Over Shabbat, I considered the careful direction of this website. It is without a doubt that I am in the center of an argument that I do not necessarily have any opinion on. Here’s why I created this website: to respect the teachers whose contracts were not renewed and to focus on emphasizing Jewish education within my alma mater. However, many parents, teachers, alumni, and students within the Hillel family discovered other troubling concerns within the Hillel community, and because this website is called “Save Hillel,” I gave them the right to express their opinions and thoughts.
Today, I write to let you know that we have achieved one of our desired goals, but within the past week, this website has seen too much negativity. Some people have viewed these statements as comments that vilify Hillel’s leadership and it is not what this website has sought out to do. It was certainly not my original intention. In this week’s Parsha, we read about Loshon Hara. Statements on this site can be construed as Loshon Hara and it makes everyone look bad. From this point on, if you have any concerns about administrators, comment on an existing post. From this point on, I am going to primarily post only items that are constructive and that can help Hillel heal rather than to exacerbate a messy situation. Right now, we need to focus on creating positive energy and positive solutions. Let’s channel that positive energy in a constructive direction.
Thank you for your continued support.
203 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Apr 21, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Admin., Thank you for letting us discuss moving Hillel in a positive direction through this forum. We should all be mindful of expressing ourselves with civility when talking about any of the parties involved. I want to thank you for allowing us this opportunity and hope that you have not personally come under fire simply for allowing us to exercise our Constitutional rights in allowing Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press to flourish. We should all be mindful of how our words are affecting real people and even perhaps the heroic creator of this website. Let’s all work together to get things back on track.
2 Wow // Apr 21, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Well look who decided to wake up…I wonder why
3 Wow // Apr 21, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Someone decided to wake up, I wonder why
4 Wow // Apr 21, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Someone decided to smell the coffee, I wonder why?
5 Wow // Apr 22, 2007 at 12:00 am
Its about time….
6 admin // Apr 22, 2007 at 12:12 am
One individual has written the above four comments and I will address them.
It is not about “waking up.” I will simply say that certain individuals’ comments to me and my parents were uncalled for (and I am pretty sure I know who you are and that you have made them).
I have also been professional about your purported legal threats and did not want the Board to look much worse than it is made to be (thus not airing it on the website until now).
I am also doing this in the interest of individuals who have been persecuted because of the existence of this site, and no, I do not mean any of the Hillel administration or the Board.
7 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 12:18 am
I am so sorry that the creator of this website is taking a beating for everything we are posting.
Administrator: HOW CAN WE SUPPORT YOU?
8 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 12:20 am
WOW:
THREATENING PEOPLE WITH FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS IS SURELY A WAY TO WAKE THEM UP!
Great Strategy!!! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 12:22 am
Mr. Sinyor is that you again?
WRONG WRONG WRONG
HEY HEY HEY
WOW
WOW
WOW
WOW
Interesting writing style.
10 mindy // Apr 22, 2007 at 12:26 am
ditto:
I am so sorry that the creator of this website is taking a beating for everything we are posting.
Administrator: HOW CAN WE SUPPORT YOU?
11 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 12:27 am
ARE THERE ANY ATTORNEYS OUT THERE WHO CAN PLEASE HELP THE ADMIN. FEND OF FRIVOLOUS LEGAL THREATS BEING MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD?
12 mindy // Apr 22, 2007 at 12:44 am
Some alumni are attorneys.
13 admin // Apr 22, 2007 at 12:46 am
Administrator: HOW CAN WE SUPPORT YOU?
In the Blueprint to Excellence Update, the Board writes: “We encourage those with questions to respect the channels of communication and to act openly and honestly rather than through gossip or anonymously made statements.” If you want to support me, you can voice your concerns to Mr. Sinyor and the other Board members.
Note that while the Board does appear to be united on a common front, that is not truly the case. I single out the individual who has been most vocal about undermining the website, though there are others who feel that the website has done more harm than good.
For me, a victory was achieved when the teachers were rehired. We can and should move on to focus on the positive.
The provoking comments from “Wow” could have been removed, but instead I wanted to let the community know why I am doing what I have done. I would also say that I’ve been defending this for quite some time, but it was not apparent. Now, it should be. I still feel the need to say that I do not necessarily agree with everything that has been written.
The First Amendment affords me many rights that “powerful” people have tried to stifle. I could continue focusing on negativity since it is protected under our Bill of Rights, but what good will that bring anyone?
The individual posting as “Wow” knows that he has damage control issues to address. You should note that I am helping you. I am under no obligation to comply with your “gag order.” I did so out of respect and you decided to throw it in my face. Thank you. Point taken. I hope the community realizes what you have forced me to do.
14 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 12:54 am
Again, I am sorry for the heat you are taking.
From this point on, let us all work together in a positive manner to move things along in a constructive manner and be mindful of the verbal beatings this site admin. is taking when we turn the heat up too strong.
15 admin // Apr 22, 2007 at 1:15 am
It was brought to my attention that this message is seen as if I am holding up a white flag.
I am not giving up. I urge you not to give up either. I do, however, control the steering wheel and want to focus on positive things.
Since “Wow” has written in, I want to reiterate that we have good reason not to give up. If you have truth and can back it up, post it. These posts will just not appear on the front page anymore.
I also need to let you know that there are ways to achieve what you still want to achieve. It is not what you say but how you say it. Say it with civility and it will be posted. Say it unprofessionally and it won’t.
16 The Sponsor // Apr 22, 2007 at 1:16 am
Admin, Just say YES and we will surround you with the best lawyers available.
Did I mention ‘Jewish’ lawyers….because they are known to be the best….
I wish some people would make the same assumptions regarding the ‘Head’ running our Jewish school…Make sense? WOW!!
17 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 1:18 am
Understood.
18 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 1:24 am
THE SPONSOR:
G-d bless you.
Can you please make your email address availble to the site admin through the contact page.
KOL YISRAEL AREVIM ZEH BAH ZEH
I think the Admin. can really use your help right now !! Thank you.
19 admin // Apr 22, 2007 at 1:30 am
I am sure there are lawyers reading this. If they saw anything questionable with the material posted here, I would have been warned.
If you want to offer me any assistance, feel free to email me with your name, email address, and phone number.
Again, this would have all been unnecessary but I had to respond to Wow to let the community know what I am up against. Wow, you have wowed us all.
20 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 1:36 am
Admin: You have been handling the pressure better than most of us could.
You have selfless stuck your neck out for no personal gain but only for the good of the community.
This community thanks you and owes you. I hope anyone with legal knowledge will consult with you. It’s the least we can do for someone who has so valiantly tried to help our children.
21 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 1:39 am
However, you have done nothing wrong.
This is still America and, last I heard, it’s a free country.
22 Shlomo Bolts // Apr 22, 2007 at 1:47 am
After reading this thread, all I can say is: WOW.
I am astounded at the extreme cowardice that the board member posting as “Wow”/”Hey hey hey” has put on display for us all. WOW. All I can say is, I hope that you are acting entirely individually, because we are in dark days indeed if the entire board has sunken that low.
Honestly now, are you so morally weak? Are you so sorely lacking in courage and pride that you are afraid to own up your actions to a bunch of college-age bloggers? WOW.
Far from raising up the white flag, I think that we should be taking this whole incident as a harbinger of our impending victory. If all this person can do is press silly lawsuits and post infantile remarks, he must be getting pretty desperate.
23 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 2:19 am
Agreed!!!
24 question for the lawyers // Apr 22, 2007 at 7:06 am
When parents sign a contract with the school, thus obligating themselves for the year’s tuition, and then major changes take place in curriculum or direction of the school, is the contract still valid? Although I have been told officially that the Judaic studies curriculum will remain the same next year, my greatest fear at this point is that we will return to a different school next August that will not include the same level of Judaic studies (which are already watered down compared to previous levels).
25 anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 8:16 am
Admin:
Individuals may be threatening you; however it does not change the fact that these same individuals may be violating Florida Statutes and the SACS Accreditation Standards the school worked so hard to obtain through the years. (See Blueprint for Education thread 19).
Moreover, if those individuals criticizing you Admin, would have spent the same amount of time verifying their hire’s academic resume, this web-site would not have been necessary.
