Anonymous
Post 02/23/2017 16:11     Subject: Re:bilingual and immersion schools?
Not necessarily! There are immersion charters with strong facilities, like Yu Ying and LAMB, and DCPS programs with weak facilities.

What PPs haven't been talking much about is the quality of the language instruction (both in English & the target language) and whether programs offer dual immersion, or something like it.

My spouse and I speak several languages taught in DC's bilingual/immersion schools between us. Sorry to say, we haven't been very impressed with either the English or target language skills of most of the older kids we've talked to at open houses when school was in session. Oyster did seem to be ahead of the curve, but not by much.

Nobody seems to push to raise standards for language instruction and learning in DC, with a view to kids knocking it out of the park on IB diploma language assessments down the track. Why IS this? Because DCPS and DCPSCB set such a low bar that they're satisfied with outputs?
Anonymous
Post 02/23/2017 14:24     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
PP: Worlds apart in terms of resources, resources in the form of physical plant as well as the counselor, librarian, psychologist, art teacher, etc on staff.

This is true of every charter school. The funding is inequitable.
Anonymous
Post 02/23/2017 14:05     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We've been at Oyster for two years after fleeing Mundo Verde. Worlds apart in terms of resources, resources in the form of physical plant as well as the counselor, librarian, psychologist, art teacher, etc on staff.

For our family what makes the world of difference in comparing our two experiences at Spanish immersion schools is the professionalism of Sra. Berrocal (at the lower school.) As a former teacher, a fellow parent and advocate of bilingual learning she is an amazing asset to the whole community. Adore her ability to focus and offer advice- even though at times it can be tough to receive.

The administration at MV- and the overall unevenness of teacher talent- drove us away. There is an inflexible dogma from the principal which does not hold the best interest of students in mind. (eg. No considersation of moving students from a classroom, the execution of Responsive Classroom)

DC is learning, and thriving, at school.


So why are you still on the MV FB page? It's a little bizarre since you take every opportunity to badmouth the school here.


How do you know she's on the FB page?
Anonymous
Post 02/23/2017 13:47     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
Anonymous wrote:We've been at Oyster for two years after fleeing Mundo Verde. Worlds apart in terms of resources, resources in the form of physical plant as well as the counselor, librarian, psychologist, art teacher, etc on staff.

For our family what makes the world of difference in comparing our two experiences at Spanish immersion schools is the professionalism of Sra. Berrocal (at the lower school.) As a former teacher, a fellow parent and advocate of bilingual learning she is an amazing asset to the whole community. Adore her ability to focus and offer advice- even though at times it can be tough to receive.

The administration at MV- and the overall unevenness of teacher talent- drove us away. There is an inflexible dogma from the principal which does not hold the best interest of students in mind. (eg. No considersation of moving students from a classroom, the execution of Responsive Classroom)

DC is learning, and thriving, at school.


So why are you still on the MV FB page? It's a little bizarre since you take every opportunity to badmouth the school here.
Anonymous
Post 02/23/2017 13:02     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Mistreat in what way? Did you personally witness this mistreatment? How long ago was this incident?


Screamed and humiliated in front of his classmates. It was terrible to watch.

Thank you to the oyster parents for being respectful. This did happen, but I totally agree that that was one teacher. I have no other experience at the school.

It was really terrible and shocking however.


How long ago did this happen? If this did happen, it's very possible that teacher no longer works at Oyster. The Oyster parents on this thread have not attacked you, as you predicted. I think that its only fair that when you post about what you allegedly observed at Oyster, that you include when it happened and that this single incident was your only experience at the school. It allows parents with no experience with Oyster to view your post in the proper context. Otherwise, it sounds like you're trying to unfairly smear and attack the school.
Anonymous
Post 02/23/2017 10:27     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
Anonymous wrote:Mistreat in what way? Did you personally witness this mistreatment? How long ago was this incident?


Screamed and humiliated in front of his classmates. It was terrible to watch.

Thank you to the oyster parents for being respectful. This did happen, but I totally agree that that was one teacher. I have no other experience at the school.

It was really terrible and shocking however.
Anonymous
Post 02/22/2017 23:36     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
We are at Oyster- and very happy. There was a teacher last year who didn't use language that I believe philosophically is the right model for kids ... but guess what? That teacher is no longer there. The school supported and listened to all members of the community.

