I'm very concerned about the goings on at Laurel Ridge Elementary School. What on earth is happening there? The teachers seem to be generally dissatisfied. My question is this: how is it that a Principal who has a record of sleeping with with employees at other schools get to be principal of our children's school and run it into the ground?

Mr.Larry Burke was a lot of things. While I did not know him well (I admit I also do not know Mr. Nick Rousos well) there was not doubt he was a career educator. He certainly had a flair for the dramatic and I remember him ruffling some feathers of 6th grade parents about his forbidding the term "graduation" in favor of "promotion." Still, the staff was always upbeat and never the despondent mess that I see grumbling the halls of Laurel Ridge today.

Mr. Rousus rarely goes to PTA events. He is certainly not a part of the community. While I understand separating one's career from their social life, an elementary school principal has certain social responsibilities to the community. Pardon my candor but surely he could at least try to humor the community while he's chasing tail on the clock?

I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed the abysmal state of Laurel Ridge lately. If I'm wrong in my hypothesis about Mr. Rousos, so be it. There seems to be a lot left over from a great school in terms of teachers but the leader strikes me as a self serving, sweet talking, womanizing dud.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/30/2013 06:54PM by KingsParkRams74.

Unsubstantiated innuendo. Slander. Blaspheme.

I googled "Principal Larry Burke Laurel Ridge" and this was the first picture that came up.
Attachments:

Your willingness to name the individuals instantly disqualifies your rumor spreading. 'chasing tail' sounds like you are older too.

I have heard he does not include the teachers in any of his decisions and treats them like idiots. All of the teachers hate him and many good teachers left as soon as they heard he would be principal.

And he was also charged with sexual harrassment in his previous postions - not sure of the details - Does anyone know the details?

His thumb tested positive?

I wish in knew more specifics. The teachers I've talked to are understandably tight-lipped. Which is why I decided to post here.

Despite what I had heard about Mr. Rousus, I was willing to give him a chance. It's been a year and a half and the general state of the school has deteriorated to something I barely recognize.

Mr. Rousos doesn't know the kids names, he doesn't go to parent meetings. He has a record of spending what few IEPs he does attend surfing his Blackberry.

OP is a troll. I call BS on the whole thing "He has a record of spending what few IEPs he does attend surfing his Blackberry." lol

"I wish in knew more specifics." lol

You admit you know nothing -"Mr.Larry Burke was a lot of things. While I did not know him well (I admit I also do not know Mr. Nick Rousos well)"

You admit you know nothing then you as us to forgive you for 'candor' - why not just ask us to forgive your ignorance and the fact you are a tool..."Pardon my candor but surely he could at least try to humor the community while he's chasing tail on the clock? "

KingsParkRams74 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I wish in knew more specifics. The teachers I've
> talked to are understandably tight-lipped. Which
> is why I decided to post here.
>
> Despite what I had heard about Mr. Rousus, I was
> willing to give him a chance. It's been a year and
> a half and the general state of the school has
> deteriorated to something I barely recognize.
>
> Mr. Rousos doesn't know the kids names, he doesn't
> go to parent meetings. He has a record of
> spending what few IEPs he does attend surfing his
> Blackberry.

Wait a minute he is on his Blackberry, what fairfax county can't afford an IPHONE 5!

trollalert Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OP is a troll. I call BS on the whole thing "He
> has a record of spending what few IEPs he does
> attend surfing his Blackberry." lol
>
> "I wish in knew more specifics." lol
>
> You admit you know nothing -"Mr.Larry Burke was a
> lot of things. While I did not know him well (I
> admit I also do not know Mr. Nick Rousos well)"
>
> You admit you know nothing then you as us to
> forgive you for 'candor' - why not just ask us to
> forgive your ignorance and the fact you are a
> tool..."Pardon my candor but surely he could at
> least try to humor the community while he's
> chasing tail on the clock? "

Hmmm...seems like this thread hit too close to this poster! What are you his mom, haha? But seriously, are you?

Finally saw a comment about this thread on fb. My question is even if the OP's allegations were true and able to be proved, what recourse does a community have?

I assume we would need to go to the school board but what is the course of action for this? Does anyone know? What kind of complaint that would be needed?

This isn't the first time I've heard these types of allegation about Mr. Rousos. Still, he still has his position either because they aren't true or because FCPS is willing to go look the other way. I want to know how a community should proceed in beginning the process to remove a principal.

I had problems with Rousos when he was over at Keene Mill. My son tried to schedule a meeting with him at one point to discuss something on behalf of his 5th grade class and Rousos refused to meet with him. My son sent him a letter quoting the section of the SR&R that his class thought was being violated and in retaliation Rousos seemed to make it his mission to humilate my son whenever possible.

He never made it a secret that he want to be placed in a high school and he thought being an elementary school prinipal was beneath him.

As teachers, we spend more and more time these past few years teaching students about bullying, cyberbullying, and Internet safety. My first thought on reading this post is that this is PRECISELY the kind of anonymous rumor-mongering that we are trying to teach young children not to engage in. This sort of anonymous, gossipy cruelty is toxic to a learning environment, hurtful to an individual, and poisonous for a community.

If OP really is a Laurel Ridge parent, he or she is not fit to be raising a child in an age of social media. What kind of example is this setting for how we should be treating each other, how we solve problems, or how we improve a community? It's an example of what NOT to do, that's for sure.

You know what's going on at Laurel Ridge this year? Amazing, hardworking people are stretching themselves to the limit to reach, teach, and inspire students while at the same time they are adjusting to a brand new language arts curriculum, a one-year old mathematics curriculum, new online mathematics textbooks for which the county provided almost no training whatsoever, and entirely new standards-based mastery assessment system and brand new kind of report card for students, a new online attendance and report card system, new required reading software, new mandated online state tests, more and more and more and more and more testing at every level, and a brand new teacher evaluation system that is far more focused on test scores and requires teachers to put an enormous amount of energy into jumping through hoops to prove their value to evaluators. It's scary and stressful and overwhelming. And STILL teachers greet every child at the door with a smile. Still, every hallway is filled with colorful art projects. Still, every team meets to collaborate, problem-solve, and help all students on their team, not just their own class. Still teachers are taking risks with new technology, planning new and engaging projects, bending over backwards to make sure every child is included, is making progress, is being challenged.

Teachers are stressed at Laurel Ridge, yes. But kids are learning - most kids are reading on or above grade level, test scores in every subject are strong, there are interesting projects happening at every grade level, kids are making beautiful music in music classes, getting great exercise in the gym, creating interesting projects in the computer labs, producing original drawings, paintings, and pottery, receiving targeted intervention from specialists, being kind to one another in the cafeteria, walking quietly in the hallways, laughing on the playground. Kids are pretty happy to come to school, because it's a pretty great place to be most of the time. It's bright, it's clean, and it's full of hardworking, committed, smart people who really care about kids.

But you know what makes the school not great? Gossipy, backstabbing adults. Because thanks to you, OP, now on top of all the stress I already feel, I have to worry about when a parent might post anonymously on Fairfax Underground or Facebook to spread rumors and complain about me. Earlier this year, another parent started complaining about a teacher on Facebook, and she was devastated. But this doesn't just hurt that one teacher. It puts us all on the defensive. It puts us all in a virtual bunker, wondering what parent might anonymously attack another colleague next. It's toxic, not just to us but to our relationship with the parent community in general. Just as it makes kids feel unsafe to be gossiped about anonymously, it does the same for adults -- and not just the adult who was targeted, but everyone in the community who knows he or she could be next.

I'm sure this will sound to some like this is the principal defending himself, but those staff members and parents who know his writing style will recognize that it is not. I could complain about him - no principal can please every teacher all of the time - and I could also say lots of really good things about him. But I honestly can't dignify anything the OP wrote because the entire post has absolutely no merit in terms of an attempt to making Laurel Ridge a better place for children to learn.