26 Solomon // Apr 22, 2007 at 9:13 am
Everyone really needs to read “Blueprint for Education thread 19″. I wish there was some way to let Wow and the other Board members understand that there are many concerned members of the Hillel family including parents, alumni, and staff, who are exactly that-concerned- Most, if not all, contributors to this site do NOT have a personal vendetta against Holden, Druin, or the Board. We are simply worried about Hillel losing its SACS accreditation due to the improper credentials of our head of school (see thread 19 mentioned above). Even more important, we are concerned about the dilution of the Judaic philosophy/curriculum of our school- a school we care for very, very much. There was a reason why one of the original by-laws of the school, which cannot be changed, stated that the dean needed to be a Jew. Geteting around that by changing the title of the dean to “head of school” doesn’t deal with the original concern.
Now that the three teachers have supposedly been reinstated (are there signed contracts for the three?), the focus needs to be returned to the positive- How can we all work together to strengthen the institution that we care so much about, Hillel-the leading JEWISH Day School in the South.
27 Aaron // Apr 22, 2007 at 9:34 am
I am sure that if anything major happens (good or bad) or any new news comes to light (good or bad) it will be posted with the proper prominence.
28 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 9:35 am
Fellow posters:
Just the fact that the admin has been repeatedly threatened by the board members speaks volumes to the words posted. Think of it this way…. if the postings and words were untrue, unfounded and had no concept of the reality, what would these board members care. The very fact that they continually engage in such behavior reveals that the many messages posted here are valid and of great concern.
…and the constant downplay of the website by the school, board, and administration at the school is also a lie. The best site has changed, the class lists have been removed.
They used the Kol Hillel to indirectly respond to the very website that they say is untrue. Additionally, this week instead of Dr. Holden (message from the headmaster) they thought to take the heat off him and let Rabbi Druin provide the message. The message was not of current lessons that marked tragedy for this nation - they were defensive in nature.
The insensitive nature of the school ignoring the Virginia Tech incident and not teaching the lesson of the Holocaust survivor who was a hero saving the lives of his students is unbelievable. There was a lesson, there was a modern day hero who thought of others before thinking of himself.
These are the very lessons the school should be teaching our youth. Instead they are teaching lessons of deception.
I ask you all to take note of these facts and band together to defend our very qualified and talented teachers.
If we don’t, who will?
29 Aaron // Apr 22, 2007 at 10:31 am
Is the current Kol Hillel online?
30 Anon // Apr 22, 2007 at 10:37 am
Yes- it is online:
http://hillel-nmb.org/Hillel_Family/Kol_Hillel/kol_hillel_April_20.pdf
31 anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 11:08 am
Bill of Rights
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
32 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 11:40 am
Some from Kansas wrote in a warning about next years contracts containing a gag order.
Gag orders violate the first amendment.
What kind of Stalinistic school environment is being created . No one feels safe to talk freely.
Parents can’t name themselves on the site. Teachers have been told they can’t speak to parents.
What is going on here ?
“WARNING // Apr 19, 2007 at 11:39 pm
I have on very good authority that Holden’s M.O. is to incorporate a non-disclosure agreement (gag order) into the contract parents sign when they register their kids next year. He did it between his 1st and 2nd year in Kansas City. Don’t be surprised if he does it here too. Parents need to be made aware to go over every document very carefully and NOT to sign if there is a non-disclosure. Technically, this could cause children to be bounced out of school if it is discovered that their parent posted on this web site.”
33 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 11:47 am
To the parent who had a question for the lawyer:
You want to break your contract with the school that you signed placing your child back in Hilllel next year.
I can’t see what the school could do if you break the contract. Are they really going to sue you?
You have enough evidence now to state that you are not being given what it is that you signed on for and were led to believe.
I know a parent who put her child in the school as Barbieri was leaving. She was not thrilled that the school was being run by a non-Jew.
She was assured by the school that the next dean would be Jewish so she proceeded to enroll.
By selecting yet another non-Jewish Dean, in essence, the school broke their oral contract with her. (Verbal agreements ARE legally binding).
Thus, you have the right to break contract.
But I’m not an attorney so let’s hear what an attorney would say.
I hear many parents are facing this dilemma now.
34 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 12:10 pm
“There was a reason why one of the original by-laws of the school, which cannot be changed, stated that the dean needed to be a Jew. Getting around that by changing the title of the dean to “head of school” doesn’t deal with the original concern.”
True. This has become a game of semantics.
Have the board members acted illegally then?
Does someone have a print out of the original by- laws stating this?
Obviously it no longer exists for public viewing.
I have heard that2 board members have also violated some other by-laws as well. Some of the other board members have only recently discovered this fact.
35 question for the lawyers // Apr 22, 2007 at 12:59 pm
OK - so here’s a question for the Board:
What’s the worst that can happen by promoting a respected Jewish educator from within the school to be the new head of school?
Maybe the blueprint will have to take a little longer as this person receives the training & support needed to run a large school like Hillel.
What’s the best that could happen?
Happy teachers (working with someone they respect and trust);
Happy parents (we seem to all be placing a priority on a Jewish head of school);
Happy students (the atmosphere at the school will be so much improved which will filter down to the classrooms);
Happy alumni (who will be happy to support the school they remember and love);
A renewal of trust and respect and a role model for derech eretz.
Plus - a leader who has already proven their dedication to our school and their passion for Jewish education.
Not someone who will make unpopular changes and then bail in two years leaving a mess for others to clean up.
What could be wrong with such a scenario?
It can bring long-needed stability to our school and a strong reaffirmation that Hillel is school with a Jewish soul.
Any answers, members of the Board?
36 anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 1:08 pm
According to SACS’ Governance and Leadership Standards, the Hillel By-Laws should be on the school’s premises.
37 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 1:44 pm
During the May, 2004 US Senate Hearings on Diploma Mills and Unaccredited Universities, where California Coast University was cited as an unaccredited institution, one of the “concerns raised by witnesses regarding the issue of diploma mills” was the issue of:
Job Qualifications: “They are unfair to employers who hire employees thinking they have the knowledge, experience, and qualifications to perform certain jobs when in fact they don’t.”
US Senator Daniel Kahikina, US Senator for Hawaii testified in 2004 that:
“As a former teacher, I am alarmed because I understand the threat diploma mills pose to the integrity of our educational system…Diploma mills fail to provide the rewards and returns of a true education.”
Hiring and then covering for a Head of School who does not have “a true education” does not pave the way towards a Blueprint to Excellence: it paves the way for losing Hillel’s SACS accreditation.
The Non Public School Standards for SACS Accreditation 2004 demand that:
3.3 The school complies with all applicable statutes and governmental regulations.
Florida Statute 817.567 (Making False Claims of Academic Degree or Title) is applicable to individuals who use the title of “Dr.” (Ed.D.) while claiming a doctoral degree from a university not accredited by the US Department of Education. To do so is a misdemeanor in the first degree punishable by one year in jail, $1,000 fine and revocation of a professional license.
California Coast University was not recognized by the Distance Education and Training Council until 2005, prior to 2005, all degrees or certificates from California Coast University are not accredited.
Moreover,
SACS demands:
5.11 Professional ethics are strictly observed in hiring practices.
Does anyone reading this web-site think it is ethical for an individual to submit a resume for the position of Head of School to a SACS accredited school while holding an unaccredited and thereby fraudulent doctorate?
“I didn’t know” as an excuse doesn’t cut it. Any true professional in the field of education should and would know the difference between an accredited degree and an unaccredited degree.
There are multiple resources available to verify academic credentials. On-line searches to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), DETC.org, US Department of Education, and the Oregon office of Degree Authorization are good places to start.
There are several books available as well such as: Degree Mills: The Billion-dollar Industry That Has Sold Over A Million Fake Diplomas (Paperback)
by Allen Ezell (Author), John Bear (Author)
Education Board Members: Next time, do your homework…
Academic Integrity in Never a “Non-Issue”.
38 admin // Apr 22, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Thank you all for your support. I received a cease and desist notice today about questionable contents of this website. I do not know what contents are questionable at present so I will be cooperating with Hillel’s lawyers to determine what should be removed.
39 question for the lawyers // Apr 22, 2007 at 4:06 pm
“Hillel’s lawyers”……our tuition dollars at work?????
40 anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Are these lawyers board members? If so, is there NOT a conflict of interest?
What are the consequences of not abiding by the order. Who was the judge who signed the order? Was it issued by a court? Is it a court order or an attorney letter? ….and under what grounds.
It may very well be an intimidation tactic.
Honestly - - parents, if the school is spending tuition dollars on legal tactics - who truly is overseeing the stewardship of these funds?
