Entering Oyster as Spanish-dominant -- Spanish proficiency test?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've always wondered why DCPS has all these Spanish speaking schools but not one Amharic speaking school. Isn't the Ethiopian community just as large as Latino?

Only in condensed areas in the city, around 14th and Military Road.

How does that answer the question. Btw, there are many in ward 4 (Takoma, Riggs area). So open one around 14th. There aren't many Latinos near Tyler yet another Spanish DCPS. Not one Ethipoian. If I didn't know any better........

Amharic is pretty much only spoken in Ethiopia, and Ethiopian immigrant communities. The estimate is that there are about 2300 Amharic speakers in DC. By contrast, Wikipedia says there are about 600,000 Spanish speakers in the DC metro area. By the numbers, there just isn't the demand to support an Amharic immersion program.

There are 250,000 Ethipoian people in DC metro.

Yes, but they don't all speak Amharic. Only about 30% of Ethiopians speak Amharic. See http://www.usefoundation.org/userdata/file/Research/Languages/amharic.pdf for stats.

[Anonymous]

We received a spot at Oyster last year through the OOB spanish dominant lottery. After reading this post, I am really glad we didn't take it!

DC is spanish dominant because DH and I have spoken to him only in Spanish since birth. This has been a great effort on my part because I am a non-native speaker of Spanish. While I am pretty fluent, it would nonetheless be easier to speak to DC in English. DH is from South America and therefore speaks his native language with DC. When DC was born, we decided that we would prefer as a family to speak one language at home, rather than constantly have conversations in two languages, with one parents speaking English and the other speaking Spanish. So, we had to choose either DHs native language of Spanish or my native language of English. We chose Spanish so that DC could become bilingual. DH and I still speak English together when DC is not around. DC also has been with mostly (although not exclusively) Spanish speaking nannies/sitters when are not with him.

At 4.5, DC is still Spanish dominant but his english is catching up quickly. How do I know he is Spanish dominant? He understands more complicated books in Spanish, asks in Spanish how to say things in english, and wakes up speaking Spanish first thing in the morning. If I want to be sure he understands something, I know I have to say it in spanish. However,I am not certain that at 6 or 7, he will still be spanish dominant since the english environment is so strong in the US. Once that happens, I may switch to English with him as it is harder and harder to explain the more complex thing we discuss in my non native language.

So, how would the Oyster parents have treated us if we had attended on a coveted OOB Spanish dominant slot? DC is so white that he is almost translucent - DH and I have similar coloring. We are not latino from any racial or ethnic indication that is obvious to the outside observer. I am clearly Anglo (WASP family) and would have done all dropoffs and pickups at Oyster. Would I have gotten nasty looks for speaking to my child in spanish (even though that is what he prefers)? If I had instead spoken to him in English as a result of being self-conscious (which I do sometimes), would I have been called a liar and a cheat?

[Anonymous]

PP here - just wanted to add that the reason we did not take the spot at Oyster is because we have heard from friends that Oyster is not a very challenging school for kids who are already Spanish speaking. They have said that the classes in Spanish are dumbed down so that the kids who don't speak Spanish can understand them - and therefore if you already speak the language,you won't learn much in that half of the curriculum. I'm not sure if this is true or not - but if so, the administration does need to be rigorous about trying to bring up or keep up the level of Spanish spoken at the school (or else Spanish dominant kids won't always want to attend).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We received a spot at Oyster last year through the OOB spanish dominant lottery. After reading this post, I am really glad we didn't take it!

DC is spanish dominant because DH and I have spoken to him only in Spanish since birth. This has been a great effort on my part because I am a non-native speaker of Spanish. While I am pretty fluent, it would nonetheless be easier to speak to DC in English. DH is from South America and therefore speaks his native language with DC. When DC was born, we decided that we would prefer as a family to speak one language at home, rather than constantly have conversations in two languages, with one parents speaking English and the other speaking Spanish. So, we had to choose either DHs native language of Spanish or my native language of English. We chose Spanish so that DC could become bilingual. DH and I still speak English together when DC is not around. DC also has been with mostly (although not exclusively) Spanish speaking nannies/sitters when are not with him.

At 4.5, DC is still Spanish dominant but his english is catching up quickly. How do I know he is Spanish dominant? He understands more complicated books in Spanish, asks in Spanish how to say things in english, and wakes up speaking Spanish first thing in the morning. If I want to be sure he understands something, I know I have to say it in spanish. However,I am not certain that at 6 or 7, he will still be spanish dominant since the english environment is so strong in the US. Once that happens, I may switch to English with him as it is harder and harder to explain the more complex thing we discuss in my non native language.

So, how would the Oyster parents have treated us if we had attended on a coveted OOB Spanish dominant slot? DC is so white that he is almost translucent - DH and I have similar coloring. We are not latino from any racial or ethnic indication that is obvious to the outside observer. I am clearly Anglo (WASP family) and would have done all dropoffs and pickups at Oyster. Would I have gotten nasty looks for speaking to my child in spanish (even though that is what he prefers)? If I had instead spoken to him in English as a result of being self-conscious (which I do sometimes), would I have been called a liar and a cheat?

You would have been welcome. Parents and teachers would have been impressed by your effort and love of the language, and as warm towards you and your kid as towards so many others. Don't let the DCUM crazies scare you -- true, a diverse school such as Oyster does include a number of them, but they are a small minority.

I hope you kid is doing great!

PS: one of the questions in the Spanish test is (to the parents), what language does your kid start speaking spontaneously every morning when waking up?

