Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could those of you who were able to go to the office hours and tour this morning share any feedback? Did they answer any of your questions about the new campus? My child has a low waitlist number, and I'm hoping to learn more in case we get an offer.

We went and continue to be excited for the Fall. I didn't ask any specific questions about the concerns raised on this thread, but some of the parents asked similar. They are still figuring things out, so the people we talked to were cautious to commit to anything. But the upbeat philosophy and attitude toward the school, community and education really came through. That's enough for us at this point. We really got the sense they are working hard to make the new school as special as P street is.

The new principal is incredibly positive. She has seen Mundo P st. through all of the changes so she seems like a good person to get the new school up and running. I did ask about the playground and Turkey Thicket is a possibility as is improving the existing structure. The building will be renovated this summer. The principal mentioned a larger renovation in three years once the building is purchased. Opening a new school comes with many problems. I think people need to decide if it is worth it and how flexible they are willing to be during all of the changes.

We and our child are happy with our current school situation EOTP. Our child will be starting K in the fall. We played the lottery with just putting a few schools down to see any potential matches with a longer term strategy of middle school. But we are fortunate because we can go private in middle if need be. We matched with MV. I attended the open house today not expecting much and I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised.

The new principal of 8th St is the current director of the lower school at P. So not only does she know the curriculum well in the lower school but actively strategizes and shapes it. She was very dynamic, articulate, and responsive to all the questions asked. Although she has experience running a curriculum, she is young for a principal. Some people may view that as a negative. But I view that as a positive. She is not set in her ways. She seems very flexible, adaptive to changes if needed, and again very dynamic.

Yes, it’s a new school but the curriculum has already been made and tested. There are already policies and processes in place. It’s more the logistics of starting a new school, partnering established teachers at P St moving to 8th with newer teachers, and getting a whole new cohort of kids adjusted to a new school. One concern I had was my son only gets an hour of Spanish a week as specials now potentially being thrown into a full day of immmersion. But the beauty of the new school is that the majority, if not all the K kids, are in the same boat.

It’s like starting at MV in preK 3 except now the kids have had 2 years of English instruction, have a wide vocabulary of words, know their letters, sounds etc.. That foundation has already been set and for my son, I’m confident his trajectory will continue. At MV, he would need to deal with something completely different, all day, 5 days a week. Yes, it will be challenging but the kids will all be in the same boat. But best of all, these new intense experiences in another language will trigger an amazing growth of new neuronal networks and at this age, the kids are sponges and will absorb it all.

So now I need to have a long discussion with my husband about what we want to do. I had not anticipated this at all, and would never have thought going to the open house and tour would put us in this position. The big factor that changed this was the new principal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could those of you who were able to go to the office hours and tour this morning share any feedback? Did they answer any of your questions about the new campus? My child has a low waitlist number, and I'm hoping to learn more in case we get an offer.

We went and continue to be excited for the Fall. I didn't ask any specific questions about the concerns raised on this thread, but some of the parents asked similar. They are still figuring things out, so the people we talked to were cautious to commit to anything. But the upbeat philosophy and attitude toward the school, community and education really came through. That's enough for us at this point. We really got the sense they are working hard to make the new school as special as P street is.

We went and will echo what PP said. It sounds like 8th st will have 6 PK classrooms (3s and 4s together) and maybe 4 classrooms for K. Some of the teachers from P st will go over to 8th st, but they don't know how many yet as staffing has not been finalized. There was some discussion of how this will affect specials, but I didn't exactly follow it. There will be a bus, but not sure yet where the pickup spot(s) will be. A question came up about DCI or other middle school plans, and the future 8th st principal thought MV students would have 80% chance of getting a DCI spot (which is much higher than the estimates thrown around DCUM). She also mentioned that the MV charter goes to 8th grade, so there growth/middle school potential at MV too. Our group did not talk about how much the waitlists are expected to move. Those were my big takeaways.

So is there no notable difference between PreK3 and PreK4 curriculums? Is this common to combine the 3s and 4s?

My inbounds DCPS combines the Prek classes as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could those of you who were able to go to the office hours and tour this morning share any feedback? Did they answer any of your questions about the new campus? My child has a low waitlist number, and I'm hoping to learn more in case we get an offer.