The motto for Laurel Ridge used to be "Kindness is spoken here." (That was changed under a previous administration, sadly.) I'm proud to say that most of the kids are still pretty kind to one another, even without a pithy motto to remind them. But the adults, particularly some members of the parent community, are another story. If the OP wants to improve the climate for teachers at Laurel Ridge, he or she can start here: grow up. Model for your kids how mature people should treat each other, and quit posting anonymous rumors.

Bravo, Grow Up. +10000000.

RE: Grow up

What an amazing skill you have for evaluation of parental aptitude...and from one message board post by me. Furthermore, I'm thoroughly befuddled that you took rumor-spreading to be the crux of my post.

I believe I am a good parent. I'm a good parent because I have been to the assistant superintendent to discuss this very issue. I've met with the school board representative for the Lake Braddock District. I'm a good parent because even though these people have pushed this issue to the side, I'm not content to let my kids go to a school that's headed in the direction that Laurel Ridge is headed.

You outlined the list of initiatives that FCPS and Laurel Ridge have undertaken. My question to you is how is Mr. Rousus supporting you? IF you're really honest I think you'll admit that he's as supportive of you and the other teachers at Laurel Ridge as he is of the rest of our community.

I've never once seen him roaming the halls when I've volunteered at Laurel Ridge. He's as absent from the community in general as he is from those halls. Which makes your suggestion that anyone would think Mr. Rousos would get on here to defend himself to the parents laughable!

But apparently you thought I wanted to gossip. Let me spell out what I want so we're on the same page. I want good people working at Laurel Ridge. Nick Rousos is a bad principal; I want motivated people at Laurel Ridge. Mr. Rousos is much more the exception than the mode. Unfortunately, his effect on the teachers at the school is glaring. Im concerned that we are going to lose more good, experienced teachers if he continues on as principal. I want experienced teachers to want to stay at our school. Surely you've noticed the mass exodus of your colleagues? All those new faces?

You left me with parenting advice. No thanks. I'm advocating for my children and the community. I posted here looking for help since to this point I've been brushed aside by the higher ups in FCPS. I believe I'm doing what's right by my kids.

Enjoy your Friday yummies tomorrow. Do you think Mr. Rousos will at least help you teachers out with that?

To the hypercritical rumor mongerers among you:

A bully is someone who uses rumors, lies, and intimidation tactics to attempt to get his way while hiding in the shadows.

If you are so certain you are in the right and in your opinion you most certainly are, then identify yourself and take the consequences of your childish, ridiculous behavior.

Otherwise shut up and stop wasting everyone's time.

Transparency for all Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A bully typical Fairfax Underground poster is someone who uses rumors, lies, and
> intimidation tactics to attempt to get his way
> while hiding in the shadows.
>
Fixed it for you.

Rams,

I can hear the frustration in your posts. I share it. It appears that you have pursued this effort from all the usual avenues and come up empty.

I know this sounds basic but have you tried the PTA? The LRES PTA president volunteers at the school and is an active member of the community. Further, the PTA has a Facebook page. While the FB page may not be the appropriate venue to rally forces for a new school principal, it is a great way to advertise to the community and garner support.

As I am sure you are already know, last year when FCPS proposed the time changes for Laurel Ridge the community came together. We had a meeting with the FCPS officials as well as our school board representative. We came together and made our voices heard.

You are not alone in your sentiments about the current state of Laurel Ridge. It appears that individual voices are not heard by FCPS. My suggestion to you would be that you can not do this alone. You're not going to be able to do this alone. Perhaps, just as it takes a community to raise a child, it may take a community to find the best principal for our children.

Kindness is still spoken at Laurel Ridge. I want a school principal who is invested in the community, supports his teachers, and knows my child's name. Mr. Rousos should not be principal of Laurel Ridge Elementary School.

LRES has been a place where kindness is not spoken for many years. After Dr. Heiselberg left and with Domina and Burke (the worst ever) the place has been a disaster. We spent 14 years with our kids there. We never go near the place for any reason. Teachers gossip about the kids and parents and act like they are still the mean girls in HS. It plain sucks, other schools are not all like that.

RE: KPW Res

I am sure the staff at LR was NOT sorry to see you go. With parent comments such as yours, I am sure the staff was counting down the days until you were gone and never coming back. I am also sure that you were one of those parents whom once a teacher had you as a parent in their classroom, they requested to never have any of your children in their classroom again.

I am sure you are not missed at LR. I am sure the staff is glad that you are not planning on ever coming back. In fact, that is the best thing you ever did as a LR parent.

Well interestingly enough yolo, most parents I have talked to say the same thing, even the "LR PTA" in-crowd. My kids say it is a joke among the Robinson Graduates. Many LRES students were quickly in trouble at Robinson in 7th and 8th grade and were transferred. At LR DeVault coddled them. Believe me otehr schools know what LR is/was and why. Other schools are just not like that. If you like LR your eyes are closed, ignorance is truly bliss. Oh yolo, some teachers there are still our friends...of course they left or retired so they can now tell the truth.

LR had a number of poorly performing teachers when our children went there and nothing was done to correct terrible teaching practices. Children of PTA parents always got the best teachers. Some principals were better than others, but they did not affect classrooms.

Robinson has its own problems. Honor/IB/AB and special needs teachers are almost always better than average/very good. Students in the middle classes (neither advanced or special needs) get the weak/poor performing teachers. Team taught classes are usually weak, due to two competing teachers, mainstreamed students, and lowered expectations. The math department has several very weak teachers that keep teaching the same courses each year, with same failure/repeat rates and the administration won't do anything about it.

Reality is that every school has problems, and there is very little any parent can do to change/improve a school. Any time parents are able to identify a problem and get it addressed it is too late to help their children. Go to a private school if you want the school to be responsive.

The best a parent of a public school student can do is be an active advocate for their student and ensure their students don't spend an ineffective/miserable year with a poor teacher.
1) Get the student transferred out of a problem class as soon as possible - don't wait for a fix. The best time to get out of a bad class is as soon as you have the schedule/assignment.
2) Escalate problems if you don't get an immediate answer: problems only get worse with time, and your student is the being impacted. The administration will drag issues out as long as possible, hoping that you give up.
3) Realize that administrators are not really concerned about your student's best interests. Their first priority is to minimize disruptions and protect the system.
4) Talk with other parents. They can tell you which teachers to avoid. Information on which teachers to avoid, and how to get out of their class, is essential.
5) Volunteer at the ES. That's the only way you really see what is going on and give you a much better chance to avoid the poor teachers. Unfortunately there is no good way to do this at the HS.

^ Kewl story and clever way to divert attention from yourself, Mr. Rousos!

Looking to make a news report about this.

Don't think that any FCPS employees look at FFX Undergroud or would ever post anything on it.

I'm sure all teachers/administrators ignore social networking sites, including FFX underground. Nothing good can come of it from, a leadership perspective.

By the way, Townhalls are not much better. They are just a chance for the public to complain and get things off their chest, before the administration continues doing what it wants to do.

The only time parents have an impact is when they get organized and put public politcial pressure on the administration. Look at how long it took for parents to get any attention to school start times and grade point bumps for honors classes. SLEEP has been active for several years and the Superintendent still ignores School Board direction to investigate alternatives.

So lemme get this straight, Poindexter. You want to compare folks who are trying to get rid of a bad principal to a sleep study?


I"m not a smart man, Jr, but I see one glaring difference between those 2 things. Money! It doesn't cost anything to get rid of a bad principal(move his ass to Gatehouse). Changes to school start times do.

The administrative impediments and resistance are the same, if not greater to replace a principal:
- removing principal implies they were a bad choice and a poor decision was made by the FCPS
- requires immediate and specific action (unlike ignoring the requests to change start times)
- requires HR involvement and competitive search process
- requires FCPS to make a decision and remove the current principal, whice requires documentation and process review
- requires FCPS to move the current principal somewhere else, and no other school wants them

Please spare us the name calling, which prevents reasoned debate and raises emotions.

