Latin Cooper parents

[Anonymous]

Hi Latin Cooper parents,

New Cooper family here. I have a bunch of both logistical (has anyone else had trouble getting uniform sweatshirts? and social (what's the deal with lunch clubs?) questions but nowhere to ask. I appreciate the info sessions the principal holds - she does a great job - but there are things I'd like to talk to other parents about. We just haven't had much luck meeting other families and, while my kid is doing well, we feel pretty isolated. I'd love to feel like we were more a part of the school community. Are there any venues in person or virtually where Cooper parents can talk to each other? A FB group, an email list, an open FTA meeting - anything of that sort?

[Anonymous]

Did you just get admitted?

[Anonymous]

Latin 2nd St parent of a MS student: I can only speak to my experience, but I've found the parent interaction very minimal. I interact with parents of my DS friends on an occasional basis, but it's more just to arrange logistics. But my son is pretty independent and largely drives his own social life (I just provide transportation).
As an introvert, I'm relieved and really enjoying this development stage where I can dial back my involvement. I never really understood (nor needed) the excessive emphasis on parent community in elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi Latin Cooper parents,

New Cooper family here. I have a bunch of both logistical (has anyone else had trouble getting uniform sweatshirts? and social (what's the deal with lunch clubs?) questions but nowhere to ask. I appreciate the info sessions the principal holds - she does a great job - but there are things I'd like to talk to other parents about. We just haven't had much luck meeting other families and, while my kid is doing well, we feel pretty isolated. I'd love to feel like we were more a part of the school community. Are there any venues in person or virtually where Cooper parents can talk to each other? A FB group, an email list, an open FTA meeting - anything of that sort?

Have you tried asking the principal to tell you where you should direct these types of questions?

[Anonymous]

The Cooper 6th grade has a listserve or something but that was just started by a parent.

I'm not sure of your child's grade, but maybe grab the bull by the horns and start whatever you like.

But I agree with the prior poster, it's not like parental involvement at the elementary level.

[Anonymous]

There is also a cap hill families listserv that was started by families. If you reach out to the Latin communications director she could get you connected. Most of the exchanges are general school stuff and not really specific to the neighborhood. It was started after the lottery for Cooper’s first year when people in the local elementary schools who were going to Cooper connected via word of mouth

Also this coming Tuesday, there is an in person families meeting at Cooper for current families to learn about 8th grade and high school class options. There are a bunch of other events during the year including the fundraising parties in the Spring.

The parent teacher group at Cooper still getting itself together but there is an email on the webpage where you can reach out if you want to volunteer and connect.

[Anonymous]

There was a FB group started for kids who were in 6th grade last year, for both Latin campuses (Washington Latin, class of 2030). It was my impression that someone starts one for every new grade, so search on FB. I have to say, though, that it's been pretty dormant.

Not much parent interaction happening this year, last year we gave it more effort because it was a brand-new school.

There'll be fundraising parties again in the spring, so that may be another way of meeting other parents. Or you can try your neighborhood listserv to see if there are Cooper parents who are local to you.

[Anonymous]

My kids are at 2nd Street—almost done 😫—and their friends’ parents have filled those gaps for me. I’d try to get a group chat started with the parents you know best (even if that isn’t all that well) and then ask your questions there.

Also, you sound like someone who already does this, but be sure to read Legenda every week!

[Anonymous]

Oh, and to answer OP's original questions, the hoodies have been discontinued. You can try the used uniform sale at the beginning of the year, though.

Lunch clubs: up to the kids. I know there is a chess club on Thursdays.

[Anonymous]

Echoing the recommendation to ask Cooper's director of communications to put you in touch with the Cap Hill listserve. It's usually fairly quiet and friendly, and those parents can definitely help you out. (For sweatshirts my family likes G-Land - definitely less expensive than Land's End, even if you have to pay for shipping.)

I have to admit that even though it's my kid's second year at Cooper, I'm still not sure about the lunch clubs. But if there are specific ones your kid is interested in and knows which teacher is in charge/sponsoring, you could probably reach out to the teacher directly with any questions.

[Anonymous]

You can also just order and pick up at G Land in Georgetown.

[Anonymous]

Word of caution. .. if informal parent list serves, try to be a reasonable voice and don't crossover and try to involve faculty or admin. You probably know this already, but from multiple experience I've seen that they can (don't have to) quickly become gripe / vent fests without much respect for boundaries and not really serve anyone... maybe start with some ground rules and just keep them productive , as you say to meet people and basic info share... You can always gripe in person to your friends - doesn't need to be every parent. When we were a Latin family (I was looking for some other info and opened this thread from curiosity) we went to events, volunteered (including for class and PA stuff), and even started some stuff that didn't exist. I say this as someone who didn't have a lot of time, but like OP, it was important to me to know the families my kid was with and contribute generally to my kid's school. OP, maybe ask the principal how to get involved or what has worked in the past to connect and create community that you could participate in, contribute to or found. Im sure COVID put a damper on things, as it did every school, and some stuff needs to be resuscitated or introduce. Hope both Latin 1 and now 2 are doing well. Has its quirks , but Latin is great l!

[Anonymous]

Parent of a student at 2nd street: do you have Grade Reps at Cooper? That's where a lot of our social interactions come from. Basically one or two parents volunteer to send out an email every couple of weeks, making sure parents are in the loop about things, but also to schedule socials for the families. So kids come and do their thing, like ice skating, and parents mingle and chat. Sometimes it's a potluck at a park, sometimes it's meeting at a public pool. But it's driven by the parents, not the school. And lunch clubs are exclusively kid driven and communicated. Parents don't get involved with that. It's Latin saying "Your kid needs to advocate for themselves" which they do a lot of. Echoing the need to read the weekly Legenda too. Show up to sporting and theater events. You will meed people that way too. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a student at 2nd street: do you have Grade Reps at Cooper? That's where a lot of our social interactions come from. Basically one or two parents volunteer to send out an email every couple of weeks, making sure parents are in the loop about things, but also to schedule socials for the families. So kids come and do their thing, like ice skating, and parents mingle and chat. Sometimes it's a potluck at a park, sometimes it's meeting at a public pool. But it's driven by the parents, not the school. And lunch clubs are exclusively kid driven and communicated. Parents don't get involved with that. It's Latin saying "Your kid needs to advocate for themselves" which they do a lot of. Echoing the need to read the weekly Legenda too. Show up to sporting and theater events. You will meed people that way too. Good luck!

Don't know about the other grades, but 6th grade at Cooper hasn't had any events like that this year. Last year there were a couple, I believe.