Garrison, anyone can provide input?

[Anonymous]

Garrison is the last school I plan to visit.
Do you have any input? Have you been to an open house? Are you a parent there?
Based on this link http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/Learn+About+Schools/Lottery+and+Admissions:+Apply+to+Our+Schools
the chances of out of bounds/non sibling are close to zero, right?
Brain dumps are welcome!

[Anonymous]

We toured last year. The building is VERY rundown. Not only does it physically need renovating, but it was a mess. The corridors were messy, the work on display wasn't displayed well, overall it just gave a poor impression. Then the classrooms were chaotic and it didn't feel like there was a lot of learning going on.

We picked Seaton instead (inbounds for both).

[Anonymous]

I'm a current parent at Garrison and have really loved our experience so far. We're the exact opposite of PP. We are in-bounds for Seaton but picked Garrison. I think both are fine schools and your child will do well at either. PP is correct in that the physical structure of the school is not desireable. But I have to disagree about the classrooms being chaotic. I actively volunteer at the school during school hours and have not witnessed this at all (at least for our classroom or the classrooms along the same hallway). We feel like part of the family at Garrison. My son's teacher has come out to breakfast with us. And my son knows all the staff down from the lunch workers to the custodians by name. And most importantly, he's learning a lot and making friends. The downsides are obviously the physical structure and I wish they had more enrichment activities. The upsides are the dedicated and energetic teachers for me. You should definitely check out the school and decide for yourself.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for your input.
Do you know if there's any plans to renovate Garrison? Interior or exterior upgrades?

[Anonymous]

Funny, another current PK parent at Garrison and the previous post could have been written by me! We're also in bounds for Seaton but liked Garrison better. We LOVE the teaching staff and have found that inside the classrooms the space is bright and fun--the centers are interesting, they have plenty of materials, toys and books, etc. Yes, it would be nicer if the facility were newer, but it's not terrible--it probably looks just like your own elementary school did (if it hadn't had a renovation since then! ). We love walking to school and having so many families in our class live right in the neighborhood (many in our class are in bounds for Seaton or are coming down from the U St/Columbia Heights area, I think). My kid likes aftercare and I continually marvel that it's FREE for everyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for your input.
Do you know if there's any plans to renovate Garrison? Interior or exterior upgrades?

This is a big issue and there's a whole other thread on it, but the short answer is that there are plans but they keep getting deferred.

[Anonymous]

I'm 10:25. I don't know about the current status of the renovations but you should ask at the Open House. I've heard that funding for Garrison's remodeling was "reprogrammed" to other schools for their renovations, but my understanding is that it does not mean the school will NOT be renovated, just delayed. But again, I'm not knowledgeable about the details. You should defintely raise this if you go to an Open House.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 10:25. I don't know about the current status of the renovations but you should ask at the Open House. I've heard that funding for Garrison's remodeling was "reprogrammed" to other schools for their renovations, but my understanding is that it does not mean the school will NOT be renovated, just delayed. But again, I'm not knowledgeable about the details. You should defintely raise this if you go to an Open House.

This post demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of DCPS. There is absolutely nobody who will be at the Open House who will have any idea about when the renovations will occur. Of course they haven't said that it will NOT be renovated, but it is delayed yet again. For how long, nobody knows.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Actually, during the open house today at Seaton, the principal DID know about planned infrastructure renovations. So, yeah, they know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Actually, during the open house today at Seaton, the principal DID know about planned infrastructure renovations. So, yeah, they know.

I think it's more an issue of plans changing than people knowing anything solid. Garrison previously thought that the renovations would be starting. They communicated this information. The money was "reprogrammed", not imaginary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Actually, during the open house today at Seaton, the principal DID know about planned infrastructure renovations. So, yeah, they know.

And last year, the principal of Garrison DID know about the planned renovations at Garrison. Irrelevant to reality.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you will have a problem getting in there. Might not happen right away, but likely would if you wait. If you like what you see, definitely list it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Actually, during the open house today at Seaton, the principal DID know about planned infrastructure renovations. So, yeah, they know.

And last year, the principal of Garrison DID know about the planned renovations at Garrison. Irrelevant to reality.

+1

[Anonymous]

There's more speculation on what the $ moving really means (or doesn't) for Garrison in this thread. And, I don't think this is a done deal yet. Right? It's in the "request" stage?

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/442699.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's more speculation on what the $ moving really means (or doesn't) for Garrison in this thread. And, I don't think this is a done deal yet. Right? It's in the "request" stage?

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/442699.page

Right, nobody knows anything. That is the point. Asking at the open house would be pointless. It may get you an answer, but there is no way that it would get you an informed answer that led to a certain conclusion.