Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those of us on the WL, can someone who attended the orientation let us know how things look for this school?

It was a good presentation. They showed examples of Montessori learning and reviewed part of the handbook. They explained drop-off and the possible locations for recess. Revolution Foods will be the lunch provider. They have 10 spots left to fill but were not clear on whether that was pre-K-3 or pre-K3.

Get used to packing a lunch for your child.

Obviously not a reason to turn down Breakthrough but Rev Foods is awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those of us on the WL, can someone who attended the orientation let us know how things look for this school?

It was a good presentation. They showed examples of Montessori learning and reviewed part of the handbook. They explained drop-off and the possible locations for recess. Revolution Foods will be the lunch provider. They have 10 spots left to fill but were not clear on whether that was pre-K-3 or pre-K3.

This is a good summary. We were pretty happy with what was discussed, and they continue to discuss how to make sure that the school starts on the right foot.

The school plans to start the "orientation" process in June/July with some potlucks for the families.

Teachers start in mid-July, and Breakthrough gets the keys on August 1st.

[Anonymous]

For new Breakthrough families, how much fundraising should they expect to see in the first year? Will there be a lot of pressure to bring in extra funds since they're starting from scratch?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For new Breakthrough families, how much fundraising should they expect to see in the first year? Will there be a lot of pressure to bring in extra funds since they're starting from scratch?

It was not discussed on Sunday, though I imagine it'll be discussed during the volunteer meeting in June.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For new Breakthrough families, how much fundraising should they expect to see in the first year? Will there be a lot of pressure to bring in extra funds since they're starting from scratch?

It was not discussed on Sunday, though I imagine it'll be discussed during the volunteer meeting in June.

Charters do not expect families to do significant fund-raising. That's not the business model or the goal. What can be said, is that the schools which have parents who happen to be good a fundraising (whether via grants or events) not surprisingly happen to be schools with a demographic that skews towards the well-educated and higher SES. Examples: Two Rivers, Yu Ying, LAMB, Mundo Verde, CMI, Washington Latin. None of those schools *expect* families to fundraise and their success doesn't depend on it. However, there is something in their secret sauce of curriculum and programming that manages to attract parents who can help significantly in that regard to raise the school's profile and raise money.

[Anonymous]

From the initial meetings we've had with Breakthrough administration and staff, we are highly impressed by the experience that they bring to the table and the dedication they all have for this new school. I'm excited!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For new Breakthrough families, how much fundraising should they expect to see in the first year? Will there be a lot of pressure to bring in extra funds since they're starting from scratch?

It was not discussed on Sunday, though I imagine it'll be discussed during the volunteer meeting in June.

Charters do not expect families to do significant fund-raising. That's not the business model or the goal. What can be said, is that the schools which have parents who happen to be good a fundraising (whether via grants or events) not surprisingly happen to be schools with a demographic that skews towards the well-educated and higher SES. Examples: Two Rivers, Yu Ying, LAMB, Mundo Verde, CMI, Washington Latin. None of those schools *expect* families to fundraise and their success doesn't depend on it. However, there is something in their secret sauce of curriculum and programming that manages to attract parents who can help significantly in that regard to raise the school's profile and raise money.

Fundraisers are another way to transmit the exclusivity (or lack thereof) of your enclave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the initial meetings we've had with Breakthrough administration and staff, we are highly impressed by the experience that they bring to the table and the dedication they all have for this new school. I'm excited!

congrats!! we couldn't enroll in PK4 due to the commute but otherwise it seems like a great choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For new Breakthrough families, how much fundraising should they expect to see in the first year? Will there be a lot of pressure to bring in extra funds since they're starting from scratch?

It was not discussed on Sunday, though I imagine it'll be discussed during the volunteer meeting in June.

Charters do not expect families to do significant fund-raising. That's not the business model or the goal. What can be said, is that the schools which have parents who happen to be good a fundraising (whether via grants or events) not surprisingly happen to be schools with a demographic that skews towards the well-educated and higher SES. Examples: Two Rivers, Yu Ying, LAMB, Mundo Verde, CMI, Washington Latin. None of those schools *expect* families to fundraise and their success doesn't depend on it. However, there is something in their secret sauce of curriculum and programming that manages to attract parents who can help significantly in that regard to raise the school's profile and raise money.

