Anonymous
04/03/2023 21:17
Subject: Re:Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Truesdell parent, here! Feel free to post questions in the reply. Don't see much about this school, I guess because parents aren't on these forums or we are just quietly satisfied.
Our kids (second grade, kindergarten) have had eight teachers at Truesdell Elementary and all have been amazing. Our son came home on his *first* day at Truesdell Pre-K3 saying, "Ms. S. loves me and I love her." Now his teacher offers specialized instruction to his needs and tailored enrichment at his singular reading level that challenge him. Never been disappointed in teacher passion and expertise. The school resources for field trips, clubs and extracurricular, and classroom activities. Our son joined the STEM Robot Club this year (with mBots the students are programming).
The diversity of the school is a huge strength. It's motto is "Excellence through Equity." Staff utilize tools like socioemotional learning and 'restorative justice circles' to teach inter-personal skills, on top of the great experiences our kids get seeing the world through others' eyes. The school has remarkable resources (funding, ELL teachers, social workers) that address needs of all students, as teachers teach academics. GreatSchools.org has the school at 9/10 for Student Progress in test scores, and it shows.
Being in-bound, we love this 'early action' school because it connects us to our neighbors. I grew up in West Virginia and consider it 100% necessary for my kids' education to learn to make friends with kids from all backgrounds. Our son and daughter have made numerous sweet friendships -- the community of families has been the best part of our time there!
New playground has been a gem! Come check it out if you haven't already.
Truesdell is getting a renovation/modernization in 2023-2025, and the new plans have cool elements: lots of outdoor space with orchard and nature walk and outdoor classroom space, expanded library, Maker Space, in-school daycare, etc.
The curriculum has begun piloting project-based learning for some lower-grade classes, I believe, which led to really fun class presentations for us parents: "Our Community Workers" from our kindergartener and "Symbols of Our Nation" social studies-style presentation for our second grader's class.
Our kids (second grade, kindergarten) have had eight teachers at Truesdell Elementary and all have been amazing. Our son came home on his *first* day at Truesdell Pre-K3 saying, "Ms. S. loves me and I love her." Now his teacher offers specialized instruction to his needs and tailored enrichment at his singular reading level that challenge him. Never been disappointed in teacher passion and expertise. The school resources for field trips, clubs and extracurricular, and classroom activities. Our son joined the STEM Robot Club this year (with mBots the students are programming).
The diversity of the school is a huge strength. It's motto is "Excellence through Equity." Staff utilize tools like socioemotional learning and 'restorative justice circles' to teach inter-personal skills, on top of the great experiences our kids get seeing the world through others' eyes. The school has remarkable resources (funding, ELL teachers, social workers) that address needs of all students, as teachers teach academics. GreatSchools.org has the school at 9/10 for Student Progress in test scores, and it shows.
Being in-bound, we love this 'early action' school because it connects us to our neighbors. I grew up in West Virginia and consider it 100% necessary for my kids' education to learn to make friends with kids from all backgrounds. Our son and daughter have made numerous sweet friendships -- the community of families has been the best part of our time there!
New playground has been a gem! Come check it out if you haven't already.
Truesdell is getting a renovation/modernization in 2023-2025, and the new plans have cool elements: lots of outdoor space with orchard and nature walk and outdoor classroom space, expanded library, Maker Space, in-school daycare, etc.
The curriculum has begun piloting project-based learning for some lower-grade classes, I believe, which led to really fun class presentations for us parents: "Our Community Workers" from our kindergartener and "Symbols of Our Nation" social studies-style presentation for our second grader's class.
Anonymous
07/14/2021 14:47
Subject: Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
to be known as Lewis Elementary, right?
Anonymous
07/14/2021 11:16
Subject: Re:Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I would go with Whittier hands down. Truesdell has high staff turnover. While West has an amazing school staff the building is very old. There's no telling how much mold or other arial bacteria floating in the air due to the old filters and pipes.
Why comment if you clearly have no connection to the school or community? https://www.petworthnews.org/blog/west-construction
Seriously- this wins for the most out of date/ uninformed comment I've seen on this board in awhile!
+1 this is why people shouldn’t believe everything that is said here!
Anonymous
07/13/2021 17:29
Subject: Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Whittier parent here. I agree with the advice to go with your neighborhood school. I also agree with PP that the West principal is great; Whittier's principal is also incredible and works very hard to meet the needs of all of our families.
