Mt. Vernon Community School - ACPS

[Anonymous]

Yes I think they were talking about J-H. We’re there and the middle school grades are on the smaller side as many choose to go to GW for middle school - I think because of more course and sports choices as it’s a bigger school.We have a couple of years before we have to make that choice.And in many cases the kids who stay have been together since they were in K. So I can see how it might be hard to enter at middle school. One thing I like about the school (but that I could see contributing to what you’re talking about for the middle school grades as they are in their own wing) is that grade levels are paired and each have their own wing of the building with their own small cafeteria (pre-K/K, 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8). When we started I was worried about little and big kids mingling but they all have their own spaces which I think is really nice.

[Anonymous]

Yes I think they were talking about J-H. We’re there and the middle school grades are on the smaller side as many choose to go to GW for middle school - I think because of more course and sports choices as it’s a bigger school.We have a couple of years before we have to make that choice.And in many cases the kids who stay have been together since they were in K. So I can see how it might be hard to enter at middle school. One thing I like about the school (but that I could see contributing to what you’re talking about for the middle school grades as they are in their own wing) is that grade levels are paired and each have their own wing of the building with their own small cafeteria (pre-K/K, 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8). When we started I was worried about little and big kids mingling but they all have their own spaces which I think is really nice.

Yes, JH. I am sure it could be good for other kids who have been there all along. The building is certainly great.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. Looks like we are ending up in the MVCS zone!

If you don’t have any Spanish speakers at your home, how do you help your child with their homework?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Looks like we are ending up in the MVCS zone!

If you don’t have any Spanish speakers at your home, how do you help your child with their homework?

Bump. Thoughts here?

[Anonymous]

Ideally the homework sent home will be what they have done in class so students already know how to do it without much help. However, you should make sure you talk to the school to find out more about the program and what a dual
Language program entails. You and your child are bound to feel uncomfortable sometimes because that is what language learning entails, but may not be a typical feeling for you and/or child. It’s ok if it’s not for you, just don’t go into the program without finding more about it and then demand that teachers send home translated homework.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Looks like we are ending up in the MVCS zone!

If you don’t have any Spanish speakers at your home, how do you help your child with their homework?

My son is in 3rd grade at MVCS and does not get any homework yet. Last year during virtual learning, I just looked up words on my phone if i didn't know, but a lot of it is pretty self-explanatory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Looks like we are ending up in the MVCS zone!

If you don’t have any Spanish speakers at your home, how do you help your child with their homework?

Bump. Thoughts here?

They don’t have homework except for reading in the early grades and other homework we’ve had I can use Google translate if necessary or it’s math (this was only really necessary during the pandemic).

Welcome to MVCS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Looks like we are ending up in the MVCS zone!

If you don’t have any Spanish speakers at your home, how do you help your child with their homework?

My son is in 3rd grade at MVCS and does not get any homework yet. Last year during virtual learning, I just looked up words on my phone if i didn't know, but a lot of it is pretty self-explanatory.

He doesn’t get homework in 3rd grade? Don’t kids in other schools get homework at that age?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Looks like we are ending up in the MVCS zone!

If you don’t have any Spanish speakers at your home, how do you help your child with their homework?

My son is in 3rd grade at MVCS and does not get any homework yet. Last year during virtual learning, I just looked up words on my phone if i didn't know, but a lot of it is pretty self-explanatory.

He doesn’t get homework in 3rd grade? Don’t kids in other schools get homework at that age?

It depends on the teacher but most teachers at the school do not give homework, except for reading. Here or there maybe a writing assignment or project, but never daily work.. The evidence on elementary school homework is pretty clear—only reading at home actually improves learning. I personally am grateful to not have the homework. They learn ALOT during the day with the dual language and are pooped afterschool. I don’t want to fight my kids to do a bunch of busywork that is pointless. I appreciate that the school is up on this, and doesn’t dole it out in the name “rigor”

If you want to learn more, check out “The Homework Myth” by Alfie Kohn