Watkins Parents: How pleased are you? How optimistic?

[Anonymous]

Please, no names.

I am curious to see how the rising 1st graders will do. I am also curious to know how many rising 2nd graders will return; I assume they won't be coddled in their classsrooms next year.

Does the Dean of Students position for next year mean Watkins went Title 1?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please, no names.

I am curious to see how the rising 1st graders will do. I am also curious to know how many rising 2nd graders will return; I assume they won't be coddled in their classsrooms next year.

Does the Dean of Students position for next year mean Watkins went Title 1?

I doubt they have enough FARMS for Title 1.

[Anonymous]

But isnt it 75% OOB?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But isnt it 75% OOB?

OOB doesn't = FARMS.

Watkins was a Title 1 Targeted Assistance school in 2013-2014, meaning that it between 35 - 40% FARMS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please, no names.

I am curious to see how the rising 1st graders will do. I am also curious to know how many rising 2nd graders will return; I assume they won't be coddled in their classsrooms next year.

Does the Dean of Students position for next year mean Watkins went Title 1?

Instead of assuming, I'd like to put the question out to any rising 2nd grade parents reading this thread. Will students be returning?

[Anonymous]

Thank you all, for this thread. I posted a while back to ask about Watkins because we're looking at a temporary move to DC, and we'll be staying with family that lives IB for Watkins. Now I feel a lot more comfortable about sending my special snowflake there. Though it's only for a half of an academic year in 1st grade, so it's not the same as making a long-term decision. Her current school is diverse by Seattle standards (where we live), but I've lived in DC and I know it's different over there.

Now if only we can get my younger daughter into PK4 at Peabody halfway through the year, hahahahaha yeah right I know. She's going to have to go somewhere or she will drive us all crazy. I'm not worrying about it just yet. We'll figure it out. Just glad to hear that Watkins is ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all, for this thread. I posted a while back to ask about Watkins because we're looking at a temporary move to DC, and we'll be staying with family that lives IB for Watkins. Now I feel a lot more comfortable about sending my special snowflake there. Though it's only for a half of an academic year in 1st grade, so it's not the same as making a long-term decision. Her current school is diverse by Seattle standards (where we live), but I've lived in DC and I know it's different over there.

Now if only we can get my younger daughter into PK4 at Peabody halfway through the year, hahahahaha yeah right I know. She's going to have to go somewhere or she will drive us all crazy. I'm not worrying about it just yet. We'll figure it out. Just glad to hear that Watkins is ok.

I'm the OP who started this thread, and I've decided to turn down a spot at a well-respected charter school and enroll my daughter in Watkins for First Grade She's extremely friendly and will look forward to welcoming your child at mid-year.

[Anonymous]

We are in boundary for Watkins and really hope the school is turning a corner with the smaller classes, repairs and new leadership I've heard about. We were shut out of Peabody this year but really have our fingers crossed for next year so that DC can make friends with the cohort that will enter Watkins eventually.

[Anonymous]

I was initially really not too pleased we got the lottery for Watkins since it kinda was a safety school and folks on here had lots of negatives to say about it but since doing research and seeing how many improvements are planned for the Cluster.. wow.. It's going to be really nice. The admin was really nice when we visited, the kids in the hall ways seemed happy and respectful. I'm worried I'm too optimistic but it really looks like its going to be great! Do other parents feel as optimistic about the modernization planned?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was initially really not too pleased we got the lottery for Watkins since it kinda was a safety school and folks on here had lots of negatives to say about it but since doing research and seeing how many improvements are planned for the Cluster.. wow.. It's going to be really nice. The admin was really nice when we visited, the kids in the hall ways seemed happy and respectful. I'm worried I'm too optimistic but it really looks like its going to be great! Do other parents feel as optimistic about the modernization planned?

Are you OOB? What grade did you lottery for?

[Anonymous]

OOB Grade 4.

[Anonymous]

http://dgs.dc.gov/page/watkins-elementary-school-project

I know its just windows to start.. but they are fixing the classrooms, the hallways, the front entry and so much more over time.. and it looks the same for SH. Pretty amazing the investment in a nicer school for the area. We are not IB but we ARE super close to the school, grade 4.

[Anonymous]

From what I hear in the neighborhood, many parents are excited about the renovations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please, no names.

I am curious to see how the rising 1st graders will do. I am also curious to know how many rising 2nd graders will return; I assume they won't be coddled in their classsrooms next year.

Does the Dean of Students position for next year mean Watkins went Title 1?

Instead of assuming, I'd like to put the question out to any rising 2nd grade parents reading this thread. Will students be returning?

The assumption is that the rising second graders won't be cordoned off any longer in their classrooms at lunch or other. The assumption wasn't that they won't be returning for second grade. But it would be nice to hear from parents of rising second graders what their experiences were and how pleased they are with the academics, safety, environment generally, and aftercare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://dgs.dc.gov/page/watkins-elementary-school-project

I know its just windows to start.. but they are fixing the classrooms, the hallways, the front entry and so much more over time.. and it looks the same for SH. Pretty amazing the investment in a nicer school for the area. We are not IB but we ARE super close to the school, grade 4.

Thanks for posting this link.

Could somebody explain the renovatioN timeframe? I know very little is happening this summer. Will things mostly be done by the start of the 2016-17 school year? Curious whether the renovation will be done (or mostly done) in time for my inbound rising Kindergartner. If not, what work will remain?

Thanks.