Colvin Run Elementary School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More evidence Colvin Run polarizes it’s aap and gen ed kids/parents: for Back to School night parents of 3rd grade gen ed kids have a general presentation in the library with all the gen ed classrooms together while the aap level 4 parents go to their kids’ individual classrooms and get a closer look into their classroom and teacher. This school is rididiculous.

Yep. My kids are now past their Colvin Run days, but I remember this well. I'm astounded that they're still doing this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More evidence Colvin Run polarizes it’s aap and gen ed kids/parents: for Back to School night parents of 3rd grade gen ed kids have a general presentation in the library with all the gen ed classrooms together while the aap level 4 parents go to their kids’ individual classrooms and get a closer look into their classroom and teacher. This school is rididiculous.

I can’t imagine taking such offense based on something like this. But it’s why we avoided the Langley pyramid - too many high-maintenance parents.

DP, but how on earth is taking exception to this "high-maintenance"? One group of parents is herded together to hear a general overview of what their kids' year will be like; the other group of parents is invited into their kids' classrooms to hear a detailed account of what they'll be learning. Oh, let me guess: you're in that second group of parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More evidence Colvin Run polarizes it’s aap and gen ed kids/parents: for Back to School night parents of 3rd grade gen ed kids have a general presentation in the library with all the gen ed classrooms together while the aap level 4 parents go to their kids’ individual classrooms and get a closer look into their classroom and teacher. This school is rididiculous.

I can’t imagine taking such offense based on something like this. But it’s why we avoided the Langley pyramid - too many high-maintenance parents.

Our school not far from Colvin Run has all the 3rd grade classes together and then gives a small presentation during that time about the AAP program and how it is different. It's a very small part of the presentation. I agree that all kids should get some time with their teacher in their classrooms if that is the policy for some classes.

Agreed, but maybe a teacher could not be there that evening so they did a combined presentation, or they did a combined presentation before splitting off to individual classrooms, or there’s some other explanation. Jumping to the conclusion that one is getting short-changed seems premature so early in the school year.

Not really, especially to those of us who have been there before. This is exactly what the rest of the year will be like.

[Anonymous]

I just got back from BTSN at CR where my kid is a gen ed 3rd grader. It's really not that bad - or rather, I don't think it's that big of deal. The teachers met with all the parents together to talk about the curriculum, and then we broke out into our individual classrooms. The principal also came into our gen ed classroom to meet with parents.

I think when people listen to all the hype on DCUM, then no matter what, they are going to see what they want to see. Maybe the opposite works for optimists, but I have had three kids cycle through Colvin Run - all in gen ed - and I have been very happy with both their education and social environment. I have no complaints whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from BTSN at CR where my kid is a gen ed 3rd grader. It's really not that bad - or rather, I don't think it's that big of deal. The teachers met with all the parents together to talk about the curriculum, and then we broke out into our individual classrooms. The principal also came into our gen ed classroom to meet with parents.

I think when people listen to all the hype on DCUM, then no matter what, they are going to see what they want to see. Maybe the opposite works for optimists, but I have had three kids cycle through Colvin Run - all in gen ed - and I have been very happy with both their education and social environment. I have no complaints whatsoever.

Interesting to have another perspective from, you know, a functioning adult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from BTSN at CR where my kid is a gen ed 3rd grader. It's really not that bad - or rather, I don't think it's that big of deal. The teachers met with all the parents together to talk about the curriculum, and then we broke out into our individual classrooms. The principal also came into our gen ed classroom to meet with parents.

I think when people listen to all the hype on DCUM, then no matter what, they are going to see what they want to see. Maybe the opposite works for optimists, but I have had three kids cycle through Colvin Run - all in gen ed - and I have been very happy with both their education and social environment. I have no complaints whatsoever.

But that isn't what the pp said. They said only the AAP classes went to their individual classrooms. So which is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from BTSN at CR where my kid is a gen ed 3rd grader. It's really not that bad - or rather, I don't think it's that big of deal. The teachers met with all the parents together to talk about the curriculum, and then we broke out into our individual classrooms. The principal also came into our gen ed classroom to meet with parents.

I think when people listen to all the hype on DCUM, then no matter what, they are going to see what they want to see. Maybe the opposite works for optimists, but I have had three kids cycle through Colvin Run - all in gen ed - and I have been very happy with both their education and social environment. I have no complaints whatsoever.

But that isn't what the pp said. They said only the AAP classes went to their individual classrooms. So which is it?

