Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 22:19     Subject: Re:Creative Minds or Stokes?
I don't know anything about CM but my two kids go to Stokes and we really love it. They are doing so well, the food is amazing, the teachers know us and are always communicating with us, and the school has so many activities and family days that I can't even keep up with it. It really does feel like a family, not just a school you send your kids to. Now, keep in mind that the thing about language immersion that not many folks talk about is that your kid is learning to do everything for two languages at one time. So... if your kid is not reading as quickly or perfectly as your friend's kid who is just learning English, then that is why. It takes a little longer for the immersion kids sometimes. My son is doing very well now, but at first, he was behind because of the two languages he was trying to learn. With immersion, you have to be really patient. Lots of DC parents want super quick results and if that is the case with you, I would keep this in mind...
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 22:13     Subject: Creative Minds or Stokes?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the above. Would like to add its painful for us for those who know her - and how caring she is - to read such negative things about her on this forum.


Bet the impressions would be different if she were some blonde do-gooder. . .


Puh-leeeze! Do NOT fool yourself. A lot of the parents that I've met who found her cold and totally disinterested-seeming are parents of color. I've spoken to several parents (black and Latino) who were at the open house I was at, they all got the same feel. NO, if she was blond it would be just as bad, do not fool yourself that this is somehow about her race/ethnicity/hair color.

And this whole thing about how "painful" it is for those who know her to read negative things about her on this forum? Seriously? She is the Principal of a popular charter school. Her perceived demeanor and the impression she leaves some parents with is totally relevant and is a factor that means something to some parents. I hope she's not as thin-skinned as her supporters - it makes it feel even more wise that we didn't even bother applying if the school has a lot of parents who are like "Ooooh don't say mean things about our principal"! Can you imagine if people felt they had to defend and try to guilt critics every time the Principals of LAMB, Stokes or Yu Ying were criticized? And I've read far meaner things said about them (especially Yu Ying).


And it's sad that 1) people feel it's ok to insult these strong, wonderful people. 2) the people who know them don't defend them. Maybe they are tired of people like you who don't know them just being petty.

I don't want you to say mean things about my principal or my school because they are not factual. I'd be happy to talk to your further on any perception you have, if you can to have an adult conversation about it.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 21:06     Subject: Creative Minds or Stokes?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the above. Would like to add its painful for us for those who know her - and how caring she is - to read such negative things about her on this forum.


Bet the impressions would be different if she were some blonde do-gooder. . .


Puh-leeeze! Do NOT fool yourself. A lot of the parents that I've met who found her cold and totally disinterested-seeming are parents of color. I've spoken to several parents (black and Latino) who were at the open house I was at, they all got the same feel. NO, if she was blond it would be just as bad, do not fool yourself that this is somehow about her race/ethnicity/hair color.

And this whole thing about how "painful" it is for those who know her to read negative things about her on this forum? Seriously? She is the Principal of a popular charter school. Her perceived demeanor and the impression she leaves some parents with is totally relevant and is a factor that means something to some parents. I hope she's not as thin-skinned as her supporters - it makes it feel even more wise that we didn't even bother applying if the school has a lot of parents who are like "Ooooh don't say mean things about our principal"! Can you imagine if people felt they had to defend and try to guilt critics everhttps://squareup.com/market/capoeirafitnessdcy time the Principals of LAMB, Stokes or Yu Ying were criticized? And I've read far meaner things said about them (especially Yu Ying).


Hmmm... Another school with a principal of color--a Black woman in this case. . .
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 20:47     Subject: Creative Minds or Stokes?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the above. Would like to add its painful for us for those who know her - and how caring she is - to read such negative things about her on this forum.


Bet the impressions would be different if she were some blonde do-gooder. . .


Puh-leeeze! Do NOT fool yourself. A lot of the parents that I've met who found her cold and totally disinterested-seeming are parents of color. I've spoken to several parents (black and Latino) who were at the open house I was at, they all got the same feel. NO, if she was blond it would be just as bad, do not fool yourself that this is somehow about her race/ethnicity/hair color.

And this whole thing about how "painful" it is for those who know her to read negative things about her on this forum? Seriously? She is the Principal of a popular charter school. Her perceived demeanor and the impression she leaves some parents with is totally relevant and is a factor that means something to some parents. I hope she's not as thin-skinned as her supporters - it makes it feel even more wise that we didn't even bother applying if the school has a lot of parents who are like "Ooooh don't say mean things about our principal"! Can you imagine if people felt they had to defend and try to guilt critics every time the Principals of LAMB, Stokes or Yu Ying were criticized? And I've read far meaner things said about them (especially Yu Ying).


