Beauvoir v. NPS—please compare the communities

[Anonymous]

BVR only gave PK students an assigned iPad so they would be prepared for remote learning if/when needed during the pandemic. My older child never had an assigned iPad in PK before the pandemic, although they were occasionally used and shared in class. It is not tied to their hips during the day but I am grateful as a parent that my child was acclimated enough and did not seem frustrated when they had to learn from home (last year). Not sure how it is being used this year but the last thing I would want as a parent is for my child to be frustrated in a virtual setting and need me for every move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BVR only gave PK students an assigned iPad so they would be prepared for remote learning if/when needed during the pandemic. My older child never had an assigned iPad in PK before the pandemic, although they were occasionally used and shared in class. It is not tied to their hips during the day but I am grateful as a parent that my child was acclimated enough and did not seem frustrated when they had to learn from home (last year). Not sure how it is being used this year but the last thing I would want as a parent is for my child to be frustrated in a virtual setting and need me for every move.

Ummm.. we’re talking about 4 and 5 year olds, not middle schoolers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When? The only teacher that left this year was the kindergarten assistant teacher. There is no MASS exodus. Yes teachers have left but not in the masses. Their program and curriculum does not skip a beat.

The drama teacher left this year too. Last year the lower school division director, the CEO, director of technology, director of operations, director of communications, director of diversity, school nurse, upper school spanish, lower school spanish, upper school art teacher, lower school art teacher, reading specialist, several teachers (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 1st) and I don't know how many assistant teachers. And I am sure I am forgetting people. It is not a big school. It was a large percentage of their staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m struck by the difference in tech philosophy, with NPS being totally tech-free nursery through 1st or 2nd and BVR giving every prek 4 student an iPad. Is this reflective of something else about the programs? Is NPS more nurturing or traditional or is this part of BVR being better prepared for all eventualities? (I would prefer low-tech at every juncture but don’t want to read too much into it)

LOL. I don't want to read to much into it, but it must mean that BVR is not nurturing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When? The only teacher that left this year was the kindergarten assistant teacher. There is no MASS exodus. Yes teachers have left but not in the masses. Their program and curriculum does not skip a beat.

The drama teacher left this year too. Last year the lower school division director, the CEO, director of technology, director of operations, director of communications, director of diversity, school nurse, upper school spanish, lower school spanish, upper school art teacher, lower school art teacher, reading specialist, several teachers (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 1st) and I don't know how many assistant teachers. And I am sure I am forgetting people. It is not a big school. It was a large percentage of their staff.

This explains a lot! NPS is having issues this year and teachers seem to be part of the problem. It’s not the nurturing community it used to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BVR only gave PK students an assigned iPad so they would be prepared for remote learning if/when needed during the pandemic. My older child never had an assigned iPad in PK before the pandemic, although they were occasionally used and shared in class. It is not tied to their hips during the day but I am grateful as a parent that my child was acclimated enough and did not seem frustrated when they had to learn from home (last year). Not sure how it is being used this year but the last thing I would want as a parent is for my child to be frustrated in a virtual setting and need me for every move.

Ummm.. we’re talking about 4 and 5 year olds, not middle schoolers.

Yes - and you would be the first one screaming with frustration when your 4 year old was home for the week and not in school, upset b/c s/he could not keep up with the class and you couldn't help b/c you were not familiar with the virtual platforms either. Relax why don't you? The wee ones need some practice in order to feel comfortable and facile with it - at least mine did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When? The only teacher that left this year was the kindergarten assistant teacher. There is no MASS exodus. Yes teachers have left but not in the masses. Their program and curriculum does not skip a beat.

The drama teacher left this year too. Last year the lower school division director, the CEO, director of technology, director of operations, director of communications, director of diversity, school nurse, upper school spanish, lower school spanish, upper school art teacher, lower school art teacher, reading specialist, several teachers (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 1st) and I don't know how many assistant teachers. And I am sure I am forgetting people. It is not a big school. It was a large percentage of their staff.

It is COVID era and the school leadership has been stable, so I wouldn't read too much into the higher-than-usual turnover.
For example, I know one teacher who left in 2020/21 made the decision solely based on COVID situation -- the resumption of in-person learning prompted the retirement decision. I think it is nobody's fault and it is not unique to NPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When? The only teacher that left this year was the kindergarten assistant teacher. There is no MASS exodus. Yes teachers have left but not in the masses. Their program and curriculum does not skip a beat.

The drama teacher left this year too. Last year the lower school division director, the CEO, director of technology, director of operations, director of communications, director of diversity, school nurse, upper school spanish, lower school spanish, upper school art teacher, lower school art teacher, reading specialist, several teachers (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 1st) and I don't know how many assistant teachers. And I am sure I am forgetting people. It is not a big school. It was a large percentage of their staff.

It is COVID era and the school leadership has been stable, so I wouldn't read too much into the higher-than-usual turnover.
For example, I know one teacher who left in 2020/21 made the decision solely based on COVID situation -- the resumption of in-person learning prompted the retirement decision. I think it is nobody's fault and it is not unique to NPS.

