tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post605820763941771573..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: An Invitation from DeKalb Prep K-8 Charter SchoolCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-80097651444472386382009-07-21T17:27:34.074-04:002009-07-21T17:27:34.074-04:00Crawford Lewis and this BOE will do everything pos...Crawford Lewis and this BOE will do everything possible to fight charter schools in DeKalb.<br /><br /><br />Interesting story on school choice:<br /><br />"Deadline looms for transferring kids under Georgia’s new school choice law"<br /><br />http://www.sundaypaper.com/More/Archives/tabid/98/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4294/The-big-shuffle.aspxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-79056820890010023602009-07-21T16:30:49.175-04:002009-07-21T16:30:49.175-04:00It is possible that the DeKalb School Board has do...It is possible that the DeKalb School Board has done Dekalb Prep a huge favor by denying its charter. As a state commission charter school, DeKalb Prep would be eligible for full funding and free of the county bureaucracy. My daughters will attend a state commission charter school this year, and I think that one of the most appealing aspects of the school is that educators, not bureaucrats, make the decisions.Mollynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-3972580676560185742009-07-21T14:59:24.969-04:002009-07-21T14:59:24.969-04:00I also wanted to reply to the question about pre-K...I also wanted to reply to the question about pre-K:<br /><br />Although the founding board hasn't made a final decision about pre-K, we're leaning toward focusing on attaining the full k-8 program before we consider adding pre-K.<br /><br />Based on my experience as a parent in DeKalb, it seems like good pre-K programs are abundant. What I've found most challenging as a parent is helping my kids navigate the transitional years from elementary to middle: 4th, 5th, and 6th. This is why I'm so committed to DeKalb Prep as a K-8 school. I think a seamless experience from elementary through middle school--without a huge jump in enrollment from elementary school to middle school--works for kids and for teachers.<br /><br />It's not that we don't want pre-K. (My two kids had fantastic experiences with the state pre-K program.) Based on our DeKalb Prep board conversations to date, however, it's likely that we'd want to steer space and resources toward the later elementary and the middle school years within the K-8 context. I believe that's going to prove to be our differentiator within the DeKalb system.<br /><br />--Laura CrawleyLaura Crawleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07340678434693706723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73879303327699044812009-07-21T14:52:21.098-04:002009-07-21T14:52:21.098-04:00Thanks for the update, Laura. Best wishes with th...Thanks for the update, Laura. Best wishes with the state!Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-60655896540420388952009-07-21T14:50:18.113-04:002009-07-21T14:50:18.113-04:00Hi, I'm Laura Crawley, now the chair of the fo...Hi, I'm Laura Crawley, now the chair of the founding board for DeKalb Preparatory Academy. Yes, our charter was denied at last night's meeting, along with several others', in a blanket vote with no explanation other than "did not meet requirements."<br /><br />Our entire board had planned to be at the meeting when it was originally scheduled for the 13th. When the date was changed to July 20, several of us had schedule conflicts and couldn't attend. Board member Christopher Holliday was there, and he spoke on behalf of DeKalb Prep. Dr. Rick Breault, another board member, was also there, along with a representative from Mosaica in case any specific curriculum questions arose. But there was no Q&A, as far as I know.<br /><br />I'm saddened, I admit. But we aren't giving up! We've worked very hard, forming the board, gathering community signatures, holding information meetings, and securing community partnerships for the school. Mosaica has been an amazing partner. We are going to apply through the state Charter Commission now,and our goal remains to open in fall 2010. Thank all of you for your interest!<br /><br />--Laura Crawley, Ph.D.<br />DeKalb resident and board chair for DeKalb Preparatory AcademyLaura Crawleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07340678434693706723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-31611873149662745722009-07-21T14:29:14.373-04:002009-07-21T14:29:14.373-04:00That's what I was trying to figure out... a ch...That's what I was trying to figure out... a charter called "Leadership Academy" was approved - but I'm pretty sure that's different...Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-52121380581257037112009-07-21T14:15:36.590-04:002009-07-21T14:15:36.590-04:00I think this was one of the charter applications t...I think this was one of the charter applications that was denied - per last night's meeting.mykidsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01955229553404121334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-70013654779970694332009-07-21T13:57:12.114-04:002009-07-21T13:57:12.114-04:00I'm uncertain if Dr. Crawley will check this w...I'm uncertain if Dr. Crawley will check this website, so I'll answer as best I can - this is from their website -<br /><br /><i>DeKalb Preparatory Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school of choice for K-4 (adding one grade level per year up to 8th grade) for students residing within DeKalb County School District.