Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy

[Anonymous]

Basically glorified babysitting. However, I heard it got better this year and the director is a very nice person who will listen to your feedback. We opted for an afterschool sitter for my peace of mind. Otherwise Bethune is a real gem--we love it there.

[Anonymous]

Anyone have an idea what the incoming PS3 demographics may be at Bethune this fall?

We toured Bethune this week and were very impressed...seems like it is becoming one of the "hot" charter schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have an idea what the incoming PS3 demographics may be at Bethune this fall?

We toured Bethune this week and were very impressed...seems like it is becoming one of the "hot" charter schools.

The principal has indicated they are much more diverse then prior years.

Anyone with a child in aftercare who can speak to the program?

[Anonymous]

I do not have a child at Bethune, but we live 2 blocks away and we walk by nearly every day and we are considering it for the fall. It seems as though they have all ages mixed together, and they spend most of their time downstairs in the library/mixed use room. If we decide on Bethune, we will likely make other arrangements for aftercare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not have a child at Bethune, but we live 2 blocks away and we walk by nearly every day and we are considering it for the fall. It seems as though they have all ages mixed together, and they spend most of their time downstairs in the library/mixed use room. If we decide on Bethune, we will likely make other arrangements for aftercare.

What "other plans" would you do? That neighborhood isn't overflowing with options.

[Anonymous]

babysitter after school
nanny share
etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not have a child at Bethune, but we live 2 blocks away and we walk by nearly every day and we are considering it for the fall. It seems as though they have all ages mixed together, and they spend most of their time downstairs in the library/mixed use room. If we decide on Bethune, we will likely make other arrangements for aftercare.

Yep, this. The kids seem fine with it, but my child is too young. We do opt to use the bus instead since it gives us more time to get from work without using aftercare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basically glorified babysitting. However, I heard it got better this year and the director is a very nice person who will listen to your feedback. We opted for an afterschool sitter for my peace of mind. Otherwise Bethune is a real gem--we love it there.

Wondering what is meant mean by glorified babysitting. Simply unstructured or problems with appropriate activities, safety, supervision? For a preschooler, I'm more than ok with unstructured, non-academic, age-appropriate playtime - books, coloring, going out to playground again - either at school aftercare or at a sitter's, but I'm not ok with kids being plopped in front of a tv for two hours or unattended kids roughhousing and using bad language around little ones while the staff ignores them or constantly yells. Which scenario is it closer to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Basically glorified babysitting. However, I heard it got better this year and the director is a very nice person who will listen to your feedback. We opted for an afterschool sitter for my peace of mind. Otherwise Bethune is a real gem--we love it there.

Wondering what is meant mean by glorified babysitting. Simply unstructured or problems with appropriate activities, safety, supervision? For a preschooler, I'm more than ok with unstructured, non-academic, age-appropriate playtime - books, coloring, going out to playground again - either at school aftercare or at a sitter's, but I'm not ok with kids being plopped in front of a tv for two hours or unattended kids roughhousing and using bad language around little ones while the staff ignores them or constantly yells. Which scenario is it closer to?

There doesn't seem to be anyone responding who actually uses the aftercare, so your best bet is to stop by and visit. I didn't explore it thoroughly when we enrolled because I was trying to shorten the day for my three-year-old and knew I wanted a sitter. I've heard that it's basic babysitting; no TV but not much in the way of enrichment activities compared to some aftercare programs that offer a lot of structured extras (powertots, etc). No safety complaints. If you do stop by, can you come back and let the group know what you observe? This seems to be a common question.

[Anonymous]

I just heard that Bethune has a December birthday cut-off for PS3. Does anyone know if this is true this year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just heard that Bethune has a December birthday cut-off for PS3. Does anyone know if this is true this year?

My child has an October birthday and she was excepted last year. We declined due to my new job location and commute.

[Anonymous]

I just called the school. The cut off is Sept 30th. They said that this is the first year that they are enforcing the new cut off. It has been December 31st in previous years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just called the school. The cut off is Sept 30th. They said that this is the first year that they are enforcing the new cut off. It has been December 31st in previous years

Correct, they changed it for this year. I think they also had an "older" PS3 room with the later cut off. They are not doing that this year.