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We the parents, grandparents, students, and friends of Phelps ACE High School petition the District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) Chancellor and Leadership Team to remove Dr. Joshua Emmett from his position as principal of Phelps ACE High School, effective immediately.
Dr. Emmett never participated in a DCPS Community Panel with the Phelps community. Instead, he was appointed principal in Spring 2018 after it was determined he would not be placed at Dunbar High School. At this time he had no prior experience in the DCPS system or with Washington, DC youth. Between the time he was appointed and now (Spring 2019), Dr. Emmett has failed to effectively engage and communicate with parents and the Phelps PTSA. He has not been honest and transparent about teacher replacements, student development opportunities (school equipment, shadow day, field trips), issues concerning safety (high police presence, principal-student confrontations, fights within the school, arrests), or disciplinary measures taken to remedy student conduct. Also his decisions on funds allocation (i.e., removal of the Phelps Junior ROTC, instructional coach, and assistant principal positions) have been ill-considered as they do not allow the students the best possible educational opportunities, nor do they respect the traditions of the school. Dr. Emmett’s lack of communications with parents about these matters have caused a great deal of concern and in some cases controversy because his statements are not consistent.
During the current FY18-19 school year Dr. Emmett has failed to gain the trust and support of the Phelps community because his inability to effectively understand school culture and be an effective leader. Instead of partnering with Phelps’ experienced teachers, he has subjected them to increased monitoring and outward disrespect in front of students causing undue stress for some and resignation from others. As a result, teacher morale is suffering, and some of the remaining teachers are not planning to return to the school if he continues to serve as the principal. This situation is most harmful to the Phelps parents and students who have maintained beneficial relationships with teacher over the years.
We are demanding as taxpayers and citizens that our concerns be taken seriously and met without resistance. We petition to remove Joshua Emmett from Phelps ACE High School as principal based on his ongoing pattern of controversial and antagonistic behavior.
Updates
May 22, 2019
Reaching this point has been an exhausting uphill climb that often felt like shouting into a void. Seeing the scale of this support proves that my frustrations are shared by so many others who care about this school. I am incredibly tired but I am not stopping now.
20 Comments
The process for principal appointments should be followed. Too often when it isn’t the results harm students. Give the school an opportunity to pick a leader who best fits their needs.
I taught under Dr. Emmett during his time at CICS Northtown Academy in Chicago. He was a terrible administrator who hid bigotry and a cruel, vindictive streak under a soft-spoken demeanor and who did not respect the teachers or students in his charge. I stand with Phelps ACE High School -- students and deserve a principle who cares about them and seeks to elevate their opportunities, and teachers deserve an administrator who respects their expertise and seeks to help them continue to grow rather than tear them down.
I'm glad that this is getting out as a parent of a student a Phelps I have attended the PTSA meeting only to find out that Dr. Emmitt had engaged in such behavior. I have written a email and sent it to Ward 5 counsel member Kenyan McDuffie, Dr. Bey, Muriel Bowser and other DC public school officials that attended the PTSA and there was no response. I am in favor of Dr. Emmitt being removed and hoping that Dr. Jackson can return.
I stand with the students, teachers, staff and parents of Phelps ACE. I am a parent of two students whom are extremely active in JROTC & Band; members of the NAF Academy of Engineering; and both are on the Honor Roll. The school environment has gone from warm and engaging to hostile and chaotic. We deserve better and we demand better.
I believe in everyone having a fair chance but Principal Emmett has caused more harm than good and the students deserve better. Hopefully DCPS will display Equity and treat the Phelps community the same way they would treat a Ward 3 school.
Hello, I'm currently a Student Enroll at Phelps Highschool looking for a change in operations at Phelps for the potential removal of Dr. Emmett from Phelps. I would really appreciate it if you reached back out to me with further details on Emmett behavior.
Hello, I'm currently a Student Enroll at Phelps Highschool looking for a change in operations at Phelps for the potential removal of Dr. Emmett from Phelps. I would really appreciate it if you reached back out to me with further details on Emmett behavior.
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After clicking SIGN PETITION you are DONE. The donation page that follows is for ipetitions.com and is Optional.
We the parents, grandparents, students, and friends of Phelps ACE High School petition the District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) Chancellor and Leadership Team to remove Dr. Joshua Emmett from his position as principal of Phelps ACE High School, effective immediately.