Fundraisers are another way to transmit the exclusivity (or lack thereof) of your enclave.

Until you make it illegal for parents to work in the best interests of their children, that is the first and most important direction they will channel their resources to. If you don't like that reality, then you need to find yourself a worker's paradise (but be warned that even the Chinese do that - it's human nature after all).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For new Breakthrough families, how much fundraising should they expect to see in the first year? Will there be a lot of pressure to bring in extra funds since they're starting from scratch?

It was not discussed on Sunday, though I imagine it'll be discussed during the volunteer meeting in June.

Charters do not expect families to do significant fund-raising. That's not the business model or the goal. What can be said, is that the schools which have parents who happen to be good a fundraising (whether via grants or events) not surprisingly happen to be schools with a demographic that skews towards the well-educated and higher SES. Examples: Two Rivers, Yu Ying, LAMB, Mundo Verde, CMI, Washington Latin. None of those schools *expect* families to fundraise and their success doesn't depend on it. However, there is something in their secret sauce of curriculum and programming that manages to attract parents who can help significantly in that regard to raise the school's profile and raise money.

Fundraisers are another way to transmit the exclusivity (or lack thereof) of your enclave.

Oh look, it's the angry old SJW troll. The school isn't even open, someone asks a questions about fundraising and she's already rattling the pitchforks.

Guess what - Dunbar HS also has fundraisers for their band. Does that make your face twitch, too?

[Anonymous]

Facebook post from today: "Meet Dillon Clark, Breakthrough Montessori’s Director of Operations. Dillon comes to us from DC Public Schools where he served in the Office of Teaching and Learning, as well as the Office of Specialized Instruction. Dillon has served as a self-contained special education teacher, inclusion teacher, and social worker in New York City, on Long Island, and in the District of Columbia Public Schools. In addition, Dillon is in the process of obtaining his CMA certification and brings expertise in human resource and financial management."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow.

Will they have a new permanent ED before opening?

They said they are conducting a local search at the last orientation at the library. But it seems doubtful, they seem to be highlighting their current admin staff. Wouldn't be surprised if the interim ED stayed on for a little. Despite all this, the team seems pretty well put together and qualified, We enrolled (pk3).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Facebook post from today: "Meet Dillon Clark, Breakthrough Montessori’s Director of Operations. Dillon comes to us from DC Public Schools where he served in the Office of Teaching and Learning, as well as the Office of Specialized Instruction. Dillon has served as a self-contained special education teacher, inclusion teacher, and social worker in New York City, on Long Island, and in the District of Columbia Public Schools. In addition, Dillon is in the process of obtaining his CMA certification and brings expertise in human resource and financial management."

Is he the old CFO for Breakthrough?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Facebook post from today: "Meet Dillon Clark, Breakthrough Montessori’s Director of Operations. Dillon comes to us from DC Public Schools where he served in the Office of Teaching and Learning, as well as the Office of Specialized Instruction. Dillon has served as a self-contained special education teacher, inclusion teacher, and social worker in New York City, on Long Island, and in the District of Columbia Public Schools. In addition, Dillon is in the process of obtaining his CMA certification and brings expertise in human resource and financial management."

Is he the old CFO for Breakthrough?

at the last meeting he said he oversaw three departments, special ed, finance, and operations. Breakthrough doesn't have a c suite so I imagine CFO is the school board/charter agreement title and Director is the internal working title. Same person/same function though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Facebook post from today: "Meet Dillon Clark, Breakthrough Montessori’s Director of Operations. Dillon comes to us from DC Public Schools where he served in the Office of Teaching and Learning, as well as the Office of Specialized Instruction. Dillon has served as a self-contained special education teacher, inclusion teacher, and social worker in New York City, on Long Island, and in the District of Columbia Public Schools. In addition, Dillon is in the process of obtaining his CMA certification and brings expertise in human resource and financial management."

Is he the old CFO for Breakthrough?

at the last meeting he said he oversaw three departments, special ed, finance, and operations. Breakthrough doesn't have a c suite so I imagine CFO is the school board/charter agreement title and Director is the internal working title. Same person/same function though.

He has also been on a number of events/meetings all winter/spring, so it's the same person.