Anonymous
12/15/2023 16:58
Subject: Re:Principal Resignation
And many parents tried to warn other parents and support teachers but we were told that we were gossiping, inventing problems, exaggerating, being helicopter parents, stirring things up unnecessarily, etc. This has been long coming. He should have never stayed that long, but thankfully he's gone! Cheers to that! 
Anonymous
12/15/2023 16:55
Subject: Principal Resignation
Anonymous wrote:.Anonymous wrote:Apparently, there are outstanding accusations of inappropriate touching by a teacher that were / are being mishandled. He leads by fear and manipulation. The teachers are why we are at oyster.
In Pineda's first year, 9 teachers, 1 instructional coach and 1 assistant principal left. After his second year, 8 teachers and 1 counselor left.
At this rate, it will be a school with none of the teachers I have heard so much about. I’ve heard replacement teachers can’t speak up bc their status in this country is dependent on him. Awful situation. We are strongly considering leaving. I know at least 7 other families of younger elementary considering leaving too
It is not uncommon for teachers to leave when there is a school leader change. The previous principal had been at OA for years and was beloved. Change is hard and many decide to leave and explore new options when there is a leadership change. Unless there were exit interviews conducted for each of those staff members and they specified they were leaving because of the principal, it's unfair to judge. Life happens, and sometimes people make the choice to leave. Sometimes high accountability causes teachers to leave. Also if I understand correctly, DCPS pays for staff visas so as long as international teachers work with DCPS, their visa is protected. It sounds like there is a lot of speculation and assumption but not necessarily factual data. I don't have a vote for or against his resignation but just hate how this website that should be a great place for families to connect, share, and learn from one another tends to become s a gossip blog. People have feelings, including this principal and this negative attention is damaging to the students, staff, and school community.
Many of the 17 teachers that left in his first year DID specify they were leaving in part or in whole because of leadership and tried to warn parents on this very forum but then similar to this post were told don't gossip or you're disgruntled. Some people were offered exit interviews and others weren't. Of those that weren't offered exit interviews they gave verbal and/or written exit concerns voluntarily without invitation/despite no invitation.
Anonymous
12/15/2023 16:51
Subject: Principal Resignation
Anonymous wrote:Apparently, there are outstanding accusations of inappropriate touching by a teacher that were / are being mishandled. He leads by fear and manipulation. The teachers are why we are at oyster.
In Pineda's first year, 9 teachers, 1 instructional coach and 1 assistant principal left. After his second year, 8 teachers and 1 counselor left.
At this rate, it will be a school with none of the teachers I have heard so much about. I’ve heard replacement teachers can’t speak up bc their status in this country is dependent on him. Awful situation. We are strongly considering leaving. I know at least 7 other families of younger elementary considering leaving too.
Your numbers aren't correct - it's worse. 17 employees left Pineda's first year - not 11.
Anonymous
12/15/2023 15:58
Subject: Principal Resignation
I personally hope he leaves DCPS. Not sure how he got into education but it is not a good fit for him. He used to be a Chem teacher at Wilson many years ago and he was a bad teacher
Anonymous
12/15/2023 13:15
Subject: Principal Resignation
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Let's hope his verbal resignation sticks!
There are so many horrific details unfolding that I’m learning. My kids are little, but I’m afraid for their safety if he is in charge. Is there a world in which DCPS can undo a verbal resignation? Can parents petition the district to remove him?
I assure you, your child's safety isn't in jeopardy. I am not a fan of Pineda and support his removal/resignation but do not spread inflammatory gossip.
I’m not being inflammatory. I’m scared for the safety of my children and trying to find information because no one is taking responsibility or sharing information. Are you aware multiple students reported being inappropriately touched by a teacher? (And the teacher is still there, teaching children?)
DCPS has an HR department. Teachers are employees of DCPS, they just work at a specific school. Principal's don't have the authority to fire staff. Teachers have a union and that union protects them from termination without just cause. Just cause must be determined by the HR department through an investigation.