I still don't see the similarities. The actions you provided would be done by salaried FCPS officials. Re-working transportation requires many more resources than just the brass burning lean tissue in their think tanks.

In both cases the administration chooses not to act, and to protect the status quo.

The school board won't help either. They won't check in performance at any particularl school or "get into the principal's buisness." They are elected by the parents of the students and shoudl be responsive to the parents/students, but defer to the administration because they don't want to rock the boat.

Parents only choice is to go to private school.

Actually unfortunately thanks to the union it does cost money to get rid of a principle because then you have to give them some job where they do nothing and pay a new principle as well.


Well, $%*#... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So lemme get this straight, Poindexter. You want
> to compare folks who are trying to get rid of a
> bad principal to a sleep study?
>
>
> I"m not a smart man, Jr, but I see one glaring
> difference between those 2 things. Money! It
> doesn't cost anything to get rid of a bad
> principal(move his ass to Gatehouse). Changes to
> school start times do.

former LR parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Don't think that any FCPS employees look at FFX
> Undergroud or would ever post anything on it.
Disagree, but I would take people claiming to be FCPS employees with a few grains of salt.
>
> I'm sure all teachers/administrators ignore social
> networking sites, including FFX underground.

Definitely false, I know this because a number of years ago I had an ex roomate who was a teacher (at a private school) and you should have seen what he posted on facebook. Not to mention several other public school teachers I know who posted all kinds of crazy things such as how they would get drunk on the weekends.
> Nothing good can come of it from, a leadership
> perspective.
> True, but they have a life out of school and I don't think they are focused on leadership.

> By the way, Townhalls are not much better. They
> are just a chance for the public to complain and
> get things off their chest, before the
> administration continues doing what it wants to
> do.
> Very true
> The only time parents have an impact is when they
> get organized and put public politcial pressure on
> the administration. Look at how long it took for
> parents to get any attention to school start times
> and grade point bumps for honors classes. SLEEP
> has been active for several years and the
> Superintendent still ignores School Board
> direction to investigate alternatives.

There are also other options-take your kids out and home school them or send them to private school. I don't see enough parents who are going to take a strong enough stand to get things to change. Now if half the parents filled out forms, lesson plans and got ready to homeschool there kids that might do it.

Not to defend the school, but I would not place blame on a school for kids bad behavior in middle school,as it is up to us as parents to teach our kids proper behavior.


KPW Res Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well interestingly enough yolo, most parents I
> have talked to say the same thing, even the "LR
> PTA" in-crowd. My kids say it is a joke among the
> Robinson Graduates. Many LRES students were
> quickly in trouble at Robinson in 7th and 8th
> grade and were transferred. At LR DeVault coddled
> them. Believe me otehr schools know what LR is/was
> and why. Other schools are just not like that. If
> you like LR your eyes are closed, ignorance is
> truly bliss. Oh yolo, some teachers there are
> still our friends...of course they left or retired
> so they can now tell the truth.

To everyone who has posted and named names........
-there are issues at any place of work
-there are always going to be people you don't care for
-there are always going to be students / parents who don't follow societal norms
-there are always going to be parents who don't do their job and blame everyone else for their childs mistakes
-there are always going to be the "I have the right to do what I want, when I want and where ever I want"

When are parents going to take some responsibility and teach their children to tow the line! It isn't the school systems responsibility to raise your child!

Hello,

I agree that many teachers have left in the last three years since Mr. Rousos was named as the principal and he does not seem to be the most intellectual of people. Also, he needs someone to review his emails before sending them out. Some of the notes to the parents were terrible at the beginning but the quality seems to have improved in the last few months.

I do not see any specifics in your emails about what he is doing wrong. To be honest, he seemed vain and I did not want to like him but I do.

I really would like to understand what you see as going wrong. The test scores seem to be on par with before his arrival but this does not measure the 'success' of the school to teach except to the standardized tests.

You all need to grow up! How childish for you all to be spreading rumors. You are either teachers with a grudge or parents who heard something from some bitter, gossipy teachers and took it as fact. Although I haven't seen Mr. Rousos in many situations, I do recall him playing basketball with his staff despite his foot being injured and in a boot and I saw him reading to students with other members of his staff just last week. While he is not 100% perfect, he doesn't seem as bad as he is rumored to be on here. People need to think before they speak and realize that school staff is mainly comprised of women, who lets face it, love to gossip and spread rumors at all costs.

Seriously? Grow up!

same problem Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In both cases the administration chooses not to
> act, and to protect the status quo.
>
> The school board won't help either. They won't
> check in performance at any particularl school or
> "get into the principal's buisness." They are
> elected by the parents of the students and shoudl
> be responsive to the parents/students, but defer
> to the administration because they don't want to
> rock the boat.
>
> Parents only choice is to go to private school.


So have your kids go to a private school already.

They'd complain about a private school too.

BEH Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They'd complain about a private school too.


Exactly. It's always someone else's fault.

I know nothing about this principal, but I do know that there are bad principals in the county. The principal sets the tone for the school. If the principal actively tries to deny services to special needs kids at a highly regarded school in a wealthy part of the county (real case), and the teachers are intimidated into going along, then it's a problem - for the kids, for their parents, and for the teachers.

Most of the principals and teachers I've met are fine, hard-working people. But some aren't. And they need to go. It's easy to say 'send the kid to private school or homeschool him'. Not so easy to do, especially if you don't have the resources.

Just another perspective.

Nothing on here is really surprising to me. First of all, I think Mr. Rousos is doing a great job! He's always been friendly. I also believe that he has his hands full with parents who have nothing better to do than complain about the littlest thigs, gossip and spread rumors. So what if he doesn't attend PTA meetings or all functions! He's got his own childrens' school functions to attend to. I was just at the REACH reading last week and he was there until late and also read a story to the kids! The kids who's parents actually took the time to bring them there, really enjoyed engaging with him! Second, one person will never please all. If you're tht unhappy about him, change schools! Easy! Third, the people who are so gossipy, you know who you are,and he knows who you are. You think this stuff doesn't get back to him?!? You are so disrespectful and a disgrace to your children and community!
Thanks!

It would appear that you people are content with a principal that is available once or twice a year to glad-hand you as parents and read your kids a story. Someone mentioned test scores that are "on-par." That got me thinking. One cool thing FCPS does is make every school's test results accessible online. Laurel Ridge's are here:

http://schoolprofiles.fcps.edu/schlprfl/f?p=108:18:750390489366661::::P0_CURRENT_SCHOOL_ID,P18_TESTLEVEL:394,Grade%206

I went through and looked at test results from the year before Mr. Rousos came and the last year. As you know, the state starts testing our kids in grade 3. It would appear that last year math standards changed so I'm not sure that I feel comfortable suggesting a trend with new standards in place. Here's what I saw looking at what I'll call language arts (reading and writing) pass rates last year under Mr. Rousos. Reading is done every year. Writing only in 5th grade:

Grade 3 Reading: Down 4.1%
Grade 4 Reading: Up .9%
Grade 5 Reading: Down 2.9%
Grade 5 Writing: Down 1.6%
Grade 6 Reading: Down 1.3%

Not exactly "on par." We are a community that sends our kids to school dressed, fed, and ready to learn.

What I don't understand is why there is a sudden rush of support for this guy. I drive by the school at 7 in the morning. There are teacher cars all in the parking lot. Cars are still in the lot at 7 at night. I agree with the poster who calls him/herself Grow up; there are amazing, passionate teachers at Laurel Ridge. You know the one exception to that parking lot rule? The reserved principal spot. Seems like there is always somewhere better for Mr.Rousos to be than at Laurel Ridge.