When they spend dollars to build glass offices, plasma tv’s new furniture, etc, this is money that can be better spent on our faculty and instuctional supplies.
41 admin // Apr 22, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I do not wish to exacerbate the situation at the present. I do not know these individuals’ roles or relationship to the Hillel board. I ask that you please respect that I am handling this at the present and not speculate.
According to the letter I received, the Hillel administration is willing to sit down with me and discuss these concerns, but since these concerns as of late are not mine, you are welcome to approach them directly.
42 anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Do plasma T.Vs and lawyers’ fees further the educational mission of the school according to the SACS Accreditation Standard stated below?
4. FINANCES AND RESOURCES
A quality school provides financial resources for the educational opportunities defined in the school’s
mission and beliefs.
43 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2007 at 5:51 pm
and sound proofed offices for the Head
44 admin // Apr 22, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Please do not speculate unless you know for a fact that these are truly problems that Hillel needs to deal with. If this website reports false information, such information will be removed.
45 Michael Newman // Apr 22, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Who issued the ‘cease and desist’ order? Is it a court order or is it a letter from an attorney?
46 admin // Apr 22, 2007 at 8:25 pm
The letter came an attorney representing Hillel.
47 Help! // Apr 23, 2007 at 4:19 pm
I’m concerned about this cease & desist order that has been sent to the site admin. It may be Hillel’s way of trying to use fear tactics to take down this site, but on the other hand the school might be planning to go all the way with this.
I’ve seen some offers but nothing firm, and knowing what I know about the site admin, I doubt whether there will be any formal request for assistance going out on this site, so I am taking the liberty of making the request.
If you are an attorney who can help protect this web site from Hillel’s tactics of fear and intimidation, by all means, please contact the site administrator and make yourself known NOW.
Don’t wait to be approached. Consider this a personal request.
It is best if you are licensed to practice in New York, since if they sue they’ll have to do it in a New York court, since that is where the site is administered.
48 DICTATORSHIP WINS AGAIN. 3 CHEERS!!! // Apr 23, 2007 at 9:39 pm
According to the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, any parent addresses obtained from this website are considered unlawful and hence there will be no mail campaign.
According to my attorney, the only way it is lawful for the letters to be sent out is if a parent who was given the password by the school went on the web and downloaded this information himself or herself–or has old copies of the addresses lying around.
If any parents lawfully have these addresses there’s a great letter waiting for you to legally send.
Otherwise, parents will remain in the dark just like the board wants them to.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL COVER UP!! HOORAH!
Also according to my attorney: Everything posted on this website is 2000%
LEGAL.
Any legal threats made to the web administrator are completely unfounded and will not stand up in court. Once again, they have employed the intimidation tactics that they are notorious for.
If you want parents to know what’s going on then it is YOUR RESPONSIBLITY to
tell them to start reading the blog. Don’t expect other people to fight your battles for you.
STEP UP!!!
49 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS // Apr 23, 2007 at 9:53 pm
•Are teachers and parents satisfied with the current level of participation in shaping the decisions and policies that affect the school’s future? Is the school actively promoting an environment that encourages input from parents and teachers?
•Is it important to us whether the leaders who run the school are Jewish or not? (Head of School – Not a Jew, High School Principal hired for next year – Not a Jew, Middle School Principal appointed for next year – Not a Jew, Assistant Elementary School Principal for next year – allegedly Not a Jew).
•The teacher evaluation process that preceded the teacher firings was not standard practice, and included administrators observing teachers for 15 consecutive days. Was the teacher evaluation process that preceded the firings a fair one? Why did Hillel employ an evaluation process that is seen in virtually no schools or universities in the US?
•Why did so few people have a say in the hiring of Adam Holden as Head of School? Why was the Hillel parent body never informed that Adam Holden is an educator who began as a coach, and holds a doctorate degree from a university that came under Congressional fire in hearings and was not recognized by the US Dept. of Education at the time of his matriculation?
•Why did so few people have a say in the hiring of next year’s High School Principal, Tymony Bonnila, a former Kansas colleague of Adam Holden’s who also began as a coach and has only been a principal of elementary school?
•Why did so few people have a say in the hiring of next year’s elementary school principal, who has no prior experience as an elementary school principal?
•If given the choice, would we want to see Rabbi Kaplan placed as the permanent (rather than Interim) High School Principal for the upcoming 2007-2008 school year?
•Why are we hearing so many complaints about the Rabbinical Head of School?
•Should we be concerned that students and parents from Adam Holden’s previous school, the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, have sent letters in to the website and to the Florida Jewish News to warn the Hillel community?
•Should we be concerned about a possible Non-Disclosure Agreement (gag order) in small print to be incorporated into next year’s registration contacts? The current Dean is considering including such an order in the contract parents sign to register their children next year, meaning that the school can expel children whose parents talk to the press or post to websites by name.
•What type of Judaic program do we wish to see implemented at Hillel?
•Is it educationally sound to include sixth graders in the middle school next year?
IF YOU THINK AN OPEN MEETING WITH THE BOARD IS IN ORDER SIGN THE PETITION: (your name, for now, is only visible to the creator of the petition)
Eligible to sign: Parents in good financial standing or Contributors who have donated a minimum of $1000 for the last 3 years in a row.
http://www.petitiononline.com/VFSSHCDS/petition.html
50 Anonymous // Apr 23, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Everything on this website is patently true and protected by the First Amendment.
We’ve even got people in other states who will serve as witnesses in court if we need them to that everything we’ve said is true.
And think of how the media will present this. I don’t think Hillel really wants more bad press at this point. They shouldn’t force anyone’s hand.
They’re playing a game that might blow up in their face.
This is a scare tactic .
So much for encouraging “open channels of communication”!!
51 Help! // Apr 23, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Still, Admin needs legal help. (Admin, if this is not the case, please speak up and let us know)
This is way too much for one blogger to handle, and we owe it to Hillel to make sure someone comes forward to provide legal assistance.
If they’re bluffing, great, but that may be more of a gamble than we should allow.
52 Anonymous // Apr 23, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Admin would like help regardless from what I understand
53 Anonymous // Apr 23, 2007 at 11:55 pm
ATTORNEYS PLEASE STEP UP
54 Anonymous // Apr 23, 2007 at 11:56 pm
What are the legal ramifications of violating the bylaws - appointing a non-Jewish dean?
55 anonymous // Apr 24, 2007 at 7:17 am
To those threatening the admin:
Even animals don’t prey on their young.
Shame on you.
56 Anonymous // Apr 24, 2007 at 7:33 am
Lichter and Givner’s (partner) are behind this. They are connected to the board. Take it up with them.
The board will do everything to close off communication that they can–even going after their own alumni.
It’s a sad day in Hillel’s history when we’re at this point.
57 Anonymous // Apr 24, 2007 at 7:40 am
This information comes from a friend of theirs who is disgusted. It does not come from the site administrator.
58 Emrys // Apr 24, 2007 at 8:26 am
It goes back to the teacher evaluations.
myflorida.com has extensive information on evaulations.
There was no pre-meeting prior to the observations.
There was no post-meeting after the evaluations.
Fifteen (???) 5 minute drive-throughs are not evaluations.
59 Anonymous // Apr 24, 2007 at 9:43 am
Correct. The evaluations were conducted unethically because they violate the guidelines set forth by all the leading researchers. (See the thread called ” Exposure” comment 67.)
The books on this topic researched by professionals with “real” credentials are promulgated by the US Department of Education’s bibliograhpic search in their database called ERIC.
ERIC - the Education Resources Information Center - is an internet-based digital library of education research and information sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education. ERIC provides access to bibliographic records of journal and non-journal literature indexed from 1966 to the present.
www.eric.ed.gov
60 Anonymous // Apr 24, 2007 at 9:57 am
Michael Newman’s Comments on “So What are We Going to Do Now?”
“Let’s stop analogizing this situation to that of WWII or Cuba. In those places, they [squelched]dissenters. Here, we don’t know what they do to dissenters because I have yet to hear of anyone over there actually dissenting.”
Michael, If it were up to the board you would never hear a single comment of dissent again.
That is their modus operandi with ALL OF HILLEL’S STAKEHOLDERS - FROM PARENTS TO CHILDREN TO FACULTY TO ALUMNI.
Now do you understand what they do to dissenters Michael?
Now do you understand how they try to stop the flow of free and legal speech through intimidation tactics?
