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Dear parents,
My name is Sarah Rabin Spira, and I’m the Director of Early Childhood, Youth & Family Programs at the Washington DCJCC. Thank you for asking about our school seeking information from current families.
I’m happy to connect you with current families for more information about our security procedures and their experience at the J. Please email me at sarahr@washingtondcjcc.org with your contact information, and I’ll have a family contact you.
Warm regards,
Sarah
Sarah Rabin Spira
Director, Early Childhood, Youth & Family Programs
Washington DCJCC
1529 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
SarahR@washingtondcjcc.org
t. (202) 777-3278
f. (202) 518-9420
http://washingtondcjcc.org/kids-and-parents/
My name is Sarah Rabin Spira, and I’m the Director of Early Childhood, Youth & Family Programs at the Washington DCJCC. Thank you for asking about our school seeking information from current families.
I’m happy to connect you with current families for more information about our security procedures and their experience at the J. Please email me at sarahr@washingtondcjcc.org with your contact information, and I’ll have a family contact you.
Warm regards,
Sarah
Sarah Rabin Spira
Director, Early Childhood, Youth & Family Programs
Washington DCJCC
1529 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
SarahR@washingtondcjcc.org
t. (202) 777-3278
f. (202) 518-9420
http://washingtondcjcc.org/kids-and-parents/
Hi everyone,
Sarah Rabin Spira again. No one, other than the parent of the child, is more upset about this than I am. It was an awful thing to happen, and we regret that it did and are doing everything we can to make sure nothing like this happens again.
I’ve spent the last few months working with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE, our licensing agency), Child Protective Services (CPS), Metro Police Department (MPD), our Preschool Steering Committee and concerned parents. I answered all direct questions (via parent meetings, phone and email) individually; however, I would like to share the same information with you now. We have upset many parents, understandably so, and I want to reassure you as much as I can by detailing our responses and decision-making processes.
We considered the question of firing the teachers, but we felt that while it would send a message to the staff, it would negatively affect the children even more. To remove both teachers would have been detrimental to all of the children as they would feel insecure, confused and upset by the transition. Parents in the classroom specifically asked us to keep their child’s teachers as they respect and trust them. In addition, we would have two substitute teachers while we searched for permanent replacements (which usually takes two–three weeks to post ads, interview, do background and reference checks, hire them and have them start). Our substitutes are good and qualified for their roles, but our full-time teachers receive more training and have more experience and education in the early childhood education field. We felt it would be best for the children in the class to keep it consistent and keep them with the teachers they know and love.
We have filed and received reports from OSSE, CPS and MPD. All came to the same conclusion that while we were at fault in leaving a child at the park, removing the teachers from the classroom was not necessary or recommended.
We have codified new procedures, which have been informed by the best practices of other centers and consultations with concerned parents. The procedures we have in place are on our website: http://washingtondcjcc.org/kids-and-parents/preschool/child-tracking-procedures.html
We held a special training with our staff in June in response to this. We will also include a formal training on the procedures with new and returning staff during our training week (August 22-26), and the procedures will be posted in each classroom. In addition, they will be included in our Parent Handbook and Staff Manual for the fall.
This was an awful experience, and we all feel devastated by it. I welcome personal conversations with those who would like to contact me to discuss your concerns.
Sincerely,
Sarah Rabin Spira
Sarah Rabin Spira
Director, Early Childhood, Youth & Family Programs
Washington DCJCC
SarahR@washingtondcjcc.org
t. (202) 777-3278
f. (202) 518-9420
http://washingtondcjcc.org/kids-and-parents/
Sarah Rabin Spira again. No one, other than the parent of the child, is more upset about this than I am. It was an awful thing to happen, and we regret that it did and are doing everything we can to make sure nothing like this happens again.
I’ve spent the last few months working with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE, our licensing agency), Child Protective Services (CPS), Metro Police Department (MPD), our Preschool Steering Committee and concerned parents. I answered all direct questions (via parent meetings, phone and email) individually; however, I would like to share the same information with you now. We have upset many parents, understandably so, and I want to reassure you as much as I can by detailing our responses and decision-making processes.
We considered the question of firing the teachers, but we felt that while it would send a message to the staff, it would negatively affect the children even more. To remove both teachers would have been detrimental to all of the children as they would feel insecure, confused and upset by the transition. Parents in the classroom specifically asked us to keep their child’s teachers as they respect and trust them. In addition, we would have two substitute teachers while we searched for permanent replacements (which usually takes two–three weeks to post ads, interview, do background and reference checks, hire them and have them start). Our substitutes are good and qualified for their roles, but our full-time teachers receive more training and have more experience and education in the early childhood education field. We felt it would be best for the children in the class to keep it consistent and keep them with the teachers they know and love.
