Anonymous wrote:Maybe I'll just bring popcorn to the potluck and watch the unrest.

I don't understand why folks are so afraid to discuss concerns with the office. Perhaps I've been lucky but all my interactions with everyone there have been super positive.

You're lucky. I know a handful of parents, including myself, who were almost kicked out of the school for expressing valid concerns.

9:40: You seem to be getting angry and defensive, but unsure why. We all want the same thing - a fantastic school. What side are you arguing here?

Go back and reread the posts and you will see the same issues and concerns popping up over and over. I think you are misinterpreting 15:15 and 16:55. There is no hateful intent in what they are saying.

Can we all just leave it at the teachers are great, the school is great, but we are unhappy in the manner Betsy’s departure was handled? Because Betsy was a director, and the relationships Betsy had with many of the parents, her immediate departure and a letter stating Betsy’s gone with no notice to anyone, gave many of the parents get an uneasy feeling that something was amiss. Parents talk to each other, gossip was running wild, and consensus was foul play. Had the office been more forthcoming with a note talking of Betsy departure with some HR speak, then maybe the outrage would have been lessened, but it still would have been there.

I’ve been at the school for a couple of years and have never seen an invitation to join the board, so maybe you were part of the chosen to apply and assumed everyone was asked.

Being close with many of the families and reading in the posts that there are some afraid to discuss issues with the office, I don’t think it is a stretch to think that most aren’t talking to the office. No, I don’t KNOW this, but that wasn’t the full issue anyway. Plus I think most people don’t like confrontation and being able to bring forth issues behind anonymity isn’t necessarily a bad thing if people are being honest, non judgemental, calm, and courteous.

Let’s place this to bed already. The board, directors, president surely have all read these posts and know parental feelings on what is happening. I think at this point the school has some PR problems that may need to be addressed.

Anonymous wrote:I think you misread 15:15’s post, which was pretty on the money and well summed up.

1) I think 15:15 is not referencing that the office owed us an explanation, just that if the situation had been handled more appropriately that this thread may not have even happened. That is what many of the posters have echoed.
2) Agreed board members are volunteers, but again I think the PP is referring to the fact that the general parental population has no idea how board members are picked and are not invited to the board meetings. There has never been an invitation for new membership or attendance to a meeting. There are no definitions of their roles and responsibilities. It was not a ding on their commitment or work. Again, sentiments echoed numerous times in the posts.
3) Some parents may be speaking to the administration, but most aren’t. There is no denying as written in posts that parents are somewhat afraid to approach the office. That doesn’t deter from the issue of transparency, again echoed numerous times on these 9 pages.

1) Why do you think it wasn't handled properly? They set out a memo explaining that she no longer works at the center...end of story.
2) You are wrong. There was an invitation to apply to be a member.
3) Again, how do you know that most aren't speaking to the administration? Are you a member of the administration? Then, how do you KNOW?

[list]I am heartbroken upon reading this thread. You guys are so focused on getting answers to what really is not.your buissness than focusing on your childs care,nurture, and the education that they are receiving.

Do you realize that the one/ones who spend all day and every day with your children are the teachers?? Not the directors... Have you ever thank them for all the love they impart on a daily basis so that your child feels special.

The children at RSCC are absolutely adored! If this or any other situation would be reason to affect my children in any way, i would be the first one to raise hell.

[/b][i][i]Guys quit all the bickering and be thankful for what you have!!!" -AMEN!!

I am heartbroken upon reading this thread. You guys are so focused on getting answers to what really is not.your buissness than focusing on your childs care,nurture, and the education that they are receiving.

Do you realize that the one/ones who spend all day and every day with your children are the teachers?? Not the directors... Have you ever thank them for all the love they impart on a daily basis so that your child feels special.

The children at RSCC are absolutely adored! If this or any other situation would be reason to affect my children in any way, i would be the first one to raise hell.

Guys quit all the bickering and be thankful for what you have!!!

FYI - Most of the Form 990 is a matter of public record as a charity. Just search GuideStar under Christ Church Childrens Center Incorporated, Bethesda, MD.

Or perhaps folks can make a CHOICE to move on.
You all have a choice-choose to take your business elsewhere or freakin speak up as a paying customer.
No need to be rude just let this administration know how you feel and your input deserves to be valued. PERIOD.

I am also not interested in making waves. I do not want to move my daughter and I do not want to experience any vindictiveness when it comes time for recommendations should we go the private school route.

Were I inclined, I would ask to see:

1 ) The 990. Where is the money going?
2) The articles of incorporation
3) An explanation of board selection and recruit policies
4) Board minutes
5) The schedule for future board meetings

Perhaps someone who is more inclined to cause a fuss will take on the cause.

Anonymous wrote:
...I’m wondering as I write this if there really isn’t something else going on, some ulterior motives where the office wanted Betsy out, because this situation really seems ridiculous.

I am an RSCC parent and was avoiding this thread but I have to respond here because this response totally captured how I'm feeling. I just don't understand this, and I believe 100% what Betsy wrote (it actually sounds like she had her lawyer review it based on the tone and statement of facts), so I'm inclined to believe there is something else going on here. Some posters have said the current administration has our children's best interest at heart, but I'm not so sure. I believe the current administration (minus Betsy) has their own self-preservation at heart, and I'm guessing their decision to terminate her with no notice without consulting the board had something to do with that. We've already seen other posts from parents about the CEO and Exec Director being vindictive against those who have raised genuine concerns, so I am inclined to believe that may be what happened here.

