Current parents -- any negatives to Mundo Verde???

[Anonymous]

I just basically want to feel better about the 0 Pk-3 spots.

[Anonymous]

The commute and neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

I am an educator and knew educators there early on and was not impressed from what I heard and saw there. I don't get the hype - I have a prek kid myself and am not trying to get a spot at MV, even though I love the bilingual aspect.

[Anonymous]

I talked to one parent who left the school because she didn't think the math was strong enough.

[Anonymous]

See previous threads on the quality of Spanish instruction. Particularly concerns about grammar.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, we're in our first year at K and are very happy; all of the issues listed are fair critiques but don't, for us, overwhelm the numerous positives. Great community; committed parents; happy kids. For now at least!

[Anonymous]

My advice, if you are really interested in MV, is to try to send your child to another spanish immersion school for PK3. Then, if you're still interested, keep doing the lottery and there is a good chance your child will get in within the next 2-3 years. He/she will have an easier transition coming from a bilingual school. Lots of good options out there and things seem to work out. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm a native Spanish speaker, and I wasn't impressed with the level of Spanish of the staff.

[Anonymous]

What did you find lacking? Thanks for providing your perspective!

[Anonymous]

The person who did the bilingual presentation during the open house I attended (I think it was the principal, but I'm not sure) was pretty rusty in Spanish. She didn't sound like a native speaker, maybe second generation. The few teachers I heard speaking were a mixed bag. Then again, I'm a bit of a language snob.

[Anonymous]

Was it a blond woman? I think she is just an administrator who tries to translate to be helpful, as it is hard work. If it is she, she is not a principal or a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Kristin Scotchmer is the executive director (principal) and no, she is not a native speaker. She does not however teach my daughter so I'm not that concerned. My daughter's teachers are Argentine and Colombian and have lovely accents. My kid's accent is getting pretty good too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was it a blond woman? I think she is just an administrator who tries to translate to be helpful, as it is hard work. If it is she, she is not a principal or a teacher.

No, dark-haired.

[Anonymous]

What I love about Mundo Verde (non-exhaustive list)?:

Bilingual Program, of course, is important to me for many reasons.
Expedentiary learning - children don't just learn from text books.
Sustainability - many potential families don't focus on this aspect of MV. It's so important for the children.
Many, not all, of the teachers/staff are native speakers. Non-native speakers are bilingual, of course (why wouldn't they be?).
Happy children and extremely happy, helpful staff. Happy teachers - I love them!
Responsiveness -If I ever do have a question or concern, teachers and staff, including the principal to the executive director, respond in a timely matter.
Monthly community meetings.
Padres Meetings which include general parents meetings AND courses for parents on parenting.
Gardening and healthy, organic lunches prepared from locally grown food.
EXPO Day - rocks! This is a day where the kids show off their work to the families.
Math - they are learning many different strategies for math.
Honestly, I could go on and on and on.

[Anonymous]

Positive: It's really hard to describe unless you are frequently at school - there's just a real feeling of community within Mundo Verde; the children are taught empathy towards other chlidren and the environment; the teachers are really trained to take a positive approach towards all children. I think this is important for children at a young age to have empathy and compassion - yes, they are learning math, reading, etc., etc. It's just a really great place to be.