Dr. Emmett never participated in a DCPS Community Panel with the Phelps community. Instead, he was appointed principal in Spring 2018 after it was determined he would not be placed at Dunbar High School. At this time he had no prior experience in the DCPS system or with Washington, DC youth. Between the time he was appointed and now (Spring 2019), Dr. Emmett has failed to effectively engage and communicate with parents and the Phelps PTSA. He has not been honest and transparent about teacher replacements, student development opportunities (school equipment, shadow day, field trips), issues concerning safety (high police presence, principal-student confrontations, fights within the school, arrests), or disciplinary measures taken to remedy student conduct. Also his decisions on funds allocation (i.e., removal of the Phelps Junior ROTC, instructional coach, and assistant principal positions) have been ill-considered as they do not allow the students the best possible educational opportunities, nor do they respect the traditions of the school. Dr. Emmett’s lack of communications with parents about these matters have caused a great deal of concern and in some cases controversy because his statements are not consistent.
During the current FY18-19 school year Dr. Emmett has failed to gain the trust and support of the Phelps community because his inability to effectively understand school culture and be an effective leader. Instead of partnering with Phelps’ experienced teachers, he has subjected them to increased monitoring and outward disrespect in front of students causing undue stress for some and resignation from others. As a result, teacher morale is suffering, and some of the remaining teachers are not planning to return to the school if he continues to serve as the principal. This situation is most harmful to the Phelps parents and students who have maintained beneficial relationships with teacher over the years.
We are demanding as taxpayers and citizens that our concerns be taken seriously and met without resistance. We petition to remove Joshua Emmett from Phelps ACE High School as principal based on his ongoing pattern of controversial and antagonistic behavior.
Updates
May 22, 2019
Reaching this point has been an exhausting uphill climb that often felt like shouting into a void. Seeing the scale of this support proves that my frustrations are shared by so many others who care about this school. I am incredibly tired but I am not stopping now.
20 Comments
Josh Emmett was formerly an administrator at my school (I am a high school teacher in the midwest). The statements in this petition are consistent with our observations of his behavior when he worked at my school. The faculty, especially those under his direct supervision, were not sad to see him leave.
The process for principal appointments should be followed. Too often when it isn’t the results harm students. Give the school an opportunity to pick a leader who best fits their needs.
I taught under Dr. Emmett during his time at CICS Northtown Academy in Chicago. He was a terrible administrator who hid bigotry and a cruel, vindictive streak under a soft-spoken demeanor and who did not respect the teachers or students in his charge. I stand with Phelps ACE High School -- students and deserve a principle who cares about them and seeks to elevate their opportunities, and teachers deserve an administrator who respects their expertise and seeks to help them continue to grow rather than tear them down.
I'm glad that this is getting out as a parent of a student a Phelps I have attended the PTSA meeting only to find out that Dr. Emmitt had engaged in such behavior. I have written a email and sent it to Ward 5 counsel member Kenyan McDuffie, Dr. Bey, Muriel Bowser and other DC public school officials that attended the PTSA and there was no response. I am in favor of Dr. Emmitt being removed and hoping that Dr. Jackson can return.
I stand with the students, teachers, staff and parents of Phelps ACE. I am a parent of two students whom are extremely active in JROTC & Band; members of the NAF Academy of Engineering; and both are on the Honor Roll. The school environment has gone from warm and engaging to hostile and chaotic. We deserve better and we demand better.
I believe in everyone having a fair chance but Principal Emmett has caused more harm than good and the students deserve better. Hopefully DCPS will display Equity and treat the Phelps community the same way they would treat a Ward 3 school.
Hello, I'm currently a Student Enroll at Phelps Highschool looking for a change in operations at Phelps for the potential removal of Dr. Emmett from Phelps. I would really appreciate it if you reached back out to me with further details on Emmett behavior.
Hello, I'm currently a Student Enroll at Phelps Highschool looking for a change in operations at Phelps for the potential removal of Dr. Emmett from Phelps. I would really appreciate it if you reached back out to me with further details on Emmett behavior.
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Josh Emmett was formerly an administrator at my school (I am a high school teacher in the midwest). The statements in this petition are consistent with our observations of his behavior when he worked at my school. The faculty, especially those under his direct supervision, were not sad to see him leave.