Initially, AAP were to meet in their classrooms and gen ed were to first meet in the library, then go to their classrooms to meet with their teachers - there is a brand new 3rd grade teacher (as in, he's been there only 2 weeks), so they wanted to have the gen ed parents meet in one room so the more experienced teachers (who knew the curriculum and school norms better than the new teacher) could brief the curriculum portion of the presentation. (My guess is that if the teacher hadn't been so new, both gen ed and AAP parents would have met in their individual classrooms.) In the end, the principal decided to have all the parents (AAP and gen ed) together for the curriculum briefing and then break for their classrooms. Regardless, I don't think it's such a big deal to separate the AAP and gen ed briefings -- one AAP parent I talked to was super-concerned about whether her child could do the AAP curriculum, so I can see how the briefing could have been derailed by numerous questions about AAP that weren't relevant to the gen ed students.

I just think people are seeing conflict where there is none.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from BTSN at CR where my kid is a gen ed 3rd grader. It's really not that bad - or rather, I don't think it's that big of deal. The teachers met with all the parents together to talk about the curriculum, and then we broke out into our individual classrooms. The principal also came into our gen ed classroom to meet with parents.

I think when people listen to all the hype on DCUM, then no matter what, they are going to see what they want to see. Maybe the opposite works for optimists, but I have had three kids cycle through Colvin Run - all in gen ed - and I have been very happy with both their education and social environment. I have no complaints whatsoever.

But that isn't what the pp said. They said only the AAP classes went to their individual classrooms. So which is it?

Initially, AAP were to meet in their classrooms and gen ed were to first meet in the library, then go to their classrooms to meet with their teachers - there is a brand new 3rd grade teacher (as in, he's been there only 2 weeks), so they wanted to have the gen ed parents meet in one room so the more experienced teachers (who knew the curriculum and school norms better than the new teacher) could brief the curriculum portion of the presentation. (My guess is that if the teacher hadn't been so new, both gen ed and AAP parents would have met in their individual classrooms.) In the end, the principal decided to have all the parents (AAP and gen ed) together for the curriculum briefing and then break for their classrooms. Regardless, I don't think it's such a big deal to separate the AAP and gen ed briefings -- one AAP parent I talked to was super-concerned about whether her child could do the AAP curriculum, so I can see how the briefing could have been derailed by numerous questions about AAP that weren't relevant to the gen ed students.

I just think people are seeing conflict where there is none.

Not the only school that has AAP and general ed. They can do it the same way in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from BTSN at CR where my kid is a gen ed 3rd grader. It's really not that bad - or rather, I don't think it's that big of deal. The teachers met with all the parents together to talk about the curriculum, and then we broke out into our individual classrooms. The principal also came into our gen ed classroom to meet with parents.

I think when people listen to all the hype on DCUM, then no matter what, they are going to see what they want to see. Maybe the opposite works for optimists, but I have had three kids cycle through Colvin Run - all in gen ed - and I have been very happy with both their education and social environment. I have no complaints whatsoever.

But that isn't what the pp said. They said only the AAP classes went to their individual classrooms. So which is it?

Initially, AAP were to meet in their classrooms and gen ed were to first meet in the library, then go to their classrooms to meet with their teachers - there is a brand new 3rd grade teacher (as in, he's been there only 2 weeks), so they wanted to have the gen ed parents meet in one room so the more experienced teachers (who knew the curriculum and school norms better than the new teacher) could brief the curriculum portion of the presentation. (My guess is that if the teacher hadn't been so new, both gen ed and AAP parents would have met in their individual classrooms.) In the end, the principal decided to have all the parents (AAP and gen ed) together for the curriculum briefing and then break for their classrooms. Regardless, I don't think it's such a big deal to separate the AAP and gen ed briefings -- one AAP parent I talked to was super-concerned about whether her child could do the AAP curriculum, so I can see how the briefing could have been derailed by numerous questions about AAP that weren't relevant to the gen ed students.

I just think people are seeing conflict where there is none.

Not the only school that has AAP and general ed. They can do it the same way in the future.

