MCPS practice of not assigning K students a teacher until today? (Poll)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't do that at Beverly Farms, and all of the Kindergartners are both well-behaved and advanced.

lol omg no one said your kinds weren't perfect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Barnsley does this too. Not a K parent there, so I don't know how long they have been doing it this way.

My kid is in 1st grade at Barnsley and they did NOT do this last year. My kid was assigned a K teacher and she stayed in that class all year.

This sounds like a terrible idea! So stressful for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Have a MoCo K'er this year who is going through this. My $0.02:
-fwiw this is our oldest child so I do not have experience with the "meet the kids during the May orientation, snap judgement, hope for the best" model.
-DC has been in center based daycare/preschool/pre-K for 5 years, with all activities being done in one room per age group (ie the 4YO preschool class learned, ate, played, napped all in the same room).
-the way it was explained to us, 45 mins during orientation the May before K, is not nearly enough time (nor is it the right time) to get to know all these kids and their abilities, etc. Other schools have (we were told) implemented this draft model with great success... ie leads to an overall better K experience because the classrooms are more balanced.
-DC has a "homeroom" teacher this week... first thing in the AM, last thing in the PM, and spent all day with them on Monday. They rotate through the other teachers one/day, and stay together as a class. Tomorrow, the teachers basically do a draft and the kids are given their permanent assigned teacher, report there on Tues, no more rotations.
-they mentioned that they want classes balanced by race and gender, but also ability (so that there's not a lone kid in the class, way ahead or behind). The intention does not seem to be creating classes segregated by ability, but rather balanced abilities across all classrooms (so not a "smart class" and a "not smart class").
-There has been A LOT of communication around it, so absolutely no confusion on our part.
-DC has reported back on two days of rotation (plus the first day of no-rotation) and did not seem bothered AT ALL. The kids stay together as a class, and she actually remembered a few of the teachers from open house ("she's the purple lady"). Also, for the first time ever she is also rotating through different rooms... cafeteria, computer room, classroom... so the teacher rota is just another "difference" from preschool.
-I anticipate that on Tuesday we'll have to remind her a couple of times that she now goes to Ms Whoever's class. But the school seems really on top of that and has said that teachers and aides will continue to be posted in the halls for before/after, etc.
-understand that this is not widely done, but seems likely to become more widespread practice at least in MoCo. Ask me again at Christmastime, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have a MoCo K'er this year who is going through this. My $0.02:
-fwiw this is our oldest child so I do not have experience with the "meet the kids during the May orientation, snap judgement, hope for the best" model.
-DC has been in center based daycare/preschool/pre-K for 5 years, with all activities being done in one room per age group (ie the 4YO preschool class learned, ate, played, napped all in the same room).
-the way it was explained to us, 45 mins during orientation the May before K, is not nearly enough time (nor is it the right time) to get to know all these kids and their abilities, etc. Other schools have (we were told) implemented this draft model with great success... ie leads to an overall better K experience because the classrooms are more balanced.
-DC has a "homeroom" teacher this week... first thing in the AM, last thing in the PM, and spent all day with them on Monday. They rotate through the other teachers one/day, and stay together as a class. Tomorrow, the teachers basically do a draft and the kids are given their permanent assigned teacher, report there on Tues, no more rotations.
-they mentioned that they want classes balanced by race and gender, but also ability (so that there's not a lone kid in the class, way ahead or behind). The intention does not seem to be creating classes segregated by ability, but rather balanced abilities across all classrooms (so not a "smart class" and a "not smart class").
-There has been A LOT of communication around it, so absolutely no confusion on our part.
-DC has reported back on two days of rotation (plus the first day of no-rotation) and did not seem bothered AT ALL. The kids stay together as a class, and she actually remembered a few of the teachers from open house ("she's the purple lady"). Also, for the first time ever she is also rotating through different rooms... cafeteria, computer room, classroom... so the teacher rota is just another "difference" from preschool.
-I anticipate that on Tuesday we'll have to remind her a couple of times that she now goes to Ms Whoever's class. But the school seems really on top of that and has said that teachers and aides will continue to be posted in the halls for before/after, etc.
-understand that this is not widely done, but seems likely to become more widespread practice at least in MoCo. Ask me again at Christmastime, I guess.

Interesting perspective. I'd like to hear other parents post on this!

