Language immersion results

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or is there not as much movement on the immersion waitlists this year? We were told that people with waitlist numbers under 40 usually have a good chance of getting off the waitlist and being offered a spot.

With our good waitlist number, I was expecting that we would definitely have an invitation by now to the immersion school that our other child attends. Apparently there are still several people ahead of our 2nd child (entering K) on the waitlist & now I'm thinking that we won't get in. That means we need to figure out the ins and outs of having our kids at different elementary schools with different start/stop times & before and after care.

Anyone have any insight?

No insight, unfortunately, but this is exactly why the lottery should be by family (sibling preference). From an ex-ante probability standpoint, it's really no different, but the erroneous perception of sibling preference being unfair combined with the relatively low supply of seats, with higher numbers of applicants each year, created a political groundswell that resulted in the sunsetting of the preference. More families get the opportunity for immersion, but no more children do than before, while more families end up with split logistics.

You can apply for a COSA (Change of School Assignment) based on the first child's being there, but it would place your second child in the English program at the school, not the foreign-language immersion program. That could be granted if the school had extra capacity. It would reduce your logistical burden and make the transition easier if your second child lotteried in next year -- relative language proficiency only needs to be demonstrated for those entering the programs in 2nd grade or beyond.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the response above. We did apply for COSA, but it was denied back in May.
We appealed the COSA decision & haven’t heard anything yet, but all of the classmates with younger siblings entering K who didn’t get in immersion (and have no chance with waitlist) had their appeal denied, so I’m not hopeful.

I’m wrapping my head around the fact that my kids will be attending different schools from now on since the MS & HS clusters for our home school are completely different & far away from the MS & HS that the immersion school funnel into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone come up with any alternatives for picking up a language if their kid didn’t get in to an immersion program? I know we’re not going to match that if we strike out again in 1st, but there must be other ways to get some meaningful exposure to foreign languages before middle school.

It won’t equate to immersion, but I’d suggest exposing them to foreign language songs like these preschool songs. They’ll teach basic vocabulary, expose them to the pronunciation/accent, and they might even start to internalize some grammar on a subconscious level.
https://m.youtube.com/@SuperSimpleEspanol

As they get a little older and develop interest in the language, you can introduce language lessons or some of the language programs like Duolingo (free), Rosetta Stone, Babbel, etc. Some of the commercial programs may be accessible through your public library’s website. The public library system will probably have books available in the foreign language, as well.

As they become more comfortable with the language, let them watch TV shows/movies in the foreign language. You can often change the language for the audio, although some languages are more widely available than others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or is there not as much movement on the immersion waitlists this year? We were told that people with waitlist numbers under 40 usually have a good chance of getting off the waitlist and being offered a spot.

With our good waitlist number, I was expecting that we would definitely have an invitation by now to the immersion school that our other child attends. Apparently there are still several people ahead of our 2nd child (entering K) on the waitlist & now I'm thinking that we won't get in. That means we need to figure out the ins and outs of having our kids at different elementary schools with different start/stop times & before and after care.

Anyone have any insight?

No insight, unfortunately, but this is exactly why the lottery should be by family (sibling preference). From an ex-ante probability standpoint, it's really no different, but the erroneous perception of sibling preference being unfair combined with the relatively low supply of seats, with higher numbers of applicants each year, created a political groundswell that resulted in the sunsetting of the preference. More families get the opportunity for immersion, but no more children do than before, while more families end up with split logistics.

You can apply for a COSA (Change of School Assignment) based on the first child's being there, but it would place your second child in the English program at the school, not the foreign-language immersion program. That could be granted if the school had extra capacity. It would reduce your logistical burden and make the transition easier if your second child lotteried in next year -- relative language proficiency only needs to be demonstrated for those entering the programs in 2nd grade or beyond.

We’re in that situation, albeit by choice. It’s not that bad, just more juggling. And it’s kind of nice there’s more of a tie to your home school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or is there not as much movement on the immersion waitlists this year? We were told that people with waitlist numbers under 40 usually have a good chance of getting off the waitlist and being offered a spot.