Truesdell recently got a new principal that I haven't met yet. Their families and staff turn out for advocacy activities. Both Whittier and Truesdell successfully lobbied to get moved up on the modernization schedule in the Mayor's budget. Meanwhile West is getting a brand new building for this fall--great for them!
If you email me at whittierdc.pto@gmail.com, I can put you in touch with parents at any of the schools. You don't mention the grade but I'm assuming PK3?
When is the Whittier modernization planned for?
The current budget proposal has design starting at the end of 2024 and completion for August 2027. Still way too far off, but it's better than it was... CM Janeese Lewis George has been working hard on it, and the parents ran a well-organized campaign
Thanks! And is there a plan yet for where kids will go during the modernization?
I believe the plan is to use Sharpe (where West has been, where Dorothy Height is going this fall, and then Whittier after that). One of the major barriers to accelerating the modernizations in Ward 4 is lack of nearby swing space. The Councilmember identified three other properties that DCPS could buy or lease but no luck there so far. Whittier doesn't have enough open space on campus for modular swing space, either.
Thanks for this info!
Anonymous
07/12/2021 16:52
Subject: Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Anonymous wrote:I can't or shouldn't speak for West or Whittier; I haven't had any experience there. However I can tell you that:
1. Truesdell has a new playground that is used by over 100 students in the evenings and on weekends, and is managed by the community.
2. Truesdell had the largest in-person population of students during the pandemic in Ward 4; to include middle and high schools. Students reported from 8:30am - 3:30pm, 4 days a week.
3. The Truesdell Family/Teacher Organization is strong and and has advocated for a sooner-than-later modernization that will include an infant and toddler daycare center.
4. Truesdell's high staff turnover is a result of the district converting the school from PK-8 to PK-5; so naturally as the middle grades are eliminated, staff must transition out.
5. Truesdell's former Principal was promoted to an Instructional Superintendent. The new principal has over 23 years of experience, has led other successful elementary schools and worked in the central offices of other districts.
6. The majority of Truesdell's staff transition is a result of promotions.
7. The Family Teacher Organization regularly schedules playdates after school hours.
8. The majority of students that transition from Truesdell enroll in high-quality schools.
9. This year Truesdell will host a free summer enrichment program from 9-5pm.
10. Truesdell is also the districts flagship and oldest partner with DC Scores.
11. Truesdell has an award winning world language program.
12. Truesdell was one of the first DC Keys school.
13. Truesdell has partnered with consultants to incorporate a project-based learning curriculum with consultants who have extensive experience working with Two Rivers PCS for next school year.
14. My child is looking forward to the extensive enrichment program that will be available next school year.
15. Truesdell has hired a new Community School Coordinator for next school year whose purpose will be to build partnerships with the community and external organizations. That individual actually lives in the community.
16. They have invested $50K into a new community garden and associated student enrichment; an initiative led by the Truesdell Family Teacher Organization.
17. Students speak AT LEAST 5 languages other than English at Truesdell.
I hope these little unknown facts help enlighten you to what a great school Truesdell ES is.
Thank you so sincerely for taking the time to share this info. Sounds like a wonderful school and community!
Anonymous
07/12/2021 15:54
Subject: Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Anonymous wrote:I can't or shouldn't speak for West or Whittier; I haven't had any experience there. However I can tell you that:
1. Truesdell has a new playground that is used by over 100 students in the evenings and on weekends, and is managed by the community.
2. Truesdell had the largest in-person population of students during the pandemic in Ward 4; to include middle and high schools. Students reported from 8:30am - 3:30pm, 4 days a week.
3. The Truesdell Family/Teacher Organization is strong and and has advocated for a sooner-than-later modernization that will include an infant and toddler daycare center.
4. Truesdell's high staff turnover is a result of the district converting the school from PK-8 to PK-5; so naturally as the middle grades are eliminated, staff must transition out.
5. Truesdell's former Principal was promoted to an Instructional Superintendent. The new principal has over 23 years of experience, has led other successful elementary schools and worked in the central offices of other districts.
6. The majority of Truesdell's staff transition is a result of promotions.
7. The Family Teacher Organization regularly schedules playdates after school hours.
8. The majority of students that transition from Truesdell enroll in high-quality schools.
9. This year Truesdell will host a free summer enrichment program from 9-5pm.
10. Truesdell is also the districts flagship and oldest partner with DC Scores.
11. Truesdell has an award winning world language program.
12. Truesdell was one of the first DC Keys school.
13. Truesdell has partnered with consultants to incorporate a project-based learning curriculum with consultants who have extensive experience working with Two Rivers PCS for next school year.
