I really like both of my kids' language teachers they're enjoying it.

Agree with other positive responses. My nervous sixth grader is off to a good start and we have been satisfied with the situation. Was very nervous last spring about the choice to attend, but am glad we did.

Yes- new principal has more of a handle on behavior. Like him a lot.

Agreed, we liked SSIMS under Bryant, but it’s vastly improved under Bilock. We have 2 kids there currently (6 and 8), and have only had one poor classroom experience (6th-grader’s math teacher, unfortunately). The classes are larger than I’d like, but my kids make the most of their time. We talk a lot about them getting out what they choose to put in, though.

My new 6th grader is having a overall good experience so far (and I have an 8th grader at another school for comparison). I have met and spoken with the new principal, and so far am very pleased. He has responded to emails, taken and implemented suggestions, etc. The teachers I met at BTSN seemed good (a few seemed great), and even with all of the construction going on my child isn't complaining about it. The only negative thing I've heard so far is about a bunch of kids misbehaving in art class, but I mean, it's middle school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS is all about social justice and no discipline. Middle Schoolers do better with strict boundaries and consequences but that is just my opinion. Middle schools are way more chaotic than they used to be and that is a big negative

There were a bunch of posts recently about boundaries and consequences like the ones on detentions and suspensions at MCPS.Are you sure you really live here?

Sure, but I'm a fan of the right-wing narrative that society is in decline and ignore things that contradict my prejudices.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that we are a couple of weeks into the school year, any SSIMS parents able to say how this year is going and whether the new principal has improved things at all from last year?

Dramatically improved

+1.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that we are a couple of weeks into the school year, any SSIMS parents able to say how this year is going and whether the new principal has improved things at all from last year?

Dramatically improved

Can you share any examples?

I agree - it’s been great so far. No fights, no reported issues in bathroom from my kid (ie no vaping etc). Reports are great - my kid is having a great year so far! I’ve heard that the teachers are impressed with the new principal too but I do not know specific details.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that we are a couple of weeks into the school year, any SSIMS parents able to say how this year is going and whether the new principal has improved things at all from last year?

Dramatically improved

Can you share any examples?

Anonymous wrote:Now that we are a couple of weeks into the school year, any SSIMS parents able to say how this year is going and whether the new principal has improved things at all from last year?

Dramatically improved

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the chances SSIMS will get some extra cash for renovations from this tax increase?

I mean, a lot of the projects that have been put off would be solved with increased funding. Eastern and SSIMS both have actual plans at the ready, but have not been approved for funding yet because every cycle the Board looks at the list of priorities and something else ends up in front of them.

That funding is earmarked for more CO admin positions, anti-racist audits, "leader in me" training, set-asides for the Kid's Museum, and electric school buses. The last place it is going is to renovate a DCC school or hire teachers.

The operating budget is a separate entity from the capital budget.

No separation. Capital budget is used for staffing too.

Source?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the chances SSIMS will get some extra cash for renovations from this tax increase?

I mean, a lot of the projects that have been put off would be solved with increased funding. Eastern and SSIMS both have actual plans at the ready, but have not been approved for funding yet because every cycle the Board looks at the list of priorities and something else ends up in front of them.

That funding is earmarked for more CO admin positions, anti-racist audits, "leader in me" training, set-asides for the Kid's Museum, and electric school buses. The last place it is going is to renovate a DCC school or hire teachers.

The operating budget is a separate entity from the capital budget.

No separation. Capital budget is used for staffing too.

Now that we are a couple of weeks into the school year, any SSIMS parents able to say how this year is going and whether the new principal has improved things at all from last year?

Anonymous wrote:MCPS is all about social justice and no discipline. Middle Schoolers do better with strict boundaries and consequences but that is just my opinion. Middle schools are way more chaotic than they used to be and that is a big negative

There were a bunch of posts recently about boundaries and consequences like the ones on detentions and suspensions at MCPS.Are you sure you really live here?

MCPS is all about social justice and no discipline. Middle Schoolers do better with strict boundaries and consequences but that is just my opinion. Middle schools are way more chaotic than they used to be and that is a big negative