With our good waitlist number, I was expecting that we would definitely have an invitation by now to the immersion school that our other child attends. Apparently there are still several people ahead of our 2nd child (entering K) on the waitlist & now I'm thinking that we won't get in. That means we need to figure out the ins and outs of having our kids at different elementary schools with different start/stop times & before and after care.

Anyone have any insight?

No insight, unfortunately, but this is exactly why the lottery should be by family (sibling preference). From an ex-ante probability standpoint, it's really no different, but the erroneous perception of sibling preference being unfair combined with the relatively low supply of seats, with higher numbers of applicants each year, created a political groundswell that resulted in the sunsetting of the preference. More families get the opportunity for immersion, but no more children do than before, while more families end up with split logistics.

You can apply for a COSA (Change of School Assignment) based on the first child's being there, but it would place your second child in the English program at the school, not the foreign-language immersion program. That could be granted if the school had extra capacity. It would reduce your logistical burden and make the transition easier if your second child lotteried in next year -- relative language proficiency only needs to be demonstrated for those entering the programs in 2nd grade or beyond.

We’re in that situation, albeit by choice. It’s not that bad, just more juggling. And it’s kind of nice there’s more of a tie to your home school.

Oh I meant for this to be a response to the “wrap my mind around“ PP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone come up with any alternatives for picking up a language if their kid didn’t get in to an immersion program? I know we’re not going to match that if we strike out again in 1st, but there must be other ways to get some meaningful exposure to foreign languages before middle school.

It won’t equate to immersion, but I’d suggest exposing them to foreign language songs like these preschool songs. They’ll teach basic vocabulary, expose them to the pronunciation/accent, and they might even start to internalize some grammar on a subconscious level.
https://m.youtube.com/@SuperSimpleEspanol

As they get a little older and develop interest in the language, you can introduce language lessons or some of the language programs like Duolingo (free), Rosetta Stone, Babbel, etc. Some of the commercial programs may be accessible through your public library’s website. The public library system will probably have books available in the foreign language, as well.

As they become more comfortable with the language, let them watch TV shows/movies in the foreign language. You can often change the language for the audio, although some languages are more widely available than others.

Thanks for your response & ideas. These are great!

I guess what I was trying to say is that if my kids are going to be at different schools, I really need to get my butt in gear to figure out the logistics of if it’s possible for one parent to do both bus pick ups & drop offs (the bus stop for immersion we have to drive to) if the the different bus pick ups overlap & whether I have them in different extended day (if there is even space) or see if I can have one bused to the other. Home school is under construction so that further complicates things.

I am incredibly grateful that my 1st child has this opportunity to learn another language through immersion, but wow, having kids at different schools the entire way through (because the clusters are completely different) much more time & resources from families to make it work, which I imagine will serve as a barrier for some families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone come up with any alternatives for picking up a language if their kid didn’t get in to an immersion program? I know we’re not going to match that if we strike out again in 1st, but there must be other ways to get some meaningful exposure to foreign languages before middle school.

It won’t equate to immersion, but I’d suggest exposing them to foreign language songs like these preschool songs. They’ll teach basic vocabulary, expose them to the pronunciation/accent, and they might even start to internalize some grammar on a subconscious level.
https://m.youtube.com/@SuperSimpleEspanol

As they get a little older and develop interest in the language, you can introduce language lessons or some of the language programs like Duolingo (free), Rosetta Stone, Babbel, etc. Some of the commercial programs may be accessible through your public library’s website. The public library system will probably have books available in the foreign language, as well.

As they become more comfortable with the language, let them watch TV shows/movies in the foreign language. You can often change the language for the audio, although some languages are more widely available than others.

Thanks for your response & ideas. These are great!

I guess what I was trying to say is that if my kids are going to be at different schools, I really need to get my butt in gear to figure out the logistics of if it’s possible for one parent to do both bus pick ups & drop offs (the bus stop for immersion we have to drive to) if the the different bus pick ups overlap & whether I have them in different extended day (if there is even space) or see if I can have one bused to the other. Home school is under construction so that further complicates things.