We have filed and received reports from OSSE, CPS and MPD. All came to the same conclusion that while we were at fault in leaving a child at the park, removing the teachers from the classroom was not necessary or recommended.
We have codified new procedures, which have been informed by the best practices of other centers and consultations with concerned parents. The procedures we have in place are on our website: http://washingtondcjcc.org/kids-and-parents/preschool/child-tracking-procedures.html
We held a special training with our staff in June in response to this. We will also include a formal training on the procedures with new and returning staff during our training week (August 22-26), and the procedures will be posted in each classroom. In addition, they will be included in our Parent Handbook and Staff Manual for the fall.
This was an awful experience, and we all feel devastated by it. I welcome personal conversations with those who would like to contact me to discuss your concerns.
Sincerely,
Sarah Rabin Spira
Sarah Rabin Spira
Director, Early Childhood, Youth & Family Programs
Washington DCJCC
SarahR@washingtondcjcc.org
t. (202) 777-3278
f. (202) 518-9420
http://washingtondcjcc.org/kids-and-parents/
The ratio in DC is 8:1, with 16 kids max, for children who are 3-years old. At 4 years old, the ratio goes to 10:1, with 20 kids max (though we have 16 kids in our 4s and PreK classes).
For 2s, it's 4:1 (12 max)
For 2 1/2s, it's 6:1 (12 max)
-SRS
For 2s, it's 4:1 (12 max)
For 2 1/2s, it's 6:1 (12 max)
-SRS
This is Sarah Rabin Spira again.
I agree, which is why we are evaluating all of our policies to make sure that we have the best teachers and plans in place to prevent a child's separation from a group. Yesterday's incident was unacceptable, and we all feel terrible about it as well as resolved to never let it happen again.
I agree, which is why we are evaluating all of our policies to make sure that we have the best teachers and plans in place to prevent a child's separation from a group. Yesterday's incident was unacceptable, and we all feel terrible about it as well as resolved to never let it happen again.
I'm Sarah Rabin Spira, the Preschool Director at the Washington DCJCC. I'd like to share with you the email that I shared with our parents this morning in response to this incident. I realize that serious concerns have been raised, and we have addressed them internally and externally. I am happy to answer your concerns directly, too. My contact information is at the bottom of this email.
______________________________________________________
Dear parents,
I'm writing to let you know of an incident at the park yesterday where a child in the three-year olds' class was left behind when the class left to return to the 16th Street J for lunch and the Code Green drill. The child is safe, but this was an unacceptable lapse in our safety protocols which we are addressing, as you will see below.
The circumstances are that both of the child's teachers were at the park and lined the children up on the rope. They both counted 15 children, the number they had at that time, handled a scuffle between three children over where they wanted to be, and set off to return for the J. At this point, the child was left at the park, and a recount was not done on the walk or back at the J. It is our policy that all teachers must count their children every few minutes, either inside the classroom or out. This should have been done and was not. A parent at the park called the J to alert us to the child's being left, and we ran to the park to retrieve her. Police were called, and a report was filed. They have documented it but are not taking further action at this time. We are also filing the appropriate paperwork, noting our responsibility in this incident, internally with our Security Director and CEO, as well as with OSSE, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, our licensing agency.
We have two tracks of response. The first is the class involved will have a third teacher assigned for the immediate future, especially when leaving the building. In addition, both teachers will have a note in their personnel files about the incident, and we are determining whether further action is needed.
The second is a broader strengthening and revising of our policies for the entire school. To this end, we will do the following:
1) Count the children every five minutes, with an update posted to their white boards every 30 minutes, or upon return to the classroom. Both teachers (including subs and floaters) must perform a count and verify with each other.
2) I will also spot-check classes in their rooms and other places (inside the J and out) to count children and verify how many there are and how many there should be. I will also be verifying that the teacher have their emergency bags with them when they leave the Preschool area. These bags have walkie-talkies, first aid kits and emergency forms. In addition, there is at least one teacher cell phone with the group, to be used only in the event of an emergency.
3) Parents must use the class sign-in and sign-out sheets to make sure we have an accurate list. Please do not let your child scribble on it. If a sheet or a pen isn't available, please let a staff member know right away.
4) When the children leave the building, the front desk attendant will record a count of the children in the class group and will check it against the number when they return. The teachers will communicate any changes (such as a child being dropped off at or picked up from the park) to the front desk attendant.
