Hearst Principal Leaving

[Anonymous]

Anyone know why and who will be replacing her?

[Anonymous]

Really? Did they announce this at the school?

[Anonymous]

Any more verification of this, I've seen nothing to confirm this rumor. . .. . curious

[Anonymous]

OP here - I stopped by the school a couple of weeks ago and this was verified by the principal herself. At an open house I went to over the winter, she seemed very pleasant and competent, so I'm just wondering if there's any more news about this out there.

[Anonymous]

I heard that she was encouraged to retire.

[Anonymous]

What is the story with Hearst? We are in-boundary for Hearst, and it appears to only run through 3rd grade. Where do the children go between 3rd and 6th?
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hearst is planning to add 4th grade next year (2009-10) and 5th grade the year after that. 6th graders starting 2009-10 are now are in Deale Middle School. Previously, Hearst 3rd graders went to Eaton, Janney, Murch for 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Hearst Parent (?). How is Hearst? The program sounds interesting, but the web site seems to lack some oomph. It also appears that the majority of kids are out of boundary. Out of boundary in itself is not bad (I have taught and had my own child in a high out of boundary school)--but I worry when it seems like the neighborhood kids are not going. Is that a fair assessment?

If you have time, can you fill us in on whether the new principal has been announced? Also, is the PTA/LSRT active?

And is there any way for the neighborhood to get involved to support this school?

Thanks (prospective neighborhood parent...a few years away

[Anonymous]

I contacted DCPS directly and they said that there are no current plans to expand through 4th/5th. They also said a message would go out to the community in the next week vis the change in administration. Hearst looks like a cool little school with an interesting program. I hope that under the new administration the school will capacity build its program in ways that are appealing to picky parents (like me!), and that the new principal will court more neighborhood families with the school's offerings....

[Anonymous]

I went to an open house at Hearst in January. We applied out of boundary and my son will start Pre-K there in the fall. We were told at the open house that the school is adding a 4th & 5th grade. I am also pretty sure I read this in the Owl Newletters on the Hearst site.

[Anonymous]

Please write to DCPS and post the information you get (the link is under contact us on the DCPS website). I JUST wrote to the Chancellor's Office and was told there are no current plans to expand. If you are OOB, the new plan with DCPS from what I glean is to allow your child to 'feed' into whatever school is the feeder school from your OOB school, so you should not have a problem going forward--i.e. your child will feed with the other Hearst children. However, it would be nice to know if a 4th and 5th is in the works or not. What did you think of the open house? I am a former DCPS teacher, have had a child in DCPS and charter (we are quite happy with charter now), and we are just moving into the neighborhood. I must admit I know very little about Hearst, tucked away as it is. I would like to support the school as a good school is always great for kids --my 1st concern-- (and selfishly, the neighborhood .

[Anonymous]

if they aren't adding a 4th and 5th grade it is a change from what parents were told at open houses last year -- and one that would upset me, if the feed into Eaton wasn't also reinstated. My understanding was that most of Hearst used to feed into Eaton at 4th and 5th. That changed and the children actually had no home school for 4th and 5th, but the decision was made to expand Hearst. I guess I shouldn't be shocked, but I am . . .

[Anonymous]

http://www.hearstdc.org/owl-newsletter1

Check out the principal's corner May newsletter. "It's official. pre-k to 5 school by 2010." I'm not a Hearst parent. I have been in DCPS schools where promises of new programs made and broken. This is a big part of why my kids are headed to charter schools next year. You can't count on anything in DCPS. Rhee doesn't follow through. She fires principals and teachers, and is unable to recruit qualified replacements (due to the threat of being fired. . . . ).

[Anonymous]

I would love to know who continues to state that Hearst ES will not be expanding to 4th & 5th Grade. The school is expanding to 4th for the Fall 2009 SY. I'm actually a parent on the Hearst PTA. The principal has been replaced by Mr. William Kerlina. He will be on board at the school beginning July 20, 2009. I encourage parents to seek information by visiting the Hearst Website. The information will be updated frequently beginning in the next couple of weeks.

[Anonymous]

does anyone know the principals background? we just got a spot at hearst.