tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post302149932764601015..comments2010-03-05T22:37:57.404-05:00April Griffinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735617865670968193noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-39096100384756769362008-12-10T08:57:00.000-05:002008-12-10T08:57:00.000-05:00April, Thank you so much for all you did to help us at Alaifa. We all greatly appreciate the time you took to look into the issues and concerns and request the information when others sat and couldn't care less. We have all learned alot about our school system, most of which is alarming and disheartening. Mrs. Elia didn't do herself any favors by giving the parents a public "spanking" on TV. The saddest part to me is that she doesn't care. My husband and I will continue to support you and Jennifer Faliero not only with our votes but by passing the word on about what you both did to serve our community. We are both aware that without your help, this issue would still be unresolved. I told my son last night that we will be staying at Alafia. He smiled from ear to ear. That made this fight worth it. Thank you again for all you did. Happy Holidays to you and your family.Michellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-63187343312432272062008-12-09T19:48:00.000-05:002008-12-09T19:48:00.000-05:00April,<BR/><BR/>The more I read about you, the more I like you. I'm your newest fan. PLEASE keep up the great work you do.Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04858489061247215918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-7655422808544968552008-12-08T13:55:00.000-05:002008-12-08T13:55:00.000-05:00April,<BR/><BR/>It wasn't until the board meeting that you requested some documents concerning Alafia that we ALL realized that the majority of the school board members did not know what was going on. I do realize that for you, you have been looking into what has happened and that you did show a concern from the beginning of your finding out. However, there were other board members that have known that there has been some very serious concerns about the mismanagement at our school and have not responded at all. Kurdell has yet to open any e-mails that have been sent to her by several people. That is our chair. That worries me. How do we get to the majority? There is a group coming to the board meeting from Alafia as you probably already know. I would ask that a rolling break not be done during the public comments since this is a very serious issue and some valid reports are going to be given. All members and staff that are at the meeting need to hear how we are moving forward. I am trying to be patient but also diligent in letting the county know that we will see this through until Smith is removed from the school. It has been a big eye opening experience for all of us and I agree that it goes deeper than just Ellyn Smith. Any advice you can give us will be well taken and greatly appreciated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-92095852556703880972008-12-08T13:15:00.000-05:002008-12-08T13:15:00.000-05:009:19,<BR/><BR/>I would like to add something to my original response to you. I understand that you have been going through the "process" for a very long time and are completely frustrated. However, I feel like I must keep reiterating that the board was only made aware of this situation in late October. The process began in earnest at that moment. The board has to perform our diligence. Please know that all the factors you mentioned will be considered in the end. This can not be swept under the rug from this point forward, but remember you need the support of a majority on the board to bring about real change.<BR/><BR/>April GriffinApril Griffinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735617865670968193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-16289214030920892252008-12-08T10:06:00.000-05:002008-12-08T10:06:00.000-05:009:19,<BR/><BR/>I hear you and will take all of this information into consideration as we move forward.<BR/><BR/>Alafia’s problems will be resolved. However this problem is much greater than Alafia and needs to be addressed at a much deeper level.<BR/><BR/>Please try to be patient for a little while longer. I know that is a lot for me to ask, but it is what I need to do my job right now.<BR/><BR/>At your service, AprilApril Griffinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735617865670968193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-67912477196799307072008-12-08T09:19:00.000-05:002008-12-08T09:19:00.000-05:00April,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for responding both here and on the Alafia Blog. Although we understand the "process" please be aware that this "process" began in June with Otero. Otero and Brinson told the 4 parents that met with them that if Smith did not make dramatic changes by the beginning of the school year, she would be terminated. Here we sit, Dec. 8, halfway through the school year, going through the "process." <BR/>The other thing I would like to make you aware of is that the "focus team" at our school is made up of Sykes and Otero and Ipolitto. Otero was Smith's area director at Seffner when she was accused of doing the same things at that school and was not held accountable for any of them. In fairness to him, he did mention some of them in areas of concern in her 1999-2000 evaluation. Sykes has been covering for her since she came to Alafia. Any complaints that are given to her are rubber stamped with "All I can do is offer you a special assignment to Cimino or Brooker." In Smith's most recent evaluation from 2006-2007, there was not one mention of the many complaints that have been filed with Sykes and she actually wrote in that Smith has great character. Now we are supposed to believe that the "process" is suddenly going to be handled in an honest way by these 2 people and that they will report that things have not gotten better. Why would they go and report the truth when they have been part of the problem all along? Ipollito has witnessed several things that Smith has mishandled on a daily basis. Is she reporting these daily and keeping documentation or is she knodding her head and reporting all is well at the school? The "process' in itself is a complete debacle. If it was put in place to really measure change at the school, the parents and teachers would be asked how they think things are going and if change is happening. Writing