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Health & Fitness

Unicorn Watch Report #2 - Process with Principle to find the next Principal

Thirty or so parents huddled in the Kent Gardens Elementary School cafeteria to listen to Beth Boivin, from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), explain the Principal selection process and the request for community involvement.

Ms. Boivin did an excellent job of explaining the process, however, the elephant in the room was  - "Why did Dr. Hooker leave so quickly and on such a short notice?" That question was not answered and could not be answered because it falls into the realm of privacy and human resources.  Frankly, what is done is done and as a community we need to focus on the future and not the past.

Of note, parents in the Kent Gardens Elementary School community are being asked to submit in writing details about what type of skills, experiences, and leadership characteristics needed at Kent Gardens by a new Principal.  Moreover, what type of challenges and issues the new Principal will need to manage. 

Parents can submit their comments via e-mail to beth.boivin@fcps.edu or via snail mail:

Ms. Beth Boivin
Suite 1114
Gatehouse Administration Center I
8115 Gatehouse Road
Falls Church, VA 22042

Parents have until 11:59 p.m. on August 28 to submit their input.  The goal in this process is to find the right match for the community and school. 

This is your chance to provide input and you are not allowed to whine about the new Principal unless you participate in the process, so says the McLean Mama!

Speaking of the new Principal, yesterday the FCPS web site posted the job description.  The job announcement closes on 27 Aug. 

Here's a brief description of the position:  "Postgraduate Professional License with endorsements in administration and supervision preK-12 plus seven years' progressive teaching and administration or supervision experience, some at the elementary school level, with a minimum of three years administrative experience. Completion of administrative internship program preferred. Knowledge of principles, practices, materials, and equipment used in modern public school elementary education and an ability to apply them to the needs of the school. Knowledge of current curriculum, instructional practices, trends, and public school organization and administration. Skill in oral and written communications. Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and evaluate school programs, services, and staff. Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff, community, and the general public."

If you know a unicorn who fits this job description please do have them apply!!

And a final comment - A funny incident happened last night and offered a bit of levity to the meeting.  Marcus Simon, who has thrown his name into the ring to run as a Ralph Nader-like Democrat for the 53rd House of Delegates race appeared to be recording the proceedings on his smartphone.  When asked by an attendee to stop recording her when she asked a question Mr. Simon sheepishly noted he was Facetiming the event with his wife, Rachel, the school's PTA President, because she is out of the area on holiday.  Kudos to Rachel for leveraging technology to stay connected!  Bad form by Marcus for appearing like a creepy stalker.  Next time, it might be best for him to let the audience know his intentions up front.

As the hunt for the unicorn continues, McLean Mama will keep yours truly up-to-date with the facts.


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