Anyone know anything about Keene Mill Al Fresco?

[Anonymous]

It's all I've been hearing about. I understand it's not a school sponsored event, other than that I don't have a clue.

[Anonymous]

It's a weekend camping for Kids in AAP. Lots of fun activities and the kids really love it. Lots of parent Volunteers go as well.

[Anonymous]

Only the AAP kids in the school? Lovely.

[Anonymous]

The Al Fresco trips have been going on for years. There is even an informal alumni group from Keene Mill:

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~clark5/keenemill/

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. I found some further info in case anyone finds this thread in the future. It is not an FCPS or PTA sponsored event so if your child gets left out, too bad. it is only for AAP fourth, fifth and sixth graders.
Some of the new to Keene Mill students got left out. Maybe this is because they are not on the parent organizers list?

It is also apparently not very popular with the teachers and administration as it creates problems with kids that get left out and kids that get teased at the camp. Although not confirmed, the kids (at least some of the kids) believe the purpose of the camp is to play pranks on each other. WTF?

I guess the cliques start younger than I remember from elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Louise Archer has a similar program in 6th grade, however I believe all the 6th graders get to go.

[Anonymous]

No, the purpose is not to "play pranks". It's team building and time to spend with their friends. The administrators do not like it, because the kids take a whole Friday off of school and that means lost Federal funds for the school. I think next year's organizers are trying to do it on a teacher workday weekend so there will not be any missed days from school. Additionally, there was a project worked on by each of the grade level boys and girls suggested by the Principal and turned into her as well.

As to students being left out; there is no way to distribute information other than by word of mouth and the few emails that are handy. There was numerous emails sent and each of them asked to spread the word and there were at least 4 meetings at the school so if someone got left out, the parents dropped the ball. he AAP parents are well connected to eachother and the kids talk abut it so there was plenty of opportunity to learn more. The school does not allow any advertising through KIT or the PTA or posters or signage so that doesn't leave many ways to get the info out.

I'm going to try to get a 6th grade event started at my non AAP son's school similar to Louis Archer. For those parents upset about Al Fresco being exclusionary can do the same.

[Anonymous]

Really? Now we're having segregated field trips?

[Anonymous]

That's sad that some kids get left out but my neighbors tell me it's a long tradition at that school and well just the program is segregated as is it's older kids' version TJ. What's a parent to do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, the purpose is not to "play pranks". It's team building and time to spend with their friends. The administrators do not like it, because the kids take a whole Friday off of school and that means lost Federal funds for the school. I think next year's organizers are trying to do it on a teacher workday weekend so there will not be any missed days from school. Additionally, there was a project worked on by each of the grade level boys and girls suggested by the Principal and turned into her as well.

As to students being left out; there is no way to distribute information other than by word of mouth and the few emails that are handy. There was numerous emails sent and each of them asked to spread the word and there were at least 4 meetings at the school so if someone got left out, the parents dropped the ball. he AAP parents are well connected to eachother and the kids talk abut it so there was plenty of opportunity to learn more. The school does not allow any advertising through KIT or the PTA or posters or signage so that doesn't leave many ways to get the info out.

I'm going to try to get a 6th grade event started at my non AAP son's school similar to Louis Archer. For those parents upset about Al Fresco being exclusionary can do the same.

I am sorry but as an AAP parent I think this is rotten and a really nasty way to exclude half the kids at your grade.

The Keene parents should be ashamed for being so cliquey and exclusionary.

I am sure that the real reason the school and administration takes issue with this event is because of the hurt feelings it causes for all the other 4th-6th graders.

We are at another AAP center in that pyramid and thankfully that type of event would never fly at our school. As the principal at our school says, none of the groups are more important than the others. Anything special is for all the kids, not just AAP.

I asked my AAP kid what he thought about the Keene event. His response was that it sounds like fun but it must make the gen ed kids feel awful. Why can't the Keene AAP parents show the logic and compassionof a kid, and what the heck kind of example are you showing your own kids.


That is just wrong.

Grrr!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, the purpose is not to "play pranks". It's team building and time to spend with their friends. The administrators do not like it, because the kids take a whole Friday off of school and that means lost Federal funds for the school. I think next year's organizers are trying to do it on a teacher workday weekend so there will not be any missed days from school. Additionally, there was a project worked on by each of the grade level boys and girls suggested by the Principal and turned into her as well.

As to students being left out; there is no way to distribute information other than by word of mouth and the few emails that are handy. There was numerous emails sent and each of them asked to spread the word and there were at least 4 meetings at the school so if someone got left out, the parents dropped the ball. he AAP parents are well connected to eachother and the kids talk abut it so there was plenty of opportunity to learn more. The school does not allow any advertising through KIT or the PTA or posters or signage so that doesn't leave many ways to get the info out.

I'm going to try to get a 6th grade event started at my non AAP son's school similar to Louis Archer. For those parents upset about Al Fresco being exclusionary can do the same.

Doesn't your school have a directory? I find it is very easy to get nearly everyone's email and phone number through the directory. Federal funds (as minimal as they are in FCPS) would not get docked if it was a school sanctioned field trip. No matter how you whitewash it, it is still discriminatory to exclude "certain" types of students. Perhaps that is the reason the school does not support it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's sad that some kids get left out but my neighbors tell me it's a long tradition at that school and well just the program is segregated as is it's older kids' version TJ. What's a parent to do?

Um, speak out?

[Anonymous]

Want to be part of it? Take the time to push your kids to excel or get a tutor. DUH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's sad that some kids get left out but my neighbors tell me it's a long tradition at that school and well just the program is segregated as is it's older kids' version TJ. What's a parent to do?

Um, speak out?

I think they like the segregation and feeling like their kids are "special"

It is just so mean spirited that AAP parents have let this continue.

They really ought to stop this as a 4-6 AAP only trip, and present the principal with a plan to make it a whole grade 6th grade only event. One that includes the entire grade.

Their principal is wonderful from what I have heard. I am sure she would endorse a plan like this, one that isn't designed to leave kids out.

Keene parents? Why not something like this?

[Anonymous]

Yeah, Keene parents? Renee Miller is a reasonable and very nice Principal who I'm sure would go for an all inclusive immediately.