OP here with an update. I emailed and called with no concrete news to share. The HOS has been "busy" and unable to meet...at least that is through the secretary's communication with me. The email I sent directly to the HOS was never replied to so I resorted to calls. Again with no success. My husband and I have decided to leave the school but will give Sela just as much courtesy as they've given us with this situation. We've both moved from the disappointment back to the angry phase.

Teachers leaving at the end of the year is always a possibility, but almost ALL of the teachers? That's a problem for me as a parent. None of this has been communicated by the Head of School.

Has any parent even been told that next year they are changing their entire instructional model? As a parent I found out just by flipping through the school's website and saw they already posted next year's calendar and daily schedule. Curiously I peeked and saw a huge difference to this year's daily schedule and next year's. Was I told before finding this online? No. Is there a logistical, educational, or other reason this was done? It would be nice to know if decisions are being made for a reason or just arbitrarily.

The Hebrew Curriculum Director resigned. The Director of Operations resigned. The Special Education Director resigned in March (and was never replaced!) The board members come and go faster than their names are ever placed on the website. That's enough for me. I'm over this.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]They might be able to make do with a program where Hebrew teachers only stayed a year or two (think about the IT/Appletree model, where there are teaching fellows), IF they get a strong principal and a core staff that stays longer. There are lots of Israelis who might like a year or two teaching experience in the US--after military service, as a sabbatical from teaching in Israel, recent college grads, etc.[/quote]

Maybe some Brandeis delet fellows.[/quote]

That can work but would require the school to create some sort of exchange or fellowship, or go through an H1B type process to enable foreign nationals to work here after proving that efforts to recruit qualified U.S. citizens failed. Can be done but takes a while and comes with associated legal fees etc.[/quote]

Actually, you can teach on others types of visas as an exchange--mostly on J visa. Lots of public schools around the U.S. do it for native speakers. It's not very complicated. Some teachers stay for years this way, legally.

What was the enrollment like this year? Aren't they expanding backwards to Pk3? What are the plans for the 3rd grade if they have altered the expansion plans.

What was the enrollment like this year? Aren't they expanding backwards to Pk3? What are the plans for the 3rd grade if they have altered the expansion plans.

Have the employees brought up concerns to the board?

As a former employee of SELA all I can say is that teachers were not and are not happy working there! In fact when you dread going somewhere everyday it's a horrible feeling. Though Dr. Authors potrays a lovely image and does work hard for the sake of the school, she needs to work on her people skills and management tactics if she is going to ever be able to retain a staff that will not leave! There are maybe 3 or 4 teachers out of 20 staying that should sum it up for you! And teachers don't know about all the mommy blogs and post nor do they have time to follow them. Some Israeli's are on 2 yr visas but they can choose to extend them if they want and I believe only 1 of 4 is staying. And every administrator that was on the team with Dr. A is leaving or already left.

Anonymous wrote:I am very much enjoying the canny use of the word "exodus" on this thread.

LOL awesome

Oh I get it?

Anonymous wrote:I am very much enjoying the canny use of the word "exodus" on this thread.

I am very much enjoying the canny use of the word "exodus" on this thread.

We are leaving Sela because of teacher turnover . Though not an immersion, we've been offered a slot at a school that offers Spanish ( I know .... not Hebrew) 3xs per week. Our child is a 1st grader and can support Spanish language learning in our home.

Live fairly close by and SELA has circulated flyers in the neighborhood advertising the school....can't be a good thing this late in the game!

Or maybe they weren't on DCUM when the posts were up. I know I only come every few weeks and rarely read past page 1.

Anonymous wrote:As a parent I appreciate the information which gives us something to think about. However, there have been a few threads asking about Sela recently and not one of these posters came forward. Why is that? If you wanted to inform potential parents of the administrative pitfalls and mistreatment, why wouldn't you post these comments on those threads? Before the lottery, before deadlines and people having to make decisions?

maybe because they cannot give detailed specifics without incurring the risk of outing themselves for obvious reasons and a random negative anonymous post without specifics would be easily labeled as disgrunted employee, lunatic, troll and so on. but a significant number of teachers leaving the school (assuming it is true, I have no idea) is a hard fact and it is easier to come forward at this point without having to give away specifics to support a claim that something is wrong at the school (the high number of poeple leaving already point to this)

As a parent I appreciate the information which gives us something to think about. However, there have been a few threads asking about Sela recently and not one of these posters came forward. Why is that? If you wanted to inform potential parents of the administrative pitfalls and mistreatment, why wouldn't you post these comments on those threads? Before the lottery, before deadlines and people having to make decisions?