HD Cooke: first few weeks

[Anonymous]

I hear some parents talking but when I lived in VA, I also heard parents talking as well. So chatter is good as long as it is constructive and solves a problem versus stating a problem with no solution.

[Anonymous]

I agree nothing is perfect. I will continue to keep my spirits up and support the teacher and school just like my mother supported my teachers and schools.

[Anonymous]

What would it take to make H.D. Cooke the best school in DC?

[Anonymous]

Did the parents who took thier student out because of aftercare concerns speak with the Principal? By all reports shes seems very responsive or at least willing to listen. How long has the aftercare program been running at the new site? I guess I understand the need for parents to do whats best for thier families and students but in order to make Cooke a great school, parents have to stay and invest and not flee at the first sight of dissatisfaction.

I mean at the end of the day if one parent has unvoiced concerns and then leaves, there may be other parents with similar concerns that don't have the option to pull out. I would speak to the Principal or the afterschool cordinator, if there is one. That may help.

[Anonymous]

15:29, an interesting question. For me, my kid got in to perfectly decent charter school that went through age 4. I switched to Cooke because I want a school I can invest in for the long-term. I had other options, so Cooke wasn't just "free day care" for me, but a chance to get in on something that I think will turn out well. My hope is that the parents who are starting with their 3 and 4 year olds will remain through elementary school and that the relationships we're building will continue to strengthen and enrich us.

[Anonymous]

PPs who are volunteering and hoping to improve Cooke: Good for you! We need more parents like you in the city. I confess that I live in a wonderful neighborhood full of million dollar homes and well-educated residents, and our neighborhood school sucks. We've all sent our kids to private or charters or out-of-boundary, and I sometimes think if we had all sent our kids local, the school might be a lot better. So I applaud you for making the investment in your local school and hope it pays off.

[Anonymous]

My son has been attending the pre-school for over six weeks now and although the first few weeks were a little rough (both for him as a new student and for the school with the new grounds and teachers), this month has shown a vast improvement. We are quite pleased with the location, the teachers, the curriculum (especially the attempt to focus on the IB program), and the school in general.

[Anonymous]

I think things have gone remarkably well given that the school had to move and unpack in such a short amount of time. I see things getting better daily.