Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 13:32     Subject: Re:Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...


Anonymous wrote:
Not sure this seemingly negative publicity of Breakthrough is really so negative since it seems that they already filled their classes, going to only a handful of WL in PK3. Any lottery guru's here that can give me hope for higher 20s WL number? I might get a call in September, maybe?

We're still hoping for a spot too. We're in the teens for PK4.

We were in the teens and declined for PK4. So hopefully, you were next on the list
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 13:28     Subject: Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
Anonymous wrote:Not sure this seemingly negative publicity of Breakthrough is really so negative since it seems that they already filled their classes, going to only a handful of WL in PK3. Any lottery guru's here that can give me hope for higher 20s WL number? I might get a call in September, maybe?


We're still hoping for a spot too. We're in the teens for PK4.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 13:22     Subject: Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
Not sure this seemingly negative publicity of Breakthrough is really so negative since it seems that they already filled their classes, going to only a handful of WL in PK3. Any lottery guru's here that can give me hope for higher 20s WL number? I might get a call in September, maybe?
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 13:13     Subject: Re:Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
Anonymous wrote:It may seem frivolous to you, but as I stated, "it might work for some, but not us". I grew up in a city where every school had a playground. The conditions might be different but they had one. I understand that every city is different in regards to space but it's a personal choice. You don't have to like OUR decision but don't say it's frivolous because you don't agree. It was a legit concern for us when we don't have to move our child into a school without a playground. Now if our child was older than a toddler (pretty much) we more than likely wouldn't have any concerns but at this young age it is a concern for us. I didn't bash the school or anyone for still choosing Breakthrough. Just stated that we didn't and I hope we made someone happy that may not have another option.


I'm not saying it's not a legit concern - I'm just pointing out that it's not like there is a ready supply of good schools with beautiful facilities in DC. So to turn down a good school that you literally had to win the lottery to get into, just because it doesn't have a playground, yes, seems frivolous unless you have other options than many of us don't have.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 13:11     Subject: Re:Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm sure we made someone happy today because we declined enrollment there because of the lack of an outdoor area for the children to play. They're supposed to be getting a permit to walk 3 blocks or so for recess everyday. No thanks. I'm sure it works for some but not for us.


This just seems like an incredibly frivolous reason for rejecting a school. You must have a lot of options that the rest of us don't have ... this is a city, so something's always got to give when it comes to facilities!


Frivolous? Being concerned with small children walking several blocks to a public playground every day is not frivolous. There are legitimate safety concerns with this, and I'm sure they'll make parents sign some sort of waiver. After what happened at Franklin Montessori recently, I would never say that nothing can possibly happen. Sure, it's unlikely, but if I have other options (and I do), I will choose them.


PP here again. I want to add that given the overwhelming chance that nothing will ever happen, I think it is perfectly reasonable to be comfortable with this setup, I just don't think it's frivolous not to be comfortable with it.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 13:09     Subject: Re:Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm sure we made someone happy today because we declined enrollment there because of the lack of an outdoor area for the children to play. They're supposed to be getting a permit to walk 3 blocks or so for recess everyday. No thanks. I'm sure it works for some but not for us.


This just seems like an incredibly frivolous reason for rejecting a school. You must have a lot of options that the rest of us don't have ... this is a city, so something's always got to give when it comes to facilities!


Frivolous? Being concerned with small children walking several blocks to a public playground every day is not frivolous. There are legitimate safety concerns with this, and I'm sure they'll make parents sign some sort of waiver. After what happened at Franklin Montessori recently, I would never say that nothing can possibly happen. Sure, it's unlikely, but if I have other options (and I do), I will choose them.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 12:53     Subject: Re:Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
Anonymous wrote:It may seem frivolous to you, but as I stated, "it might work for some, but not us". I grew up in a city where every school had a playground. The conditions might be different but they had one. I understand that every city is different in regards to space but it's a personal choice. You don't have to like OUR decision but don't say it's frivolous because you don't agree. It was a legit concern for us when we don't have to move our child into a school without a playground. Now if our child was older than a toddler (pretty much) we more than likely wouldn't have any concerns but at this young age it is a concern for us. I didn't bash the school or anyone for still choosing Breakthrough. Just stated that we didn't and I hope we made someone happy that may not have another option.


+1. We didn't decline a spot, but we ranked Breakthough very low on our list for this reason, so we got in somewhere else. I just don't like the idea of 3yo crossing Georgia Ave on a daily basis.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 12:14     Subject: Re:Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
It may seem frivolous to you, but as I stated, "it might work for some, but not us". I grew up in a city where every school had a playground. The conditions might be different but they had one. I understand that every city is different in regards to space but it's a personal choice. You don't have to like OUR decision but don't say it's frivolous because you don't agree. It was a legit concern for us when we don't have to move our child into a school without a playground. Now if our child was older than a toddler (pretty much) we more than likely wouldn't have any concerns but at this young age it is a concern for us. I didn't bash the school or anyone for still choosing Breakthrough. Just stated that we didn't and I hope we made someone happy that may not have another option.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 12:07     Subject: Re:Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
I'm sure it's still going to be a great school but with having more time to think about enrolling with being on the waitlist we decided to go a different route.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 12:06     Subject: Re:Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
Anonymous wrote:I'm sure we made someone happy today because we declined enrollment there because of the lack of an outdoor area for the children to play. They're supposed to be getting a permit to walk 3 blocks or so for recess everyday. No thanks. I'm sure it works for some but not for us.


This just seems like an incredibly frivolous reason for rejecting a school. You must have a lot of options that the rest of us don't have ... this is a city, so something's always got to give when it comes to facilities!
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 11:48     Subject: Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
I remember when our charter school was new. DCUM ripped it apart too.

Must be a good sign
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 11:41     Subject: Re:Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
We're sticking with our current Montessori school in VA. We also didn't like that our child would be the oldest in the class with no opportunity to learn from the older kids which is part of the Montessori learning experience.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 11:31     Subject: Re:Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
Anonymous wrote:I'm sure we made someone happy today because we declined enrollment there because of the lack of an outdoor area for the children to play. They're supposed to be getting a permit to walk 3 blocks or so for recess everyday. No thanks. I'm sure it works for some but not for us.


Where are you going instead?
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 11:23     Subject: Re:Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
I'm sure we made someone happy today because we declined enrollment there because of the lack of an outdoor area for the children to play. They're supposed to be getting a permit to walk 3 blocks or so for recess everyday. No thanks. I'm sure it works for some but not for us.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2016 11:04     Subject: Re:Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Good question. And interesting how this resignation takes place after the enrollment deadline. I wonder the back story.

The ED who has now resigned missed a few of the accepted parent meetings a month ago because of a "family emergency." My guess would be that this resignation is related.


It looks like if you google him he started a church in Alabama in April. Did he intend to move ever?


Actually Arkansas...