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Da Vinci parents ask board to lend them an ear
By Danny Smith
A group of parents from the da Vinci Academy have been railing against a perceived decline in the school’s curriculum and administrative performance.
For multiple weeks during public comments at Academy School District 20 board meetings, the parents have repeatedly stated that the da Vinci Academy has begun to focus on Colorado Student Assessment Program test performance in the elementary school that has been awarded for its emphasis on education through the visual and performing arts. Some of the upset parents will opt their children out of taking the CSAP tests in March to show their disapproval with the school’s direction. Boycotting the test could lead to lowered scores in the school’s annual report card but would not have financial impacts on the school, according to D-20 superintendent Mark Hatchell.
“The logical consequence for a district gone manic over standardization is to remove the stimulus,” said da Vinci parent Kevin Kimble at a D-20 board meeting. “I am opting my child from CSAP testing in the hopes that Academy School District 20 will return the da Vinci Academy to a nurturing environment that values arts-differentiated curriculum to teach academic content.”
About 80 parents attended a community meeting conducted by the da Vinci administrators to address concerns about the school that has 476 enrolled students and parents have also come out in support of the school’s direction at the board meetings.
The board has responded to the complaints by pointing out that the school will go through an annual evaluation process like all D-20 schools.
“It is important to note that the operation of each school is overseen by our central administration. Administrators, teachers and classified staff are all evaluated at regular intervals, da Vinci is no exception,” said board president Ann Elrod.
But the board is not moving fast enough for some of the parents who think they are just getting paid lip service.
“I feel like I am in a marriage where I am ripping my hair out and begging and pleading for attention to something that is deeply hurting my feelings and I am getting nothing,” said da Vinci parent Vanessa Graf to the board.
D-20 public information officer Nanette Anderson said that part of the parental frustration is coming from the school’s rotating leadership. In the school’s five-year run, it has gone through three principals, and with the newest change, both the principal and vice principal are new to the academy. Katherine Griego took over at the beginning of the 2008-09 school year as da Vinci’s principal.
“Is it a challenge for any community when you have a turnover of administrators? It is just getting to know the community and learning the culture,” Griego said.
Annie Hritz, D-20 director for curriculum and instruction has been working with Griego in communicating with the da Vinci parents. Hritz also attributed some of the parental concern to the leadership transition.
“Griego has been through a tough situation where the parents were mourning the loss of two principals and this has made people very uncomfortable and it’s nothing surprising to me,” Hritz said.
For multiple weeks during public comments at Academy School District 20 board meetings, the parents have repeatedly stated that the da Vinci Academy has begun to focus on Colorado Student Assessment Program test performance in the elementary school that has been awarded for its emphasis on education through the visual and performing arts. Some of the upset parents will opt their children out of taking the CSAP tests in March to show their disapproval with the school’s direction. Boycotting the test could lead to lowered scores in the school’s annual report card but would not have financial impacts on the school, according to D-20 superintendent Mark Hatchell.
“The logical consequence for a district gone manic over standardization is to remove the stimulus,” said da Vinci parent Kevin Kimble at a D-20 board meeting. “I am opting my child from CSAP testing in the hopes that Academy School District 20 will return the da Vinci Academy to a nurturing environment that values arts-differentiated curriculum to teach academic content.”
About 80 parents attended a community meeting conducted by the da Vinci administrators to address concerns about the school that has 476 enrolled students and parents have also come out in support of the school’s direction at the board meetings.
The board has responded to the complaints by pointing out that the school will go through an annual evaluation process like all D-20 schools.
“It is important to note that the operation of each school is overseen by our central administration. Administrators, teachers and classified staff are all evaluated at regular intervals, da Vinci is no exception,” said board president Ann Elrod.
But the board is not moving fast enough for some of the parents who think they are just getting paid lip service.
“I feel like I am in a marriage where I am ripping my hair out and begging and pleading for attention to something that is deeply hurting my feelings and I am getting nothing,” said da Vinci parent Vanessa Graf to the board.
D-20 public information officer Nanette Anderson said that part of the parental frustration is coming from the school’s rotating leadership. In the school’s five-year run, it has gone through three principals, and with the newest change, both the principal and vice principal are new to the academy. Katherine Griego took over at the beginning of the 2008-09 school year as da Vinci’s principal.
“Is it a challenge for any community when you have a turnover of administrators? It is just getting to know the community and learning the culture,” Griego said.
Annie Hritz, D-20 director for curriculum and instruction has been working with Griego in communicating with the da Vinci parents. Hritz also attributed some of the parental concern to the leadership transition.
“Griego has been through a tough situation where the parents were mourning the loss of two principals and this has made people very uncomfortable and it’s nothing surprising to me,” Hritz said.
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