She is a person of color.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 20:47     Subject: Re:Creative Minds or Stokes?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised nobody has mentioned DCI as a plus for Stokes.


Jury is still out on if it's a plus.


A guaranteed path through high school is always a plus. And certainly the bugs will be be worked out in the seven years or so before OP sends her child to middle school.


Every single child -- every one of them -- has a guaranteed path through high school. Put another way - No child is denied a spot in a high school.



It would be so cool if there was a way to save this post and see if this poster actually sent their kid to their current IB high school when they're HS age, all the way through 12th. More than unlikely.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 20:45     Subject: Creative Minds or Stokes?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:yes, but not a guaranteed spot in a good high school. that is quite a distinction.


You have zero idea whether dci is a "good hug school." You imagine that it is. That is what you guys mean when you use the word "guarantee". But it's conjecture at this point.


I'm at a feeder school and frankly, with all I have seen of DCI so far, I am THRILLED - no exaggeration - thrilled that we are guaranteed a spot. Of course it's possible the school will develop in ways that we're less excited about when our 1st grader is headed for 6th grade, but for now we are grateful beyond description for the direct pathway.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 20:41     Subject: Creative Minds or Stokes?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the above. Would like to add its painful for us for those who know her - and how caring she is - to read such negative things about her on this forum.


Bet the impressions would be different if she were some blonde do-gooder. . .


Puh-leeeze! Do NOT fool yourself. A lot of the parents that I've met who found her cold and totally disinterested-seeming are parents of color. I've spoken to several parents (black and Latino) who were at the open house I was at, they all got the same feel. NO, if she was blond it would be just as bad, do not fool yourself that this is somehow about her race/ethnicity/hair color.

And this whole thing about how "painful" it is for those who know her to read negative things about her on this forum? Seriously? She is the Principal of a popular charter school. Her perceived demeanor and the impression she leaves some parents with is totally relevant and is a factor that means something to some parents. I hope she's not as thin-skinned as her supporters - it makes it feel even more wise that we didn't even bother applying if the school has a lot of parents who are like "Ooooh don't say mean things about our principal"! Can you imagine if people felt they had to defend and try to guilt critics every time the Principals of LAMB, Stokes or Yu Ying were criticized? And I've read far meaner things said about them (especially Yu Ying).
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 20:41     Subject: Creative Minds or Stokes?
I can't speak to stokes, looks like a good school. We send our son to CMI and love it. He is thriving. It is a great place and very child focused I think.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 20:39     Subject: Creative Minds or Stokes?
Every kid in DC has a guaranteed spot in a HS. DCPS highschool. The comments about a guaranteed spot through HS make it should like kids who don't get in to a charter with a HS won't have a HS to go to. So it does matter if it is good or not. Every kid has a HS. Just some are good, some are bad. And it remains to be seem as far as DCI.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 20:17     Subject: Creative Minds or Stokes?
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the above. Would like to add its painful for us for those who know her - and how caring she is - to read such negative things about her on this forum.


+1
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 20:08     Subject: Creative Minds or Stokes?
Yes, but a spot in a maybe good high school is better than none, right? I'm not a DCI feeder parent, just think it is a plus for those schools.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 19:56     Subject: Creative Minds or Stokes?
*Good high school
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 19:55     Subject: Creative Minds or Stokes?
Anonymous wrote:yes, but not a guaranteed spot in a good high school. that is quite a distinction.


You have zero idea whether dci is a "good hug school." You imagine that it is. That is what you guys mean when you use the word "guarantee". But it's conjecture at this point.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 19:53     Subject: Creative Minds or Stokes?
yes, but not a guaranteed spot in a good high school. that is quite a distinction.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 19:48     Subject: Re:Creative Minds or Stokes?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised nobody has mentioned DCI as a plus for Stokes.


Jury is still out on if it's a plus.


A guaranteed path through high school is always a plus. And certainly the bugs will be be worked out in the seven years or so before OP sends her child to middle school.


Every single child -- every one of them -- has a guaranteed path through high school. Put another way - No child is denied a spot in a high school.