Should I be worried about this? Re:school

[snipsnsnails]

V starts Kindergarten at a private school in a week. It's 2s all the way through Kindergarten. In the last 2.5 weeks, we've gotten 2 letters - one saying the Kindergarten teacher is leaving in October and, today, a letter saying the Executive Director is gone and has been replaced.

Ummmm, I'm feeling wary. Is turnover like this normal at this point in the school year? Don't they do this before school starts in a week?

[ninjabridemom]

I'm more concerned that the ED is "gone" instead of "Will be leaving in X weeks/months."

[bugandbibs]

I wouldn't worry if I liked the school. There could be a million reasons for leaving- pregnancy, moving for a spouses job, taking care of an ailing parent, etc.

[VeryViolet]

Is this your first time at the school? If no have you been happy with the other teachers, how the school is run, etc? 

I would definitely be worried. Are you doing private because of the cutoff for public? Is the plan to do first grade next year or public K? I honestly don't know what I would do but depending on your plans for this year and next I would base next steps on that.

[snipsnsnails]

Aug 31, 2015 10:05:55 GMT -5 ninjabridemom said:

I'm more concerned that the ED is "gone" instead of "Will be leaving in X weeks/months."

Yeah, I mean, the guy they brought on is super qualified and not local, so I suspect they did a search. But no one ever mentioned it or even hinted at it. They spoke highly of the ED that's on her way out in the letter, but I've seen that before even when the outing is not altogether friendly.

[snipsnsnails]

Aug 31, 2015 10:09:11 GMT -5 VeryViolet said:

Is this your first time at the school? If no have you been happy with the other teachers, how the school is run, etc? 

I would definitely be worried. Are you doing private because of the cutoff for public? Is the plan to do first grade next year or public K? I honestly don't know what I would do but depending on your plans for this year and next I would base next steps on that.

First time, and, yes, we chose the program because it's one of the few accredited Ks in our area. He'll go to Public K next year.

[gummybear]

Hmmmm.
Considering they have hired a highly qualified person to fill the ED position, I am assuming it was planned. There may have been reasons for keeping it on the down-low. Words like "interim" are red flags to me because they indicate the decision was not anticipated and the person filling the role might not be the most qualified.

As for the teacher, that actually bothers me a bit more. I feel like that is more disruptive for the children. Have they given any indication who will be filling that role?

[VeryViolet]

Aug 31, 2015 10:11:05 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

Aug 31, 2015 10:09:11 GMT -5 VeryViolet said:

Is this your first time at the school? If no have you been happy with the other teachers, how the school is run, etc? 

I would definitely be worried. Are you doing private because of the cutoff for public? Is the plan to do first grade next year or public K? I honestly don't know what I would do but depending on your plans for this year and next I would base next steps on that.

First time, and, yes, we chose the program because it's one of the few accredited Ks in our area. He'll go to Public K next year.

I don't have a kid that old so take my opinion FWIW but the fact that you are planning on doing Public K next year would make me feel a little better about it just because there is less at stake. Not that I would be all "la ti da" but I also wouldn't be as questioning of every little thing/that parent. I would see how the new director is and communicate a lot with the teacher for what the plan is for transition in October.

The turnover itself is probably pretty common in that setting. As long as the new director is responsive I am sure it will be okay. 

[sonrisa]

Did it say why the kindergarten teacher is leaving? Is it maternity leave? I hope things work out.

[snipsnsnails]

Aug 31, 2015 10:16:16 GMT -5 gummybear said:

Hmmmm.
Considering they have hired a highly qualified person to fill the ED position, I am assuming it was planned. There may have been reasons for keeping it on the down-low. Words like "interim" are red flags to me because they indicate the decision was not anticipated and the person filling the role might not be the most qualified.

As for the teacher, that actually bothers me a bit more. I feel like that is more disruptive for the children. Have they given any indication who will be filling that role?

Yes, this is reassuring. They've already hired a new teacher and she will be starting next week, with the teacher who will be leaving, so they will have a month and a half to transition the children together to solely the new teacher and assistant teacher.

[snipsnsnails]

Aug 31, 2015 10:24:27 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Did it say why the kindergarten teacher is leaving? Is it maternity leave? I hope things work out.

No, she has been trying to adopt a second child, so I thought perhaps this was the reason for the leave, but I just saw her on Friday night (she's a friend of a good friend) and that wasn't the reason b/c she was discussing still not having a placement.

[Jalapeñomel]

In NYC, teachers have until August 1st to give their principal notice to leave, however, there are still teachers leaving (although the process is a little more complicated after August 1st).

Leaving in mid-October is strange, and it seems like it has to be a medical leave or she is tenured, and letting her go is very difficult.

[snipsnsnails]

Oh well, sounds like I'll just see how it goes! V is super adaptable, so I'll try to be, too, since he's 4 and I'm 34.

[speckledfrog]

Sounds like it will be a bit of a transition year, but that can be good thing, especially if the ED's departure was on the school's terms. I would remain cautious but optimistic.

[snipsnsnails]

Aug 31, 2015 10:46:19 GMT -5 speckledfrog said:

Sounds like it will be a bit of a transition year, but that can be good thing, especially if the ED's departure was on the school's terms. I would remain cautious but optimistic.

Thanks for chiming in! I know you used to work in this sort of setting so your (cautious) encouragement helps!