Of course you never hear of the way they’ve cracked down on teachers and students…
Look at the lengths they are going to trying to shut down a blog that is legal. Just imagine what they do to the powerless.
Thank G-d we live in the US , and not Cuba, where free speech is still a Constitutional right.
The intimidation tactics are psychological and do work on a lot of people - especially children and faculty.
I agree with the writer above.
Preying on the weak is the lowest form of bullying imaginable.
But remember this: “A BULLY IS ALWAYS A COWARD!”
61 Anonymous // Apr 24, 2007 at 10:14 am
There are legal organizations in New York that offer their services pro bono.
My sibling lives in NYC and sued the management office of the buidling s/he lives in at virtually no cost and won close to $20,000 in the settlement.
S/he found this attorney through a referral by my cousin.
My cousin is an attorney is one of the most prestigious law firms in Manhattan. I will call my cousin and see what I can find out about NY pro bono lawyers.
I would think that a situation like this- whereall information being posted is true (according to my attorney: “THE TRUTH IS THE DEFENSE”) and the administrator is being needlessly harassed–would be of interest to pro bono attorneys who are more motivated by public service than they are by personal gain.
Let me do some research now.
62 anonymous // Apr 24, 2007 at 10:57 am
Poster the 48 is 100% correct. This is ruling by intimidation.
There is nothing that will stand up in a court of law. Furthermore, with regards to the posting of the password, the admin did not post it. It was automatically posted by a visitor. As soon as the admin realized, it was immediately removed. This is all documented.
Any of the other allegations in the C&D letter are inappropriate. The admin cannot be held accountable for the independent actions of others. Many parents have these lists and obtained them legally.
Now the school has removed them and is getting inappropriately involved in monitoring the parent use of address for their own personal reasons. This practice is unacceptable.
To the individual who has attorney relatives in New York. It would be greatly appreciated if a great, pro bono lawyer can be found.
Note to all: The intimidation tactic used here is what our beloved teachers are faced with on a daily basis. On many occasions, I have heard multiple faculty members question what the purpose of Rabbi Druin is - - NO one seems to know his role or what he does at the school. As far as Doctor Holden, his intentions are questionable at best. History speaks volumes for the changes and issues that were made and currently face the last Jewish school that was unraveled.
My friends, these are the very reasons we are posting, to provide information to be evaluated and analyzed by those who visit. No one can tell someone how to believe, such decisions and actions are to be made by individuals themselves. All that can be presented are the facts.
Facts provide valuable information and the basis for action on the part of parents, alumni, and community individuals in regards to PHILANTHROPY, enrollment and community support.
These are the very issues to be brought to the forefront and addressed, by the school administration and at all levels of board membership.
Everyone should ponder all of the questions posed in Posting number 49.
All food for thought!!!!
63 Anonymous // Apr 24, 2007 at 11:05 am
How about the gag order that might be in next year’s contract…So much for allowing dissent!!
64 Joellaseegood // Apr 24, 2007 at 11:10 am
Anonymous // Apr 24, 2007 at 9:43 am
Teacher observations come in 2 categories:
1. informal
2. formal
Informal cannot be used to evaluate, period. Informal happens when the superising lead (teacher, AP or Principal) drops in with cookies for the kids or as an invitee to some sort of event. And, sometimes, if there is a disturbance that requires security procedures.
Formal is used to evaluate and is not ever done without a pre-meeting. Actually, the Department Head should be there as well along with the designated observer. The meeting is usually about 20 minutes long and the scope and sequence of the lesson is discussed, sometimes the grade book is included as is the plan book (qv, all new teachers should make photocopies of their plans and grade books, weekly, CYA). The meeting should take place within 30 class days or less, pref. less. A day for observation is agreed upon. A lesson plan showcasing Bloom’s Taxonomic levels is drawn up. Sometimes the Dept. Head will drop in for a preview, to allow for tweaking (but his/her presence is not formal).
The Principal Observer makes the appointment and arrives. Sometimes they will sit at the teacher’s desk and review the plan book and grade book before taking a seat in the back of the classroom. The teacher ignores the visitor and teaches.
The next appointment must be within five school days for discussion:
What came off perfectly?
What went really really well?
What was good?
What does the teacher need to work on?
Does the lesson plan have an objective?
Was the strategy(ies) done correctly?
Do the students get feedback?
Are the students making adequate progress?
Does the teacher seem if not happy at least neutral?
Etc..
The post-observation meetings are not meant to be picky but rather meant to say “Even the best of you should raise it a notch.” They are not suppose to be punative.
Teachers work very very hard in the school year. We need our planning and our spare time to do for our students what needs to be done.
65 MIND CONTROL TACTICS (in their most extreme // Apr 24, 2007 at 11:27 am
The tactics used to create undue psychological and social influence, often by means involving anxiety and stress, fall into seven main categories.
TACTIC 1
Increase suggestibility and “soften up” the individual through specific hypnotic or other suggestibility-increasing techniques such as:Extended audio, visual, verbal, or tactile fixation drills, Excessive exact repetition of routine activities, Sleep restriction and/or Nutritional restriction.
TACTIC 2
Establish control over the person’s social environment, time and sources of social support by a system of often-excessive rewards and punishments. SOCIAL ISOLATION IS PROMOTED [My note: i.e. Talking to other is discouraged.]. CONTACT WITH family and friends is abridged, as is contact with PERSONS WHO DO NOT SHARE GROUP-APPROVED ATTITUDES. [My note: PEERS, COLLEAGUES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS]Economic and other dependence on the group is fostered.
TACTIC 3
Prohibit disconfirming information and non supporting opinions in group communication. RULES EXIST ABOUT PERMISSIBLE TOPICS to discuss with outsiders. Communication is highly controlled. An “in-group” language is usually constructed.
TACTIC 4
Make the person re-evaluate the most central aspects of his or her experience of self and prior conduct in negative ways. Efforts are designed to destabilize and undermine the subject’s basic consciousness, reality awareness, world view, emotional control and defense mechanisms. The subject is guided to reinterpret his or her life’s history and adopt a new version of causality.
TACTIC 5
CREATE A SENSE OF POWERLESSNESS by subjecting the person to intense and frequent actions and situations which undermine the person’s confidence in himself and his judgment.
TACTIC 6
Create strong aversive emotional arousals in the subject by use of nonphysical punishments such as intense humiliation, loss of privilege, social isolation, SOCIAL STATUS CHANGES, intense guilt, ANXIETY, MANIPULATION and other techniques.
TACTIC 7
INTIMIDATE THE PERSON WITH THE FORCE OF GROUP-SANCTIONED SECULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL THREATS . For example, it may be suggested or implied that FAILURE TO ADOPT THE APPROVED ATTITUDE, BELIEF OR CONSEQUENT BEHAVIOR WILL LEAD TO SEVERE PUNISHMENT OR DIRE CONSEQUENCES….
CLASSIC!! TEXTBOOK!! TRANSPARENT!
http://www.factnet.org/coercivemindcontrol.html
66 worried // Apr 25, 2007 at 8:11 pm
No comments now for almost the past 36 hours… I really hope the previously active group of posters is not getting scared of Hillel’s litigious bluff. That would be really sad.
67 Anonymous // Apr 25, 2007 at 8:24 pm
I’m not scared.
There is no case.
It’s the parents’ turns now.
68 Mind control // Apr 25, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Interesting… Holden is known to have used all of the above mind control tactics in Kansas City during his tenure at the Hebrew Academy there, except for #1. I guess guys with his level of proficiency get to skip the small stuff.
69 Anonymous // Apr 25, 2007 at 8:49 pm
To the Administrator:
I am a parent that cares, that is not part of the board, that has three kids in the school, and that wants to see this institution grow and achieve excellence. I am shocked by the way some of you have decided to bash the school and its administration, just because they professionally conducted a review of all the teachers for a full year, and came to the conclusion that out of almost 180, just a few did not fit the schools need so they did not have their contract renewed.
The anonymity of everyone I respect, but I would at least want to know out of all of the people posting here who is a parent, who is part of faculty, who is a student, and who is an alumni with no kids in the school. If this data was available, I am confident that it would show that this site has been written mostly by a small group of young alumni that loved the three teachers that where chosen not to continue.
Unfortunately in business, an employee with a single great skill has to be let go because he or she does not want or is not interested in learning, improving, changing and conforming to new demands of the job. You may all be right about them being great teachers, but that does not mean that the administration is wrong about letting them go.
