MV s/o: impact of flat budget on other schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does this section point to the (DCUM rumored) bullying problem?

By expanding what we provide and improving on our current approaches, we will improve our work to support emotional development and behavior. We are negotiating to increase our onsite mental health support from three days a week to five days a week. In order to evaluate and improve on our approach to Climate and Culture, Ms. Kathryn Conners, founding teacher, will be assisting with the coordination of Climate and Culture for the remainder of this school year. Her work in this temporary role will allow the school to prepare for Topaz Terry’s transition from her role as Director of Climate and Culture and firmly establish the structures and systems we need to support our students’ emotional development and positive behavior.
To bring deeper support and experience to our rising 3rd and 4th grade cohorts, we are restructuring our 3rd and 4th grade classrooms to fewer larger classes. This step, while a significant change, will mean we will have the resources to add support for intervention (language, behavior, and academic), special education, and curriculum development in each classroom and across the grades.
In 3rd grade, we will have classrooms of approximately 24 students each and two dedicated teachers. Two classrooms will be piloting a co-teaching model with two full time teachers - a general education lead and Special Education lead in each. The third class will have a lead teacher and a full time fellow.

Yes it does. My child is not in the problem classroom, but the problem is real. I think this is a good move to hire two full time teachers, especially a special education lead to address the classroom behavior issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are another entering Kindergarten with prior Spanish exposure.

+1

[Anonymous]

I would choose Powell if you are in the PK years. This makes me happy I did not choose MV last year and at the last minute jumped ship. I hope it works out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does this section point to the (DCUM rumored) bullying problem?

By expanding what we provide and improving on our current approaches, we will improve our work to support emotional development and behavior. We are negotiating to increase our onsite mental health support from three days a week to five days a week. In order to evaluate and improve on our approach to Climate and Culture, Ms. Kathryn Conners, founding teacher, will be assisting with the coordination of Climate and Culture for the remainder of this school year. Her work in this temporary role will allow the school to prepare for Topaz Terry’s transition from her role as Director of Climate and Culture and firmly establish the structures and systems we need to support our students’ emotional development and positive behavior.
To bring deeper support and experience to our rising 3rd and 4th grade cohorts, we are restructuring our 3rd and 4th grade classrooms to fewer larger classes. This step, while a significant change, will mean we will have the resources to add support for intervention (language, behavior, and academic), special education, and curriculum development in each classroom and across the grades.
In 3rd grade, we will have classrooms of approximately 24 students each and two dedicated teachers. Two classrooms will be piloting a co-teaching model with two full time teachers - a general education lead and Special Education lead in each. The third class will have a lead teacher and a full time fellow.

Yes it does. My child is not in the problem classroom, but the problem is real. I think this is a good move to hire two full time teachers, especially a special education lead to address the classroom behavior issue.

That is just what you think. I know of major incidents in each of the classes. Administration just doesn't tell anyone about it, and for some reason the parents don't either. Big problem indeed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does this section point to the (DCUM rumored) bullying problem?

By expanding what we provide and improving on our current approaches, we will improve our work to support emotional development and behavior. We are negotiating to increase our onsite mental health support from three days a week to five days a week. In order to evaluate and improve on our approach to Climate and Culture, Ms. Kathryn Conners, founding teacher, will be assisting with the coordination of Climate and Culture for the remainder of this school year. Her work in this temporary role will allow the school to prepare for Topaz Terry’s transition from her role as Director of Climate and Culture and firmly establish the structures and systems we need to support our students’ emotional development and positive behavior.
To bring deeper support and experience to our rising 3rd and 4th grade cohorts, we are restructuring our 3rd and 4th grade classrooms to fewer larger classes. This step, while a significant change, will mean we will have the resources to add support for intervention (language, behavior, and academic), special education, and curriculum development in each classroom and across the grades.
In 3rd grade, we will have classrooms of approximately 24 students each and two dedicated teachers. Two classrooms will be piloting a co-teaching model with two full time teachers - a general education lead and Special Education lead in each. The third class will have a lead teacher and a full time fellow.

Yes it does. My child is not in the problem classroom, but the problem is real. I think this is a good move to hire two full time teachers, especially a special education lead to address the classroom behavior issue.

So its hard to believe that this is such a major issue and nothing has been done about it. Families are still attending the school.... No one seems to be going to the board or being very vocal (besides on DCUM). No news articles, blogs NOTHING...

That is just what you think. I know of major incidents in each of the classes. Administration just doesn't tell anyone about it, and for some reason the parents don't either. Big problem indeed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does this section point to the (DCUM rumored) bullying problem?

