How Much Art/Music/Science/PE Extras in K-3 Curriculum?

[Anonymous]

We are in the process of weighing sending our child to our DCPS (Murch) or to an independent. I know the DCPS curricula are online, but in reality, how much art/music/science/sports/Spanish or other language or other "extras" do children get in K-3. I read somewhere there is only PE once a week--and at Murch I know it is taught by an obese person since I see him out on the field.... We would love to send to public, but not if it means we have to cart DC around town for sports classes, art, Spanish, etc.

[Anonymous]

My son is at Murch. They have a special every day - library, art (the art teacher has a public blog linked to the school site), music and PE. The PE teacher actually seems great at teaching fundamentals, teamwork, etc. One special repeats, that changes each quarter. There are language classes available after school (at St. Paul's across the street) in addition to science, Stoddard soccer, a whole host of activities. Murch is also going to start an organic garden soon, you can read about the GROW program on the school website as well. I highly recommend that you attend an open house to see if it would be a good fit for your child and your family. Good luck with your choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in the process of weighing sending our child to our DCPS (Murch) or to an independent. I read somewhere there is only PE once a week--and at Murch I know it is taught by an obese person since I see him out on the field.....

Wow, what a thing to write on a public forum. You are rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is at Murch. They have a special every day - library, art (the art teacher has a public blog linked to the school site), music and PE. The PE teacher actually seems great at teaching fundamentals, teamwork, etc. One special repeats, that changes each quarter. There are language classes available after school (at St. Paul's across the street) in addition to science, Stoddard soccer, a whole host of activities. Murch is also going to start an organic garden soon, you can read about the GROW program on the school website as well. I highly recommend that you attend an open house to see if it would be a good fit for your child and your family. Good luck with your choice.

Not OP, but I have a similar interest in Murch (and will be attending the 12/9 open house). How much recess do the kids in the younger grades actually get? And how much of that is outside? Many thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in the process of weighing sending our child to our DCPS (Murch) or to an independent. I read somewhere there is only PE once a week--and at Murch I know it is taught by an obese person since I see him out on the field.....

Wow, what a thing to write on a public forum. You are rude.

Not the OP, but I understand her point. She probably could have chosen more delicate language but the point stands regardless. If you went into a gym and the cardio-fitness instructor looked like the Michelin Man would you want to take that class? Surely you can understand that a fit, athletic coach is more likely to be "walking the walk" about physical education.

[Anonymous]

I understand the point she was making but it was very rudely put. thats all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in the process of weighing sending our child to our DCPS (Murch) or to an independent. I read somewhere there is only PE once a week--and at Murch I know it is taught by an obese person since I see him out on the field.....

Wow, what a thing to write on a public forum. You are rude.

Sorry you think that a statement of fact is rude. I personally believe that someone who teaches "Physical Education" should be physically fit. Have you heard about the high percentage of obese children in this country.

Oh, and thank you for your helpful response.

[Anonymous]

OP: Point taken on poor choice of words. Nonetheless, since it is a medical term it seemed better than "fat" or grossly overweight.

[Anonymous]

Back to Murch, if your child will be in aftercare, some of these specials happen in the after school hours. I have heard (I'm not a Murch parent) that admission to after care is tight, especially not enough slots for the younger grades.

[Anonymous]

First poster again, there are more specials (like language) in the aftercare but what 17:30 said is NOT true. There is a special every day during school hours at Murch. In K and up (not sure about Pre-K) they have library, music, PE and art (again, I urge you to check out the public art blog linked on the school site). They have one of the 4 specials every day, and one that repeats on the 5th day (changes by quarter).

I will not debate your feelings about the PE teacher and get your point but he does seem good at his job and respected and liked by the kids.

Re: outdoor recess, can only speak to the K but they have 2 full 30 min periods per day outside unless it is pouring. The first 30 min then lunch, then 30 min. Recess is supervised by the teachers and classroom aides, not by parent volunteers. Murch has a brand new playground and soccer field and a lot of room for the kids to run. Not that many publics/charters have a lot of grass and trees.

There is also time built in for play and socializing. They have free reading time in the am for about 15-20 min and an hour of free choice/free play at the end of the day - time to play with blocks, puzzles, trains, do art, etc.

[Anonymous]

Spanish or other language is part of the aftercare at St. Lukes.