Hearst vs. Janney

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the part about hitting teachers and starting fires? Umm??

It’s in the upper grades and it’s awful. Nothing is being done. A couple of our friends have applied for safety transfers. But OP is going into pre-K and we had a nice experience then. I would just be extremely wary of 3rd and up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the part about hitting teachers and starting fires? Umm??

It’s in the upper grades and it’s awful. Nothing is being done. A couple of our friends have applied for safety transfers. But OP is going into pre-K and we had a nice experience then. I would just be extremely wary of 3rd and up.

Sadly this isn't limited to these schools. This is a system wide issue at both public and charter schools. I fear that we've allowed or normalized disruptive behavior in the name of "equity". As if at-risk or minority kids don't also want and deserve a safe environment. At my school they bend over backwards to make sure the kids committing aggressive acts feel supported...while all but ignoring the impact on the victim and witnesses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the part about hitting teachers and starting fires? Umm??

It’s in the upper grades and it’s awful. Nothing is being done. A couple of our friends have applied for safety transfers. But OP is going into pre-K and we had a nice experience then. I would just be extremely wary of 3rd and up.

I don’t know if I agree with this I had a great upper grade experience at Hearst

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the part about hitting teachers and starting fires? Umm??

It’s in the upper grades and it’s awful. Nothing is being done. A couple of our friends have applied for safety transfers. But OP is going into pre-K and we had a nice experience then. I would just be extremely wary of 3rd and up.

I don’t know if I agree with this I had a great upper grade experience at Hearst

Are you there this year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the part about hitting teachers and starting fires? Umm??

It’s in the upper grades and it’s awful. Nothing is being done. A couple of our friends have applied for safety transfers. But OP is going into pre-K and we had a nice experience then. I would just be extremely wary of 3rd and up.

I don’t know if I agree with this I had a great upper grade experience at Hearst

Are you there this year?

No it was 2-3 years ago but surprised to hear that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the part about hitting teachers and starting fires? Umm??

It’s in the upper grades and it’s awful. Nothing is being done. A couple of our friends have applied for safety transfers. But OP is going into pre-K and we had a nice experience then. I would just be extremely wary of 3rd and up.

I don’t know if I agree with this I had a great upper grade experience at Hearst

Are you there this year?

No it was 2-3 years ago but surprised to hear that.

Well unfortunately this is true. It’s sad because we had a fantastic prek through 3 (covid aside). This year has been horrible. Not kidding - multiple friends applying for safety transfers. I applied to all surrounding schools in the lottery. We are top 5 for a few and fingers crossed we can get out of Hearst. Im not sure what changed. It’s the same principal, but there has been a lot of staff turnover. So maybe that’s it? My kids math teacher has been out almost continuously since before winter break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the part about hitting teachers and starting fires? Umm??

It’s in the upper grades and it’s awful. Nothing is being done. A couple of our friends have applied for safety transfers. But OP is going into pre-K and we had a nice experience then. I would just be extremely wary of 3rd and up.

I don’t know if I agree with this I had a great upper grade experience at Hearst

Are you there this year?

No it was 2-3 years ago but surprised to hear that.

Well unfortunately this is true. It’s sad because we had a fantastic prek through 3 (covid aside). This year has been horrible. Not kidding - multiple friends applying for safety transfers. I applied to all surrounding schools in the lottery. We are top 5 for a few and fingers crossed we can get out of Hearst. Im not sure what changed. It’s the same principal, but there has been a lot of staff turnover. So maybe that’s it? My kids math teacher has been out almost continuously since before winter break.

That’s a shame. We really loved our time in upper grades - our dc looped and had a wonderful experience with their teachers. I guess they moved on?

[Anonymous]

Yes. Those teachers left last year. We are leaving after this year. 4th grade has been a disaster. The lower grades were amazing. Third was OK last year even though we weren’t back most of the year. This year one teacher never came back from leave. One teacher is out for huge chunks (unfortunately a family thing) and there’s not been communication or a consistent sub. The principal has taught the class too. Lots of behavioral issues. One kid moved out to another school. Multiple kids switching home rooms to try to solve behavioral issues. If you have Janney spots, go for it. And if you don’t like it, move back to Hearst. The lower grades there were fantastic. I’d want to know what the plan is for this situation not to happen again next year. So, will there be consistent 4th grade teachers? And how will this class be handled in the 5th grade?

[Anonymous]

This makes me really sad. I love Hearst and to hear that behavioral issues are such a nightmare in the upper grades makes me sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like the smaller feel of Hearst. I know families at Janney who are looking for other options.

Also - if there is any chance that your child has a learning difference (Adhd, dyslexia) the Janney is known for being horrible. Their head of Special Needs does things her way and no one (not even teachers) will challenge her.

I have a child with an IEP at Janney and our experience has been positive. The student support staff that my child is actually working with is great.

The staff is good (OT/Speech etc)- they really try to help the child.
The Student Support Services Coordinator has a reputation.

I know she does, but we have found her supportive as well. Not everybody has problems with her, and it hasn't affected my child's experience. I understand others may have different experiences, but I also get the impression that there are some people on this forum who are out to get back at her.

It is not personal. It is about fully understanding the landscape.
There are many parents in the community who went in thinking the stories were due to difficult parents only to learn that was not the case.
The harm done to the students goes beyond their days at Janney.

Can you be more specific?

Parents who raised concerns about children's learning needs and were brushed off for 1st / 2nd and 3rd grade. Classroom assessments were a little low but always on the border. Told it is not a learning disability - it is ADHD. School did not do full assessment. When PARCC results were available in fall of 4th grade and child scores a "1" in reading section - parent goes back to school and asks again for a full evaluation. This time school determines it is warranted and child identified as having a LD.

