Jamestown ES

[Anonymous]

How are people liking Jamestown ES and the new principal? We are looking at a house in that district but I have heard mixed reviews in the past. Anyone have any good/bad experiences? How is the school as far as bullying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are people liking Jamestown ES and the new principal? We are looking at a house in that district but I have heard mixed reviews in the past. Anyone have any good/bad experiences? How is the school as far as bullying?

It's one of the best elementary schools in N. Va.

Shaffner is on-the-ball, responsive. Most of the teachers are exceptional (one or two or only so-so).

Mr. Turner is going to be principal of a DC school, however, so if you have a rising kindergartener and were hoping to get him, he'll be gone.

It's a strong community. The parent element can be a bit elitist at times (i mean, the main fundraiser is at the Washington Golf and Country Club and costs $150 just to get in the door), and the school has its share of precious little snowflakes to be sure. But all in all, good people.

Academics are top-range. My girls have Spanish three times a week. They still have music, lots of creativity in the classroom.

Not sure I've ever heard a "mixed review" of Jamestown.

I think it's been named a Governor's School of Excellence in three of the past four years.

[Anonymous]

I have a boy at Jamestown. No reports of bullying that I'm aware of. He loves the school and his teachers so far. There are a couple of teachers to avoid, but I'm sure that's true anywhere. New principal seems great, although perhaps a little too focused on maintaining high test scores. Plenty of music, art, spanish, PE and recess time, so kids aren't suffering due to SOL prep. Extended Day program is good too. Lots of stay-at-home moms volunteering at the school.

[Anonymous]

Are there any first grade teachers to avoid? We will be starting in the fall. Can you request teachers?

[Anonymous]

You can request teachers, but there is no guarantee you'll get who you want. I'm not aware of any problems among 1st grade teachers... Kindergarten and 2nd grade have one each. Hayes (1st)/Wappel (2nd) is an excellent team. Multiage teachers are popular too.

[Anonymous]

Reviving this thread to ask about K teachers. My son will be a kindergartner at Jamestown this fall. Any feedback on the teachers? Who to request? Avoid?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this thread to ask about K teachers. My son will be a kindergartner at Jamestown this fall. Any feedback on the teachers? Who to request? Avoid?

Thanks!

We loved Mrs. Scallon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this thread to ask about K teachers. My son will be a kindergartner at Jamestown this fall. Any feedback on the teachers? Who to request? Avoid?

Thanks!

Seriously, what kind of asshole are you? How do you think a teacher would feel to read that she was a "teacher to avoid" by some random anonymous parent? How do you think it would effect her motivation or relationship with parents?

We teach kids not to cyber bully. Don't do it to your kid's teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this thread to ask about K teachers. My son will be a kindergartner at Jamestown this fall. Any feedback on the teachers? Who to request? Avoid?

Thanks!

This is really not the appropriate forum for identifying specific teachers by name. They're not public figures, they are community members, and you're just asking people to sling mud. Shame.

[Anonymous]

Seriously? You call someone who's posted a perfectly reasonable question an asshole, then accuse THEM of being the bully? Methinks the poster doth protest too much.

If you've no useful input to share, offer your judgements elsewhere .. . you might note that the person who originated this post asked the very same question, so far being designed to shame, or sling mud, I'm asking a question that informed people tend to ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? You call someone who's posted a perfectly reasonable question an asshole, then accuse THEM of being the bully? Methinks the poster doth protest too much.

If you've no useful input to share, offer your judgements elsewhere .. . you might note that the person who originated this post asked the very same question, so far being designed to shame, or sling mud, I'm asking a question that informed people tend to ask.

Agree with the other poster. Asking parents to dish on a public forum about which teachers to seek out or avoid is crass. God made playgrounds so parents would have better places to ask such questions.

[Anonymous]

I'm a Jamestown parent who wasn't fond of the previous principal; however, I think Mrs. Schaffner, the current principal, is doing a fine job. Regarding the K teachers, I'll give you my thoughts as they're all positive. Of the current K teachers, my kids have had Ms. Rekstad & Mrs. Doud - they are both excellent teachers, but they have very different styles. Rekstad is very energetic and she especially works well with more outgoing, verbal kids. Doud is older, with a more motherly, nurturing style. My quiet, introverted child did very well with her.

In the past I've spoken to the principal or asst principal about teacher assignments, not to request a specific teacher, but to share my thoughts on what kind of teacher/classroom best suits my child. I'm sure they'd be willing to meet with you to discuss your child.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to the several posters for the constructive responses, particularly to PP. I did have an opportunity to attend one of the rising K sessions, so knowing something about their styles and how they compliment/bring out various kids' personalities/learning styles is helpful.

[Anonymous]

Did you happen to come to the Spring Fair last week?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? You call someone who's posted a perfectly reasonable question an asshole, then accuse THEM of being the bully? Methinks the poster doth protest too much.

If you've no useful input to share, offer your judgements elsewhere .. . you might note that the person who originated this post asked the very same question, so far being designed to shame, or sling mud, I'm asking a question that informed people tend to ask.

Pointing out online assholery is not bullying.

My useful input is that it is utterly toxic to a school environment to "dish" in an online forum about teachers by name. Utterly and completely toxic. Even positive comments toward named teachers can be corrosive and divisive to all teachers. If you care about Jamestown, do not post individual teacher names with reviews. Just do not. It creates a competitive mentality rather than a collegial, collaborative one. The best grade level teaching teams share and support each other. Inhibiting that hurts every child, including yours.