Kent Gardens Elementary School in Mclean
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Anonymous
| Thank you for posting these links. I have found it incredibly difficult to get info about this school. |
Anonymous
What are you looking to find out? |
Anonymous
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I'm not the PP, but I'm trying to find out about kindergarten at this school. I know about the large class sizes, but what are the teachers like? Are they warm? Is is a happy, energized environment? Is it chaotic with so many kids? If your child marches to his or her own drummer a bit (e.g. is shy or kind of into brainy type pursuits) would that be viewed favorably or would the teachers be annoyed? Are there a lot of behavioral issues even at this age? Is bullying in K a concern?
Comments on any of the above welcome! |
Anonymous
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Why are you interested in this ES? Is this your neighborhood school?
You'll find large class sizes no matter where you go, but at KG, they have a teaching assistant for all the K classes. In addition, there's a classroom parent that helps out too. All of the teachers are nice and are generally good listeners. The PTA at this school is very involved, and very good at raising money for the school. This school's PTA has a huge budget which allowed them to buy smart boards for all the classrooms. The younger kids get a behavior report sent home if they misbehave. There are no indications of bullying either at the school or on the school bus. This year, they are initiating a STEM (engineering) engineering program. |
Anonymous
| I just wanted to chime in that ALL schools in fairfax county have full time kindergarten assistants. That is not specific to Kent Gardens. |
Anonymous
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It's a public school in an affluent suburb. Some teachers are truly amazing. Some teachers are strict. All teachers hug. Some kids are brilliant. Some kids have learning disabilities. Most kids are sweet and warm, some are badly behaved or mean. It's life. Parents who weigh caretakers and nurturers as equal to or more important than educators in terms of the right environment for their child's schooling would probably be well served by checking out some of the wonderful private schools in the area.
There are many reasons why many of us chose to live in the school boundary, and one is that the school is generally terrific. Of course, you'll find complainers (as well as legitimate complaints) almost everywhere. (speaking of which, don't put too much stake in the aforementioned 'underground parent blog.' it was initiated and is written mostly by a revengeful mother who apparently complained that her 2nd or 3rd grader didn't get chosen for an advanced math group and now the child might not get into a good college. so, take her blog with a grain of salt, she seems to have an axe to grind.) |
Anonymous
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We may be moving to a home in the KG area.
Is it true the PTA collects money at the beginning of the year for parties/teacher gifts, etc? What if your child has life threatening food allergies? Do you still contribute. I like to give teachers gifts when I think they are outstanding? Do you have toi give at the beginning? Is the principal retiring or was that a rumor? Are oarents welcome to volunteer in the classroom and make arrangements with the teacher or is their a momfia that controls everything? |
Anonymous
you won't fit in there |
Anonymous
| What does an "engineering program" for elementary school children entail? |
Anonymous
My child goes to KGES. Each class has (volunteer) room parents who coordinate contributions for class funds that cover costs for parties, gifts, etc. Everything is purely optional and parents who don't want to contribute, don't. It's not a PTA-led initiative. There are children at the school with life threatening allergies, and when a child with an allergy is in a class, everyone knows and birthday/party foods are restricted and safe (store bought only, not processed in a facility with nuts, etc). I volunteered in my child's classroom one year, but not all teachers find that to be helpful. Plenty of volunteer opportunities for parents who want to help at the school, but if you're looking to be present in your child's classroom, would be a request/offer to make directly to the teacher. |
Anonymous
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(speaking of which, don't put too much stake in the aforementioned 'underground parent blog.' it was initiated and is written mostly by a revengeful mother who apparently complained that her 2nd or 3rd grader didn't get chosen for an advanced math group and now the child might not get into a good college. so, take her blog with a grain of salt, she seems to have an axe to grind.)
Speaking of the blog, the moderator is in fact stating the truth about the school. She has kids in both in advance and in basic math. That blog is the only place you will get "transparent" communication about KGES. You can be the judge. http://www.peelbacktheapple.blogspot.com/ |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
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If you want to reach this "revengeful" mother, please contact me at strelser@msn.com. I'd be glad to share everything.
I do not post all the "thank yous" from the people who have been waiting for a forum to speak the truth about the school. Rather, there are real estate people who are concerned my blog will lower property value. I'm not sacrificing children for property value. Please read the "Bruises" page of the blog for another parent's treatment at the school and there will be probably more to come. http://www.peelbacktheapple.blogspot.com/ |
Anonymous
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To 21:06-thank you! This is informative. I had heard there isn't a lot of parent volunteering in the classroom and that is something we want, but it is good to know the school is so receptive to food allergies and the PTA is active. I have heard some good things about this school.
To 15:41: I have a lot of respect for you for putting your name to your complaints here and on the blog. As someone considering moving to the area I appreciate getting all different perspectives. I did look at the blog and you seem willing to publish anything, even complaints about your blog which shows openess. |
Anonymous
That's takes some courage. Not sure I'd put my kid in a situation where the teachers and administrators know her mom is airing their dirty laundry, but typically every effort is made to sweep issues with any McLean school under the rug. More so than in any other area we've ever lived, administrators at McLean schools are enamored of the schools' great reputations and high test scores and totally lacking in common sense when asked to work with parents. |