Reply to Oyster parents -- What do you love/hate about the school?

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Reply to "Oyster parents -- What do you love/hate about the school?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
How did your child take to the dual-language instruction? [b]Most kids are fine with it if they start pre-K with no Spanish or K with some Spanish.[/b]

Does your child use Spanish outside of the school? [b]Within our family. But not with other Spanish-speaking kids. All kids seem to speak English.[/b]

If you do not speak Spanish at home, how do you reinforce what your child is learning about the language at school? (Does Oyster offer any strategies?) [b]The school has not had any formal programs to help non-Spanish speaking parents. The PTO (not the school) is trying to do more on this with help from Spanish-literate parents and outside experts. About a month ago, one Spanish teacher volunteered to help teach Spanish to parents one night a week. Some teachers will offer small group tutoring for students once or twice a week after school for about an hour. There are a few clubs and afterschool activities taught only inSpanish like reading, drama. If you don't have any Spanish at all, consider sending child to private enrichment classes and summer camps.[/b]

Do the Spanish-speaking kids and the English-speaking kids enjoy interacting/learning/playing together? [b]Yes, but language is a false distinction. There are very few children with no English at all. English is the language of the playground and any time outside of Spanish classes. The school is very diverse in terms of nationality and ethnicity. (Unlike Arizona, you can't tell who is Hispanic or legal by looking at them.  :wink: ) Many families are already bilingual or mutli-cultural and don't need much language support. Most parents are very friendly and patient with each other when it comes to language. Children are often good translators for arranging playdates.

Is there good communication between teachers and parents? (I have read very mixed reviews of the principal.) [/b]Depends on the teachers. Some of the Spanish teachers cannot speak or write well in English. Afterall, they are not teaching English. In my children's experience, the limited English teachers have been some of the most organized and consistent communicators.

And any other insight would be great. [b]Art class is great. Teacher isn't warm and fuzzy, but my children actually use thinking they learn in art in other areas like math and reading. Artists covered are interesting and projects are sometimes very sophisticated. It is all in Spanish. She doesn't dumb art down for children. My 2 cents. http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=10138[/b]

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