I am incredibly grateful that my 1st child has this opportunity to learn another language through immersion, but wow, having kids at different schools the entire way through (because the clusters are completely different) much more time & resources from families to make it work, which I imagine will serve as a barrier for some families.

It definitely takes more juggling.

Not sure your situation, but your kid could go to the before-school care at the ES where the bus picks up the immersion students, even though they don't attend that ES. Staff at that care center makes sure the kid gets on the bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or is there not as much movement on the immersion waitlists this year? We were told that people with waitlist numbers under 40 usually have a good chance of getting off the waitlist and being offered a spot.

With our good waitlist number, I was expecting that we would definitely have an invitation by now to the immersion school that our other child attends. Apparently there are still several people ahead of our 2nd child (entering K) on the waitlist & now I'm thinking that we won't get in. That means we need to figure out the ins and outs of having our kids at different elementary schools with different start/stop times & before and after care.

Anyone have any insight?

No insight, unfortunately, but this is exactly why the lottery should be by family (sibling preference). From an ex-ante probability standpoint, it's really no different, but the erroneous perception of sibling preference being unfair combined with the relatively low supply of seats, with higher numbers of applicants each year, created a political groundswell that resulted in the sunsetting of the preference. More families get the opportunity for immersion, but no more children do than before, while more families end up with split logistics.

You can apply for a COSA (Change of School Assignment) based on the first child's being there, but it would place your second child in the English program at the school, not the foreign-language immersion program. That could be granted if the school had extra capacity. It would reduce your logistical burden and make the transition easier if your second child lotteried in next year -- relative language proficiency only needs to be demonstrated for those entering the programs in 2nd grade or beyond.

IMO it seems more fair that more families get an equal shot at immersion than legacy families. Wish everyone could get a shot though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or is there not as much movement on the immersion waitlists this year? We were told that people with waitlist numbers under 40 usually have a good chance of getting off the waitlist and being offered a spot.

With our good waitlist number, I was expecting that we would definitely have an invitation by now to the immersion school that our other child attends. Apparently there are still several people ahead of our 2nd child (entering K) on the waitlist & now I'm thinking that we won't get in. That means we need to figure out the ins and outs of having our kids at different elementary schools with different start/stop times & before and after care.

Anyone have any insight?

No insight, unfortunately, but this is exactly why the lottery should be by family (sibling preference). From an ex-ante probability standpoint, it's really no different, but the erroneous perception of sibling preference being unfair combined with the relatively low supply of seats, with higher numbers of applicants each year, created a political groundswell that resulted in the sunsetting of the preference. More families get the opportunity for immersion, but no more children do than before, while more families end up with split logistics.

You can apply for a COSA (Change of School Assignment) based on the first child's being there, but it would place your second child in the English program at the school, not the foreign-language immersion program. That could be granted if the school had extra capacity. It would reduce your logistical burden and make the transition easier if your second child lotteried in next year -- relative language proficiency only needs to be demonstrated for those entering the programs in 2nd grade or beyond.

IMO it seems more fair that more families get an equal shot at immersion than legacy families. Wish everyone could get a shot though.

Agree. My kid did not get in and I definitely don’t think it would be fair to allow entire families to get in because the oldest one the lottery. I also think it’s a bizarre compromise to give two lottery entries to younger siblings. Makes more sense to grant automatic COSA to alleviate logistical hassle but give everyone the same chance at immersion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or is there not as much movement on the immersion waitlists this year? We were told that people with waitlist numbers under 40 usually have a good chance of getting off the waitlist and being offered a spot.

With our good waitlist number, I was expecting that we would definitely have an invitation by now to the immersion school that our other child attends. Apparently there are still several people ahead of our 2nd child (entering K) on the waitlist & now I'm thinking that we won't get in. That means we need to figure out the ins and outs of having our kids at different elementary schools with different start/stop times & before and after care.

Anyone have any insight?

