How has LAMB changed since the 2017 sexual abuse lawsuit and leadership changes?

[Anonymous]

There are numerous threads, over a year old, discussing the horrible sexual abuse incidents and lawsuit that happened in 2017 at LAMB PCS. I understand that the principal at the time, Cristina Encinas, and the Executive Director, Diane Cottman, were both removed. There were many comments on DCUM about, not only, how the incidents were handled but also around a leadership change being needed, with or without the sexual abuse incidents. One poster mentioned a culture of favoritism (I paraphrase) from Cristina, in particular, toward Latino families and teachers...that she/they did not encourage or appreciate parental involvement from non-latino families...unless she was getting something she wanted out of it (again, paraphrasing someone on here). Someone else speculated that the concerns that were brought forth by 2 teachers (1 Caucasian and 1 African American) were disregarded because the man who was abusing children claimed it was a cultural difference. (From the DCUM post: "The Board letter said that FERNANDEZ explained his behavior as a difference in style (he described his way of relating to the students as "open and Spanish," as opposed to "closed / American."")

This isn't a post to dredge up or discuss such a horrible situation and my heart goes out to the children and parents involved and affected, so I hope this doesn't open up old wounds. I can only begin to imagine how upset, angry, and anxious parents were at the time. I'd also expect that almost every parent there was demanding answers, change, accountability and transparency.

Can anyone share what has changed in the last year? How is the administration and leadership now? Have they put any new policies or procedures in place to prevent abuse from happening again? Has the culture of the school or engagement/interaction with parents changed with new leadership?

We are considering the school (if we were to actually get a spot) and it would be wonderful to hear feedback from those who have experienced the before and the after. There's not a lot of information online. I can't even figure out on their website who is now their Principal and/or Executive Director...?

[Anonymous]

There is acting leadership in place.

Search for permanent ED continues.

Board has turned over, but new procedures and policies were put in place.

Teachers holding down the fort and things seem pretty normal for the students.

[Anonymous]

My child goes to LAMB. It is a fantastic school. Literally, our only complaint about the school is the parking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to LAMB. It is a fantastic school. Literally, our only complaint about the school is the parking.

Not OP, but a new-to-DC parent with many of the same questions as OP. Can I ask if you are at the South Dakota Ave. campus where the abuse occurred? Do you feel that the interim leadership and/or the LAMB board has handed this in a way that gives you confidence something like this will never, ever happen again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to LAMB. It is a fantastic school. Literally, our only complaint about the school is the parking.

Not OP, but a new-to-DC parent with many of the same questions as OP. Can I ask if you are at the South Dakota Ave. campus where the abuse occurred? Do you feel that the interim leadership and/or the LAMB board has handed this in a way that gives you confidence something like this will never, ever happen again?

All of that stuff happened before we got there. I sort of wondered about it at first, but we sort of forgot about it. Other people can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the entire leadership was fired after that stuff happened. There's no one in charge there now who was in power then. I don't really worry about it, because I personally believe there is not a single school in the United States that would tolerate sexual abuse of children. Anyway, LAMB is an amazing school. There is a reason why 700 kids apply to 25 pre-K slots. We have been stunned at how much our child has learned. Even the aftercare is great. At many schools, the kids watch television during the aftercare. At LAMB, they go to museums.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to LAMB. It is a fantastic school. Literally, our only complaint about the school is the parking.

Not OP, but a new-to-DC parent with many of the same questions as OP. Can I ask if you are at the South Dakota Ave. campus where the abuse occurred? Do you feel that the interim leadership and/or the LAMB board has handed this in a way that gives you confidence something like this will never, ever happen again?

All of that stuff happened before we got there. I sort of wondered about it at first, but we sort of forgot about it. Other people can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the entire leadership was fired after that stuff happened. There's no one in charge there now who was in power then. I don't really worry about it, because I personally believe there is not a single school in the United States that would tolerate sexual abuse of children. Anyway, LAMB is an amazing school. There is a reason why 700 kids apply to 25 pre-K slots. We have been stunned at how much our child has learned. Even the aftercare is great. At many schools, the kids watch television during the aftercare. At LAMB, they go to museums.

https://wamu.org/story/18/03/15/school-lottery-d-c-parents-leave-childrens-futures-hand-fate/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to LAMB. It is a fantastic school. Literally, our only complaint about the school is the parking.

Not OP, but a new-to-DC parent with many of the same questions as OP. Can I ask if you are at the South Dakota Ave. campus where the abuse occurred? Do you feel that the interim leadership and/or the LAMB board has handed this in a way that gives you confidence something like this will never, ever happen again?

All of that stuff happened before we got there. I sort of wondered about it at first, but we sort of forgot about it. Other people can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the entire leadership was fired after that stuff happened. There's no one in charge there now who was in power then. I don't really worry about it, because I personally believe there is not a single school in the United States that would tolerate sexual abuse of children. Anyway, LAMB is an amazing school. There is a reason why 700 kids apply to 25 pre-K slots. We have been stunned at how much our child has learned. Even the aftercare is great. At many schools, the kids watch television during the aftercare. At LAMB, they go to museums.

Wow. Just wow. Do you even know what happened? It was tolerated and allowed to continue at LAMB. No the entire leadership wasn't fired. Some were even kept on to assist with acquiring a new location. Children's lives were ruined because of LAMB. You can't say that about many schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to LAMB. It is a fantastic school. Literally, our only complaint about the school is the parking.

Not OP, but a new-to-DC parent with many of the same questions as OP. Can I ask if you are at the South Dakota Ave. campus where the abuse occurred? Do you feel that the interim leadership and/or the LAMB board has handed this in a way that gives you confidence something like this will never, ever happen again?

