APS- Nottingham

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the iep. If dyslexia, go private. If autistic or something more serious, then you’ll get a 1:1 aide. It was terrible for one of my kids (lots of long term subs) and ok so far for another. A bunch of really great teachers left after last school year. Not sure why. 2 second grade teachers actually quit teaching entirely. Another teacher went to Jamestown which seemed odd to me. Another went to Swanson. They have much higher teacher turnover than Williamsburg.

fWIW, tenured senior teachers seek Jamestown because it's easier student population. It's reflected all the way through budget - it's one of more expensive ES per pupil but because of salaries.

This is a complete fabrication. Somebody’s spending their late night hours pursuing a weird vendetta against an elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'd avoid this school with a kid with an IEP. The principal sets the tone and she's not supportive of kids with IEPs.

I never post on this hellscape. But this has driven me to it. What on earth are you talking about?! We have two kids at NES and the current principal (along with the VP, by the way, who is also amazing) has been an absolute godsend for our IEP child. They are devoted, attentive, compassionate, and highly communicative. It really bothers me that someone would come here to anonymously trash them without any explanation whatsoever. I’d guess that anyone inclined to do so is fundamentally an a$$hole and probably needs to look in the mirror.

NES is an amazing school. Parents are super engaged. The community is very close… we play soccer and basketball and do swim team and go trick or treating and on and on with the same group of awesome kids and mostly awesome parents. True it’s full of wealthy mostly white kids, in a wealthy mostly white neighborhood. If you want to gripe on those grounds, OK I guess. But you are 100% wrong about IEP kids.

I'm glad you had a good experience but it's weird that you would question ours, which was pretty bad. Several of my friends with kids at NES with IEPs also had bad experiences with the principal so this wasn't a one-off. No, I'm not going to share confidential identifying details on DCUM of our experience or our friends. OP asked, and I answered with our experience. I do agree with you that the VP was lovely but she didn't make the decisions.

I will add that some parents of kids with IEPs were happy early on, then that changed as their kids got older and it became apparent that NES was not addressing their needs. So maybe keep an open mind and don't attack someone with a different experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, you’re not going to do much better than Nottingham. it’s a wealthy, upper middle class school with involved parents and a responsive administration. Count your blessings.

Really?!?! …You’re not going to do much better than Nottingham, it’s wealthy, count your blessings… very few people of color and poor people bring us all down.

You need to question your horrible reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the iep. If dyslexia, go private. If autistic or something more serious, then you’ll get a 1:1 aide. It was terrible for one of my kids (lots of long term subs) and ok so far for another. A bunch of really great teachers left after last school year. Not sure why. 2 second grade teachers actually quit teaching entirely. Another teacher went to Jamestown which seemed odd to me. Another went to Swanson. They have much higher teacher turnover than Williamsburg.

fWIW, tenured senior teachers seek Jamestown because it's easier student population. It's reflected all the way through budget - it's one of more expensive ES per pupil but because of salaries.

APS employee. This is disinformation. Salaries are not determined by school placement.

PP is suggesting the tenured teachers, who make more money, choose Jamestown- thereby making jamestown salaries higher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the iep. If dyslexia, go private. If autistic or something more serious, then you’ll get a 1:1 aide. It was terrible for one of my kids (lots of long term subs) and ok so far for another. A bunch of really great teachers left after last school year. Not sure why. 2 second grade teachers actually quit teaching entirely. Another teacher went to Jamestown which seemed odd to me. Another went to Swanson. They have much higher teacher turnover than Williamsburg.

fWIW, tenured senior teachers seek Jamestown because it's easier student population. It's reflected all the way through budget - it's one of more expensive ES per pupil but because of salaries.

APS employee. This is disinformation. Salaries are not determined by school placement.

I think she’s saying the overall pay there is higher because most of the teachers are more experienced and higher up the pay ladder. I’m also an APS employee. The pp doesn’t understand what tenure means, so I’m suspicious of her comments based on that. She also has inaccurate information. I know a lot of staff really enjoy Jamestown, but definitely not because of their “easy” population. County-wide, Jamestown parents have a reputation for being difficult and unreasonable.

Regarding other comments about NES—the reasons that kids have IEPs vary widely. From my experience, most schools are incredibly supportive of kids with learning disabilities or mild intellectual impairments. When the issues manifest in problematic behaviors, administrators who are often lacking in special education experience or a strong child development background start to blame parents and end up being less compassionate towards the students. Not all kids with IEPs will have similar experiences at a given school.

[Anonymous]

It is true that not all kids at a school with an IEP will have the same experience. But it is also true that there are wide disparities in how different schools treat kids with IEPs, or kids trying to get IEPs. Some schools in APS are known to be great while others are known to be really bad. Parents in the know try to avoid those bad schools if they can. This is usually driven by the admin at each school.

