LAMB vs DCPS Immersion with major Tradeoffs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is unlikely to remove masking….like ever. You have to consider what that means for your child learning basic subjects in a different language.

I would go DCPS at this point if immersion is your primary interest.

Can you tell me what you're basing this on? We enrolled my DC for pk3, but seriously considering pulling out and staying at CBO because of this. I've tried emailing admin, but haven't heard anything back yet so would love to hear from current parents about their expectations. Hoping in the long run Covid will not be a huge issue for my not-yet-pk3's elementary school experience, and would love to be in Montessori if we can get through the next year, but this is seriously making me question if our IB would just be a better bet.

I really think you would regret giving up LAMB over masking. My PK3er has done great with the language learning even with masks, and they weren’t accustomed to masks all day in their daycare.

Thanks! FWIW, my DC had been masking for the last year in preschool with no problem. I am by no means an anti-masker, and if cases rise and science warrants it, would fully support mandatory masking coming back, at least for adults/older kids. But no where else in the world masks under 5s, and since being able to remove the mask, DC's teachers report she has opened up and become so much happier in ways we didn't foresee since she had been largely happy masked as well. Now that we know what a difference giving up masks has made for her, it feels cruel to make her go back to masking when it's based solely on parents' fears or the desire to signal progressiveness or who knows what because there are no published guidelines on when masks can come off. We were able to tour the building this weekend at an enrollment fair, but children - even masked - weren't allowed inside, when no one else was there. The anti-science part of it makes me question if this is the environment where I want my child educated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is unlikely to remove masking….like ever. You have to consider what that means for your child learning basic subjects in a different language.

I would go DCPS at this point if immersion is your primary interest.

Can you tell me what you're basing this on? We enrolled my DC for pk3, but seriously considering pulling out and staying at CBO because of this. I've tried emailing admin, but haven't heard anything back yet so would love to hear from current parents about their expectations. Hoping in the long run Covid will not be a huge issue for my not-yet-pk3's elementary school experience, and would love to be in Montessori if we can get through the next year, but this is seriously making me question if our IB would just be a better bet.

I really think you would regret giving up LAMB over masking. My PK3er has done great with the language learning even with masks, and they weren’t accustomed to masks all day in their daycare.

Thanks! FWIW, my DC had been masking for the last year in preschool with no problem. I am by no means an anti-masker, and if cases rise and science warrants it, would fully support mandatory masking coming back, at least for adults/older kids. But no where else in the world masks under 5s, and since being able to remove the mask, DC's teachers report she has opened up and become so much happier in ways we didn't foresee since she had been largely happy masked as well. Now that we know what a difference giving up masks has made for her, it feels cruel to make her go back to masking when it's based solely on parents' fears or the desire to signal progressiveness or who knows what because there are no published guidelines on when masks can come off. We were able to tour the building this weekend at an enrollment fair, but children - even masked - weren't allowed inside, when no one else was there. The anti-science part of it makes me question if this is the environment where I want my child educated.

The masking is probably important for immersion and for young kids' development. But what you are describing is alllllllll of the other stuff that really dampens the community of the school, and I have to imagine creates some stress for students. It really would be one thing if it were just masks, but it isn't.

[Anonymous]

I’m a LAMB parent and I’m almost certain they will be masking next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a LAMB parent and I’m almost certain they will be masking next year.

Do you mean you're almost certain PK3-K will be masking next year? If LAMB is lifting the mask mandate for the older kids who are eligible to be vaccinated (who, I understand from LAMB staff, are 90ish percent vaccinated), why wouldn't they also lift it for the younger kids when they can get vaccinated?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a LAMB parent and I’m almost certain they will be masking next year.

Do you mean you're almost certain PK3-K will be masking next year? If LAMB is lifting the mask mandate for the older kids who are eligible to be vaccinated (who, I understand from LAMB staff, are 90ish percent vaccinated), why wouldn't they also lift it for the younger kids when they can get vaccinated?

Why would you think they would stick to anything they say?

Also: there has been nothing about lifting mask mandates on the parent list serve since before Spring Break. I will be pleasantly surprised if they actually do follow through with whatever they discussed at the Board meeting, but I won't believe it until it is actually adopted. And even then, I'll have no faith that they won't just change their mind for "reasons".

[Anonymous]

I have to say, in March 2020 it felt impossible that this would go on for more than a few weeks. Then in summer 2020, it felt impossible that schools would stay virtual the entire year. Then summer 2021 it felt impossible that COVID restrictions would continue the entire school year. Nothing feels impossible anymore. I would assume things would stay the same as they are now and make decisions based on your comfort level with how they are currently. Never say never.