Oyster- Adams in US News...thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another family here in 2nd grade- I know of classmates who moved out of state or out of the country. Two kids local to DC are at new schools- one private while the other moved out of bounds.

So we have a few new friends- and miss those having new adventures in their new locales!

Outside of these moves, everyone else returned.

Meant to say FOUR classmates moved out of the DC area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former OA, IB, bilingual Latino family here who took 2 kids out at different years for a variety of reasons.

People often ask me about OA. I'd like to point them toward actual numbers rather than bias them from our experiences.

Has there been any analysis of when and why students leave and where they go? Do they do surveys?

I can speculate from our experience and anecdotes of about a dozen other families similar to ours. But I never heard an official explanation or analysis.

No OA administrator ever asked us why we pulled a born-bilingual, middle class, in-boundary kid out of what should have been the ideal K-8 school. Not even after the first one left. You'd think they'd be at least curious after we took one out pre-3rd grade and the other pre-6th. Several other families told me the same thing. One said an administrator told her "we're not going to beg you to stay. There are plenty of people on the waitlist." A teacher told me "they just want to fill the middle school. They don't care if leave before 5th."

Is there info out there on the website or newsletter that folks think is accurate regarding retention?

I'm interested in hearing more about retention as well. My DC is in the 3rd grade, and based on the class directory (all three classes) there doesn't appear to be a single new student. That is an indication that there were no available spaces to fill. My 3rd grader told me that no one left her grade, but I don't think that she's the most reliable reporter. However, I do think that's an indication that there was very little attrition from 2nd to 3rd grade this year.

I don't think Oyster backfills vacancies (at least with non-natie speakers) past 1st or 2nd grade given the dual language requirements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former OA, IB, bilingual Latino family here who took 2 kids out at different years for a variety of reasons.

People often ask me about OA. I'd like to point them toward actual numbers rather than bias them from our experiences.

Has there been any analysis of when and why students leave and where they go? Do they do surveys?

I can speculate from our experience and anecdotes of about a dozen other families similar to ours. But I never heard an official explanation or analysis.

No OA administrator ever asked us why we pulled a born-bilingual, middle class, in-boundary kid out of what should have been the ideal K-8 school. Not even after the first one left. You'd think they'd be at least curious after we took one out pre-3rd grade and the other pre-6th. Several other families told me the same thing. One said an administrator told her "we're not going to beg you to stay. There are plenty of people on the waitlist." A teacher told me "they just want to fill the middle school. They don't care if leave before 5th."

Is there info out there on the website or newsletter that folks think is accurate regarding retention?

I'm interested in hearing more about retention as well. My DC is in the 3rd grade, and based on the class directory (all three classes) there doesn't appear to be a single new student. That is an indication that there were no available spaces to fill. My 3rd grader told me that no one left her grade, but I don't think that she's the most reliable reporter. However, I do think that's an indication that there was very little attrition from 2nd to 3rd grade this year.

I don't think Oyster backfills vacancies (at least with non-natie speakers) past 1st or 2nd grade given the dual language requirements.

Oyster has to take IB students (Spanish or English) no matter their level of fluency in the target language. I know native English speaking students who joined Oyster in 3rd and 5th grades. Oyster definitely backfills Spanish speaking vacancies with (mostly) OOB Spanish speaking students all the way through 8th grade. There just happens to be a lot fewer vacancies in the upper grades now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former OA, IB, bilingual Latino family here who took 2 kids out at different years for a variety of reasons.

People often ask me about OA. I'd like to point them toward actual numbers rather than bias them from our experiences.

Has there been any analysis of when and why students leave and where they go? Do they do surveys?

I can speculate from our experience and anecdotes of about a dozen other families similar to ours. But I never heard an official explanation or analysis.

No OA administrator ever asked us why we pulled a born-bilingual, middle class, in-boundary kid out of what should have been the ideal K-8 school. Not even after the first one left. You'd think they'd be at least curious after we took one out pre-3rd grade and the other pre-6th. Several other families told me the same thing. One said an administrator told her "we're not going to beg you to stay. There are plenty of people on the waitlist." A teacher told me "they just want to fill the middle school. They don't care if leave before 5th."

Is there info out there on the website or newsletter that folks think is accurate regarding retention?

I'm interested in hearing more about retention as well. My DC is in the 3rd grade, and based on the class directory (all three classes) there doesn't appear to be a single new student. That is an indication that there were no available spaces to fill. My 3rd grader told me that no one left her grade, but I don't think that she's the most reliable reporter. However, I do think that's an indication that there was very little attrition from 2nd to 3rd grade this year.

