Clarification re: removed post - APS / Key

[Anonymous]

There was a previous thread on here about APS schools. I commented that one of the schools we had visited recently was Key Elementary, and that, while the idea of immersion was very interesting to us, we were torn after the tour. I posted about how I hear families rave about the community at that particular school, but that it did not come through during our brief visit. Someone snarked that I must have expected to see performing seals rather than a classroom. Has that been removed and if, so can someone clarify how / why? Are certain schools off limits here? This is the second time I ask about experiences at that particular option school and it's gone.

[Anonymous]

You should ask on the website forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was a previous thread on here about APS schools. I commented that one of the schools we had visited recently was Key Elementary, and that, while the idea of immersion was very interesting to us, we were torn after the tour. I posted about how I hear families rave about the community at that particular school, but that it did not come through during our brief visit. Someone snarked that I must have expected to see performing seals rather than a classroom. Has that been removed and if, so can someone clarify how / why? Are certain schools off limits here? This is the second time I ask about experiences at that particular option school and it's gone.

I wonder what made you think that? We toured and loved it. Hoping to get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was a previous thread on here about APS schools. I commented that one of the schools we had visited recently was Key Elementary, and that, while the idea of immersion was very interesting to us, we were torn after the tour. I posted about how I hear families rave about the community at that particular school, but that it did not come through during our brief visit. Someone snarked that I must have expected to see performing seals rather than a classroom. Has that been removed and if, so can someone clarify how / why? Are certain schools off limits here? This is the second time I ask about experiences at that particular option school and it's gone.

It’s an option school. Don’t apply if you didn’t like it. Or, is your goal to ruin it for those who do like it?

[Anonymous]

Op, isn’t this where you posted that?
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/1124185.page

It’s still there.

We’ve been happy with Key (we one kid finishing at Gunston went all the way through & Another there now).

[Anonymous]

OP here - I messed up. My post is still there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a previous thread on here about APS schools. I commented that one of the schools we had visited recently was Key Elementary, and that, while the idea of immersion was very interesting to us, we were torn after the tour. I posted about how I hear families rave about the community at that particular school, but that it did not come through during our brief visit. Someone snarked that I must have expected to see performing seals rather than a classroom. Has that been removed and if, so can someone clarify how / why? Are certain schools off limits here? This is the second time I ask about experiences at that particular option school and it's gone.

I wonder what made you think that? We toured and loved it. Hoping to get in.

There was a marked difference between the enthusiasm and just general attitude of the teachers in the classrooms that we observed. Everyone was just DRAGGING. We must have gone into 5 or 6 classrooms and it felt very odd. My main image of the tour was kids sitting on rugs staring outside, and the teachers going through the motions. Lots of ipads, headphones, kids being handed godlfish by the teacher and eating while working on the device (maybe they forgot their snack?).At the neighborhoold tour that we went to, the principal was there, the teachers seemed proud to be there (and energetic) and they just seemed - confident? proud to work there? I don't want it to be a dog and pony show, but it was just odd. You get a feel for things. The principal was dressed very professionally, but I remember being slightly surprised at the way some of the other teachers presented themselves. Maybe it was the building, maybe it was the day, maybe it was the whole safety situation just being resolved, but the atmosphere felt so heavy. I would love to hear what you thought of the tour? We are very committed to multilingual instruction and are very much torn on whether to go down this path at Key or not.

Also would be curious if you are in a bilingual household already? The English speaking parents seem way more impressed but that is a generalization on my end

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a previous thread on here about APS schools. I commented that one of the schools we had visited recently was Key Elementary, and that, while the idea of immersion was very interesting to us, we were torn after the tour. I posted about how I hear families rave about the community at that particular school, but that it did not come through during our brief visit. Someone snarked that I must have expected to see performing seals rather than a classroom. Has that been removed and if, so can someone clarify how / why? Are certain schools off limits here? This is the second time I ask about experiences at that particular option school and it's gone.

I wonder what made you think that? We toured and loved it. Hoping to get in.

There was a marked difference between the enthusiasm and just general attitude of the teachers in the classrooms that we observed. Everyone was just DRAGGING. We must have gone into 5 or 6 classrooms and it felt very odd. My main image of the tour was kids sitting on rugs staring outside, and the teachers going through the motions. Lots of ipads, headphones, kids being handed godlfish by the teacher and eating while working on the device (maybe they forgot their snack?).At the neighborhoold tour that we went to, the principal was there, the teachers seemed proud to be there (and energetic) and they just seemed - confident? proud to work there? I don't want it to be a dog and pony show, but it was just odd. You get a feel for things. The principal was dressed very professionally, but I remember being slightly surprised at the way some of the other teachers presented themselves. Maybe it was the building, maybe it was the day, maybe it was the whole safety situation just being resolved, but the atmosphere felt so heavy. I would love to hear what you thought of the tour? We are very committed to multilingual instruction and are very much torn on whether to go down this path at Key or not.

Also would be curious if you are in a bilingual household already? The English speaking parents seem way more impressed but that is a generalization on my end

I posted above about having kids at Key & Gunston. We aren’t a bilingual household (sadly). You can always go back to your neighborhood school if you don’t like Key. So I suggest giving it a try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a previous thread on here about APS schools. I commented that one of the schools we had visited recently was Key Elementary, and that, while the idea of immersion was very interesting to us, we were torn after the tour. I posted about how I hear families rave about the community at that particular school, but that it did not come through during our brief visit. Someone snarked that I must have expected to see performing seals rather than a classroom. Has that been removed and if, so can someone clarify how / why? Are certain schools off limits here? This is the second time I ask about experiences at that particular option school and it's gone.

I wonder what made you think that? We toured and loved it. Hoping to get in.

There was a marked difference between the enthusiasm and just general attitude of the teachers in the classrooms that we observed. Everyone was just DRAGGING. We must have gone into 5 or 6 classrooms and it felt very odd. My main image of the tour was kids sitting on rugs staring outside, and the teachers going through the motions. Lots of ipads, headphones, kids being handed godlfish by the teacher and eating while working on the device (maybe they forgot their snack?).At the neighborhoold tour that we went to, the principal was there, the teachers seemed proud to be there (and energetic) and they just seemed - confident? proud to work there? I don't want it to be a dog and pony show, but it was just odd. You get a feel for things. The principal was dressed very professionally, but I remember being slightly surprised at the way some of the other teachers presented themselves. Maybe it was the building, maybe it was the day, maybe it was the whole safety situation just being resolved, but the atmosphere felt so heavy. I would love to hear what you thought of the tour? We are very committed to multilingual instruction and are very much torn on whether to go down this path at Key or not.

Also would be curious if you are in a bilingual household already? The English speaking parents seem way more impressed but that is a generalization on my end

I posted above about having kids at Key & Gunston. We aren’t a bilingual household (sadly). You can always go back to your neighborhood school if you don’t like Key. So I suggest giving it a try.

*to clarify, we weren’t a bilingual household in that the parents only speak English. The kids are bilingual/getting there.

[Anonymous]

Interesting you toured classrooms. I went to several option school and my neighborhood school open house about 5 years ago and everyone was just a meeting I’m the cafeteria or library. I wonder what changed.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t necessarily base this on a “tour.” But recognize that if immersion is not working for you, you should get out no later than second grade. Bailing on APS was one of the best calls we ever made.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t necessarily base this on a “tour.” But recognize that if immersion is not working for you, you should get out no later than second grade. Bailing on APS was one of the best calls we ever made.

If I may ask, where were you, where did you go, and what are the main differences? Thank you