Asking for Advice - Rejection from Oyster-Adams Preschool

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former Oyster parent here. We were/are IB Spanish dominant and got WL for Pre-K. We knew it was possible and made alternate arrangements for bilingual pre-K.

The bigger issue is that Oyster (still) isn't consistent in how it does things. It's not necessarily anyone's fault because it's kind of evolved that way over time. The school is a bit of a unicorn because it has high percentage of Hispanics and low percentage of poverty. Anglos have done all kinds of crazy things in the past to get in. So I understand the administration's frustration. But I've never heard a good explanation of why they don't use ELL screen for pre-K. Although that's not perfect either. One of our kids was ELL and the other was considered fluent by DCPS.

Personally, I think if any dual-immersion Spanish program wants to ensure dominance or primacy of Spanish in Pre-K, it should test parents/guardians for Spanish fluency in pre-K. Not ethnicity, nationality, or race, but Spanish fluency. Two parents/guardians that speak and read in Spanish can benefit the other parents or kids who struggle early with the language. That's the only way to determine a 3 year old's dominant language and not get into the nanny-speaks Spanish gray area IMHO.

OP, It's worth it to talk to Rosa Berrocal, not Mayra, in elementary. You don't have to complain, but you could ask her what to expect in K if your child spends a year in an English program. You could ask her thoughts on an appeal based on something like your child's social-emotional wellbeing. Say something like culturally it would help her transition to the US to be around other Latinx and international families - especially if you have no local family. Also emphasize if your spouse speaks or understands and is learning Spanish. You never know. Something could open up and you'd want Rosa in your corner. (We loved her.)

Whatever happens, this is definitely an introduction for how things work, or don't, in DC public education. Try to keep an open mind and a sense of humor. Your child has wonderful parents who care about her education. She can do well anywhere.

Thank you. I don't necessarily agree with you 100%, but I love a voice of calm and reason.

[Anonymous]

Coming from a fully bilingual family at a dual language school, I'll share that with our older child, we really only spoke Spanish at home and that child was not truly exposed to English until school. Within 6 months of preschool that child spoke a lot of English, none of it from home (some of the phrases were hilarious, and we could prove they didn't come from home, or TV, whatever). The second child didn't arrive until the first one was an English speaker already, and we had softened our focus on Spanish because the older child was so easily and effectively bilingual. That child stopped getting ELL tested in second grade.

Now the second child didn't catch on as fast and entered school as a passive Spanish "understander" and English speaker, only. There was too much English spoken at home during the second kid's early childhood. Frankly, if that child had been tested the child could have been dinged as a Spanish-speaking child, despite our ability to show our household fluency - because the younger one didn't express their ability to speak Spanish.

And in some ways I would agree with that outcome in spite of the same family, same fluency, but for that child at that child's age (now PS). That child needs more support to be a truly bilingual student, and the support is not in English.

Overall the process can be maddening, but there can be variation within families, and it can affect what might happen to your child's schooling!

[Anonymous]

They interview the parents, too. Not kid the child. So if OP is a native speaker, it should have been made clear during the interview.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You are confused on one key point: a kid's primary caretaker is his/ her parents.

No Spanish-speaking nanny supercedes an English-speaking family, sorry.

No, you are being pedantic while failing to address the points raised. "Primary caretaker" was clearly defined as the person who spends the most time with the child. If you prefer different wording that's fine, but to pretend to not understand the argument is disingenuous. The child in that example speaks Spanish as their primary form of communication, regardless of how it was acquired.

Obviously the OP’s child doesn’t speak Spanish as her primary form of communication—or at least she didn’t on testing day.

That's not obvious; we know absolutely nothing about the test. All we know is that the OP was presumed to be not a native speaker, or the child was presumed to be English only by the
No, the OP said that he believes the principal didn’t know he was a native speaker. That’s merely his opinion.

It’s OBVIOUS that the OP’s child did not demonstrate Spanish dominance because she FAILED the test—that’s not speculation. It’s a fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You are confused on one key point: a kid's primary caretaker is his/ her parents.