I don't care for the gossip. If Mr. Rousos wants to mess around with colleagues off the clock so be it. What bothers me is how short that clock appears to be. I don't like the trend in test scores. I don't like the exhausted vibe of the teachers at the school. I don't like that Laurel Ridge is losing good, experienced teachers. I guess I'm really surprised that a community that fought so hard about start times, START TIMES is content to look the other way.

To Facts: the dropped scores should be reflective in the teachers, not the principal. Regardless if they are down some, they're still good percentages. One more thing for you Fact, if you're not into gossiping, why did you have to nonchalantly add a remark about someone messing around with colleagues???!!!

You write like your family tree doesn't branch.


I'm sure there's a reason Rousos isn't at the school. I'm guessing there was a baddass sale on hair gel.

Jealous much?

Isn't Mr. Rousos divorced? If so, why is he being tarred for having relationships with people who do NOT work for him? If he was sleeping with a current parent or a teacher at LR that might not be as palatable but it doesn't sound like he is, or am I wrong? When was he slapped with a sexual harrassment suit? I just stumbled across this thread, this whole topic is brand new to me, sorry.

Sunshiny, I think the point the OP was making was that Mr. Rousos's sexual partners are apparently public knowledge. How do people even know who he's sleeping with? Or is it all just speculation?

When Mr. Rousus was my daughter's teacher I always thought he was very popular with the students and staff. He was definitely popular with all the soccer moms, I think half of them had a crush on him. He was very friendly and lightly flirtatious. I never thought anything of it, I just thought he was a people person. No longer true, it sounds?

Laurel Ridge Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And he was also charged with sexual harrassment in
> his previous postions - not sure of the details -
> Does anyone know the details?


He's been charged with sexual harrassment? In more than one position????? And Laurel Ridge still hired him? That can't be true. ???

KingsParkRams74 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
My question is this: how
> is it that a Principal who has a record of
> sleeping with with employees at other schools get
> to be principal of our children's school and run
> it into the ground?
>

>
> I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed the
> abysmal state of Laurel Ridge lately. If I'm
> wrong in my hypothesis about Mr. Rousos, so be it.
> There seems to be a lot left over from a great
> school in terms of teachers but the leader strikes
> me as a self serving, sweet talking, womanizing
> dud.


There is a "record"? Or just rumors?

What happened at Keene Mill is common knowledge. NR was sleeping with a parent who also happened to be a staff member at the school. He frequently bullied and intimidated the staff. At one point, after several teachers went to his supervisor to complain about his lack of leadership, NR called a staff meeting to berate us and tell us to suck it up or go elsewhere. There were no tears from the community nor staff at Keene Mill when he left; only cheers.


Sorry, LR, that you got literally got our sloppy seconds.

He was sleeping with one of his employees (who was also a current parent??) Isn't that a fireable offense? Was he still married at the time, too?

His ex wife doesn't think too highly of him, judging by her one and only twitter post:
https://twitter.com/rousos3

Mr. Nick Rousos is an asshole.


If you don't agree, you don't know what's going on. All he does is blame parents or tries to get them to shut-up and walk through the school looking like Rico Suave.

Pissedoff,
I don't know what's going on, what is going on?

(laughing -> Rico Suave)

(laughing -> Rico Suave)

Pissedoff,

I don't know what's going on, what is going on?

Dipshit talks out of both sides of his ass. You can never get a straight answer. He lies and then covers it up by blaming the parents, teachers, or, hell, even our children... Whover is easiest to dump his shit on at the time. He tried to get me to shut up about my concerns by ignoring me and passing the buck to someone that works for him.

I think he's hot, where do i sign up to get in line for some action?

sorry, Available, apparently you need to be a parent to sign up for that ;)

FCPS knows about the parent he was involved with at Cherry Run as well as more than 1 staff member at KMES. The parent/staff member at KMES posted pics on FB publicly accessible. There were multiple teacher and parent witnesses who met with FCPS immediately before he transferred. Don't think any of his partners filed complaints. Even without the personal baggage he's just not committed to doing a good job and intellectually lacking. Nice enough guy. My biggest problem with him was that he drove away all the good teachers.

Please tell where the good teachers are going. Which schools have good principals (I mean principals who support the teachers and by extension the students)? In many schools the principal is "nice", but there is someone else doing the real hatchet job and trying to get ahead. Please tell of schools where principals are fair and supportive and doing their job. Where are they please???? They seem to be getting fewer and fewer.

BTW, John Ponton is a good guy all around (the Robinson interim). I'm sure he retired because he had had enough from the Gatehouse crowd. I like the way they wrote that his kids are both in college (yeah, I'm sure this is about money for him). He's a decent man.

What a childish e-mail that was sent to Mr. Rousos today re: 26 Random Acts of Kindness. It was definiately not necessary to send such a rude e-mail, so it was also not necessary to "cc" everyone the sender could think of. Since when does the PTA rule the school?

I'm surprised any school can function well with the kinds of parents we have today.

The OP appears to be a problem parent and a nightmare for any school system.

incorrect about Ponton....

Agreed ffx old timer!

@Really? - I also read the email you are referring to. My opinion is that it was honest and note that the writer actually signed their name, unlike you (and now me) that are on this site hiding behind a fake name, so I would be careful who or what you call childish. Also, I saw Mr. Rousos cozying up to the writer yesterday at RFTR and it did not look like he was in control of the conversation. Before you beat up the PTA consider all that the most recent one has done/given to us. They have a difficult job balancing administration, parents, and the needs of our school.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2013 10:54AM by onthegoreader.

I don't care what the e-mail said really, I believe that it should have been sent to only Mr. Rousos. It also makes sense to me that Mr. Rousos would let "the writer" and any other parents control the situation, because, sadly, like all administrators and faculty, he must, since parents are constantly on the attack. It should be noted that I don't work at the school or for FCPS, but that is just a reality with all jobs. In this case, parents are the "customers," and are therefore, always supposed to be considered right. Just my opinion, but I don't see the need (aside from attempting to stir up trouble) to "cc" so many people. All I know is that people love to call people out on the internet, but the majority of what people comment on is idle gossip.

I didn't read the email, don't know what's in it, but I hope you all know what you are doing. This mans reputation and career are on the line and he has a family to support. If this thread on fairfax underground and these "open emails" (cc:ing was so childish, and negated the entire thing) and grumbling are the work of bored stay at home moms/pta parents/people who enjoy dragging others through the mud, you should consider posting on the People.com message boards about how much you hate Tom Cruise. Go through the proper channels if you have a valid complaint via the school board. For those of us in the "general public" who peruse the fairfax underground message boards who only have this thread to go by, LRES parents sounds like a bunch of whiny, vengeful, spiteful parents who don't care who they destroy in their quest to enliven their lives with cruel gossip. What's your ultimate goal? To get him fired?? Will you feel good about yourselves if that happens? Or will the LRES "gang" look for the next person's life to destroy after they successfully annihilate him? Who's going to stop them from destroying the next principal, too? Maybe it'll be YOU who they go after, next. Stop posting anonymous gossip on here and deal with it like adults with the school board or shut up and go back to your dull lives that you're trying to liven up at a man's expense. Don't forget, he was chosen by a commmittee and they saw something in him that you don't have enough experience to realize. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't there.

