Thursday, July 22, 2004
WEDJ School PTA
Last evening at the Martin Luther King Library was the first ever meeting of the William E. Doar Jr. Public Charter School for the Performing Arts Parent Teacher Association. In the room were about 30 families who had gathered to learn more about the place they had chosen to send their child or, in some cases, children. It is an awesome feeling to sit there and realize that you are on the governing board of an educational institution that has now been entrusted to prepare children for their future lives. Of course, WEDJ has no track record on which these parents can judge us. There are no graduates that they can look at to see if we did what we say we are going to do. There are no test scores to review or college admissions to inspect. There is only trust.
The Principal of the school, Nadia Casseus, did almost all of the talking. She spoke about the permanent facility that has been located but is now being constructed. Because the building will not be ready on the first day of school we have secured a temporary space which the audience was told you can visit if you want but at this point it looks exactly like what it is, a warehouse.
Nadia went over the school day. Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays are almost all academic. 2 sections each of math and reading. One class which will provide remedial help in these subjects if your student needs it, advanced lessons if that if that is what is most appropriate. Tuesdays and Thursdays start with math and reading. The rest of the day is spent studying the arts.
The kids will be required to meet on some Saturdays. As a middle school is added class will be held every Saturday. The weekend sessions will focus on remedial assistance and rehearsals for shows. All students are required to participate in at least one public performance per school year.
There was considerable time spent on the school uniform that the children are required to wear. Purple tops and black bottoms. Black shoes and socks. Parents were reminded that because their kids will be moving a lot during the day that their cloths should be fit to allow them this freedom. Jackets can be any color but sweaters worn during the day must be purple. The school will sell much of this clothing beginning in August.
Parents were reminded of the need to respect the extended school day. The hours are 8:00 am. to 4:00 p.m. They are told not to please not pick their kids up at 3:59 p.m. because there will be instruction going on at that time.
At the end of the evening parents were asked if they would like information on how to become officers of the new PTA. About 10 of them raised their hands.
Enrollment now stands at 199 with our goal being to start with 232 students in grades Pre-K to 5. We expect to meet that target. The fact that so many parents would enroll their off-spring in our institution says much about the desire of these brave people to want the best for their kids and, unfortunately, more about the sad state of public education in the District. But it also points to the power of choice and the ability of just about everyone to recognize quality when it is available to be seen.
PermaLink | 5:42 AM |
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The Principal of the school, Nadia Casseus, did almost all of the talking. She spoke about the permanent facility that has been located but is now being constructed. Because the building will not be ready on the first day of school we have secured a temporary space which the audience was told you can visit if you want but at this point it looks exactly like what it is, a warehouse.
Nadia went over the school day. Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays are almost all academic. 2 sections each of math and reading. One class which will provide remedial help in these subjects if your student needs it, advanced lessons if that if that is what is most appropriate. Tuesdays and Thursdays start with math and reading. The rest of the day is spent studying the arts.
The kids will be required to meet on some Saturdays. As a middle school is added class will be held every Saturday. The weekend sessions will focus on remedial assistance and rehearsals for shows. All students are required to participate in at least one public performance per school year.
There was considerable time spent on the school uniform that the children are required to wear. Purple tops and black bottoms. Black shoes and socks. Parents were reminded that because their kids will be moving a lot during the day that their cloths should be fit to allow them this freedom. Jackets can be any color but sweaters worn during the day must be purple. The school will sell much of this clothing beginning in August.
Parents were reminded of the need to respect the extended school day. The hours are 8:00 am. to 4:00 p.m. They are told not to please not pick their kids up at 3:59 p.m. because there will be instruction going on at that time.
At the end of the evening parents were asked if they would like information on how to become officers of the new PTA. About 10 of them raised their hands.
Enrollment now stands at 199 with our goal being to start with 232 students in grades Pre-K to 5. We expect to meet that target. The fact that so many parents would enroll their off-spring in our institution says much about the desire of these brave people to want the best for their kids and, unfortunately, more about the sad state of public education in the District. But it also points to the power of choice and the ability of just about everyone to recognize quality when it is available to be seen.
PermaLink | 5:42 AM |
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