Opinions on the physical layout of SSIMS

[Anonymous]

I have a child with a physical disability -- she can't do much walking and can't walk up and down stairs unassisted. Some aspects of the layout at SSIMS seem worth considering because of that factor and I wonder about them. How do kids get down to the track and tennis courts? How do they get to the auditorium? It seems like a campus where a lot of walking is mandatory and built-in. Thanks for any insights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child with a physical disability -- she can't do much walking and can't walk up and down stairs unassisted. Some aspects of the layout at SSIMS seem worth considering because of that factor and I wonder about them. How do kids get down to the track and tennis courts? How do they get to the auditorium? It seems like a campus where a lot of walking is mandatory and built-in. Thanks for any insights.

There is an elevator, but on some floors it's on the ES school side of the building making it inconvenient and also causing some inexplicable political issues. There is no way to get to the gym without walking and some steps. There is no auditorium, the band room has a ramp. I know at least two SN families that were given COSA to avoid SSIMS, one went to Takoma, one to Sligo (my experience is years ago now). My DC has some minor physical disabilities but could negotiate the building. No one warned us about the situation, but when DC was dropped off at orientation, I received a slightly panicked awkward call "Just saw met your DC, want to make sure DC is going to be okay" Urgh, that was the day before first day of classes, too late to make a change without disruption. Anyway, you're right to consider it now, it is a decrepit building and worth avoiding for that reason alone if there's a better option. It all worked out in our case but it did cause issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There is an elevator, but on some floors it's on the ES school side of the building making it inconvenient and also causing some inexplicable political issues. There is no way to get to the gym without walking and some steps. There is no auditorium, the band room has a ramp. I know at least two SN families that were given COSA to avoid SSIMS, one went to Takoma, one to Sligo (my experience is years ago now). My DC has some minor physical disabilities but could negotiate the building. No one warned us about the situation, but when DC was dropped off at orientation, I received a slightly panicked awkward call "Just saw met your DC, want to make sure DC is going to be okay" Urgh, that was the day before first day of classes, too late to make a change without disruption. Anyway, you're right to consider it now, it is a decrepit building and worth avoiding for that reason alone if there's a better option. It all worked out in our case but it did cause issues.

An inaccessible gym is against the law -- isn't it?

[Anonymous]

I live in the neighborhood and I constantly see the kids walking up and down a long steep path from the main campus to a separate outbuilding. I thought this was an auditorium but not sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in the neighborhood and I constantly see the kids walking up and down a long steep path from the main campus to a separate outbuilding. I thought this was an auditorium but not sure.

I went to this school when it was Montgomery Blair. There were two gyms. The small gym used to be the female gym years before that. The large gym was outside and a long stairs walk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in the neighborhood and I constantly see the kids walking up and down a long steep path from the main campus to a separate outbuilding. I thought this was an auditorium but not sure.

That is the field house. The kids are going to and from PE/dance.

[Anonymous]

Not accessible for someone handicapped. The gym for PE is down a big flight of stairs. The bells are VERY close and your child will be constantly late. Walking into class every day behind everyone else and holding up class may make your child uncomfortable. You could always go look at the school and schedule an appointment with counselor.

My kid goes there...no way I would push for someone who is mobility challenged to be there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in the neighborhood and I constantly see the kids walking up and down a long steep path from the main campus to a separate outbuilding. I thought this was an auditorium but not sure.

I went to this school when it was Montgomery Blair. There were two gyms. The small gym used to be the female gym years before that. The large gym was outside and a long stairs walk.

The small gym is now the multipurpose room for the ES. The MS uses the outside gym.