Unfortunately Nottingham is known to be one of the bad schools for kids with IEPs. Wish it was not the case, but it is. Also NES feeds mostly into Williamsburg, which parents of kids with IEPs try to flee if they can and for very good reason. So NES is worth avoiding for both reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the iep. If dyslexia, go private. If autistic or something more serious, then you’ll get a 1:1 aide. It was terrible for one of my kids (lots of long term subs) and ok so far for another. A bunch of really great teachers left after last school year. Not sure why. 2 second grade teachers actually quit teaching entirely. Another teacher went to Jamestown which seemed odd to me. Another went to Swanson. They have much higher teacher turnover than Williamsburg.

fWIW, tenured senior teachers seek Jamestown because it's easier student population. It's reflected all the way through budget - it's one of more expensive ES per pupil but because of salaries.

APS employee. This is disinformation. Salaries are not determined by school placement.

I think she’s saying the overall pay there is higher because most of the teachers are more experienced and higher up the pay ladder. I’m also an APS employee. The pp doesn’t understand what tenure means, so I’m suspicious of her comments based on that. She also has inaccurate information. I know a lot of staff really enjoy Jamestown, but definitely not because of their “easy” population. County-wide, Jamestown parents have a reputation for being difficult and unreasonable.

Regarding other comments about NES—the reasons that kids have IEPs vary widely. From my experience, most schools are incredibly supportive of kids with learning disabilities or mild intellectual impairments. When the issues manifest in problematic behaviors, administrators who are often lacking in special education experience or a strong child development background start to blame parents and end up being less compassionate towards the students. Not all kids with IEPs will have similar experiences at a given school.

My kids had milder IEP needs, never problematic behaviors and I would not describe NES as incredibly supportive. Quite the opposite. They wanted to give her nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the iep. If dyslexia, go private. If autistic or something more serious, then you’ll get a 1:1 aide. It was terrible for one of my kids (lots of long term subs) and ok so far for another. A bunch of really great teachers left after last school year. Not sure why. 2 second grade teachers actually quit teaching entirely. Another teacher went to Jamestown which seemed odd to me. Another went to Swanson. They have much higher teacher turnover than Williamsburg.

fWIW, tenured senior teachers seek Jamestown because it's easier student population. It's reflected all the way through budget - it's one of more expensive ES per pupil but because of salaries.

APS employee. This is disinformation. Salaries are not determined by school placement.

I think she’s saying the overall pay there is higher because most of the teachers are more experienced and higher up the pay ladder. I’m also an APS employee. The pp doesn’t understand what tenure means, so I’m suspicious of her comments based on that. She also has inaccurate information. I know a lot of staff really enjoy Jamestown, but definitely not because of their “easy” population. County-wide, Jamestown parents have a reputation for being difficult and unreasonable.

Regarding other comments about NES—the reasons that kids have IEPs vary widely. From my experience, most schools are incredibly supportive of kids with learning disabilities or mild intellectual impairments. When the issues manifest in problematic behaviors, administrators who are often lacking in special education experience or a strong child development background start to blame parents and end up being less compassionate towards the students. Not all kids with IEPs will have similar experiences at a given school.

My kids had milder IEP needs, never problematic behaviors and I would not describe NES as incredibly supportive. Quite the opposite. They wanted to give her nothing.

I’m the PP. Was she OHI or LD or ASD? LD needs are clearer to teachers and administrators, I think. This is all just a theory I’ve come up with trying to figure out why some kids are better supported than others. Because as an educator, I observe it, too. I’m not trying to start an argument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the iep. If dyslexia, go private. If autistic or something more serious, then you’ll get a 1:1 aide. It was terrible for one of my kids (lots of long term subs) and ok so far for another. A bunch of really great teachers left after last school year. Not sure why. 2 second grade teachers actually quit teaching entirely. Another teacher went to Jamestown which seemed odd to me. Another went to Swanson. They have much higher teacher turnover than Williamsburg.

fWIW, tenured senior teachers seek Jamestown because it's easier student population. It's reflected all the way through budget - it's one of more expensive ES per pupil but because of salaries.

APS employee. This is disinformation. Salaries are not determined by school placement.

I think she’s saying the overall pay there is higher because most of the teachers are more experienced and higher up the pay ladder. I’m also an APS employee. The pp doesn’t understand what tenure means, so I’m suspicious of her comments based on that. She also has inaccurate information. I know a lot of staff really enjoy Jamestown, but definitely not because of their “easy” population. County-wide, Jamestown parents have a reputation for being difficult and unreasonable.

