Watkins Parents: How pleased are you? How optimistic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At risk DCPS funds are not the same as federal Title I funds. That's why they have separate entries on the allocations. You'll have to dig back into budgets for past FY to look at the changes in funding streams.

Can the poster who keeps mentioning Title 1 funds elaborate on why the loss of the funds is such a concern? What were the funds used for at Watkins, what programs have been cut as a result of the funding, what effects the loss of funding has had on Watkins specifically, etc?

[Anonymous]

My child is in 1st grade this year. We have had a quite positive experience with the teachers, kids, and parents. The vast majority of kids who were in K at Peabody moved to Watkins; I literally can't think of anyone I know who didn't stay, other than kids who moved out of DC, and the vast majority of those were also there in PK4. (We weren't there for PK3 so there might have been more movement to charter schools from PK3.) This was good both because of the social continuity and because it kept a group of engaged parents. I've been impressed with the teachers, and my child has made steady and impressive academic progress. The facility is subpar, but renovations will be starting soon. To help with transition from Peabody, 1st graders eat lunch in their classrooms. I think there is a touch too much focus on testing, but not to the extent that it's detracted from learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These proposals overlook the fact that funding, to some degree, is tied to enrollment. The loss of a classroom means the loss of teacher and about $100,000. Watkins already forfeited a substantial chunk of federally-supported resources as the result of the loss of Title I status. Now, DCPS has carved another $250,000 from the FY 2016 budget.

Well, if you lose a classroom of course you're going to lose a teacher. As for the loss of federal funds, yes, that's not great, but if more high SES families start attending, they can start pitching some funds in. The reason the federal funds are given is for those families who'd never be able to pitch in.

You are a genius. I nominate you for Chancellor!!! This is the kind of drivel that makes DCUM worthless. Where to start...

(1) "loss of federal funds....[isn't] great" - That's not a response if you actually own the P&L for a business. Funds are allocated so if you don't receive them then you have to make that up somewhere. What's yourt proposal?
(2) "...if more SES families start attending..." - Do you have data to support that theory? What's the cause and effect of the proposed action? What's the time lag?
(3) "They can start pitching in some funds" - SO DCPS should plan their budgets and allocations based on some theoretical increase in giving? That's not how it works. You need to fund the necessities and then rely on non-guaranteed funds for "nice to haves"
(4) "The reason the federal funds are given is for those families who'd never be able to pitch in" - REALLY??? Federal funds are designed to close gaps in parent donations to public schools? Re-read your sentence and then get back to me.
(5) Intentionally designing systems and policies to eliminate low income and FARMS kids and doing so in a manner that has a disproportionate impact by race is illegal.

I LOVE DCUM. Best entertainment ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is in 1st grade this year. We have had a quite positive experience with the teachers, kids, and parents. The vast majority of kids who were in K at Peabody moved to Watkins; I literally can't think of anyone I know who didn't stay, other than kids who moved out of DC, and the vast majority of those were also there in PK4. (We weren't there for PK3 so there might have been more movement to charter schools from PK3.) This was good both because of the social continuity and because it kept a group of engaged parents. I've been impressed with the teachers, and my child has made steady and impressive academic progress. The facility is subpar, but renovations will be starting soon. To help with transition from Peabody, 1st graders eat lunch in their classrooms. I think there is a touch too much focus on testing, but not to the extent that it's detracted from learning.

Thanks for posting, actual Watkins parent. Good to hear that the vast majority of kids at Peabody actually did go to Watkins for first, and even more importantly, that you have been impressed with the teachers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At risk DCPS funds are not the same as federal Title I funds. That's why they have separate entries on the allocations. You'll have to dig back into budgets for past FY to look at the changes in funding streams.

Can the poster who keeps mentioning Title 1 funds elaborate on why the loss of the funds is such a concern? What were the funds used for at Watkins, what programs have been cut as a result of the funding, what effects the loss of funding has had on Watkins specifically, etc?

I know quality after care programs were cut in favor of Springboard. I was extremely disappointed in their initial meeting with parents before Clemens forced them on us, but luckily, I had to option to have my child bussed back to Peabody for after care instead. Clemens attempted to make us believe Springboard would be less confusing than having alternatives while hoping those who did not qualify for the sliding scale would make up for the families who did qualify to pay little to nothing for their subpar programming.

Does Peabody aftercare accept older children, or have you enrolled your child in another aftercare option that is close to the Peabody school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At risk DCPS funds are not the same as federal Title I funds. That's why they have separate entries on the allocations. You'll have to dig back into budgets for past FY to look at the changes in funding streams.

Can the poster who keeps mentioning Title 1 funds elaborate on why the loss of the funds is such a concern? What were the funds used for at Watkins, what programs have been cut as a result of the funding, what effects the loss of funding has had on Watkins specifically, etc?

I know quality after care programs were cut in favor of Springboard. I was extremely disappointed in their initial meeting with parents before Clemens forced them on us, but luckily, I had to option to have my child bussed back to Peabody for after care instead. Clemens attempted to make us believe Springboard would be less confusing than having alternatives while hoping those who did not qualify for the sliding scale would make up for the families who did qualify to pay little to nothing for their subpar programming.

