Immersion Programs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. Back to Yu Ying... does anyone know if they are expecting to start PS3 in the 2014-15 school year? Thanks!

I think they are "considering" it (if the letter to the YY parents is correct).

I'm guessing they'll know by the time open house season starts.

[Anonymous]

Wow. NP here too, and I find this thread positively ridiculous.

For those interested in facts, I'm a Bethune PS-3 parent. I just dropped our child off (first day!) and could not be happier with our experience at the school thus far (yes, it is only the first day, but I've invested a significant amount of time since May meeting teachers, administrators, other PS-3 parents and visiting the school's facilities). The PS3 and PS4 classes are wonderfully diverse; the classrooms are bright and cheerful, and the faculty is warm and supportive.

Re: Spanish immersion past 3rd grade, Principal Lewis directly informed me in June that there are discussions on continuing language immersion IF THERE IS INTEREST on behalf of the current PS3, 4 and K students as they advance.

It is positively RIDICULOUS to assert that the firing of English teachers (black, white, pink, purple or whatever color for that matter) is the reason that there is no language immersion beyond 3rd grade.

It is, however, CORRECT that the school's focus is on English curriculum because CAS testing (which is in English) begins in 3rd grade and the school is very intent on bringing up their CAS scores and moving to Tier 1. Moving to Tier 1 means more students in classrooms, and in turn, more $$$ to the school. Classrooms for 3rd grade and up will not be at capacity until CAS scores go up, and the administration believes that scores will not go up as rapidly if students are receiving instruction on primary subjects in two languages. It has NOTHING to do with the firing of teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. NP here too, and I find this thread positively ridiculous.

For those interested in facts, I'm a Bethune PS-3 parent. I just dropped our child off (first day!) and could not be happier with our experience at the school thus far (yes, it is only the first day, but I've invested a significant amount of time since May meeting teachers, administrators, other PS-3 parents and visiting the school's facilities). The PS3 and PS4 classes are wonderfully diverse; the classrooms are bright and cheerful, and the faculty is warm and supportive.

Re: Spanish immersion past 3rd grade, Principal Lewis directly informed me in June that there are discussions on continuing language immersion IF THERE IS INTEREST on behalf of the current PS3, 4 and K students as they advance.

It is positively RIDICULOUS to assert that the firing of English teachers (black, white, pink, purple or whatever color for that matter) is the reason that there is no language immersion beyond 3rd grade.

It is, however, CORRECT that the school's focus is on English curriculum because CAS testing (which is in English) begins in 3rd grade and the school is very intent on bringing up their CAS scores and moving to Tier 1. Moving to Tier 1 means more students in classrooms, and in turn, more $$$ to the school. Classrooms for 3rd grade and up will not be at capacity until CAS scores go up, and the administration believes that scores will not go up as rapidly if students are receiving instruction on primary subjects in two languages. It has NOTHING to do with the firing of teachers.

Thank you, that makes a ton of sense and matches what I've heard from many other Bethune parents. That angry PP above never followed her own advice and posted her evidence that the decision away from the 50/50 model was about not firing Black teachers, so her argument was ridiculous anyway (and clearly personal) because she never pointed to evidence that Bethune's decision is NOT about becoming. Tier 1 school.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the angry PP obviously doesn't know what she is talking about and for some unknown reason has an ax to grind. Her whole argument is silly at best.

People who are unfamiliar with Charters simply look at the CAS numbers and base their decision to apply on that. What they don't know, is that the scores (and diversity profile) is based soley on the upper grades and do not reflect what is happening in PS-3, PS-4 and K.

If I looked only at the test scores/Charter annual report and never took the time to do my research on Bethune, I never would have sent my child their either. But the fact of the matter is that Bethune has an excellent early childhood education program with a diverse student body and faculty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. NP here too, and I find this thread positively ridiculous.

For those interested in facts, I'm a Bethune PS-3 parent. I just dropped our child off (first day!) and could not be happier with our experience at the school thus far (yes, it is only the first day, but I've invested a significant amount of time since May meeting teachers, administrators, other PS-3 parents and visiting the school's facilities). The PS3 and PS4 classes are wonderfully diverse; the classrooms are bright and cheerful, and the faculty is warm and supportive.

Re: Spanish immersion past 3rd grade, Principal Lewis directly informed me in June that there are discussions on continuing language immersion IF THERE IS INTEREST on behalf of the current PS3, 4 and K students as they advance.

It is positively RIDICULOUS to assert that the firing of English teachers (black, white, pink, purple or whatever color for that matter) is the reason that there is no language immersion beyond 3rd grade.

It is, however, CORRECT that the school's focus is on English curriculum because CAS testing (which is in English) begins in 3rd grade and the school is very intent on bringing up their CAS scores and moving to Tier 1. Moving to Tier 1 means more students in classrooms, and in turn, more $$$ to the school. Classrooms for 3rd grade and up will not be at capacity until CAS scores go up, and the administration believes that scores will not go up as rapidly if students are receiving instruction on primary subjects in two languages. It has NOTHING to do with the firing of teachers.

He is the principal for PreS-2nd. Perhaps you schould talk to the upper grade principal.

[Anonymous]

He is the principal for PreS-2nd at bethune. Perhaps you should talk to the upper grade principal and find out what his plans are.

[Anonymous]

Principal Lewis' report was on discussions held by the ADMINISTRATION. In case you don't know, administration is in inclusive term that means multiple people...meaning that the upper school principal was also part of the discussion.

[Anonymous]

You typed "discussions on continuing language immersion. Your post did not say you did not say discussion with ADMINISTRATORS!!!


FYI- he has been saying the same thing for the past few years. Maybe one day it will come true, maybe one day it will not. Time will tell.

[Anonymous]

You typed "....discussions on continuing language immersion...." Your post did not say "discussions held by the ADMINISTRATION!"

[Anonymous]

I would hope you could connect the dots.

He didn't have a discussion with himself, and a discussion on "students as they advance" typically also involves the person into whose care these students will advance.

[Anonymous]

He could of had a discussion with ANYONE at the school.

[Anonymous]

This is like arguing with a wall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would hope you could connect the dots.

He didn't have a discussion with himself, and a discussion on "students as they advance" typically also involves the person into whose care these students will advance.

Oh, my God, please stop. You really sound nuts.

[Anonymous]

And BTW, "could of" is not correct English. Perhaps that is an example of why the school's focus after 2nd grade is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Just like we said- MEDIOCRE school AT BEST. You guys keep drinking the Koolaid. In ten years when the principal is still having discussions on expanding the immersion, what will you say then. Oh, I forgot- it's racist to discuss that. He he he.... So good to be able to pull the race card when all else fails. We'll never have to take responsibility for anything. We can just say- "You're being racist" when criticized. YAY!!!