09:01 - IF FS does not reach the 380 projected enrollment, they will not have funding for the positions you list. The school's budget will be cut. DCPS is not going to fund all those positions for 120 students. Capacity is around 400. This is just one of many reasons why the HS is very concerned about the merger. The HS budget could be cut to fund FS.

Capacity is 400 students, I think.

Other schools that have the same low enrollment but big capacity and desire to turn their school around, do not get this same opportunity.

Anonymous wrote:Under the new budgeting formula, DCPS schools need 400 students to accommodate FT specials teachers. How is SWW@FS with only 120 students enrolled, able to have this many FT specials teachers?

1 FT art teacher
2 FT language teachers
1 FT PE teacher
1 FT music teacher

What is capacity? I think they could invest in a school they are working to turn around

Under the new budgeting formula, DCPS schools need 400 students to accommodate FT specials teachers. How is SWW@FS with only 120 students enrolled, able to have this many FT specials teachers?

1 FT art teacher
2 FT language teachers
1 FT PE teacher
1 FT music teacher

If the cap is 25, for a total of 75 MS, it is going to be difficult- almost impossible- to have the funding necessary to offer all the couses and options that make a successful MS. DCPS keeps cutting funding for small schools, so don't see how this will work from a budgeting standpoint - no matter what the new principal claims.

Anonymous wrote:There is a huge unmet demand for good ES and MS options in the inner NW. It would be great if they pulled it off.

I could not agree more.

Anonymous wrote:From what I hear 7th & 8th only have 12-14 students each at the moment, so that's a lot of individualized attention. 6th grade is at capacity.

Anybody have any idea what the cap is with regards to MS class size?

25

There is a huge unmet demand for good ES and MS options in the inner NW. It would be great if they pulled it off.

From what I hear 7th & 8th only have 12-14 students each at the moment, so that's a lot of individualized attention. 6th grade is at capacity.

Anybody have any idea what the cap is with regards to MS class size?

Thanks for the info, 7:57. Sounds pretty ambitious!

continuing, also noted:

New science lab. Kiln. Evening courses for parents.

Raised a lot of money for professional development and parent training. All teachers will get training to work with the school's low vision group of students.

Some notes.

The principal was adamant about making FS the best ES and MS program in the city. He recruited teachers with a lot experience to join the 6 or 7 returning staff and introduced them all alongside one of the new assistant Principals. (Other new AP and a few teachers couldn't make it. None are on the clock yet and a few are relocating and are not in town).

Clearly an excited and energized group of teachers. There is a orchestral music teacher and FT art teacher. The school's foreign language will be Latin. (2 Latin teachers covering all grades PS - 8).

A FT librarian ass't to maintain the library and media center.

The MS curriculum will 'match the strengths of the teachers' but is meant to have a college preparatory focus (i.e. rigorous) preparing students to be able to pass entry exam for any of the city's specialized HS programs. Science teacher seems quite keen.

Master schedule will align so that 2nd grader reading at 3rd level can join that group (and vice-versa if remediation is necessary).

In the words of the Principal "No child will be permitted to fail."

Very clearly telling parents that he expects them to be involved...and must to be prepared to pitch in on behalf of their children and the PTA. He was forming/assigning parent PTA committees on the spot.

More open houses on 7/17 and 7/30 (one may be exclusively early chidhood.)

There are two other FS friends right now where people have given feedback.

Bump.

I was also unable to attend and would really be interested in any feedback others have.

I was not able to attend. Feedback? Was it a good turnout? What are the plans for MS academics?