The issue is not why they left. We know teachers are quitting due to Covid. The issue is whether they were able to hire quality teachers to replace them and/or did they give training. You can’t just bring in that many new teachers and think the culture will magically be the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When? The only teacher that left this year was the kindergarten assistant teacher. There is no MASS exodus. Yes teachers have left but not in the masses. Their program and curriculum does not skip a beat.

The drama teacher left this year too. Last year the lower school division director, the CEO, director of technology, director of operations, director of communications, director of diversity, school nurse, upper school spanish, lower school spanish, upper school art teacher, lower school art teacher, reading specialist, several teachers (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 1st) and I don't know how many assistant teachers. And I am sure I am forgetting people. It is not a big school. It was a large percentage of their staff.

It is COVID era and the school leadership has been stable, so I wouldn't read too much into the higher-than-usual turnover.
For example, I know one teacher who left in 2020/21 made the decision solely based on COVID situation -- the resumption of in-person learning prompted the retirement decision. I think it is nobody's fault and it is not unique to NPS.

The issue is not why they left. We know teachers are quitting due to Covid. The issue is whether they were able to hire quality teachers to replace them and/or did they give training. You can’t just bring in that many new teachers and think the culture will magically be the same.

Isn't the "great resignation" happening in almost every corner? Everyone hopes the turnover can be lower, but I am sympathetic to the school(s).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When? The only teacher that left this year was the kindergarten assistant teacher. There is no MASS exodus. Yes teachers have left but not in the masses. Their program and curriculum does not skip a beat.

The drama teacher left this year too. Last year the lower school division director, the CEO, director of technology, director of operations, director of communications, director of diversity, school nurse, upper school spanish, lower school spanish, upper school art teacher, lower school art teacher, reading specialist, several teachers (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 1st) and I don't know how many assistant teachers. And I am sure I am forgetting people. It is not a big school. It was a large percentage of their staff.

It is COVID era and the school leadership has been stable, so I wouldn't read too much into the higher-than-usual turnover.
For example, I know one teacher who left in 2020/21 made the decision solely based on COVID situation -- the resumption of in-person learning prompted the retirement decision. I think it is nobody's fault and it is not unique to NPS.

Only 2 or 3 retired, the rest took jobs in local independent schools. They weren't trying to get away from teaching.

And how has school leadership been stable? look at that list, how many have director in front of their name?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m struck by the difference in tech philosophy, with NPS being totally tech-free nursery through 1st or 2nd and BVR giving every prek 4 student an iPad. Is this reflective of something else about the programs? Is NPS more nurturing or traditional or is this part of BVR being better prepared for all eventualities? (I would prefer low-tech at every juncture but don’t want to read too much into it)

Pre-K 4 kids get iPads? Holy moly. That would be a total non-starter for me.

Yep! Current BVR parent. Not my favorite thing but yes and they spend a lot of time on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BVR only gave PK students an assigned iPad so they would be prepared for remote learning if/when needed during the pandemic. My older child never had an assigned iPad in PK before the pandemic, although they were occasionally used and shared in class. It is not tied to their hips during the day but I am grateful as a parent that my child was acclimated enough and did not seem frustrated when they had to learn from home (last year). Not sure how it is being used this year but the last thing I would want as a parent is for my child to be frustrated in a virtual setting and need me for every move.

Not true. I have a current PreK student at BVR, we have been in person and they have iPads and they use them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When? The only teacher that left this year was the kindergarten assistant teacher. There is no MASS exodus. Yes teachers have left but not in the masses. Their program and curriculum does not skip a beat.

The drama teacher left this year too. Last year the lower school division director, the CEO, director of technology, director of operations, director of communications, director of diversity, school nurse, upper school spanish, lower school spanish, upper school art teacher, lower school art teacher, reading specialist, several teachers (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 1st) and I don't know how many assistant teachers. And I am sure I am forgetting people. It is not a big school. It was a large percentage of their staff.

It is COVID era and the school leadership has been stable, so I wouldn't read too much into the higher-than-usual turnover.
For example, I know one teacher who left in 2020/21 made the decision solely based on COVID situation -- the resumption of in-person learning prompted the retirement decision. I think it is nobody's fault and it is not unique to NPS.

The issue is not why they left. We know teachers are quitting due to Covid. The issue is whether they were able to hire quality teachers to replace them and/or did they give training. You can’t just bring in that many new teachers and think the culture will magically be the same.

Isn't the "great resignation" happening in almost every corner? Everyone hopes the turnover can be lower, but I am sympathetic to the school(s).

Exactly! You can go to NAIS website and see all the openings at many schools. They still have teachers who have been there forever and also new teachers that fit right in.

[Anonymous]

OP checking back in. Thank you to PPs for so much helpful, recent info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BVR only gave PK students an assigned iPad so they would be prepared for remote learning if/when needed during the pandemic. My older child never had an assigned iPad in PK before the pandemic, although they were occasionally used and shared in class. It is not tied to their hips during the day but I am grateful as a parent that my child was acclimated enough and did not seem frustrated when they had to learn from home (last year). Not sure how it is being used this year but the last thing I would want as a parent is for my child to be frustrated in a virtual setting and need me for every move.

Not true. I have a current PreK student at BVR, we have been in person and they have iPads and they use them.

Honestly, how do you feel about that, PP?