We, the parents, students, teachers, and community of UPES and University Park, respectfully request that the school administration allow Mrs. Thomas to remain in her role as a kindergarten teacher through the end of the current school year.

One hour prior to afternoon dismissal on March 6, 2026, the current students of Mrs. Thomas at University Park Elementary School walked out of school in tears. Parents and students were abruptly informed that their teacher would be replaced on Monday by a teacher who had been on leave prior to the start of this school year. No formal transition, no consideration of the teacher's and students feelings. Many parents were unaware that Mrs. Thomas was serving as a long-term substitute, as all introductions at the beginning of the school year presented her as the primary classroom teacher.

Since August of 2025, Mrs. Thomas has proven to be an exemplary, caring, and dedicated teacher to her students. With the school year already three-quarters complete, we find it deeply concerning to require five-year-old children to drastically adapt to the teaching methods of a new teacher so late in the academic year.

We respectfully request that the University Park Elementary School administration allow Mrs. Thomas to remain in her role through the completion of the current school year in order to provide continuity, stability, and emotional support for the students she has guided since the beginning of the year.

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Nosotros, los padres, estudiantes, maestros y la comunidad de UPES y University Park, solicitamos respetuosamente que la administración de la escuela permita que la Sra. Thomas permanezca en su rol como maestra de kínder hasta el final del presente año escolar.

Una hora antes de la salida de la tarde el 6 de marzo de 2026, los estudiantes actuales de la Sra. Thomas en University Park Elementary School salieron de la escuela en lágrimas. A los padres y estudiantes se les informó repentinamente que su maestra sería reemplazada el lunes por una maestra que había estado de licencia antes del inicio de este año escolar. Muchos padres no sabían que la Sra. Thomas estaba sirviendo como sustituta a largo plazo, ya que todas las presentaciones al comienzo del año escolar la presentaron como la maestra principal del salón.

Desde agosto, la Sra. Thomas ha demostrado ser una maestra ejemplar, cariñosa y dedicada con sus estudiantes. Con el año escolar ya tres cuartas partes completado, nos preocupa profundamente exigir que niños de cinco años se adapten repentinamente a los métodos de enseñanza de una nueva maestra tan tarde en el año académico.

Respetuosamente solicitamos que la administración de University Park Elementary School permita que la Sra. Thomas permanezca en su puesto hasta la finalización del presente año escolar para brindar continuidad, estabilidad y apoyo emocional a los estudiantes a quienes ha guiado desde el inicio del año.