Constructive ways to decrease Janney class size
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
What are the ways to do this? This was mentioned in another thread, but seems like something that should have it's own space.
One mentioned, decreasing the number of PK classes so that classroom space can go to K and up. Other ideas? |
Anonymous
| well, you could shrink the boundary. Oh wait.... |
Anonymous
Thanks for starting a new thread on this. I'm not sure what other possibilities are, but I think parents need to be really vocal about how this sudden increase in class size is a problem. The administration does not seem to view 26 kids in a K class as a problem and I think just about every parent with a K student would vehemently disagree. Until the administration treats this as a problem that needs solving, nothing will be done. |
Anonymous
Or you could try to make KLMMORISH into a thing. 
|
Anonymous
Well, until the parents treat it as a problem, the admin. sure won't. |
Anonymous
| My kids have had 25-29 students in every year of elementary school, as have many in JKLM schools. I do not see it as a problem. There are helpers, assistants, small groups, specialists. It is rare that the whole class is ever expected to learn one lesson together. Just because there are 26 in a class, it doesn't mean they function as a block like that from 9-3. PK students are a source of income for these schools. Each PK student receives more funding from DCPS than a K-5 student and the overall package helps the bottom line budget of a school. Fewer PK may mean a decrease in number of specialists, etc, for upper grades. It is not a simple cut the numbers question. DC has no mandated class size limits, except for PK (limited to 20 in a class). Janney & Mann are not going to get physically bigger. Lafayette and Murch eventually will, but they are all primarily IB schools already, so unless boundaries change the question is better phrased how do schools maximize lesson plans, scheduling, assistants, small group work, etc in schools with high numbers to make sure all children are learning and growing as the population grows. |
Anonymous
| Agree. Class sizes up to thirty are not a problem if teachers are appropriately supported with aides and specials. |
Anonymous
|
I understand that most MoCo elementary schools are even larger than this and it doesn't seem to be a problem. I agree with 01:48 above.
With that in mind I have two proposed options if you disagree with me and would like smaller class sizes. First, I have always thought that a new elementary school closer to the Northern most boundaries of Janney makes sense so that families can walk to school. If you are taking a bus, and then Metro to get to your neighborhood school it seems like it is too far away. The next response frequently is that there is no land in this area. However, perhaps a swap for a mixed use space with DC Parks and Recreation makes sense, or conversion of other available land in the area. In the worst case scenario shared DCPS/DCPR space with some additional land added through imminent domain could be an option if it really is a priority. Second, the conversion of Hearst to a regional Early Child Development Center seems very aligned with the history of the school (NAEYC certified for example). I also understand that the school was originally designed for ECD. A pre-K 4 to 2nd grade option could relieve potential overcrowding at Janney, Murch and even Eaton. If pre-k 3 were offered you would see high enrollment rates from Ward 3, it would be the only pre-k 3 in the Ward. The prospect of pre-k 3 at Hearst created significant buzz and would be a huge incentive to boost enrollment. Given the relatively small number of Janney IB kids that are accepted into Pre-k 4, many families are sending their children elsewhere for pre-k 4 anyway -- particularly if you do not have sibling preference for Janney. Hearst is one of the schools of choice for pre-k 4 for Janney parents who do not use a private daycare option. I also think that a school for very young children makes sense. My child frequently tells me he is a little scared of the "big kids at school." To me it is very logical. He is only four and they are in fifth grade --to him they are giants! |
Anonymous
|
PP -- I forgot to mention the reasons why I am not concerned about class size. Gladwell makes a pretty compelling argument that larger classes can actually be more dynamic and offer more opportunities for kids. I can remember that some of my larger classes were by far the most enjoyable.
Also Kindergarden next year will likely be a huge bubble in several of the schools in our area. These are the Snowmaggedon babies. When my child was born we were delighted to give birth in a room, when so many moms were giving birth in the hallways at Sibley. Daycare was very challenging for us because the waiting lists were so long. |
Anonymous
| There is plenty of room for IB kids at Hearst. Come check out our brand new facilities and tiny classes! |
Anonymous
|
They can not allow children who move OOB to stay.
|
Anonymous
Yes, this is a problem. They definitely let kids stay. |
Anonymous
| Will the crowding get worse with the at-risk OOB percentages? I can't imagine there are many at-risk students there now. |
Anonymous
| If they really wanted smaller classes then they should have gone along with the shrinking of their boundaries. |
Anonymous
The proposed boundary changes only impacted a small handful of changes--those proposed changes would not have made a dent in the current problem. |