Important Parent Meeting - Mendel Feb 10 1:30

[LibbyLW]

The schools on Yokota are all going through their accreditation process and Mendel is having theirs next week. The administration clearly attempted to keep the parents out of the loop and did not ever send out the announcement that there was a meeting for them to come to the school to discuss any issues with the accreditation team. One active parent said that he asked three times for information about the meeting but no one responded and the blond woman in the office kept saying that the principal was the only one who could give out that information.

My son finally came home with a horribly worded information sheet about the upcoming meeting. Any and all parents that are concerned about their childs education on Yokota should go to the meeting. It is next Wednesday Feb 10 from 1:30 - 2:00. The meeting is with the accrediation team and the administration will not be there. I am told that the accreditation team is very responsive to parents concerns. Oddly enough, at the last school where Hattie Phipps was the principal --- they had their accrediation review, it did not go well at all, and then suddenly she was "transferred" to Yokota. Lucky us!

Any and all parents that are concerned about their childs education on Yokota should go to the meeting. It is next Wednesday Feb 10 from 1:30 - 2:00.

[VetteChic]

Unfortunately i did not see this until today... does anyone know how the meeting went?

[Enchanter]

Unfortunately i did not see this until today... does anyone know how the meeting went?

I'd wager it was the standard "Yokota Way", where a few people blow off steam about something they're passionate about, those in charge say they'll look into it, nothing changes, nothing happens, and life goes on as it was before...

Standard at Yokota, that is...

[LibbyLW]

The meeting was very enlightening and many parents were very calmly and professionally outspoken in their concerns regarding the Administration (the principal Hattie P name was said over and over). Parents were upset over the lack of concern and connection to the parents about bullying, communication, policies and meetings. There were a few parents there that were either sent by the administration to talk the talk but they were far out numbered by almost 20 parent that had specific concerns. Upset parents were there with notes, documentation and questions.

It was obvious that the Investigators had already heard some negative issues about Hattie P the principal because they were specifically asking about how she communicates, contact with parents, support of goals, etc. They went so far as to say "everyone seems to love John Stroup (the assistant principal)". Further proof that the Investigators already had concerns about Hattie P as the principal was that they encouraged the parents with issues to talk long enough to make their thoughts clear. They also had parents stay after the meeting to talk individually.

Of course in the Mendel way- the school "made" everyone sign a list that they were there (so much for an annonymous forum) and one teacher was there taking pictures of everyone at the meeting. It was bad enough that they had it in the library so everyone could walk by to see who was saying what. No surprise there- that is the way the administration is at Mendel. Hattie P was thrown out of a Korea elementary school, sent to Yokota with no regard forthe students or community here, and now she is just waiting out until she can retire. Hopefully sooner rather than later! A comment was made about no teachers being connected to the principal. If a parent has an issue and can work it out with the teacher, great. If not, then look for a school off base or go to West elem school. Lke that is an option for 99% of us.

One parent summed it up to say "no one can claim that you feel the love here at Mendel,I am sure that after three years of my son being at the school- Hattie P stll does not even know his name, nor does she care to". 19 heads all nodded in agreement. When I was at the school on Friday, I stopped her to ask a general question and made reference to "my xxx grade son" and it was clear that she had no idea who he was. She knew who I was (because I volunteer, go to meetings, am at the school a few times a week dropping off or picking up, helping with a club) but could not connect me to my child after two plus years. I sure did not feel the love.........because there isn't any.

It is not too late for parents to express their concerns to the school with teachers, policies, communication, etc. No one can complain if they don't at least contact the school directly or the District office - right down the street from the school on the way to the shopette. You are the child's only advocate at the school - don't sit silent while your student is subjected to sub-standard adminstration.

[VetteChic]

Thanks so much for posting this info... it will be interesting to see what is done with the concerns that were raised. Do you happen to know when the "results" will be coming out?