Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's been pretty well known within the ib program/students that the current principal is not a big supporter. i recall my dd telling me that the new guy "hates" the program. it's an excellent program with excellent teachers. it's too bad.

Half of the kids (if not more) are popping Alderall to stay up and handle the workload. I think the new principal realizes most of the kids are completely overwhelmed. There is also many new studies showing that AP classes are not what they thought they would be and it is not preparing kids for college they way they initially thought.

??? you on drug?

This is a parent problem, not a kid problem.

The parents are nuts. And while they may SAY it was their child's decision to enroll, I can't imagine how upset parents would be if they heard their child say, "I just want to stay in my neighborhood school and just BE!"

so glad my kids are not part of the pressure cooker - I've seen enough children on meds who were eventually hospitalized or who became school phobic. b/c THAT'S healthy

pathetic, foolish parents

You are ridiculous and have no idea what you are talking about

Speak up about what? She should not be allowed to resign?

Ok. That's very sad. So all the Bethesda super connected parents are not going to speak up?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard from a reliable source that RM IB coordinator is leaving RM next year. She is apparently very good - however the principal is trying to dismantle the structures she had put in. DC is accepted into RM and Blair. Based on this information DC has decided to go to Blair. Just wanted to let everyone know before they send in decision letter this week.

I wouldn't start stirring the pot unless you know the real situation.

- RM Teacher

What's the story from the inside?

that she wants a more prominent position - one that's more global

What does that mean? She has a very prominent position.

IBO I assume.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard from a reliable source that RM IB coordinator is leaving RM next year. She is apparently very good - however the principal is trying to dismantle the structures she had put in. DC is accepted into RM and Blair. Based on this information DC has decided to go to Blair. Just wanted to let everyone know before they send in decision letter this week.

I wouldn't start stirring the pot unless you know the real situation.

- RM Teacher

What's the story from the inside?

that she wants a more prominent position - one that's more global

What does that mean? She has a very prominent position.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's been pretty well known within the ib program/students that the current principal is not a big supporter. i recall my dd telling me that the new guy "hates" the program. it's an excellent program with excellent teachers. it's too bad.

Half of the kids (if not more) are popping Alderall to stay up and handle the workload. I think the new principal realizes most of the kids are completely overwhelmed. There is also many new studies showing that AP classes are not what they thought they would be and it is not preparing kids for college they way they initially thought.

??? you on drug?

This is a parent problem, not a kid problem.

The parents are nuts. And while they may SAY it was their child's decision to enroll, I can't imagine how upset parents would be if they heard their child say, "I just want to stay in my neighborhood school and just BE!"

so glad my kids are not part of the pressure cooker - I've seen enough children on meds who were eventually hospitalized or who became school phobic. b/c THAT'S healthy

pathetic, foolish parents

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard from a reliable source that RM IB coordinator is leaving RM next year. She is apparently very good - however the principal is trying to dismantle the structures she had put in. DC is accepted into RM and Blair. Based on this information DC has decided to go to Blair. Just wanted to let everyone know before they send in decision letter this week.

I wouldn't start stirring the pot unless you know the real situation.

- RM Teacher

What's the story from the inside?

that she wants a more prominent position - one that's more global

"Mentor" is in quotes because while it is suggested that they start as 9th graders, you don't know who your mentor is going to be until the middle of October of 10th grade so you don't know if your project idea makes sense.
"Mentor" is in quotes because although the meetings are set up ahead of time each meeting generally includes all of the mentor's students at the same time.
"Mentor" is in quotes because although at least one of the early meetings included time from class most are crammed into lunch and with 10 minutes to eat provide no more than 10 minutes for each student.
From stories I have heard, the "Mentors" are doing better than they did last year but the whole thing is still very much a work in progress.

That description sounds very much like the school's vision..sounds great!

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have any info on how the principal wants to change the program? I assume he will hire someone with that same vision. Two years ago they went to full school MYP which is still evolving. The 10th grade project used to be a big thing but now there are so many kids involved it is more about getting it done. Anything is acceptable. Teachers are required to "mentor" 3-5 kids each year.

Why is "mentor" in quotes? All meetings between 10th graders and project advisers are scheduled at the beginning of the year to ensure students have assigned meeting time/space with their adviser. Meetings happen once a month from September to February, and students keep process journals and complete reflections along the way, all of which they share with their advisers at these scheduled meetings. The personal project is also excellent preparation for the extended essay if kids are going into the diploma program. And it's not about "just getting it done" - if the kids take that approach, then it's unfortunate and they miss out on a great opportunity to create a project that THEY choose and that THEY are interested in. The project itself is introduced during second semester of their ninth grade year and students start working on it before they even start 10th grade. So it is a pretty big deal now, if not more so than before, because all 10th graders are doing it and it goes on their transcript.

Also, "full MYP" is the way the program is meant to be. MYP was never meant to be treated as a track as honors and on level classes are.

Anyone have any info on how the principal wants to change the program? I assume he will hire someone with that same vision. Two years ago they went to full school MYP which is still evolving. The 10th grade project used to be a big thing but now there are so many kids involved it is more about getting it done. Anything is acceptable. Teachers are required to "mentor" 3-5 kids each year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's been pretty well known within the ib program/students that the current principal is not a big supporter. i recall my dd telling me that the new guy "hates" the program. it's an excellent program with excellent teachers. it's too bad.

Half of the kids (if not more) are popping Alderall to stay up and handle the workload. I think the new principal realizes most of the kids are completely overwhelmed. There is also many new studies showing that AP classes are not what they thought they would be and it is not preparing kids for college they way they initially thought.

Really?? Are you for Real? New Principal is the messiah? How does the workload changes by pushing unprepared kids to the accelerated magnet IB program?

Or may be you want the other half popping Alderall?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's been pretty well known within the ib program/students that the current principal is not a big supporter. i recall my dd telling me that the new guy "hates" the program. it's an excellent program with excellent teachers. it's too bad.

Half of the kids (if not more) are popping Alderall to stay up and handle the workload. I think the new principal realizes most of the kids are completely overwhelmed. There is also many new studies showing that AP classes are not what they thought they would be and it is not preparing kids for college they way they initially thought.

Really?? Are you for Real? New Principal is the messiah? How does the workload changes by pushing unprepared kids to the accelerated magnet IB program?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's been pretty well known within the ib program/students that the current principal is not a big supporter. i recall my dd telling me that the new guy "hates" the program. it's an excellent program with excellent teachers. it's too bad.

Half of the kids (if not more) are popping Alderall to stay up and handle the workload. I think the new principal realizes most of the kids are completely overwhelmed. There is also many new studies showing that AP classes are not what they thought they would be and it is not preparing kids for college they way they initially thought.

??? you on drug?

Anonymous wrote:it's been pretty well known within the ib program/students that the current principal is not a big supporter. i recall my dd telling me that the new guy "hates" the program. it's an excellent program with excellent teachers. it's too bad.

Half of the kids (if not more) are popping Alderall to stay up and handle the workload. I think the new principal realizes most of the kids are completely overwhelmed. There is also many new studies showing that AP classes are not what they thought they would be and it is not preparing kids for college they way they initially thought.