Anonymous wrote:Comments about bullying date back to 2012. This was before the expansion

But they still had a lot of classes per grade then.

Comments about bullying date back to 2012. This was before the expansion

at my charter there are about 3-4 disruptive students per class of 30 (big Montessori classrooms). Partly because work is so individual at the pk-k level and partly because we are a small school and have dedicated special needs aids in each classroom (in addition to the teacher and guide) I don't think this behavior is a problem. But then I don't know because, as a montessori school, parents aren't in the classroom much . . .

I will say that one of the disruptive students from last year is not one of them this year, which is how it should work if the school is especially good and the disruptive child not severely disturbed. I will also say that any child can go through a phase of acting up, and it matters much how kindly, respectively, and consistently the school addresses it.

I think it can be a problem at any school and matters most how equipped the school is to help teachers (new and experienced) address the disruptive students. Ideally special needs students (including those with emotional and behavioral issues) will be included in the mainstream classroom as much as possible.

Bullying is a whole different ballgame than disruption, and it sounds like MV is dealing with the later. i'd pull my kid out for bullying the school can't control but would ride out disruption at least at the pk-1st level.

Sounds like MV is having expansion pains.

I do agree it has a lot to do with their desire to expand so quickly as well as inexperienced teachers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are kindergarteners! In school suspension is not going to help.

Why on earth would a charter not have children with behavioral challenges? If anything traditional public schools generally have larger staffs and more experience. And DCPS is a large LEA with many options. A charter LEA isn't going to have alternative classrooms available.

Oh MV. You didn't build your wall high enough! Not nearly as many troubled kids at YY or CMI

I think, MV expanded to quickly by adding to many classrooms (and kids) to quickly. YY and CMI (the two examples you picked) expanded at a much slower pace and in different ways. Although YY did have a few issues with their bubble class they were able to nip it quickly.

Anonymous wrote:These are kindergarteners! In school suspension is not going to help.

Why on earth would a charter not have children with behavioral challenges? If anything traditional public schools generally have larger staffs and more experience. And DCPS is a large LEA with many options. A charter LEA isn't going to have alternative classrooms available.

Oh MV. You didn't build your wall high enough! Not nearly as many troubled kids at YY or CMI

My friend's child is in second grade and she said there were issues. She didn't seem too concerned but then she had no clue that the PARCC was a new exam last year so she may not be as hyper or tuned in as other parents are.

^^ Actions speak louder than words. We'll see if anything comes of the meeting.

Anonymous wrote:Another K parent-

There are four K classes at MV. We were under the impression our class was the only one that had issues until the school wide meeting on culture. Then it became apparent that 3 of the floor have challenging dynamics. 2 of those, with experienced teachers, seem to be managing and not allowing the disruptions to take away from the rest of the class. The other class has not as far as I can tell from DD.

Worse part of all? Would not have realized this unless parents discussed. Kids are not the most reliable conduits of information flies.

Hope new year brings calm.

But don't you think it is good that the meeting gave you a chance to discuss? At least it seems like MV is trying to address the issues. Although it does sound like there is work to do.

These are kindergarteners! In school suspension is not going to help.

Why on earth would a charter not have children with behavioral challenges? If anything traditional public schools generally have larger staffs and more experience. And DCPS is a large LEA with many options. A charter LEA isn't going to have alternative classrooms available.

Are there that many problem kids? Why aren't they removed from the classroom. I would be troubled if kids were throwing chairs and jumping on tables. I expect that at my IB DCPS but was hoping to avoid some of that drama
At a charter. These kids need in school suspension. Totally unacceptable.

Wish we were in your class! Any one but ours! From what we can tell, it really is the experience within the classroom.

Shocking/sad is that the children acting out don't have a history of this sort of behavior- both those new and old to MV.

Anonymous wrote:I am a K parent. Different class than previous poster, clearly. We are very happy with our experience including the climate in the classroom. We know mostly from our child, but also from another parent, that there are a couple of children in the class with obvious behavior challenges. But they haven't affected my child's experience, which has been wonderful. He sees some misbehavior, but class is clearly anything but chaotic. From everything we can tell, it's wonderful.

MV Parents, what do you think is the cause of the disruptions and poor behavior? Do some children get frustrated by the immersion aspect? This has me wondering if it'd be too much for my child.

Another K parent-

There are four K classes at MV. We were under the impression our class was the only one that had issues until the school wide meeting on culture. Then it became apparent that 3 of the floor have challenging dynamics. 2 of those, with experienced teachers, seem to be managing and not allowing the disruptions to take away from the rest of the class. The other class has not as far as I can tell from DD.

Worse part of all? Would not have realized this unless parents discussed. Kids are not the most reliable conduits of information flies.

Hope new year brings calm.

I am a K parent. Different class than previous poster, clearly. We are very happy with our experience including the climate in the classroom. We know mostly from our child, but also from another parent, that there are a couple of children in the class with obvious behavior challenges. But they haven't affected my child's experience, which has been wonderful. He sees some misbehavior, but class is clearly anything but chaotic. From everything we can tell, it's wonderful.