Meeting on Francis-Stevens' New Preschool Class (age 3), Friday, 2/5 at 10AM

[Anonymous]

Francis-Stevens is offering a new preschool class for next school year
(age 3 by September 30, 2010). To apply, you must enter the
preschool/pre-k DCPS lottery at
https://lottery.dcps.dc.gov/Main_Entry.aspx by February 28, 2010.

A group of in-boundary neighborhood and OOB families will be meeting
with Principal Maurice Kennard next Friday, February 5th at 10AM to
learn more about this new program. Details for the meeting are below.
All are welcome. Please feel free to forward on to others who may be
interested.

Meeting to discuss Francis-Stevens New Preschool Class for school year
2010-11, with Principal Maurice Kennard

Friday, February 5th at 10AM
Francis-Stevens Education Campus
2425 N Street NW,
Washington, DC 20037

Principal Kennard or one of his assistants will meet you at the front
desk for the meeting room.

[Anonymous]

Reminder: This meeting is still taking place tomorrow at 10AM. There will be a discussion, Q&A, and tour available.

[Anonymous]

This is a new program! I'm wondering...is this the school where they have P-K children attending school in the same building with elementary and middle school students?

[Anonymous]

Yes, they do. But I believe they separate the younger kids on a different floor. As a parent of a younger child, I am going to check this out for myself.

[Anonymous]

Great! Well, if you go to the meeting tomorrow, please report back!

[Anonymous]

Did anyone attend? If, so please share

[Anonymous]

Hi, below is a brief recap of the meeting. If you have other questions or would like to be kept in the loop, please post your e-mail to be included on the e-mail list for prospective parents.

An Open House is scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 11th, 5-6:30pm.

-Despite the snow, the meeting was well attended by diverse group of interested parents. Many children from international backgrounds (Europe, Japan, South Asia).

- Maurice Kennard is a responsive, bright, and open principal. He wants to work with parents to develop the program we want.

- Preschool program is brand new for 2010-11 school year. It is not Headstart.

-Curriculum is being finalized based on input and feedback from parents. Parents are interested in play-based and Reggio Emilia types of program.

-Preschool teacher and teaching assistant positions are available and the Principal is interviewing candidates. If you are interested, e-mail Principal Kennard directly at [e-mail] directly.

-Class is limited to 15 students. Must turn 3 by September 30,2010. In-boundary has preference but OOB spots are expected to be available.

-Hours are 8:45am-3:15pm. Nap time of 1.5 hours in the afternoon. Some parents are requesting early dismissal times, at least initially. Beforecare and aftercare will be available.

-Preschool class would have their own lunch and outdoor time. They would not have any contact with middle school students unless there was a school wide assembly. Preschool and PreK are on the first floor separate from other grades. Parents expressed concern over middle school students and the principal is well aware of the issues.

-Preschool class will have art, music, PE, and Spanish classes in addition to their daily classroom time. Field trips will be planned as well.

-Although not brand new, the school facilities look to be in good shape, renovated in 2008 with brand new playgrounds and the benefit of the DPR Francis pool, fields, basketball and tennis courts located in back of the school. School has a library, computer lab, indoor gyms, art studio, and music room.

-Test scores have seen a large improvement in 5th grade and below. Focus is on the elementary school.

-Parent involvement is encouraged. Opportunities for room parents.

[Anonymous]

The Open House for Francis-Stevens has been rescheduled.

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
5:00-6:30PM
Francis-Stevens Education Campus
2425 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037

There will be another meeting on Thursday evening, February 25th to follow-up on preschool recommendations from prospective parents. If you're interested in attending this meeting or getting involved with the new preschool parents' group, please e-mail [e-mail].

[Anonymous]

Did anyone attend this?

[Anonymous]

There is already a thread on the open house. Tonight's meeting is being rescheduled. If you're considering Francis-Stevens and want to be on the invite list for the new meeting date, e-mail [e-mail]. After the lottery, enrolled parents will begin planning for summer get-togethers and the school year.

[Anonymous]

I thought that the meeting was already rescheduled.

[Anonymous]

PP, which meeting are you referring to? There has been the Open House and a few preschool meetings with more to come.