Getting to know Mundo Verde campuses outside open house

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does MV Cook do about playgrounds? Are all recesses just in the mulch patch outside? Or do they walk to other playgrounds?

They walk to NY Ave or FL Ave depending on age.
They have staff scout it out ahead of the first recess time to check for sketchy activity. I think I'm my children's 5 years at the school they skipped the park a couple times for that, very very rarely.
If you're okay with some aspects of urban life, it's actually not as bad as I had feared.

Is that the case for PK as well?

It's the first time I'm hearing about a staff scout for playgrounds and appreciate the transparency. Likely hard to get honest assessment of safety and comfort from other parents I've encountered because they're not going to say "I'm not comfortable but sticking with it."

Generally not a skittish person, grew up in major cities, but having a little kid—and familiarity with this specific area—is shifting my framing. Commuted daily on foot or by bike from Shaw across P St to North Capitol for 5+ years. Saw how things have changed and how they haven't. Chances are majority of the time it would be just fine.

But given the location, the lack of playground changes those "chances" and is definitely making us hesitate on this one, even though we're otherwise getting a good feel for the school's culture and that issues a couple of years ago are turning around.

[Anonymous]

I can’t comment on P St but my kid was at MV8. I remember a number of new parents were hesitant about the younger kids walking to Turkey Thicket. After a few weeks, it was no big deal.

I actually liked it that they walked there. Good learning experience and giving them freedom to learn that walking is common in the city, learn pedestrian safety, staying in line, listening to staff. It’s nothing to them after getting used to it. It encourages independence which in my book is a good thing. I am always trying to push that with my kid.

Fast forward to 6th at DCI, and he is taking metro/bus to school by himself like many of his MV friends, It has been such a game changer not having to take your kid to school and back. Plus all the sports and clubs is also there, and we have been able to eliminate these things outside of school with all the driving and it also opens up our weekends.

Lastly, turkey thicket playground is amazing. It’s got the ship, water element, the obstacle course. Seriously, any school playground would be a disappointment compared to that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t comment on P St but my kid was at MV8. I remember a number of new parents were hesitant about the younger kids walking to Turkey Thicket. After a few weeks, it was no big deal.

I actually liked it that they walked there. Good learning experience and giving them freedom to learn that walking is common in the city, learn pedestrian safety, staying in line, listening to staff. It’s nothing to them after getting used to it. It encourages independence which in my book is a good thing. I am always trying to push that with my kid.

Fast forward to 6th at DCI, and he is taking metro/bus to school by himself like many of his MV friends, It has been such a game changer not having to take your kid to school and back. Plus all the sports and clubs is also there, and we have been able to eliminate these things outside of school with all the driving and it also opens up our weekends.

Lastly, turkey thicket playground is amazing. It’s got the ship, water element, the obstacle course. Seriously, any school playground would be a disappointment compared to that.

We're not in the neighborhood and sometimes drive to Turkey Thicket on the weekends when we feel like mixing things up for our toddler. Agree it's a nice playground.

My kid went to daycare in the NoMa area and walked to multiple playgrounds as a two-year-old. As far as I know, it was fine the vast majority of the time. Teachers/staff are well trained, and the kids really loved being out and about walking. But even with that experience, I can understand parents being hesitant about further up on North Capitol around level of the Cook campus. I wish the school would speak to this more directly.

[Anonymous]

PP adding. There's also a valid additional layer of fear due to the immigration raids in DC and around the country, that a bilingual school would be targeted. That crackdown isn't going to make us bail on Spanish immersion but I'd be lying if I said we don't think about it regularly.

[Anonymous]

Visited MV8's open house recently and really really liked the school and their overall approach to education.. my issue is primarily with the kids walking to Turkey Thicket..In that evidently its not discussed with parents.. its just a thing they decide to do..There's also an issue imo with the main climbing structure there.. a large train thats completely open at the top, opposite the slide.. and the drop at that opening leads to the top metal grated bars of the train, and then on the other side is a steep-ish climbing wall.. I'm surprised DPR hasnt tweaked it yet as its an overall fun addition.. its just something to be watched closely imo and tough to do that with a class full of younger kids and 1 or 2 helpers.. Also not crazy about the walk to the Michigan park playground across that busy intersection. There are also walks to local grocery stores, dry cleaners etc. In theory.. all really good, fun, smart excursions but it just seems like alot at that young age