The investigation was mishandled. I am not passing judgment on what did or did not occur, and will not identify the teacher, but the school admin has tried to downplay the concern and brush it under the rug.
I can’t speak to what happened here. But speaking from experience at a different school, I would not put too much stock in a DCPS investigation clearing a person of misconduct.
is there a way to address this at a district level? this is scary.
Anonymous
12/15/2023 08:54
Subject: Principal Resignation
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Let's hope his verbal resignation sticks!
There are so many horrific details unfolding that I’m learning. My kids are little, but I’m afraid for their safety if he is in charge. Is there a world in which DCPS can undo a verbal resignation? Can parents petition the district to remove him?
I assure you, your child's safety isn't in jeopardy. I am not a fan of Pineda and support his removal/resignation but do not spread inflammatory gossip.
I’m not being inflammatory. I’m scared for the safety of my children and trying to find information because no one is taking responsibility or sharing information. Are you aware multiple students reported being inappropriately touched by a teacher? (And the teacher is still there, teaching children?)
DCPS has an HR department. Teachers are employees of DCPS, they just work at a specific school. Principal's don't have the authority to fire staff. Teachers have a union and that union protects them from termination without just cause. Just cause must be determined by the HR department through an investigation.
The investigation was mishandled. I am not passing judgment on what did or did not occur, and will not identify the teacher, but the school admin has tried to downplay the concern and brush it under the rug.
I can’t speak to what happened here. But speaking from experience at a different school, I would not put too much stock in a DCPS investigation clearing a person of misconduct.
Anonymous
12/15/2023 08:11
Subject: Principal Resignation
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So is this still up in the air, or did he follow through with a resignation letter?
He’s out.
Hallelujah!
Anonymous
12/14/2023 23:56
Subject: Principal Resignation
Anonymous wrote:.Anonymous wrote:Apparently, there are outstanding accusations of inappropriate touching by a teacher that were / are being mishandled. He leads by fear and manipulation. The teachers are why we are at oyster.
In Pineda's first year, 9 teachers, 1 instructional coach and 1 assistant principal left. After his second year, 8 teachers and 1 counselor left.
At this rate, it will be a school with none of the teachers I have heard so much about. I’ve heard replacement teachers can’t speak up bc their status in this country is dependent on him. Awful situation. We are strongly considering leaving. I know at least 7 other families of younger elementary considering leaving too
It is not uncommon for teachers to leave when there is a school leader change. The previous principal had been at OA for years and was beloved. Change is hard and many decide to leave and explore new options when there is a leadership change. Unless there were exit interviews conducted for each of those staff members and they specified they were leaving because of the principal, it's unfair to judge. Life happens, and sometimes people make the choice to leave. Sometimes high accountability causes teachers to leave. Also if I understand correctly, DCPS pays for staff visas so as long as international teachers work with DCPS, their visa is protected. It sounds like there is a lot of speculation and assumption but not necessarily factual data. I don't have a vote for or against his resignation but just hate how this website that should be a great place for families to connect, share, and learn from one another tends to become s a gossip blog. People have feelings, including this principal and this negative attention is damaging to the students, staff, and school community.
We judge leaders by their ability to lead.
Retention has always been an important data point for leaders. It’s ridiculous to say we should not judge someone for how well they are executing a role.
Teachers left because they were unhappy. They were unhappy because he is an awful leader. Period. It’s not rumor or gossip. Talk to the librarian. Ask about the complete turnover in custodial staff this year. Ask about the teacher that resigned in her first week on the job. Ask about bullying in middle school.
This is a principal who couldn’t lead to ice melting on a hot day. I’m not worried about his feelings - I’m sure dcps will stick him somewhere and he will continue to collect his taxpayer funded salary.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 23:35
Subject: Principal Resignation
Anonymous wrote: just hate how this website that should be a great place for families to connect, share, and learn from one another tends to become s a gossip blog. People have feelings, including this principal and this negative attention is damaging to the students, staff, and school community.