By expanding what we provide and improving on our current approaches, we will improve our work to support emotional development and behavior. We are negotiating to increase our onsite mental health support from three days a week to five days a week. In order to evaluate and improve on our approach to Climate and Culture, Ms. Kathryn Conners, founding teacher, will be assisting with the coordination of Climate and Culture for the remainder of this school year. Her work in this temporary role will allow the school to prepare for Topaz Terry’s transition from her role as Director of Climate and Culture and firmly establish the structures and systems we need to support our students’ emotional development and positive behavior.
To bring deeper support and experience to our rising 3rd and 4th grade cohorts, we are restructuring our 3rd and 4th grade classrooms to fewer larger classes. This step, while a significant change, will mean we will have the resources to add support for intervention (language, behavior, and academic), special education, and curriculum development in each classroom and across the grades.
In 3rd grade, we will have classrooms of approximately 24 students each and two dedicated teachers. Two classrooms will be piloting a co-teaching model with two full time teachers - a general education lead and Special Education lead in each. The third class will have a lead teacher and a full time fellow.

Yes it does. My child is not in the problem classroom, but the problem is real. I think this is a good move to hire two full time teachers, especially a special education lead to address the classroom behavior issue.

That is just what you think. I know of major incidents in each of the classes. Administration just doesn't tell anyone about it, and for some reason the parents don't either. Big problem indeed

So its hard to believe that this is such a major issue and nothing has been done about it. Families are still attending the school.... No one seems to be going to the board or being very vocal (besides on DCUM). No news articles, blogs NOTHING...

[Anonymous]

You do not know of issues in all classes. That just isn't true. There is a grade with a problem they are addressing. I have never heard of any significant problems outside that grade. Not that they are perfect and that improvements can be made all around, but I would love to know what you are talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would choose Powell if you are in the PK years. This makes me happy I did not choose MV last year and at the last minute jumped ship. I hope it works out.

I think we are going to choose Powell. The neighborhood and the commute are all aligned with what we're looking for. We are still going to attend the open house on Friday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, as someone who was offered a spot after getting another spot at another DCI feeder, it makes me nervous that it seems like they are adding classes to strengthen shaky finances vs based on a strategic assessment that adding classes makes sense and furthers their mission. That said, everyone I know at MV is pretty happy and I think they are doing a lot right.

I know 6 families at MV. Equally split on how "happy" they are.

Can you elaborate on any concerns you have heard? I'm trying to get as much info as I can before making a decision to enroll by tomorrow. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, as someone who was offered a spot after getting another spot at another DCI feeder, it makes me nervous that it seems like they are adding classes to strengthen shaky finances vs based on a strategic assessment that adding classes makes sense and furthers their mission. That said, everyone I know at MV is pretty happy and I think they are doing a lot right.

I know 6 families at MV. Equally split on how "happy" they are.

Can you elaborate on any concerns you have heard? I'm trying to get as much info as I can before making a decision to enroll by tomorrow. Thanks!

There are about 4-5 current posts that reference many of the things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You do not know of issues in all classes. That just isn't true. There is a grade with a problem they are addressing. I have never heard of any significant problems outside that grade. Not that they are perfect and that improvements can be made all around, but I would love to know what you are talking about.

[Anonymous]

I just pulled this from another MV thread.

"I also came across a few student working outside of their classrooms and asked them why there were not in their class doing their work to which they replied it was too loud in the class to concentrate so the teacher asked to finish their assignments in the corridor. Those classrooms were JAM PACKED with kids".

[Anonymous]

I remember when I was in 1st grade my teacher having us work in the hallway so that way we could concentrate as well. Still friends with one of my classmates and we talked about how fun- and productive it was!

Here's a great blog post written by a teacher at IT:

http://myiearlychildhoodreflections.blogspot.com/2015/04/tuesday-sol-how-much-can-you-change.html

Remember, perspective is everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just pulled this from another MV thread.

"I also came across a few student working outside of their classrooms and asked them why there were not in their class doing their work to which they replied it was too loud in the class to concentrate so the teacher asked to finish their assignments in the corridor. Those classrooms were JAM PACKED with kids".

Maybe they were hiding from the roaming bands of poorly accented bullies who frequent the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just pulled this from another MV thread.

"I also came across a few student working outside of their classrooms and asked them why there were not in their class doing their work to which they replied it was too loud in the class to concentrate so the teacher asked to finish their assignments in the corridor. Those classrooms were JAM PACKED with kids".

The first grade expedition is maps, and they have spent much of this week measuring the school to make a map of it while integrating math lessons (i.e., first with baby feet, then larger feet, then standard feet). I wonder if that is what you ran into.