Bethune Lottery 2017

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pray? Its that dire?

No, I'm a PP that posted our experience up thread. Its fine for a year or two for PK/K, but Burroughs (our IB) would have been a better option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were at Bethune Brookland a few years ago. It's fine and the teachers are very good. The admin will drive you crazy with their disorganization, but the teaching is perfectly fine. We built the playground, which made a huge difference.

My son attended Brookland Bethune PK3-K. We loved walking a couple of blocks for drop-off every morning, he had wonderful teachers, and loved learning Spanish. However, the incompetent administration totally screwed him up. He's fussy, often doesn't listen to basic instructions, and as recently as last week didn't know that an avocado was a fruit. Now he won't eat spicy Indian food. We're not sure what to do. MoCo and Fairfax won't even bother with him, said it's a lost cause. We're hoping Sibley will take him back.

This is not funny.

Seriously? It's hilarious.

[Anonymous]

^^ So it's now be debated back and forth if this person was or was not indeed funny. Who cares? I found it a bit contrived but you know, A for effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethune has always just kind of applied their own lottery rules. Fudge birth deadlines, etc. Why DCPCSB doesn't take this seriously is beyond me

It was really a s&^%show last year. Why don't they do My School DC?

Because then they wouldn't be able to fill their seats with younger kids and non residents.

Correct...kind of. My daughter has a late birthday and turned 3 last year Nov 2016. I wasn't eligible for the common lottery but I had heard MMBDA accepted kids turning 3 until Dec 31. So I applied honestly with her correct birth date last year and I attended the lottery and she was selected at random. The lottery itself was odd but numbers were picked at random; I witnessed that much. Anyway, we we were thrilled and I'm grateful. I don't really get the Sept 30 rule anyway but whatevs. My daughter is enjoying school. We officially entered the common lottery this year for pk3 but we were matched to my #6 choice and I'd prefer to keep her at MMBDA for Spanish Immersion than go there. And they're going to advance her to pk4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So we get to pay for 16 years of your kid's education? DCPCSB really needs to investigate this.

I'm sure your tax dollars (and mine) have paid for way worse things than teachers salaries and preschool students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethune has always just kind of applied their own lottery rules. Fudge birth deadlines, etc. Why DCPCSB doesn't take this seriously is beyond me

It was really a s&^%show last year. Why don't they do My School DC?

Because then they wouldn't be able to fill their seats with younger kids and non residents.

Correct...kind of. My daughter has a late birthday and turned 3 last year Nov 2016. I wasn't eligible for the common lottery but I had heard MMBDA accepted kids turning 3 until Dec 31. So I applied honestly with her correct birth date last year and I attended the lottery and she was selected at random. The lottery itself was odd but numbers were picked at random; I witnessed that much. Anyway, we we were thrilled and I'm grateful. I don't really get the Sept 30 rule anyway but whatevs. My daughter is enjoying school. We officially entered the common lottery this year for pk3 but we were matched to my #6 choice and I'd prefer to keep her at MMBDA for Spanish Immersion than go there. And they're going to advance her to pk4.

How is the school overall? Bethune is the only school that my PK3, 2nd and 3rd grader all got into. I've heard the the younger grades are fine (good, caring teachers, kids are learning Spanish, etc) but how are the upper grades? Do parents and children seems happy? Are they learning? Thanks if you can shed some light. I plan to attend an open house next week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So we get to pay for 16 years of your kid's education? DCPCSB really needs to investigate this.

I'm sure your tax dollars (and mine) have paid for way worse things than teachers salaries and preschool students.

Two wrongs don't make a right.

[Anonymous]

I'd appreciate hearing more from current families. We are leaning towards attending the 16th street location for PK3. Our only other option is Sela or not go at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd appreciate hearing more from current families. We are leaning towards attending the 16th street location for PK3. Our only other option is Sela or not go at all.

I have a child at the 16th street location and have been pleased with the school. The teachers are experienced and kind. They also provide recommendations on songs, videos, and other materials that parents can use to reinforce what is being taught in the classroom - as well as monthly field trips. A new outdoor classroom is being built now and will be ready for the kids to use shortly. My little one loves going to school, which is the most important factor for me at this age.

The small size of the school at the 16th street location made the transition very easy from daycare to school. Overall I have been pleasantly surprised with our experience this year. I'm perfectly happy returning to Bethune for the 2017-2018 school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd appreciate hearing more from current families. We are leaning towards attending the 16th street location for PK3. Our only other option is Sela or not go at all.

I have a child at the 16th street location and have been pleased with the school. The teachers are experienced and kind. They also provide recommendations on songs, videos, and other materials that parents can use to reinforce what is being taught in the classroom - as well as monthly field trips. A new outdoor classroom is being built now and will be ready for the kids to use shortly. My little one loves going to school, which is the most important factor for me at this age.

The small size of the school at the 16th street location made the transition very easy from daycare to school. Overall I have been pleasantly surprised with our experience this year. I'm perfectly happy returning to Bethune for the 2017-2018 school year.

Thanks, this is REALLY helpful. Maybe we'll meet next year

[Anonymous]

Our waitlist number is #15 for PK4. Does anyone know if there's much movement? Do we have a chance? We enrolled late once we realized we wouldn't have enough options for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our waitlist number is #15 for PK4. Does anyone know if there's much movement? Do we have a chance? We enrolled late once we realized we wouldn't have enough options for next year.

I would fall over dead from shock of you didn't get in (assuming they are following the waitlist, which is a big assumption).

[Anonymous]

There's at least one bus that drops upper class kids off at the school every morning. Do anyone know where it picks them up from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's at least one bus that drops upper class kids off at the school every morning. Do anyone know where it picks them up from?

Maryland

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's at least one bus that drops upper class kids off at the school every morning. Do anyone know where it picks them up from?

Maryland

Here's the link to the bus schedule, though it's not clear to which campus they're driving:

http://www.mmbethune.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=410263&type=d&pREC_ID=1008811

I'd also recommend calling. At the 16th St campus, at least, everyone I've spoken to has been friendly and helpful.