Amen to that. Here is the solution: these crazy parents have lots of free time on their hands and they hate the school. So homeschool your kid-problem solved. And then we won't have to have them clogging the roads in their tanks as much because chubby is too lazy to walk 5 blocks to school.

some reality Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I didn't read the email, don't know what's in it,
> but I hope you all know what you are doing. This
> mans reputation and career are on the line and he
> has a family to support. If this thread on
> fairfax underground and these "open emails"
> (cc:ing was so childish, and negated the entire
> thing) and grumbling are the work of bored stay at
> home moms/pta parents/people who enjoy dragging
> others through the mud, you should consider
> posting on the People.com message boards about how
> much you hate Tom Cruise. Go through the proper
> channels if you have a valid complaint via the
> school board. For those of us in the "general
> public" who peruse the fairfax underground message
> boards who only have this thread to go by, LRES
> parents sounds like a bunch of whiny, vengeful,
> spiteful parents who don't care who they destroy
> in their quest to enliven their lives with cruel
> gossip. What's your ultimate goal? To get him
> fired?? Will you feel good about yourselves if
> that happens? Or will the LRES "gang" look for
> the next person's life to destroy after they
> successfully annihilate him? Who's going to stop
> them from destroying the next principal, too?
> Maybe it'll be YOU who they go after, next. Stop
> posting anonymous gossip on here and deal with it
> like adults with the school board or shut up and
> go back to your dull lives that you're trying to
> liven up at a man's expense. Don't forget, he was
> chosen by a commmittee and they saw something in
> him that you don't have enough experience to
> realize. Just because you don't see it doesn't
> mean it isn't there.

Schools can't function well with all the crazy helicopter parents. That is the problem. They can't discipline the kids because if they do mommy will get mad at the teacher. They can't give homework because the parents then get mad and say its your job to teach my child not mine (why did you have kids for someone else to raise them?). Every decision that doesn't favor their childs immediate impulsive needs. Not to mention they think everyone wants to kidnap their little brats-really no one wants your little brat.


ffx old timer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm surprised any school can function well with
> the kinds of parents we have today.
>
> The OP appears to be a problem parent and a
> nightmare for any school system.

I'm so sick of parents claiming they have all these needs that everyone must kow tow to. I already pay for your kids school which you should be paying for. If they don't like it they should send their kids to private school or homeschool their kids. Not to mention now there is all this stupid parent parking. The little fatties can't walk across the parking lot. Seriously?


Really? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't care what the e-mail said really, I
> believe that it should have been sent to only Mr.
> Rousos. It also makes sense to me that Mr. Rousos
> would let "the writer" and any other parents
> control the situation, because, sadly, like all
> administrators and faculty, he must, since parents
> are constantly on the attack. It should be noted
> that I don't work at the school or for FCPS, but
> that is just a reality with all jobs. In this
> case, parents are the "customers," and are
> therefore, always supposed to be considered right.
> Just my opinion, but I don't see the need (aside
> from attempting to stir up trouble) to "cc" so
> many people. All I know is that people love to
> call people out on the internet, but the majority
> of what people comment on is idle gossip.

It scares me people like that are raising children. They are nothing more than children themselves and spoiled bratty ones at that. No wonder I see so many horribly behaved bratty kids so often.

Really? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What a childish e-mail that was sent to Mr. Rousos
> today re: 26 Random Acts of Kindness. It was
> definiately not necessary to send such a rude
> e-mail, so it was also not necessary to "cc"
> everyone the sender could think of. Since when
> does the PTA rule the school?

They are either leaving the profession or going to teach in other places. The administration doesn't help but the really problem is the crazy helicopter parents who make their jobs a living hell. Who wants to deal with crazy bitchy idiots who having nothing better to do then spread rumors and insist other people raise their kids for them. It's not easy for the teachers here either given the cost of living. They teach because they love it, but what is there to love when all they are met with is crazy ungrateful helicopter parents who think their worthless brats should be able to boss the teachers around like they do.


Where's the beef? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Please tell where the good teachers are going.
> Which schools have good principals (I mean
> principals who support the teachers and by
> extension the students)? In many schools the
> principal is "nice", but there is someone else
> doing the real hatchet job and trying to get
> ahead. Please tell of schools where principals
> are fair and supportive and doing their job.
> Where are they please???? They seem to be getting
> fewer and fewer.
>
> BTW, John Ponton is a good guy all around (the
> Robinson interim). I'm sure he retired because he
> had had enough from the Gatehouse crowd. I like
> the way they wrote that his kids are both in
> college (yeah, I'm sure this is about money for
> him). He's a decent man.

A principle who will actually tell the crazy helicopter parents to go shove it=my hero!



Pissedoffparent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mr. Nick Rousos is an asshole.
>
>
> If you don't agree, you don't know what's going
> on. All he does is blame parents or tries to get
> them to shut-up and walk through the school
> looking like Rico Suave.

Agreed "some reality," this man has children. They have done this to teachers too. They love hopping on these boards posting about whatever gossip parents or teachers have heard--from each other.

April 12, 2013

Topic: Comments From A Bystander at Laurel Ridge Community
and Friend of Strengthening Knowledge Economy Education in Fairfax Community

Conversation: I apppreciate the thoughtful comments from teachers and others in this "active" education discussion in a Fairfax Community.

Yes, Parents can be more involved in education in thoughtful ways in future that allows kids to be motivated and inspire to careers of the future.

This is win-win for teachers, parents, and community.

For those who are making thoughtful value added comments while restraining comments that are harmful and untrue, thank you.

I have some knowledge to share in the spirit of self help and mutual help.

Coordinator
Conversations Fairfax
Community to Community.

Cafe Twin
Attachments:

Did anyone else receive the keep in touch on Wednesday afternoon? In one sentence, our incompetent school principal, Nick Rousos, managed to misspell the word “students” as well as suggest that SOLs are only taught in grades 3-6. SOL stands for Standards of Learning which sets “expectations for student learning and achievement” for grades K-12. It is abysmal that our school principal did not make the distinction between Standards of Learning and the annual end-of-year tests given in grades 3-6. Mr. Rousos then followed up this outrageous oversight by providing an incorrect web link to “the latest information.”

People make mistakes in spelling. They provide unclear information. At times, details are overlooked. I could have disregarded the three errors on this keep in touch, however they representative of a pervasive problem: the problem of having an infective principal. If Nick Rousos can’t be bothered to send out correct information to the parents, what type of information is he providing to our children and their teachers?

He's an executive, with an assistant, they don't write those kinds of emails themselves. His secretary wrote that and didn't bother to proofread it, didn't check the link and likely never showed it to him before she hit send. He should know what's going out under his name, of course, but maybe she's the type who thinks she runs the show? Certainly sounds that way because those are basic errors (SOL vs. EOY tests) a principal would know were wrong, so it's doubtful he was even shown the email. Maybe she's the problem and not him? She's making him look bad... or maybe she's doing it on purpose to undermine him? Likely she knows what's being said on here and at school about him. Or is even part of it.

By the way NR, you spelled ineffective wrong. You might want to proofread your own posts about spelling before blasting others. You know, that whole "ignoring the sawdust in your own eye while pointing out the plank in another?" Just a thought.

The emails are the my only indication as far as how incompetent he is. As a family with two working parents, this is my primary contact with him. I cannot count the hours that he is in school or when is car is in his parking space. He seems to attend all the after school events that I do.

Someone should say something about the emails to him.

I have corresponded with him about a dozen times and have found him to be responsive and thoughtful.

NR Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Did anyone else receive the keep in touch on
> Wednesday afternoon? In one sentence, our
> incompetent school principal, Nick Rousos, managed
> to misspell the word “students” as well as
> suggest that SOLs are only taught in grades 3-6.
> SOL stands for Standards of Learning which sets
> “expectations for student learning and
> achievement” for grades K-12. It is abysmal
> that our school principal did not make the
> distinction between Standards of Learning and the
> annual end-of-year tests given in grades 3-6.
> Mr. Rousos then followed up this outrageous
> oversight by providing an incorrect web link to
> “the latest information.”
>
> People make mistakes in spelling. They provide
> unclear information. At times, details are
> overlooked. I could have disregarded the three
> errors on this keep in touch, however they
> representative of a pervasive problem: the problem
> of having an infective principal. If Nick Rousos
> can’t be bothered to send out correct
> information to the parents, what type of
> information is he providing to our children and
> their teachers?

and I've also heard his tail light is out on his car HE SHOULD BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY!!!!!

pic unrelated
Attachments:

What I have read is a bunch of whining, rumor mongering and attacking with no substance. Accusing the LR PTA of being a part of this? Are you kidding?