When difficult or bad things happen, that also needs a place to be shared and it's more likely to happen candidly in an anonymous forum than in mealy mouthed CYA emails from Central. Negative things should get negative attention! It builds a healthier culture overall. It also allows parents the opportunity to dig deeper offline. As long as it's taken for what it is - speculation - it's helpful for people to share their own experiences and even what they have heard.
Not every parent is plugged into the inner workings of the school but they still want to know when something big is happening.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 22:05
Subject: Principal Resignation
Anonymous wrote:So is this still up in the air, or did he follow through with a resignation letter?
He’s out.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 22:03
Subject: Principal Resignation
So is this still up in the air, or did he follow through with a resignation letter?
Anonymous
12/14/2023 20:57
Subject: Principal Resignation
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Let's hope his verbal resignation sticks!
There are so many horrific details unfolding that I’m learning. My kids are little, but I’m afraid for their safety if he is in charge. Is there a world in which DCPS can undo a verbal resignation? Can parents petition the district to remove him?
I assure you, your child's safety isn't in jeopardy. I am not a fan of Pineda and support his removal/resignation but do not spread inflammatory gossip.
I’m not being inflammatory. I’m scared for the safety of my children and trying to find information because no one is taking responsibility or sharing information. Are you aware multiple students reported being inappropriately touched by a teacher? (And the teacher is still there, teaching children?)
DCPS has an HR department. Teachers are employees of DCPS, they just work at a specific school. Principal's don't have the authority to fire staff. Teachers have a union and that union protects them from termination without just cause. Just cause must be determined by the HR department through an investigation.
The investigation was mishandled. I am not passing judgment on what did or did not occur, and will not identify the teacher, but the school admin has tried to downplay the concern and brush it under the rug.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 20:38
Subject: Principal Resignation
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Let's hope his verbal resignation sticks!
There are so many horrific details unfolding that I’m learning. My kids are little, but I’m afraid for their safety if he is in charge. Is there a world in which DCPS can undo a verbal resignation? Can parents petition the district to remove him?
I assure you, your child's safety isn't in jeopardy. I am not a fan of Pineda and support his removal/resignation but do not spread inflammatory gossip.
I’m not being inflammatory. I’m scared for the safety of my children and trying to find information because no one is taking responsibility or sharing information. Are you aware multiple students reported being inappropriately touched by a teacher? (And the teacher is still there, teaching children?)
DCPS has an HR department. Teachers are employees of DCPS, they just work at a specific school. Principal's don't have the authority to fire staff. Teachers have a union and that union protects them from termination without just cause. Just cause must be determined by the HR department through an investigation.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 20:29
Subject: Principal Resignation
.Anonymous wrote:Apparently, there are outstanding accusations of inappropriate touching by a teacher that were / are being mishandled. He leads by fear and manipulation. The teachers are why we are at oyster.
In Pineda's first year, 9 teachers, 1 instructional coach and 1 assistant principal left. After his second year, 8 teachers and 1 counselor left.
At this rate, it will be a school with none of the teachers I have heard so much about. I’ve heard replacement teachers can’t speak up bc their status in this country is dependent on him. Awful situation. We are strongly considering leaving. I know at least 7 other families of younger elementary considering leaving too
It is not uncommon for teachers to leave when there is a school leader change. The previous principal had been at OA for years and was beloved. Change is hard and many decide to leave and explore new options when there is a leadership change. Unless there were exit interviews conducted for each of those staff members and they specified they were leaving because of the principal, it's unfair to judge. Life happens, and sometimes people make the choice to leave. Sometimes high accountability causes teachers to leave. Also if I understand correctly, DCPS pays for staff visas so as long as international teachers work with DCPS, their visa is protected. It sounds like there is a lot of speculation and assumption but not necessarily factual data. I don't have a vote for or against his resignation but just hate how this website that should be a great place for families to connect, share, and learn from one another tends to become s a gossip blog. People have feelings, including this principal and this negative attention is damaging to the students, staff, and school community.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 19:49
Subject: Re:Principal Resignation
Anonymous wrote:Considering the teacher was investigated and allowed to return to the classroom, it seems very vile to ask for them to be identified. Is this thread about the teacher or the principal?
Principal.