that, as long as he is willing to stay, I am happy for the process to move slowly.

Re: the last principal, I don't disagree that many Haycock parents are a PITA, but it was the teachers who had issues with the principal. The parents sided with the teachers for both logical and likely personal reasons. It had become an untenable situation and something major needed to change.

What exactly did the last principal want to do?

The former principal was a young, inexperienced guy named Jerome Donnelly, who had never been a principal before. His first 2-3 years as principal were relatively uneventful. People didn't think he was great, and the number of teachers leaving started to increase, but there were no major problems.

Then, in early 2018, he announced that he was ending the longstanding practice of allowing teachers in the upper grades to focus on a particular subject area, with kids moving to different classes during the day. And he did so unilaterally, without consulting with the teachers or families in advance and telling them at first that he wouldn't answer any questions about his decision. Many of the teachers were unhappy and made clear that even more would leave if he didn't change his mind. When the parents found out, most backed the teachers. Donnelly then backed off, but it was clear that he'd lost the trust of the teachers and parents, and he soon stepped down. He was replaced with Augie Frattali, who had previously been the principal at Carson MS for many years (and obviously had lots of experience dealing with demanding AAP parents at a large school). Frattali was the interim for the 2018-19 school year.

Next, over the summer of 2019, FCPS announced that Scott Bloom, who had been the principal at Freedom Hill ES in Vienna, would take over as the new principal. Bloom was off to a reasonably good start but was arrested last December for having failed to report allegations of abuse by two teacher's aides at Freedom Hill. Bloom was suspended following his arrest and Frattali returned. As OP notes, there hasn't been much to suggest that FCPS has been looking very hard to find a permanent replacement.

This should have been a good first school for him to learn how to principal, with good experienced teachers and administration. But the parents were totally out of control and ruined his career.

Now no one will touch the school. No one who values their career.

Completely Disagree! You do not put a new principal in a school with 1000 kids. Experienced teachers had left when Dr. Sheers(former principal left-you would know this if you were at Haycock at the time) He was guided in by Fabio into the position. Parents backed the teachers up. Teachers asked the PTA for a meeting. Donnelly agreed to it(meeting was packed with entire teams of teachers). He started the meeting off by stating that there would be no exceptions in his decision to change the way the teachers could teach. He ended the meeting by stating he was open to changing it and suggestions. That is not a leader.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of Haycock-haters out there for whatever reason. Most of them aren't current (or alumni) Haycock parents so they have no clue. Say what you want about the Haycock community, but at the end of the day, everyone wants to be at the Center for LIV or move into the Haycock-Longfellow-Mclean pyramid zone, some even more so than some of the Langley pyramids. The school is massive, so yes, the Admin needs to deal with a LOT of involved parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, OP. Haycock isn't going to live down firing their principal. Not for years.

Shrevewood parents and teachers had its principal fired last year and no one seems to care about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of Haycock-haters out there for whatever reason. Most of them aren't current (or alumni) Haycock parents so they have no clue. Say what you want about the Haycock community, but at the end of the day, everyone wants to be at the Center for LIV or move into the Haycock-Longfellow-Mclean pyramid zone, some even more so than some of the Langley pyramids. The school is massive, so yes, the Admin needs to deal with a LOT of involved parents.

We know a lot of Haycock families and no the issue is not just because of the size of the school, it's the socioeconomic status and entitlement a lot of the parents feel due to their socioeconomic status. No doubt it's a good school, but man you guys are overbearing!

I think it says a lot that so many other schools have been able to fill open Principal positions while it took Haycock two years, and then you guys hired a criminal!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if this is the same Shrevewood parent wishing ill on Haycock who has done so repeatedly on DCUM ever since FCPS moved the AAP kids living in the Shrevewood area from Haycock to Lemon Road. She was so pissed, but obviously it needed to be done.

OP is a Haycock parent.

I'm the only Shrevewood parent that has posted, and that was to say that we fired our Principal last year and no one seems to say that Shrevewood parents have any sort of reputation.

