ITS and CMI families

[Anonymous]

I always hear about the "close knit community" etc. Of these schools. We have really high WL numbers for both for 2nd grade. Will my kid be an outsider? Are new kids welcome in these close schools?

Can any families that came in later talk about how this worked?

[Anonymous]

CMI parent here...new kids are welcomed into classrooms with open arms. The classes are small, so during recess the upper grades tend to split by sex. The girls usually play together and the boys usually play together with a bit of crossover. The new kids this year in my DC's 2nd grade class seem really happy and are definitely a part of the group. Hope that helps! And good luck!

[Anonymous]

ITS parent here. There were a bunch of new kids in this year's 2nd grade class. They all seem to have friends.

[Anonymous]

It will also depend a bit on how much you reach out to the community, too. If you attend events, join the soccer teams, volunteer, you'll become a part of the community more quickly than if you don't. Same as anything. It's close-knit because people in both places care about the friendships and making it work for their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ITS parent here. There were a bunch of new kids in this year's 2nd grade class. They all seem to have friends.

+1 I have met many kids and their families at family get togetherness and birthday parties. Friendships are very fluid at this age and it's great how close knit and welcoming families are.

[Anonymous]

Entered ITS as first grade family this year. Everyone was super nice and friendly though it took a while for us to have the energy to dive in - we had been really active at our old school and it's been kind of nice to step into a community that was just chugging along. My kid made great friends from the get go.

[Anonymous]

CMI family that entered in a later year, I was worried a little about this because it seems like only one kid is added and everyone has been together since the beginning. But, it was seemlees. My child is invited to millions of play dates, birthday parties and after school activities. And I seem to have joined the hive mind.

You won't find a more welcoming place.

[Anonymous]

Can only speak to ITS. Entered at K. Parents and kid formed friendships easily. Community seems close-knit not as in cliquey but as in welcoming, easily making new families feel part of that close-knit community. Living nearby and knowing many other families who do too adds to that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will also depend a bit on how much you reach out to the community, too. If you attend events, join the soccer teams, volunteer, you'll become a part of the community more quickly than if you don't. Same as anything. It's close-knit because people in both places care about the friendships and making it work for their kids.

DC started CMI in a later grade and we got very involved and although the first three months or so were tough for DC socially (DC's personality plus dynamics), DC is one of the gang now, like DC has been there from the beginning. I have witnessed another new kid this year and been eager to welcome the child and the child's family into the fold but the caretakers never reply to birthday invitations (mine and others I have heard about), never come to school events and we just never see them. The caretakers may have a difficult schedule, work odd hours, you never know, but I have noticed that and wondered if that affected the kid. When I knew there was a new kid in the class I told my kid to make sure to welcome the child and introduce the child around and make sure the child had others to play with and was not alone. I think you will be fine.

I would say that it may give you more comfort as a parent if you try to get involved to the extent possible and participate in play dates, birthday parties, etc.

[Anonymous]

IT family here. Aside from the school's social events (like Family Game Night, Community Service Projects, Spring Fling) which are not fundraisers but are open to all for the purpose of "connecting with other families," the room parents often organize socials without kids to foster more of a sense of community.

The administration changes the classroom dynamics each year and best friends or groups of friends get split up. My child has had "new best buddies" each year - some are new and some are not. The families don't seem to dwell on whether a kid/family is a "founding, "long-timer," or "new" family. It's all pretty fluid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IT family here. Aside from the school's social events (like Family Game Night, Community Service Projects, Spring Fling) which are not fundraisers but are open to all for the purpose of "connecting with other families," the room parents often organize socials without kids to foster more of a sense of community.

The administration changes the classroom dynamics each year and best friends or groups of friends get split up. My child has had "new best buddies" each year - some are new and some are not. The families don't seem to dwell on whether a kid/family is a "founding, "long-timer," or "new" family. It's all pretty fluid.

+1

[Anonymous]

CMI parent here, I think we have the opposite problem. We do so much stuff together! Once you join the school, we just absorb you like the Borg.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CMI parent here, I think we have the opposite problem. We do so much stuff together! Once you join the school, we just absorb you like the Borg.

(Smile) NP here. I was thinking something similar but not as clever as you.

As a new parent, I felt like everyone went out of their way to welcome me. In turn, I find myself tracking down new faces and introducing myself. Inspired has these morning coffees once a month whwre they entice families to stop for a free cup of coffee and treat. As much as I want to keep moving so that I'm not late to work, the forces pull me on over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CMI parent here, I think we have the opposite problem. We do so much stuff together! Once you join the school, we just absorb you like the Borg.

(Smile) NP here. I was thinking something similar but not as clever as you.

As a new parent, I felt like everyone went out of their way to welcome me. In turn, I find myself tracking down new faces and introducing myself. Inspired has these morning coffees once a month whwre they entice families to stop for a free cup of coffee and treat. As much as I want to keep moving so that I'm not late to work, the forces pull me on over.

Oops.. I'm PP. Should have said NP here from Inspired Teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CMI parent here, I think we have the opposite problem. We do so much stuff together! Once you join the school, we just absorb you like the Borg.

Just another reason I am so bitter we didnt get into CMI or ITS.