Does Peabody aftercare accept older children, or have you enrolled your child in another aftercare option that is close to the Peabody school?

And does Watkins have lots of after school enrichment activities, like Peabody?

I know the Little Loft provides aftercare three afternoons a week, and they're great. Are there other good alternatives, too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is in 1st grade this year. We have had a quite positive experience with the teachers, kids, and parents. The vast majority of kids who were in K at Peabody moved to Watkins; I literally can't think of anyone I know who didn't stay, other than kids who moved out of DC, and the vast majority of those were also there in PK4. (We weren't there for PK3 so there might have been more movement to charter schools from PK3.) This was good both because of the social continuity and because it kept a group of engaged parents. I've been impressed with the teachers, and my child has made steady and impressive academic progress. The facility is subpar, but renovations will be starting soon. To help with transition from Peabody, 1st graders eat lunch in their classrooms. I think there is a touch too much focus on testing, but not to the extent that it's detracted from learning.

Do you know whether most of the first grade class will stay for second grade? Thanks for posting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At risk DCPS funds are not the same as federal Title I funds. That's why they have separate entries on the allocations. You'll have to dig back into budgets for past FY to look at the changes in funding streams.

Can the poster who keeps mentioning Title 1 funds elaborate on why the loss of the funds is such a concern? What were the funds used for at Watkins, what programs have been cut as a result of the funding, what effects the loss of funding has had on Watkins specifically, etc?

I know quality after care programs were cut in favor of Springboard. I was extremely disappointed in their initial meeting with parents before Clemens forced them on us, but luckily, I had to option to have my child bussed back to Peabody for after care instead. Clemens attempted to make us believe Springboard would be less confusing than having alternatives while hoping those who did not qualify for the sliding scale would make up for the families who did qualify to pay little to nothing for their subpar programming.

Does Peabody aftercare accept older children, or have you enrolled your child in another aftercare option that is close to the Peabody school?

And does Watkins have lots of after school enrichment activities, like Peabody?

I know the Little Loft provides aftercare three afternoons a week, and they're great. Are there other good alternatives, too?

CHAW picks up from Watkins for their programs as well. I don't know if kids are still going to Havner's (at Maury?) or its successor as a group from Watkins.

[Anonymous]

If almost all Peabody kids go to Watkins and stay there, then how is it that we're talking about Title 1 funds for Watkins? Stop the idiot cheerleading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If almost all Peabody kids go to Watkins and stay there, then how is it that we're talking about Title 1 funds for Watkins? Stop the idiot cheerleading.

Peabody kids going to Watkins is only a recent development. Watkins still receives targeted Title 1 assistance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At risk DCPS funds are not the same as federal Title I funds. That's why they have separate entries on the allocations. You'll have to dig back into budgets for past FY to look at the changes in funding streams.

Can the poster who keeps mentioning Title 1 funds elaborate on why the loss of the funds is such a concern? What were the funds used for at Watkins, what programs have been cut as a result of the funding, what effects the loss of funding has had on Watkins specifically, etc?

I know quality after care programs were cut in favor of Springboard. I was extremely disappointed in their initial meeting with parents before Clemens forced them on us, but luckily, I had to option to have my child bussed back to Peabody for after care instead. Clemens attempted to make us believe Springboard would be less confusing than having alternatives while hoping those who did not qualify for the sliding scale would make up for the families who did qualify to pay little to nothing for their subpar programming.

Does Peabody aftercare accept older children, or have you enrolled your child in another aftercare option that is close to the Peabody school?

My child did both before and after care with Ms. Joe. She accepts kids up to age 10 even though a few Stuart-Hobson kids would be there in the mornings to walk to campus. I would drop him off at Peabody in the morning, he'd ride the bus to Watkins, and in the afternoon, ride the bus back to Peabody for after care. They even split the two buses so younger kids are separated from the older ones. Some parents did it for convenience since their younger ones were already at Peabody for after care. One drop off, one pick up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is in 1st grade this year. We have had a quite positive experience with the teachers, kids, and parents. The vast majority of kids who were in K at Peabody moved to Watkins; I literally can't think of anyone I know who didn't stay, other than kids who moved out of DC, and the vast majority of those were also there in PK4. (We weren't there for PK3 so there might have been more movement to charter schools from PK3.) This was good both because of the social continuity and because it kept a group of engaged parents. I've been impressed with the teachers, and my child has made steady and impressive academic progress. The facility is subpar, but renovations will be starting soon. To help with transition from Peabody, 1st graders eat lunch in their classrooms. I think there is a touch too much focus on testing, but not to the extent that it's detracted from learning.

Do you know whether most of the first grade class will stay for second grade? Thanks for posting.

1st grade parent again:

That's my assumption, although I've only heard it directly from a few parents. I've not heard of anyone planning to leave. I think it's not a topic of discussion because the default is that the kids will stay.

Anonymous wrote:Does Peabody aftercare accept older children, or have you enrolled your child in another aftercare option that is close to the Peabody school?