[Anonymous]

You would have been welcomed like everyone else. There is probably at least one family like yours (mixed couple) in each class at Oyster,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here - just wanted to add that the reason we did not take the spot at Oyster is because we have heard from friends that Oyster is not a very challenging school for kids who are already Spanish speaking. They have said that the classes in Spanish are dumbed down so that the kids who don't speak Spanish can understand them - and therefore if you already speak the language,you won't learn much in that half of the curriculum. I'm not sure if this is true or not - but if so, the administration does need to be rigorous about trying to bring up or keep up the level of Spanish spoken at the school (or else Spanish dominant kids won't always want to attend).

Not what we have seen. Our kids speak native Spanish since birth, and they have been struggling with math (in Spanish) and reading (very fast-paced both in English and Spanish). I'm talking about elementary, not sure about the middle school years yet (some people do say that math starts being dumbed down around grade 6 or 7, and the new principal has promised to pay more attention to rigor and differentiation)

[Anonymous]

This thread is brutal and gives the impression there is a culture of bullying towards OOB non-Latino families. I hope the school will address this. Great families will be turned away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is brutal and gives the impression there is a culture of bullying towards OOB non-Latino families. I hope the school will address this. Great families will be turned away.

I think you are probably right. We have a low WL number, and it's made me think twice about what we'd do if we got in. Which I'm sure is actually the intention of some of these posters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here - just wanted to add that the reason we did not take the spot at Oyster is because we have heard from friends that Oyster is not a very challenging school for kids who are already Spanish speaking. They have said that the classes in Spanish are dumbed down so that the kids who don't speak Spanish can understand them - and therefore if you already speak the language,you won't learn much in that half of the curriculum. I'm not sure if this is true or not - but if so, the administration does need to be rigorous about trying to bring up or keep up the level of Spanish spoken at the school (or else Spanish dominant kids won't always want to attend).

Where did you go instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here - just wanted to add that the reason we did not take the spot at Oyster is because we have heard from friends that Oyster is not a very challenging school for kids who are already Spanish speaking. They have said that the classes in Spanish are dumbed down so that the kids who don't speak Spanish can understand them - and therefore if you already speak the language,you won't learn much in that half of the curriculum. I'm not sure if this is true or not - but if so, the administration does need to be rigorous about trying to bring up or keep up the level of Spanish spoken at the school (or else Spanish dominant kids won't always want to attend).

Where did you go instead?

LAMB. We liked the individual and differentiated approach to learning inherent in the Montessori method.

[Anonymous]

This thread has given me pause to think that Oyster is not a good environment for Latino and non-Latino OOB families. The negativity and hatred on here is terrible and reflects poorly on the school. I wouldn't want my child or anyone's child exposed to it and it totally contradicts the Latin culture's values of humility and respect. There's also clearly animosity towards people of lesser means. Several posters pointed out their ability to afford the neighborhood and their differentiation from non-wealthy people, etc... I couldn't stomach that sort of elitism and snobbery, particularly when in my understanding the Spanish program is not that difficult for Spanish-speaking kids. We, too, went elsewhere and are glad we did. I hope the principal will address this.

[Anonymous]

Some posters here are either new to DCUM or a bit biased in their assessments. People, this is DCUM, the land of the anonymous and the extreme. Based on the disgusting fights I've read here...I would have to homeschool my kids. No way I'd send them to Oyster, or LAMB, or JKLM, or Sela, or Hardy, or the Big 3 or the Big 10...

It is a miracle that a school like Oyster-Adams exists and thrives. Many parents (including us) love it. Some don't. And some are plain jealous and stir DCUM trouble. Well, DC has over 100 schools...and one can always homeschool, too.

[Anonymous]

If anyone is making choices about their child's education based on what they have read on DCUM (written by people who may or may not have hidden agendas), then they're going to miss out on a lot of great opportunities. There isn't a single coveted school in DC that hasn't been the subject of heated debate on DCUM. If this thread has turned you off; I agree that Oyster isn't the school for you. However, there are parents who have actually researched Oyster, toured the school, and spoken with current parents. They are just behind you on the waiting list, and they will be thrilled to take your spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread has given me pause to think that Oyster is not a good environment for Latino and non-Latino OOB families. The negativity and hatred on here is terrible and reflects poorly on the school. I wouldn't want my child or anyone's child exposed to it and it totally contradicts the Latin culture's values of humility and respect. There's also clearly animosity towards people of lesser means. Several posters pointed out their ability to afford the neighborhood and their differentiation from non-wealthy people, etc... I couldn't stomach that sort of elitism and snobbery, particularly when in my understanding the Spanish program is not that difficult for Spanish-speaking kids. We, too, went elsewhere and are glad we did. I hope the principal will address this.

It sounds as if you really don't know anything about Oyster...other than what you have read on DCUM. It's good to hear that you have landed elsewhere and that you're happy there. We're at Oyster and our kids love it; and we love it too! It's great to have educational options that suit so many people in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here - just wanted to add that the reason we did not take the spot at Oyster is because we have heard from friends that Oyster is not a very challenging school for kids who are already Spanish speaking. They have said that the classes in Spanish are dumbed down so that the kids who don't speak Spanish can understand them - and therefore if you already speak the language,you won't learn much in that half of the curriculum. I'm not sure if this is true or not - but if so, the administration does need to be rigorous about trying to bring up or keep up the level of Spanish spoken at the school (or else Spanish dominant kids won't always want to attend).

Where did you go instead?

LAMB. We liked the individual and differentiated approach to learning inherent in the Montessori method.

Lol--Have you read the DCUM threads on LAMB?