He is not a great principal, he was better this last year than the years before - he is working on people skills and commitment. You are all so cowardly to attack a man and his personal life when you don't even know him. Want me to come into your homes and families and publicly spew what is wrong and incompetant in your life?

If you don't like him, take your BS off this PUBLIC board and write a letter to the school, the super, the mayor. Whatever. Just take your middle school antics and reel them in. More bullying here than I have seen in 12 years of school.

And yes, I have had four children go through LR and three of them were advanced placement at Robinson. The only teachers I have seen that are frustrated are now gone, except one who clearly NEEDS to go.

But I speak from direct experience, without naming names and I offer solutions to your petty attacks. Do something, stop hiding behind a flat screen.

Oh the horrors.

NR Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Did anyone else receive the keep in touch on
> Wednesday afternoon? In one sentence, our
> incompetent school principal, Nick Rousos, managed
> to misspell the word “students” as well as
> suggest that SOLs are only taught in grades 3-6.
> SOL stands for Standards of Learning which sets
> “expectations for student learning and
> achievement” for grades K-12. It is abysmal
> that our school principal did not make the
> distinction between Standards of Learning and the
> annual end-of-year tests given in grades 3-6.
> Mr. Rousos then followed up this outrageous
> oversight by providing an incorrect web link to
> “the latest information.”
>
> People make mistakes in spelling. They provide
> unclear information. At times, details are
> overlooked. I could have disregarded the three
> errors on this keep in touch, however they
> representative of a pervasive problem: the problem
> of having an infective principal. If Nick Rousos
> can’t be bothered to send out correct
> information to the parents, what type of
> information is he providing to our children and
> their teachers?

Grabs the popcorn. Do you know who all these whinny helicopter parents are? I want to hear about what is going wrong for them it would be quite entertaining!


"Want me to come into your homes and families and publicly spew what is wrong and incompetant in your life?"

PS. In all seriousness though I agree with you.

Fairfaxmom4 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What I have read is a bunch of whining, rumor
> mongering and attacking with no substance.
> Accusing the LR PTA of being a part of this? Are
> you kidding?
>
> He is not a great principal, he was better this
> last year than the years before - he is working on
> people skills and commitment. You are all so
> cowardly to attack a man and his personal life
> when you don't even know him. Want me to come
> into your homes and families and publicly spew
> what is wrong and incompetant in your life?
>
> If you don't like him, take your BS off this
> PUBLIC board and write a letter to the school, the
> super, the mayor. Whatever. Just take your
> middle school antics and reel them in. More
> bullying here than I have seen in 12 years of
> school.
>
> And yes, I have had four children go through LR
> and three of them were advanced placement at
> Robinson. The only teachers I have seen that are
> frustrated are now gone, except one who clearly
> NEEDS to go.
>
> But I speak from direct experience, without naming
> names and I offer solutions to your petty attacks.
> Do something, stop hiding behind a flat screen.

heli_p Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The emails are THE MY only indication as far as
> how incompetent he is.

Funny I could say the same about you-is it the or my?


As a family with two
> working parents, this is my primary contact with
> him.

So you want someone else to raise your kids for you.

I cannot count the hours that he is in
> school or when is car is in his parking space.

Maybe you should spend more time worrying about your kid rather than the hottie principle.

He
> seems to attend all the after school events that I
> do.

So you don't have time to raise your kids, but you have the time to drag them around like robots.
>
> Someone should say something about the emails to
> him.

Are you not someone?
>
> I have corresponded with him about a dozen times
> and have found him to be responsive and
> thoughtful.

So which is it?

What a bunch of cliches you all are. Katie smith, why not use helicopter parent in one more thread? Better yet, why not try to have one original opinion?

I'm also surprised that nobody called Gordon out on assuming that the poster to whom he responded was female. Nothing screams originality like posting a meme on here.

To whomever thought that Mr. Rousos was not responsible for the keep in touch that went out and that perhaps it was his secretary that was undermining him; is that really better? So the guy is so checked out that his own assistant has the authority to make him look like an ass and he has no clue? That DOES sound better!

All FCPS parents tend to overvalue their child's own school.

Get over it! No everyone is getting into TJ or UVA.

Katie,

Maybe I will take your advice and tell him about the emails. Sorry that my email was not perfectly typed but I was agreeing that the proof seems to be missing from the accusations against Mr. R.

Thanks for finding the time to evaluate my post.

An update of the last few weeks at LRES. In speaking to various members of the community it has been noted that Mr. Rousos has:

-called a child "collateral damage" during a parent meeting called to discuss an instance where a parent believed their child was being bullied.

-asked a wife to leave the room during a meeting so he and the husband could speak "man to man."

-has turned the weekly PAWS winners into a cringe-worthy event with his inability to pronounce the students' names. He doesn't know the students after 2 years.

-after taking credit for 26 Random Acts of Kindness has done nothing to promote or support the program. Not even put on the T-shirt.

-showed up late to school before the 5th grade trip to Richmond therefore the busses could not leave.

-When the PTA had money to spend, Mr Rousos neglected to notify all the teachers including art, music, PE, library, reading, ESOl, and the counselors.

-at a recent meeting (that he organized) he appeared grossly unprepared and was unable to answer what would happen if a child didn't pass their SOL.

These are just the things that I have learned from the community. I cannot even imagine all that is happening (or not happening) within the school to our children and to their teachers.

I would encourage people to contact our school board representative, Megan McLaughlin at (571)423-1088 or
our Cluster Assistant Superintendent, Leslie Butz at ((571)423-1160

KingsParkRams74 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> An update of the last few weeks at LRES. In
> speaking to various members of the community it
> has been noted that Mr. Rousos has:
>
> -called a child "collateral damage" during a
> parent meeting called to discuss an instance where
> a parent believed their child was being bullied.
>
> -asked a wife to leave the room during a meeting
> so he and the husband could speak "man to man."
>
> -has turned the weekly PAWS winners into a
> cringe-worthy event with his inability to
> pronounce the students' names. He doesn't know
> the students after 2 years.
>
> -after taking credit for 26 Random Acts of
> Kindness has done nothing to promote or support
> the program. Not even put on the T-shirt.
>
> -showed up late to school before the 5th grade
> trip to Richmond therefore the busses could not
> leave.
>
> -When the PTA had money to spend, Mr Rousos
> neglected to notify all the teachers including
> art, music, PE, library, reading, ESOl, and the
> counselors.
>
> -at a recent meeting (that he organized) he
> appeared grossly unprepared and was unable to
> answer what would happen if a child didn't pass
> their SOL.
>
> These are just the things that I have learned from
> the community. I cannot even imagine all that is
> happening (or not happening) within the school to
> our children and to their teachers.
>
> I would encourage people to contact our school
> board representative, Megan McLaughlin at
> (571)423-1088 or
> our Cluster Assistant Superintendent, Leslie Butz
> at ((571)423-1160

Contact the board about what??? Rumor and innuendo about what he does with his personal life? Rumor and innuendo about what you heard from other drama queens?

No wonder our best and brightest avoid careers in education like the plague. The best and brightest have better things to do than deal with those who have nothing better to do than fabricate drama based on "what [you] heard".

I cannot imagine the calls those ppl on the board have to take sometimes.....................

Gordon Blvd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I cannot imagine the calls those ppl on the board
> have to take sometimes.....................


Really. I'd develop a permanent eye tick with crap calls like that.

The educators' jobs are to educate our children in subject matter. Parents need to do their job and let the educators do theirs. The first step for both parties is to understand the boundaries of their job. Too many on both sides don't get it and the results are out there...among the rest of us.



Tragic.

Speaking of our best and brightest, I'm pretty sure they avoid banality like the plague like the plague. And its a tic.

oh Colleen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Speaking of our best and brightest, I'm pretty
> sure they avoid banality like the plague like the
> plague. And its a tic.

