West Elementary parents?

[Anonymous]

Are there any West Elementary parents here who can speak to what you like about the school (and dislike)?
How's the preschool and pre-k?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hi -

I am a West parent with two kids in PK with Ms. Phillips. This is our second year at West. I am a member of the Parent Staff Community Organization (West PSCO) and Chair of the LSRT (Local School Reconstruction Team).

We have had two really good years at West so far and we plan to stay as long as it keeps working well for the kids. We would have been thrilled with either Mrs. Schooler or Ms. Phillips for PreK.

I will give you the likes first as they definitely outweigh the dislikes:

1. The teachers are top notch. Mrs. Giles (principal) and the staff have done a great job creating a welcoming and nurturing environment for the kids. There are many 10, 15, 20 and even a 30 year veteran on the staff and none are retired on the job. They are constantly looking for ways to engage the kids and teach them well. The last few years has seen good improvements on test scores for the upper grades, improvements in skills for the lower grades and a much more cohesive team amongst the ps - 2nd, 3rd - 5th and 6-8 teams.

2) The facilities are quite good. We have had some investment from DCPS these past few summers. Nice gym, good cafeteria, good use of what used to be open space classrooms which are now a mix of self contained classes and open space areas. New Monarch garden planted last fall to supplement the science classes. Newly refurbished computer lab, 3 play areas and a nice field.

3) Lots of field trips for all ages. On average the kids are going 2 - 3 times per month tpo the discovery theatre, zoo, farm, fire station.

4) Good student to teacher ratio. In the lower grades it is one teacher and one aid for 15 kids. This seems to work well.

5) Easy place to get involved. The PSCO is new and very welcoming. We put on several family nights, raise funds for the end of year party - Spring Fling, helped establish the monarch garden. We try hard to be inclusive to new families through the room parents. We have spanish translation at major events.

6) Relationship with Fillmore means the kids get high quality art and music instruction.


7) If you are happy with West and your kids are happy then you can go all the way through 8th grade. No switching schools til High School
Dislikes:

1) We are still a DCPS so there are challenges dealing with Central Office regarding staffing, discipline, supports for the administration of the school but I would not say West is any different then another DCPS.

2) No before care. This is a problemfor some working parents as they cannot drop kids off before 8:40 unless they are eating breakfast at the school.

3) Aftercare is still reestablishing itself but the quality and diversity of activities is improving.

4) The language program (French) is still in its infancy and will take a few years to become strong

Check out www.westschool.org and take a visit. Send an email to the PSCO and any one of us are happy to talk with you

Come out to family reading night on March 4th and see the community in action.

Teresa
Mom to Corinne and Henry - happy PreK students at West

[Anonymous]

Hi. This our first year at West, my son is in the 3 yo class, with Ms. Vinson. I would ditto everything Teresa said...we are very happy here and for now, plan on staying. I have become active with the PSCO as well as with my son's teacher/class and have been very welcomed in doing so, which to me is what is so very important and going to make a difference in whatever school my son attends. I would encourage you to come see the school because that is what really sold us. It's a really cool space, especially for the little ones, and all of the teachers are great. As Teresa said, definitely check out the website, come to Reading Night this Thursday, and send an email to the PSCO to talk to one of us. Look forward to hopefully meeting you sometime in the future.

Carrie
mom to Travis, Pre-school student at West