5) Daniel M will make sure each class has a posted roster and schedule for Enrichments so that teachers and subs will know who needs to be where and when. We have a floater assigned to collect the children from their classrooms, bring them to the enrichment classes and then pick them up after, but the information has not always been conveyed consistently to subs (who may have the class at 4:30 or 5:00 pm and may not know that a child is at karate, for example, and will be returning to the classroom after).
6) Our Closing procedures are being revised as follows:
Beginning May 12, 2011, we will close only in Preschool classrooms. We will no longer close (5:30-6pm) in the gym. Our revised schedule is as follows:
(notes about classroom locations not included in DCUM post)
Teachers will bring class clipboards to these classrooms at 5:30 pm. They will be kept close to the door. Whoever is closing in that room (sub or full-time teacher) needs to make sure the class clipboards are returned before they leave for the day.
We will inform the Washington DCJCC Front Desk of our updated schedule and will do our best to inform them of any last-minute changes. The Front Desk phone is 202-518-9400.
If a parent needs to reach the school after 5:30 pm, the best numbers to call are the Preschool Lobby phones: 202.777.3224 (Classrooms 3–4, Tuttim and Yaelim), 202.777.3220 (Classrooms 1–2, Kofim and Siporim).
These policies and changes will be discussed at our staff meeting this afternoon.
We hope that by creating cross-checks in our safety procedures, we can ensure the security of the children as well as aiding the teachers in doing their jobs.
I am also working with an outside expert to go over our safety plan and look for new ways to improve them. Any changes that result from this will be communicated to parents.
I apologize to the parent of the child involved and am both grateful she was not harmed and resolved to do everything I can to make sure it never happens again. The teachers are disappointed in themselves, and I agree there is no one safer than a teacher who made a mistake because they are the most vigilant in ensuring it never happens again. I have faith and trust in our teachers to work diligently to prevent an event like this from ever recurring.
I am happy to address your concerns. In addition, our CEO, Arna Meyer Mickelson (arnam@washingtondcjcc.org, 202.777.3261) and our CPO, Josh Ford (joshf@washingtondcjcc.org, 202.777.3249), have been part of these discussions and can answer your questions if needed.
Thank you,
Sarah
Sarah Rabin Spira
Director, Early Childhood, Youth & Family Programs
Washington DCJCC
SarahR@washingtondcjcc.org
t. (202) 777-3278
f. (202) 518-9420
http://washingtondcjcc.org/kids-and-parents/
______________________________________________________
Dear parents,
I'm writing to let you know of an incident at the park yesterday where a child in the three-year olds' class was left behind when the class left to return to the 16th Street J for lunch and the Code Green drill. The child is safe, but this was an unacceptable lapse in our safety protocols which we are addressing, as you will see below.
The circumstances are that both of the child's teachers were at the park and lined the children up on the rope. They both counted 15 children, the number they had at that time, handled a scuffle between three children over where they wanted to be, and set off to return for the J. At this point, the child was left at the park, and a recount was not done on the walk or back at the J. It is our policy that all teachers must count their children every few minutes, either inside the classroom or out. This should have been done and was not. A parent at the park called the J to alert us to the child's being left, and we ran to the park to retrieve her. Police were called, and a report was filed. They have documented it but are not taking further action at this time. We are also filing the appropriate paperwork, noting our responsibility in this incident, internally with our Security Director and CEO, as well as with OSSE, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, our licensing agency.
We have two tracks of response. The first is the class involved will have a third teacher assigned for the immediate future, especially when leaving the building. In addition, both teachers will have a note in their personnel files about the incident, and we are determining whether further action is needed.
The second is a broader strengthening and revising of our policies for the entire school. To this end, we will do the following:
1) Count the children every five minutes, with an update posted to their white boards every 30 minutes, or upon return to the classroom. Both teachers (including subs and floaters) must perform a count and verify with each other.
2) I will also spot-check classes in their rooms and other places (inside the J and out) to count children and verify how many there are and how many there should be. I will also be verifying that the teacher have their emergency bags with them when they leave the Preschool area. These bags have walkie-talkies, first aid kits and emergency forms. In addition, there is at least one teacher cell phone with the group, to be used only in the event of an emergency.
3) Parents must use the class sign-in and sign-out sheets to make sure we have an accurate list. Please do not let your child scribble on it. If a sheet or a pen isn't available, please let a staff member know right away.
4) When the children leave the building, the front desk attendant will record a count of the children in the class group and will check it against the number when they return. The teachers will communicate any changes (such as a child being dropped off at or picked up from the park) to the front desk attendant.