Poor thing....

Have any of you bored housewives ever pulled on your big girl panties and pearls and marched yourselves into his office and actually sat down and had a conversation with him like a grown-up? Or is it just too delicious cloaking yourself in your fake screen name and tearing him apart publicly in your over-privileged Fairfax address? KingsParkRams and everyone else who takes the time to put together lists about whether or not he wears a t-shirt, if he stumbles over an ethnic last name or asked a pathetic, whining mom to leave the room because she was acting too immature to be included in a parent-teacher conference like an adult... please, do society a favor and go volunteer or get a (gasp!) job in an underpriveleged school, and make a REAL difference in schools. You clearly don't have anything to do with your lives so you make mischief instead. "Idle hands are the devil's workshop". Go find out first hand what it's like to serve others, because that's what teachers do, they serve your kids. Go help the lunch lady and find out what an honest days work is. Either do something positive with your life or shut up and leave this principal alone. All we read about is your blown up gossip and innuendo. You're acting like he should be stood before a firing squad when in reality, you're as bad of a person as you are painting him to be. Look in a mirror. Deal with your problem and then you can come back here and share your results. Don't spend each day calling all your friends trying to put together a pathetic list of "wrongs". Really. Go look in a mirror. You'll be ashamed of what you've done and become.

All I'll say is to the folks who complain instead of talking to the source of their concerns:
Attachments:

Please stop posting on this thread. You are not helping your case by telling your information to random people.

I'll be happy to contact the board for you and tell them how happy I am to see a principle who doesn't cave into the crazy helicopter parents.

PS. Let's give you a list of foreign names and see how well you pronounce them. That you expect the principle to know every single student in the school is insane. Do you know the names of your garbage collectors, lawn service people, and all your restaurant serves?


KingsParkRams74 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> An update of the last few weeks at LRES. In
> speaking to various members of the community it
> has been noted that Mr. Rousos has:
>
> -called a child "collateral damage" during a
> parent meeting called to discuss an instance where
> a parent believed their child was being bullied.
>
> -asked a wife to leave the room during a meeting
> so he and the husband could speak "man to man."
>
> -has turned the weekly PAWS winners into a
> cringe-worthy event with his inability to
> pronounce the students' names. He doesn't know
> the students after 2 years.
>
> -after taking credit for 26 Random Acts of
> Kindness has done nothing to promote or support
> the program. Not even put on the T-shirt.
>
> -showed up late to school before the 5th grade
> trip to Richmond therefore the busses could not
> leave.
>
> -When the PTA had money to spend, Mr Rousos
> neglected to notify all the teachers including
> art, music, PE, library, reading, ESOl, and the
> counselors.
>
> -at a recent meeting (that he organized) he
> appeared grossly unprepared and was unable to
> answer what would happen if a child didn't pass
> their SOL.
>
> These are just the things that I have learned from
> the community. I cannot even imagine all that is
> happening (or not happening) within the school to
> our children and to their teachers.
>
> I would encourage people to contact our school
> board representative, Megan McLaughlin at
> (571)423-1088 or
> our Cluster Assistant Superintendent, Leslie Butz
> at ((571)423-1160

who cares about morality as long as you have team spirit?

as long as the kids know the school song, never mind about the rest!

go team Laurel!

Colleen (all other NR defenders) - I assure you, all that KingsParkRams74 writes, and then some, is true. You can continue to believe it's "rumor and innuendo" so that it makes the time you spend with Nick a little easier.

You also spoke the truth when you said "No wonder our brightest and best avoid careers in education like the plague." because it is clear Nick Rousos is neither one of the brightest nor best. Leslie Butz has done her best to keep him in his position, but continuing to move him from school to school is not going to work for much longer. At some point enough people, the right people, will know of his complete incompetence and it will come down to her job or his. Let's see what happens then.

At max - he has only one more year to try and further destroy Laurel Ridge, as next year the Principal Survey will be taken. Good luck defending the illustrious Nick Rousos that you seem to hold in such high esteem after that.

Even under the assumption that your claims are all completely true (yeah right), they are still stupid and petty.

If you want exactly what you want put your kids in private school or homeschool them. Otherwise stop bitching.

Onthegoreader, I understand your points but I guess that the people reading this thread who don't work with him or interact with him on a daily basis have a hard time understanding why you're all so up in arms over him. The examples given tend to be complaining about pointless things (he doesn't wear a specific t-shirt to school when I'd imagine dress code for him is either a button-down or polo; that he doesn't spend enough time at afterschool activities; that he uses his phone too often; that his secretary sends out emails with misspellings). You all may have real issues with him, and I imagine you do if so many of you are this visibly unhappy, but on our end, when we read the thread it sounds like all these moms are gleefully jumping on the gang-mentality bully train by complaining about petty issues. It's hard, for me at least, to be sympathetic to your plight because I just can't figure out why you all want him fired so badly.

One word to describe your narrative ...Wow .... very well said and nicely done.

First time posting ... I did not realize that a reply on a message would not attach to the message. Therefore this eft my original message out of proper context.

My message was in response to 'GrownUp' and the hard working role modeling staff at Laurel Ridge.

Original Post ... with context.
One word to describe your narrative ...Wow .... very well said and nicely done.

People reading this forum who know the deal for real, please contact Leslie Butz before it is too late.
You can make an anonymous call by dialing *67 571 423 1160
Facts only and nothing about his appearance unless it directly effects his professionalism or job performance. If you are a teacher or employee at Laurel Ridge or previous school where Mr. Rousos worked we really need your input. Please be brave and take a stand. Mr. Rousos should find a job doing something he is good at and it is definitely not being a principal.

Hellikop - you could not be more right! NR has been a problem at his previous schools. His moral conduct is not what anyone would want in a school principal. As if that is not enough, he has proven over and over again at Laurel Ridge that he is not a leader or team player. He uses bullying and intimidation on a regular basis. Parents and staff alike know the deal. Make a call or send an email. Leslie Butz and Megan McLaughlin need to hear from you!

Hellikop Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> People reading this forum who know the deal for
> real, please contact Leslie Butz before it is too
> late.
> You can make an anonymous call by dialing *67 571
> 423 1160
> Facts only and nothing about his appearance unless
> it directly effects his professionalism or job
> performance. If you are a teacher or employee at
> Laurel Ridge or previous school where Mr. Rousos
> worked we really need your input. Please be brave
> and take a stand. Mr. Rousos should find a job
> doing something he is good at and it is definitely
> not being a principal.

onthegoreader Wrote:
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> Colleen (all other NR defenders) - I assure you,
> all that KingsParkRams74 writes, and then some, is
> true. You can continue to believe it's "rumor and
> innuendo" so that it makes the time you spend with
> Nick a little easier.
>
> You also spoke the truth when you said "No wonder
> our brightest and best avoid careers in education
> like the plague." because it is clear Nick Rousos
> is neither one of the brightest nor best. Leslie
> Butz has done her best to keep him in his
> position, but continuing to move him from school
> to school is not going to work for much longer.
> At some point enough people, the right people,
> will know of his complete incompetence and it will
> come down to her job or his. Let's see what
> happens then.
>
> At max - he has only one more year to try and
> further destroy Laurel Ridge, as next year the
> Principal Survey will be taken. Good luck
> defending the illustrious Nick Rousos that you
> seem to hold in such high esteem after that.



Irrespective, it seems the point went over your head. From my post, it's clear that I am not surprised at all if someone in education isn't all that bright. That's because the best and the brightest don't want to deal with the yawn-worthy bitties in the neighborhood whose lives are so limited that the highlight of their year is gossiping about a grade school priniciple.

Secondly, you may believe everything you hear during your stroller/doggie walks with the rest of the stay-at-home bitties with little else going on, but, as the great Marvin Gaye says: Believe half of what you see; some and none of what you hear.

