trouble at the DC JCC again?

[Anonymous]

which teacher has the warmth of a stone? maybe i can avoid having my child placed there....

[Anonymous]

Warmth of stone? I doubt she is coming back, since only 3 of of ALL the teachers are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i have some concerns about the J. namely, there isn't currently anybody on the staff who is an expert in early-childhood. with the departure of the head teacher, there is essentially a knowledge/experience vacuum. you can't run a preschool of that size without having at one person who has formal education and training in EC education or philosophy. if the folks who run the J are smart, they will throw some money at this problem ASAP and make sure that they can put together a good offer to attract a qualified head teacher. otherwise, i don't know how they could even dare to charge what they do for tuition. what on earth are parents paying for?

Remember, though, some of the best preschool teachers don't have degrees. You don't need the paper to be fantastic with kids. There are people who have fancy early childhood degrees that don't know the first thing about working with children.

[Anonymous]

You are right. One teacher in my DC's classroom is staying on next year while the other is leaving. Both were excellent and we were lucky to have them. The other teachers, not so much. Hopefully this year things will be better with the new director...although she does not seem as engaging with the children as the last director (who was not engaging with the parents.) It's a trade off I guess.

[[e-mail]]

Hi everyone,
I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce myself to the discussion. My name is Sarah Rabin Spira, and I'm the Washington DCJCC Preschool Director.

I admit that the previous school year was a transitional year and certainly not the perfect experience that we're trying to provide. However, the children still thrived, and we took the time and opportunity to fix the mistakes.

First, I have hired a great team of teachers with experience and education in the early childhood field. We spent three intensive days training them to be equipped for the new school year. We are following up with additional monthly trainings and conferences to supplement their experience, and we do have a teacher mentor who is guiding the day-to-day experiences in the classroom.

Second, we created a strong Parent Steering Committee with representatives from each room. Their job is to provide the feedback and support to maintain the standards we have set for the school. We are complementing this with a Preschool Family Committee made up of all parents to give more opportunities to get involved.

Third, we are committed to excellent communication and have increased the number of ways to do so for parents, from regular parent meetings to individual emails for every teacher, and every opportunity in between.

If you speak to any of our returning preschool parents or teachers, they will answer enthusiastically that the difference between last year and this year is "night and day." We have had a "fantastic" start to our new school year, and I fully expect that we'll continue on this trajectory.

If you would like the opportunity to tour the school and see it for yourself, I am happy to schedule a tour Monday-Friday between 9:00 am and 12:30 pm. I can be reached at [phone] or [e-mail]

Take care,
Sarah

[Anonymous]

[e-mail] wrote:Hi everyone,
I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce myself to the discussion. My name is Sarah Rabin Spira, and I'm the Washington DCJCC Preschool Director.

I admit that the previous school year was a transitional year and certainly not the perfect experience that we're trying to provide. However, the children still thrived, and we took the time and opportunity to fix the mistakes.

First, I have hired a great team of teachers with experience and education in the early childhood field. We spent three intensive days training them to be equipped for the new school year. We are following up with additional monthly trainings and conferences to supplement their experience, and we do have a teacher mentor who is guiding the day-to-day experiences in the classroom.

Second, we created a strong Parent Steering Committee with representatives from each room. Their job is to provide the feedback and support to maintain the standards we have set for the school. We are complementing this with a Preschool Family Committee made up of all parents to give more opportunities to get involved.

Third, we are committed to excellent communication and have increased the number of ways to do so for parents, from regular parent meetings to individual emails for every teacher, and every opportunity in between.

If you speak to any of our returning preschool parents or teachers, they will answer enthusiastically that the difference between last year and this year is "night and day." We have had a "fantastic" start to our new school year, and I fully expect that we'll continue on this trajectory.

If you would like the opportunity to tour the school and see it for yourself, I am happy to schedule a tour Monday-Friday between 9:00 am and 12:30 pm. I can be reached at [phone] or [e-mail]

Take care,
Sarah

Hello Sarah,

Are you telling us that between the last week in August and this Second week in September, your program has improved so drastically that parents can see a "night and day" difference? If so, I do feel sorry for my child whose last month was August and did not see the benefit of your new and improved program. Perhaps the teacher/parent & student exodus would not have happened if this night and day change had been introduced sooner, such as when the former Director left last December.

I do wish you luck with your new program and sincerely hope these changes you finally made make a difference.

Former Parent

[Anonymous]

My daughter just started the DC JCC preschool this year and I am absolutely thrilled with her teachers, the classroom environment, Sarah's communications with the parents, the facilities.

The lack of outdoor space is tough but they are dealing with it pragmatically.

The preschool where we were last year was a mess. We left mostly because of concerns with a teacher's inappropriate behavior and the school's failure to address it, but it also became clear that the school was not putting any effort into providing interesting and stimulating things for the children to do.

