Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to FCC! Mount Daniel is just lovely — with only three grades, they really can focus on being a warm, whimsical, welcoming place for young elementary schoolers. My kids are older now, but I still remember their time fondly.

Each K class has a teacher and a full-time para, with students generally numbering 18-22. Two recesses a day, afternoon rest time, gym twice(?) a week, other specials mixed in. Each classroom has multiple stations/centers that the children rotate through; there is lots of time for play, and for learning through play. Teachers will assess students during the first two weeks; you’ll have a meeting scheduled with your child’s teacher to talk about concerns, areas of strength, etc. It’s a great way to set the tone for the year.

Class assignments will go out the week before school starts. In the Before Times, there was also a Meet the Teacher day. Not sure if that’s happening this year or no. All children ride the bus (and there’s an aide on each bus in addition to the driver); schedules and stops will be posted on the FCCPS transportation web page in the next couple weeks if they’re not up already. The routes don’t vary too much from year to year, so if you meet neighbors you can also ask them about the bus stop and timing.

Good luck settling in! Stop by the Cherry Hill park or TJ/Oak Street playground this weekend — you’ll find loads of parents who will be glad to share info and help you get oriented.

Hate to be the naysayer, but as a current Mount Daniel parent I’d warn OP to manage expectations in COVID times and keep in mind that some of the details pps are reminiscing about probably won’t be the same this year.

Well, sure. It almost goes without saying that there will be Covid-related adjustments to the schedule and physical plant. But it seemed that the OP was asking about the overall mission and vibe of the school. Are you saying that’s noticeably changed as well? Do you think that’s temporary and Covid-related, or more of a long-term sea change?

We were new to the school last year so I can’t speak to the actual degree that it’s changed but from our short experience I definitely wouldn’t describe it as particularly warm/welcoming/whimsical? and easy to meet people like the pps described. I’m hopeful that this year will be better than last but doubtful that it will be near the idyllic situation that pps seem to remember. I’d also be prepared for potentially larger than normal kindergarten classes given the atypical number of redshirts.

As a former FCC resident, I would say it's only welcoming and idyllic to *some* people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to FCC! Mount Daniel is just lovely — with only three grades, they really can focus on being a warm, whimsical, welcoming place for young elementary schoolers. My kids are older now, but I still remember their time fondly.

Each K class has a teacher and a full-time para, with students generally numbering 18-22. Two recesses a day, afternoon rest time, gym twice(?) a week, other specials mixed in. Each classroom has multiple stations/centers that the children rotate through; there is lots of time for play, and for learning through play. Teachers will assess students during the first two weeks; you’ll have a meeting scheduled with your child’s teacher to talk about concerns, areas of strength, etc. It’s a great way to set the tone for the year.

Class assignments will go out the week before school starts. In the Before Times, there was also a Meet the Teacher day. Not sure if that’s happening this year or no. All children ride the bus (and there’s an aide on each bus in addition to the driver); schedules and stops will be posted on the FCCPS transportation web page in the next couple weeks if they’re not up already. The routes don’t vary too much from year to year, so if you meet neighbors you can also ask them about the bus stop and timing.

Good luck settling in! Stop by the Cherry Hill park or TJ/Oak Street playground this weekend — you’ll find loads of parents who will be glad to share info and help you get oriented.

Hate to be the naysayer, but as a current Mount Daniel parent I’d warn OP to manage expectations in COVID times and keep in mind that some of the details pps are reminiscing about probably won’t be the same this year.

Well, sure. It almost goes without saying that there will be Covid-related adjustments to the schedule and physical plant. But it seemed that the OP was asking about the overall mission and vibe of the school. Are you saying that’s noticeably changed as well? Do you think that’s temporary and Covid-related, or more of a long-term sea change?

We were new to the school last year so I can’t speak to the actual degree that it’s changed but from our short experience I definitely wouldn’t describe it as particularly warm/welcoming/whimsical? and easy to meet people like the pps described. I’m hopeful that this year will be better than last but doubtful that it will be near the idyllic situation that pps seem to remember. I’d also be prepared for potentially larger than normal kindergarten classes given the atypical number of redshirts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to FCC! Mount Daniel is just lovely — with only three grades, they really can focus on being a warm, whimsical, welcoming place for young elementary schoolers. My kids are older now, but I still remember their time fondly.

Each K class has a teacher and a full-time para, with students generally numbering 18-22. Two recesses a day, afternoon rest time, gym twice(?) a week, other specials mixed in. Each classroom has multiple stations/centers that the children rotate through; there is lots of time for play, and for learning through play. Teachers will assess students during the first two weeks; you’ll have a meeting scheduled with your child’s teacher to talk about concerns, areas of strength, etc. It’s a great way to set the tone for the year.

Class assignments will go out the week before school starts. In the Before Times, there was also a Meet the Teacher day. Not sure if that’s happening this year or no. All children ride the bus (and there’s an aide on each bus in addition to the driver); schedules and stops will be posted on the FCCPS transportation web page in the next couple weeks if they’re not up already. The routes don’t vary too much from year to year, so if you meet neighbors you can also ask them about the bus stop and timing.