We went and continue to be excited for the Fall. I didn't ask any specific questions about the concerns raised on this thread, but some of the parents asked similar. They are still figuring things out, so the people we talked to were cautious to commit to anything. But the upbeat philosophy and attitude toward the school, community and education really came through. That's enough for us at this point. We really got the sense they are working hard to make the new school as special as P street is.

We went and will echo what PP said. It sounds like 8th st will have 6 PK classrooms (3s and 4s together) and maybe 4 classrooms for K. Some of the teachers from P st will go over to 8th st, but they don't know how many yet as staffing has not been finalized. There was some discussion of how this will affect specials, but I didn't exactly follow it. There will be a bus, but not sure yet where the pickup spot(s) will be. A question came up about DCI or other middle school plans, and the future 8th st principal thought MV students would have 80% chance of getting a DCI spot (which is much higher than the estimates thrown around DCUM). She also mentioned that the MV charter goes to 8th grade, so there growth/middle school potential at MV too. Our group did not talk about how much the waitlists are expected to move. Those were my big takeaways.

So is there no notable difference between PreK3 and PreK4 curriculums? Is this common to combine the 3s and 4s?

Anonymous wrote:I am a little concerned by their inability to answer questions. It seems like at this point they should have at least a rough sense of how many teachers are transferring and how many are staying. The incoming principal of MV8 should have her facts straight about DCI (it's 60%, not 80%). They should have a specific concrete plan on how to address the outdoor play issue. The response to how are you going to handle nearly 300 new students was essentially, oh, it'll be fine. We all know there will be growing pains, and that's fine, but there's a difference between hiccups and chaos, and it's hard to tell where they'll be on that spectrum next year.

I felt like the response to the outdoor play situation was clear. It will be one of three options--redo existing play structure, use existing structure, or Turkey Thicket. Prospective families need to decide whether they are alright with all three options. The middle school question is probably not the most pressing of her concerns. The schedule/ curriculum/ school climate will be modeled after the existing program. Staffing is probably not complete. Many schools and districts are just beginning the hiring season.

Anonymous wrote:I am a little concerned by their inability to answer questions. It seems like at this point they should have at least a rough sense of how many teachers are transferring and how many are staying. The incoming principal of MV8 should have her facts straight about DCI (it's 60%, not 80%). They should have a specific concrete plan on how to address the outdoor play issue. The response to how are you going to handle nearly 300 new students was essentially, oh, it'll be fine. We all know there will be growing pains, and that's fine, but there's a difference between hiccups and chaos, and it's hard to tell where they'll be on that spectrum next year.

The reason they said 80%, not 60%, is anticipated attrition/students choosing non-DCI options. If every single person in the classes affected chose to stay at MV through 5th, and continue to DCI, that means 605 would have a seat.

The reality is some people will peel off for a host of reasons. And it's ipossible to predict how many.

I am a little concerned by their inability to answer questions. It seems like at this point they should have at least a rough sense of how many teachers are transferring and how many are staying. The incoming principal of MV8 should have her facts straight about DCI (it's 60%, not 80%). They should have a specific concrete plan on how to address the outdoor play issue. The response to how are you going to handle nearly 300 new students was essentially, oh, it'll be fine. We all know there will be growing pains, and that's fine, but there's a difference between hiccups and chaos, and it's hard to tell where they'll be on that spectrum next year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could those of you who were able to go to the office hours and tour this morning share any feedback? Did they answer any of your questions about the new campus? My child has a low waitlist number, and I'm hoping to learn more in case we get an offer.

We went and continue to be excited for the Fall. I didn't ask any specific questions about the concerns raised on this thread, but some of the parents asked similar. They are still figuring things out, so the people we talked to were cautious to commit to anything. But the upbeat philosophy and attitude toward the school, community and education really came through. That's enough for us at this point. We really got the sense they are working hard to make the new school as special as P street is.

We went and will echo what PP said. It sounds like 8th st will have 6 PK classrooms (3s and 4s together) and maybe 4 classrooms for K. Some of the teachers from P st will go over to 8th st, but they don't know how many yet as staffing has not been finalized. There was some discussion of how this will affect specials, but I didn't exactly follow it. There will be a bus, but not sure yet where the pickup spot(s) will be. A question came up about DCI or other middle school plans, and the future 8th st principal thought MV students would have 80% chance of getting a DCI spot (which is much higher than the estimates thrown around DCUM). She also mentioned that the MV charter goes to 8th grade, so there growth/middle school potential at MV too. Our group did not talk about how much the waitlists are expected to move. Those were my big takeaways.

That is interesting but I don't see how you get to 80% admissions. The real question is the chances for nonsiblings which seems to me quite low. And if your lottery number is a stinker, where else can you go?

Maybe 8th can operate a 6th grade class as a safety net for lottery losers.

There website literally says 60% "We estimate having 130 5th grade graduates interested in transfer spaces - resulting in a 60 percent chance of being offered a space at DC International." http://www.mundoverdepcs.org/admissions

Middle school is many years away and some things will likely change. Most people that enroll know these numbers and are ok with it at this time. Also, I am sure some of the 130 will select other middle school options (Latin/ Basis/ Deal/ Private).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else hear anything about expected waitlist movement? We're right under 100 and not holding our breath, but are holding onto a bit of hope.

What grade?

Sorry, Pre-K 3.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else hear anything about expected waitlist movement? We're right under 100 and not holding our breath, but are holding onto a bit of hope.

What grade?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could those of you who were able to go to the office hours and tour this morning share any feedback? Did they answer any of your questions about the new campus? My child has a low waitlist number, and I'm hoping to learn more in case we get an offer.

We went and continue to be excited for the Fall. I didn't ask any specific questions about the concerns raised on this thread, but some of the parents asked similar. They are still figuring things out, so the people we talked to were cautious to commit to anything. But the upbeat philosophy and attitude toward the school, community and education really came through. That's enough for us at this point. We really got the sense they are working hard to make the new school as special as P street is.

We went and will echo what PP said. It sounds like 8th st will have 6 PK classrooms (3s and 4s together) and maybe 4 classrooms for K. Some of the teachers from P st will go over to 8th st, but they don't know how many yet as staffing has not been finalized. There was some discussion of how this will affect specials, but I didn't exactly follow it. There will be a bus, but not sure yet where the pickup spot(s) will be. A question came up about DCI or other middle school plans, and the future 8th st principal thought MV students would have 80% chance of getting a DCI spot (which is much higher than the estimates thrown around DCUM). She also mentioned that the MV charter goes to 8th grade, so there growth/middle school potential at MV too. Our group did not talk about how much the waitlists are expected to move. Those were my big takeaways.

That is interesting but I don't see how you get to 80% admissions. The real question is the chances for nonsiblings which seems to me quite low. And if your lottery number is a stinker, where else can you go?

Maybe 8th can operate a 6th grade class as a safety net for lottery losers.

There website literally says 60% "We estimate having 130 5th grade graduates interested in transfer spaces - resulting in a 60 percent chance of being offered a space at DC International." http://www.mundoverdepcs.org/admissions

60 percent overall. But what is it for non-siblings?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could those of you who were able to go to the office hours and tour this morning share any feedback? Did they answer any of your questions about the new campus? My child has a low waitlist number, and I'm hoping to learn more in case we get an offer.

We went and continue to be excited for the Fall. I didn't ask any specific questions about the concerns raised on this thread, but some of the parents asked similar. They are still figuring things out, so the people we talked to were cautious to commit to anything. But the upbeat philosophy and attitude toward the school, community and education really came through. That's enough for us at this point. We really got the sense they are working hard to make the new school as special as P street is.

We went and will echo what PP said. It sounds like 8th st will have 6 PK classrooms (3s and 4s together) and maybe 4 classrooms for K. Some of the teachers from P st will go over to 8th st, but they don't know how many yet as staffing has not been finalized. There was some discussion of how this will affect specials, but I didn't exactly follow it. There will be a bus, but not sure yet where the pickup spot(s) will be. A question came up about DCI or other middle school plans, and the future 8th st principal thought MV students would have 80% chance of getting a DCI spot (which is much higher than the estimates thrown around DCUM). She also mentioned that the MV charter goes to 8th grade, so there growth/middle school potential at MV too. Our group did not talk about how much the waitlists are expected to move. Those were my big takeaways.