All of that stuff happened before we got there. I sort of wondered about it at first, but we sort of forgot about it. Other people can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the entire leadership was fired after that stuff happened. There's no one in charge there now who was in power then. I don't really worry about it, because I personally believe there is not a single school in the United States that would tolerate sexual abuse of children. Anyway, LAMB is an amazing school. There is a reason why 700 kids apply to 25 pre-K slots. We have been stunned at how much our child has learned. Even the aftercare is great. At many schools, the kids watch television during the aftercare. At LAMB, they go to museums.

Wow. Just wow. Do you even know what happened? It was tolerated and allowed to continue at LAMB. No the entire leadership wasn't fired. Some were even kept on to assist with acquiring a new location. Children's lives were ruined because of LAMB. You can't say that about many schools.

Oh, you're going to get a lot of this on DCUM -- lots of people whose children have never set foot at LAMB, who have no connection to the school, arguing that it is a safe house for perverts.

[Anonymous]

"Before we got there..." means child is in primary/preschool. Great that they're having a good experience, but I agree a totally tone deaf and insensitive comment overall. Also, at the preschool level, one typically has little feel for actual school culture, however inclusive a PK3-5 school is.

OP, hopefully more instructive responses will come from people whose children were there before/after.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to LAMB. It is a fantastic school. Literally, our only complaint about the school is the parking.

Not OP, but a new-to-DC parent with many of the same questions as OP. Can I ask if you are at the South Dakota Ave. campus where the abuse occurred? Do you feel that the interim leadership and/or the LAMB board has handed this in a way that gives you confidence something like this will never, ever happen again?

All of that stuff happened before we got there. I sort of wondered about it at first, but we sort of forgot about it. Other people can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the entire leadership was fired after that stuff happened. There's no one in charge there now who was in power then. I don't really worry about it, because I personally believe there is not a single school in the United States that would tolerate sexual abuse of children. Anyway, LAMB is an amazing school. There is a reason why 700 kids apply to 25 pre-K slots. We have been stunned at how much our child has learned. Even the aftercare is great. At many schools, the kids watch television during the aftercare. At LAMB, they go to museums.

Wow. Just wow. Do you even know what happened? It was tolerated and allowed to continue at LAMB. No the entire leadership wasn't fired. Some were even kept on to assist with acquiring a new location. Children's lives were ruined because of LAMB. You can't say that about many schools.

Oh, you're going to get a lot of this on DCUM -- lots of people whose children have never set foot at LAMB, who have no connection to the school, arguing that it is a safe house for perverts.

You know what they say about assumptions....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is acting leadership in place.

Search for permanent ED continues.

Board has turned over, but new procedures and policies were put in place.

Teachers holding down the fort and things seem pretty normal for the students.

No, there is a new ED now - she started last week. We don't know when there will be a new Principal. We are at SD and have children in lower elementary. I'm satisfied with the evolution that has occurred in terms of leadership and board changes (which I think were long overdue). The board is almost entirely new now and they are still growing. There is a greater emphasis on communication and transparency now, and while parents will always want more, I think they're doing pretty good. The teachers and lower level leadership have done a tremendous job of keeping the tumult from the kids, though I know they are concerned about the future of the school as much as the parents are/were.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is acting leadership in place.

Search for permanent ED continues.

Board has turned over, but new procedures and policies were put in place.

Teachers holding down the fort and things seem pretty normal for the students.

No, there is a new ED now - she started last week. We don't know when there will be a new Principal. We are at SD and have children in lower elementary. I'm satisfied with the evolution that has occurred in terms of leadership and board changes (which I think were long overdue). The board is almost entirely new now and they are still growing. There is a greater emphasis on communication and transparency now, and while parents will always want more, I think they're doing pretty good. The teachers and lower level leadership have done a tremendous job of keeping the tumult from the kids, though I know they are concerned about the future of the school as much as the parents are/were.

I agree with the second PP. The first PP cannot be a current parent; there was tons of communication about the new ED, her hiring, and her start date.

I think the turnover in leadership has been most difficult for the staff, as the lengthy vacancies have taken a toll on them. But the classroom management and instruction has not suffered, from what I can tell. We feel really lucky to be a part of the school.

[Anonymous]

I fundamentally don’t understand posts like this. You haven’t been offered a spot. Nothing you read here is going to change your mind about applying. A separate lottery means anyone who is remotely interested will apply. I just don’t understand why this type of post, which probably does open “old” wounds for some people, is necessary until you’ve been offered a spot. You have plenty of time to ask questions like this of ACTUAL CURRENT parents before committing.

[Anonymous]

There is a new executive director who seems great. The board is almost entirely new and the new chair of the board is fantastic. There is a new assistant principal at South Dakota who is amazing. They are actively working to hire a new principal (that spot is vacant).

We are a currently family and are very happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child goes to LAMB. It is a fantastic school. Literally, our only complaint about the school is the parking.

Not OP, but a new-to-DC parent with many of the same questions as OP. Can I ask if you are at the South Dakota Ave. campus where the abuse occurred? Do you feel that the interim leadership and/or the LAMB board has handed this in a way that gives you confidence something like this will never, ever happen again?

All of that stuff happened before we got there. I sort of wondered about it at first, but we sort of forgot about it. Other people can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the entire leadership was fired after that stuff happened. There's no one in charge there now who was in power then. I don't really worry about it, because I personally believe there is not a single school in the United States that would tolerate sexual abuse of children. Anyway, LAMB is an amazing school. There is a reason why 700 kids apply to 25 pre-K slots. We have been stunned at how much our child has learned. Even the aftercare is great. At many schools, the kids watch television during the aftercare. At LAMB, they go to museums.

This is weird. They do not go to museums. Maybe one time on a field trip.