Good luck settling in! Stop by the Cherry Hill park or TJ/Oak Street playground this weekend — you’ll find loads of parents who will be glad to share info and help you get oriented.

Hate to be the naysayer, but as a current Mount Daniel parent I’d warn OP to manage expectations in COVID times and keep in mind that some of the details pps are reminiscing about probably won’t be the same this year.

Well, sure. It almost goes without saying that there will be Covid-related adjustments to the schedule and physical plant. But it seemed that the OP was asking about the overall mission and vibe of the school. Are you saying that’s noticeably changed as well? Do you think that’s temporary and Covid-related, or more of a long-term sea change?

We were new to the school last year so I can’t speak to the actual degree that it’s changed but from our short experience I definitely wouldn’t describe it as particularly warm/welcoming/whimsical? and easy to meet people like the pps described. I’m hopeful that this year will be better than last but doubtful that it will be near the idyllic situation that pps seem to remember. I’d also be prepared for potentially larger than normal kindergarten classes given the atypical number of redshirts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to FCC! Mount Daniel is just lovely — with only three grades, they really can focus on being a warm, whimsical, welcoming place for young elementary schoolers. My kids are older now, but I still remember their time fondly.

Each K class has a teacher and a full-time para, with students generally numbering 18-22. Two recesses a day, afternoon rest time, gym twice(?) a week, other specials mixed in. Each classroom has multiple stations/centers that the children rotate through; there is lots of time for play, and for learning through play. Teachers will assess students during the first two weeks; you’ll have a meeting scheduled with your child’s teacher to talk about concerns, areas of strength, etc. It’s a great way to set the tone for the year.

Class assignments will go out the week before school starts. In the Before Times, there was also a Meet the Teacher day. Not sure if that’s happening this year or no. All children ride the bus (and there’s an aide on each bus in addition to the driver); schedules and stops will be posted on the FCCPS transportation web page in the next couple weeks if they’re not up already. The routes don’t vary too much from year to year, so if you meet neighbors you can also ask them about the bus stop and timing.

Good luck settling in! Stop by the Cherry Hill park or TJ/Oak Street playground this weekend — you’ll find loads of parents who will be glad to share info and help you get oriented.

Hate to be the naysayer, but as a current Mount Daniel parent I’d warn OP to manage expectations in COVID times and keep in mind that some of the details pps are reminiscing about probably won’t be the same this year.

Well, sure. It almost goes without saying that there will be Covid-related adjustments to the schedule and physical plant. But it seemed that the OP was asking about the overall mission and vibe of the school. Are you saying that’s noticeably changed as well? Do you think that’s temporary and Covid-related, or more of a long-term sea change?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to FCC! Mount Daniel is just lovely — with only three grades, they really can focus on being a warm, whimsical, welcoming place for young elementary schoolers. My kids are older now, but I still remember their time fondly.

Each K class has a teacher and a full-time para, with students generally numbering 18-22. Two recesses a day, afternoon rest time, gym twice(?) a week, other specials mixed in. Each classroom has multiple stations/centers that the children rotate through; there is lots of time for play, and for learning through play. Teachers will assess students during the first two weeks; you’ll have a meeting scheduled with your child’s teacher to talk about concerns, areas of strength, etc. It’s a great way to set the tone for the year.

Class assignments will go out the week before school starts. In the Before Times, there was also a Meet the Teacher day. Not sure if that’s happening this year or no. All children ride the bus (and there’s an aide on each bus in addition to the driver); schedules and stops will be posted on the FCCPS transportation web page in the next couple weeks if they’re not up already. The routes don’t vary too much from year to year, so if you meet neighbors you can also ask them about the bus stop and timing.

Good luck settling in! Stop by the Cherry Hill park or TJ/Oak Street playground this weekend — you’ll find loads of parents who will be glad to share info and help you get oriented.

Hate to be the naysayer, but as a current Mount Daniel parent I’d warn OP to manage expectations in COVID times and keep in mind that some of the details pps are reminiscing about probably won’t be the same this year.

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to FCC! Mount Daniel is just lovely — with only three grades, they really can focus on being a warm, whimsical, welcoming place for young elementary schoolers. My kids are older now, but I still remember their time fondly.

Each K class has a teacher and a full-time para, with students generally numbering 18-22. Two recesses a day, afternoon rest time, gym twice(?) a week, other specials mixed in. Each classroom has multiple stations/centers that the children rotate through; there is lots of time for play, and for learning through play. Teachers will assess students during the first two weeks; you’ll have a meeting scheduled with your child’s teacher to talk about concerns, areas of strength, etc. It’s a great way to set the tone for the year.

Class assignments will go out the week before school starts. In the Before Times, there was also a Meet the Teacher day. Not sure if that’s happening this year or no. All children ride the bus (and there’s an aide on each bus in addition to the driver); schedules and stops will be posted on the FCCPS transportation web page in the next couple weeks if they’re not up already. The routes don’t vary too much from year to year, so if you meet neighbors you can also ask them about the bus stop and timing.

Good luck settling in! Stop by the Cherry Hill park or TJ/Oak Street playground this weekend — you’ll find loads of parents who will be glad to share info and help you get oriented.