How is your 4th grader at CES doing so far?

[Anonymous]

I think that CCES has experienced a lot of change in the last few years with the 6th graders moving to Silver Creek and the expansion of the CES. That is bound to affect the school community and any number of logistical and organizational aspects of structuring the school day. For parents to have concerns or hopes/ideas for improvement is normal and good and worth pursuing. But to have vitriolic anger toward the Center and to act like parents at other schools don’t have similar concerns and problems with MCPS is ridiculous. CCES May have different problems than other ESs in MCPS, but it doesn’t have worse problems. These kinds of problems and frustrations are very common and not unique to CCES, though there are many things that are unique about CCES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems to me that the angry Chevy Chase posters who complain about the CES are motivated by envy or resentment that their child didn't get in. As a CES parent, if it's any comfort, let me offer one observation: I *wish* my child had been well-positioned to stay at her home school. frankly it would be a lot more convenient (we have another child who's still there). But she has been, as a lot of CES kids are, really lonely there. She's sensitive, and shy, and awkward, and just hasn't ever been in the swim of things. Believe me, you don't envy her, and you wouldn't wish her experience on your kid. I'm relieved that she's much happier at CES so far, mostly because (socially) she seems like less of weirdo there. I actually hope that my other child won't have the need for the program -- I'm a big believer in neighborhood schools -- but for her, so far, it seems to be a godsend. Anyway, I just have the feeling that people are fetishizing the experience in some way and worrying that it reflects badly on their kids or them that they didn't get in. IT DOESN'T!!!

Stop making CES kids out to be "weirdos" (your word) who don't fit in at their home schools. There are some kids who find a better social fit at the CES but there are others who were doing just fine socially at their home schools. FWIW, there are plenty of non-center CCES kids who are quirky or "sensitive and shy and awkward." And you won't believe this but some of them have actually found better friends at the CES so it should be a win-win for everyone.

NP here. PP was talking about her own child. She didn't generalize, she told a story about her kid. Just because you don't like that her story plays into a stereotype about Center kids doesn't mean she shouldn't have a right to share.

/Mom of socially adept Center kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am an upset CCES parent but I can assure you that I am not jealous of your kid's center placement. My child didn't even take the test to qualify because it was clear as day that there was a learning disability at play that was completely ignored. Kid didn't have a snowball's chance on hell of getting in to the Center.

So while your kids get enrichment, my kid still can't read and I am fighting for basic services in the exact same school where your kid gets enriched. The center keeps growing but there are not enough staff and resources for kids like mine.

Good for you guys but don't think all of the neighborhood parents are just jealous. They just want the same attention and consideration from MCPS and the administration that you guys already get on so many levels.

The split lunch just got people talking. A lot apparently.

I can assure you that there are kids with special needs at the centers too and they are fighting like you for basic services JUST LIKE YOU. What attention and consideration do the center kids get that the regular kids don't get? I don't see any of that.

I don't owe you my story. Trust me. What happened to my kid is not OK. Ignored for far too long despite my advocacy. It doesn't sound like the center kids getting both enrichment and special needs have that problem.They've been tested out the wazoo courtesy of MCPS. Because I was ignored I had to go outside the system to get tested. For $$$$$$$ My kid is now four grade levels behind because she was written off. Even more $$$$$ we don't have will be required out of pocket to. It nearly broke my kid. You can GTH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am an upset CCES parent but I can assure you that I am not jealous of your kid's center placement. My child didn't even take the test to qualify because it was clear as day that there was a learning disability at play that was completely ignored. Kid didn't have a snowball's chance on hell of getting in to the Center.

So while your kids get enrichment, my kid still can't read and I am fighting for basic services in the exact same school where your kid gets enriched. The center keeps growing but there are not enough staff and resources for kids like mine.

Good for you guys but don't think all of the neighborhood parents are just jealous. They just want the same attention and consideration from MCPS and the administration that you guys already get on so many levels.

The split lunch just got people talking. A lot apparently.

I can assure you that there are kids with special needs at the centers too and they are fighting like you for basic services JUST LIKE YOU. What attention and consideration do the center kids get that the regular kids don't get? I don't see any of that.

I don't owe you my story. Trust me. What happened to my kid is not OK. Ignored for far too long despite my advocacy. It doesn't sound like the center kids getting both enrichment and special needs have that problem.They've been tested out the wazoo courtesy of MCPS. Because I was ignored I had to go outside the system to get tested. For $$$$$$$ My kid is now four grade levels behind because she was written off. Even more $$$$$ we don't have will be required out of pocket to. It nearly broke my kid. You can GTH.