No Spanish-speaking nanny supercedes an English-speaking family, sorry.

No, you are being pedantic while failing to address the points raised. "Primary caretaker" was clearly defined as the person who spends the most time with the child. If you prefer different wording that's fine, but to pretend to not understand the argument is disingenuous. The child in that example speaks Spanish as their primary form of communication, regardless of how it was acquired.

Obviously the OP’s child doesn’t speak Spanish as her primary form of communication—or at least she didn’t on testing day.

That's not obvious; we know absolutely nothing about the test. All we know is that the OP was presumed to be not a native speaker, or the child was presumed to be English only by the principal.

No, the OP said that he believes the principal didn’t know he was a native speaker. That’s merely his opinion.

It’s OBVIOUS that the OP’s child did not demonstrate Spanish dominance because she FAILED the test—that’s not speculation. It’s a fact.

False: he said "I spoke to the principal Mayra Cruz. She had actually assumed my daughter only spoke English before the interview even took place." That isn't his opinion, it's what he learned from speaking to her.

Also, while she failed the test, we do not know 1) if the test was biased (based on assumption of English only, or anything else); 2) what even is the test; 3) if we should trust the test when clearly the child does speak fluent Spanish.

We are allowed to question the validity of the test, which we have no transparency about whatsoever.

Again, the parents were interviewed during the process. OP- didn’t you explain where your family lived before you came to DC? Everything was conducted in Spanish, so there is no way they would “assume” your daughter is a English only speaker after the interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just want to say that this is the least hate-filled Oyster thread I've come across in a long time. Thanks and keep it up, guys.

(Cue the Oyster Troll and the screaming librarian story...)

Lots of people are telling the OP is not a nurturing place. Not sure if that counts in your eyes?

I agree with that btw- not very warm and fuzzy.

I heard oof teachers yelling at students- the librarian yells too?

The "screaming librarian" story surfaces from time to time in Oyster threads. Some people believe that one person keeps telling that story and that the one person has it in for Oyster and makes unfair negative comments. I would not know the truth of that.

As for comments saying that Oyster is not nurturing - I would take that into account and wouldn't necessarily discount that as trolling. It depends on the tone and/or the specific evidence used to back up the opinion.

Definitely not a warm and fuzzy place. Diego I would look at Mundo verde 8th. I feel like they’ll run through their waitlist for pk4. It has its negatives but it is sweet and nurturing (at least the P st location) and great for lower grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just want to say that this is the least hate-filled Oyster thread I've come across in a long time. Thanks and keep it up, guys.

(Cue the Oyster Troll and the screaming librarian story...)

Lots of people are telling the OP is not a nurturing place. Not sure if that counts in your eyes?

I agree with that btw- not very warm and fuzzy.

I heard oof teachers yelling at students- the librarian yells too?

The "screaming librarian" story surfaces from time to time in Oyster threads. Some people believe that one person keeps telling that story and that the one person has it in for Oyster and makes unfair negative comments. I would not know the truth of that.

As for comments saying that Oyster is not nurturing - I would take that into account and wouldn't necessarily discount that as trolling. It depends on the tone and/or the specific evidence used to back up the opinion.

Definitely not a warm and fuzzy place. Diego I would look at Mundo verde 8th. I feel like they’ll run through their waitlist for pk4. It has its negatives but it is sweet and nurturing (at least the P st location) and great for lower grades.

Yet there are several families who left Mundo- and found Oyster to be nurturing. (On the whole, I would say Mundo does great in PS3/PK4, but it’s the challenges from k onwards that detract.)

[Anonymous]

I would never send my kid to a school where they are incapable of interacting with my child. Your child is clearly Spanish dominant, and if the teachers are of such poor quality they can’t understand a four year old, that would be a hard pass for me. Move on and be happy you did. I echo the posters telling you there are better options out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just want to say that this is the least hate-filled Oyster thread I've come across in a long time. Thanks and keep it up, guys.

(Cue the Oyster Troll and the screaming librarian story...)

Lots of people are telling the OP is not a nurturing place. Not sure if that counts in your eyes?

