Creative Minds leadership?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:parent here- the school is wonderful and the teachers and admin staff really care about the kids. Golnar does too, however there have been concerns regarding her treatment of her staff and overall ability to communicate with parents. All schools have something, and I would take CM over any other public school option in the city- at least for my DD.

Another parent here - I've never heard this about her.

I find her very responsive to any issue I pose to her about my child and the school. If you email her directly, she always responds quickly - and we receive tons of communication from the school.

CMI parent here- lots of communication from the school. Golnar is very quick to respond to parents as well. However the teachers, who are excellent (and hired by Golnar) seem to have expressed concerns with the internal communication. So far we have not had a lot of turnover of teacher- but my fear is that this could happen and only be harmful to the school.

Thank you for clarifying. Some of your fellow CM parents are acting like it's not possible to both love the school and have concerns. Every school, even the absolute best, have things that don't work for all families or all staff. I am immediately wary when all I hear is glowing reports and criticism of any negative reports because "They must not really go to our school".

Or maybe we don't have concerns.

That's fine, that's not my point. It's the "We don't have concerns and anyone who does must not actually go to the school or is making it up", which was said twice upthread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:parent here- the school is wonderful and the teachers and admin staff really care about the kids. Golnar does too, however there have been concerns regarding her treatment of her staff and overall ability to communicate with parents. All schools have something, and I would take CM over any other public school option in the city- at least for my DD.

Another parent here - I've never heard this about her.

I find her very responsive to any issue I pose to her about my child and the school. If you email her directly, she always responds quickly - and we receive tons of communication from the school.

CMI parent here- lots of communication from the school. Golnar is very quick to respond to parents as well. However the teachers, who are excellent (and hired by Golnar) seem to have expressed concerns with the internal communication. So far we have not had a lot of turnover of teacher- but my fear is that this could happen and only be harmful to the school.

Thank you for clarifying. Some of your fellow CM parents are acting like it's not possible to both love the school and have concerns. Every school, even the absolute best, have things that don't work for all families or all staff. I am immediately wary when all I hear is glowing reports and criticism of any negative reports because "They must not really go to our school".

Or maybe we don't have concerns.

That's fine, that's not my point. It's the "We don't have concerns and anyone who does must not actually go to the school or is making it up", which was said twice upthread.

Here is the actual quote:

That's what I love most about it. It's not full of the other BS some of the schools in DC are. It's a small school and a very close family vibe to it. Most of the stuff I read on DCUM are obviously from people who are not from the school.

I don't think what you typed was the same.

[Anonymous]

These quotes do make the PPs point a fair conclusion:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That's what I love most about it. It's not full of the other BS some of the schools in DC are. It's a small school and a very close family vibe to it. Most of the stuff I read on DCUM are obviously from people who are not from the school.[/quote]

Totally agree. I sometimes laugh at some of the comments made about the school by people who are obviously not part of the school community. I think to myself, "Where did you get this BS from?"

That sounds like anyone saying something negative is full of BS or the poster isn't really a CM parent. That is what these quotes say.

[Anonymous]

Oops, that last quote was the rest of my new post

[Anonymous]

The school is able to keep class size under 15 kids by hiring young teachers w little experience. There are positives and negatives to this structure.

[Anonymous]

First thing, overall CMI is an excellent school. We got in the first year and feel very lucky. It really has been a godsend for my family.

Second thing, there has been ongoing uncertainty with the lease and the school may be moving, which has created a lot of concern for parents who have organized their lives and/or routines around the school's current location. Communication from the administration on this point has been inadequate and also frustrating to some of the parents (not me) who know a lot about real estate and have tried to help but not found a receptive administration.

Third thing, the school is so in demand it can survive an inadequately consulted move, if it happens, but I bet a number of families will peel off in search of other options. But that's life in the DC Charter School circus. I think the school will still be a great choice for many parents and kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First thing, overall CMI is an excellent school. We got in the first year and feel very lucky. It really has been a godsend for my family.

Second thing, there has been ongoing uncertainty with the lease and the school may be moving, which has created a lot of concern for parents who have organized their lives and/or routines around the school's current location. Communication from the administration on this point has been inadequate and also frustrating to some of the parents (not me) who know a lot about real estate and have tried to help but not found a receptive administration.

Third thing, the school is so in demand it can survive an inadequately consulted move, if it happens, but I bet a number of families will peel off in search of other options. But that's life in the DC Charter School circus. I think the school will still be a great choice for many parents and kids.

I think Golnar is in a bind between a horrible landlord (no school has been able to stay in this space). Personally, I think CMI is really putting to much stock in staying in this space because one or two very vocal parents live near to the school. I don't care where we move - and would like to move to a space that had more outdoor greenspace.

I do hope not to many families leave, because as a small school it is a great family dynamic. I hope that doesn't change.

[Anonymous]

PP,
I agree with everything you've said. We're in our 2nd year at the school and our children are thriving. We are in for the long haul.

[Anonymous]

Not. CM parent, but given how happy most CM parents seem to be with the school, CM really should not fear moving. They will lose some parents, but given the realities of finding a new good or great public school in DC, how many parents could CM really lose?

[Anonymous]

This thread is turning into something different- CM moving vs CM leadership, in particular Golanr.

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking that as a principal, it's nearly impossible to provide communication regarding a possible move that parents find "adequate" -- I see pretty much the same statement about every charter school every year that moving becomes an issue. It seems to me the problem is that when the school is negotiating with various entities, they aren't in a position to provide parents with any realy clarity about the situation. Thus far, the principal has publicly stated:

(1) They are trying to negotiate a 3 year lease for the current space
(2) They are also looking at 2-3 other spaces in Wards 1, 4, and 5 in NW DC
(3) They are not in the position to identify the spaces by name b/c some of them are potential spaces that are not currently on the radar of other schools and potential renters
(4) They will let parents know the final location as soon as possible and are committed to bringing this search to a conflusion before the March enrollment deadline.

I'm a CM parent and I fully realize that we'd like more information and that folks are frustrated b/c they feel like they may have to play the lottery again just in case the school winds up in a place that is not workable for them. I totally get it -- the lottery sucks. Uncertainty sucks. At the same time, this is what we signed up for when we chose to send our kids to a new charter. It goes with the territory.

[Anonymous]

I completely agree with 12:21

One of the things you sign up for at a charter school (and a new charter school) is a little bit less of the stability and certainty that you would get at a DCPS neighborhood school. You may have to take a bit of a gamble on your school space.

I think Golnar is doing the best she can keeping the parents informed. I also think it's smart not to tip her hand with the space negotiations, because if she did - then parents like us would spill the beans on DCUM and if she IS trying to negotiate a deal with the landlord for space, I'm sure us parents are the worst secret keepers ever.

Just my thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is turning into something different- CM moving vs CM leadership, in particular Golanr.

Considering this is the first time I've EVER seen the parents of CMI sharing on DCUM....don't stop!

[Anonymous]

Golnar is a very strong Principal. Let her continue to do her job and support her! She and CM has been so much better than our crappy IB DCPS. We are grateful beyond measure. And, I do hope the school moves so they can have more room both inside and out. The playground they have now is not so good. I'm hoping for my kids to have more room to play as that is important in these early years. We will figure out a way to get them there wherever it is that they go!!!

[Anonymous]

PP, a school is not fantastic just because it is better than a terrible one you were at previously. Parents have the right to high expectations.