Reply to Stokes PK3

Forum Index » DC Public and Public Charter Schools

Reply to "Stokes PK3"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]Anonymous wrote:
What's the issue with the PK program?

I guess it is all about what you are looking for. My kid has a foreign language vocabulary but doesn't know how to hold a pencil (because they are not emphasizing skills other than learning a language). They frequently have to separate the PK kids based on age (and size) because of behavioral issues... mainly older kids not so nice to the younger ones. They don't want to help your kids with ANYTHING. Not putting on a jacket, help in the bathroom, tying shoes... NOTHING. In fact they sent emails home requesting parents to make sure the kids can do it themselves or facilitating an easier option like putting velcro shoes on, and pants with no buttons. I think the student teacher ratio is about 9 to 1 and the teachers are overwhelmed with the small classroom sizes and the number of children.

So let me get this straight-- you think teaching kids to be independent and to learn how help themselves to be an issue?

From where I stand, the PK teachers are not overwhelmed with the ratio of kids. They have shown me that they have an amazing amount of patience and warmth. Even call me from time to time to tell me that my child did this or that today (always positive)... My child (PK4) certainly knows how to hold a pencil and is practicing letter writing almost every day. It sounds like that whatever your issues are with the PK program at Stokes, they could be handed more directly by talking with the teachers instead of writing about it on DCUM.

With as great as I think Stokes is, I fully understand that it may not be your cup of tea and you should probably make a plan to find a new school. what you see an an "issue" I see as helping my child to become more independent.

A prek 4 child is different from a PS3 child. [b]I am betting that your child didn't go to Stokes for PS3[/b]. I as well as other parents have spoken to the teachers and the issues have not been addressed. I have also went to the administration and was assured that the issue would be handled and it is not. I am all for children learning to be independent, HOWEVER, some things are part of their job. No teacher should watch a child struggle to get in and to the bathroom in time when there are bathrooms in the classroom. [b]No child should be bullied, fondled with, kissed, hit, etc. while outside playing because the teachers are too busy having personal conversations[/b]. [b]What is good for your family obviously does not sit well with mine[/b]. My issue is not with Stokes as a whole, it is with the lack of organization with the Administration and the [b]negligence by SOME teachers[/b][/quote]

I am the PP who said that my PK4 child is doing well at Stokes. I'd like to address a few things in your last post. 
1) My family has been at the school for 5 years now. I have an older child who started in PK. My now, PK4 year old was there in PS3, so I have many years experience with the school and the PK program. 
2)What child is being bullied or fondled, kissed or hit? and to use the phrase "Negligence by SOME Teachers". You didn't mention this previously and now you say these are your issues??? I'm confused-- I thought you had an issue with the school pushing independence on your child-- now you say he/she is being fondled or bullied and teachers are neglecting children...Please explain. 
3) Maybe it is time to find a better fit for you and your child. Many families are thrilled with the school-- and before you assume- I am not a parent who thinks there are no faults with the school-- I do recognize the faults and I also see ways to improve things like communication, etc-- but the good, by far, outweighs the bad.  You do not seem to like it at Stokes and another family would love the opportunity to attend. 
[/quote]

The fondling and kissing between students did not happen to my child. And since the two children involved were in two separate classrooms your PK child has a 50/50 chance of being in the class with either student. I'm sure if you specifically ask if any issue had been reported you will know this to be true. Talk to your room parents, I am sure they know. The bullying (or aggressive play "boys will be boys" according to the teacher) did involve my child. I didn't say that I had an issue with the independence. I said that is not for my 3 year old child. That is fine for the 5 year olds. In all I was referring to numerous issues in the school, some of which are applicable to me. I have said numerous times that the upper grades are ok in my opinion and that its just not for MY family. Some families (like yours) love the school. And its probably because they have never experienced any issues.

And if it were that easy to get out, I would. Its not like I can go apply at a school that I think is a better fit for us. The schools choose the families. The families don't choose the schools.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics