Bring Back the Community to Our Community School

I am a teacher of over 20 years, I worked at OCS for a year, and Lynn is the worst administrator I have ever come across. Actually, all the administrators at OCS are terrible. They are lazy and unproductive. It is imperative you get rid of Lynn.

Many families have also expressed frustration regarding the sports program that failed to launch in a timely manner and the lack of communication surrounding it.

I was told of the great programs OCS once had and am keen on the school bringing back whatever programs were cut. Scale back on engorged salaries and put it towards the children!

Our family of five has never had Covid. We follow certain protocols and along with good fortune our children attend gymnastics, cheer, swimming, piano, and dance classes indoors where parents are welcomed. While we understand and appreciate everything the administration and teachers did to keep our children safe and in school learning, not opening the campus sometime in January once it became evident that a winter Covid surge did not occur is concerning. It is no longer about keeping children safe but about keeping parents out which goes against everything that OCS is supposed to be about. We’ve been attending for almost 10 years and have seen a slow erosion of what made OCS different and special from other schools. We used to have valet pickup and walk-in. We used to communicate with our child’s teacher in-person all the time. We used to stay after school and play in the playground and get to know the other families. We used to tell others that our school was unique because we had no early dismissal. We used to have talent shows. We used to have a voice. It was valued and it felt right. For years we have had decisions made at the last moment that alter our schedules or our sense of belonging. OCS used to be known for being inclusive. The administration is providing secretive classes and groups for a tiny exclusive number of students without ever notifying all parents about these classes and groups. This petition is necessary. Let’s make OCS a community again!

Community schools are critical for building a sense of connection and oneness.

I would definitely like more opportunities to be on campus, in-person pickup, & better communication!

We are new , but those week at the beginning it was challenge, with out the programs , my first year at ocs

To be honest, this was hard for me to write. This is my 7th year as a parent at OCS. I am not one to complain or make demands. I have been a room parent multiple years and have been highly involved in the school and my children’s education. I try to help the teachers as much as possible and have also been to nearly every Zoom board meeting in order to stay informed. Because of this, I am aware of admin’s side of things and the reasoning behind choices that are made. I have defended admin and OCS on multiple occasions when others might question things. However, I feel as if I am drowning like most of those signing this petition. I cannot stay quiet when there are so many behavioral issues happening on campus which my kids now witness and hear about. The teachers seem to have their hands tied with little to no support so it is only getting worse. Every year, we lose more and more great teachers and amazing families. The morale of the school is at the lowest I have ever witnessed. Do some of these issues stem from the fact that parents cannot be on campus? I believe so. I used to know almost every family at OCS. Parents would talk. We all knew each other’s kids. Kids felt more obligated to behave because there were always eyes watching out for them and their best interest. We had real relationships with the teachers, which made it easier to support them and made it easier for them to support our kids. All of that is quickly being lost. Why then do I stay? I stay because I believe in the school. I see the teachers, paras, BIIs, and staff who show up day in and day out for our children despite having such a massive amount of weight on their shoulders. I stay because I am proud of the parents for trying to keep the school alive despite being limited to sidewalk chats and our own mini events outside of school grounds in order to keep our bond strong. There have been many cries for help at all levels, but the trickle effect must start from the top and I am staying because I

Make no mistake the bridge that needs to be rebuilt is large but allowing parents back on campus would be a solid foundation to rebuild upon. As a working parent the communication, or lack there of is a huge issue. I'm lucky enough that my schedule is slightly flexible. I'm also lucky enough that there are some truly awesome parents that my child knows and is comfortable with and feels that extra support and comfort from when I can't be present. That came from being on campus. From being a hive of parents who all look out for each others children. It was the heart of OCS. It's completely gone. Let's start building back the magic that this school once oozed out of its every pore. There comes a time "we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy" that time is now.

I fully agree with the statements made in this thoughtfully written petition. As a parent of children who began to release themselves from campus this year (through the main entrance,) I will add that it is often chaotic out front. Kids are literally seen climbing walls and the tree out front and making unsafe / questionable decisions. While I agree that the students should have every opportunity to be independent, they should be safe from injury, and when poor choices are being made, they should be made aware that their behavior is inappropriate. Parents are often put in the position of speaking as the authority figures to children who are not their own, in order to prevent them from injuring themselves or damaging school property. If paraprofessionals are freed of the task of ushering kids to their families/guardians cars, they can watch over the students who are in front of the school to ensure their safety and that their behavior is appropriate. I have also sent a message to the administration regarding concerns of bullying, and have not been responded to. I am very concerned that bullying, inappropriate language/behavior have been permitted on campus, and perhaps the students (and even teachers/staff) are becoming desensitized to it, and have grown to believe that it is just the way it is, and that they have no choice but to deal with it as a fact of going to school at OCS. I can not help but wonder if this is due to an issue at the administrative level. There are still many things I appreciate greatly about OCS, but I do think a light needs to be shined on the issues being called out in this petition, and actions need to be taken in order to strengthen OUR Community. Thank you.

Before getting this petition I've started looking into leaving OCS this summer. IF THINGS WILL CHANGE, THANKS TO THIS ACTION, WE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO STAY, AS WE WERE THRILLED TO GET ACCEPTED TO BEGIN WITH. My 7 years old son tells me he loves his teacher but hate the office.... That is horrible and shouldn't happen in a school like ours!

Well said. At least during lockdown, I had a window into my kids' learning by observing their class Zooms. Now it's a black box. We need more transparency and connection.

I agree

Absolutely! The drop off and pick up situation has been a nightmare and extremely chaotic. Staff always seem very stressed out.

I feel like we don't have that teacher parent connection whatsoever . This school is about community and I feel like is far from that. Pls bring OCS back to what it was . Thank you !

As a parent who decided at the beginning of the school year to become more involved and who has continually “showed up” for this school and our kids and given of my time in efforts to help not only raise money for this school, but tried to rally other parents to do the same, I feel it is admin’s turn/obligation to “show up” for families now.

This. Thank you so much.

Policies and procedures built upon a falacy and a farce that was created to sell test kits and vaccines is an atrocity.

We miss seeing the teachers! We need the pizza party and farmers market back! Movie night!

While I may not agree with some of the strong wording of this petition, I agree with its spirit wholeheartedly.