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Visited MV8's open house recently and really really liked the school and their overall approach to education.. my issue is primarily with the kids walking to Turkey Thicket..In that evidently its not discussed with parents.. its just a thing they decide to do..There's also an issue imo with the main climbing structure there.. a large train thats completely open at the top, opposite the slide.. and the drop at that opening leads to the top metal grated bars of the train, and then on the other side is a steep-ish climbing wall.. I'm surprised DPR hasnt tweaked it yet as its an overall fun addition.. its just something to be watched closely imo and tough to do that with a class full of younger kids and 1 or 2 helpers.. Also not crazy about the walk to the Michigan park playground across that busy intersection. There are also walks to local grocery stores, dry cleaners etc. In theory.. all really good, fun, smart excursions but it just seems like alot at that young age

The walks to the playground and turkey thicket were never hidden from parents. When my now 5th grader was in peek they used to walk to Turkey Thicket. I have 2 kids at MV8 and the walks have never seemed unsafe or too much. But if this concerns you than you should not list the school.

[Anonymous]

Are these daily walks and at set times? Or do parents get a heads-up when they are doing this? I mean it’s ~15 min one way and probably longer with the little ones, so the concern isn’t unreasonable.

But at least they’re getting outdoor time, though walking in line for 30 min is different from running around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Visited MV8's open house recently and really really liked the school and their overall approach to education.. my issue is primarily with the kids walking to Turkey Thicket..In that evidently its not discussed with parents.. its just a thing they decide to do..There's also an issue imo with the main climbing structure there.. a large train thats completely open at the top, opposite the slide.. and the drop at that opening leads to the top metal grated bars of the train, and then on the other side is a steep-ish climbing wall.. I'm surprised DPR hasnt tweaked it yet as its an overall fun addition.. its just something to be watched closely imo and tough to do that with a class full of younger kids and 1 or 2 helpers.. Also not crazy about the walk to the Michigan park playground across that busy intersection. There are also walks to local grocery stores, dry cleaners etc. In theory.. all really good, fun, smart excursions but it just seems like alot at that young age

The walks to the playground and turkey thicket were never hidden from parents. When my now 5th grader was in peek they used to walk to Turkey Thicket. I have 2 kids at MV8 and the walks have never seemed unsafe or too much. But if this concerns you than you should not list the school.

+1. If PP is concerned not only about the walk but also Turkey Thicket, MV8 would not be a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are these daily walks and at set times? Or do parents get a heads-up when they are doing this? I mean it’s ~15 min one way and probably longer with the little ones, so the concern isn’t unreasonable.

But at least they’re getting outdoor time, though walking in line for 30 min is different from running around.

What? No, it’s their recess. They walk there for recess. The school is not going to notify parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are these daily walks and at set times? Or do parents get a heads-up when they are doing this? I mean it’s ~15 min one way and probably longer with the little ones, so the concern isn’t unreasonable.

But at least they’re getting outdoor time, though walking in line for 30 min is different from running around.

It is at set times since it is during recess. Get use to not getting daily notes about what your child did during the day, it isn’t daycare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are these daily walks and at set times? Or do parents get a heads-up when they are doing this? I mean it’s ~15 min one way and probably longer with the little ones, so the concern isn’t unreasonable.

But at least they’re getting outdoor time, though walking in line for 30 min is different from running around.

The younger grades do not go to Turkey Thicket. They go to Michigan Park. It’s a short walk. But my oldest loved going to TT I’m prek.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should read this. Parents protesting their own elementary school.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/06/16/mundo-verde-charter-protest-dc/

In 10 years someone will still share a link to this article as though it is still relevant. Let it go.

It was only 2.5 years ago. Kids are still at the school. I think it is relevant.

[Anonymous]

At the Mundo Verde Cook tour today, they said that only grades 3-5 venture out to neighborhood playgrounds and PK, K, 1, 2 have recess at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are these daily walks and at set times? Or do parents get a heads-up when they are doing this? I mean it’s ~15 min one way and probably longer with the little ones, so the concern isn’t unreasonable.

But at least they’re getting outdoor time, though walking in line for 30 min is different from running around.

It is at set times since it is during recess. Get use to not getting daily notes about what your child did during the day, it isn’t daycare.

Lol no need to condescend? Not expecting daycare reports at all. The question was if it’s a set practice, and another PP implied parents weren’t aware so wondered if it’s just an occasional thing they decide to do or not – so yeah, thanks for answering this is their default recess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should read this. Parents protesting their own elementary school.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/06/16/mundo-verde-charter-protest-dc/

In 10 years someone will still share a link to this article as though it is still relevant. Let it go.

It was only 2.5 years ago. Kids are still at the school. I think it is relevant.

Incorrect. These kids are now at DCI. Lots can change in 2.5 years and it’s been for the better at MV.