5) Daniel M will make sure each class has a posted roster and schedule for Enrichments so that teachers and subs will know who needs to be where and when. We have a floater assigned to collect the children from their classrooms, bring them to the enrichment classes and then pick them up after, but the information has not always been conveyed consistently to subs (who may have the class at 4:30 or 5:00 pm and may not know that a child is at karate, for example, and will be returning to the classroom after).
6) Our Closing procedures are being revised as follows:
Beginning May 12, 2011, we will close only in Preschool classrooms. We will no longer close (5:30-6pm) in the gym. Our revised schedule is as follows:
(notes about classroom locations not included in DCUM post)
Teachers will bring class clipboards to these classrooms at 5:30 pm. They will be kept close to the door. Whoever is closing in that room (sub or full-time teacher) needs to make sure the class clipboards are returned before they leave for the day.
We will inform the Washington DCJCC Front Desk of our updated schedule and will do our best to inform them of any last-minute changes. The Front Desk phone is 202-518-9400.
If a parent needs to reach the school after 5:30 pm, the best numbers to call are the Preschool Lobby phones: 202.777.3224 (Classrooms 3–4, Tuttim and Yaelim), 202.777.3220 (Classrooms 1–2, Kofim and Siporim).
These policies and changes will be discussed at our staff meeting this afternoon.
We hope that by creating cross-checks in our safety procedures, we can ensure the security of the children as well as aiding the teachers in doing their jobs.
I am also working with an outside expert to go over our safety plan and look for new ways to improve them. Any changes that result from this will be communicated to parents.
I apologize to the parent of the child involved and am both grateful she was not harmed and resolved to do everything I can to make sure it never happens again. The teachers are disappointed in themselves, and I agree there is no one safer than a teacher who made a mistake because they are the most vigilant in ensuring it never happens again. I have faith and trust in our teachers to work diligently to prevent an event like this from ever recurring.
I am happy to address your concerns. In addition, our CEO, Arna Meyer Mickelson (arnam@washingtondcjcc.org, 202.777.3261) and our CPO, Josh Ford (joshf@washingtondcjcc.org, 202.777.3249), have been part of these discussions and can answer your questions if needed.
Thank you,
Sarah
Sarah Rabin Spira
Director, Early Childhood, Youth & Family Programs
Washington DCJCC
SarahR@washingtondcjcc.org
t. (202) 777-3278
f. (202) 518-9420
http://washingtondcjcc.org/kids-and-parents/
It's Sarah Rabin Spira again. Our policy on cell phone use is that they are to be used for emergencies, to communicate with parents or to call the school (if urgent) only. If teachers are not following this policy, then I will take care of it. Thank you for letting me know.
Hi everyone,
My name is Sarah Rabin Spira, and I'm the director of the Washington DCJCC. I'd like to contribute more information to the posts listed and appreciate everyone's comments, concerns and support.
The see-saw at the park is one of the new kinds which is on springs, rather than a fulcrum, and has a center platform for children to stand and balance. On Friday afternoon, there was a child on that part who fell off and hurt his head. His teacher applied a compress and saw a need for stitches. She called 911 and the school, and another teacher called the child’s parents. Our assistant security director, camp director and I all came to the park to assist. When the EMTs arrived, they determined the child did not have a concussion but would need stitches on his forehead. The child’s father came and chose to take him to Georgetown Hospital.
When I checked in with the family on Saturday, they said that Georgetown admitted him immediately and used a glue (instead of stitches) to take care of him. The child is fine and in good spirits, and the parents thanked us for how we handled it at the park. We also sent a note within the hour to the entire school letting them know about it and our response, and the parents who responded were also grateful for the actions, communication and transparency.
While we usually limit the number of classes at the park in the mornings, we did have four classes at the park that afternoon. I allowed this because the class sizes were smaller than normal, even for the afternoons, and it was indeed the first school day of nice weather in a while. We had an extra teacher at the park to help with the group. We have reviewed our procedures for going outside, and I will continue to make sure they are enforced for the highest safety for our children. Despite the design of the see-saw, which encourages standing on the middle platform, I will ask my teachers to not allow its use without a teacher standing immediately next to it. I monitor the park, dropping by often, so that I can feel confident about the children's care. If teachers are "clumping," thank you for letting me know. I will address it with my staff.
While accidents can and do happen, we should try to prevent them and also make sure that our response is quick, effective and caring. All of our teachers are certified in First Aid and CPR and carry First Aid kits and emergency contact forms with them.
If you have any questions, please call or email me: (202) 777-3278, sarahr@washingtondcjcc.org
Thank you,
Sarah
My name is Sarah Rabin Spira, and I'm the director of the Washington DCJCC. I'd like to contribute more information to the posts listed and appreciate everyone's comments, concerns and support.
