Welcome To Alafia Lisa Tierney-Jackson!

Alafia Elementary welcomes new principal -- former Cypress Creek Elementary principal Lisa Tierney-Jackson.


Dec 14, 2008

Dec. 17th Meeting with Elia







12 comments:

  1. How much of the action plan remains, and what will be "scrapped"?

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  2. Is Mrs. West staying? If yes, why?

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  3. I think we should ask any questions we have, but save our comments for the next school board meeting.

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  4. Since Mrs.Smith was the cause of us becoming a focus school, Now that she is gone will we go back to just being an elementary school? We are officially an a school our grades show it!

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  5. Mrs. West is a good assistant principal, maybe now she is free to show it.
    Lets all remember we are trying to unite again not change our entire staff.

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  6. This is the last time we will have a chance to question Elia at our school and she will be forced to answer the questions. Comments still need to be said regarding the last school board meeting. It can be done without making the parents look bad. Speak now while she is at the school. Don't wait until the next board meeting where she can just brush you off. Although I believe people should go to the next board meeting, I don't believe silence is the answer for Wednesday's meeting.

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  7. I don't see Mrs. West as a problem. She's always been friendly and seemed to communicate with the kids in a way that you'd expect in an elementary school. I think she has some great potential in working with kids and I believe she's an asset to our school. Now that Smith is gone I think she'll be able to be even better.

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  8. We need to phrase our questions to Ms Elia where she has to provide a "yes" or "no" answer. Here is our last chance to ask questions on what progress she has truly made in her "action plan". Action words are cheap, not sure what has actually been accomplished accept for her regrettably accepting Ms. Smith's transfer request.

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  9. They dont want you to come. The reason they rushed in a new Principal was to stifle any more dissent.

    In fact they want you to thank Ms. Elia for getting you a new principal.

    Dont forget how she treated you at the last board meeting. She has nothing but contempt for parents and teachers who don't tow the line and be good boys and girls.

    Ms. West will undermine the new principal. She should go. Trust me, West's staying is not an accident.

    Dont give in. Your fight is not over.

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  10. Mrs. Jackson will be at the meeting tonight so let’s all be sure and be on our best behavior. Its time to start repairing the damage caused by Mrs. Smith. Please take this time tonight to question Elia about her words at the school board meeting last Tuesday, but let’s remember this is the first time Mrs. Jackson will be meeting us as a group. What kind of first impression do you want the new principal to have of you? Do you really want to stick out in her mind while she is taking all of this in, or do you want to show her that you are part of the solution and want nothing more then to move on and start making Alafia the best it can be? IMHO, I can’t wait to meet the new principal. I think the teachers are excited for the change and the parents are eager to begin working with her to get Alafia back on track as an A school and no longer a "focus" school! Lets all welcome Mrs. Jackson tonight at 7 in the schools cafeteria!

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  11. I really wanted to attend but could not. How did this meeting go?

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  12. OMG! Has anyone seen this? Someone is trying to save their arse!

    http://blogs.tampabay.com/schools/2008/12/superintendent.html

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Nov 26th 2008 Tampa Trib article....

"The beleaguered principal of Alafia Elementary School began her work week Monday as she usually does – standing in front of the Valrico school as the students arrived by car, bus or holding the hands of their parents.
This time, however, Principal Ellyn Smith had company. Longtime educator Grace
Ippolito was by Smith's side, greeting parents and students. Ippolito, who was principal when Alafia opened in 1987, returned to the school last week under an hourly paid contract with the Hillsborough County School District to serve as Smith's mentor and coach for an unspecified period of time. Her mission is to teach Smith the people skills Alafia parents say she's lacking."
***To read Full article, please click here:
Alafia Principal, Parents Begin Reconciliation
By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE
Published: November 26, 2008

Quotes From The Board.....

November 11, 2008:..... "It's usually not a good thing to have an assessment team come into a school," Faliero said. "It indicates there is enough evidence to suggest there were things that were not working for this school, that there is just cause to go forward and look into it."
November 10th, 2008:......"I thought it was a good meeting," Hegarty said after meeting with the Alafia faculty. "People spoke from the heart."
October 24th, 2008:.......Elia said school officials have held six meetings regarding the Alafia situation since June. Elia also met directly with the principal. "I want to make it clear that this is something that we have been working on," Elia said.
October 24th, 2008:....."
When a school is polarized, it's not a healthy environment for students or staff to be part of, and it filters out into the community as well," Faliero said.
October 10th , 2008: ....."The superintendent needs to get involved, and she needs to find out if there is just cause to these things that they are saying," Faliero said, adding that if true, the charges could be cause for dismissal.
"I just don't see that kind of unified concern from east Hillsborough unless they truly believe something is wrong."
Board chairwoman Jennifer Faliero said she has never seen such a large group of parents complain publicly about their school leader. She asked superintendent MaryEllen Elia to work with the parents and look into the situation.

** WSE FACTS **

2007-2008 WSE Survey conducted - April 2008

92% of teachers indicated they felt strongly that Mrs. Smith does not interact with others fairly and empathetically.

85% of teachers indicated they felt strongly that Mrs. Smith does not recognize and reward staff when appropriate.

69% of teachers indicated they felt strongly that Mrs. Smith does not promote a safe and orderly school culture that is conducive to learning.


*** SCROLL BELOW TO VIEW COMPLETE REPORT ***

** KEY Observations ** Assessment Team - November 2008

- The Team found a very stressful work environment for teachers and administrators. In addition, the community is experiencing the stress felt at the school.

- Some parent and staff interviews revealed a fear of retaliation for speaking honestly and openly to our assessment team

- Faculty, staff, administration and parents appear fragmented and in distress.



*** SCROLL BELOW TO VIEW COMPLETE REPORT! ***

Parents Speak Out

"You're going to give her a life coach? In the real world, we don't get a life coach. We get fired!"

PETITION UPDATE

285 SIGNATURES & STILL GOING!

Should Alafia Become A Charter School?