I have one daughter who LOVED it and devoured all the books. I have another who didn't really care for it and thought it too slow. We've watched the movies together as a family...and I just re-read it all recently. All about timing and interest level and not a gauge of anything.

I went to see Dr Safayan on the recommendation from someone on this listserv. In terms of location, his office was convenient, though parking was a pain (since it's DC metered parking where you get 8 minutes/quarter). There is a patient form to fill out and submit BEFORE I could make an appt. Everything was initiated by me - the office did not call me when I submitted my forms. Then, I had my initial visit - not a physical, but a general meeting and Dr. Safayan was very thorough in his intake and got labs for bloodwork. I was told to make an appt for my actual physical and discussion of blood results after I got my blood taken (at Quest) and when I did, I had to wait 1 month for my next visit.

After my thorough physical (no GYN stuff for women) and he noticed a nodules on my thyroid. Got a scan that day and it was just a cyst.
I just had my follow up for my thyroid scan and after waiting 35 minutes, I had a 10 minute appt. No apologies, no explanation until I asked if this 35 minute wait was normal. He said that they couldn't find my thyroid scan results and had to look for them and he was sorry (said this as he was leaving and his back was to me). I would have been okay had someone in the office explained that to me. However, no one did even when I asked the receptionist - who was very nice and giggly, but not very effective in my opinion (she was supposed to followup w/ a phone call to me about some supplements 2 weeks ago and never called me).

Too bad, b/c I liked Dr. Safayan's thoroughness and he takes my insurance, but found him to be a bit brusque and impersonal and his office mediocre and wait time increasing w/ every visit.

My 2 cents.
Junga

Anonymous wrote:We were very impressed by it, but decided not to go because they follow a private school schedule (lots of time off during the year and a long summer break). With two working parents, we didn't want to try and find alternative care for a pre-K child for all that time.

hi - so glad you liked Oneness. I presume you attended an Open House or came for an individual tour/visit?
I'm not sure what you mean by 'lots of time off during the year and a long summer break" - Oneness follows Montgomery County Public School for holidays and our last day of school is June5, while the public schools end June 16, only 7 days difference. MCPS have professional days, half days, etc as do all schools to accommodate report card preparation and parent-teacher conferences. We are offering a summer program from June 22-July31 for children ages 2-5. It looks like MCPS will start Aug 31 and most independent schools traditionally begin the week after Labor Day. So there is really only a difference of less than 2 weeks between 'private school schedules' and MCPS. So I just want to make sure others reading it don't take your comment and think that we take a month off for winter break (it's almost the same length as MCPS) and spring break (1 week) and summer vacation.

The summer vacation is a throwback from a generation ago (at least, I think) and some parents were resistant to changing this schedule of having a longer academic year and a shorter summer vacation b/c of holidays, vacations, etc when topics of altering the calendar came up (when I was growing up in NY and living here in DC).

-Feel free to contact me if you want any clarification on Oneness' calendar for the academic year. I'm sorry you have decided not to send your child to Oneness. It's an amazing place.

Junga Kim
jungakimlee@hotmail.com

Oh, if you are interested in the Reggio approach, the Sheridan School offers a summer program called CaSa (creative arts summer adventure) which is Reggio based. FYI.

junga

Erika,
This may be a bit late, but I wanted to put in my 2cents -- just curious as to why you thought you were 'too conservative' for Waldorf or Oneness-Family School?

My daughters, ages 3 and 6 attend Oneness. We have families with a range of beliefs, some observing and non-observant Jews, and international families. Ultimately, it's the integrated curriculum, teaching relevant lessons such as conflict resolution, global awareness, and the nurturing and warm environment drew me to Oneness. The school fosters independence and values individuality.

The curriculum includes talking about all religions, not just any particular one - classes visit places of worship - mosques, temples, churches, synagogues, etc - to expose the students that all these religions exist.

I'd be happy to chat more if you want.
Good luck with your move.

Junga