Culture at Carson vs. Franklin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the math 7 honors teachers at Franklin announced to the class there would be no retakes on this latest math test (taken just this Monday) because it’s too close to the end of the quarter. That is complete bs and against policy. We also use a rolling gradebook so that does not matter one bit. These are the kind of teachers I am talking about at Franklin.

Another teacher responded to my child, “what do you want me to do,” when my child told them about a technological issue they were having. Finally, kids aren’t allowed to take their composition notebooks home to study for quizzes and tests. They must stay in the classroom.

Does this make sense??

My kid has experienced the exact opposite of this at Franklin. Our kids must not have the same teachers.

-- My child has a binder for most classes.

-- She has a huge number of notes, annotated texts, teacher notes, and other resources for studying.

-- The teachers are extremely clear about retakes. Most of them post the retake procedures in Schoology after every quiz or test so the students remember how each class handles retakes.

-- The ELA teacher updated Schoology with very clear instructions about how to retake an essay that was due last week. She also left very detailed feedback to help my child understand how to fix the essay.

-- The Math 7 Honors teacher is one of the best communicators I've seen. She answers every question very quickly, both for kids and parents.

-- My child's teachers have bent over backwards to help her with technology issues.

Lucky you! I have spoken to multiple parents who have this math teacher and everyone agrees with me.

[Anonymous]

I have an AAP boy at Carson. He only knows of two fights all year, one between girls and one between boys - both non-AAP kids. Apparently Franklin is known for having more fights, at least among the Carson kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI, Franklin sent out yet another notice of two incidents involving racial slurs.

This is helpful as a future Franklin or Carson parent (we are undecided and not even sure if this will be a choice when centers are dismantled). I have found that when these letters are sent out, they show a responsive principal or VP. It’s when I hear reports from students and then don’t see the letters acknowledging reality and a commitment to working on community that I begin to worry.

I agree. I appreciate the transparency and proactive approach of Franklin's current administration.

As a Franklin parent, +1 and the teachers are good

[Anonymous]

The Carson teachers, simply put, know how to work with all types of kids, including 2e. They know how to handle 504s well. They use best practice. They are good. The kids even like the electives teachers.

[Anonymous]

Another notice just went out about racial slurs at Franklin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Carson teachers, simply put, know how to work with all types of kids, including 2e. They know how to handle 504s well. They use best practice. They are good. The kids even like the electives teachers.

Yet again, a statement that applies to many teachers at every school across the county. This isn't unique to Carson nor to Franklin. There are excellent teachers at every school, including tons who work very well with 2e kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Carson teachers, simply put, know how to work with all types of kids, including 2e. They know how to handle 504s well. They use best practice. They are good. The kids even like the electives teachers.

Yet again, a statement that applies to many teachers at every school across the county. This isn't unique to Carson nor to Franklin. There are excellent teachers at every school, including tons who work very well with 2e kids.

Then to all the specific posts praising the Franklin teachers too. I notice you signal out the Carson posts only with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Carson teachers, simply put, know how to work with all types of kids, including 2e. They know how to handle 504s well. They use best practice. They are good. The kids even like the electives teachers.

Yet again, a statement that applies to many teachers at every school across the county. This isn't unique to Carson nor to Franklin. There are excellent teachers at every school, including tons who work very well with 2e kids.

Well tell that to the OP who started this thread degrading Carson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Carson teachers, simply put, know how to work with all types of kids, including 2e. They know how to handle 504s well. They use best practice. They are good. The kids even like the electives teachers.

Yet again, a statement that applies to many teachers at every school across the county. This isn't unique to Carson nor to Franklin. There are excellent teachers at every school, including tons who work very well with 2e kids.

Then to all the specific posts praising the Franklin teachers too. I notice you signal out the Carson posts only with this.

No, I have responded to threads, responses, and posts similar to this one about no fewer than five different middle schools. I say the same thing when people debate about whether the teachers are "better" at X School, Y School, or Z School.

If it makes you feel less sensitive and personally attacked, however, I will say it here. Franklin's teachers are no better than Kilmer's.
Kilmer's teachers are no better than Thoreau's.
Thoreau's teachers are no better than Lake Braddock's.
Lake Braddock's teachers are no better than South County's.
South County's teachers are no better than Rocky Run's.
Rocky Run's teachers are no better than Frost's.
Do you understand the pattern here?

NO school has better teachers than any other school.

EVERY school has teachers whose style works best for certain students.

EVERY school has teachers whose style doesn't work well for certain students.

[Anonymous]

We love Carson - our child is having the best time in middle school which goes against eveything we ever hear about middle school (middle school is the worst time of their lives apparently). Our child is thriving, has lots of friends, and is enjoying the after school program. We love the staff, too!

[Anonymous]

Well my kid told me about a boy who threw food at a girl and the girl shoved him to the ground at lunch today at Carson. I'm okay with this kind of fight, LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well my kid told me about a boy who threw food at a girl and the girl shoved him to the ground at lunch today at Carson. I'm okay with this kind of fight, LOL!

This made my day. Here the boys take note. Maybe this is exactly what Carson needs to change the toxic tide.

[Anonymous]

OP: Both are good schools. There are kids who will have negative experiences at both schools, whether it is poor teachers or negative interactions with some students. The majority of kids will have a good experience or, at worst, a neutral experience.

My sons experience, and his friends experience, has been positive. Obviously there are kids who have had or are having negative experiences, that sucks but it is pretty normal in the grand scheme of things.

Your kid will be fine at either school. Given that there is going to be a huge shift in HSs, I would look at what HS your child is likely to be attending and choose the school that sends kids to that HS. If your kid is going to end up at Chantilly or Westfield, I would not go to Carson. Most of the kids at Carson are going to end up at the new school. Moving to HS with a group of kids that you know is important. Academically, your child will get a strong education at either Franklin or Carson.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an AAP boy at Carson. He only knows of two fights all year, one between girls and one between boys - both non-AAP kids. Apparently Franklin is known for having more fights, at least among the Carson kids.

This thread has devolved into people just making things up. Can we all agree that both of these are excellent FCPS schools and you could do far worse elsewhere in the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Both are good schools. There are kids who will have negative experiences at both schools, whether it is poor teachers or negative interactions with some students. The majority of kids will have a good experience or, at worst, a neutral experience.

My sons experience, and his friends experience, has been positive. Obviously there are kids who have had or are having negative experiences, that sucks but it is pretty normal in the grand scheme of things.

Your kid will be fine at either school. Given that there is going to be a huge shift in HSs, I would look at what HS your child is likely to be attending and choose the school that sends kids to that HS. If your kid is going to end up at Chantilly or Westfield, I would not go to Carson. Most of the kids at Carson are going to end up at the new school. Moving to HS with a group of kids that you know is important. Academically, your child will get a strong education at either Franklin or Carson.

Good luck.

+1