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San Francisco, CA
Children's Day School
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Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
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Review this preschool |
neighborhood: Mission · Telephone: (415) 861-5432 · Website: www.cds-sf.org
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
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| Conducts an open house at start of school year | 
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| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
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| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
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| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
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| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
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| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
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source:
Director's Comments
CDS seeks to enroll students whose families are eager to make a real commitment to our school, and who will support their children in their quest for increased responsibility.
We communicate with parents in a variety of ways: Preschool teachers send a weekly e-mail to each parent with a photo of their child working at school and an update on their progress. Parents participate in two mandatory parent-teacher conferences during the year - one in August, one in January. Progress reports are mailed home at the end of each semester - in January and June. Learning goals are posted in each curriculum center of the classroom. Parent education classes are offered regularly. Teachers communicate regularly with parents - in person, over the phone or via e-mail.
Our preschoolers continue in our own K-8 program.
Separation
| OVERALL RATING (4.2) |
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Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Small group sessions
source:
Director's Comments
Each classroom team holds a parent-teacher conference during the week before the first day of school. Families visit their child's preschool class for an hour on the day before the first day of school. Teachers talk with parents over the phone, as needed, before the first day of school. On the first day of school, parents transition out of the classroom between 8-8:25 am with the help of the teachers, as needed. Teachers communicate frequently with parents during the first few weeks of school.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The question regarding kindergarten does not apply as the school goes preschool through 8th grade.
Parent #2
The home-school connection is what you make it to be. Get active, and you will feel connected. Also, separation process is unique for every child and it is hard to evaluate a school on any one 'process' for this. More importantly, separation is usually more a problem for parents than kids.
Parent #3
Our child had no separation issues, so this question doesn't really apply to us. Parents who did have separation issues had different experiences depending on the teacher in the classroom.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.8) |
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Parents:
- Hold social events at the school to build community
- Are able to visit the school anytime we want
- Go on field trips
- Volunteer in the classroom
- Receive newsletters
- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)
- Schedule family field trips
- Pair "old" parents with "new" parents
- Encourage play dates out of school
- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
We can be involved in any way we like--there are myriad opportunities.
Parent #2
Donations are not required, but participation in various fund raising activities, especially an 'annual fund' that supports 10% of the operating expenses of the school each year, is solicited throughout the school year.
Parent #3
Parents who are seen as allies of the head of school are invited to volunteer in meaningful ways. Parents whom are disliked by the head of school are not permitted to volunteer, even when they offer time, skills, or money. The school actively fosters an 'insider/outsider' culture.
Parent #4
As parents, we are encouraged to hold social events on and offsite to build community. We are invited to weekly all school assemblies and can visit the school anytime.
Parent #5
Next year, we will serve as 'Parent Liaisons' for my son's preschool class. The objectives for the liaisons are 1) to better connect parents to the school and thereby build a sense of community and 2) to engage parents in volunteer opportunities.
Parent #6
Holds an occasional coffee for parents.
Parent #7
Our parent/teacher community shares ideas/community services with each other via an all school email distribution list. I've found this distribution to be quite helpful and the parents/teachers/educators to be very responsive.
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
- Notes
- Phone Calls
- Voice Mail
- Special Meetings
- Two or More Regular Conferences
- Drop-Off
- Pick-Up
- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Newsletter communication was one-way only - administration told parents what they wanted them to know, but it often felt like propaganda rather than information (i.e. most of the stories were of the 'rah! rah! aren't we great!' type, and there was no feedback opportunity built in.
Parent #2
Teachers welcome all communication with parents and encourage this communication. They are very approachable.
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