Regarding other comments about NES—the reasons that kids have IEPs vary widely. From my experience, most schools are incredibly supportive of kids with learning disabilities or mild intellectual impairments. When the issues manifest in problematic behaviors, administrators who are often lacking in special education experience or a strong child development background start to blame parents and end up being less compassionate towards the students. Not all kids with IEPs will have similar experiences at a given school.

My kids had milder IEP needs, never problematic behaviors and I would not describe NES as incredibly supportive. Quite the opposite. They wanted to give her nothing.

I’m the PP. Was she OHI or LD or ASD? LD needs are clearer to teachers and administrators, I think. This is all just a theory I’ve come up with trying to figure out why some kids are better supported than others. Because as an educator, I observe it, too. I’m not trying to start an argument.

I appreciate the conversation. She is in one of those groups. I'm not comfortable saying more. I will say that we have friends at NES with kids in the other two groups and they also had a miserable experience with special ed at NES. The school has a bad attitude towards support. I could tell you stories of what happened to us and other families but I'm not going to do that.

Why do you think LD needs are more clear to schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my kids has special needs and received great supports at Nottingham. We are very happy at the school and I think it's as good, if not better, than the other elementary schools. If you don't want to buy a house zoned for Nottingham, you might want to reconsider living in Arlington.

Seriously?!
I'd stay away just to avoid this parental attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We love Nottingham, but did not have any special needs to consider. Last year was a rough school year, no thanks to APS policies during the pandemic. The N. Arlington elementaries are all very similar, so not sure I’d agree with the “Nottingham or bust” poster, but it is a nice school with caring teachers and an involved community. Some of the parents can be a little much, but there are all sorts and you can find your people.

Nottingham and Tuckahoe have a better parent community than Discovery. Partly due to Discovery being a newer school (less time to build traditions, community) and partly to COVID putting a halt to most events.

I think Discovery parents would disagree. Discovery has been around a while now and the parents I know there have been lovely, involved, and concerned about schools beyond their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We love Nottingham, but did not have any special needs to consider. Last year was a rough school year, no thanks to APS policies during the pandemic. The N. Arlington elementaries are all very similar, so not sure I’d agree with the “Nottingham or bust” poster, but it is a nice school with caring teachers and an involved community. Some of the parents can be a little much, but there are all sorts and you can find your people.

Nottingham and Tuckahoe have a better parent community than Discovery. Partly due to Discovery being a newer school (less time to build traditions, community) and partly to COVID putting a halt to most events.

I think Discovery parents would disagree. Discovery has been around a while now and the parents I know there have been lovely, involved, and concerned about schools beyond their own.

I am one, and that's my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We love Nottingham, but did not have any special needs to consider. Last year was a rough school year, no thanks to APS policies during the pandemic. The N. Arlington elementaries are all very similar, so not sure I’d agree with the “Nottingham or bust” poster, but it is a nice school with caring teachers and an involved community. Some of the parents can be a little much, but there are all sorts and you can find your people.

Nottingham and Tuckahoe have a better parent community than Discovery. Partly due to Discovery being a newer school (less time to build traditions, community) and partly to COVID putting a halt to most events.

I think Discovery parents would disagree. Discovery has been around a while now and the parents I know there have been lovely, involved, and concerned about schools beyond their own.

I am one, and that's my opinion.

Nottingham parent scene is cliquey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the iep. If dyslexia, go private. If autistic or something more serious, then you’ll get a 1:1 aide. It was terrible for one of my kids (lots of long term subs) and ok so far for another. A bunch of really great teachers left after last school year. Not sure why. 2 second grade teachers actually quit teaching entirely. Another teacher went to Jamestown which seemed odd to me. Another went to Swanson. They have much higher teacher turnover than Williamsburg.

fWIW, tenured senior teachers seek Jamestown because it's easier student population. It's reflected all the way through budget - it's one of more expensive ES per pupil but because of salaries.

APS employee. This is disinformation. Salaries are not determined by school placement.

I think she’s saying the overall pay there is higher because most of the teachers are more experienced and higher up the pay ladder. I’m also an APS employee. The pp doesn’t understand what tenure means, so I’m suspicious of her comments based on that. She also has inaccurate information. I know a lot of staff really enjoy Jamestown, but definitely not because of their “easy” population. County-wide, Jamestown parents have a reputation for being difficult and unreasonable.

Regarding other comments about NES—the reasons that kids have IEPs vary widely. From my experience, most schools are incredibly supportive of kids with learning disabilities or mild intellectual impairments. When the issues manifest in problematic behaviors, administrators who are often lacking in special education experience or a strong child development background start to blame parents and end up being less compassionate towards the students. Not all kids with IEPs will have similar experiences at a given school.

My kids had milder IEP needs, never problematic behaviors and I would not describe NES as incredibly supportive. Quite the opposite. They wanted to give her nothing.