I have a DD in K this year at a school that is doing this. However, DD has 2 older siblings, so she is aware of how they do things. Both older siblings were 'assigned' teachers, and she was a little bummed about that not being the case.

I'll say that with my two older kids, both of them got to know ALL of the teachers anyway throughout the year. They go to the other teacher's classrooms for parties, etc and by the end of the year (even with my first kid), all the teachers seemed to know her by name.

Our ES did not assign classrooms until today (Thursday), so there were 3 full days of uncertainty. Honestly, it's a long time for a 5 year old. She had a few girls in her 'class' the first few days who she became friendly with, who are not still in her class. Tough deal for a 5 year old girl.

I also doubt that they can determine 'problem kids' within one day, which is what it sounds like your ES did? How is that so much different than the few hours at orientation?

I don't like it, but agree that maybe I'll feel differently mid-year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have a MoCo K'er this year who is going through this. My $0.02:
-fwiw this is our oldest child so I do not have experience with the "meet the kids during the May orientation, snap judgement, hope for the best" model.
-DC has been in center based daycare/preschool/pre-K for 5 years, with all activities being done in one room per age group (ie the 4YO preschool class learned, ate, played, napped all in the same room).
-the way it was explained to us, 45 mins during orientation the May before K, is not nearly enough time (nor is it the right time) to get to know all these kids and their abilities, etc. Other schools have (we were told) implemented this draft model with great success... ie leads to an overall better K experience because the classrooms are more balanced.
-DC has a "homeroom" teacher this week... first thing in the AM, last thing in the PM, and spent all day with them on Monday. They rotate through the other teachers one/day, and stay together as a class. Tomorrow, the teachers basically do a draft and the kids are given their permanent assigned teacher, report there on Tues, no more rotations.
-they mentioned that they want classes balanced by race and gender, but also ability (so that there's not a lone kid in the class, way ahead or behind). The intention does not seem to be creating classes segregated by ability, but rather balanced abilities across all classrooms (so not a "smart class" and a "not smart class").
-There has been A LOT of communication around it, so absolutely no confusion on our part.
-DC has reported back on two days of rotation (plus the first day of no-rotation) and did not seem bothered AT ALL. The kids stay together as a class, and she actually remembered a few of the teachers from open house ("she's the purple lady"). Also, for the first time ever she is also rotating through different rooms... cafeteria, computer room, classroom... so the teacher rota is just another "difference" from preschool.
-I anticipate that on Tuesday we'll have to remind her a couple of times that she now goes to Ms Whoever's class. But the school seems really on top of that and has said that teachers and aides will continue to be posted in the halls for before/after, etc.
-understand that this is not widely done, but seems likely to become more widespread practice at least in MoCo. Ask me again at Christmastime, I guess.

Interesting perspective. I'd like to hear other parents post on this!

I have a DD in K this year at a school that is doing this. However, DD has 2 older siblings, so she is aware of how they do things. Both older siblings were 'assigned' teachers, and she was a little bummed about that not being the case.

I'll say that with my two older kids, both of them got to know ALL of the teachers anyway throughout the year. They go to the other teacher's classrooms for parties, etc and by the end of the year (even with my first kid), all the teachers seemed to know her by name.

Our ES did not assign classrooms until today (Thursday), so there were 3 full days of uncertainty. Honestly, it's a long time for a 5 year old. She had a few girls in her 'class' the first few days who she became friendly with, who are not still in her class. Tough deal for a 5 year old girl.

I also doubt that they can determine 'problem kids' within one day, which is what it sounds like your ES did? How is that so much different than the few hours at orientation?

I don't like it, but agree that maybe I'll feel differently mid-year.

Beall parent here. It may also depend on the school. Beall has been doing it for years (and I think there's one other -- Fallsmead?), so they may have figured out how to make it go more smoothly. There may be a bit of a learning curve for the schools doing it for the first time.

[Anonymous]

They are trying this for the first time at our MoCo elementary this year. I also heard that it was about achieving a good balance of kids in each class. FWIW I know an elementary school principal (not MoCo) whose school does a whole week of "K camp" where the kids come in every day for a week in mid August and the teachers have a chance to observe and work with them before deciding on classes.

[Anonymous]

Just a bit of info, new K parent at a school that doesn't do this.

- ours had an orientation day where they did a bit of 'testing.' they didn't call it that of course, but they had each kid write their name, tell a story, answer some questions about colors and shapes as the teacher read a book ("what was your favorite part? do you remember what color that dragon was?") and draw a picture. One K teacher was doing this with the kids on the rug and another was taking notes. They were definitely doing that IMO to see who could write / remember / etc.