The see-saw at the park is one of the new kinds which is on springs, rather than a fulcrum, and has a center platform for children to stand and balance. On Friday afternoon, there was a child on that part who fell off and hurt his head. His teacher applied a compress and saw a need for stitches. She called 911 and the school, and another teacher called the child’s parents. Our assistant security director, camp director and I all came to the park to assist. When the EMTs arrived, they determined the child did not have a concussion but would need stitches on his forehead. The child’s father came and chose to take him to Georgetown Hospital.
When I checked in with the family on Saturday, they said that Georgetown admitted him immediately and used a glue (instead of stitches) to take care of him. The child is fine and in good spirits, and the parents thanked us for how we handled it at the park. We also sent a note within the hour to the entire school letting them know about it and our response, and the parents who responded were also grateful for the actions, communication and transparency.
While we usually limit the number of classes at the park in the mornings, we did have four classes at the park that afternoon. I allowed this because the class sizes were smaller than normal, even for the afternoons, and it was indeed the first school day of nice weather in a while. We had an extra teacher at the park to help with the group. We have reviewed our procedures for going outside, and I will continue to make sure they are enforced for the highest safety for our children. Despite the design of the see-saw, which encourages standing on the middle platform, I will ask my teachers to not allow its use without a teacher standing immediately next to it. I monitor the park, dropping by often, so that I can feel confident about the children's care. If teachers are "clumping," thank you for letting me know. I will address it with my staff.
While accidents can and do happen, we should try to prevent them and also make sure that our response is quick, effective and caring. All of our teachers are certified in First Aid and CPR and carry First Aid kits and emergency contact forms with them.
If you have any questions, please call or email me: (202) 777-3278, sarahr@washingtondcjcc.org
Thank you,
Sarah
Hi everyone,
I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce myself to the discussion. My name is Sarah Rabin Spira, and I'm the Washington DCJCC Preschool Director.
I admit that the previous school year was a transitional year and certainly not the perfect experience that we're trying to provide. However, the children still thrived, and we took the time and opportunity to fix the mistakes.
First, I have hired a great team of teachers with experience and education in the early childhood field. We spent three intensive days training them to be equipped for the new school year. We are following up with additional monthly trainings and conferences to supplement their experience, and we do have a teacher mentor who is guiding the day-to-day experiences in the classroom.
Second, we created a strong Parent Steering Committee with representatives from each room. Their job is to provide the feedback and support to maintain the standards we have set for the school. We are complementing this with a Preschool Family Committee made up of all parents to give more opportunities to get involved.
Third, we are committed to excellent communication and have increased the number of ways to do so for parents, from regular parent meetings to individual emails for every teacher, and every opportunity in between.
If you speak to any of our returning preschool parents or teachers, they will answer enthusiastically that the difference between last year and this year is "night and day." We have had a "fantastic" start to our new school year, and I fully expect that we'll continue on this trajectory.
If you would like the opportunity to tour the school and see it for yourself, I am happy to schedule a tour Monday-Friday between 9:00 am and 12:30 pm. I can be reached at (202) 777-3278 or sarahr@washingtondcjcc.org
Take care,
Sarah
I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce myself to the discussion. My name is Sarah Rabin Spira, and I'm the Washington DCJCC Preschool Director.
I admit that the previous school year was a transitional year and certainly not the perfect experience that we're trying to provide. However, the children still thrived, and we took the time and opportunity to fix the mistakes.
First, I have hired a great team of teachers with experience and education in the early childhood field. We spent three intensive days training them to be equipped for the new school year. We are following up with additional monthly trainings and conferences to supplement their experience, and we do have a teacher mentor who is guiding the day-to-day experiences in the classroom.
Second, we created a strong Parent Steering Committee with representatives from each room. Their job is to provide the feedback and support to maintain the standards we have set for the school. We are complementing this with a Preschool Family Committee made up of all parents to give more opportunities to get involved.
Third, we are committed to excellent communication and have increased the number of ways to do so for parents, from regular parent meetings to individual emails for every teacher, and every opportunity in between.
If you speak to any of our returning preschool parents or teachers, they will answer enthusiastically that the difference between last year and this year is "night and day." We have had a "fantastic" start to our new school year, and I fully expect that we'll continue on this trajectory.
If you would like the opportunity to tour the school and see it for yourself, I am happy to schedule a tour Monday-Friday between 9:00 am and 12:30 pm. I can be reached at (202) 777-3278 or sarahr@washingtondcjcc.org
Take care,
Sarah
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