a weekly newsletter and utilizing the marquee in the front of the school does not fix the problem. The only thing that will fix the problem is to remove Ellyn Smith from our school. She does not belong in any school in an administrative capacity. Perhaps she can be placed in the transportation department answering the telephones. There seemed to be a shortage of those employees a couple of months ago. <BR/>Thank you for listening and having a blog where concerns can be voiced. I truly believe that you have our best interests at heart. I appreciate all that you are doing to help us at the school and thank you for reaching out to us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-80887488885702937182008-12-07T23:39:00.000-05:002008-12-07T23:39:00.000-05:0010:55 PM,<BR/><BR/>As I am investigating this situation I have been moderating this blog and have posted comments and questions about Alafia. I could have chosen not to publish them, however I did to let you know that I was listening and not ignoring. I believe in transparency even when the comments are not favorable towards me.<BR/><BR/>I understand that you are at your wits end, but please remember that as a board we have only known about this situation for a little over a month. And while I hear your urgency there is diligence that must be performed as this is a sensitive personnel issue where lawsuits have been threatened. To make statements about how I feel one way or the other would be imprudent.<BR/><BR/>I am in the process of investigating and I will not get into specifics at this point. If you can not respect this and I lose your support as a result I find this regrettable. However, I will not compromise the integrity of the process for political gain.<BR/><BR/>Anything short Ms. Smith’s termination is most likely going to be poorly received by many. But termination or demotion have specific legal requirements attached to them.<BR/><BR/>I will reiterate by reminding you that the board has only been aware of this situation for just over a month and the board is only in the beginning phase. I hope there is no need, but in the future I would strongly recommend that parents and teachers get the board involved sooner rather than later, as the administration does not normally volunteer this type on information. <BR/><BR/>Also please read my post on the front page of my blog which was posted before your question was submitted.<BR/><BR/>April GriffinApril Griffinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735617865670968193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-38313115914697629882008-12-07T22:55:00.000-05:002008-12-07T22:55:00.000-05:00Where can we find the answers to the questions that are posted about Alafia? Several have been posted but you haven't answered any of the questions. A supporter of yours posted on the Alafia Blog that he/she has personally seen the responses you have sent. My husband has sent you several with read-receipt attached and I have posted here twice. That is 4 unanswered e-mails. What are you doing to help Alafia? If you decide to post this please make sure you have a response. I am one of your supporters but am losing faith quickly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-75842472691468336002008-12-07T19:19:00.000-05:002008-12-07T19:19:00.000-05:00Could you shed some light on how you feel about what is happening and not happening at Alafia? Several people have sent you e-mails and they have gotten no response from you. Are you doing anything to help us?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-79049250842731991802008-11-23T01:23:00.000-05:002008-11-23T01:23:00.000-05:00April, As one of your supporters, I am wondering what you are doing to help the parents and teachers at Alafia? There is SO MUCH damning evidence against Ellyn Smith it is actually a wonder that she hasn't had criminal charges against her. Why is she not being removed and a school that has been an "A" school is now a "focus" school. How are you letting this happen? Our parents have been speaking about what school board members we can reach out to but I did not see you attend the meeting on Thursday to really see what is happening at Alafia. Did you know that there were close to 150 parents there? I know that you must have gotten Jennifer Faliero's summary about how the meeting went. It was a bloodbath for both Elia and Smith. When is it going to stop? The parents of this school are not stopping. Some have contacted Crist and Storms and dozens have contacted the FLDOE to report the entire county of wrongdoing. I am someone show is VERY involved at the school and NEVER expected the number of people to speak out against Smith. Elia came to the meeting thinking she could treat us like a bunch of 5th graders and we would just sit there and listen. How WRONG she was!!! Her lack of preparation and total disregard for the amount of frustration and anger we have as parents right now only made us madder and ready to harder. You, as a board, have the authority to override Elia's decision. Show the community that you have the student's best interest at heart and put all your business practices in place and GET RID OF ELLYN SMITH!!!! We don't care where she goes...GET HER OUT OF OUR SCHOOL!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-1679792040831509912008-11-14T10:51:00.000-05:002008-11-14T10:51:00.000-05:00For the latest info on Alafia visit this site: www.alafiaelementary.blogspot.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-47224781321504941942008-11-14T08:22:00.000-05:002008-11-14T08:22:00.000-05:00Dear Ms. Griifon:<BR/><BR/>Please think of your Murrow quote when hearing the Assessment at Alafia.<BR/><BR/>There are MANY points I take issue with in the report. But relating to your quote, one of the last recommendations is that parents need to work cooperativeley with the administration.<BR/><BR/>April, parents have done this. And they have patiently worked through the chain of command trying to resolve Alafia's issues and retain teachers. All the while, they have followed any and all rules set down by the administration. Yes, they have been voicing their concerns louder and louder. But DISSENT IS NOT DISLOYALTY. <BR/><BR/>Please do your part to make sure that blame is not misdirected at the distressed teachers and parents of Alafia.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for the work that you do. It must be difficult to be in your shoes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-69628686556288819052008-11-12T18:21:00.000-05:002008-11-12T18:21:00.000-05:00Where can one get a copy of the Alafia report?Goaderhttp://es-kay.