How's basis going so far?

[Anonymous]

Yes I look at his CJ every night. There is no way to tell if all the classes in which homework is "none" is accurate. But if it is, there is not much homework in 7th grade other than math problems and "study". I'm trying to figure out how much of his life he can control at age 13

[Anonymous]

DS came home pumped full of school spirit today... Good to see them forming a strong identity and community within the school.

Go Red Giants!

[Anonymous]

My two are (5tH and 7tH) are also happy and the work is more that their old DCPCS but nothing too over the top.

They have been saying they observe more and greater behavior problems than at their old school. It could just be that it's middle school. The bad behavior involves bad language and truly defiant action. So of course they find it entertaining.

That being said they both report that they are learning more and they like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My two are (5tH and 7tH) are also happy and the work is more that their old DCPCS but nothing too over the top.

They have been saying they observe more and greater behavior problems than at their old school. It could just be that it's middle school. The bad behavior involves bad language and truly defiant action. So of course they find it entertaining.

That being said they both report that they are learning more and they like that.

Which sections are they in, who's causing the problems? Hearing from DS and his friends in 5th that behavior in at least two of the 5th grade sections is really good, with nothing major at all, only a little bit of extraneous talking-out-of-turn in the first couple of weeks, and that's now pretty much gone too. Maybe you have the misfortune of ending up in one with a troublemaker or two that need to be dealt with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My two are (5tH and 7tH) are also happy and the work is more that their old DCPCS but nothing too over the top.

They have been saying they observe more and greater behavior problems than at their old school. It could just be that it's middle school. The bad behavior involves bad language and truly defiant action. So of course they find it entertaining.

That being said they both report that they are learning more and they like that.

Which sections are they in, who's causing the problems?[b] Hearing from DS and his friends in 5th that behavior in at least two of the 5th grade sections is really good, with nothing major at all, only a little bit of extraneous talking-out-of-turn in the first couple of weeks, and that's now pretty much gone too. Maybe you have the misfortune of ending up in one with a troublemaker or two that need to be dealt with.

Seriously, you need to dial it back. Asking someone to name kids and/or their classroom is never going to be okay. Every student, even "the troublemakers" as you so elegantly put it, has the right to privacy. It's no one else's business but their families'. If there is something that impacts your kid, the BASIS administrators will let you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My two are (5tH and 7tH) are also happy and the work is more that their old DCPCS but nothing too over the top.

They have been saying they observe more and greater behavior problems than at their old school. It could just be that it's middle school. The bad behavior involves bad language and truly defiant action. So of course they find it entertaining.

That being said they both report that they are learning more and they like that.

Which sections are they in, who's causing the problems?[b] Hearing from DS and his friends in 5th that behavior in at least two of the 5th grade sections is really good, with nothing major at all, only a little bit of extraneous talking-out-of-turn in the first couple of weeks, and that's now pretty much gone too. Maybe you have the misfortune of ending up in one with a troublemaker or two that need to be dealt with.

Seriously, you need to dial it back. Asking someone to name kids and/or their classroom is never going to be okay. Every student, even "the troublemakers" as you so elegantly put it, has the right to privacy. It's no one else's business but their families'. If there is something that impacts your kid, the BASIS administrators will let you know.

"oh, my... let's never talk about any problems, ever" <eyeroll>

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which sections are they in, who's causing the problems? Hearing from DS and his friends in 5th that behavior in at least two of the 5th grade sections is really good, with nothing major at all, only a little bit of extraneous talking-out-of-turn in the first couple of weeks, and that's now pretty much gone too. Maybe you have the misfortune of ending up in one with a troublemaker or two that need to be dealt with.

To tell you the truth, it's parents like these that I'm trying to stay away from as far as I can. In deep denial and too much time or their hands. Not to mention, they're a royal pain in the butt if, God forbid, one of their wonderful children turns out to be a trouble maker.

[Anonymous]

There's a lot of bragging in this thread "oh my DC has no problems everything's great" so I'm happy to hear that there's rudeness and defiance in more than just my kid's class. Good for those that got lucky this year, let's hope your luck holds. But I'm counting on the administration assigning different 'element' groupings next year so maybe my DC's luck can change for the better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My two are (5tH and 7tH) are also happy and the work is more that their old DCPCS but nothing too over the top.

They have been saying they observe more and greater behavior problems than at their old school. It could just be that it's middle school. The bad behavior involves bad language and truly defiant action. So of course they find it entertaining.

That being said they both report that they are learning more and they like that.

Which sections are they in, who's causing the problems? Hearing from DS and his friends in 5th that behavior in at least two of the 5th grade sections is really good, with nothing major at all, only a little bit of extraneous talking-out-of-turn in the first couple of weeks, and that's now pretty much gone too. Maybe you have the misfortune of ending up in one with a troublemaker or two that need to be dealt with.

Seriously, you need to dial it back. Asking someone to name kids and/or their classroom is never going to be okay. Every student, even "the troublemakers" as you so elegantly put it, has the right to privacy. It's no one else's business but their families'. If there is something that impacts your kid, the BASIS administrators will let you know.

