Courtney Garis our Librarian at Theodore Judah Elementary has been given notice that she will be being replaced by someone with seniority. She has been our Librarian at the school for 2 years, with 1 extra year of cross training with Ms. Wendy before she left. She has been a parent and a volunteer for over 8 years.
She is familiar to all the children and teachers and many of the parents as someone who goes out of her way to care and teach our children. She reads to the children, provides them with a safe space when they need it and always has a willing ear. She works closely to support the PTA and the teachers and staff and is an invaluable resource at the school and should not be replaced purely due to seniority.
The conversion of the per diem position into a staff position triggered this sudden replacement by the school district and this petition is to show that this is unacceptable. This shows a complete lack of regard from the school district with fit to community and the efforts that Theodore Judah has made to cultivate a supportive environment.
The latest decision around Courtney re-emphasizes the lack of concern the district seems to have with the overall community that our school has built.
This petition asks that this decision be reconsidered and that relative school and parent representatives be heard as part of the determining factor for best fit for our school. Seniority should not be the only deciding factor. Please sign to support this.
Updates
April 23, 2019
I have been hearing from so many of you about how much Courtney does for our kids during recess and those quiet library moments that really stick with a person. The district keeps talking about contracts and seniority rules but they are completely missing the point about what makes a school actually feel like a home for our children (and us too). I am gathering all these thoughts and stories to drop off at the next board meeting because they really need to see that we are paying attention to who stays and who goes.
April 23, 2019
I never thought we would see this much movement when I first typed this up while feeling so frustrated and honestly just sad about the whole situation. Seeing everyone jump in like this makes me realize the school district really underestimated how much Courtney means to all of us and our kids.
Reached 100 supporters
April 23, 2019
59 Comments
Ms. Cortenie is a true asset to the staff of Theodore Judah. Her passion and commitment to meeting the needs of the students and staff in the position of Librarian was quite evident during the time I trained her for the position. Balancing the many hats this position holds can be overwhelming and in a short period of time Ms. Cortenie has done so amazingly.
Courtney Garis is absolutely an invaluable asset to our school and children. She is extremely observant and knows each child as if they were her own. We have known Miss Courtney since my now 8th grade oldest son started at Kindergarten at TJ. My youngest son is a 5th grade student and loves Miss Courtney. We stand by Miss Courtney 110%!
We need Ms. Courtney! She is a perfect fit for the children. The kids love and trust her. I do not want a new person teaching my children. She has taken her free time to improve my first graders reading skills. COURTNEY MUST STAY!!
The district trying to find budget cuts and going after our selected and proven successful librarian and PE teacher is unacceptable. Maybe the district admins need to cut their salaries before going after our per diem teachers. In addition, seniority does not translate to a good fit.
Keep Courtney Garis. She elevates TJ and provides wisdom and comfort to the students because of her experience as a parent and volunteer at TJ. This type of experience and dedication cannot and should not be replaced by a generic selection off a seniority list. Do better SCUSD.
Volunteer work counts as experience and speaks volumes regarding commitment. Seniority is important but goodness to fit is equally vital working with children.
This should be about what is best for our students.
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Courtney Garis our Librarian at Theodore Judah Elementary has been given notice that she will be being replaced by someone with seniority. She has been our Librarian at the school for 2 years, with 1 extra year of cross training with Ms. Wendy before she left. She has been a parent and a volunteer for over 8 years.
She is familiar to all the children and teachers and many of the parents as someone who goes out of her way to care and teach our children. She reads to the children, provides them with a safe space when they need it and always has a willing ear. She works closely to support the PTA and the teachers and staff and is an invaluable resource at the school and should not be replaced purely due to seniority.
The conversion of the per diem position into a staff position triggered this sudden replacement by the school district and this petition is to show that this is unacceptable. This shows a complete lack of regard from the school district with fit to community and the efforts that Theodore Judah has made to cultivate a supportive environment.
The latest decision around Courtney re-emphasizes the lack of concern the district seems to have with the overall community that our school has built.
This petition asks that this decision be reconsidered and that relative school and parent representatives be heard as part of the determining factor for best fit for our school. Seniority should not be the only deciding factor. Please sign to support this.
Updates
April 23, 2019
I have been hearing from so many of you about how much Courtney does for our kids during recess and those quiet library moments that really stick with a person. The district keeps talking about contracts and seniority rules but they are completely missing the point about what makes a school actually feel like a home for our children (and us too). I am gathering all these thoughts and stories to drop off at the next board meeting because they really need to see that we are paying attention to who stays and who goes.
April 23, 2019
I never thought we would see this much movement when I first typed this up while feeling so frustrated and honestly just sad about the whole situation. Seeing everyone jump in like this makes me realize the school district really underestimated how much Courtney means to all of us and our kids.
Reached 100 supporters
April 23, 2019
59 Comments
Cortenie loves her job and all the students she deals with. She is currently taking courses to better herself in her field. Don't let her be replaced simply because of a seniority decision. She's a good and caring person and very qualified in her position.
Ms. Cortenie is a true asset to the staff of Theodore Judah. Her passion and commitment to meeting the needs of the students and staff in the position of Librarian was quite evident during the time I trained her for the position. Balancing the many hats this position holds can be overwhelming and in a short period of time Ms. Cortenie has done so amazingly.
Courtney Garis is absolutely an invaluable asset to our school and children. She is extremely observant and knows each child as if they were her own. We have known Miss Courtney since my now 8th grade oldest son started at Kindergarten at TJ. My youngest son is a 5th grade student and loves Miss Courtney. We stand by Miss Courtney 110%!
We need Ms. Courtney! She is a perfect fit for the children. The kids love and trust her. I do not want a new person teaching my children. She has taken her free time to improve my first graders reading skills. COURTNEY MUST STAY!!
The district trying to find budget cuts and going after our selected and proven successful librarian and PE teacher is unacceptable. Maybe the district admins need to cut their salaries before going after our per diem teachers. In addition, seniority does not translate to a good fit.
Keep Courtney Garis. She elevates TJ and provides wisdom and comfort to the students because of her experience as a parent and volunteer at TJ. This type of experience and dedication cannot and should not be replaced by a generic selection off a seniority list. Do better SCUSD.
Volunteer work counts as experience and speaks volumes regarding commitment. Seniority is important but goodness to fit is equally vital working with children.
This should be about what is best for our students.
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Cortenie loves her job and all the students she deals with. She is currently taking courses to better herself in her field. Don't let her be replaced simply because of a seniority decision. She's a good and caring person and very qualified in her position.