Personally I support the Board and the Administration, their work, and the actions they have taken in the past 3 years. I have some friends that have told me that for 2008-2009 there are about 150 students in waiting list because enrolment has surpassed expectations. They must be doing something right.
I have had the opportunity in various occasions to talk to Adam Holden, Rabbi Druin, Elis, and Rafael Russ about the school. I have come to believe that this Board and its administration is committed to see this school become one of the best Jewish day Schools of the Country. I applaud what they are doing, and respect and admire all of them. I believe that they are the best thing that has happened to this school in the last decade.
I am all for democracy, I have never read the bylaws of the school, but if you qualify to be part of the BOD, and you have such a strong following, all of you should come to the next meeting where they will elect the Board Members, and change the administration.
Think on what you are doing and stop this nonsense.
PD. I tried to post on this site in the past, but I saw that my POSITIVE / SUPPORTIVE message did not make it past you, the oh mighty gate keeper that calls himself the administrator. Now that I see all of you talking about legal actions and the first amendment, I have decided to write this post with a notary public on my side so that we can have a legal document. Lets see if it gets posted!!!
70 Mind control // Apr 25, 2007 at 9:00 pm
I’m curious about 2 things:
1. Did you misspell Ellis’ name on purpose, to disguise the fact that you actually ARE Ellis?
2. How will you ever clean the notary’s seal off your monitor?
71 admin // Apr 25, 2007 at 9:08 pm
“PD. I tried to post on this site in the past, but I saw that my POSITIVE / SUPPORTIVE message did not make it past you, the oh mighty gate keeper that calls himself the administrator.”
That’s quite interesting. Please tell me when you posted what you say you posted (since I certainly do not see it and would have approved it since you have a valid opinion and it is within reason).
Furthermore, you are posting from a country that has had ZERO representation on this website thus far.
I’ve said time and time again that this site was launched because of teachers whose jobs were terminated and the fact that I felt indebted to them (which is perfectly within reason, wouldn’t you think?) You are entitled to think otherwise, and I’ve urged the community to be vocal about the other side. I have NEVER refused a comment that has promoted the decisions made by the Board.
72 EDUCATOR // Apr 25, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Anonymous,
I AM A TEACHER .
ALL THE RESEARCH I’VE POSTED HERE ABOUT THE UNETHICAL WAY THE EVALUATIONS WERE CONDUCTED IS A FACT.
Believe it or not , several other teachers are posting here too.
I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE US DEPT OF ED STANDARDS BECAUSE THIS MY AREA OF EXPERTISE. BEST PRACTICES WERE NOT FOLLOWED. THIS IS INDISPUTABLE. UNDENIABLE. SORRY THAT THE TRUTH HURTS.
73 Michael Newman // Apr 25, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Anonymous: I hope that you are aware that all this legal action talk was the result of the school’s legal action in trying to close down this site.
74 Aaron // Apr 25, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Dear most recent Anonymous,
I am one of those “alumni with no kids in the school” as you put it.
You make it sound, and you may be right, that because I have graduated from Hillel, I should no longer have any stake in it.
I’m curious… is that what you were trying to say?
75 Mind control // Apr 25, 2007 at 9:22 pm
“You make it sound, and you may be right, that because I have graduated from Hillel, I should no longer have any stake in it.”
You can try that approach when they come to the alumni and ask for money…
76 anonymous // Apr 25, 2007 at 9:43 pm
I am not the individual that you addressed, however, I want to address your concern.
For anyone who understands the functioning of private educational institutions, ALUMNI ARE THE LIFEBLOOD!
Look at Yale, Harvard, Brandeis, University of Miami just to name a few private institutions of higher education. Look at Pinecrest, Posnak, Hebrew Academy and American Heritage. The always welcome their alumni. They have entire webpages devoted to their alums and their achievements. As this is a selling point for new students. It is excellent for marketing for those professional business people on the board. The alumni provide your best marketing tool as well as philanthropy. It is not advisable to treat them poorly or push them away. Once done, it is hard to earn them back!
Hillel is famous for pushing away its supporters - it has done this on numerous occasions. RESPECT/DERECH ERETZ is paramount.
Alumni - we need you and welcome your thoughts and support. Unfortunately, you are unable to vote or sign petitions but we welcome your voices and insight.
Keep on posting. …..and parents,teachers, and other interested parties……we need you too.
77 ivory tower // Apr 25, 2007 at 10:28 pm
72 EDUCATOR // Apr 25, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Thank you.
78 Educator // Apr 25, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Anonymous,
I have to tell you that you sound like parent who is probably a friend of the Board (you’re not the board per se or you’d be in the board meeting taking place now..or perhaps it ended already)…
Several of our alumni are no longer “children”.
They have families of their own and have graduated from top universities. They have impressive careers. I am amazed that they even care about the school at all anymore.
They seem to care more than many current parents who are asleep at the wheel right now. I commend you, parent, for being actively involved. I wish there were more like you out there.
I consider it a privilege to know these alumni and I think that we should address them a little more respectfully.
We are all so concerned that they are bashing others..why do you bash them?
Some of them are attorneys. Others work at Fortune 500 companies. Again, I know because I’ve had the privilege of teaching several of them. Many of them are smarter than I am in certain ways. My respect for them knows no bounds.
Try to be mindful of this.
The information I have provided comes from expertise and first hand experience of many of the situations described on this site.
We would all prefer to think that what’s being printed is not true because the truth is painful.
I’m not scared of attorneys. I would testify to the veracity of every statement made in a court of law. Fortunately, the first amendment still protects my right to tell the truth freely.
The lawyers will NOT intimidate me. Too bad for them.
79 Educator // Apr 25, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Ivory Tower,
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO DEFEND FELLOW TEACHERS IN THE TRENCHES WHO ARE CHEERING ME ON IN THE FACULTY LOUNGE AND FROM THEIR HOMES DAILY!!
TO ALL OF YOU TEACHERS OUT THERE: STAY STRONG!!! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!
80 Anon // Apr 25, 2007 at 11:18 pm
In the interest of understanding the process behind firing the teachers, can someone please elaborate on this statement that “they professionally conducted a review of all the teachers for a full year.”
What does a professional review entail? How long did the review occur? Who performed the reviews? Were they done by outside parties or by Hillel staff members? Were they done by indiviudals who have college degrees–are they qualified to perform these reviews???
by the way, a “Full year?” How could that be true if some of the non-renewed teachers had been at hillel for less than a full year?
81 sara // Apr 25, 2007 at 11:28 pm
As we look back on all that has been posted on this forum since its inception, it is all just so sad…Sad that the Board is using time and energy to go after alumni. Sad that the Board is ignoring testaments (sent to this site and to the Jewish Journal) from those at Holden’s previous school. Sad that the Board is ignoring what appears to be legal issues regarding Holden’s employment . Sad that the Board is ignoring the very respectful Open Letter to the Board from our 2006 valedictorian. Sad…………
82 Shlomo Bolts // Apr 25, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Hey guys,
While it is certainly possible that the “parent that cares” is Senor Sinyor, I have to say I am somewhat troubled by all of your responses. If things go at all the way we want them, we are going to be getting more parents posting on this web site. Definitely, some of them will be totally supportive, and cheering us on 100%. But others might have a different viewpoint, or might not fully understand the situation, or might have been misled.
I am not saying that this “parent that cares” is truly a parent. I am also not saying that he is definitely a board member. But we should be more careful now. We’ve gotten so used to Sinyor’s infantile comments on this message board, we run the risk of seeing Sinyor when he’s not there. That, among other things, was probably one of his goals for posting. We can’t fall for his tricks. We’re smarter than that.
Let’s say that I’m a parent who has just found out about this message board. I click the link to this thread, see a “parent that cares” posting what seem to be legitimate concerns, and then–I have to be frank–see attacks, and sometimes ad hominem attacks, figure prominently in many of the replies. If I were such a parent, these attacks would serve as confirmation that I should be “shocked by the way some of you have decided to bash the school and its administration”, to quote the “concerned parent.”
I do not intend to fault anyone. I’m not even saying that this is a big problem on the site so far. But everyone needs to be aware of this and we have to carry this through. Please–even if you think someone is posting as a board member, pretend that that person is who he says he is. (Or mention that he might be a board member, then answer the points in question. Personally, I like talking to the board. I’m still waiting on an answer to my open letter.) This will help attract new parents, and belie the board’s claims that we are a ragtag band of psycotic discontented alumni. We have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. This will probably take a few extra minutes, but seeing the depth of passion on this website, I think that everyone here is committed enough to do it.