I’m the PP. Was she OHI or LD or ASD? LD needs are clearer to teachers and administrators, I think. This is all just a theory I’ve come up with trying to figure out why some kids are better supported than others. Because as an educator, I observe it, too. I’m not trying to start an argument.

I appreciate the conversation. She is in one of those groups. I'm not comfortable saying more. I will say that we have friends at NES with kids in the other two groups and they also had a miserable experience with special ed at NES. The school has a bad attitude towards support. I could tell you stories of what happened to us and other families but I'm not going to do that.

Why do you think LD needs are more clear to schools?

PP here. What? An actual conversation on this site instead of an argument? I appreciate you, too. In terms of the eligibility worksheets that are used to designate a disability, the criteria go LD are clearer and they are specifically related to testing that falls firmly into the realm of education. You look at that testing, grades and SOLS. It is in a teacher’s wheelhouse. Other diagnoses fall partly within the area of psychology and medicine. Teachers don’t have a great understanding of this. Some teachers recognize what they don’t know and do their best. Others are really dismissive. They talk about bad parenting and spoiled kids INCESSANTLY. I wish that teachers had to take more biology and psychology so they could understand that at the level of brain development and neurotransmitters, these kids are different. I think this blaming parents for being inept and kids for being bratty leads to very unsupportive teachers and administrators. I think administration sort of sets the tone for this, but I also think just a few loudmouthed, negative teachers can poison a school. Again, these are just my theories. I’d love to see some research into the workplace culture of schools and how it impacts students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the iep. If dyslexia, go private. If autistic or something more serious, then you’ll get a 1:1 aide. It was terrible for one of my kids (lots of long term subs) and ok so far for another. A bunch of really great teachers left after last school year. Not sure why. 2 second grade teachers actually quit teaching entirely. Another teacher went to Jamestown which seemed odd to me. Another went to Swanson. They have much higher teacher turnover than Williamsburg.

fWIW, tenured senior teachers seek Jamestown because it's easier student population. It's reflected all the way through budget - it's one of more expensive ES per pupil but because of salaries.

APS employee. This is disinformation. Salaries are not determined by school placement.

I think she’s saying the overall pay there is higher because most of the teachers are more experienced and higher up the pay ladder. I’m also an APS employee. The pp doesn’t understand what tenure means, so I’m suspicious of her comments based on that. She also has inaccurate information. I know a lot of staff really enjoy Jamestown, but definitely not because of their “easy” population. County-wide, Jamestown parents have a reputation for being difficult and unreasonable.

Regarding other comments about NES—the reasons that kids have IEPs vary widely. From my experience, most schools are incredibly supportive of kids with learning disabilities or mild intellectual impairments. When the issues manifest in problematic behaviors, administrators who are often lacking in special education experience or a strong child development background start to blame parents and end up being less compassionate towards the students. Not all kids with IEPs will have similar experiences at a given school.

My kids had milder IEP needs, never problematic behaviors and I would not describe NES as incredibly supportive. Quite the opposite. They wanted to give her nothing.

I’m the PP. Was she OHI or LD or ASD? LD needs are clearer to teachers and administrators, I think. This is all just a theory I’ve come up with trying to figure out why some kids are better supported than others. Because as an educator, I observe it, too. I’m not trying to start an argument.

I appreciate the conversation. She is in one of those groups. I'm not comfortable saying more. I will say that we have friends at NES with kids in the other two groups and they also had a miserable experience with special ed at NES. The school has a bad attitude towards support. I could tell you stories of what happened to us and other families but I'm not going to do that.

Why do you think LD needs are more clear to schools?

PP here. What? An actual conversation on this site instead of an argument? I appreciate you, too. In terms of the eligibility worksheets that are used to designate a disability, the criteria go LD are clearer and they are specifically related to testing that falls firmly into the realm of education. You look at that testing, grades and SOLS. It is in a teacher’s wheelhouse. Other diagnoses fall partly within the area of psychology and medicine. Teachers don’t have a great understanding of this. Some teachers recognize what they don’t know and do their best. Others are really dismissive. They talk about bad parenting and spoiled kids INCESSANTLY. I wish that teachers had to take more biology and psychology so they could understand that at the level of brain development and neurotransmitters, these kids are different. I think this blaming parents for being inept and kids for being bratty leads to very unsupportive teachers and administrators. I think administration sort of sets the tone for this, but I also think just a few loudmouthed, negative teachers can poison a school. Again, these are just my theories. I’d love to see some research into the workplace culture of schools and how it impacts students.

PP here. Thank you for this thoughtful explanation. I never thought about it this way but it makes sense. Isn't a school psychologist supposed to be on the team? Are they helpful in this situations?