Feedback on Bridges PCS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bridges is an extremely stressful place to teach. The school seems to want to be all things for all people. You end up with a classroom that's a mix of typically developing kids, kids with autism, kids with emotional disturbance, kids with special medical needs, etc. and teachers aren't given the support to meet all of those diverse needs. Inclusion is only a good thing when teachers are given the resources and support necessary to meet the needs of all students.

I don't disagree with this premise - you can't really do inclusion well for anyone without properly supporting the student needs you have. As a former sped teacher, I've certainly seen that. And I'm not happy with how some of the staffing changes have impacted my kid. But I do question the idea that Bridges is more stressful than, say, many a DCPS where students are provided with far far less support than Bridges typically provides (like fight tooth and nail for a dedicated aide even when clearly needed less support) - on this issue alone. We came from a (generally well regarded EOTP) DCPS with at least similarly diverse needs (in part because DCPS does not have the appropriate continuum), where kids were getting a fraction of the support that they would have gotten at Bridges (which is still far from perfect). To the extent Bridges is *more* stressful than other places, and I can't speak to that at all that may be true, I think there must be something additional going on than isn't going on at most other DCPS schools beyond simply kids with special needs.

There is probably less pay, benefits and job security compared to a DCPS position. Not a knock on Bridges but that is an issue at most, if not all, charter schools.

But no one seems to know, or at least hasn't said, where these teachers wound up.

[Anonymous]

As parent of a child whose teacher has not left, but probably should, I can echo the sentiment that these are very demanding positions. I think it would take a good amount of training and support to be up for the task, and I'm not seeing clear evidence that that is in place. My child's class is at least one third special needs--most of whom are non-verbal and not toilet trained. Tailoring instruction, attention and support to these children and the typically developing ones in the class strikes me as a HARD job. (I have a cousin who's a special educator in an inclusion preschool, and she tells me she draws on all of her 30 years of experience to do the job well.)

Added to the fact that I don't see good judgment or techniques handling basic behavioral challenges in my typically developing child, and I have been really disappointed in what I had heard, by all accounts, was a terrific school. Our child is safe during the day, but I can't say much more than that. We'll be leaving at the end of the year.

[Anonymous]

We left Bridges PK3 last year to go back to our EOTP neighborhood school. We actually really liked our teacher, who has since left - but we felt that after care issues and repeated problems communicating with the administration meant it was not a good long-term option for us, and that we'd do better to go to a close-by option. It ended up working out really well for us. Our neighborhood school is low-performing but has a terrific early childhood program.

Good luck to all those applying in the lottery--I remember how stressful ordering the lists was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There is probably less pay, benefits and job security compared to a DCPS position. Not a knock on Bridges but that is an issue at most, if not all, charter schools.

But no one seems to know, or at least hasn't said, where these teachers wound up.

I am a former teacher.
Bridges was good to me, so I won't drag the school through the mud. Charter schools generally pay several thousand less than DCPS. Bridges pays on the low end of average. Job security is the same as any place else. Annual contracts are sent out around spring. No one will ever say that the benefits are a selling point. They can't get the same rates that a larger charter system can. People stayed because of the commitment to the kids. At some point last year it stopped feeling like home. The warm and fuzzy feeling was gone. When it was a small school there was more teacher autonomy. Now that the school is growing into a fully fledged elementary school they want things to be more streamlined. In a lot of ways it reminds me of companies that revamp their brand and go in a different direction. That new direction didn't sit well with a lot of people so a lot of teachers left. The ones that I keep in contact with ended up at different charters. There may be a handful who went to DCPS. When people were talking about leaving last year, the big deterrent for DCPS was the hiring process. You don't need a license to teach at a charter, so some people weren't looking forward to taking the Praxis exams. There's also an essay, phone interview, demo lesson, and other hoops you have to go through to get into DCPS.

I still keep in touch with some of the teachers who stayed. The school doesn't sound any better or worse than it was last year. I'd probably still recommend it to my friends or relatives.

[Anonymous]

This is such an interesting thread. I had a really positive experience with the school (including the director) for PK3 & 4 and only left because we moved to a different neighborhood. Aftercare had hiccups but I experienced super caring and devoted teachers and parents. It really felt like a community so it's sad to hear that others have had a markedly different experience. Perhaps things have changed since we left 1-1/2 years ago. But I credit the school with helping to give my child a strong foundation and a profound sense of empathy. I thought that they did preschool well so I hope that hasn't changed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is such an interesting thread. I had a really positive experience with the school (including the director) for PK3 & 4 and only left because we moved to a different neighborhood. Aftercare had hiccups but I experienced super caring and devoted teachers and parents. It really felt like a community so it's sad to hear that others have had a markedly different experience. Perhaps things have changed since we left 1-1/2 years ago. But I credit the school with helping to give my child a strong foundation and a profound sense of empathy. I thought that they did preschool well so I hope that hasn't changed.

Bridges is certainly still able to give a good foundation in ECE. The criticisms here are mostly not huge general ones but specific ones.