On aftercare, Watkins students can take the bus back to Peabody for aftercare, and many first graders do, especially if they live nearby or have siblings at Peabody. The number in Peabody aftercare drops off at older ages, but several parents have mentioned that they'd like to continue having their kids at Peabody aftercare, so we are going to try to coordinate that so they have a good number of kids their own age. In particular, there are two separate aftercare programs at Peabody, so it could work if all the older kids go to one program.

Anonymous wrote:If almost all Peabody kids go to Watkins and stay there, then how is it that we're talking about Title 1 funds for Watkins? Stop the idiot cheerleading.

Yes, as someone already mentioned, the SES (socioeconomic status) distribution and inboundary share of the older grades is different than in the younger: there are more poor kids, and fewer in bounds. That's not to say that there aren't higher SES kids in upper grades, there are just fewer. A 5th grade parent said there was a noticeable dropoff in 5th grade in particular, as a bunch of kids moved to charter schools that started in 5th.

My hope (and expectation, though this of course might just be "idiot cheerleading"), is that more and more kids will stay through 5th - and through Stuart-Hobson - and that the upper Watkins grades and SH will be more diverse (that is, more high SES).

Another good source of information are recent cluster school newsletters: http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/home/?u=d675d4ef85&id=d79b45ad70. (Yes, it's cheerleading - it's the PTA - but one sign of a good school is an enthusiastic PTA).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is in 1st grade this year. We have had a quite positive experience with the teachers, kids, and parents. The vast majority of kids who were in K at Peabody moved to Watkins; I literally can't think of anyone I know who didn't stay, other than kids who moved out of DC, and the vast majority of those were also there in PK4. (We weren't there for PK3 so there might have been more movement to charter schools from PK3.) This was good both because of the social continuity and because it kept a group of engaged parents. I've been impressed with the teachers, and my child has made steady and impressive academic progress. The facility is subpar, but renovations will be starting soon. To help with transition from Peabody, 1st graders eat lunch in their classrooms. I think there is a touch too much focus on testing, but not to the extent that it's detracted from learning.

Do you know whether most of the first grade class will stay for second grade? Thanks for posting.

1st grade parent again:

That's my assumption, although I've only heard it directly from a few parents. I've not heard of anyone planning to leave. I think it's not a topic of discussion because the default is that the kids will stay.

Anonymous wrote:Does Peabody aftercare accept older children, or have you enrolled your child in another aftercare option that is close to the Peabody school?

On aftercare, Watkins students can take the bus back to Peabody for aftercare, and many first graders do, especially if they live nearby or have siblings at Peabody. The number in Peabody aftercare drops off at older ages, but several parents have mentioned that they'd like to continue having their kids at Peabody aftercare, so we are going to try to coordinate that so they have a good number of kids their own age. In particular, there are two separate aftercare programs at Peabody, so it could work if all the older kids go to one program.

Anonymous wrote:If almost all Peabody kids go to Watkins and stay there, then how is it that we're talking about Title 1 funds for Watkins? Stop the idiot cheerleading.

Yes, as someone already mentioned, the SES (socioeconomic status) distribution and inboundary share of the older grades is different than in the younger: there are more poor kids, and fewer in bounds. That's not to say that there aren't higher SES kids in upper grades, there are just fewer. A 5th grade parent said there was a noticeable dropoff in 5th grade in particular, as a bunch of kids moved to charter schools that started in 5th.

My hope (and expectation, though this of course might just be "idiot cheerleading"), is that more and more kids will stay through 5th - and through Stuart-Hobson - and that the upper Watkins grades and SH will be more diverse (that is, more high SES).

Another good source of information are recent cluster school newsletters: http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/home/?u=d675d4ef85&id=d79b45ad70. (Yes, it's cheerleading - it's the PTA - but one sign of a good school is an enthusiastic PTA).

Will the aftercare coordination be discussed on MOTH, or anywhere else new Peabody parents can access? It would be helpful to know which aftercare option most of the older kids will be choosing so that we can send the younger set to the other one.

Thanks again for your posts, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, as someone already mentioned, the SES (socioeconomic status) distribution and inboundary share of the older grades is different than in the younger: there are more poor kids, and fewer in bounds. That's not to say that there aren't higher SES kids in upper grades, there are just fewer. A 5th grade parent said there was a noticeable dropoff in 5th grade in particular, as a bunch of kids moved to charter schools that started in 5th.

My hope (and expectation, though this of course might just be "idiot cheerleading"), is that more and more kids will stay through 5th - and through Stuart-Hobson - and that the upper Watkins grades and SH will be more diverse (that is, more high SES).

Another good source of information are recent cluster school newsletters: http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/home/?u=d675d4ef85&id=d79b45ad70. (Yes, it's cheerleading - it's the PTA - but one sign of a good school is an enthusiastic PTA).

Thanks for the link. I've heard from parents in the class right behind yours, PP (the incoming first graders) that most of them are going to Watkins, so maybe your hope (and mine!) will become a reality.

[Anonymous]

There are older kids in both Ms. Joe and Ms. Rita's aftercare. The younger kids are separated from the older ones.