Shining Stars New Location!

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how the new location impacts SS teachers? Will everyone be returning to the new location?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is located on several bus lines that go up and down Wisconsin, as well as a short walk from buses that run from Dupont along Mass ave (stop at Calvert).

Not super convenient, but there are options.

This argument always makes me cringe a bit. Busing from across the city takes a lot of time. Having to transfer to a second bus adds more time. Not everyone has the flexibility in their lives to make such a commute. Let's not forget that an hour bus ride to school doesn't actually mean ONE hour. It means one hour there and one hour back for drop off. Then there is one hour there and one hour back for pickup. Suddenly it is a FOUR hour per day bus commute. We are a current family, and we are definitely among those who are disappointed with the new location. I completely understand that they were in a tight spot and didn't want to accept a 2 year lease at SELA when they had the option of a 10 year lease at the new location. But I think that it is now pretty much a given that SSMA is going to become a vastly different school, serving a vastly different population, in the next few years.

And to interject a little bit of snark, it's going to look awfully tone deaf when a class made up of mostly rich, mostly white kids spends their days "develop[ing] positive self-image through specialized culture-based learning activities and materials."

A few more tidbits from the SSMA website:

We are committed to improving the lives of inner city children and we believe that making Montessori accessible to these children and their families will do much towards positively impacting their lives.

We are committed to providing an authentic urban Montessori experience enhanced with the cultural empowerment principles to meet the developmental needs of our students and to provide an enriching and holistic experience for our families and staff.

The cultural empowerment principles through which we operate, offer a holistic approach to instruction that infuses the values of people of color throughout the world. These lessons will be reinforced through the Montessori hands-on approach to encourage intellectual curiosity. Students will be fully educated in the extent to which people of color and other minorities have contributed to our society.

These are great principles to learn, btw, and I think that is gives SSMA a unique strength that other Montessori schools don't have, but let's face it, it's going to be awkward when it is a group of mostly high income, majority-white kids being the main beneficiaries of this lesson.

I really hope that SSMA finds its way through this, as I am one of the many parents who thinks that it provides an exemplary Montessori education. I know that I sound pretty bitchy, but I know too many SSMA parents (who are not on DCUM or the SSMA FB group) who will not be able to continue attending, at least without great hardship, due to lack of transportation, no flexibility in their jobs, etc. and I am feeling a bit sad about the situation.

100% true. 100% disappointed. And though of course the school has to move forward and do its best under the circumstances, if the move to Ward 3 could have been avoided with better and more timely attention to lease details, it's that much more of a tragedy. But gotta move on and I wish all SSMA families the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:EOTP stands for?

East of the Park (Rock Creek Park)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know how the new location impacts SS teachers? Will everyone be returning to the new location?

That's a great question. No idea about the answer.

[Anonymous]

So, we trecked over to the new (new new) location yesterday evening. With no traffic it took us about 15 minutes from where we are in LeDroit Park/Shaw. (I am estimating 30 minutes for drop off in the morning). Access to the park is amazing-- the building is right next to the Guy Mason Rec Center. My four year old was ecstatic just running around and exploring. I am glad that they will have safe access to such a wonderful playspace-- it's a huge positive. The other upside is that there are a lot of international families in the Glover Park area which could add a fun new dimension to SSMA, especially as they incorporate Spanish and other languages. Downside: driving to school .... but DC is not really a neighborhood school city, and I am excited to see what the new administration can do. I have a lot of faith in Regina and her vision for SSMA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know how the new location impacts SS teachers? Will everyone be returning to the new location?

That's a great question. No idea about the answer.

My understanding is that some of the teachers will be returning, but some in different capacities (one lead guide is transitioning to be an instructional coach) and some not at all. The lead guide of the room my daughter was in last year is not returning and we haven't heard whether the other two from that room will be back or not.

So far, it seems like current families are excited about the space itself and the amenities the neighborhood has to offer, but many are concerned about the commute. There is talk of organizing shuttles, specifically for the morning. My guess is that people will figure it out, make the commute work and the school will thrive overall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know how the new location impacts SS teachers? Will everyone be returning to the new location?

That's a great question. No idea about the answer.

My understanding is that some of the teachers will be returning, but some in different capacities (one lead guide is transitioning to be an instructional coach) and some not at all. The lead guide of the room my daughter was in last year is not returning and we haven't heard whether the other two from that room will be back or not.

So far, it seems like current families are excited about the space itself and the amenities the neighborhood has to offer, but many are concerned about the commute. There is talk of organizing shuttles, specifically for the morning. My guess is that people will figure it out, make the commute work and the school will thrive overall.

I'm hopeful the school will thrive overall too. The fear of drastic change in the population of the school is real though. Current parents are already bought in - they know the value of SSMA and will do what they can (where they're able) to still make the new location work. New parents are a wholly different issue. Once I'm already bought in, when I do my cost-benefit analysis of dealing with an extended commute and maybe (for some) less accessibility by public transport, the benefits of a school I know my child is doing well and and that I've committed to the parent community of may outweigh the costs. But if I'm not in yet, my child hasn't attended yet, and I don't really know how much better a fit it would be for my kid than a school much closer or a much more reasonable commute away, I may well not attend if I get in, or I might not apply at all.