There are growing pains and some turnover. How well is the school handling it? In my view as a current parent, generally well. But administrators cover three buildings, and are managing the build out of a new building. So they are stretched a bit thin. This is temporary as they will all be in the same building next year, and the building will be finished.

Even with the turnover, kids are getting a consistently good education. In this city, that's something. Throw in a good learning environment and it continues to be a good option. Perfect? No. But a good school nonetheless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There is probably less pay, benefits and job security compared to a DCPS position. Not a knock on Bridges but that is an issue at most, if not all, charter schools.

But no one seems to know, or at least hasn't said, where these teachers wound up.

I am a former teacher.
Bridges was good to me, so I won't drag the school through the mud. Charter schools generally pay several thousand less than DCPS. Bridges pays on the low end of average. Job security is the same as any place else. Annual contracts are sent out around spring. No one will ever say that the benefits are a selling point. They can't get the same rates that a larger charter system can. People stayed because of the commitment to the kids. At some point last year it stopped feeling like home. The warm and fuzzy feeling was gone. When it was a small school there was more teacher autonomy. Now that the school is growing into a fully fledged elementary school they want things to be more streamlined. In a lot of ways it reminds me of companies that revamp their brand and go in a different direction. That new direction didn't sit well with a lot of people so a lot of teachers left. The ones that I keep in contact with ended up at different charters. There may be a handful who went to DCPS. When people were talking about leaving last year, the big deterrent for DCPS was the hiring process. You don't need a license to teach at a charter, so some people weren't looking forward to taking the Praxis exams. There's also an essay, phone interview, demo lesson, and other hoops you have to go through to get into DCPS.

I still keep in touch with some of the teachers who stayed. The school doesn't sound any better or worse than it was last year. I'd probably still recommend it to my friends or relatives.

This is spot-on.

[Anonymous]

At this point, I'm seeking a parent advocate to help us in our situation. This has been one hellava year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At this point, I'm seeking a parent advocate to help us in our situation. This has been one hellava year.

What is a "parent advocate"? Are you a current Bridges parent? Can you give more info? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At this point, I'm seeking a parent advocate to help us in our situation. This has been one hellava year.

What is a "parent advocate"? Are you a current Bridges parent? Can you give more info? Thanks.

NP - but parents of children with special needs often hire advocates to help them advocate for their children's educational needs. They are usually well versed in the law, IEP goals, and best practices. Some parents report that school districts take their requests more seriously when they bring an advocate to the table.

[Anonymous]

First year elementary parent who has had a good experience so far. My child loves going to school each day and is thriving. The only reason I would consider leaving is because of the lack of a foreign language and music instruction. My child is not considered SN but we came to the school because of the individualized learning plans for each student and ours has been successful.

[Anonymous]

Went to the open house today. That current building is bleak so it's good they are moving (but that makes me not interested in Breakthrough Montessori who is taking the space). I think the school really is great for kids with serious special needs. I think over 30% is what we were told. There was mention of kids with "emotional disturbances" and how they were handled. Seems average, but not much better or diverse than my IB preschool. It's a good option for bottom half of list.

[Anonymous]

Current parent. Not sending my children back for a variety of reasons. While they are getting a new building, not sure who is staffing it as many teachers and teachers aides have already quit this year and many others or not coming back next year. Admin issues go beyond not addressing parents' concerns and go to staff that are unsupported and poorly equipped to deal with the diversity in their classrooms.

As for special needs children , again, canNOT recommend at all. The teachers are trained but their aides and parAprofessionsls are not. They inappropriately have children with very different diagnosis together which works in the younger years but doesn't once they are into 1st grade and beyond as teaching is very different, or should be, to be varying needs of he children.

Worse yet, the school has a history of inappropriate actions that have risen to CFSA and the your division of the MPD. There is a culture of silence when teachers report what they observe as inappropriate or abusive which is why I think the school is getting by on its reputation.

If you luck out and get a teacher you like, you'll be happy. But that's how it would be anywhere. Until the administration changes and people are called to the mat, I would not go near the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current parent. Not sending my children back for a variety of reasons. While they are getting a new building, not sure who is staffing it as many teachers and teachers aides have already quit this year and many others or not coming back next year. Admin issues go beyond not addressing parents' concerns and go to staff that are unsupported and poorly equipped to deal with the diversity in their classrooms.

As for special needs children , again, canNOT recommend at all. The teachers are trained but their aides and parAprofessionsls are not. They inappropriately have children with very different diagnosis together which works in the younger years but doesn't once they are into 1st grade and beyond as teaching is very different, or should be, to be varying needs of he children.

Worse yet, the school has a history of inappropriate actions that have risen to CFSA and the your division of the MPD. There is a culture of silence when teachers report what they observe as inappropriate or abusive which is why I think the school is getting by on its reputation.

If you luck out and get a teacher you like, you'll be happy. But that's how it would be anywhere. Until the administration changes and people are called to the mat, I would not go near the school.

What sort of inappropriate actions? Inappropriate discipline?

[Anonymous]

Current Bridges parent and I am too interested in some of the specifics on the CFSA and MPD reported behavior. Which classes these were in? how long ago? PK3 so far is good. Aftercare is a mess. Looking at the lottery but may stay if nothing else pans out.