What number at what school? I hear there’s a lot of movement around the first week of school. Probably a difficult time to change your plans but maybe easier if it means younger one following the older one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or is there not as much movement on the immersion waitlists this year? We were told that people with waitlist numbers under 40 usually have a good chance of getting off the waitlist and being offered a spot.

With our good waitlist number, I was expecting that we would definitely have an invitation by now to the immersion school that our other child attends. Apparently there are still several people ahead of our 2nd child (entering K) on the waitlist & now I'm thinking that we won't get in. That means we need to figure out the ins and outs of having our kids at different elementary schools with different start/stop times & before and after care.

Anyone have any insight?

No insight, unfortunately, but this is exactly why the lottery should be by family (sibling preference). From an ex-ante probability standpoint, it's really no different, but the erroneous perception of sibling preference being unfair combined with the relatively low supply of seats, with higher numbers of applicants each year, created a political groundswell that resulted in the sunsetting of the preference. More families get the opportunity for immersion, but no more children do than before, while more families end up with split logistics.

You can apply for a COSA (Change of School Assignment) based on the first child's being there, but it would place your second child in the English program at the school, not the foreign-language immersion program. That could be granted if the school had extra capacity. It would reduce your logistical burden and make the transition easier if your second child lotteried in next year -- relative language proficiency only needs to be demonstrated for those entering the programs in 2nd grade or beyond.

IMO it seems more fair that more families get an equal shot at immersion than legacy families. Wish everyone could get a shot though.

Agree. My kid did not get in and I definitely don’t think it would be fair to allow entire families to get in because the oldest one the lottery. I also think it’s a bizarre compromise to give two lottery entries to younger siblings. Makes more sense to grant automatic COSA to alleviate logistical hassle but give everyone the same chance at immersion.

I’m the OP & I agree w you on this. I think the most equitable thing would be to have no sibling preference for immersion but automatic COSA acceptance to attend school in English program so that siblings aren’t separated

[Anonymous]

There is more waitlist movement mid August, when some families (last minute) change their mind. (Not much movement in July, I think). Keep calling to check on numbers, but if you have a decent waitlist number, there is still a good chance you’ll get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or is there not as much movement on the immersion waitlists this year? We were told that people with waitlist numbers under 40 usually have a good chance of getting off the waitlist and being offered a spot.

With our good waitlist number, I was expecting that we would definitely have an invitation by now to the immersion school that our other child attends. Apparently there are still several people ahead of our 2nd child (entering K) on the waitlist & now I'm thinking that we won't get in. That means we need to figure out the ins and outs of having our kids at different elementary schools with different start/stop times & before and after care.

Anyone have any insight?

What number at what school? I hear there’s a lot of movement around the first week of school. Probably a difficult time to change your plans but maybe easier if it means younger one following the older one.

My older child was in the 20s and got in 3 days before school started a couple years ago. As the person above said, there's a lot of movement the first month of school in particular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or is there not as much movement on the immersion waitlists this year? We were told that people with waitlist numbers under 40 usually have a good chance of getting off the waitlist and being offered a spot.

With our good waitlist number, I was expecting that we would definitely have an invitation by now to the immersion school that our other child attends. Apparently there are still several people ahead of our 2nd child (entering K) on the waitlist & now I'm thinking that we won't get in. That means we need to figure out the ins and outs of having our kids at different elementary schools with different start/stop times & before and after care.

Anyone have any insight?

Depending on which schools these are, you may want to look at the Montgomery County recreation Adventure club program. They usually take from several schools around them. You can also call DOT and see if you can get a stop added from your child’s immersion school if there are buses already in the area. I was able to do this several years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the response above. We did apply for COSA, but it was denied back in May.
We appealed the COSA decision & haven’t heard anything yet, but all of the classmates with younger siblings entering K who didn’t get in immersion (and have no chance with waitlist) had their appeal denied, so I’m not hopeful.

I’m wrapping my head around the fact that my kids will be attending different schools from now on since the MS & HS clusters for our home school are completely different & far away from the MS & HS that the immersion school funnel into.

I was not aware or any tracking beyond MS for immersion - I thought everyone just returned to their home HS at that point.