I am truly sorry for what you went through, but it has NOTHING to do with the Center and everything to do with MCPS not having enough school psychologists and not liking to qualify kids for services that are expensive to provide. Your story is shared by many families at many other ESs who have also gotten private evaluations and fought to get their kids the special education services they need. Truly, I’m sorry for what you went through and there are a lot of non-CCES parents out there who share your pain. But it doesn’t have anything to do with there being a CES program at CCES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems to me that the angry Chevy Chase posters who complain about the CES are motivated by envy or resentment that their child didn't get in. As a CES parent, if it's any comfort, let me offer one observation: I *wish* my child had been well-positioned to stay at her home school. frankly it would be a lot more convenient (we have another child who's still there). But she has been, as a lot of CES kids are, really lonely there. She's sensitive, and shy, and awkward, and just hasn't ever been in the swim of things. Believe me, you don't envy her, and you wouldn't wish her experience on your kid. I'm relieved that she's much happier at CES so far, mostly because (socially) she seems like less of weirdo there. I actually hope that my other child won't have the need for the program -- I'm a big believer in neighborhood schools -- but for her, so far, it seems to be a godsend. Anyway, I just have the feeling that people are fetishizing the experience in some way and worrying that it reflects badly on their kids or them that they didn't get in. IT DOESN'T!!!

Stop making CES kids out to be "weirdos" (your word) who don't fit in at their home schools. There are some kids who find a better social fit at the CES but there are others who were doing just fine socially at their home schools. FWIW, there are plenty of non-center CCES kids who are quirky or "sensitive and shy and awkward." And you won't believe this but some of them have actually found better friends at the CES so it should be a win-win for everyone.

NP here. PP was talking about her own child. She didn't generalize, she told a story about her kid. Just because you don't like that her story plays into a stereotype about Center kids doesn't mean she shouldn't have a right to share.

/Mom of socially adept Center kid

Re-read it mom of socially adept center kid. She did generalize by saying "people are fetishizing the experience in some way and worrying that it reflects badly on their kids or them that they didn't get in. IT DOESN'T!!!" Because they are obviously shy, awkward weirdos like her kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I can assure you that there are kids with special needs at the centers too and they are fighting like you for basic services JUST LIKE YOU. What attention and consideration do the center kids get that the regular kids don't get? I don't see any of that.

I don't owe you my story. Trust me. What happened to my kid is not OK. Ignored for far too long despite my advocacy. It doesn't sound like the center kids getting both enrichment and special needs have that problem.They've been tested out the wazoo courtesy of MCPS. Because I was ignored I had to go outside the system to get tested. For $$$$$$$ My kid is now four grade levels behind because she was written off. Even more $$$$$ we don't have will be required out of pocket to. It nearly broke my kid. You can GTH.

You have NO idea. The kids with SN in the center and they are having trouble getting help too. Do you think your situation is unique? Sorry for what your child went through but this is the story of almost every special needs parent in Montgomery County and especially those in wealthier schools. It is horrible. But it has nothing to do with the center programs. I've heard people blame it on the money being spent on the poorer schools and their free full-year programs, after school enrichment too. These are all separate things and the fact is MCPS does a terrible job in many schools at supporting kids with special needs. It has nothing to do with the CES program. Nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that CCES has experienced a lot of change in the last few years with the 6th graders moving to Silver Creek and the expansion of the CES. That is bound to affect the school community and any number of logistical and organizational aspects of structuring the school day. For parents to have concerns or hopes/ideas for improvement is normal and good and worth pursuing. But to have vitriolic anger toward the Center and to act like parents at other schools don’t have similar concerns and problems with MCPS is ridiculous. CCES May have different problems than other ESs in MCPS, but it doesn’t have worse problems. These kinds of problems and frustrations are very common and not unique to CCES, though there are many things that are unique about CCES.

PP here. I would agree with this. Growing pains for sure. I happen to like the CCES Principal. She really does care about the kids. She loves her school and staff. I think we are lucky in that respect. Sometimes she thinks she is doing the right thing and it just doesn't work out. Maybe time to recalibrate.

MCPS is at a crossroads. The Center and the neighborhood both have different needs. Totally different. They should be addressed and not written off or ignored. Now I am done with posting here. Wish I had never stumbled up this mess but dealing with my kid's new issues made me curious. Crap like this makes me angry to read. Pure poison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a way to change the title of the thread to CES at CCES, so that those of us who are curious about how the CES experience is going so far can have a place to share that?
Perhaps I should start a new thread...

I’m the very original poster of this post and I can’t believe how much it has changed! A title change might actually help someone. My kid is not at CCES so I didn’t know about all this drama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a way to change the title of the thread to CES at CCES, so that those of us who are curious about how the CES experience is going so far can have a place to share that?
Perhaps I should start a new thread...

I’m the very original poster of this post and I can’t believe how much it has changed! A title change might actually help someone. My kid is not at CCES so I didn’t know about all this drama.

Agree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a CES parent, but our school has been invaded by Center kids (Chevy Chase) which added dozens of kids last year when we lost our 6th grade. They comprise almost 60% of the school or more now. Reading about all of the extras your kids get makes my blood boil. Meanwhile, local kids can't even have lunch together anymore because recess and lunch were split up.to accommodate your kids. Our Principal could care less about the social emotion damage done to our kids who are sitting alone at recess.

And here you are worrying about your kids enrichment when local kids are not getting the attention they need from teachers and falling through the cracks.

This private school (Center) within a public school needs to end. Hope you all realize how lucky you are at the sacrifice of the local kids.

STFU you crazy bitter mom of a socially awkward child was rejected from the CES program.