Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 12:07     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can a current PS3 or PK4 parent talk a little about the spanish?


Very pleased Bethune PK3 parent here. Probably right that teachers don't use Spanish 100% of the time in Spanish classes, but my child has learned a lot and is very interested in learning the language. Loves the teachers too. Initiates games at home where we switch between Spanish and English when counting, naming shapes and colors, etc. and often wants to look up words on phone or Spanish-English picture dictionaries we have, so I certainly see that value of it being a brain workout and fun for a child who entered PK3 with English literacy skills above most peers. Who knows after several years, but I don't except real fluency since home support is just one parent who took middle school and high school Spanish. Unable to compare to PK3 Spanish at other schools... not sure there will be anyone able to share experience with both Bethune and another dual-immersion preschool program.


Thanks!

Is it full day immersion?


Approx 1/2 day. Whether morning or afternoon switches each quarter.
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 11:54     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can a current PS3 or PK4 parent talk a little about the spanish?


Very pleased Bethune PK3 parent here. Probably right that teachers don't use Spanish 100% of the time in Spanish classes, but my child has learned a lot and is very interested in learning the language. Loves the teachers too. Initiates games at home where we switch between Spanish and English when counting, naming shapes and colors, etc. and often wants to look up words on phone or Spanish-English picture dictionaries we have, so I certainly see that value of it being a brain workout and fun for a child who entered PK3 with English literacy skills above most peers. Who knows after several years, but I don't except real fluency since home support is just one parent who took middle school and high school Spanish. Unable to compare to PK3 Spanish at other schools... not sure there will be anyone able to share experience with both Bethune and another dual-immersion preschool program.


Thanks!

Is it full day immersion?
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 11:09     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
Anonymous wrote:Can a current PS3 or PK4 parent talk a little about the spanish?


Very pleased Bethune PK3 parent here. Probably right that teachers don't use Spanish 100% of the time in Spanish classes, but my child has learned a lot and is very interested in learning the language. Loves the teachers too. Initiates games at home where we switch between Spanish and English when counting, naming shapes and colors, etc. and often wants to look up words on phone or Spanish-English picture dictionaries we have, so I certainly see that value of it being a brain workout and fun for a child who entered PK3 with English literacy skills above most peers. Who knows after several years, but I don't except real fluency since home support is just one parent who took middle school and high school Spanish. Unable to compare to PK3 Spanish at other schools... not sure there will be anyone able to share experience with both Bethune and another dual-immersion preschool program.
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 11:02     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
Our daughter is in PS3 and her Spanish teacher is a native speaker from El Salvador. She does not speak English to them--at least I've never heard 1 word from her in English since classes started in September.

Students do continue Spanish after 2nd grade, but it is not full immersion.
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 10:56     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
Spanish becomes a daily class after 2nd. It's half-day immersion up until 2.

I never heard much English in my child's Spanish classrooms. They even spoke Spanish to me when I would pick up and drop off. It was a great opportunity for me to practice my HS Spanish.
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 10:56     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
So called immersion ends then, yes. My friend is fluent in Spanish and asked some kids in kindergarten basic questions like what is your name and do you like school and they couldn't answer. I thought it might just be a fear of strangers thing until he asked the same questions in English and got responses.
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 10:53     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
^^ and the spanish is over after 2nd isn't it?
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 10:49     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
The teachers in the Spanish classrooms spoke a lot of English when I visited and I've heard from others that they saw this too.
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 10:48     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
Can a current PS3 or PK4 parent talk a little about the spanish?
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 10:45     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
We just did our Round 2 list, and Bethune is our new #1. (Or 13?)
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 10:44     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
We spent a year at Bethune and love, love, loved it. Switched schools only because the commute wasn't working for us after we moved. Good luck to all!
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 10:42     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
We really love Bethune. The faculty and staff are so welcoming, and the school really is a gem.

I hope you enjoy the tour!
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 10:36     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
We're on the WL for K and my PS-3er got in. I live in the neighborhood and called last week to set up a tour - they're happy to have parents stop by anytime and told the principal would give me a tour! I suspect that's where we'll be going.
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 10:35     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
I'm a Brookland resident and current PS3 parent. Our child loves the school and we could not be happier. There is a low student-teacher ratio, and the teaching staff is excellent. We are also very please with the facilities. The building is an actual school--not a converted space like many other charters--and the classrooms are bright and open. There is also a wonderful playground.
Anonymous
Post 03/31/2014 10:20     Subject: Round 2: Bethune
Any parents have any thoughts about the school?

Is anyone WL there or have any clue if they have a WL?