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Thoughts on Oysters Changes to the bilingual program - opinions from parents in the school???
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Anonymous
| but is it that they "can't be bothered" or is there simpy NO MONEY for this kind of thing? |
Anonymous
Right on! |
Anonymous
I believe that Oyster's Spanish language teachers' salaries are funded by an Office of Bilingual Education grant dedicated to the school upon its founding. However, the formula has not been updated in 30 years to reflect inflation or the retention of teachers. The school struggles to 'make ends meet' with this formula, in addition to the regular DCPS formula, to fully staff. Also, the view that other schools do not have two teachers in a class and Oyster is somehow swimming in it is not entirely true--many schools have an aide, or specialists (like a dedicated Science teacher or Math specialist) who work with the children in addition to the elementary 'homeroom' teacher. I KNOW this is not the CASE in many DC schools, but in the little NW ones that run up Wisconsin Ave. I can guarantee that whether paid for by PTA funds or whatever, the elementary children seen more that the face of their homeroom teacher during the course of the school day. Oyster is not so exceptional in that regard. When our child was at a NW public school in 4th (non-bilingual) he had a teacher, two aides, a math teacher, and a science teacher all working to implement the core curriculum. Not to mention PE, counselor etc. Compared to that, Oyster looks positively understaffed. |
Anonymous
You really and truly have NO IDEA what you're talking about. Readers - ignore this obviosuly insane poster whose sole purpose in life is apparently to drap Oyster through the mud using false information. You would never have made the above comments if you had firsthand knowledge becuase it is simply NOT the case. |
Anonymous
|
18:47 Oyster has all that ... specialists in math and science, counselor, PE, art, library, plus two full-time teachers. So, maybe comparable to what you've described, if two aides equals a full-time team teacher, but certainly not understaffed.
I believe the Oyster program, after special ed, has the highest expenditure per pupil in DCPS. Or one of the highest. The community used to be warned not to call "downtown" w/requests (this was pre-Chancellor Rhee) because the perception was the school was already getting more than its share. |
Anonymous
Um, I am not referring to a specialist who sits in a 'resource room' and advises teachers. The example I was giving was of a public school classroom with a classroom teacher, and aide, a separate math teacher and a separate science teacher -- in addition to counselors , PE Art etc. Oyster does seem to have more resource people in place this year. Last year, as you recall, that was NOT the case. The counselor at Adams left after a brief stint, the PE teacher was gone about halfway through, there was no Science teacher, no math teacher. If you are telling me that THIS year K-8 at Oyster ALL the two language teachers in the classroom are responsible for is Language Arts and Social Studies in English and Spanish--well, more power to them. I am sure they are able to do a great job. |
Anonymous
| No, I am not telling you that. The two-teacher setup goes through Grade 5, then Grades 6, 7 and 8 have four or five academic teachers, plus art, gym, etc. I understand there's a science teacher at Oyster, not sure how Grades 4 and 5 handle science at Adams. Also, not sure about a math specialist this year. I'm no longer there but am in touch with current parents, so, reliable sources. I realize Oyster's had some staffing holes in recent years but I would not call it understaffed. |
Anonymous
Current parent here: The (wonderful, visionary) science teacher at Oyster teaches at Adams too. I heard that a very popular math teacher who has been affiliated with Oyster for years was hired to do some kind of resource work, though I don't remember in exactly what capacity and if we're talking this year or next year. |
Anonymous
| Yes, I have heard that, I heard he was there now, but I am not sure he's in the classroom teaching. I almost mentioned him but did not since I did not have details. (I'm 00:58). I'm glad to hear the science teacher teaches at Adams. Oyster's librarian is nothing short of amazing. Ditto the art and PE teachers. They deal with so many grades across so many ages and really get to know and care about each child. |
Anonymous
Glad to hear that the Science teacher is directly instructing the children; that is the way to go. It is weird in elementary to think that one teacher can competently and enthusiastically teach all subject areas from a firm knowledge base. If the popular math specialist is the person I'm thinking of, he might do pull-out but he most likely will not be teaching any full classes. The point I was making, when I was called insane, was not to belittle Oyster but to combat the perception that somehow with the two-teacher formula Oyster has it 'cushy'. The resources at Oyster are directed towards two teachers in every class; in other schools, some of those resources are dedicated to aides, extra subject area teachers, full-time counselors etc. So that is the point I am making. I think it is also absurd advice to not ask for more. In DC, always ask for more. There is plenty of money filtering through the system. Make sure the resources get to your school (Oyster or not). I am not saying don't be politic about it, but to accept that Oyster has 2 teachers per class and walk humbly away does not make much sense. The children and program have other needs beyond that. |
Anonymous
| 19:19: You do not seem to have your facts straight about many things at Oyster. Why do you post as if you do? The "absurd" advice was from DCPS employees downtown! Again, Oyster is on a per-student basis one of the most expensive programs in DCPS. |
Anonymous
Yes, and as you continually make a point of misunderstanding me--that a higher Oyster price tag does not actually equate into balanced resources. Yes, there are two teachers in every class. There are also things being given up. Like last year the children in Middle School had NO counselor. Is that healthy? There are other schools in NW that may not have as much per capita spending per student, but have more of an 'all-around' program. Oyster definitely has two teachers in every class. I am not sure it ends up ahead, and I would focus on making sure the children get the other supplements to the program they need. Maybe instead of the OP plan the children could have 1.5 teachers for every two grades (Language arts and Social Studies) and a counselor and a Science and a math teacher for direct instruction. Just playing around with the formula since it is already being played around with. And why would you ever 'take advice' from downtown? Are you truly a parent with a child in DCPS? |
Anonymous
| The middle school counselor left during the school year, it was not planned. Schools should take advice from downtown when downtown is trying to work with them. That was the case in the example I cited. From what I understand about other DCPS schools, they are comparable to Oyster as far as art, PE, library and other resources. If any of them come out ahead, more power to them. I was an Oyster parent for many years. The school has been trying to figure out what to become for nearly a decade. I hope the community figures that out. |
Anonymous
| PP here: I meant to write "some are comparable to Oyster." |
Anonymous
Is this true? Shepherd and Cooke don't have the funding in place for IB? And Deal having to use creative accounting? And Thompson is using a grant (which will run out, as all grants do)? I ask because it takes 3 to 4 years to get approved as an IB school. Just a one year commitment or a quick shot of funding isn't going to be enough. Honestly I would have thought Oyster would be a much better IB candidate than Cooke - that school is combination of inexperienced and old mess. |