The DC JCC is the opposite:

--classroom teachers have communicated more with me in the past two weeks than in the previous year at the other school
--director sends out regular communications
--classroom has interesting activities including a writing center where the kids have journals and stationery to write letters
--attention is individualized; I see my daughter being treated as one child who matters, not one of 10 children doing the same activity at any given time.

I second the statement that a specialized degree does not necessarily make the best teacher. Private school teachers are unlikely to have teacher certifications required for public school, but many are outstanding. I personally like that the staff at JCC is young and energetic.

I realize that there were issues during the transition and that we have not been there long.

From my perspective, the JCC is much better run than the last school, and is staffed by caring and friendly people.

My daughter really likes it there already, which is the ultimate test.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The response from current parents is comparing us to both the beginning of last year under my predecessor and some of the changes that it was not possible to make until the new school year.

Sometimes change has to happen at the beginning of the year with a fresh set of teachers and a fresh start to begin the year on the right foot with the right support. While I tried to fix many of the problems that I inherited, I couldn't get to all of them. Still, the second half of the year was a greatly improved from the first half. I feel fortunate to have the support of our parents, teachers and JCC staff to make it happen. There's a wonderful spirit of joy and motivation in an energizing environment we created. I invite you to visit and see for yourself!

Sarah

[Anonymous]

The preschool was so generous that they refused to donate any funds to the rebuilding of the park that they use everyday.

There are so many better schools out there then DCJCC - please do not settle for poor quality because you think it is better then what you have had in the past, or because a new persons has said there have been changes... it has a deep set culture that takes more than a week to change.

It is not an NAECY accredited school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The response from current parents is comparing us to both the beginning of last year under my predecessor and some of the changes that it was not possible to make until the new school year.

Sometimes change has to happen at the beginning of the year with a fresh set of teachers and a fresh start to begin the year on the right foot with the right support. While I tried to fix many of the problems that I inherited, I couldn't get to all of them. Still, the second half of the year was a greatly improved from the first half. I feel fortunate to have the support of our parents, teachers and JCC staff to make it happen. There's a wonderful spirit of joy and motivation in an energizing environment we created. I invite you to visit and see for yourself!

Sarah

"The response from current parents is comparing us to both the beginning of last year under my predecessor and some of the changes that it was not possible to make until the new school year."

Are you trying to tell people on this site that it was not possible to make ANY changes for nine months???

"Sometimes change has to happen at the beginning of the year with a fresh set of teachers and a fresh start to begin the year on the right foot with the right support."

You had to hire all these new teachers because a majority of your old teachers left.

"Still, the second half of the year was a greatly improved from the first half."

Really? Wow, I must have been in a fog for the second half of the year because I didn't see any changes....well, other than the fact that your teachers dropped out left and right. Then there was always those cheery reminders that you sent out on several occasions letting parents know were obligated to fulfill their tuition payments through the end of the school year because so many of us were displeased and wanted to pull our children from the school. Also, you state above that "Sometimes change has to happen at the beginning of the year." So which is it, did you make changes and "improve" or wait until the first week in September?

"I invite you to visit and see for yourself!"

Yes, I encourage prospective parents to visit during various times of the day where I found find very little learning going on and 90% free play.

Please do parents a favor and be honest. Tell them that the last year was a mess and you are trying to fix the past and then actually fix it.

[Anonymous]

I wanted to route for the JCC so badly, my child was there for more than a year, and I truly regret not searching sooner for somewhere better. It is a beautiful facility, year round.....but it is daycare, plain and simple. My child learned NOTHING, did the same activities day after day, and I can count on one hand the amount of times I said 'wow, that is a cool thing to do with kids". Once we moved on....I was completely blown away by the cool things my child experienced in a new setting. Things that are simple, but take planning and constant vigilance, and staff with ear;u childhood experience and lots of it My concerns (some which were serious developmental issues) were met with a blind eye, no understanding of the situation, and NO plan or solution to the problem.

People should know that much of the parents complaints were voiced in meetings not only with the Sarah the director, but also her higher ups...and it was no different than the politicians we are currently hearing empty promises from. They said what the parents wanted to hear month after month, and nothing ever changed!!!

[Anonymous]

Hi Sarah and other responders:

I am a current J parent and I was a parent last year. I just want to say to Sarah that I don't think this the best forum for her to be talking about the school and her efforts. I am sure you already realize this, Sarah, but due to the nature of a forum like this, you will be attacked. Some of it will be fair and some if it will not. Personally, I don't think you should open you youself up to anonymous criticism. I am not saying forums like this shouldn't exist. I think they serve an important function. But I am not convinced that they should serve as a means for any professional or formal communcations.

Sarah, the current parents at the school understand what is going on there and we understand all of the efforts. Interested parents should definitely do as you say--visit the school, talk with Sarah personally, let her connect you to some current parents.

