oyster

[Anonymous]

FYI- One of Michelle Rhee's daughters is still at Oyster.

[Anonymous]

As a parent who cares greatly about Oyster, and believes it has been an experience incomprable for our child during their time attending, I agree with the poster who suggests if Monica Liang-Aguirre isn't replaced ASAP it may just slip into mediocrity. They need someone much stronger, who is truly bi-cultural and bilingual. It survives because of some immensely committed long-time teachers, not because of the Zumba moves the lower school AP uses so well (during the course of the MS electives every week...) or because of the scarey screaming in Spanish by the recent AP hire for Adams, or even by the daily drills provided by the MS coordinator (punishment cards?). It's the long-time Oyster teachers, Spanish and English, who float the school and still provide the best bilingual elementary education around.

[Anonymous]

I find it odd that so many need to say Oyster has "the best bilingual elementary education". I have no idea if it does or not, my kids are in a bilingual charter that is pretty good, better than Oyster? No idea. If I had to take a guess, I'd guess WIS is the best.

[Anonymous]

So we're in-boundary for Oyster, where my DD should start K in 2 years. Spanish is her first language, though we are a bilingual (Spanish/English) household. We attended the WIS Open House last week, and though we were very impressed by the resources and facilities, honestly, I can't see why I'd send DD there over Oyster.

I think that if it were middle or high school we were considering, it would be a no-brainer, but I feel like she will get a great elementary education at Oyster, without us having to pay what we could be saving for college (it costs the same amount as we're paying for pre-school now).

Is there anyone who can suggest some major reason they would send their child to WIS over Oyster if you were in our shoes? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's wrong with Oyster is choice. When it was the only immersion game in town ten years ago, people camped out for two weeks to get their children in. Now that there are a dozen immersion programs in the city (traditional DCPS and charters) and some of those with an interesting twist (Mandarin, Montessori, etc.) it's just not as special or unique as it once was. Doesn't mean it isn't still good, or at least better than many, many other schools in D.C.

So what's going to fix it? As long as Kaya Henderson is the interim Chancellor, isn't Monica going to remain the Principal? And if that is the case, what is the motivating factor for change? Who or what is going to bring Oyster back into the lead language program? If Oyster is so great, why did Rhee put her daughter elsewhere?

If Oyster does not make AYP again this year, I am sure that there will be some movement at the top.

Oyster has its problem but it is still a very good school, and what makes it unique is that it is a community school that is bilingual and very successful

[Anonymous]

21:44 No, do Oyster for as long as you can! We did it through Grade 6, then went private. (Not to WIS, though we have friends there.) We had a great experience at Oyster, even though it has long been a high drama kind of place.

[Anonymous]

P.S. By high drama I mean the changes in principal, so many parent factions, in boundary and out, Spanish dominant versus English dominant, etc.

[Anonymous]

21:44 here: PP, thank you for your message.

[Anonymous]

WIS is excellent but if your kids are young and you are in-boundary definitely send them to Oyster! Despite the weak principal (and she's really lame) the community is great, teachers awesome, and bilingual program and nurturing environment as good as it gets. Save your money for middle or high school

[Anonymous]

Wow. I just typed "Oyster Bilingual" in google and I got this string. I can't believe how incredibly nasty some of these posts are.

[Anonymous]

We are in boundary for Oyster K next year. Anyone else in the neighborhood going? Does the school have some way to get the kids together over the summer?

[Anonymous]

Oyster runs a summer camp, you could register for that if your child is old enough
At the end of summer, there's an icecream social

[Anonymous]

20:29 -- wait a few years...you'll get it.