Staff set a bad example at Acacia

At a time when both teachers and classified employees should be thankful they have a job, I was completely disheartened on the first day of summer school at Acacia Elementary School.

I overheard several staff members complaining about an extra 10 minutes that might have been needed to load children onto the buses at dismissal, 10 minutes that wouldn't be paid for.

This, granted, was a small group out of hundreds of people who work for the district. However, it still was upsetting to listen to, especially when children were present with them, some even holding the hands of the children.

Can you imagine the feelings of those children, listening to their teachers and aides complaining about loading them on a bus after school without being paid for it? Children pick up on feelings!

In my eyes, this was very unprofessional. Complain about it if you like, but it should have been done away from parents and students.

My son has attended a private school this past school year. Its staff members have been some of the best I've ever seen.

You can tell that it isn't just a "job" to them; they legitimately care about their students.

I'm deeply saddened that I had to watch and hear a handful of staff members at Acacia with such a poor attitude.

Given that summer school is at a different location, much of the staff are different teachers and aides. I'm glad the group of staff that was discussing this extra 10 minutes of nonsalaried time to load children on the buses are not in my son's class.

If they had been, I would have asked for a transfer. Lauren Todd Thousand Oaks