If you were unhappy last year, that is understandable. If you took your child out of the school, that is certainly your perogative and good luck. For those of us still a part of the J community, let's not subject ourselves to demoralizing invective. I wouldn't want it to poison the new start we have this year. Let's have a little faith in the folks at the J. And let's talk about an environment where our children go every day with some respect and positivity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sarah, the current parents at the school understand what is going on there and we understand all of the efforts. Interested parents should definitely do as you say--visit the school, talk with Sarah personally, let her connect you to some current parents.

Do you speak for all the current parents? And if so, exactly how do you know that they all understand? Whoever you are, you certainly never approached me this past year to find out my feelings about the school, nor did you approach the other parents that I know who either pulled their children out or stuck around until the term was over in August as per their contract. The former parents here are just being honest about their experiences and I do believe it is very helpful for prospective parents to read threads like this - even if anonymous - to find out all the facts about a potential school selection that they might not hear about from a tour or meeting with Sarah. I honestly wish I found this website before I enrolled my child at the JCC.

With that said, I appreciate Sarah posting here, but do not sugar coat the past and claim to have made changes when those changes never occurred. Again, be honest with your schools shortcomings, detail what you plan to do to make some serious changes and then invite prospective parents to visit.

[Anonymous]

I am one of the teachers who left the J and took a teaching position at Temple Emmanuel and I am very surprised to see such negative information (inaccurate as well) being passed around by adults who for the most part I would consider intelligent individuals, if you can afford either of these programs you are most likely educated. I left for 2 reasons, one I needed to be making more money to afford my living expenses and two I was interested in having an outdoor space. After Madeline left last year, we all thought that the things lacking in her performance would change because of new leadership. In fact not much did and I can say that I do not believe it is because of the person in the position. Sarah, although young, is very energetic in this new role and has made many good decisions since she has been made director. The J has always had a high turn-over. It, like the city is a transitional stop for many people; Teachers, families and center employees. It is part of the dynamic of the urban setting and part of the reason they hire young teachers. However, to say that they do not have the credentials is false because every teacher at the J has a degree, some in education, others working on their masters and Ph.D.'s and the pay offered is higher than it has ever been. To say it is because it is a non-profit and Emmanuel has more affluent parents is bull. The parents at the J were just as well off, in some cases more. Half of Emmanuel's children are only half-day so are not paying full-day rates and we have a lot of stay-at-home moms. I recently visited the J and was very pleased with what I saw. It seems that there is even more documentation and Reggio inspired activities that are taking place, compared to last year. And I thought last years projects were great. The Art Specialist for the J who is working with school admin is very experienced in Reggio techniques and from what I see is helping to run an excellent program. And just to give out some facts with my opinion, many states are adopting the Reggio approach in their public educational programs and it is becoming the backbone to more structured programs being created. I don't think one is better than the other. It is not a competition between these two schools because they offer two very different things for Parents in two different cities. And the J did make counter offers to some of the teachers who were leaving, and only in some cases would not offer as much as elsewhere. Only they could explain why they did or did not. Also, there is no young assistant within the school who handles payroll, that is handled by the center's financial department. There is a director, a registrar and three staff members working as curriculum support. All well experienced in their rolls. That is more support than last year.
Parents should do their own research and learn about the Reggio approach before enrolling their child into a program and then complaining that nothing is happening at school simply because they do not understand the approach. I guarantee, there is never a time when "the kids spend all day playing with playdough etc." That is ridiculous! And as a teacher I can tell you that there are times when children get upset for reasons only important to them and will cry uncontrollably even though you have explained to them that they need to share, or use words instead of hitting and you just have to let them figure it out for themselves instead of coddling them as many parents would immediately do. So if you walk in and your child is crying in a corner, don't assume the teacher is neglecting your child. Children unaccustomed to hearing the word "no", often throw fits when they finally do. I loved every child that passed through my arms while at the J and now at Temple Emmanuel and kids can be difficult at times due to conflict with family dynamic and the reality of true social dynamic. That is the hardest challenge working with children at this age. I am not saying that was the case as exemplified above by a parent- but it is one possibility. And there are always two sides to every coin. In any event, I stand by both programs, both directors. I just chose the organization that better suited my personal needs.

[Anonymous]

I am a parent at the DCJCC and also a teacher (at another school) and have to say I am very happy with the JCC. I love their curriculum and the energy of the staff. My child is not only learning but is really enjoying the act of learning.
What I am most confused about is all the people that are upset with the DCJCC. Is there a perfect preschool out there? Or any school for that matter? In my mind every school is going to have its flaws and every school works through them. I don't think criticizing a preschool and/or its staff will accomplish anything. This forum to me, was always to discuss problems and create a solution. I have yet to find a solution in this discussion. I have only read constant criticism and rebuttals. I would like to read some solutions or problem solving methods to the JCC or any other matters. I keep thinking about what I learned in Preschool... "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all". May be a little harsh, but it makes sense. Good luck to all the parents out there and I hope this discussion turns into something positive instead of just bickering.