I am posting anonymously in large part because my child is still at the school. However, we are looking elsewhere. While I love the teachers, I believe the current administration has gone astray, and I no longer trust that they will put the school and my child above their own personal career wants. I am more than happy to come back and attach my name to this post once we have moved my child.

I think you misread 15:15’s post, which was pretty on the money and well summed up.

1) I think 15:15 is not referencing that the office owed us an explanation, just that if the situation had been handled more appropriately that this thread may not have even happened. That is what many of the posters have echoed.
2) Agreed board members are volunteers, but again I think the PP is referring to the fact that the general parental population has no idea how board members are picked and are not invited to the board meetings. There has never been an invitation for new membership or attendance to a meeting. There are no definitions of their roles and responsibilities. It was not a ding on their commitment or work. Again, sentiments echoed numerous times in the posts.
3) Some parents may be speaking to the administration, but most aren’t. There is no denying as written in posts that parents are somewhat afraid to approach the office. That doesn’t deter from the issue of transparency, again echoed numerous times on these 9 pages.

Anonymous wrote:1) a more appropriate explanation about Betsy's departure. As a previous poster wrote, it would go a long way if Shaun just stated that it was a personnel issue and to respect everyone's privacy, he's not able to discuss further.
2) the ability to attend/observe Board meetings. Make it public when and where Board meetings are held, it is a non profit afterall.
3) to create a culture of open exchange and transparency. The fact that parents have to resort to DCUM instead of speaking to the administration directly speaks volumes.

Here are my two cents:

1) Why do you feel they owe us an explanation? It's a legal matter and it's none of our business. If a teacher crosses the line, I hope they get terminated. If I cross the line at my job, I get terminated. It's no different. We did receive a memo when it happened. It's not like nothing was said. I don't get memos or explanations when someone gets fired at my job.

2) Board members are volunteers. They have day jobs and I'm sure they don't meet everyday or even every week. I can only assume that personnel matters and confidential issues are discussed. Any parent can apply to be part of the Board, but it's a commitment that not many parents are willing to make. Based on the backlash from this issue, I certainly wouldn't want to be a member.

3) How do you know that parents aren't speaking to the administration? Maybe they are. Just because people are writing on here doesn't mean others aren't speaking to administrators. If if you talk to them, I think the administrators will be as open as they are legally allowed to be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good God woman, I hope you cleared that with your attorney before posting it.

probably doesn't matter, from what she wrote, its not likely she would have any kind of case against the employer.

Doesn't matter WHAT she wrote, it's THAT she wrote it. A lawyer's advice is always essentially STFU until we get things rolling! If you're suing someone (and it sounds like it's coming) are you going to let out your version for the other side to see, respond to, and prepare for before officially starting?? Of course not! Any lawyer worth anything would have said, "uh, not a good idea. Let it go." At the very least, the whole thread was singing her praises (I think, I didn't read the whole thing), and it might have been in her best interest to let that continue. Now she has put something out there that might change it. Terrible move Betsy!

I love my daughter's teachers. They're kind, loving and devoted to their students. She's learned so much under their instruction. It's them I want to protect. What happens when one of our beloved teachers corsses the line and gets terminated? Don't you understand, it's not what happened, although it sounds rather egregious and I regret so deeply that Betsy is no longer at the school, that she wasn't even given a transition period of one week. It's how Shaun and the Board are handling, or rather, not handling the situation. Being a leader comes with great responsibility, to quote from Spiderman. From reading these posts it appears parents want the following:
1) a more appropriate explanation about Betsy's departure. As a previous poster wrote, it would go a long way if Shaun just stated that it was a personnel issue and to respect everyone's privacy, he's not able to discuss further.
2) the ability to attend/observe Board meetings. Make it public when and where Board meetings are held, it is a non profit afterall.
3) to create a culture of open exchange and transparency. The fact that parents have to resort to DCUM instead of speaking to the administration directly speaks volumes.

What we must not do is attack each other, or attack those who are dedicated to serving our school community. They go through such great lengths to care for our children and they do a wonderful job. At least we can all agree that we want the best for our children. It isn't constructive to go after each other on this thread, and since we're all hiding behind the mask of anonymity here, it's rather cowardly. To Shaun, Carrie or any Board Members reading this, at tomorrow night's potluck, if you could please address the three points above, I truly believe we will no longer need this thread.

Anonymous wrote:Good God woman, I hope you cleared that with your attorney before posting it.

My thoughts exactly. I am actually saddened by all of the mean-spirited posts. I have two children at RSCC and I KNOW that they would not have fired Betsy unless absolutely necessary. We are only getting one side of the story and Betsy's "facts" just don't seem to add up to a termination. It sounds to me like maybe some boundaries were crossed when it comes to socialization with RSCC families. But I have no idea and I'm okay with never knowing. I'm willing to give the Board and the decision-makers the benefit of the doubt. After all, they want to protect their own children, as well as ours.

Anonymous wrote:Good God woman, I hope you cleared that with your attorney before posting it.

probably doesn't matter, from what she wrote, its not likely she would have any kind of case against the employer.