do you like your DCPS that isn't "highly regarded" on DCUM?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighborhood DCPS is Amidon-Bowen. I don't have a school-aged kid but there are very good art and music teachers, the library is nice, and they use Tools of the Mind for early childhood. The younger classes are fairly diverse and small and all have a teacher and an aide, who seem lovely. I like the bulletin boards outside of the classrooms and the stuff I can see they're doing from them (projects, family potlucks, field trips) look good--they have a facebook page with some pictures too. There is a nice playground and some sports programs, though teams are for the older kids. The school is friendly to working parents in that it has an extended day, free aftercare, and is near several metro and bus lines (Waterfront, Federal Center SW, and L'Enfant Plaza are closest, in that order).

There is guaranteed PK for in-bounds families next year but I think that with Appletree and now Van Ness nearby and test scores fairly low there might still be some spaces for OOB kids (the school is over 80% in-bounds now). They are having open houses at 9am the 3rd Monday of each month, so the next one is 12/15.

Free aftercare? That's awesome. Are people pleased with the program?

When 97% of the kids are farms, yes.... Just like they all get free lunch as well...

[Anonymous]

we are very happy with Cleveland. Daughter joined in k this year and got in off the waitlist for the dual language spanish program. A "diamond in the rough" for many years, with nevertheless strong test scores and awardwinning teachers. Plase to send younger daughter there for ps3. English track is great too. A new PTa hopes to increase parent and community engagement.
Join us!

[Anonymous]

Im the one who posted about Cleveland. Just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of those championing their less well known or regarded neighborhood schools. If more of us did that, we'd have many more well regarded schools across the city. My kid is learning amazing things in k, like algebra-- in spanish! The older kids went to la boheme at the kennedy center for music class, there's an art program run in partnership with the National Gallery, the spanish teachers are native speakers, and the english prs/prek uses tools of the mind. My daughter is starting to read fluently in english, while beginning to learn Spanish. Get into yr neighborhood school ehile you still can, and invest to make it even better.

[Anonymous]

Plummer.....very warm environment and teachers that encourage students to their best!

[Anonymous]

Can I just say that I like this thread very much? It gives me hope for my neighborhood school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can I just say that I like this thread very much? It gives me hope for my neighborhood school.

Ditto, very cool to hear the raves and realism. This is a very real source of optimism.

At some point another thread re: perspectives of parents who've been involved in "up and coming" schools on what they see as the main factors that led to their school's turnaround would also be a great thread. For those of us with kids young enough to feel like if we invest now, it may actually benefit our own families (not that that has to be the only reason you invest time, energy and money). But how to invest? What have been the best places to put parent energy? But sorry, like I said, a great other thread... Please carry on with the discussion of non-HRDCPS schools that you like or love, because this is great to hear!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I just say that I like this thread very much? It gives me hope for my neighborhood school.

Ditto, very cool to hear the raves and realism. This is a very real source of optimism.

At some point another thread re: perspectives of parents who've been involved in "up and coming" schools on what they see as the main factors that led to their school's turnaround would also be a great thread. For those of us with kids young enough to feel like if we invest now, it may actually benefit our own families (not that that has to be the only reason you invest time, energy and money). But how to invest? What have been the best places to put parent energy? But sorry, like I said, a great other thread... Please carry on with the discussion of non-HRDCPS schools that you like or love, because this is great to hear!

In terms of investing in your neighborhood school, does it have a PTO? If so, I'd make a donation if you can afford it and join the PTO, going to meetings, seeing what it is that the school could use assistance with. My school has community members on the PTO and as volunteers in other capacities (helping to volunteer at events, taking charge of the community garden, etc.).

[Anonymous]

The dribble, dabble is nauseating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The dribble, dabble is nauseating.

Your post is the only dribble drabble so far on this thread, but yes your post is indeed totally unproductive and almost nauseating.

[Anonymous]

Last year this time, I was not excited about the prospect of sending my child to Garrison, but it's working out great. My child is learning a ton and having a ball. The lead teacher is smart, responsive, and has it under control, and the other kids are delightful. Do I love everything I see and hear when I set foot in the building? No, but it is great for now. Some people on this board may slay me for saying that it's fine for PK3 and 4, but that's what I feel, so I'm saying it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year this time, I was not excited about the prospect of sending my child to Garrison, but it's working out great. My child is learning a ton and having a ball. The lead teacher is smart, responsive, and has it under control, and the other kids are delightful. Do I love everything I see and hear when I set foot in the building? No, but it is great for now. Some people on this board may slay me for saying that it's fine for PK3 and 4, but that's what I feel, so I'm saying it!

Are you doing anything to make it better or just waiting passively by to let others do it for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year this time, I was not excited about the prospect of sending my child to Garrison, but it's working out great. My child is learning a ton and having a ball. The lead teacher is smart, responsive, and has it under control, and the other kids are delightful. Do I love everything I see and hear when I set foot in the building? No, but it is great for now. Some people on this board may slay me for saying that it's fine for PK3 and 4, but that's what I feel, so I'm saying it!

Are you doing anything to make it better or just waiting passively by to let others do it for you?

I'm not the Garrison PP, but wow, you're hostile. One might argue that simply by attending and speaking about her good experience, the PP is contributing to the school. The loyalty test has got to go. People don't need to run the PTA to have opinions about the school their child attends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That should read "all" of the community eligibility FARM schools have free aftercare

I'm pretty sure that's not accurate -- our daughter attends a community eligibility school, and the aftercare is not free for everyone. Meals are free for all, but aftercare is means-tested. But even if you don't qualify for free aftercare, it's still heavily subsidized ($10/day).

Also, last I checked the "99%" FARMs number in the profiles on DCPS' website was a placeholder -- many community eligibility schools have a significantly lower percentage, but because those schools offer free meals to ALL kids, they don't require families to apply for FARMs & can't provide an accurate number.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That should read "all" of the community eligibility FARM schools have free aftercare

I'm pretty sure that's not accurate -- our daughter attends a community eligibility school, and the aftercare is not free for everyone. Meals are free for all, but aftercare is means-tested. But even if you don't qualify for free aftercare, it's still heavily subsidized ($10/day).

Also, last I checked the "99%" FARMs number in the profiles on DCPS' website was a placeholder -- many community eligibility schools have a significantly lower percentage, but because those schools offer free meals to ALL kids, they don't require families to apply for FARMs & can't provide an accurate number.

That used to be the case, but DCPS changed this year to giving everyone free aftercare at these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year this time, I was not excited about the prospect of sending my child to Garrison, but it's working out great. My child is learning a ton and having a ball. The lead teacher is smart, responsive, and has it under control, and the other kids are delightful. Do I love everything I see and hear when I set foot in the building? No, but it is great for now. Some people on this board may slay me for saying that it's fine for PK3 and 4, but that's what I feel, so I'm saying it!

Are you doing anything to make it better or just waiting passively by to let others do it for you?

I'm not the Garrison PP, but wow, you're hostile. One might argue that simply by attending and speaking about her good experience, the PP is contributing to the school. The loyalty test has got to go. People don't need to run the PTA to have opinions about the school their child attends.

+1 goodness. thank you for your response! it is not THAT serious.