Having been at more than one school in DC, I am impressed by how integrated and seamless discussions are with the teachers, counselors, support teachers, and administration. DC feels that they are all one big team wanting kids to learn. I love that feeling!
Anonymous
Post 02/22/2017 19:33     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
Mistreat in what way? Did you personally witness this mistreatment? How long ago was this incident?
Anonymous
Post 02/22/2017 19:32     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Probably so, PP, but that doesn't change my mind that I would advise all potential applicants to Oyster to visit the school (especially when it's not open house). Also, feel free to talk to neighbors who went private or elsewhere. They might have some illuminating information. [/quot


Like what? It's an anonymous forum, so share.


I saw a teacher mistreat a student. On that basis alone, I would not send my kids there. Clearly it works for some, but I would not feel comfortable.

Granted this is what I saw, and others have different experiences. I know that I am not alone in my opinion on the school, but the Oyster parents tend to freak out if you say anything less than positive.


Mistreat in what way? Did you personally witness this mistreatment? How long ago was this incident?
Anonymous
Post 02/22/2017 19:25     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Probably so, PP, but that doesn't change my mind that I would advise all potential applicants to Oyster to visit the school (especially when it's not open house). Also, feel free to talk to neighbors who went private or elsewhere. They might have some illuminating information. [/quot


Like what? It's an anonymous forum, so share.


I saw a teacher mistreat a student. On that basis alone, I would not send my kids there. Clearly it works for some, but I would not feel comfortable.

Granted this is what I saw, and others have different experiences. I know that I am not alone in my opinion on the school, but the Oyster parents tend to freak out if you say anything less than positive.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2017 22:32     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
Anonymous wrote:Probably so, PP, but that doesn't change my mind that I would advise all potential applicants to Oyster to visit the school (especially when it's not open house). Also, feel free to talk to neighbors who went private or elsewhere. They might have some illuminating information. [/quot


Like what? It's an anonymous forum, so share.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2017 11:33     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
We've been at Oyster for two years after fleeing Mundo Verde. Worlds apart in terms of resources, resources in the form of physical plant as well as the counselor, librarian, psychologist, art teacher, etc on staff.

For our family what makes the world of difference in comparing our two experiences at Spanish immersion schools is the professionalism of Sra. Berrocal (at the lower school.) As a former teacher, a fellow parent and advocate of bilingual learning she is an amazing asset to the whole community. Adore her ability to focus and offer advice- even though at times it can be tough to receive.

The administration at MV- and the overall unevenness of teacher talent- drove us away. There is an inflexible dogma from the principal which does not hold the best interest of students in mind. (eg. No considersation of moving students from a classroom, the execution of Responsive Classroom)

DC is learning, and thriving, at school.
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2017 18:24     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
Anonymous wrote:Probably so, PP, but that doesn't change my mind that I would advise all potential applicants to Oyster to visit the school (especially when it's not open house). Also, feel free to talk to neighbors who went private or elsewhere. They might have some illuminating information.


Your children don't attend Oyster, so who cares what you think about the school.
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2017 14:11     Subject: bilingual and immersion schools?
Probably so, PP, but that doesn't change my mind that I would advise all potential applicants to Oyster to visit the school (especially when it's not open house). Also, feel free to talk to neighbors who went private or elsewhere. They might have some illuminating information.
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2017 11:32     Subject: Re:bilingual and immersion schools?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Strong language instruction emanates from two-way/dual immersion, not one-way immersion. The DCPSCB doesn't support dual immersion, claiming that federal charter law doesn't permit the practice (untrue, a number of states have passed charter laws supporting dual immersion charter programs without federal interference). They up beat on LAMB's admins on a regular basis for trying to offer dual immersion by courting Spanish speaking families. Until this changes, DCI can't offer serious language studies. Oyster can, DCI can't. [/quote

I wouldn't hold Oyster as an example for anything positive. That school is a mess.


We only lotteried for Oyster. Is it any worse than MV and DCI?


I'm an IB Oyster parent, and the school is wonderful! We are happy with the education our children are receiving, and they both LOVE the school. It's not perfect, but no place is faultless. That said, I really wish people would leave Oyster out of discussions concerning other immersion schools--especially when trying to bash said schools. Inevitably, Oyster's good name gets dragged into a fight that is not its own.


Come on. PP simply noted that Oyster offers dual immersion (best practices per immersion studies) while DCI doesn't because of the way the DC charter law is written and DCPSCB practices.



I would not send my kid to Oyster. If you say anymore, you will be shouted down by Oyster parents. I would visit the school and see for yourself. Try to go during a time other than an open house. It's eye opening. I would strongly advise pretty much any other school.


Lol--it sounds as if someone is trying to decrease lottery competition. There are probably 10 applicants for every PK and K spot at Oyster, so you probably won't get in anyway.