Message
Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you all for your thoughts about West and McFarland and Roosevelt and beyond. We're staying put for now, but that doesn't mean we can't also get involved at West, so I will be in touch--we're at Hamilton all the time anyway!
PLEASE come on over and get involved! We strongly encourage involvement from anyone in the community who wants to join us, even if you don't have kids at West! Our school support, instead of a PTA, is called the West PSCO - Parent, Staff & Community Organization. We want YOU! LOL! You can e-mail us at PSCO@WestSchool.org or join the West Listserv or visit our Website (www.westschool.org) for ways to pitch in.
Anonymous wrote:So YOU'RE the one! I've never met anyone who thought the EC model was a good idea, you are as rare as a leprechaun with a pot of gold
LOL! Yep, that's me! My reasons for supporting the EC model are pretty simple - continuity. Middle schoolers are the devil's spawn. Seriously. They are hormonal, out of control, evil creatures who try to suck the life blood out of you. (Bear in mind I have a rising 7th grader and a rising 5th grader...they're evil beasts...) In the EC model, ideally you have those students surrounded by staff who have known them since they were cute, sweet cherubs. The staff know their personalities and how to handle them as they go through the awkward transition from Kid to Teenager in a way that (from what I've seen) minimizes some of the issues that arise during those years. Additionally, as I mentioned, we've seen a difference in the test scores of kids who were at West from Early Childhood and stayed thru MS, vs those who came into West in 3rd, 4th, etc. Those who were with the program from the beginning score higher.
Anonymous wrote:There are far worse ideas out there. While I'm in the camp of a separate middle school, there are some attractive features of the EC model. I'd love to have a great middle school, but right now, West at least provides a known and acceptable option. 60% of 8th graders got HS credit for Algebra.
Also, I happen to be the product of a K-8 school - I didn't know what middle school was until much later in life.
I'm also the product of a K-8 (West actually...again, I may be biased) and also didn't know what MS was until after I went to High School. I believe it should remain an option - let parents choose which is better for their children. Some will do better in the EC model, some in a free-standing MS model. I would like to see both offered, and believe there is a large enough student base to support both.
One clarification on the 60% of 8th graders that got HS credit...that 60% were ALL of the 8th graders who took Algebra this year (not every 8th grader took the class).
OK - going to put down my West Cheer Pom-Poms for now - although if anyone would like to volunteer to help us rebuild our cheer team, we need help there too!!!!! LOL
Morning All,
I'm a current West parent (rising 5th & 7th graders) as well as a West Alumna and current Treasurer of the West Parent Organization.
West is a school that is definitely on its way back up. Historically it's been a great school, blue-ribbon award winning, top test scores, etc. However when the neighborhood aged the enrollment declined and so did everything else, until it was on the verge of closure. In the last 5 - 6 years however the school has made some significant changes and improvements, including a serious jump in enrollment, which has lead to more funding, which has led to more programs - sadly in our DCPS system butts in the seats determine how much cash you get.
I have to give *much* kudos to the current principal - and I say this as someone who got off to a pretty rough start with her when she came on board. But her leadership and creative methods of enhancing programming despite budget shortfalls has led to some awesome enhancements for the kids. Most notably (in my opinion) is a Preferred Activity Class (PAC) program where teachers and volunteers choose a subject they are particularly passionate about and teach an elective course on it - these are subjects like Step Dance, Yoga, Cooking, Knitting, Choir, and more - I personally taught a Creative Writing class this past semester. It's a way to bring an expanded curriculum to the school even without funding for it.
There's a focused plan each year for motivating students and increasing test scores, but from the kids' perspective it's not about "We have to score high on the tests for the school" it's more of "I want to beat my own scores because Ms. Fill-In-The-Blank-Teacher said I can do even better than I did last time." They actually believe that - at least my kids do.
There is absolutely more improvements that can be done, but I have to say right now is an exciting time at the school because we have some seriously invested and involved parents and staff members who are determined to see good changes. There's also room right now for new ideas and they are welcomed - not that every idea can be implemented, but they're all up for discussion.
As to the ES/MS/HS feeder pattern, personally I'm a proponent of the Education Campus Model and will be pretty sad to see it go away all together - I like the idea of my kids staying in one school with a solid MS program built in, but would very much like to see a good MS option in our neighborhood. We've also noticed there's a SERIOUS difference in the scores between kids who came to West in Early Childhood grades and STAYED thru the 8th grade vs those who transferred in later...something to be said for the continuity of education in one school.
My two cents - happy to answer any questions, admittedly I'm a happy parent so maybe a little biased
I'm a current West parent (rising 5th & 7th graders) as well as a West Alumna and current Treasurer of the West Parent Organization.
