Mundo Verde and CReative Minds

[Anonymous]

I believe the CM principal said in the meeting she was committed to keeping the class size small.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i would like to know the answer to this too. will they seek to expand if they move locations?

That's why they can only afford inexperienced teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MV parent here- my child's class has 21 students and had 22/23 last year. The only class that I am aware of that has 18 is PS/Pk. The amendment doesn't reflect the reality in the classroom; at least for K and above.

It does not reflect the current reality because the charter did not permit 24, apparently. It reflects the new planned reality now that the amendment was approved this week and the school is moving to a new, larger space. Kind of annoyed that this was not mentioned at open house.

Completely agree. I talked to them extensively at the education festival and the open house, and they never mentioned the charter amendment, which would change the program substantially.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know what's the avg classroom size for the other immersion charters? All grades not just preschool. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

CM is able to do what it does on per pupil funding largely because it only has an administrative staff of 5 (and the fifth was added a couple months ago). Most schools, including the similarly new charters, have twice that number.

It means that that some of the admin "extras" aren't addressed as quickly as they might at other schools. E.g., they haven't yet made planned changes to the website. And they only recently got things set up for parents to make credit card payments for aftercare, etc.

I can live with these things, given that my child will be in a class of 17 with 2-3 teachers/aids in her classroom through 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CM is able to do what it does on per pupil funding largely because it only has an administrative staff of 5 (and the fifth was added a couple months ago). Most schools, including the similarly new charters, have twice that number.

It means that that some of the admin "extras" aren't addressed as quickly as they might at other schools. E.g., they haven't yet made planned changes to the website. And they only recently got things set up for parents to make credit card payments for aftercare, etc.

I can live with these things, given that my child will be in a class of 17 with 2-3 teachers/aids in her classroom through 5th grade.

Good point, but the salary topic does bring up an interesting subject. Are they really only paying bottom of scale to new teachers? If so, what happens when that teacher leaves after they have 3 years teaching experience to get a higher paying job? I imagine, if it is the case, there would a lot of teacher attrition.

[Anonymous]

If teachers stay at CM wouldn't their salary go up every year so they would need to pay them more? Perhaps they can afford small class size by fundraising privately? Just speculating.

[Anonymous]

Ask the CM folk at their open house. They should be forthcoming. Ask how the budget operates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask the CM folk at their open house. They should be forthcoming. Ask how the budget operates.

If you can attend. According to the website, they are at capacity for their open houses and don't list the dates/times anymore. Seems like they should be adding open houses if that's the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask the CM folk at their open house. They should be forthcoming. Ask how the budget operates.

LOL CM forthcoming, we are talking about the same school that had a private lottery drawing, correct?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If teachers stay at CM wouldn't their salary go up every year so they would need to pay them more? Perhaps they can afford small class size by fundraising privately? Just speculating.

It new teachers makes $45k at CM first year, $47k 2nd year, $49k 3rd year but a teacher with 3 years experience can earn $55-$60k at another school, why wouldn't they jump ship once they have experience under their belt? This doesn't apply to only teaching, it applies to most entry level positions. That is why this generation has more positions between 25-40 than any other generation. Issue is with CM's model, it seems like they can't afford to retain the experienced/talented teachers if in fact, they are paying them at a low level (havn't been able to confirm). I'm not sure it is even an issue if there is attrition (it's not like they have Montessori model) as long as the incoming teachers are just as talented as departing ones, just wondering.

[Anonymous]

Remember folks, this is CMs second year of operation. Again, many of you who are jumping on MV and CM really don't sound like you are cut out for charter school. I hope you don't apply. It really sounds like the structure of a long term, DCPS program is the path for you.

[Anonymous]

On a slightly different note, anyone know if either school will have a green space? Access to a nearby field or playground once they move?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask the CM folk at their open house. They should be forthcoming. Ask how the budget operates.

LOL CM forthcoming, we are talking about the same school that had a private lottery drawing, correct?

LOL. To paraphrase the Yu Ying waitlist defenders, if it's legal, stop mocking us, hmphh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask the CM folk at their open house. They should be forthcoming. Ask how the budget operates.

LOL CM forthcoming, we are talking about the same school that had a private lottery drawing, correct?

Of course, no one actually asked to attend. Does that make it private? Or just unattended?