I agree with that btw- not very warm and fuzzy.

I heard oof teachers yelling at students- the librarian yells too?

The "screaming librarian" story surfaces from time to time in Oyster threads. Some people believe that one person keeps telling that story and that the one person has it in for Oyster and makes unfair negative comments. I would not know the truth of that.

As for comments saying that Oyster is not nurturing - I would take that into account and wouldn't necessarily discount that as trolling. It depends on the tone and/or the specific evidence used to back up the opinion.

Definitely not a warm and fuzzy place. Diego I would look at Mundo verde 8th. I feel like they’ll run through their waitlist for pk4. It has its negatives but it is sweet and nurturing (at least the P st location) and great for lower grades.

Yet there are several families who left Mundo- and found Oyster to be nurturing. (On the whole, I would say Mundo does great in PS3/PK4, but it’s the challenges from k onwards that detract.)

Didnt Mundo 8 just open? How could there be “challenges”?

[Anonymous]

Mixed reviews- but what about Bethune?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just want to say that this is the least hate-filled Oyster thread I've come across in a long time. Thanks and keep it up, guys.

(Cue the Oyster Troll and the screaming librarian story...)

Lots of people are telling the OP is not a nurturing place. Not sure if that counts in your eyes?

I agree with that btw- not very warm and fuzzy.

I heard oof teachers yelling at students- the librarian yells too?

The "screaming librarian" story surfaces from time to time in Oyster threads. Some people believe that one person keeps telling that story and that the one person has it in for Oyster and makes unfair negative comments. I would not know the truth of that.

As for comments saying that Oyster is not nurturing - I would take that into account and wouldn't necessarily discount that as trolling. It depends on the tone and/or the specific evidence used to back up the opinion.

Definitely not a warm and fuzzy place. Diego I would look at Mundo verde 8th. I feel like they’ll run through their waitlist for pk4. It has its negatives but it is sweet and nurturing (at least the P st location) and great for lower grades.

Yet there are several families who left Mundo- and found Oyster to be nurturing. (On the whole, I would say Mundo does great in PS3/PK4, but it’s the challenges from k onwards that detract.)

Didnt Mundo 8 just open? How could there be “challenges”?

Schoolwide challenges already experienced at P Street, only to be exacerbated with the expansion based on the administration and leadership of MV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just want to say that this is the least hate-filled Oyster thread I've come across in a long time. Thanks and keep it up, guys.

(Cue the Oyster Troll and the screaming librarian story...)

Lots of people are telling the OP is not a nurturing place. Not sure if that counts in your eyes?

I agree with that btw- not very warm and fuzzy.

I heard oof teachers yelling at students- the librarian yells too?

The "screaming librarian" story surfaces from time to time in Oyster threads. Some people believe that one person keeps telling that story and that the one person has it in for Oyster and makes unfair negative comments. I would not know the truth of that.

As for comments saying that Oyster is not nurturing - I would take that into account and wouldn't necessarily discount that as trolling. It depends on the tone and/or the specific evidence used to back up the opinion.

Definitely not a warm and fuzzy place. Diego I would look at Mundo verde 8th. I feel like they’ll run through their waitlist for pk4. It has its negatives but it is sweet and nurturing (at least the P st location) and great for lower grades.

Yet there are several families who left Mundo- and found Oyster to be nurturing. (On the whole, I would say Mundo does great in PS3/PK4, but it’s the challenges from k onwards that detract.)

Didnt Mundo 8 just open? How could there be “challenges”?

Schoolwide challenges already experienced at P Street, only to be exacerbated with the expansion based on the administration and leadership of MV.

How unsurprising for a thread on oyster to contain nasty reviews on other schools for no reason.

Op you have no chance of getting in at P st Mundo, the suggestion was 8th street Mundo which is brand new.

[Anonymous]

For those of you suggesting that it would be beneficial to prioritize ELL students in immersion schools -- I agree in principle on the benefits but using ELL status as an enrollment criteria seems legally suspect (just as it would be to use non-ELL status as a criteria).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you suggesting that it would be beneficial to prioritize ELL students in immersion schools -- I agree in principle on the benefits but using ELL status as an enrollment criteria seems legally suspect (just as it would be to use non-ELL status as a criteria).