The population will change. The school is almost certain to get run over by Ward 3 parents who wouldn't have bothered with a charter before but when you plunk a free Montessori PS/PK in their neighborhood, it's like a giant childcare gift in a big box with a bow. Because charters are lotteries, do the math: the more higher SES white families you have applying, the more will get in and the more will attend, especially for PS and PK.

My 3 greatest concerns about this move, in order, are: 1) current parents who won't be able to make the commute work for them; 2) the inevitable reduction in the diversity (not just race but class especially) of the school, and 3) the large number of families that will likely only stay for the early grades and then leave. This seems even more likely in this location than happens at all the other HRCS because this location is in a neighborhood where families are more than able to continue paying for PS and PK until they K into their good or great elementary. I really wonder how this will affect the later grades, whereas before I think a lot more parents would have stuck it out to the end.

[Anonymous]

I'm hopeful the school will thrive overall too. The fear of drastic change in the population of the school is real though. Current parents are already bought in - they know the value of SSMA and will do what they can (where they're able) to still make the new location work. New parents are a wholly different issue. Once I'm already bought in, when I do my cost-benefit analysis of dealing with an extended commute and maybe (for some) less accessibility by public transport, the benefits of a school I know my child is doing well and and that I've committed to the parent community of may outweigh the costs. But if I'm not in yet, my child hasn't attended yet, and I don't really know how much better a fit it would be for my kid than a school much closer or a much more reasonable commute away, I may well not attend if I get in, or I might not apply at all.

The population will change. The school is almost certain to get run over by Ward 3 parents who wouldn't have bothered with a charter before but when you plunk a free Montessori PS/PK in their neighborhood, it's like a giant childcare gift in a big box with a bow. Because charters are lotteries, do the math: the more higher SES white families you have applying, the more will get in and the more will attend, especially for PS and PK.

My 3 greatest concerns about this move, in order, are: 1) current parents who won't be able to make the commute work for them; 2) the inevitable reduction in the diversity (not just race but class especially) of the school, and 3) the large number of families that will likely only stay for the early grades and then leave. This seems even more likely in this location than happens at all the other HRCS because this location is in a neighborhood where families are more than able to continue paying for PS and PK until they K into their good or great elementary. I really wonder how this will affect the later grades, whereas before I think a lot more parents would have stuck it out to the end.

Why is that an issue? Parents all over flock to free PS/PK spots. Is it just becuase it's in Ward 3? We are a family in Ward 4 with incomes comparible to Ward 3 residents.

[Anonymous]

It will be interesting to see if Franklin Montessori on Connecticut Ave. enrollment goes down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm hopeful the school will thrive overall too. The fear of drastic change in the population of the school is real though. Current parents are already bought in - they know the value of SSMA and will do what they can (where they're able) to still make the new location work. New parents are a wholly different issue. Once I'm already bought in, when I do my cost-benefit analysis of dealing with an extended commute and maybe (for some) less accessibility by public transport, the benefits of a school I know my child is doing well and and that I've committed to the parent community of may outweigh the costs. But if I'm not in yet, my child hasn't attended yet, and I don't really know how much better a fit it would be for my kid than a school much closer or a much more reasonable commute away, I may well not attend if I get in, or I might not apply at all.

The population will change. The school is almost certain to get run over by Ward 3 parents who wouldn't have bothered with a charter before but when you plunk a free Montessori PS/PK in their neighborhood, it's like a giant childcare gift in a big box with a bow. Because charters are lotteries, do the math: the more higher SES white families you have applying, the more will get in and the more will attend, especially for PS and PK.

My 3 greatest concerns about this move, in order, are: 1) current parents who won't be able to make the commute work for them; 2) the inevitable reduction in the diversity (not just race but class especially) of the school, and 3) the large number of families that will likely only stay for the early grades and then leave. This seems even more likely in this location than happens at all the other HRCS because this location is in a neighborhood where families are more than able to continue paying for PS and PK until they K into their good or great elementary. I really wonder how this will affect the later grades, whereas before I think a lot more parents would have stuck it out to the end.

Why is that an issue? Parents all over flock to free PS/PK spots. Is it just becuase it's in Ward 3? We are a family in Ward 4 with incomes comparible to Ward 3 residents.

With Montessori - may programs do not accept students after a certain point (K?) b/c the transition into the program is too hard.

[Anonymous]

Apparently this deal has fallen through and Shining Stars is homeless yet again! I can't believe this nonsense. How can they do this to parents TWICE!!!!

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear that. At another charter but would be extremely frustrating right before school starts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apparently this deal has fallen through and Shining Stars is homeless yet again! I can't believe this nonsense. How can they do this to parents TWICE!!!!

If this is true, I hope the administration is learned for round 1 how to manage crisis communications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apparently this deal has fallen through and Shining Stars is homeless yet again! I can't believe this nonsense. How can they do this to parents TWICE!!!!

NOOOOOO! I pray this isn't true -- although I am no longer a part of the SSMA family, my heart goes out to all the families & the school. I don't know if this is a 'rumor' - but, I am hoping it is one! I am connected to SSMA through other social media venues and this hasn't come up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently this deal has fallen through and Shining Stars is homeless yet again! I can't believe this nonsense. How can they do this to parents TWICE!!!!

NOOOOOO! I pray this isn't true -- although I am no longer a part of the SSMA family, my heart goes out to all the families & the school. I don't know if this is a 'rumor' - but, I am hoping it is one! I am connected to SSMA through other social media venues and this hasn't come up.

yea pretty sure this is just one random shit stirrer.