<br />Pending approval of the charter, DPA will be open to all students residing in DeKalb County who will be entering grades K-4 in the 2010-2011 school year.<br /> <br />DEKALB PREPARATORY ACADEMY<br /><br />3400 Peachtree Road<br />Suite 500 <br />Atlanta, GA 30326 <br />Phone: 404.841-2305 Ext. 109<br />Fax: 404.841.3988<br />InfoDekalbPrep@MosaicaEducation.com<br /><br /></i><br /><br />So - it looks like, no they won't have PRE-K. However, feel free to call or email them and confirm.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48220595707204686542009-07-21T13:51:08.391-04:002009-07-21T13:51:08.391-04:00Hi,
Dr. Crawley, can you tell me if DeKalb Prep w...Hi,<br /><br />Dr. Crawley, can you tell me if DeKalb Prep will have Pre-K when it opens in the 2010-2011 school year?Shaunnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-43998481829170456672009-06-29T12:34:40.848-04:002009-06-29T12:34:40.848-04:00My understanding is that it is a horrible process ...My understanding is that it is a horrible process and then you are under the watchful eye to stay a Charter. I had such a bad experience when working for a charter school which was not a inner part of the school system that it made me doubt the whole process. I ended up paying for insurance but the charter school was not paying my insurance premiums. Again, it is a big responsibility to run a Charter School and money has to be spent correctly and someone realy has to know what they are doing. I really wish the DeKalb Prep luck. I will try to attend if possible to learn more. I am not oppose to Charter Schools but I had perfer to see them working within the school network then without the network because of what I have seen. Again, I wish them luck in their efforts. I hope they take care of their teachers and administrators.Ella Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08004885232852482737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-46235105522708160962009-06-29T11:26:55.086-04:002009-06-29T11:26:55.086-04:00As Laura points out, DCSS Central Office makes cha...As Laura points out, DCSS Central Office makes charter applications incredibly difficult. Lewis, Talley, Moseley, Turk, etc. do not want charter schools in DeKalb, and they do everything possible to get their way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-68019424070251991112009-06-29T10:08:36.711-04:002009-06-29T10:08:36.711-04:00I'm a member of the founding board for DeKalb ...I'm a member of the founding board for DeKalb Prep. I've lived in DeKalb County since 1994, and my children have attended DeKalb schools since 2005 (Laurel Ridge and Shamrock). In my professional life, I work with private day and boarding schools across the country, so I know what an incredible education money can buy. I believe kids in public school should have the same access to an incredible educational experience, which is what interested me about DeKalb Prep.<br /><br />The board has a five-year contract with Mosaica to help us get the charter application through and to get the school started. Once the first five years are up, the DeKalb Prep board chooses how or whether to continue the relationship with Mosaica.<br /><br />Now that I've experienced a charter application, I understand why so few committed groups of volunteers are able to get the charter application completed without professional assistance! Just a few days ago, we received about a dozen pages of detailed requests from DeKalb BOE, and we're required to respond by July 2 if the application is to stay alive. Without professional assistance, I'm not sure the members of the board--all of us volunteers with full-time jobs and families--could have responded well and in time.<br /><br />Every member of the founding board for DeKalb Prep is a volunteer who's committed to educational innovation and quality in DeKalb County. We're working with Mosaica to help us make the charter school happen, in the same way that we would contract with food service professionals and textbook publishers for a school that's up and running.<br /><br />Thanks for asking your question! I'm happy to answer any additional questions, and I hope to meet you at the open house tomorrow.<br /><br />All best,<br />Laura Crawley, Ph.D.<br />DeKalb resident and<br />member of the founding board for DeKalb PrepLaura Crawleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07340678434693706723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-42597659426288855652009-06-28T17:41:23.032-04:002009-06-28T17:41:23.032-04:00If any of the members of the advisory committee se...If any of the members of the advisory committee see this, I would love to know if this is truly a grass roots effort or is this being initiated by Mosaica?themommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.com