Anonymous
03/08/2016 10:48
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:thank you parent for keeping us informed. I think what is most frustrating to me is that they could save us all some stress by putting on their website that due to unforeseen circumstances notification has been delayed and everyone will be notified by x date. that would save them from being inundated with phone calls. mine still has yet to be returned.
This is what is frustrating to me as well. Why wouldn't' they just send a quick email with a revised timeline? That would save us all from the guesswork and the frustration. I do think they need to make these decisions soon as we were told first week of March.
Parent back. I don't know, but I have sent emails suggesting it. Josh is out of commission for the time being at the hospital. I suggested that they post something on the website or return phone calls or send a quick email to applicants who are still waiting for a response. I even offered to return phone calls myself to explain the situation when I learned Josh is at the hospital with his son. You could try calling direct to HOS, Dr. Johnson. She took my call yesterday but I'm repeating exactly what she said: Late retention contracts coming in; record applications; late new applications. They are swamped. This was totally unexpected and, being a small school, they don't have the admin. staff to step in in case of an emergency, which is why Dr. Johnson, herself, is involved. If I hear anything further I will post back.
Anonymous
03/08/2016 10:34
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
Anonymous wrote:thank you parent for keeping us informed. I think what is most frustrating to me is that they could save us all some stress by putting on their website that due to unforeseen circumstances notification has been delayed and everyone will be notified by x date. that would save them from being inundated with phone calls. mine still has yet to be returned.
This is what is frustrating to me as well. Why wouldn't' they just send a quick email with a revised timeline? That would save us all from the guesswork and the frustration. I do think they need to make these decisions soon as we were told first week of March.
Anonymous
03/08/2016 10:33
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
Sorry 10:27. I'm just the parent reporting. I did email Josh last night and asked if they could notify about unforeseen circumstances but he's at the hospital with his son this morning. I did email him this entire thread again last night and asked if they could email all those that haven't been contacted about what is going on but he can't from the hospital. I'll send this now to Dr. Johnson, HOS, who is working on this as well. I can well understand your frustration, but I understand where they are coming from too - it's a tiny school so they don't have the admin. staff to handle a flood of applications when retention is so high. Hold tight.
Anonymous
03/08/2016 10:27
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
thank you parent for keeping us informed. I think what is most frustrating to me is that they could save us all some stress by putting on their website that due to unforeseen circumstances notification has been delayed and everyone will be notified by x date. that would save them from being inundated with phone calls. mine still has yet to be returned.
Anonymous
03/07/2016 23:45
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
Anonymous wrote:Are the numbers also bad for the LS? What is their max numbers per grade?
The classes in the lower school are very small, although there has been talk of expanding it, but that would take Board approval, I believe.
Anonymous
03/07/2016 23:41
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
Parent here. 19:12 I'll copy this thread now and send to Josh but I know they are stressed by the high no. of kids staying and the unprecedented no. of new applications. Some of the continuing contracts came in very late as did some of the new applications, so they're caught with too many applicants and insufficient spots. He didn't respond to my emails over the weekend, either, so I just called this morning and asked the HOS, who is also reviewing files. You might try emailing him at Josh_Gwilliam@Commonwealthacademy.org. Good Luck!
Anonymous
03/07/2016 19:12
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
Yes, called Josh and left a message so still no news.
Anonymous
03/07/2016 18:56
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
[quote=Anonymous]so frustrated!! Still nothing!!
Did you call Josh? For some grades there are simply no openings. The Board keeps a very tight control on the no. of kids per class (never more than 10 in a classroom at a time).
Anonymous
03/07/2016 15:49
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
so frustrated!! Still nothing!!
Anonymous
03/07/2016 14:31
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
Are the numbers also bad for the LS? What is their max numbers per grade?
Anonymous
03/07/2016 13:32
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
Anonymous wrote:[b]I guess that also means that if you have not received a letter they are not sure that your child is a good fit.[/quote][/b]
Not necessarily. They are doing more winnowing down than they expected they would have to do because of this year's retention rate, and some of those retention contracts came in very late, which threw their numbers off. I would call Josh and ask him for a status report (that's what I was told to say to you). They sounded exhausted when I was talking to them so you may not get an immediate response to your call.
Anonymous
03/07/2016 13:23
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
Anonymous wrote:Did they say when they are expecting to know? Why would they not communicate that with parents when they know we are waiting?
No they didn't say. And I didn't ask. It's been a very difficult task this year because of the number of applications and the number of retentions. Decisions were made then had to be changed because more student/families stayed than ever before. I think, frankly, they are too busy making decisions to even think about notifying waiting parents, but it's a good idea. I was told to tell you to call Josh Gwilliam and ask for a status update. He can probably tell you when they will be done.
Anonymous
03/07/2016 12:40
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
I guess that also means that if you have not received a letter they are not sure that your child is a good fit.
Anonymous
03/07/2016 12:23
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
Did they say when they are expecting to know? Why would they not communicate that with parents when they know we are waiting?
Anonymous
03/07/2016 11:54
Subject: How Does Commonwealth Notify Parents?
Parent back. I just talked to the head of the school. Here's what is happening. Yes, some acceptances and denials were sent out on March lst by snail mail. However, the number of returning students' contracts caught the school by surprise (no one is leaving) and some of those contracts came in late. Retention is huge this year and there are very few spaces available at C/A in all grades. The school has the most applications it has ever had in its history and the fewest spaces available. 8th grade and 9th grade will definitely have waiting lists. Because there are so few openings, both Josh Gwilliam and Dr. Johnson are still reviewing some files to get the perfect fit for the few openings. If you want a status report, call Josh Gwilliam. Best of luck!