We the undersigned leaders of the Coe Elementary School PTA are writing to ask you to act immediately to mitigate the impact of the recent RIF that led to the lay off of a number of very effective teachers across the district. At Coe we were devastated to learn that three highly effective teachers; Gretchen Salter, Amanda Turner and Krista Carreiro have received RIF notices. We understand that our situation is not unique, but it is the excellence of these particular teachers that compels us to act. Please delay the assignment of replacement teachers until; the effects of attrition and retirement are understood, until enrollment is closed, and until all RIF appeals have been settled. By waiting, the district will have the opportunity to minimize the disruption to schools and return teachers to their teams. We also ask that you carefully review the parity of impact among the district schools and work to ensure that no school shoulders an unfair burden. The district has worked very hard to establish a team approach to education. Teachers, specialists, administration and families work together to create strong schools for children. The Coe community relies on Ms. Carreiro, Ms. Salter, Ms. Turner, and each other for support, guidance and even a few laughs. Teachers form bonds as they work to support the students and families they serve. Ms. Salter and Ms. Turner are respected members of their grade level teams- planning and implementing enriching experiences for their students in the classroom and on field trips. Krista Carreiro collaborates with teachers and parent volunteers to integrate Music, Theater and Dance into the Coe curriculum. These team relationships are critical to high performing schools. It takes time and continuity to build a strong team and maintain a strong community. The district must prioritize returning effective teachers to their jobs, to reduce the disruption to the community and especially the students. A variety of unique programs across the district require specialized training. Teachers are not interchangeable. Losing three talented members of a team leaves a gaping hole in a school's academic programs. Coe School and the district have made a significant investment in the Writer's Workshop Program. Amanda Turner and Gretchen Salter have the specialized training, experience and proficiency to teach this program which is integral to the Coe curriculum. It is costly, time consuming, and unnecessary to train replacements, especially when the district has identified these teachers as likely to be recalled. Please hold these jobs open until it is certain that Amanda Turner and Gretchen Salter cannot be recalled. We really want to retain these outstanding teachers at Coe Elementary School. This year at Coe we also have a fledgling Musical Theater program taught by the multitalented Krista Carreiro. With expertise in music, dance and theater Carreiro weaves drama and music throughout the curriculum at each grade level, making lessons come alive with singing and dancing experiences. By RIF'ng Krista Carreiro, the district is all but cancelling this wonderful program, which builds creativity and literacy as well as community spirit and joy. For the sake of all the children in the city of Seattle, please don't let this happen again. The current district personnel policy has resulted in the layoffs of some of the districts most effective teachers, simply because they lack seniority. We teach our children to treat people fairly and that hard work pays off. Please demonstrate the value of excellence to our children, by building personnel policies that prioritize effective classroom teaching for all students.

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