To the anonymous parent that cares,
Thank you for your concern. Honestly, I would like to believe that everything you said about the firing process was true. But the fact that the administration has yet to answer our calls for answers; and prosecutes the moderator of this site for raising legitimate questions; and goes out of its way to put up legal roadblocks when members of this site try to send a letter to parents asking the same questions;–all this suggests that the administration is hiding something big.
Let’s say I’m an administrator, and I made a bunch of firings that I very strongly believed in, but that were unpopular among the general student body. Let’s also say that I have no secret reasons for the firings, and no malevolent intent of any kind.
Perhaps initially I try to avoid confrontation, because I like to stick to bussiness as usual. That was the initial argument that Holden used, that he wanted to “get things done”. But what do I do after there is widespread protest? What do I do when a website becomes very vocal in its criticism, and its calls for a public hearing? If my only objection to calling a public meeting is that it takes time (which seems to be the main objection so far), and I’m doing nothing wrong, do I take the extra effort to call lawyers out on my own alumni? Why not just sit down for an hour or two, and have a fireside chat?
Also, yes, I am an alumnus who has had many positive interactions with Rabbi Lefkowitz. However, I was never taught by Mrs. Heber and never had any extensive interactions with her. Furthermore, if you are aware of my relationship with Mrs. Galitzer (I talk in depth about it in the archived thread titled “Planning for the future”), you will realize that while I respect her tremendously, she is far from my favorite teacher. For me, this whole controversy is almost not about the specific teachers; it is about the idea that a select group of people on the board can fire fourteen teachers, including some school favorites, in one fell swoop with no prior knowledge on the part of the Hillel community and no explanation afterward. For me at least, it is not even a question of whether I like this teacher or that teacher or the other teacher. It is a question of whether I like ANY teachers at all in the school. Since evidently the teachers were fired without doing anything wrong, for all I know, my favorite teacher will be fired tomorrow. Why not?
That was not a rhetorical question. I am interested to hear your views–whether you are truly a parent or are a board member. What do you think?
83 Anonymous // Apr 25, 2007 at 11:40 pm
In all fairness, there are a couple people on the board listening and trying to effect positive changes–like 2 or 3.
Several of the board members were never aware of what was happening until the firings occurred.
While the majority of them went on the defensive and went into denial mode– instead of viewing this as opportunity to truly learn about the situation–there are a couple who are not in denial.
There eyes are wide opening now. They are listening. They are re-thinking. They are trying to fix the situation, but they are up against great resistance, especially from those who suffer from GROUP THINK and refuse to further explore by talking first hand to the teachers themselves.
To those few valiant and brave board members, I want you to know how much we all appreciate you!
Thank you.
To the rest: Wake up before it’s too late!
84 Anonymous // Apr 25, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Shlomo,
Who ever said that parent was Sinyor?
85 Shlomo Bolts // Apr 25, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Isn’t that who “Ellis” is?
86 Anonymous // Apr 25, 2007 at 11:45 pm
“For me, this whole controversy is almost not about the specific teachers; it is about the idea that a select group of people on the board can fire fourteen teachers, including some school favorites, in one fell swoop with no prior knowledge on the part of the Hillel community and no explanation afterward. For me at least, it is not even a question of whether I like this teacher or that teacher or the other teacher. It is a question of whether I like ANY teachers at all in the school. Since evidently the teachers were fired without doing anything wrong, for all I know, my favorite teacher will be fired tomorrow. Why not? ”
Shlomo,
You hit the nail right on the head.
You are so astute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Kudos “alum”
87 Anonymous // Apr 25, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Shlomo,
I see now. Mind control made that assumption.
Yes. That assumption does not sound accurate.
88 sara // Apr 25, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Tp Post #83: Thank-you for the clarification about the board members. Good to know that some eyes are open.
89 Eli Gorin // Apr 26, 2007 at 12:03 am
The anonymous parent wrote:
“… and who is an alumni with no kids in the school. If this data was available, I am confident that it would show that this site has been written mostly by a small group of young alumni that loved the three teachers that where chosen not to continue. ”
Did you ever consider that many of us alumni are just starting our families and may be interested in considering Hillel for our children in the near future? That maybe those beloved teachers are people that will hopefully be around long enough to teach OUR children?
That is why we alumni care to make a point.
I have kept quiet on a lot of things and won’t make any long diatribes now, but I have to say that there have been a lot of comments posted on this site that have been unfortunately giving it a bad rap. However there are even more good things being posted and brought out in the open that I feel are important for current and potential FUTURE parents to be aware of. When the time comes that I need to look into schools for my son, I want to know the good, the bad and the ugly. From there I will make my educated decision on where to send my child to school. Not knowing a lot of the negative aspects and having to find them out midstream would really piss me off. I am sure that is what is happening with quite a few parents now.
I hope that the comments people make from now on here on this message board will be thought out and properly presented.
Speculation (which includes ASSUMING who someone may be based on the way someone reads the post) is completely wrong. It begins to wreak of conspiracy theories and THAT is when the site loses its purpose. Posting anonymous comments in response to an anonymous person’s post quite frankly gives no credibility to those writing it. If you don’t want to put your name, then at least give a description of who you are, i.e. Parent Of A 3rd Grader… School Alumni… Hillel Board Member… whatever it may be.
If you have something constructive to say that you know is fact, say it. Be open. Be honest. But if you are going to assume things… just remember the only good line to ever come out of a Steven Seagal movie… “Assumption is the mother of all *&#-ups.”
90 Anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 12:11 am
When you ASSUME you make an “ASS” out of “U” —AND “ME”—
91 RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT // Apr 26, 2007 at 1:18 am
“Let’s say I’m an administrator, and I made a bunch of firings that I very strongly believed in, but that were unpopular among the general student body.
Let’s also say that I have no secret reasons for the firings, and no malevolent intent of any kind.
Perhaps initially I try to avoid confrontation, because I like to stick to bussiness as usual.
That was the initial argument that Holden used, that he wanted to “get things done”. But what do I do after there is widespread protest?
What do I do when a website becomes very vocal in its criticism, and its calls for a public hearing?
If my only objection to calling a public meeting is that it takes time (which seems to be the main objection so far), and I’m doing nothing wrong, do I take the extra effort to call lawyers out on my own alumni?
Why not just sit down for an hour or two, and have a fireside chat? “
92 anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 8:03 am
To the “parent” who would like to see the institution grow and achieve excellence:
This institution can never grow and achieve excellence without Institutional Integrity.
Having a Head of School with a fraudulent doctoral degree is the epitomy of academic dishonesty. It is ethically and in the State of Florida , legally dishonest.
How can Hillel ever achieve the academic and ethical goals set out in its Blueprint for Excellence, if the Head of School is not academically and therefore ethically honest?
When an individual attains a position unethically (boasting a 4.0 gpa from a fraudulent program) and without true knowledge, the decisions made by that individual can never be ethical or true:
Hence the firing of 15 teachers and the sudden “leave of absence” taken by the high school principal on erev pesach.
All of these teachers deserve to be re-evaluated:
This time by ethically and academically knowledgable individuals.
Perhaps the Board can take the money they seem to be willing to spend to fight the first ammendment, and use it instead it to bring in a team of evaluators from an NCATE certified university to truly evaluate the teaching methods of these certified educators.
Perhaps the Board should re-read the SACS Accreditation Self Study the faculty and administration prepared last year. This document speaks volumes of the wonderful academic goals and ethics of Hillel.
Unless this Board rights the wrong, and sets Hillel on an academcically honest, ethical and legal path, instituitional integrity can never be attained. The Board seems to forget it is directing a school, where academic integrity is and can never be a “non-issue”.
93 EDUCATOR // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:45 am
To the Anonymous Parent:
BEST PRACICES FOR TEACHER EVALUATIONS IN A NUTSHELL:
(SEE ERIC DATABASE PUT OUT BY THE US DEPT. OF ED. FOR PUBLISHED RESEARCH ON THIS TOPIC)
(Also for a lengthier discussion please read these postings composed by various teachers who are not safe to identify themselves –See “Exposure” thread /Comments #*71,* 73, 75, 76 and this thread “Site Announcement” / Comments #60 and 65 –there’s one more really good post that I can’t find now–for more details)
1. Teachers are supposed to have input in the way the evaluation process is designed– They didn’t.
2. The people conducting the evaluations are supposed to be knowledgeable in the specific subject area of the teacher they are evaluating–They weren’t.