I'm the mom of a first grader, so I have no idea what you're talking about with AAP. My child is too young for AAP and I would never send my child to a center school, anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of Haycock-haters out there for whatever reason. Most of them aren't current (or alumni) Haycock parents so they have no clue. Say what you want about the Haycock community, but at the end of the day, everyone wants to be at the Center for LIV or move into the Haycock-Longfellow-Mclean pyramid zone, some even more so than some of the Langley pyramids. The school is massive, so yes, the Admin needs to deal with a LOT of involved parents.

We know a lot of Haycock families and no the issue is not just because of the size of the school, it's the socioeconomic status and entitlement a lot of the parents feel due to their socioeconomic status. No doubt it's a good school, but man you guys are overbearing!

I think it says a lot that so many other schools have been able to fill open Principal positions while it took Haycock two years, and then you guys hired a criminal!!

Why aren’t you attacking the Shrevewood parents who go their principal fired when she had health problems or the Freedom Hill parents who didn’t do anything when Bloom was letting abuse at their school (not Haycock) go unreported? It speaks to your obvious resentment of Haycock.

[Anonymous]

Haycock is not the only the school that has had an interim for a long time. Lake Braddock had three different interim principals after Dave Thomas got removed. Finally the parents spoke up and got Elizabeth Schultz to force Brabrand to make finding a permanent replacement a priority. You really can’t overstate how lazy FCPS administrators can be. It sounds like most of the current Haycock parents are fine with the current interim and aren’t making a big fuss. That was NOT the case at LBSS, where the first interim was a real turkey who’d been at Oakton, the second was fine but only there very briefly, and the third was the retired Robinson principal who was just dialing it in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I think every Haycock parent would be thrilled to have the interim principal stay permanently. Obviously that is not what he is looking for. OP is asking some understandable questions. My opinion is that this interim is likely better than anyone Haycock can hire, that we are fortunate to have him, and that, as long as he is willing to stay, I am happy for the process to move slowly.

Re: the last principal, I don't disagree that many Haycock parents are a PITA, but it was the teachers who had issues with the principal. The parents sided with the teachers for both logical and likely personal reasons. It had become an untenable situation and something major needed to change.

What exactly did the last principal want to do?

The former principal was a young, inexperienced guy named Jerome Donnelly, who had never been a principal before. His first 2-3 years as principal were relatively uneventful. People didn't think he was great, and the number of teachers leaving started to increase, but there were no major problems.

Then, in early 2018, he announced that he was ending the longstanding practice of allowing teachers in the upper grades to focus on a particular subject area, with kids moving to different classes during the day. And he did so unilaterally, without consulting with the teachers or families in advance and telling them at first that he wouldn't answer any questions about his decision. Many of the teachers were unhappy and made clear that even more would leave if he didn't change his mind. When the parents found out, most backed the teachers. Donnelly then backed off, but it was clear that he'd lost the trust of the teachers and parents, and he soon stepped down. He was replaced with Augie Frattali, who had previously been the principal at Carson MS for many years (and obviously had lots of experience dealing with demanding AAP parents at a large school). Frattali was the interim for the 2018-19 school year.

Next, over the summer of 2019, FCPS announced that Scott Bloom, who had been the principal at Freedom Hill ES in Vienna, would take over as the new principal. Bloom was off to a reasonably good start but was arrested last December for having failed to report allegations of abuse by two teacher's aides at Freedom Hill. Bloom was suspended following his arrest and Frattali returned. As OP notes, there hasn't been much to suggest that FCPS has been looking very hard to find a permanent replacement.

This should have been a good first school for him to learn how to principal, with good experienced teachers and administration. But the parents were totally out of control and ruined his career.

Now no one will touch the school. No one who values their career.

These last 2 sentences times 100 million. Sheers (former permanent principal) has a PhD and seemed like a suitable principal. She left to go to a school further away from her home and she has small kids. This school can’t get a decent permanent principal and that is why they have not had one in years!

[Anonymous]

Glad to see that even a pandemic can't keep neurotic parents down.