I don't repeat anything about another simply based on what I heard about them from someone else (thankfully our justice system doesn't even allow that sort of thing in court). The ONLY time I repeat anything even close to what you posted, I have to know them to be facts - first hand knowledge - not just hearsay and hearsay twice and third and maybe even fourth removed.

It works for me. Your mileage may differ.

Hey Rousos, aka Colleen, ya mis-spelled principal in your post!

Thetruth Wrote:
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> Hey Rousos, aka Colleen, ya mis-spelled principal
> in your post!

Good catch. The only name I use on this site is Colleen, which, of course, is not even close to my actual name. And, someone would have to pay me a hell of a lot more than I currently make even to consider working in a public school. Oh, hell no!

I also misquoted the great Marvin Gaye; it's "Believe some of what you see, son, and none of what you hear."

Thanks.

I realize that during summer, school may not be the issue most present on our minds. Still, please continue to voice your concerns about Nick Rousos’s ineffective leadership, ineffective communication, and ineffective dealings and interactions with your children to each of the following individuals. Please contact Leslie Butz, cluster superintendent at 571-423-1160, Dr. Karen Garza, new superintendent of schools at 571-423-1010, deputy superintendent Dr. Richard Moniuszko at 571-423-1020, and Braddock District School Board Representative Megan McLaughlin at 571-423-1088. Time is limited, please act!

I just got the keep in touch telling me about the latest group of teachers to jump ship on Mr. Rousos watch. If this continues there will be no experienced teachers left at Laurel Ridge! Definitely using the above numbers!

Oh look the gossipy helicopter parents are back. Let me guess kids away at summer camp and you have nothing else better to do?

katiesmith Wrote:
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> Oh look the gossipy helicopter parents are back.
> Let me guess kids away at summer camp and you have
> nothing else better to do?


For once I'm going to have to agree with Katiesmith. I'm surprised "adults" act like children, but that appears to be the case with regards to this.

KingsParkRams74 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I realize that during summer, school may not be
> the issue most present on our minds. Still,
> please continue to voice your concerns about Nick
> Rousos’s ineffective leadership, ineffective
> communication, and ineffective dealings and
> interactions with your children to each of the
> following individuals. Please contact Leslie
> Butz, cluster superintendent at 571-423-1160, Dr.
> Karen Garza, new superintendent of schools at
> 571-423-1010, deputy superintendent Dr. Richard
> Moniuszko at 571-423-1020, and Braddock District
> School Board Representative Megan McLaughlin at
> 571-423-1088. Time is limited, please act!


I have no concerns. You do, based on gossip. Grow up.

If you read the KIT from Mr. Rousos about the teachers that are leaving, you would realize that almost all of them are women who are leaving because their husbands got new jobs in other parts of the country. The teachers who are leaving to other FCPS schools are either furthering their careers for other experiences, or moving to be closer to home because they have very small children and the commute is causing family stress, especially since school hours changed last year. Another teacher is returning to LRES.

I would like to point out that under Mr. Rousos' and the APs' watch, the special education students at LRES continue to flourish, while at other schools this is not the case.

If you absolutely can't find anything better to do than make unsubstantiated comments, consider homeschooling.

Dear Staff, Students, and Families of Laurel Ridge Elementary,

It has been my honor and pleasure to be part of the Laurel Ridge family for the past two years. Over this time we have been involved in many changes, and have always asked “what is best for our students?” From implementing standards based progress reports to our new bell schedule, from the integration of the Learning Lab for reading success to offering accelerated math in Spanish for fifth grade Immersion students, our focus has always been on student success and growth. Over this time the measureable gains in standardized test scores and other measures of student academic success have been paralleled by the advances in citizenship and community participation through the growth of our PAWS and Positive Behavior Intervention Support programs. I am extremely proud of the work of the staff, the efforts of the students, and the support of the parents; thank you all.
Among the benefits of working for a large school system are the opportunities for professional growth and varied experiences made available to employees. After seven years as an elementary school principal I will miss the relationships and experiences of the day-to-day operations of a school, however, I am writing to share exciting news. I will be transitioning to the Department of Instructional Services as a Special Projects Administrator responsible for leading the evolution of the Summer Extended Learning Time (SELT) program. This work will allow me to interface with multiple departments in Fairfax County Public Schools, and afford me a system-wide perspective on program implementation and evolution. By so doing we will continue to answer the question “what is best for students” at a larger scale.

I will start my new position on July 29, 2013. Mrs. Lora Adams has been assigned as the interim principal during the 6-week transition time that it will take for the school system to select a new principal for Laurel Ridge. The Cluster 6 assistant superintendent and the specialist in administrative employment in the Department of Human Resources will be contacting the staff and community in August to explain the principal selection process and to solicit your input.
As always I am only an email away so please feel free to contact me to share the great things the LRES family is accomplishing. I wish you the best in the upcoming school year.

Sincerely,
Nick Rousos

Laura Adams is a gift for this school. She is so sincerely empathetic to our students' needs, and she is clearly the most competent candidate in the bunch... GO LAURA! WE LOVE YOU!!

Yes. Married, cheating with married staff member/parent

And what would those needs be? What does the average helicopter parent want that would make them love this person so?


adamsforprincipal Wrote:
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> Laura Adams is a gift for this school. She is so
> sincerely empathetic to our students' needs, and
> she is clearly the most competent candidate in the
> bunch... GO LAURA! WE LOVE YOU!!

KingsParkRams74 Wrote:
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> I'm very concerned about the goings on at Laurel
> Ridge Elementary School. What on earth is
> happening there? The teachers seem to be
> generally dissatisfied. My question is this: how
> is it that a Principal who has a record of
> sleeping with with employees at other schools get
> to be principal of our children's school and run
> it into the ground?
>
> Mr.Larry Burke was a lot of things. While I did
> not know him well (I admit I also do not know Mr.
> Nick Rousos well) there was not doubt he was a
> career educator. He certainly had a flair for the
> dramatic and I remember him ruffling some feathers
> of 6th grade parents about his forbidding the term
> "graduation" in favor of "promotion." Still, the
> staff was always upbeat and never the despondent
> mess that I see grumbling the halls of Laurel
> Ridge today.
>
> Mr. Rousus rarely goes to PTA events. He is
> certainly not a part of the community. While I
> understand separating one's career from their
> social life, an elementary school principal has
> certain social responsibilities to the community.
> Pardon my candor but surely he could at least try
> to humor the community while he's chasing tail on
> the clock?
>
> I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed the
> abysmal state of Laurel Ridge lately. If I'm
> wrong in my hypothesis about Mr. Rousos, so be it.
> There seems to be a lot left over from a great
> school in terms of teachers but the leader strikes
> me as a self serving, sweet talking, womanizing
> dud.

PARTY

Nick wasn't perfect, but I can tell you that morale has sunk to an all-time low at LRES this year among the teaching staff.

The students are out of control in the hallways, cafeteria and coming and going from school, and there is no discipline coming from admin at all. Teachers refer students for extreme behaviors and there is no follow-through.

Experienced teachers who are well thought of by colleagues are being harrassed by an administrator and are being marked "ineffective" on evaluations. Teachers are horrified at what is happening to their fellow teammates. Teachers being evaluated have to spend literally hours and hours putting together their "data points" to prove they have met all seven standards. Nobody has that kind of time to waste on this.

Literally two to three hours of grade level meeting times in each grade have been spent on discussing professional rules of conduct, although there are no teachers with conduct issues that anyone can point to. We have a lot better things to do with our limited planning time.

Class sizes are huge, yet pupil placed students are still approved. Now we are adding a quad trailer out back for next year. Who knows which grade will be stuck out there?

The same handful of teachers attend tons of meetings about running the school, but nobody outside the meetings has any idea of what was talked about. How can that be beneficial? Part of the meetings involve playing little games to learn to "trust" each other. This is what we are paying subs for?

I would take Nick back in a minute.