Marie Reed public DC elemen. for 3-year-old, pre-K classes - what do you think?

[Anonymous]

My son will be starting pre-K at MR this week. He was at the school as a three year old and loved it. The teachers are dedicated, the principl is responsive, and the kids are well behaved. The environment is very warm. I'm not sure about the higher grades, but for the little kids it's a wonderful option.

[Anonymous]

In my DD's K class alone, there are 4 families who recently moved from Adam's Morgan to the Janney district, with school choice being the MAIN or even ONLY reason for the move. This includes our family -- I wouldn't consider MR based on my experiences meeting with people there, scores, etc. -- and we lived a block away and loved the neighborhood. I realize that we're lucky to have been able to make the move, and I do hope that MR improves quickly for those with kids there.

[Anonymous]

I think MR may be one of the DCPS success given staff and principal. But it will take time and perserverence of parents. Obviously not something many people feel comfortable doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have enrolled my 3 year old child in Marie Reed for the 2011-2011 school year. I can understand the concerns of many parents. I will report back on what my experience is like. So far I can say that I am very impressed with how warm, inviting and organized the school is. I love the toddler-only playground and the garden area. My son was in a private daycare (full immersion Spanish) and he was not happy there at all. Today I took him to Marie Reed and he was so happy and delighted to see his new classroom and to go on the playground. I couldn't get him to leave. He has been talking all day about his new school, and is very excited to start up there full time in a few days.

The teachers he will have have been trained in a special Head Start program. his class has all new tables, books, dolls, blocks, craft supplies, etc. The teacher has met with me 2 times already to get to know me and my son. I have been given a tour of the school, the cafeteria and all other parts of the school grounds. I reviewed the school menus with the cooks -- they have a well balanced menu that is comparable to both public and private schools that I have been a parent at. I am personally very excited to be in a community school where people from all walks of life send their children. He will have access to PE, Art and Music as part of the regular curriculum. We'll be able to go to the Marie Reed Swimming Pool (for free) after school, and he can also take swimming lessons there. The teacher has a full time Teaching Assistant who seems very kind and very well trained as well.

I agree with some of the other posts that have comment or imply that providing your child with a good education requires a lot of hard work both inside and outside the classroom. Reading at home, going on special trips around the city, and having good old-fashioned family time is equally as important as what happens at school each day.

I will be amongst the new Marie Reed parents who will volunteer and try to help out where needed and most useful. I'll admit I am very nervous, but we'll give it a try, and I will make sure I am part of my son's education both inside and outside the classroom, and we'll see how it goes.

E

E - could you or other current parents report back about your impressions of Marie Reed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Mid-city parents, there may really be a trend toward making our neighborhood schools desirable. Wouldn't it be nice if we could walk to school together instead of competing with each other for a few OOB slots across the park!

Yes!

This if from >2 years ago, but YOU ARE SO RIGHT IT, LADY. I don't know why more of us can't utilize neighborhood schools, at least for the early years. Especially in neighborhoods which now have a critical mass of middle class individuals, who's children would essentially compose the demographics of a suburban classrooms so many parents want to see. Nothing's ever gonna change on its own...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Mid-city parents, there may really be a trend toward making our neighborhood schools desirable. Wouldn't it be nice if we could walk to school together instead of competing with each other for a few OOB slots across the park!

Yes!

This if from >2 years ago, but YOU ARE SO RIGHT IT, LADY. I don't know why more of us can't utilize neighborhood schools, at least for the early years. Especially in neighborhoods which now have a critical mass of middle class individuals, who's children would essentially compose the demographics of a suburban classrooms so many parents want to see. Nothing's ever gonna change on its own...

^...and I failed to proofread, but you get my point.

[Anonymous]

Is there any conserted effort on part of in-bound families to attend?

[Anonymous]

Gene Pinkard is a great principal! I think he even posted here on DCUM to answer a question about the school and left his email address for anyone to contact him directly.

[Anonymous]

Are any of the parents from this original thread still on this board? I'd love to hear the impressions of MR from current 1st-3rd grade parents.

[Anonymous]

I am OP. We ended up at Barnard. Effective teachers, physical space was more inviting, check it out if you have a Thursday a.m. free.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, but we're interested in hearing about MR. Great that you're happy at Barnard, though. Anyone at MR 1st-3?

[Anonymous]

I'm also interested in hearing about Marie Reed pre k