60% going abroad? That is very ambitious for a school that has low reading proficiency rates. What is the plan to carry out that enormous task?

So, no information was given as to how these goals would be carried out? What was the point of creating these goals without any benchmarks? I wonder if the lower SES parents participated in any of this.

PP here. Unimpressive. Maybe I have high standards but I expect a principal of an elementary school to be dynamic, enthusiastic and give helpful information. This was my impression from both an open house and the state of the school. I don't want to jump to any conclusions - her strengths could be in other areas but I wanted some Oomph!
Vision is: Bancroft is a diverse and vibrant community of learners preparing all students to be high achieving, bilingual global citizens who lead in the 21st century. The ambitions were outlined above. Again, it sounds fantastic but I am just not confident that it is going to happen (and HOW it is going to happen). I hope I am wrong.......
Reasons why I think that we may jump ship too (IF we get in for PS/PK) - test scores (a long way to go!) which may represent general academic issues.
I am interested in why a previous poster is leaving......

They sent them home with the kids. Here are a few.

Proficiency rates are at least 75% on all major indicators
100% participate in learning experiences with an international focus
60% study abroad in 5th grade


I wish them luck but I am already planning to jump ship.

Anonymous wrote:The school's principal spoke and then a group of parents, staff and teachers presented the results of a task force that came up with Bancroft's vision for the next 5 years. It sounded wonderful (I admit that I got teary eyed listening to the group talk about the vision) but they did not talk about the strategy of meeting their goals. Somebody in the audience asked how they were going to do this and the principal's answer was vague (I find her to be unimpressionable). I would love and want Bancroft to be a good school (we are IB, love our neighbors, the neighborhood and I love living in the city because I don't have to drive everywhere) but I just have my doubts for years beyond grade 1 or so. I hope that they can make progress - the school has such potential with its dual language program and community.

This has been the story with Bancroft for decades, but people who live west of 16th Street usually balk or bail.

Anonymous wrote:The vision and goals will be posted on Bancroft's web site in the next week or so (www.bancroftelementary.org).

Um, okay. I thought that since someone was actually there, she could elaborate.

The vision and goals will be posted on Bancroft's web site in the next week or so (www.bancroftelementary.org).

Anonymous wrote:The school's principal spoke and then a group of parents, staff and teachers presented the results of a task force that came up with Bancroft's vision for the next 5 years. It sounded wonderful (I admit that I got teary eyed listening to the group talk about the vision) but they did not talk about the strategy of meeting their goals. Somebody in the audience asked how they were going to do this and the principal's answer was vague (I find her to be unimpressionable). I would love and want Bancroft to be a good school (we are IB, love our neighbors, the neighborhood and I love living in the city because I don't have to drive everywhere) but I just have my doubts for years beyond grade 1 or so. I hope that they can make progress - the school has such potential with its dual language program and community.

What is the vision and goals?

Were they mostly parents of very little ones? If I'm in first or second grade, this five-year plan is of no real use to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school's principal spoke and then a group of parents, staff and teachers presented the results of a task force that came up with Bancroft's vision for the next 5 years. It sounded wonderful (I admit that I got teary eyed listening to the group talk about the vision) but they did not talk about the strategy of meeting their goals. Somebody in the audience asked how they were going to do this and the principal's answer was vague (I find her to be unimpressionable). I would love and want Bancroft to be a good school (we are IB, love our neighbors, the neighborhood and I love living in the city because I don't have to drive everywhere) but I just have my doubts for years beyond grade 1 or so. I hope that they can make progress - the school has such potential with its dual language program and community.

When you say that you find the principal to be 'unimpressionable', did you mean to say that you find her UNIMPRESSIVE?

OR, do you mean to say that she didn't seem as though she's easily faced or influenced by others?

What doubts do you have about the grades beyond 1?

PS: Thanks for sharing.

Meant to say that you don't find her easily PHASED or influenced by others.

Anonymous wrote:The school's principal spoke and then a group of parents, staff and teachers presented the results of a task force that came up with Bancroft's vision for the next 5 years. It sounded wonderful (I admit that I got teary eyed listening to the group talk about the vision) but they did not talk about the strategy of meeting their goals. Somebody in the audience asked how they were going to do this and the principal's answer was vague (I find her to be unimpressionable). I would love and want Bancroft to be a good school (we are IB, love our neighbors, the neighborhood and I love living in the city because I don't have to drive everywhere) but I just have my doubts for years beyond grade 1 or so. I hope that they can make progress - the school has such potential with its dual language program and community.

When you say that you find the principal to be 'unimpressionable', did you mean to say that you find her UNIMPRESSIVE?

OR, do you mean to say that she didn't seem as though she's easily faced or influenced by others?

What doubts do you have about the grades beyond 1?

PS: Thanks for sharing.

The school's principal spoke and then a group of parents, staff and teachers presented the results of a task force that came up with Bancroft's vision for the next 5 years. It sounded wonderful (I admit that I got teary eyed listening to the group talk about the vision) but they did not talk about the strategy of meeting their goals. Somebody in the audience asked how they were going to do this and the principal's answer was vague (I find her to be unimpressionable). I would love and want Bancroft to be a good school (we are IB, love our neighbors, the neighborhood and I love living in the city because I don't have to drive everywhere) but I just have my doubts for years beyond grade 1 or so. I hope that they can make progress - the school has such potential with its dual language program and community.

Anonymous wrote:Would anyone who attended this be willing to summarize the main points and your impressions? Sorry I had to miss it!

+1

Would anyone who attended this be willing to summarize the main points and your impressions? Sorry I had to miss it!

Thanks for posting. We plan on attending.

reminder--it's tomorrow!

Next week on Wed, Jan 30, from 6-8 pm, Bancroft Elementary School is holding a State of the School event. The principal and parents will discuss our school's progress and where we want to be in 5 years. Although primarily for parents of students at Bancroft, this event is public. Potential parents and community members who would like to learn about our school and what they can do to help are welcome. The meeting will be held in the gym.