That is interesting but I don't see how you get to 80% admissions. The real question is the chances for nonsiblings which seems to me quite low. And if your lottery number is a stinker, where else can you go?

Maybe 8th can operate a 6th grade class as a safety net for lottery losers.

There website literally says 60% "We estimate having 130 5th grade graduates interested in transfer spaces - resulting in a 60 percent chance of being offered a space at DC International." http://www.mundoverdepcs.org/admissions

Anyone else hear anything about expected waitlist movement? We're right under 100 and not holding our breath, but are holding onto a bit of hope.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could those of you who were able to go to the office hours and tour this morning share any feedback? Did they answer any of your questions about the new campus? My child has a low waitlist number, and I'm hoping to learn more in case we get an offer.

We went and continue to be excited for the Fall. I didn't ask any specific questions about the concerns raised on this thread, but some of the parents asked similar. They are still figuring things out, so the people we talked to were cautious to commit to anything. But the upbeat philosophy and attitude toward the school, community and education really came through. That's enough for us at this point. We really got the sense they are working hard to make the new school as special as P street is.

The new principal is incredibly positive. She has seen Mundo P st. through all of the changes so she seems like a good person to get the new school up and running. I did ask about the playground and Turkey Thicket is a possibility as is improving the existing structure. The building will be renovated this summer. The principal mentioned a larger renovation in three years once the building is purchased. Opening a new school comes with many problems. I think people need to decide if it is worth it and how flexible they are willing to be during all of the changes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could those of you who were able to go to the office hours and tour this morning share any feedback? Did they answer any of your questions about the new campus? My child has a low waitlist number, and I'm hoping to learn more in case we get an offer.

We went and continue to be excited for the Fall. I didn't ask any specific questions about the concerns raised on this thread, but some of the parents asked similar. They are still figuring things out, so the people we talked to were cautious to commit to anything. But the upbeat philosophy and attitude toward the school, community and education really came through. That's enough for us at this point. We really got the sense they are working hard to make the new school as special as P street is.

We went and will echo what PP said. It sounds like 8th st will have 6 PK classrooms (3s and 4s together) and maybe 4 classrooms for K. Some of the teachers from P st will go over to 8th st, but they don't know how many yet as staffing has not been finalized. There was some discussion of how this will affect specials, but I didn't exactly follow it. There will be a bus, but not sure yet where the pickup spot(s) will be. A question came up about DCI or other middle school plans, and the future 8th st principal thought MV students would have 80% chance of getting a DCI spot (which is much higher than the estimates thrown around DCUM). She also mentioned that the MV charter goes to 8th grade, so there growth/middle school potential at MV too. Our group did not talk about how much the waitlists are expected to move. Those were my big takeaways.

That is interesting but I don't see how you get to 80% admissions. The real question is the chances for nonsiblings which seems to me quite low. And if your lottery number is a stinker, where else can you go?

Maybe 8th can operate a 6th grade class as a safety net for lottery losers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could those of you who were able to go to the office hours and tour this morning share any feedback? Did they answer any of your questions about the new campus? My child has a low waitlist number, and I'm hoping to learn more in case we get an offer.

We went and continue to be excited for the Fall. I didn't ask any specific questions about the concerns raised on this thread, but some of the parents asked similar. They are still figuring things out, so the people we talked to were cautious to commit to anything. But the upbeat philosophy and attitude toward the school, community and education really came through. That's enough for us at this point. We really got the sense they are working hard to make the new school as special as P street is.

We went and will echo what PP said. It sounds like 8th st will have 6 PK classrooms (3s and 4s together) and maybe 4 classrooms for K. Some of the teachers from P st will go over to 8th st, but they don't know how many yet as staffing has not been finalized. There was some discussion of how this will affect specials, but I didn't exactly follow it. There will be a bus, but not sure yet where the pickup spot(s) will be. A question came up about DCI or other middle school plans, and the future 8th st principal thought MV students would have 80% chance of getting a DCI spot (which is much higher than the estimates thrown around DCUM). She also mentioned that the MV charter goes to 8th grade, so there growth/middle school potential at MV too. Our group did not talk about how much the waitlists are expected to move. Those were my big takeaways.