[b]"oh, my... let's never talk about any problems, ever" <eyeroll>[

No where did I say that problems shouldn't be discussed. What shouldn't be discussed are actual kids' names or references to the classes where there "might" be troublemakers and kids could be identified. My guess is that you wouldn't be rolling your eyes if anyone ever called out your kid or spoke about him/her to anyone other than you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a lot of bragging in this thread "oh my DC has no problems everything's great" so I'm happy to hear that there's rudeness and defiance in more than just my kid's class. Good for those that got lucky this year, let's hope your luck holds. But I'm counting on the administration assigning different 'element' groupings next year so maybe my DC's luck can change for the better.

The troublemakers are few - and chances are troublemakers won't be sticking around. Particularly if they fail their comps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a bit more than horseplay otherwise the head of school didn't have to step in. But the problems are apparently not pervasive. I agree with poster about choosy parents having to put up with this for a while and maybe Basis will turn some of the disruptive kids around more effectively than another school with less autonomy.

I have been intrigued by Basis (which is why I read this board), but opted not to take a chance on it this year. I do find it interesting that the every single one of the kids who left my child's class for Basis were those who had the greatest discipline issues. I think that this is one of the issues with first year charters -- that there is a huge range of reasons that people send their children to an unestablished school, one of the biggest is that parents are running away from something, not necessarily choosing the school for what it offers or to what they think it is a good fit. I don't envy any first year school this problem and how the school handles it will speak volumes to the success of the school, especially in retaining those children in its inaugural classes.

Another reason parents take a chance on an unestablished charter is that they fear being shut out of the school in future years. While BASIS will take accept a whole bunch of 5th graders next year, they will likely accept very few kids for 6th through 9th. Furthermore, the sibling preference means that there is a good chance that unaffiliated families will have to enter a lottery for those 5th grade spots next year.

Quite frankly, if you have a 5th through 8th grader attending your IB DCPS, and you think there is a chance that BASIS is the right school for your family, it makes much more sense to try it out this year. If if doesn't work for you, you can always transfer back to your IB school. Next year BASIS might not be an option for you.

Boost baby, boost!

Seriously, glad that you like your school, but it's a few years (at least!) away from the exclusive haven you desire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

...

Seriously, you need to dial it back. Asking someone to name kids and/or their classroom is never going to be okay. Every student, even "the troublemakers" as you so elegantly put it, has the right to privacy. It's no one else's business but their families'. If there is something that impacts your kid, the BASIS administrators will let you know.

"oh, my... let's never talk about any problems, ever" <eyeroll>

No where did I say that problems shouldn't be discussed. What shouldn't be discussed are actual kids' names or references to the classes where there "might" be troublemakers and kids could be identified. My guess is that you wouldn't be rolling your eyes if anyone ever called out your kid or spoke about him/her to anyone other than you.

There certainly isn't any need to name specific names and I don't believe anyone actually asked for that - but at least provide enough detail to pin it down as to whether it is even true or not, because there have certainly proven to be enough troublemakers on this message board who don't even have kids at BASIS, don't actually know what's going on day-to-day, and who routinely have made things up about the school that aren't even remotely true. Anybody could trash any school with nonspecific talk about bad behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a bit more than horseplay otherwise the head of school didn't have to step in. But the problems are apparently not pervasive. I agree with poster about choosy parents having to put up with this for a while and maybe Basis will turn some of the disruptive kids around more effectively than another school with less autonomy.

I have been intrigued by Basis (which is why I read this board), but opted not to take a chance on it this year. I do find it interesting that the every single one of the kids who left my child's class for Basis were those who had the greatest discipline issues. I think that this is one of the issues with first year charters -- that there is a huge range of reasons that people send their children to an unestablished school, one of the biggest is that parents are running away from something, not necessarily choosing the school for what it offers or to what they think it is a good fit. I don't envy any first year school this problem and how the school handles it will speak volumes to the success of the school, especially in retaining those children in its inaugural classes.

Another reason parents take a chance on an unestablished charter is that they fear being shut out of the school in future years. While BASIS will take accept a whole bunch of 5th graders next year, they will likely accept very few kids for 6th through 9th. Furthermore, the sibling preference means that there is a good chance that unaffiliated families will have to enter a lottery for those 5th grade spots next year.

Quite frankly, if you have a 5th through 8th grader attending your IB DCPS, and you think there is a chance that BASIS is the right school for your family, it makes much more sense to try it out this year. If if doesn't work for you, you can always transfer back to your IB school. Next year BASIS might not be an option for you.

Boost baby, boost!

Seriously, glad that you like your school, but it's a few years (at least!) away from the exclusive haven you desire.

Perhaps, but it will come in a few short years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The troublemakers are few - and chances are troublemakers won't be sticking around. Particularly if they fail their comps.

How could you know they are 'few' (unless you're in the administration and even then you don't know what goes on in every classroom.) I don't doubt that other classes may be smooth sailing but I give my DC credit for knowing what goes on in one's own class. Is there a campaign to silence anyone with a realistic assessment?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know, regarding failing 'comps' at Basis, how many does one have to fail to be not promoted?