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-43273846861233048122008-11-12T16:54:00.000-05:002008-11-12T16:54:00.000-05:00Hey, if the principal is incompetent, blame the teachers! The kids won't behave, blame the teachers. If the teachers get loud, scare them and overwork them; that will shut them up!<BR/><BR/>My God, this district is so corrupt. The treatment of Griffin is a defining moment in my eyes. I have been treated just like she was, and HUNDREDS of teachers are; I swear on my life this is true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-9582755417165662922008-11-11T20:20:00.000-05:002008-11-11T20:20:00.000-05:0011/11/08 7:09PM<BR/><BR/>Did you expect anything different? No one will help you. <BR/><BR/>Did you happen to see how Ms. Griffin was bullied?<BR/><BR/>Take your mental health benefit, shut your mouths and transfer. <BR/><BR/>That is what they want from us.<BR/><BR/>Please post this Ms. Griffin.Thomas Vaughannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-88517908957087654852008-11-11T19:09:00.000-05:002008-11-11T19:09:00.000-05:00The report and it's findings were given to the faculty and staff at Alafia on Monday. The parents have still not been offered a copy or an opportunity to have things explained. As we all suspected, Mrs. Smith will remain protected. It was told to the teachers that they need to learn how to team build, they must not compare the past to present, to feel free to use the 5 free mental health appointments that their insurance will cover to help deal with the stress they are under. They were told not to communicate with the parents about anything other than the student's progress and they were told that all this information was being made available to them so they could make a decision about what to do by transfer time. All of this being told to them while Mrs. Smith is sitting in the room listening, observing and gloating. The teachers were humilitated at the hands of this county. They put their hearts and souls into the interviews with the 16 person team. All to be told it was not as big a deal and they are making it out to be. We are asking you to read the report and dig deeper as to why she was not removed. If the people downtown think she is so harmless, they need to find a place for her with them and let our teachers, students and parents stop suffering at the hands of this woman. There were people that made the predicitions. We truly didn't want to believe that this system could ever REALLY be as corrupt as what people have said. Yesterday, we had to face the truth and find out that it is as bad, if not worse, than what we were told. What has happened at Alafia should be a wake up call for everyone in this county as to what is going on in our school system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-63220828454625714672008-11-08T18:27:00.000-05:002008-11-08T18:27:00.000-05:00Suzie—<BR/><BR/>The salary information is the same as last year. Everyone that is eligible will move to his or her next respective level. In other words, we only will get the standard level increase. Since there will be no further raise, the dollar amounts will remain the same as last year.<BR/><BR/>Therefore, look at the level chart to find where you are and if you are eligible to move up then go to the salary schedule to see what you will be making this year.Goaderhttp://es-kay.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-8964608097392427732008-11-07T19:16:00.000-05:002008-11-07T19:16:00.000-05:00Suzie,<BR/><BR/>I will get it. AprilApril Griffinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735617865670968193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-49440721798482143862008-11-07T17:41:00.000-05:002008-11-07T17:41:00.000-05:00Thank You April<BR/><BR/>Goader - your info is 2007-2008.<BR/><BR/>I'm hunting for this year 2008-2009.Suzie Creamcheesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956217451062448905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-38835105064270966992008-11-07T14:57:00.000-05:002008-11-07T14:57:00.000-05:00November 7, 2008 8:00 AM,<BR/><BR/>Yes the chair inquired about it and the report is being compiled. We should get the report by the next board meeting. <BR/><BR/>At your service, AprilApril Griffinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735617865670968193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-77507483999618272812008-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:002008-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00I couldn't watch the school board meeting yesterday. Did anyone inquire about what is happening with Alafia Elementary School? Do you know if there are any solutions and when they will be happening?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-20168916769519470742008-11-06T23:34:00.000-05:002008-11-06T23:34:00.000-05:00The levels chart and salary schedule are listed in the sidebar on the front page of <A HREF="http://es-kay.net" REL="nofollow">EsKay</A>Goaderhttp://es-kay.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-3410447609219114972008-11-06T22:44:00.000-05:002008-11-06T22:44:00.000-05:00Suzie,<BR/><BR/>I will ask for it and get back to you.<BR/><BR/>At your service, AprilApril Griffinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735617865670968193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-58637526384604599622008-11-06T19:03:00.000-05:002008-11-06T19:03:00.000-05:00April,<BR/><BR/>I realize this is off topic but where is our salary scale? No one has been able to tell me where it is. Does it even exist?<BR/><BR/>I'd like to see how much I am being paid this year in some official document.<BR/><BR/>Thanks.Suzie Creamcheesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02956217451062448905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359264530118100497.post-76849748472840459872008-11-04T21:53:00.000-05:002008-11-04T21:53:00.000-05:00Ms. Griffin<BR/><BR/>I could tell how upset you were by the Gestapo treatment. I am sorry you had to endure that. You seem like a very nice person. <BR/><BR/>It was painful to watch. I feel certain that it the char will be more careful how she publicly treats you in the future but I can assure you she will have at you again.<BR/><BR/>Welcome to our world Ms. Griffin.Thomas Vaughannoreply@blogger.com