14. My child is looking forward to the extensive enrichment program that will be available next school year.
15. Truesdell has hired a new Community School Coordinator for next school year whose purpose will be to build partnerships with the community and external organizations. That individual actually lives in the community.
16. They have invested $50K into a new community garden and associated student enrichment; an initiative led by the Truesdell Family Teacher Organization.
17. Students speak AT LEAST 5 languages other than English at Truesdell.
I hope these little unknown facts help enlighten you to what a great school Truesdell ES is.
Thank you for posting this. We were there for PK several years ago and back then it seemed like none of the UMC neighborhood residents ever considered the school, and nobody on this forum said anything positive about it. To be honest, we chose it because that’s what we got in the lottery and the commute was doable. We had great teachers and liked the (now former) principal, but left for our IB for K. It’s great to hear that Truesdell is doing so well!
Anonymous
07/12/2021 15:47
Subject: Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Whittier PP here: SO happy to hear from Truesdell families! I've enjoyed all of my interactions with staff, students, and families there in the past 
Anonymous
07/12/2021 15:06
Subject: Re:Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Fellow Truesdell parent, have had a great three years at Truesdell. I second all of the bulleted points above made about Truesdell. We have a great principal, great teachers, staff, and continue to be a hidden gem in the neighborhood. I continue to be a bit surprised at the comments from folks on this thread about Truesdell.
All three of these public schools are awesome, support your local in-bound school.
All three of these public schools are awesome, support your local in-bound school.
Anonymous
07/09/2021 17:39
Subject: Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Fellow Truesdell parent here who often follows the threads here to learn about what is happening with DC schools. I am often surprised at the comments schools such as Truesdell get from parents here. I had a really positive experience at Truesdell and glad we decided to stay as our in-bound school. Met the principal at one of the after school events and she seemed like she has a clear vision for the coming years. I know people here post about so many things, but we don't often give credit to the ppl doing the work and the vision for the work which makes it happen. Happy to be a Truesdell lifer, I would recommend following them on social media too to get a feel for what the school does.
Anonymous
07/09/2021 16:25
Subject: Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Thank you, PP! Educators I know speak positively about Truesdell, but you never hear parents or community members speaking up for it. I hope the school can continue reaching out to the neighborhood and getting more in boundary families to give it a chance!
Anonymous
07/09/2021 16:17
Subject: Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
I can't or shouldn't speak for West or Whittier; I haven't had any experience there. However I can tell you that:
1. Truesdell has a new playground that is used by over 100 students in the evenings and on weekends, and is managed by the community.
2. Truesdell had the largest in-person population of students during the pandemic in Ward 4; to include middle and high schools. Students reported from 8:30am - 3:30pm, 4 days a week.
3. The Truesdell Family/Teacher Organization is strong and and has advocated for a sooner-than-later modernization that will include an infant and toddler daycare center.
4. Truesdell's high staff turnover is a result of the district converting the school from PK-8 to PK-5; so naturally as the middle grades are eliminated, staff must transition out.
5. Truesdell's former Principal was promoted to an Instructional Superintendent. The new principal has over 23 years of experience, has led other successful elementary schools and worked in the central offices of other districts.
6. The majority of Truesdell's staff transition is a result of promotions.
7. The Family Teacher Organization regularly schedules playdates after school hours.
8. The majority of students that transition from Truesdell enroll in high-quality schools.
9. This year Truesdell will host a free summer enrichment program from 9-5pm.
10. Truesdell is also the districts flagship and oldest partner with DC Scores.
11. Truesdell has an award winning world language program.
12. Truesdell was one of the first DC Keys school.
13. Truesdell has partnered with consultants to incorporate a project-based learning curriculum with consultants who have extensive experience working with Two Rivers PCS for next school year.
14. My child is looking forward to the extensive enrichment program that will be available next school year.
15. Truesdell has hired a new Community School Coordinator for next school year whose purpose will be to build partnerships with the community and external organizations. That individual actually lives in the community.
16. They have invested $50K into a new community garden and associated student enrichment; an initiative led by the Truesdell Family Teacher Organization.
17. Students speak AT LEAST 5 languages other than English at Truesdell.
I hope these little unknown facts help enlighten you to what a great school Truesdell ES is.