Exactly. There is very little difference between AAP and gen ed (I've had kids in both). To make it seem otherwise - that the two groups would need to meet separately - is absurd. There really shouldn't even be two groups in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Exactly. There shouldn’t be two groups. Colvin Run is always boasting about its character shapes (respect, compassion, honesty...) and how it encourages mindfulness, yet it does the exact opposite by labeling students as “gen ed” and “aap”. The gen ed students think they’re “stupid” (as many parents have said their kids ask them, probably because that’s what kids at the playground are calling them) and the aap kids think they’re “smart”, which is a fixed mindset and doesn’t help them in the long run. They think they were born “smart”. So, neither groups are benefitting from the divide. Colvin Run just needs to own up to the culture it’s creating if that’s their intention. If it’s not their intention, then they should modify the real purpose of aap and be a role model for other FCPS. From what I’ve read Montgomery County public schools really only allow about the top 3% of gifted students into their level 4 aap program. FCPS “advanced” services’ qualifications is much broader and allows about 30%-40% student considered “gifted” and “advanced”. That’s why Colvin Run and other centers cause the divide. If so many kids are getting into the aap level 4 program kids start wondering why they didn’t make it and in turn think they’re “stupid”.

[Anonymous]

100% ^PP!! The principal is always talking about how Colvin Run is a role model for other FCPS and if a program can’t work here it won’t work in other FCPS schools. If he truly wanted to make a difference in all children's success and self-esteem he would advocate to eliminate the whole aap level 4 application process (and the ridiculous appeal portion) and stop labeling kids and let the teachers place the truly gifted/advanced kids in the same class without even labeling anybody as aap or gen ed. That’s how private schools do it without upsetting kids and parents. This principal tells all new parents that Cres is a public private school,but it’s far from it. Private schools also give all kids a chance to excel at deeper learning because they know most kids will meet high expectations. By dividing kids into aap and gen ed you’re basically tell a group of kids they lack potential. It’s actually very sad.

[Anonymous]

I don't see it, but I guess everyone has different experiences. None of my kids have ever come home saying they are "stupid". In fact, my 3rd grader says he LOVES school this year (and usually the first 3 weeks is a disaster for him), even though many of his friends are in AAP. To be honest, I'm glad they separate for AAP. When my oldest was in Kinder and 1st (at a different school), he always felt intimidated by his more "advanced" friends. When my son was moved to a different group (more on his level), he thrived and eventually caught up to those friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:100% ^PP!! The principal is always talking about how Colvin Run is a role model for other FCPS and if a program can’t work here it won’t work in other FCPS schools. If he truly wanted to make a difference in all children's success and self-esteem he would advocate to eliminate the whole aap level 4 application process (and the ridiculous appeal portion) and stop labeling kids and let the teachers place the truly gifted/advanced kids in the same class without even labeling anybody as aap or gen ed. That’s how private schools do it without upsetting kids and parents. This principal tells all new parents that Cres is a public private school,but it’s far from it. Private schools also give all kids a chance to excel at deeper learning because they know most kids will meet high expectations. By dividing kids into aap and gen ed you’re basically tell a group of kids they lack potential. It’s actually very sad.

I disagree. My kids were not AAP, but they were pulled out for advanced learning when their assessments identified them as needing more.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately my kid is one that has asked me “Mom, am I dumb?”. It was heartbreaking to say the least. Kids are affected more than a lot of parents want to admit. I’ve heard from too many parents that their kid has asked them something similar all because of the obvious divide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. There shouldn’t be two groups. Colvin Run is always boasting about its character shapes (respect, compassion, honesty...) and how it encourages mindfulness, yet it does the exact opposite by labeling students as “gen ed” and “aap”. The gen ed students think they’re “stupid” (as many parents have said their kids ask them, probably because that’s what kids at the playground are calling them) and the aap kids think they’re “smart”, which is a fixed mindset and doesn’t help them in the long run. They think they were born “smart”. So, neither groups are benefitting from the divide. Colvin Run just needs to own up to the culture it’s creating if that’s their intention. If it’s not their intention, then they should modify the real purpose of aap and be a role model for other FCPS. From what I’ve read Montgomery County public schools really only allow about the top 3% of gifted students into their level 4 aap program. FCPS “advanced” services’ qualifications is much broader and allows about 30%-40% student considered “gifted” and “advanced”. That’s why Colvin Run and other centers cause the divide. If so many kids are getting into the aap level 4 program kids start wondering why they didn’t make it and in turn think they’re “stupid”.

+100
Because FCPS allows such a large percentage of kids into AAP, the divide is made that much more obvious - when it shouldn't be. There are far too many kids who overlap the arbitrary "line," and who would be absolutely fine in AAP. If they selected only a very tiny percentage of kids into AAP, there wouldn't be these problems as the vast majority of kids would be considered "equals." Or, they could simply open AAP up to all. This program isn't brain surgery, for crying out loud. It's the same curriculum, just slightly more in depth. Certainly, there are very few kids who would have any difficulty at all with it.