SELA teacher exodus

[Anonymous]

SELA parent here. I heard from a teacher this morning at drop off that almost all of the teachers plus the director of operations are leaving at the end of this year. All but one of the Hebrew teachers will be gone and all of the English speaking teachers are leaving. All gave their notice last week. I was hoping to have my child in this teacher's class next year but that hope is gone and it's too late and stressful to start another school search. Any suggestions? First year DC resident and first year involved in the whole school search/application process.

[Anonymous]

This doesn't bode well for the future of the school.

[Anonymous]

OP, what grade is your child in next year? If K or above, you have the right to send him or her o your IB school.

[Anonymous]

I would escalate to the principal immediately and ask for clarification. Is there a PTA to have an emergency town hall?

[Anonymous]

No it doesn't. This is upsetting since this was our only option for prek 3. I'm sick to my stomach right now.

[Anonymous]

Have they sent out notice that they are closing?

If not - they should be able to pull something together but longer term you may want to look for other programs

[Anonymous]

Has the school said anything? They are calling people off the waitlist and SHOULD NOT be enrolling new families if this is the case.

[Anonymous]

I would call Bethune 10:47. I can't imagine they have their PK3 class fully enrolled.

[Anonymous]

OP - what did the teacher at drop-off say was the reason for all of the teachers leaving? Is something going on at SELA that we should know about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would call Bethune 10:47. I can't imagine they have their PK3 class fully enrolled.

I was waitlisted at Bethune and still haven't received a call. Not sure where they're at right now, but it wouldn't be unprecedented if they're just being slow. What's your IB, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would call Bethune 10:47. I can't imagine they have their PK3 class fully enrolled.

I was waitlisted at Bethune and still haven't received a call. Not sure where they're at right now, but it wouldn't be unprecedented if they're just being slow. What's your IB, OP?

I would call Bethune. Most of the neighborhood families I know that applied went with other options.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Worse case we do daycare for another year. I haven't heard the best things about Bethune. I'm hoping schools that burn through their WL will do so this year. But with how this lottery went I'm not holding out hope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! Worse case we do daycare for another year. I haven't heard the best things about Bethune. I'm hoping schools that burn through their WL will do so this year. But with how this lottery went I'm not holding out hope.

Bethune PK3 and PK4 is fine. I'd keep an eye out for longer term options though.

[Anonymous]

The conversation was short as there were other people around and she could obviously tell I was upset. Honestly I was more concerned about why she was leaving than anyone else since my child would be directly affected next year. At the time I was more disappointed than angry but after I got to work and had time to drink my coffee and think about it I got angry and turned to this forum. I haven't gotten anything from the admin about this and with school ending soon I don't know when or if we would be told. I looked at the website and now see almost every position posted as an employment opportunity.

I just sent an email to the head of school asking for an in-person meeting and referenced what I had been told.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SELA parent here. I heard from a teacher this morning at drop off that almost all of the teachers plus the director of operations are leaving at the end of this year. All but one of the Hebrew teachers will be gone and all of the English speaking teachers are leaving. All gave their notice last week. I was hoping to have my child in this teacher's class next year but that hope is gone and it's too late and stressful to start another school search. Any suggestions? First year DC resident and first year involved in the whole school search/application process.

Have you been happy there? That makes all the difference, imo , about what you decide. Go talk to the principal.