In either case the schools need to be able to show what criteria they are using and the test needs to be standard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just want to say that this is the least hate-filled Oyster thread I've come across in a long time. Thanks and keep it up, guys.

(Cue the Oyster Troll and the screaming librarian story...)

Lots of people are telling the OP is not a nurturing place. Not sure if that counts in your eyes?

I agree with that btw- not very warm and fuzzy.

I heard oof teachers yelling at students- the librarian yells too?

The "screaming librarian" story surfaces from time to time in Oyster threads. Some people believe that one person keeps telling that story and that the one person has it in for Oyster and makes unfair negative comments. I would not know the truth of that.

As for comments saying that Oyster is not nurturing - I would take that into account and wouldn't necessarily discount that as trolling. It depends on the tone and/or the specific evidence used to back up the opinion.

Definitely not a warm and fuzzy place. Diego I would look at Mundo verde 8th. I feel like they’ll run through their waitlist for pk4. It has its negatives but it is sweet and nurturing (at least the P st location) and great for lower grades.

Yet there are several families who left Mundo- and found Oyster to be nurturing. (On the whole, I would say Mundo does great in PS3/PK4, but it’s the challenges from k onwards that detract.)

Didnt Mundo 8 just open? How could there be “challenges”?

Schoolwide challenges already experienced at P Street, only to be exacerbated with the expansion based on the administration and leadership of MV.

How unsurprising for a thread on oyster to contain nasty reviews on other schools for no reason.

Op you have no chance of getting in at P st Mundo, the suggestion was 8th street Mundo which is brand new.

Sensitive much? The comment was both supportive- and factual. DC can actually have more than one good school, immersion or otherwise. Both PP confirmed that in lower grades MV was nurturing. The other problems there are well documented, and have been surfaced/resurfaced in multiple threads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just want to say that this is the least hate-filled Oyster thread I've come across in a long time. Thanks and keep it up, guys.

(Cue the Oyster Troll and the screaming librarian story...)

Lots of people are telling the OP is not a nurturing place. Not sure if that counts in your eyes?

I agree with that btw- not very warm and fuzzy.

I heard oof teachers yelling at students- the librarian yells too?

The "screaming librarian" story surfaces from time to time in Oyster threads. Some people believe that one person keeps telling that story and that the one person has it in for Oyster and makes unfair negative comments. I would not know the truth of that.

As for comments saying that Oyster is not nurturing - I would take that into account and wouldn't necessarily discount that as trolling. It depends on the tone and/or the specific evidence used to back up the opinion.

Definitely not a warm and fuzzy place. Diego I would look at Mundo verde 8th. I feel like they’ll run through their waitlist for pk4. It has its negatives but it is sweet and nurturing (at least the P st location) and great for lower grades.

Yet there are several families who left Mundo- and found Oyster to be nurturing. (On the whole, I would say Mundo does great in PS3/PK4, but it’s the challenges from k onwards that detract.)

Didnt Mundo 8 just open? How could there be “challenges”?

Schoolwide challenges already experienced at P Street, only to be exacerbated with the expansion based on the administration and leadership of MV.

How unsurprising for a thread on oyster to contain nasty reviews on other schools for no reason.

Op you have no chance of getting in at P st Mundo, the suggestion was 8th street Mundo which is brand new.

Sensitive much? The comment was both supportive- and factual. DC can actually have more than one good school, immersion or otherwise. Both PP confirmed that in lower grades MV was nurturing. The other problems there are well documented, and have been surfaced/resurfaced in multiple threads.

My kids are not at Mundo, but I question the fact that parents from oyster name call when someone brings up the questionable disciplinary tactics used on young children but feel free to trash Mundo.

FWIW I’ve heard first hand some bad stories about oyster- special needs issues, yes, yelling, questionable curriculum choices but I don’t even bother elaborating. I have definitely heard some stories about Mundo too, but I would not say that either is an established fact.