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1. agreger
   Member Profile

   28 students in the Lafayette Elementary 5th grade class (room 12) have had substitute teachers for almost a month. The level of education has dropped substantially.

   During this critical time, our children need proper guidance and support both academically and emotionally in order to transition and be successful in middle school. Mr. Ferris' extended absence has created stress and anxiety for the class.

   Please sign the petition to urge school officials to respond so our class can return to normalcy.

   http://www.change.org/petitions/principal-lafayette-elementary-our-kids-need-a-teacher

   Posted 3 months ago #         

2. Que
   Member Profile

   This is not the proper channel to effect change regarding this issue. This needs to be taken to the principal and their supervisor if need be, however, this feels like rabble-rousing and baiting rather than a method to actually change things. There are rules that the principal needs to follow regarding hiring for positions. You are not more special than everyone else. Follow the rules set out by SPS. Change.org is not the way to do this.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

3. LKT
   Member Profile

   Your comments seen rather harsh, Que. True, there is protocol to be followed with personnel issues within the school system, and I certainly don't know the details of the situation or what action has been taken by SPS or the parents.

   That being said, I will argue that fifth graders ARE special. Where to attend middle school is a huge issue for many families, and students in the Spectrum program have even more options to consider. To have someone who knows your child and can help guide families is a big help, not to mention the extra work of writing letters of recommendation and the other tasks that teachers take on to help in this important transition. School commitments for public and private schools are coming right up, so I can understand the frustration that parents must be feeling: a month is a long time to be in limbo. I truly hope that all can be resolved quickly and to everyone's satisfaction.

   I will also say that my daughter was lucky enough to have Mr. Ferris for both fourth and fifth grades, and many times she has commented on how well prepared she was for middle school. His guidance AND teaching were excellent, and I suspect he would not easily interchangeable at this point in his students' careers.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

4. Ms. Sparkles
   Member Profile

   Proper forum or no, mechanics do look at the squeeky wheels first.

   I signed it (my children don't go to Lafayette) because I don't want the precious few of my tax dollars allocated to this school to be frittered away; and with a rotating cast of substitutes, that is exactly what it happening.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

5. agreger
   Member Profile

   Que & LKT,

   We did follow the rules and worked with the principals. Two more weeks went by with no update. This is a 5th grade spectrum class with kids "idled" for a month which they cannot afford.

   Either way - whether the petition helped or not - less than 2 days after the petition began, we just received an email from the principal that our teacher will be returning to school tomorrow!

   Posted 3 months ago #         

6. agreger
   Member Profile

   I just told my son that Mr. Ferris is coming back tomorrow and he'll probably have a huge homework packet for the weekend. You should have seen the smile on his face!

   Thank you to everyone who supported the petition!

   Cheers,
   Amy

   Posted 3 months ago #         

7. wsmama3
   Member Profile

   Curiosity killed the cat - good thing I am human. What the heck happened?! Why did a month go by with no one able to comment? Just curious how to keep this form happening to my kid.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

8. WSB
   Member Profile

   

   We haven't finished the story yet, but this came up briefly at Marty McLaren's community meeting today, covered by co-publisher Patrick, and regional director Aurora Lora answered a question by saying there would be an announcement before the end of the week. Guess that was the announcement! - TR

   Posted 3 months ago #         

9. agreger
   Member Profile

   Tracy,
   I was at Marty's meeting along with several parents from our class. Was Patrick the one on the laptop? :)

   WSMAMA3,
   We were told to respect the teacher's privacy, and that it was not something the School District or our principals can comment.

   We're thrilled to have our teacher back!

   Amy

   Posted 3 months ago #         

10. wsmama3
    Member Profile

    I guess my only comment could be that the school should have arranged 1-2 subs and been a little more forth coming with communication.
    I was at the meeting too - I am jealous you have a teacher that is that amazing!

    Posted 3 months ago #         

11. singularname
    Member Profile

    This is absolutely the place (along with all other avenues available) to spread the word: SPS is a huge FAIL. A like situation happened 12 years ago at Latona, 1 year pre-Stanford, when the vet K teacher left a note of resignation on the first day in protest, leaving parents to teach for 2 weeks and then a very weak sub for the next 6 months. How many other times has this situation occured from then to now? Dozens? A hundred? Times the child endangerment incidents--Hundreds per year? And that doesn't even begin to get into basic education standards.

    Posted 3 months ago #         

12. GAnative
    Member Profile

    

    CONGRATS on getting your teacher back! My daughter is at WSHS and has not had a Social Studies/History teacher since winter break. I didn't know about it until my daughter mentioned it a few days ago. They've had numerous subs none staying for more than 3 days and some days it's just some on from the office watching them as they watch movies.
    .
    I called the school yesterday trying to get info on situation and had to leave a message. I haven't heard back from the school yet but my daughter said they were told that they would have a permanent teacher after mid-winter break.
    .
    I'll be calling and sending an email again today as 8 weeks is too long not to have a teacher and you know it's bad when a 9th grader is complaining and worried about how this will effect her grades.

    Posted 3 months ago #         

13. agreger
    Member Profile

    GAnative,

    You should reach out to Aurora Lora and Marty McClaren. Aurora particularly worked really hard to help us resolve the issue.

    Good luck!

    Aurora Lora
    Executive Director of Schools - West Seattle Region
    aalora@seattleschools.org

    Marty McLaren, District VI (West Seattle)
    School Board District Director
    martha.mclaren@seattleschools.org

    Posted 3 months ago #         

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