1. Truesdell has a new playground that is used by over 100 students in the evenings and on weekends, and is managed by the community.
2. Truesdell had the largest in-person population of students during the pandemic in Ward 4; to include middle and high schools. Students reported from 8:30am - 3:30pm, 4 days a week.
3. The Truesdell Family/Teacher Organization is strong and and has advocated for a sooner-than-later modernization that will include an infant and toddler daycare center.
4. Truesdell's high staff turnover is a result of the district converting the school from PK-8 to PK-5; so naturally as the middle grades are eliminated, staff must transition out.
5. Truesdell's former Principal was promoted to an Instructional Superintendent. The new principal has over 23 years of experience, has led other successful elementary schools and worked in the central offices of other districts.
6. The majority of Truesdell's staff transition is a result of promotions.
7. The Family Teacher Organization regularly schedules playdates after school hours.
8. The majority of students that transition from Truesdell enroll in high-quality schools.
9. This year Truesdell will host a free summer enrichment program from 9-5pm.
10. Truesdell is also the districts flagship and oldest partner with DC Scores.
11. Truesdell has an award winning world language program.
12. Truesdell was one of the first DC Keys school.
13. Truesdell has partnered with consultants to incorporate a project-based learning curriculum with consultants who have extensive experience working with Two Rivers PCS for next school year.
14. My child is looking forward to the extensive enrichment program that will be available next school year.
15. Truesdell has hired a new Community School Coordinator for next school year whose purpose will be to build partnerships with the community and external organizations. That individual actually lives in the community.
16. They have invested $50K into a new community garden and associated student enrichment; an initiative led by the Truesdell Family Teacher Organization.
17. Students speak AT LEAST 5 languages other than English at Truesdell.
I hope these little unknown facts help enlighten you to what a great school Truesdell ES is.
Anonymous
07/08/2021 16:25
Subject: Re:Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Anonymous wrote:I would go with Whittier hands down. Truesdell has high staff turnover. While West has an amazing school staff the building is very old. There's no telling how much mold or other arial bacteria floating in the air due to the old filters and pipes.
Clearly you're late to the game. West has a gorgeous new campus that is finishing completion this month and reopening in august, across the street from the new LAMB campus.
Anonymous
07/08/2021 15:35
Subject: Re:Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I would go with Whittier hands down. Truesdell has high staff turnover. While West has an amazing school staff the building is very old. There's no telling how much mold or other arial bacteria floating in the air due to the old filters and pipes.
Why comment if you clearly have no connection to the school or community? https://www.petworthnews.org/blog/west-construction
Seriously- this wins for the most out of date/ uninformed comment I've seen on this board in awhile!
Anonymous
07/08/2021 11:40
Subject: Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Whittier parent here. I agree with the advice to go with your neighborhood school. I also agree with PP that the West principal is great; Whittier's principal is also incredible and works very hard to meet the needs of all of our families.
Truesdell recently got a new principal that I haven't met yet. Their families and staff turn out for advocacy activities. Both Whittier and Truesdell successfully lobbied to get moved up on the modernization schedule in the Mayor's budget. Meanwhile West is getting a brand new building for this fall--great for them!
If you email me at whittierdc.pto@gmail.com, I can put you in touch with parents at any of the schools. You don't mention the grade but I'm assuming PK3?
When is the Whittier modernization planned for?
The current budget proposal has design starting at the end of 2024 and completion for August 2027. Still way too far off, but it's better than it was... CM Janeese Lewis George has been working hard on it, and the parents ran a well-organized campaign
Thanks! And is there a plan yet for where kids will go during the modernization?
I believe the plan is to use Sharpe (where West has been, where Dorothy Height is going this fall, and then Whittier after that). One of the major barriers to accelerating the modernizations in Ward 4 is lack of nearby swing space. The Councilmember identified three other properties that DCPS could buy or lease but no luck there so far. Whittier doesn't have enough open space on campus for modular swing space, either.
Anonymous
07/08/2021 09:55
Subject: Re:Whittier vs. Truesdell vs. West Elementary?
Anonymous wrote:I would go with Whittier hands down. Truesdell has high staff turnover. While West has an amazing school staff the building is very old. There's no telling how much mold or other arial bacteria floating in the air due to the old filters and pipes.
Why comment if you clearly have no connection to the school or community? https://www.petworthnews.org/blog/west-construction