They've removed a bunch of the play equipment. Does anyone know if they're putting anything back in?

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know what neighborhoods feed into Bethesda Elementary?

this might help

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/planning/pdf/BCC_Arch_D.pdf

I heard the playground should be repaired by the first or second week of school. They tried for the summer, but didn't work out!

Does anyone know what neighborhoods feed into Bethesda Elementary?

I'm so happy to read this thread! We've just gone under contract on a house that feeds into Bethesda Elementary. It's nice to read such pleasant responses from current parents!

If everything goes as planned, DD should start K there in 3 years, when she's almost 6. Fingers crossed!

We chose Bethesda Elementary (refugees from DC) because, frankly, it was closest to the Metro and if we choose not to go private for middle and high school, we have solid public school choices (Westland and BCC). We were at first a bit overwhelmed by the size of the school and a few of its rules (parents are not welcome in the school at drop-off, in part because there are so many kids that even a fraction of the parents would clog the hallways). After an adjustment period, we've become very happy. The teachers are strong and VERY responsive via e-mail to even the smallest concern. The principal and assistant principal are fantastic. I confess I wanted a small school where, like the Cheers bar, "everybody knows your name," but here we have a large school where everybody knows our name.
There is a large spectrum of kids and skills in virtually every class. So, yes, there are special needs kids, then kids at every point thereafter, including kids in kindergarden who are reading chapter books and doing math in their head. We're not among them, but there seem to be lots. The aides of the special needs kids seem to keep their charges in line, and foster a sense of compassion and care-giving which is valuable, especially for kindergardeners. The aides also help other kids at times, too--I love the aide in my daughter's kindergarden class.
Lots of activities are centered at or near the school: foreign languages, sports, Girl Scouts (behind the school). We look forward to welcoming you to Bethesda Elementary! Now, if they could just fix the playground...

Sounds like a wonderful parent base as well too OP!

Love it here. We just moved to the area.
Impressive.
As For special needs, what a wonderful place to learn and understand acceptance and tolerance.
Having inclusion programs, a well run school, good teachers, principals and compassion for those with disabilities is not an easy thing to balance.

Anonymous wrote:So glad to see this post. We will be moving to the area this summer and our kids will be attending Bethesda Elementary. Good to hear the positive feedback. Our only experience with the school so far has been very friendly and responsive. Our kids will be transitioning from school overseas so I contacted the principal to inquire about enrollment and ways to help our kids with the adjustment. Not only did she respond promptly and in a welcoming manner, but she also put us in direct contact with teachers and staff who were able to answer additional questions that we had. I was very impressive by the level of responsiveness and look forward to being a part of such an active and welcoming school community.

They also try to match new familes form overseas with families from the smae country to help with the transition. For example, you are from Japan, they will have a japanese family get in touch with you-it is a vey international school as well.

So glad to see this post. We will be moving to the area this summer and our kids will be attending Bethesda Elementary. Good to hear the positive feedback. Our only experience with the school so far has been very friendly and responsive. Our kids will be transitioning from school overseas so I contacted the principal to inquire about enrollment and ways to help our kids with the adjustment. Not only did she respond promptly and in a welcoming manner, but she also put us in direct contact with teachers and staff who were able to answer additional questions that we had. I was very impressive by the level of responsiveness and look forward to being a part of such an active and welcoming school community.

My 1st and 3rd grader are at BE. We love it, very involved PTA and terrific principal and asst. principal. We have a ton of events like game night, dance night, a used book sale, new book sale, science fair (which is amazing since we have so many NIH scientist parents) and International night, just to name a few. We are known as an inclusive school so we have many special needs kids which all the kids have had in their classes since K. I personally feel that all the kids receive a lot of attention - they address kids above grade level, on grade level and below. You would be very happy at BE!

Anonymous wrote:10:22, anything more specific? what grades are your kids in? do all the classes have SN kids or are they specially designated? thanks.

3 & 5 and both my kids have had SN kids in them since K and it has never been an issue having them in the class in terms of anything. As a matter of fact both are kids are rather close to the kids. Some of the parents are taken back when they see a SN kid in a class but the hell with them.

The administration is great, very involved. the teachers are wonderful, you have some sweet caring ones and some that are tougher than others.

Hope it helps

10:22, anything more specific? what grades are your kids in? do all the classes have SN kids or are they specially designated? thanks.

Are kids are doing great there and we love the school. It is a great place for SN kids and for the kids who are above grade seem to be doing just fine-at least ours are doing well.

We are thinking of buying a house in the BE (and then Westland/BCC) area but I'm having a really hard time finding any information about what BE is like now. My son would be going there for 3rd grade after 2 years at Rosemary Hills, but the area is switching to BE and so my two younger kids would go there for their whole elementary school time. Thoughts on the personality of the school? How are the kids and families? I read a few reviews that said the special needs kids get all the attention and the rest of the kids (especially those that are ahead for their age/grade) get left behind. Is that true? I would really appreciate any feedback or thoughts -- both about the good and the bad. Thanks!