3. It is imperative that pre and post conferences take place–They didn’t.
4 FORMAL evaluations require the evaluator to observe the class for the ENTIRE DURATION OF THE CLASS PERIOD–This did not happen.
(Walking in for 5-20 minutes does NOT constitute a formal observation–such a short span of observation constitutes an INFORMAL evaluation.)
5. Being FORMALLY evaluated for 15 consecutive days (nevermind informal observations conducted during the year) by so many different administrators (especially by ones who were non-renewed or demoted or removed from their current positions) is unheard of in any reputable institution of learning in this country. I challenge someone to prove otherwise.
6. A couple administrators who knew this process was not the proper way to conduct evaluations but were too afraid to defy the dean informed a couple of us that they were instructed not to give anyone above the score of a 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 –5 being the highest–so that we wouldn’t take the scoring personally. So what’s the purpose then?
Doesn’t it make Hillel look bad to employ teachers who are all merely 3’s on a scale of 1 to 5?
7. When teachers were upset with their scores, several complained to the evaluators and had their scores raised. What a joke.
8. A formal evaluation of a teacher is supposed to evaluate the pedagogical efficacy of the instructor in a classroom setting–in other words, “can this person teach or not”–it is not supposed to score a teacher on the manner that he keeps his attendance records. Such minutia and irrelevant factors were included in the overall rating of the teacher.
9. The firings had no correlation to the ratings of the evaluations. Some teachers with 5’s got fired. Some with lower scores were kept.
Since the ratings were arbitrary to begin with, however, this fact is immaterial.
It, therefore, stands to reason that personal agendas prevailed in the firings since there was no easily discernable correlation between who got fired and the rating he or she received.
Since every aspect of the evaluations conducted was certainly unethical, it stands to reason that the purpose of this farce was to intimidate and harass teachers. And the administration indeed succeeded, for the most part, in intimidating the majority of teachers.
Now look at the mess they created. Was it worth it?????
ANONYMOUS PARENT: ARE YOU STARTING TO UNDERSTAND HOW UNETHICAL THIS PROCESS WAS OR WOULD YOU LIKE MORE INFORMATION???
I WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH ALL THE DATA YOU NEED WITH PLEASURE–JUST ASK.
I HAVE A REAL DEGREE AND KNOW HOW TO FIND CREDIBLE RESEARCH TO SUBSTANTIATE EVERY CLAIM THE TEACHERS ARE MAKING ON THIS WEBSITE AND IN PRIVATE MEETINGS WITH THE FEW BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE ACTUALLY TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO US AND ACTUALLY “GET” WHAT’S GOING ON HERE.
THEIR CARING FOR THEIR TEACHERS IS MUCH APPRECIATED. TOO BAD THERE AREN’T MORE OF THEM OUT THERE.
94 anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 4:30 pm
And these are the laws/standards
which you shall put before them
(Exodus 21:1)
_________________________________
The above qoute is found in Hillel’s statement to the SACS accreditation team.
This promise to uphold the SAC’s standards for accreditation appears to have been violated on so many different levels.
In the SAC’s self-study, Hillel vowed to reach out to parents and alumni in positive ways to include them in the Hillel family.
Hillel promised to conduct just and professional evaluations of their faculty and administration.
“As a Jewish day school, Hillel subscribes to a social and ethical code as a fundamental part of its mission and raison d’etre.
The formation of habits of character is an essential part of the program, as central as
academic learning and religious observance.”
What has happened to our beloved school?
95 anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 6:30 pm
MIT Dean Resigns
By Mark Navin
BOSTON - April 26, 2007 - The Dean of Admission at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has resigned. MIT says she had misrepresented her credentials.
Jones, who became Dean of Admissions in 1997, issued a statement of apology, admitting she’d misled MIT about her academic credentials when she first joined the institute, 28-years ago and did not have the courage to correct her resume.
96 Hillel Teacher for 7 years // Apr 26, 2007 at 7:36 pm
The board met last night and the majority is under the impression that this entire site is hokum and that all the posters are college-age bloggers and alumni because these are the only people who have the luxury of posting their names without fear of retaliation.
They don’t realize how many teachers and parents are posting too. A recent statement made reflects the sentiment held by most of the board, “The anonymity of everyone I respect, but I would at least want to know out of all of the people posting here who is a parent, who is part of faculty, who is a student, and who is an alumni with no kids in the school. If this data was available, I am confident that it would show that this site has been written mostly by a small group of young alumni that loved the three teachers that where chosen not to continue. ”
Whether this statement was written by a parent or a board member is irrelevant. This is the sentiment held by almost the entire board. The few in the minority who acknowledge the truth are having difficulty making headway. They need help.
Parents with concerns about academic credentials, lack of Jewish leadership, etc. are encouraged not to hide behind anonymous names but to pick up the phone and call the number the board provided to this website:
“ If you have any questions, please always feel free to contact a member of the Board of Governors. You can reach us through the school at 305.931.2831 x126.”
The board is waiting to hear from people with real names. They are dismissing anonymous claims as claims made by young alumni who have no idea what they’re talking about.
97 anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 8:24 pm
The following is SACS position on:
.27 Institutional Integrity
If a school misrepresents itself, including accreditation status, to the public;
Has any condition that may be detrimental to the clientele of the school; or falsely reports its compliance with the policies and standards for accreditation; the school’s accreditation can be revoked at the next business session of the Board of Directors of CASI.
As MIT has demonstrated with the resignation of their Dean due to credential padding:
Academic Integrity is never a “Non-Issue”.
98 Anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 8:25 pm
the school’s accreditation can be revoked at the next business session of the Board of Directors of CASI
What is their phone number?
99 Anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 8:27 pm
When is their next Business session?
What is their phone number?
Let’s get them to start investigating right now.
100 Stand up and be counted // Apr 26, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Revoke accreditation? Before you try and do that you should take another look at the name and purpose of this site.
The board has made a move (however small) to determine whether the voices on this web site should be paid heed. You should take advantage of it, if for no other reason than so that they should not be able to say later, “We tried, and no one responded. It must have been just a bunch of stupid kids.”
“ If you have any questions, please always feel free to contact a member of the Board of Governors. You can reach us through the school at 305.931.2831 x126.”
Do it.
101 anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 8:47 pm
404 -679-4500
SACS/CASI
Dr. Mark Elgart ext. 595
President and Chief Operating Officer
102 Anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Thank you #102 for that information.
103 Mindy on Post #96 and on MIT incident // Apr 26, 2007 at 9:16 pm
In response to post #96: Once again, the Board– with the exception of a few– is showing its disrespect for people’s concerns. Even if it were true that most of what is written here ” has been written mostly by a small group of young alumni that loved the three teachers that where chosen not to continue” (and it is not true), is this the way to treat alumni? unfortunately, their ignoring all opportunites to right the wrongs is only making the situation worse. Their not respecting this site and their not putting any credence into what they read here only further alienates people. And their bringing in attorneys, etc. is backfiring. A post here states channel 10’s interest in Hillel situation— this was prior to the MIT incident. Now the tv station can show a “right here in own backyard” connection to a national story.
104 CHANAH SENESH // Apr 26, 2007 at 9:38 pm
I agree. From all the inside information and educational discussion it’s clear that there are several teachers on this site. The board is too dense to even realize that. I can’t believe they’re dismissing everything as just stupid kids talking. Kids have better things to do with their time. They don’t care enough to conduct research about agencies and pedagogy. It’s the teachers who are suffering most at this point. They are so dense. Wow.Wow.Wow. Wow.
105 Mindy to Stand Up and Be Counted: // Apr 26, 2007 at 9:54 pm
You say: The board has made a move (however small) to determine whether the voices on this web site should be paid heed. You should take advantage of it, if for no other reason than so that they should not be able to say later, “We tried, and no one responded. It must have been just a bunch of stupid kids.”
Shlomo Bolts requested a meeting…the Board did not respond. It seems all the Board wants to know now is the identity of posters– teacher, parent, alumnus. Why does it matter who it is? ALL these voices (in your words) “should be paid heed.” It is they who is not responding. Not us.
106 anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Whether a hillel parent, faculty member or alum, it is irrelevant who I am or under which category I fall.
What is relevant is that each of us have posted in an attempt to have our voices heard without jeapardizing our children, our jobs, or our families. Faculty and staff members will not post their names nor will any leave message for board members for the same fear of retaliation or jeopardizing their positions, children or families. Just as those board members who actually give credence to the information posted will not identify themselves as this will hurt their position and stature on the board.
The thoughts, ideas, and sentiments being conveyed on this website are being done so on behalf of the teachers, students, and the COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL. The fact that someone posts and is an alum or someone posts is a parent, grandparent, or just an interested community member is irrelevant.
What is relevant are the issues! These issues are real and they are affecting the school, the students, and the community.
Hillel was always a known commodity. People in South Florida know of Hillel and the quality education its graduates receive.
So, all of those members of the board…..TAKE NOTICE. We are parents, alumni, faculty, and community members who really CARE about the future of this school. We understand from where it has been and where it is now and are demanding appropriate change.
Our alumni are intelligent, professional individuals who graduated and attained their education from our institution. We should be proud and listen. They are our best marketing tool, lifeline to philanthropy, and will also have children one day. Wouldn’t it be nice to have their children as students in our school?
I encourage all posters to continue to post and all board members who have an ounce of intelligence and sentiment for our beloved teachers and school to read the outcrying of support and anguish the Hillel Community is expressing.
Read the words, understand the thoughts, and internalize the values. With that said, such actions should lead to intelligent decisions and transformational change.
Carry on!!!
107 Stand up and be counted // Apr 26, 2007 at 10:42 pm
It is not humanly possible for anonymous messages to be counted. Try sending an anonymous letter to the Herald or Sun Sentinel. No matter how great it is, it will never be printed. If you want to be heard, you need to come forward.
I can understand that some are concerned about retribution, but other than faculty members who fear for your jobs, what have the rest of you got to lose?
If you’re still afraid to call, consider this:
I doubt whether whoever is talking about Channel 10 doing something on this really knows what they are talking about. They aren’t going to concern themselves with the goings on of a private school.
But we do know there is only one news outlet that has touched this: the Florida Jewish News. If you’re worried about retribution from the board or administration for giving your name on some answering machine, call Avi Frier. I know him. I spoke with him before he wrote the original story, I just spoke with him again, and I know he will maintain your confidentiality if you ask him to. But if he reports something, he’ll be able to say that it was from a parent, or a teacher, or a student, or an alumnus, or whatever. In the story he wrote last month, he didn’t divulge the names of students and parents, and I heard from people on both sides of the issue that they thought he reported it fairly.
If you’re afraid to give your name to the board, give it to him on condition of anonymity.
His phone number is 954-987-2720 ext 18. You can also email him through the form on the page linked below, but you’ll have to give your real name and a valid way for him to get back to you.
http://floridajewishnews.com/contact/Avi_Frier/
Whichever option you choose, you need to stand up and be counted. This web site got their attention, but it won’t finish the job.
108 Golda Meir // Apr 26, 2007 at 10:45 pm
The people on this blog are the few who care–parents, faculty, alumni, and yes, even board members in one form or another–
if everything here were false why would the board bother to read it? bother to send legal letters? become split even amongst themselves about what’s true or not? they know the truth. it strikes a raw nerve but they’ve chosen to bury their heads in the sand—Ignorance is NOT bliss!
109 WRONG WRONG WRONG // Apr 26, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Stand uP:
you are Wrong Wrong Wrong about Channel 10
110 Anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:09 pm
I find it hilarious that teachers are telling each other to stand up and be counted.
111 Stand up and be counted // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:15 pm
I wasn’t talking to the teachers, I was talking to everyone else, primarily the parents.
Again:
“other than faculty members who fear for your jobs, what have the rest of you got to lose?”
And WRONG WRONG WRONG:
Prove me wrong.
112 WRONG WRONG WRONG // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Channel 1o has already contacted various people connected to this story including the school. Many are aware of this fact. They are keeping it under wraps for now so as not to give the school bad publicity but Hillel should take heed!!
sorry, but you my friend are WRONG WRONG WRONG
and that’s a good thing, no?
113 Stand up and be counted // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:21 pm
I know they contacted people. They contacted me too. But contacting doesn’t mean they’re going to do anything. I spoke to the reporter today and it’s not looking good for a story.
114 mindy // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Well, there is always channel 7……………….
115 WRONG WRONG WRONG // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:31 pm
stand up–
I hear what you’re saying. However, if the attorneys pursue legal action there would be nothing to stop us all from starting to talk to the press–we’re exercising restraint for now–thanks for your support
116 WRONG WRONG WRONG // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:32 pm
NBC is also investigating.
117 WRONG WRONG WRONG // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:34 pm
No one is gonna talk now unless we’re given no other choice.
118 mindy // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:36 pm
What do you mean..local NBC is looking into our school?
119 WRONG WRONG WRONG // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:39 pm
let’s just say they’ve been alerted. nothing more than that.
120 Stand up and be counted // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:39 pm
So is the Florida Jewish News. I just got this email from Avi Frier after he read my earlier post:
“Thanks for the plug. Let them know that I am working on a story, and that I want to hear from them. As you said in your post, I can’t put any credence in anonymous messages, but I will protect anonymity as long as I know who I’m speaking to. This is because if I don’t know who they are and where they figure into the picture, I can’t take into account what their personal agenda might be. They should also be aware that I will once again speak to the board and the administration to get their side. I will be fair, and that’s a promise.”
One way or another, the truth is going to be told, if we stop hiding.
121 WRONG WRONG WRONG // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:39 pm
for now.
122 WRONG WRONG WRONG // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Stand up–
thanks for that info. I have already spoken on the phone to Frier but i will speak to him again.
123 Anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:46 pm
I don’t understand why the board doesn’t just call a private meeting with teachers minus administrators and get to the bottom of this already.
124 Diane Weber // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:47 pm
I have read with continuing interest the postings on this web site for the last several weeks. With over 35 years of experience as a professional educator, I have been quite dismayed at the personal and professional attacks made on the administrators and board members of the Hillel school. I am somewhat late in replying to uninformed people who do not understand how a school truly operates. Several things need to be addressed:
Teacher evaluation: Contrary to what has been posted on this web site, teacher evaluations do take place, done by administrators all over the country. The process is used in excellent independent schools all over the country. The purpose is two-fold. Evaluations should be used to assist teachers in improving as educators. Teachers ask their students to grow as learners, and teachers should do the same. Evaluators do not need to be trained in content areas- they are trained in evaluating the ability of teachers to teach. I am trained and quite competent to evaluate teachers in all grades in all subject areas. Evaluation should include areas such as learning environment, communication, curriculum and instruction and professional standards.
Teacher evaluations are also used to determine the best fit for schools. While many teachers spend many years in the classroom and continue to grow professionally as educators, there are times when it becomes apparent that this is not the case, that the school is moving in a different, more professional direction and that the teachers are not willing, or able, to move with the school. Then it becomes time for those teachers to leave. Turnover happens in every excellent school.
The vilification of the professionals in the building. I am appalled by the personal and professional attacks on Dr. Holden, Rabbi Druin and the members of your board. This web site has posted statements as fact that are opinion (Dr. Holden does not care about the school), statements as fact that are blatantly false (Dr. Holden did not speak to one teacher during his first year, a foolish notion), and statements that have damaged the reputation of the Hillel school in the eyes of many across the country. While many of you may disagree with the process of teacher evaluation done at Hillel, your continued derogatory comments about the administration and board does nothing to further your agenda, it only makes you look vicious and mean spirited.
The acceptance of comments from students and former parents at the previous school as fact. Taking the word of 15 and 16 year old children as an accurate account of the way things occurred at HBHA is unwise. As adults, we should always take what is said with a grain of salt. As I tell my parents, “If you don’t believe everything you hear about school, I won’t believe everything I hear about your home.” Some former parents may not be objective in their impressions of Dr. Holden because of other reasons, none of which have to do with the excellent work he did at that school. It is the only Jewish day school that is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate program, a rigorous curricular framework that is recognized all over the world and encourages students to be active learners, as well as internationally minded. Students in the IB programs become critical thinkers, knowledgeable and caring people who are life long learners. Isn’t that what we want our children to be? HBHA also was awarded the Blue Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education (cited in many comments on this web site as an authority). Out of 27,000 private schools in the country, only fifty receive this award every year.
When you raise the bar, not everyone can jump over it.