I know multiple families with a variation of this story. These families put their trust in the expertise of the professionals at the school. They did not know that they were being given wrong information by the Student Support Services Coordinator.

Weird we have a kid at Janney with ADHD and this was not our experience at all getting an evaluation and an IEP - our kid hasn't had any serious issues so I will grant his case thus far has not been serious but we've had great support from his teachers and the assesment staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Those teachers left last year. We are leaving after this year. 4th grade has been a disaster. The lower grades were amazing. Third was OK last year even though we weren’t back most of the year. This year one teacher never came back from leave. One teacher is out for huge chunks (unfortunately a family thing) and there’s not been communication or a consistent sub. The principal has taught the class too. Lots of behavioral issues. One kid moved out to another school. Multiple kids switching home rooms to try to solve behavioral issues. If you have Janney spots, go for it. And if you don’t like it, move back to Hearst. The lower grades there were fantastic. I’d want to know what the plan is for this situation not to happen again next year. So, will there be consistent 4th grade teachers? And how will this class be handled in the 5th grade?

I'm sorry to hear about this experience. I'm a Hearst parent and I don't see this happening across all grade levels. Since 4th grade has two classes, losing one or both teachers is enough to create a lot of instability. There aren't enough teachers who could provide backup coverage in many schools and this is especially acute in a small school.

[Anonymous]

I would go with Hearst because you’re zoned for Hearst and the kids living nearest you will be going to Hearst. It’s nice to have strong neighborhood friends and that’s easier if they’re also classmates. This is my experience moving from one of the schools you mention to private during the pandemic and missing the ease of being part of the in-bound community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like the smaller feel of Hearst. I know families at Janney who are looking for other options.

Also - if there is any chance that your child has a learning difference (Adhd, dyslexia) the Janney is known for being horrible. Their head of Special Needs does things her way and no one (not even teachers) will challenge her.

I have a child with an IEP at Janney and our experience has been positive. The student support staff that my child is actually working with is great.

The staff is good (OT/Speech etc)- they really try to help the child.
The Student Support Services Coordinator has a reputation.

I know she does, but we have found her supportive as well. Not everybody has problems with her, and it hasn't affected my child's experience. I understand others may have different experiences, but I also get the impression that there are some people on this forum who are out to get back at her.

It is not personal. It is about fully understanding the landscape.
There are many parents in the community who went in thinking the stories were due to difficult parents only to learn that was not the case.
The harm done to the students goes beyond their days at Janney.

Can you be more specific?

Parents who raised concerns about children's learning needs and were brushed off for 1st / 2nd and 3rd grade. Classroom assessments were a little low but always on the border. Told it is not a learning disability - it is ADHD. School did not do full assessment. When PARCC results were available in fall of 4th grade and child scores a "1" in reading section - parent goes back to school and asks again for a full evaluation. This time school determines it is warranted and child identified as having a LD.

I know multiple families with a variation of this story. These families put their trust in the expertise of the professionals at the school. They did not know that they were being given wrong information by the Student Support Services Coordinator.

Weird we have a kid at Janney with ADHD and this was not our experience at all getting an evaluation and an IEP - our kid hasn't had any serious issues so I will grant his case thus far has not been serious but we've had great support from his teachers and the assesment staff.

I have a child with autism at Janney and would say the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like the smaller feel of Hearst. I know families at Janney who are looking for other options.

Also - if there is any chance that your child has a learning difference (Adhd, dyslexia) the Janney is known for being horrible. Their head of Special Needs does things her way and no one (not even teachers) will challenge her.

I have a child with an IEP at Janney and our experience has been positive. The student support staff that my child is actually working with is great.

The staff is good (OT/Speech etc)- they really try to help the child.
The Student Support Services Coordinator has a reputation.

I know she does, but we have found her supportive as well. Not everybody has problems with her, and it hasn't affected my child's experience. I understand others may have different experiences, but I also get the impression that there are some people on this forum who are out to get back at her.

It is not personal. It is about fully understanding the landscape.
There are many parents in the community who went in thinking the stories were due to difficult parents only to learn that was not the case.
The harm done to the students goes beyond their days at Janney.

Can you be more specific?

Parents who raised concerns about children's learning needs and were brushed off for 1st / 2nd and 3rd grade. Classroom assessments were a little low but always on the border. Told it is not a learning disability - it is ADHD. School did not do full assessment. When PARCC results were available in fall of 4th grade and child scores a "1" in reading section - parent goes back to school and asks again for a full evaluation. This time school determines it is warranted and child identified as having a LD.

I know multiple families with a variation of this story. These families put their trust in the expertise of the professionals at the school. They did not know that they were being given wrong information by the Student Support Services Coordinator.

Weird we have a kid at Janney with ADHD and this was not our experience at all getting an evaluation and an IEP - our kid hasn't had any serious issues so I will grant his case thus far has not been serious but we've had great support from his teachers and the assessment staff.

I have a child with autism at Janney and would say the same.

Dr. Mallory is fantastic and by far the best from the 2 previous Janney had on staff. Night and Day experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This makes me really sad. I love Hearst and to hear that behavioral issues are such a nightmare in the upper grades makes me sad.

We were considering attending in upper grades. I scoured social media and found some videos of assemblies.... Kids talking over each other, kids talking over teachers. I saw school culture issues. It takes a framework .. you can't run on good intentions.