HD Cooke: first few weeks

[Anonymous]

There was a question about how the first few weeks at Cooke have gone. There was a movement by the neighborhood to "reinvest" in the school, and many middle and upper-middle class parents chose to send our kids to school there this year. Things are going pretty well, and the new school is beautiful. Since most of us had preschool and prek-aged children, that means that out of a school of about 260 (? I think) about 120 are Preschool and PreK kids. The before and after-care programs aren't really designed for this age group, but Principal Black has heard the concerns, and in the PTA meeting on Tuesday promised to work to address them.

The parents in our preschool classroom are friendly and committed to the school, and we've already found people we walk to school with. Many of the teachers are new, and the school is still getting organized from its move, but overall I'm pretty happy with how things went the first week. I am enjoying seeing other parents from the neighborhood at pickup and dropoff - so different from the charter school we were at previously that no one in our neighborhood attended!

Am I 100% happy? No, but then again, what would make me 100% happy probably is different from what would make another person 100% happy. I can live with 90% happy.

[Anonymous]

How old is your child? Have you had a chance to see your child's class curriculum compares to that offered by other schools for that age/grade?

We live in-bounds for Cooke and are keenly interested in efforts to improve the school's standing in the ranks of DCPS elementary schools.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like a much needed positive story about DCPS. Can't wait to hear more about it and see how the school progresses.

[Anonymous]

OP here - my child is in a preschool classroom, which generally means they are (have) turning (turned) 3 on or before 9/30/09. Most of the "new" HD Cooke parents have kids who are 3 or 4, which seems consistent with the minor baby boom that occurred 3-4 years ago in the neighborhood.

As for curriculum, ummmm...my child is in preschool. I am not looking to get my kid into Harvard right now; I am hoping he learns how to put on their his shoes and play nice with others. But, the teacher seems very committed and already has homework (!) for us, consisting of discussing colors and shapes and things like that.

Their day is very organized & seems like a nice balance between play and low-pressure academics. I think the little toy magnet ball thingies to trace the letters are particularly cool!

I strongly believe that parents commitment to education is the best predictor of future academic success. I intend to supplement ANY classroom experience with reading to my children, helping out in the classroom or after school (as possible - I work full-time), and networking with other parents from my child's grade.

[Anonymous]

thanks for the info, op.

is your child in aftercare at Cooke? just wondering, since you mention it in your first message.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was a question about how the first few weeks at Cooke have gone. There was a movement by the neighborhood to "reinvest" in the school, and many middle and upper-middle class parents chose to send our kids to school there this year. Things are going pretty well, and the new school is beautiful. Since most of us had preschool and prek-aged children, that means that out of a school of about 260 (? I think) about 120 are Preschool and PreK kids. The before and after-care programs aren't really designed for this age group, but Principal Black has heard the concerns, and in the PTA meeting on Tuesday promised to work to address them.

The parents in our preschool classroom are friendly and committed to the school, and we've already found people we walk to school with. Many of the teachers are new, and the school is still getting organized from its move, but overall I'm pretty happy with how things went the first week. I am enjoying seeing other parents from the neighborhood at pickup and dropoff - so different from the charter school we were at previously that no one in our neighborhood attended!

Am I 100% happy? No, but then again, what would make me 100% happy probably is different from what would make another person 100% happy. I can live with 90% happy.

It's not a secret that a number of these families pulled out at the last minute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a question about how the first few weeks at Cooke have gone. There was a movement by the neighborhood to "reinvest" in the school, and many middle and upper-middle class parents chose to send our kids to school there this year. Things are going pretty well, and the new school is beautiful. Since most of us had preschool and prek-aged children, that means that out of a school of about 260 (? I think) about 120 are Preschool and PreK kids. The before and after-care programs aren't really designed for this age group, but Principal Black has heard the concerns, and in the PTA meeting on Tuesday promised to work to address them.

The parents in our preschool classroom are friendly and committed to the school, and we've already found people we walk to school with. Many of the teachers are new, and the school is still getting organized from its move, but overall I'm pretty happy with how things went the first week. I am enjoying seeing other parents from the neighborhood at pickup and dropoff - so different from the charter school we were at previously that no one in our neighborhood attended!

Am I 100% happy? No, but then again, what would make me 100% happy probably is different from what would make another person 100% happy. I can live with 90% happy.

It's not a secret that a number of these families pulled out at the last minute.

Its no secret. But the parents that remained and those that continue to enroll are the parents/families that Principal Black says are welcomed at Cooke. Those who want to work to make it a great school for all students, not those who want to complain about whats wrong with no solutions.

Its a shame that those who pulled out won't be able to say that they had a hand in helping to create a world class learning enviroment for students across the board.

I can't wait for those parents to try and enroll after all of the work has been done. They they can attempt to take credit as they attempt to join the movement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't wait for those parents to try and enroll after all of the work has been done. They they can attempt to take credit as they attempt to join the movement.

My, what a welcoming community you're envisioning!

[Anonymous]

Op. Thanks for posting. Its good to hear from an actual enrolled parent and not just someone who walked by and saw too many kids who were not the same color as her kid. My DD is not old enough for PS yet, but I'm really hoping she can go to a neighborhood school next year. Thanks for being a leader.

[Anonymous]

OP here - yes, there was some attrition, as there is in any situation. That's why waiting lists everywhere move. I'm personally psyched that we had a number of parents apply to Cooke who weren't even thinking about it a year ago. Many of us did choose to send our kids to Cooke, and hopefully more will join us next year. We are happy there.

Everyone makes choices for his / her own kids, and if another opportunity came up for some of the parents who "pulled out" that looked like a better fit, then I applaud the parents for making that choice. That is the whole point of school choice, non?

17:13: No, my kid isn't in aftercare. They get picked up after school by the caregiver of my younger child. I think it's too long a day for a preschooler since I have another alternative. I have thus never observed the aftercare program directly.

I didn't do the post at 18:56, BTW. Again, I think every parent should do what they feel is best for their child. They know their kid best and what works for us may not work for others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op. Thanks for posting. Its good to hear from an actual enrolled parent and not just someone who walked by and saw too many kids who were not the same color as her kid. My DD is not old enough for PS yet, but I'm really hoping she can go to a neighborhood school next year. Thanks for being a leader.

As I recall, that poster actually spoke with the principal and was told that her child might be the one and only of her ethnic background. That's a bit different from "walking by and seeing too many kids who are not the same color."

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just in the interest of full disclosure, we have had two parents I know of pulling their kids because they're unhappy with the aftercare. But, I don't have personal experience with it so can't speak to it.

[Anonymous]

On some level, it will be interesting to see if Cooke is just free daycare or public education for the gentrifiers. In other words, will their kids still be there in 1st grade? I'm not saying this in a judgmental way -- DCPS has a lot to prove to win the loyalty of people who can buy their way out of the system and the best way for the risk-averse to test the waters is to enroll their kids when they are very young. PreK (especially for 3 year olds) is a good lure in that respect.

[Anonymous]

H.D. Cooke is a state of the art school in Adams Morgan. Lets continue to help make it the best school for our kids. I'm happy!

[Anonymous]

I'm a parent who volunteers in the schools my kids attend.