It would be most helpful to hear from parents who are not Re Enrolling at IT. Why not? These specifics are of far more assistance than people heaping general praise on the school. We are deciding between IT and Murch.

NP here. Everytime I've talked to Z or D or heard them at meetings, they seemed to be sure that the classes will be mixed.

Anonymous wrote:Apparently the PK4 class will be mixed up.

How recently did you hear that and from whom? Mr. H's request to loop with his class is very recent.

Apparently the PK4 class will be mixed up.

One of the PS teachers has requested to move up to PK, but there hasn't been an announcement that it is or isn't happening. He was my child's teacher & personally I would be thrilled to have him loop with the class. But no telling if they'll keep the class together or not even if he moves up a grade.

Does anyone know if there is any truth in a rumor I heard today that one of the current PS teachers may move up to PK? That would be an awesome way to ensure there is a founding teacher on each level.

I know it's been said over and over on this thread, but I'm so sad Ms. Sithole is leaving. She truly made an impact on my child, and I think, the school as a whole. The journals and portfolios that the PK4 children were able to take home with them today blew me away. I hope that the new PK and K teachers are able to reach the high standards that were set in that class.

Anonymous wrote:[What makes you think that the teachers receive little support? ]


Well, at least 4 master teachers that worked at the school this year will not be there next year. There were only 7 to start with. Anyone good at math?

Which 3 (in addition to Ms Sithole) are leaving? Are you including the ones who left mid year?

Yet, PP, you don't know why those teachers left, do you?

[What makes you think that the teachers receive little support? ]


Well, at least 4 master teachers that worked at the school this year will not be there next year. There were only 7 to start with. Anyone good at math?

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure it is for the same reason as the others: outstanding stressors on the teachers with little support. You can't keep super people if you don't take care of them. Taking care of teachers IS taking care of the students. I'm sure they're beginning to realize this, though.

What makes you think that the teachers receive little support?

Having taught in two different DCPS schools (and having friends at several others), I can say that IT teachers receive much more support from the administration than teachers at many other schools. Teaching is hard--very hard. It's exhausting, especially if you really care. IT has an exceptional group of carefully screened, incredibly skilled and dedicated teachers. And, like good teachers everywhere, IT teachers bust their butts for their students.

So many DCPS schools function like first-year start-ups with few resources and little admin support. We're talking no toilet paper, paper towels, or hand soap in the bathrooms. We're talking buying a good chunk of your own supplies (which IT admin insists teachers NOT do). We're talking one teacher in a classroom with no help, one break a week, and lunch breaks spent making copies (if you still have copies left in your weekly/monthly quota).

I may be wrong, but--from what I've observed-- I think most [dedicated, hard-working] teachers would consider themselves lucky to teach at IT.

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure it is for the same reason as the others: outstanding stressors on the teachers with little support. You can't keep super people if you don't take care of them. Taking care of teachers IS taking care of the students. I'm sure they're beginning to realize this, though.

Just curious. Have you actually spoken to a teacher at IT and been told this directly? As a PP pointed out, many of the teachers at IT seem to always be happy and smiling (even if they are worn out,) and seem to genuinely love what they do. This includes the PK4 teacher. Why would they put so much time, dedication and effort into their work if they did not feel supported and taken care of?

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure it is for the same reason as the others: outstanding stressors on the teachers with little support. You can't keep super people if you don't take care of them. Taking care of teachers IS taking care of the students. I'm sure they're beginning to realize this, though.

From what a PP said, the teacher is apparently leaving to spend more time with her children. If anything was stressful, it was probably trying to balance being a great teacher with being a more present mom. Understandable enough.

And what lucky children they are.

Apparently the PK teacher wants to spend more time with her children.