- my kid is an anxious type and would have HATED this. He's doing amazing in K and we are so pleased, but a lot of that is being comfortable with rules and routines. He knows his teacher, classroom and classmates already and is excited about going - can't imagine it'd be the same in this situation.

- how on earth do the teachers "pick" kids? There will obviously be kids every teacher wants - the cutest ones, the sweetest ones, the funniest ones. That seems like a recipe for disaster. Does a third party select them?

- Seems to add a lot more pressure/stress on the teachers and would be better for them to jump right in getting to know their class

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are trying this for the first time at our MoCo elementary this year. I also heard that it was about achieving a good balance of kids in each class. FWIW I know an elementary school principal (not MoCo) whose school does a whole week of "K camp" where the kids come in every day for a week in mid August and the teachers have a chance to observe and work with them before deciding on classes.

How can they possibly do this schedule-wise? Every kid is required to come during a week school isn't in session?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just a bit of info, new K parent at a school that doesn't do this.

- ours had an orientation day where they did a bit of 'testing.' they didn't call it that of course, but they had each kid write their name, tell a story, answer some questions about colors and shapes as the teacher read a book ("what was your favorite part? do you remember what color that dragon was?") and draw a picture. One K teacher was doing this with the kids on the rug and another was taking notes. They were definitely doing that IMO to see who could write / remember / etc.

- my kid is an anxious type and would have HATED this. He's doing amazing in K and we are so pleased, but a lot of that is being comfortable with rules and routines. He knows his teacher, classroom and classmates already and is excited about going - can't imagine it'd be the same in this situation.

- how on earth do the teachers "pick" kids? There will obviously be kids every teacher wants - the cutest ones, the sweetest ones, the funniest ones. That seems like a recipe for disaster. Does a third party select them?

- Seems to add a lot more pressure/stress on the teachers and would be better for them to jump right in getting to know their class

sorry, should clarify the orientation was last spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just a bit of info, new K parent at a school that doesn't do this.

- ours had an orientation day where they did a bit of 'testing.' they didn't call it that of course, but they had each kid write their name, tell a story, answer some questions about colors and shapes as the teacher read a book ("what was your favorite part? do you remember what color that dragon was?") and draw a picture. One K teacher was doing this with the kids on the rug and another was taking notes. They were definitely doing that IMO to see who could write / remember / etc.

- my kid is an anxious type and would have HATED this. He's doing amazing in K and we are so pleased, but a lot of that is being comfortable with rules and routines. He knows his teacher, classroom and classmates already and is excited about going - can't imagine it'd be the same in this situation.

- how on earth do the teachers "pick" kids? There will obviously be kids every teacher wants - the cutest ones, the sweetest ones, the funniest ones. That seems like a recipe for disaster. Does a third party select them?

- Seems to add a lot more pressure/stress on the teachers and would be better for them to jump right in getting to know their class

They don't pick the kids. They create a certain number of balanced classes, based on their observations. Then each teacher is assigned to one class.

My kid is high-anxiety too, and I was very worried about this process, but it seemed to go fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are trying this for the first time at our MoCo elementary this year. I also heard that it was about achieving a good balance of kids in each class. FWIW I know an elementary school principal (not MoCo) whose school does a whole week of "K camp" where the kids come in every day for a week in mid August and the teachers have a chance to observe and work with them before deciding on classes.

How can they possibly do this schedule-wise? Every kid is required to come during a week school isn't in session?

I didn't ask about whether it was required or any other details. I was just impressed that they had a system set up to get to know the kids a little before the year started. But I could see how it might be hard to manage scheduling as a parent.

[Anonymous]

I would never want my kid "tested" like that - it sounds awful. She should not have any pressure like that or have to read on demand. Horrifying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never want my kid "tested" like that - it sounds awful. She should not have any pressure like that or have to read on demand. Horrifying.

Then you should probably not send them to school..

[Anonymous]

I believe East Silver Spring is doing this for the first time this year. I think the reason is that last year the K classes ended up being very unbalanced in terms of children that demanded extra attention from their teacher. A few teachers had much more challenging classes. In addition every K teacher is new to teaching K in the school this year. Seems like a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Fallsmead does this their reasoning is that its better for student/teacher needs. Total load of crap.