Haycock class changes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a Haycock kid here. I think there are a couple issues at play. One is the change itself and whether or not it's a good thing... Second is how it's being rolled out. I am sure there are a million articles on the topic but the first couple I skimmed seem to indicate that the jury is still out on departmentalizing for elementary school. For example: https://www.weareteachers.com/should-elementary-schools-deparmentalize-we-look-at-the-pros-and-cons/

I hope people can go in with an open mind and not assume this is just another hare-brained idea from Mr. Donnelly that he is rolling out without doing any consultation. Unfortunately with how he apparently rolled it out, people are biased against the change from the beginning.

I'd like to see a working group of teachers and maybe parents put together and come back with a recommendation... seems like there's enough time to do that and still implement it for next year and that would lower the risk of a teacher exodus.

Another Haycock parent here. I too would like to see the teacher exodus stop, though I don't think much of that has to do with the principal, I think others are projecting that. I remember when the e-mail came out last year listing the teachers leaving. At least one was moving overseas with their family, but at least half if not more of the remaining names were going to Arlington. Arlington pays significantly more money to teachers. I love Haycock, but if I was a teacher and got an extra 10-20K dangled at me, I'd probably leave too.

I generally like Principal Donnelly, though it does seem like he has a tendency to not think some decisions through. The parade being one. If he in fact did communicate this to the teachers but shut down any questions, that is not good leadership. Hopefully this is a misunderstanding and more will come out at the PTA meeting.

[Anonymous]

Perfect example for what happens when liberals take over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If he in fact did communicate this to the teachers but shut down any questions, that is not good leadership. Hopefully this is a misunderstanding and more will come out at the PTA meeting.

I have been told by multiple sources who were present that he did do this

[Anonymous]

so what ever happened with the parade? he cancelled it, parents pushed back, and then was it ever reinstated?

[Anonymous]

I am guessing the PTA meeting will be postponed if we get a ton of snow...

[Anonymous]

Parade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DD going into 5th. They said that rescuers won’t specialize anymore and that apparently lots are planning to leave- this is terrible.

Our kids are the same grade. For the PP who asked, specialization starts at Haycock in 1st grade. My DC had separate math class since 1st grade. And it is a power house - the only public elementary competing with middle schools in math counts.

It's not considered best practice for kids in 1st or 2nd. They're too young for it.

Possibly why the new principal is not supporting it.

Crock of crap. It is a great practice for the kids who get higher-level instruction and a disaster for the kids who are in the "low" groups. Years ago most FCPS schools did away with this in favor of blending ability levels to raise the performance of the lower groups. Problem is, it doesn't do anything useful to push the higher achievers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so what ever happened with the parade? he cancelled it, parents pushed back, and then was it ever reinstated?

There was a lot of push back, and it got reinstated. A nice chance for the kindergarten kids to show off their costumes an the older kids line the halls for them.

I had heard the reason was something about it not being a holiday that is inclusive of everyone, which honestly seemed like a stretch.

[Anonymous]

Good to know that the push back worked! Hopefully the same will happen here - esp if teachers and parents are aligned. I hope the snow doesn't impact the PTA meeting (i.e., cancellation).

[Anonymous]

Do we have a new date yet for the meeting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Hancock still really overcrowded?

No

[Anonymous]

Is Haycock still overcrowded?

There are over 850 kids at Haycock, whereas some Fcps elementary schools have 300-400.

There are still classes in trailers, even though the renovation finished last year.

There are still classes with 27+ kids to one teacher.

There are 5-7 classes per grade.

It’s a large school, especially for elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Haycock still overcrowded?

There are over 850 kids at Haycock, whereas some Fcps elementary schools have 300-400.

There are still classes in trailers, even though the renovation finished last year.

There are still classes with 27+ kids to one teacher.

There are 5-7 classes per grade.

It’s a large school, especially for elementary.

Can you post a list of all the ESes in FCPS that have 300-400? Haycock has been that big since we moved here 20 years ago. The vast majority of ES in FCPS have trailers. Haycock is not unique. Most of the class sizes in the McLean/Langley area have that many students per class and this has been true for years. My DC had 34 in his 5th grade class at Chesterbrook 10 years ago. Again, Haycock is not unique in the this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Haycock still overcrowded?

There are over 850 kids at Haycock, whereas some Fcps elementary schools have 300-400.

There are still classes in trailers, even though the renovation finished last year.

There are still classes with 27+ kids to one teacher.

There are 5-7 classes per grade.

It’s a large school, especially for elementary.

Churchill Road, Kent Gardens and Springhill are similarly sized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Haycock still overcrowded?

There are over 850 kids at Haycock, whereas some Fcps elementary schools have 300-400.

There are still classes in trailers, even though the renovation finished last year.

There are still classes with 27+ kids to one teacher.

There are 5-7 classes per grade.

It’s a large school, especially for elementary.

Churchill Road, Kent Gardens and Springhill are similarly sized.

Churchill Road is closer to Chesterbrook’s size and about 200 kids smaller than Haycock, Kent Gardens and Spring Hill.