West is a school that is definitely on its way back up. Historically it's been a great school, blue-ribbon award winning, top test scores, etc. However when the neighborhood aged the enrollment declined and so did everything else, until it was on the verge of closure. In the last 5 - 6 years however the school has made some significant changes and improvements, including a serious jump in enrollment, which has lead to more funding, which has led to more programs - sadly in our DCPS system butts in the seats determine how much cash you get.
I have to give *much* kudos to the current principal - and I say this as someone who got off to a pretty rough start with her when she came on board. But her leadership and creative methods of enhancing programming despite budget shortfalls has led to some awesome enhancements for the kids. Most notably (in my opinion) is a Preferred Activity Class (PAC) program where teachers and volunteers choose a subject they are particularly passionate about and teach an elective course on it - these are subjects like Step Dance, Yoga, Cooking, Knitting, Choir, and more - I personally taught a Creative Writing class this past semester. It's a way to bring an expanded curriculum to the school even without funding for it.
There's a focused plan each year for motivating students and increasing test scores, but from the kids' perspective it's not about "We have to score high on the tests for the school" it's more of "I want to beat my own scores because Ms. Fill-In-The-Blank-Teacher said I can do even better than I did last time." They actually believe that - at least my kids do.
There is absolutely more improvements that can be done, but I have to say right now is an exciting time at the school because we have some seriously invested and involved parents and staff members who are determined to see good changes. There's also room right now for new ideas and they are welcomed - not that every idea can be implemented, but they're all up for discussion.
As to the ES/MS/HS feeder pattern, personally I'm a proponent of the Education Campus Model and will be pretty sad to see it go away all together - I like the idea of my kids staying in one school with a solid MS program built in, but would very much like to see a good MS option in our neighborhood. We've also noticed there's a SERIOUS difference in the scores between kids who came to West in Early Childhood grades and STAYED thru the 8th grade vs those who transferred in later...something to be said for the continuity of education in one school.
My two cents - happy to answer any questions, admittedly I'm a happy parent so maybe a little biased
Has anyone else seen the revised DCPS Permission Slips?? I received one for the first time Friday and have to say that if this is required, my kids won't be allowed to go on field trips this year. It is basically a blanket release form that states if ANYTHING happens on a trip, DCPS and its employees aren't liable. Does anyone else have a problem with this? Here's the specific text that is bothering me:
"I agree to release and not to sue the District of Columbia or any agency, employee, officer, agent, or representative of the District of Columbia in regard to any and all claims, liabilities, suits or expenses (hereafter collectively "claims") including claims caused or alleged to be caused by negligence, for any injury, damage, or other loss to me or my child in any way connected with my child's participation in the activity/field trip listed above. I agree to waive all claims I or my child may have against the District of Columbia or any agency, employee, officer, agent, or representative of the District of Columbia arising out of or in any way relating to the activity/field trip listed above and agree that neither I, nor anyone acting on my behalf, will make a claim or file a lawsuit against the District of Columbia or any agency, employee, officer, agent, or representative of the District of Columbia arising out of or in any way relating to the activity/field trip listed above.
I agree to discharge, indemnify and hold harmless the District of Columbia; any agency, employee, officer, agent or representative of the District of Columbia; and all sponsors and participating volunteer organizations and their agents, employees and representatives, from all claims, demands, actions or judgments which I, or my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns may have for any and all injuries and damages, known or unknown, caused by or arising out of the activity/field trip listed above.
I have carefully read, understand and voluntarily sign this document and acknowledge that it shall be effective and binding upon me, my child and other family members and my heirs, executors, representatives and estate."
"I agree to release and not to sue the District of Columbia or any agency, employee, officer, agent, or representative of the District of Columbia in regard to any and all claims, liabilities, suits or expenses (hereafter collectively "claims") including claims caused or alleged to be caused by negligence, for any injury, damage, or other loss to me or my child in any way connected with my child's participation in the activity/field trip listed above. I agree to waive all claims I or my child may have against the District of Columbia or any agency, employee, officer, agent, or representative of the District of Columbia arising out of or in any way relating to the activity/field trip listed above and agree that neither I, nor anyone acting on my behalf, will make a claim or file a lawsuit against the District of Columbia or any agency, employee, officer, agent, or representative of the District of Columbia arising out of or in any way relating to the activity/field trip listed above.
I agree to discharge, indemnify and hold harmless the District of Columbia; any agency, employee, officer, agent or representative of the District of Columbia; and all sponsors and participating volunteer organizations and their agents, employees and representatives, from all claims, demands, actions or judgments which I, or my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns may have for any and all injuries and damages, known or unknown, caused by or arising out of the activity/field trip listed above.
I have carefully read, understand and voluntarily sign this document and acknowledge that it shall be effective and binding upon me, my child and other family members and my heirs, executors, representatives and estate."