I don't think Oyster backfills vacancies (at least with non-natie speakers) past 1st or 2nd grade given the dual language requirements.

Oyster has to take IB students (Spanish or English) no matter their level of fluency in the target language. I know native English speaking students who joined Oyster in 3rd and 5th grades. Oyster definitely backfills Spanish speaking vacancies with (mostly) OOB Spanish speaking students all the way through 8th grade. There just happens to be a lot fewer vacancies in the upper grades now.

So what is this message on their website about? http://www.oysteradamsbilingual.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=294888&type=d

"Oyster-Adams is a PK-8 academic program and with the expectation that all students who enroll in the primary years complete the full academic program through 8th grade. It is recommended that children enter the dual-language program no later than first grade so that they can build language skills in the early grades. Therefore, Oyster-Adams generally does not accept out-of-boundary students who are not at or near grade level in Spanish after first grade. In addition, in-boundary students must take and pass our Spanish language proficiency exam in order to enroll. If a student does not pass and/ or the parent would like the monolingual option, the in-boundary school of right is Francis Stevens at School without Walls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former OA, IB, bilingual Latino family here who took 2 kids out at different years for a variety of reasons.

People often ask me about OA. I'd like to point them toward actual numbers rather than bias them from our experiences.

Has there been any analysis of when and why students leave and where they go? Do they do surveys?

I can speculate from our experience and anecdotes of about a dozen other families similar to ours. But I never heard an official explanation or analysis.

No OA administrator ever asked us why we pulled a born-bilingual, middle class, in-boundary kid out of what should have been the ideal K-8 school. Not even after the first one left. You'd think they'd be at least curious after we took one out pre-3rd grade and the other pre-6th. Several other families told me the same thing. One said an administrator told her "we're not going to beg you to stay. There are plenty of people on the waitlist." A teacher told me "they just want to fill the middle school. They don't care if leave before 5th."

Is there info out there on the website or newsletter that folks think is accurate regarding retention?

I'm interested in hearing more about retention as well. My DC is in the 3rd grade, and based on the class directory (all three classes) there doesn't appear to be a single new student. That is an indication that there were no available spaces to fill. My 3rd grader told me that no one left her grade, but I don't think that she's the most reliable reporter. However, I do think that's an indication that there was very little attrition from 2nd to 3rd grade this year.

I don't think Oyster backfills vacancies (at least with non-natie speakers) past 1st or 2nd grade given the dual language requirements.

Oyster has to take IB students (Spanish or English) no matter their level of fluency in the target language. I know native English speaking students who joined Oyster in 3rd and 5th grades. Oyster definitely backfills Spanish speaking vacancies with (mostly) OOB Spanish speaking students all the way through 8th grade. There just happens to be a lot fewer vacancies in the upper grades now.

So what is this message on their website about? http://www.oysteradamsbilingual.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=294888&type=d

"Oyster-Adams is a PK-8 academic program and with the expectation that all students who enroll in the primary years complete the full academic program through 8th grade. It is recommended that children enter the dual-language program no later than first grade so that they can build language skills in the early grades. Therefore, Oyster-Adams generally does not accept out-of-boundary students who are not at or near grade level in Spanish after first grade. In addition, in-boundary students must take and pass our Spanish language proficiency exam in order to enroll. If a student does not pass and/ or the parent would like the monolingual option, the in-boundary school of right is Francis Stevens at School without Walls.

Nothing I said conflicts with your first bolded sentence. The second bolded sentence is news to me. This may be a new policy under the current principal. However, the former principal would only "strongly advise" native English speaking parents against enrolling their monolingual children in the upper grades. Thanks for bringing this new policy to my attention--I like it. It keeps the class moving at a normal pace, instead of slowing down (and using more English) to accommodate English speaking IB kids who join in the upper grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea why you are so insecure regarding the desirability of your children's school. It's really odd but mostly kind of funny.

+1

That poster is craaaaaazy.

And you are an Oyster Stalker. Too bad you're children couldn't get in, bitter bitch.

LOL this is the first time I've ever posted on an Oyster thread. You are nuts.

NP. Please find another thread/start a new one to continue this silly argument. Some of us would like to discuss the thread topic.

Different poster- EVERY oyster thread ends up with some deranged oyster parent insisting that all of D.C.is somehow jealous. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

I'm not an Oyster parent, but I am interested in applying to immersion schools so I follow all of these threads. I have to disagree with you. A lot of these Oyster threads end with some person talking about yelling teachers or librarians. It's really annoying and it constantly derails the threads. If that person (I assume it's the same person with an ax to grind) didn't constantly come on Oyster threads with the same story from who knows when, I think that the Oyster threads would be a lot more peaceful and helpful. Just like the ridiculous Heritage mom/dad on the YY threads. Both of those people suck!

