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[quote=Anonymous]The previous principal was very different from the current principal.  As noted by another poster she didn't have favor among some of the middle class parents and that ultimately caused her to be labeled as not good, primarily by those parents who tend to frequent forums like this and the listserve. You miss the part about becoming IB authorized, having thriving partnerships where lots of diverse students benefitted, increasing enrollment by 200 students over 5 years and a list of other things that made Cooke a place where children liked to be.  Heck, even the staff that you'll are currently raving about (and concerned about the fact that they are leaving) were largely hired and trained by her.  In terms of student achievement if you pour into the scores for real you will recognize that the data did indeed move but when you add 40+ students a year, many who come in below level the numbers game doesn't represent the work that was done in the school.  Teachers worked hard under the previous principal and she did indeed help us to get better.  I truly wish we would move beyond bashing her. We all get it. She pissed off the parents who post here, she didn't make you'll feel welcomed, she focused on the whole school experience in conjunction with test scores and she didn't make any excuses about it.  She has moved on and so should we.

The new principal was probably under pressure to do things differently, but that doesn't mean that she inherited a school that was at rock bottom.  Far from it, and to suggest otherwise undermines the work of the staff and students who have been members of the Cooke community for a long time. If you really dig into what's happening and ask questions instead of making up things on an random posts you will see the Cooke was full (until this year) of a dynamic committed group of teachers who are unfortunately leaving in large numbers. This is not sound for the students and I hope there is a plan.

Parents should inquire with the Principal how she plans to establish a culture where all of the students regardless of background are going to thrive and grow.  This can't happen with the removal of all of the cultural programming and community feel that despite if we liked it or not was established and maintained by the previous principal. This can't happen with 3% of parents coming to a board to paint a bright picture and others airing all of the schools growth spots.

Someone said that Cooke didn't get a much attention on this board before.  It has had its times from when parents were excited for the previous principal to when they were excited she was leaving to a new principal and how wonderful things now are and now how terrible things have become. Moral is the story of Cooke is one with lots of layers to work through.  Unfortunately the parents who tend to frequent here don't stay long enough to find out the back story and work to make changes in concert with the families who have been there literally 100 years . Its sad.

So my advice to the lady from the 3% that wants to know how to help.  Start by talking to the 97% that will be at Cooke when the K exit happens because a spot has opened up at other schools in the neighborhood.  Or better yet, commit to staying through early childhood and the upper grades to truly make an impact. Regardless, good luck.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Cooke hit just about rock bottom under the previous principal. When just one-third of your students are performing at grade level, you have serious problems. The school needed a major shakeup, and it was obvious that the new principal was under a mandate from central office to turn the school around. To that end, I am hoping be that rumors about major staff/teacher turnover are true. The school needs to be reinvigorated with a real focus on teaching, and it sounds like the new principal is doing just that. Good for her. [/quote]

Interesting how people seem to say that they need not to post anonymously when bashing the current principal but when it comes to the previous principal its "fair game". Focus should be the kids not adults feelings about each other. Get it together HD Cooke. [/quote][/quote]

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