Parents of current DC PS3 - are you applying in lotteries again this year?
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Anonymous
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In response to questions about those who stuck it out and what the benefit might be: We've stuck it out in an ES all the way (currently 4th), with years that included a formative period, a interim principal, and two years with not such a great teacher. From our child's point of view, the benefit was continuity and commitment, with pretty much all the classmates still there because we kept each other on board. That means meaningful connections all around, which I think significantly accounts for our child's academic success. Our children by enlarge know the teachers they'll have and thereby get a head start on their next year. Indeed, it looks like all the classmates who've been at this school (whatever their IB/OOB status and, to the extent I can tell, their SES) since Kindergarten or earlier do well academically. Those who don't typically joined later or left and then came back. For us parents, it has meant some institutional knowledge that surpasses that of many parents and therefore here and there some say constant newcomers don't get. Also, the many hours others spend touring schools again and again, fretting over lottery results, then pondering and second-guessing, we spent at the beach and then preparing for school, having classmates and parents over for a summer get-together here and there, just plain relaxing.
I think school is a little like a second home, especially for children, but also for adults to some degree. So switching school is for them like moving once a year, not something that is beneficial I don't think. |
Anonymous
| This thread proves my suspicion that people who choose DCPS ps-3 are really trying to score free daycare and not an education/school/community. |
Anonymous
| I will likely apply to a couple, but as of now, I would like my child to stay at her current charter. As someone else mentioned, it is very easy to apply and then turn down the spot. The year is long, however, so it is hard to tell exactly what the situation will be with the current school in a few months. Even though I may end up going elsewhere, I did not choose the current preschool for free daycare. In fact, I don't think that there was any savings at all when lunches, afterschools, camps, and donations are taken into account. It is about trying to find a good fit as early as possible and not taking too many risks. |
Anonymous
Well, while it may be free daycare, it also is very early to KNOW with certainty what will be a lasting match for a 3 year old. I have no problem with parents trying on a preschool for size and then deciding for whatever reason (commute, the community, etc.) they want to switch. |
Anonymous
| Or me. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
Not sure where you get that impression from. We'd be facing the same decisions even if the first year of school offered was K. If DC is going to offer "school choice," then you have to expect people to do some shifting around. |
Anonymous
Only if you don't get into a good program. We were fortunate to get into a great elementary program, and have no intention of leaving. Others who didn't get a top choice, however, do want to move. |
Anonymous
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PP who will enter lotteries again here. As to why:
1. We are at one of the hot new charters. We LOVE it but it seems prudent to hedge our bets as the school year unfolds along with new location unknowns etc. 2. This is definitely not free daycare. Aftercare, PD days, winter break (hard to find for 3 yo's!) are adding up for sure -- before I get to summer camp. And more stressful than daycare. Worth it, because our kid is thriving. But harder on working parents than daycare. |
Anonymous
This PP is so tedious. I wish the "free day care" accusers would go away. You're just trying to bully and shame people into drying out of the lottery. Begone. |
Anonymous
| I love a lot of things about our east of the park school, affordable real estate and proximity being a huge plus. We would stop applying for lotteries if our school could commit to foreign language instruction through grade 4 (not even immersion, just a weekly class or aftercare offering.) Also seeing foul graffitti, hearing bad language and some racist (or is that reverse racist?) comments and attitudes among some (not many) parents and older siblings. I don't use the n-word, I would appreciate not having to hear it used on the playground. |
Anonymous
It's true though. If it's so bad you need to leave, then why'd you go there in the first place? I know why. |
Anonymous
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Wait, am I supposed to be ashamed of wanting free daycare?
My child is in PreK. She could have stayed at lasy year's spendy private preschool for another year, but hells yeah, we wanted to save the money. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much she's learning. The private preschool was "play based". Lovely, warm, nurturing environment... zero educational benefit. This year, she comes home every single day knowing something of value that I didn't teach her. Win win. |