I saw it happen and others have seen it happen. The PARCC scores aren't high enough to justify bullying. We aren't interested in a KIPP wth so so test scores and weak Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea why you are so insecure regarding the desirability of your children's school. It's really odd but mostly kind of funny.

+1

That poster is craaaaaazy.

And you are an Oyster Stalker. Too bad you're children couldn't get in, bitter bitch.

LOL this is the first time I've ever posted on an Oyster thread. You are nuts.

NP. Please find another thread/start a new one to continue this silly argument. Some of us would like to discuss the thread topic.

Different poster- EVERY oyster thread ends up with some deranged oyster parent insisting that all of D.C.is somehow jealous. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

I'm not an Oyster parent, but I am interested in applying to immersion schools so I follow all of these threads. I have to disagree with you. A lot of these Oyster threads end with some person talking about yelling teachers or librarians. It's really annoying and it constantly derails the threads. If that person (I assume it's the same person with an ax to grind) didn't constantly come on Oyster threads with the same story from who knows when, I think that the Oyster threads would be a lot more peaceful and helpful. Just like the ridiculous Heritage mom/dad on the YY threads. Both of those people suck!

I saw it happen and others have seen it happen. The PARCC scores aren't high enough to justify bullying. We aren't interested in a KIPP wth so so test scores and weak Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea why you are so insecure regarding the desirability of your children's school. It's really odd but mostly kind of funny.

+1

That poster is craaaaaazy.

And you are an Oyster Stalker. Too bad you're children couldn't get in, bitter bitch.

LOL this is the first time I've ever posted on an Oyster thread. You are nuts.

NP. Please find another thread/start a new one to continue this silly argument. Some of us would like to discuss the thread topic.

Different poster- EVERY oyster thread ends up with some deranged oyster parent insisting that all of D.C.is somehow jealous. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

I'm not an Oyster parent, but I am interested in applying to immersion schools so I follow all of these threads. I have to disagree with you. A lot of these Oyster threads end with some person talking about yelling teachers or librarians. It's really annoying and it constantly derails the threads. If that person (I assume it's the same person with an ax to grind) didn't constantly come on Oyster threads with the same story from who knows when, I think that the Oyster threads would be a lot more peaceful and helpful. Just like the ridiculous Heritage mom/dad on the YY threads. Both of those people suck!

I saw it happen and others have seen it happen. The PARCC scores aren't high enough to justify bullying. We aren't interested in a KIPP wth so so test scores and weak Spanish.

Yes, we know. You post the same allegations on every Oyster thread. My advice: Move on because no one cares.

[Anonymous]

Not just me. I feel bad for your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not just me. I feel bad for your kids.

No, it's just you. I feel bad for you and your monolingual kids (not really though).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not just me. I feel bad for your kids.

No, it's just you. I feel bad for you and your monolingual kids (not really though).

Get help. For your kids. (Seriously)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea why you are so insecure regarding the desirability of your children's school. It's really odd but mostly kind of funny.

+1

That poster is craaaaaazy.

And you are an Oyster Stalker. Too bad you're children couldn't get in, bitter bitch.

LOL this is the first time I've ever posted on an Oyster thread. You are nuts.

NP. Please find another thread/start a new one to continue this silly argument. Some of us would like to discuss the thread topic.

Different poster- EVERY oyster thread ends up with some deranged oyster parent insisting that all of D.C.is somehow jealous. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

I'm not an Oyster parent, but I am interested in applying to immersion schools so I follow all of these threads. I have to disagree with you. A lot of these Oyster threads end with some person talking about yelling teachers or librarians. It's really annoying and it constantly derails the threads. If that person (I assume it's the same person with an ax to grind) didn't constantly come on Oyster threads with the same story from who knows when, I think that the Oyster threads would be a lot more peaceful and helpful. Just like the ridiculous Heritage mom/dad on the YY threads. Both of those people suck!

Problem is, those posting about yelling staff make a very good point. What sucks is that it happens far too much at Oyster. It also sucks that YY doesn't attract a critical mass of families willing or able to ensure that their kids speak halfway decent Chinese by the upper grades. Sounds to me like you're teh ridiculous one for knowing better when you're only at the point where you're "interested in applying" to immersion schools. Get back to us in 6 or 7 years, hon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not just me. I feel bad for your kids.

No, it's just you. I feel bad for you and your monolingual kids (not really though).

Get help. For your kids. (Seriously)

You're so sad Oyster Stalker. So sad.

[Anonymous]

Who was that teacher that got arrested? Gio something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who was that teacher that got arrested? Gio something.

Google it.