Connect: Beach Elementary Spanish Immersion

Connect - share and exchange insight on Beach School:

Beach Elementary School
1710 N Humboldt St./Portland, OR 97217
Phone: (503) 916-6236 Fax: (503) 916-2315
Website: http://www.beach.pps.k12.or.us/

Comments

[Potential Beach Parent]

I recently attended the Spanish Immersion information session. There were some very attractive features of the program especially the violin lessons for incoming Kindergarteners on top of a dual language curriculum. As I understand it, there's tons of parent involvement and the community is active. This is really important to me, and makes the school a very attractive option.

However, this community atmosphere was not apparent in the information session. I have to admit I didn't feel an instant connection with the principal. I expected that someone in her role, the face of the school, would have been able to better articulate the features of the curriculum and challenges of a dual language program, but I found her description of the program was a bit off-putting. Perhaps it's my own sensitivities but she seemed to have a way of speaking down to parents rather than engaging them.

I'm hoping my initial impressions are completely off, but do you have your child in the Beach Immersion program? How are the teachers? Do you feel they have a strong administration? Do you like the program?

[AmyS]

My husband went to the info session and had the same reaction. I went last year and felt the same way but thought it might be because she wants parents to know the huge commitment they are making, especially if they don't live near the school. When they lose students, they can't replace them after the earliest grades so it is important that families don't decide it isn't for them after a couple of years.

If you want inside information, I would call the office and ask for contact info for the PTA and get a parent in the immersion program that way. Good luck!

[Beach Parent]

My child is at Beach and I would urge you to come to a PTA meeting. The principal is not a good representation of the school. It is a great place and the principal is only a tiny part of the equation

[allison]

Can anyone comment on the environment at Beach vs Chief Joseph? We live smack dab between the two schools and have heard good things about both.

[Been there, done that]

An elementary principal is necessarily a huge part of the equation. From my family's experience, this principal is the main thing that's wrong with Beach.

She once was asked at a PTA meeting about the large Kindergarten class size (31 or 32), and said (half-jokingly?) that she wishes she could put 40 kids in a class.

There is also the problem of co-location with the neighborhood program. The principal doesn't seem to have the skills required to run one pre-K-8 school. Throw in a neighborhood pre-K-8, and you've got some real problems not getting addressed.

[Another Beach Parent]

I'm another Beach parent and I want to echo a previous post that it really is a great school. I would also strongly encourage contacting some parents at the school. The PTA would be a great place to get some names of folks who would be very happy to talk with you about it.

I agree that we have challenges with our administrative staff, but I firmly believe that the parents run the school and we will (in time) make the changes necessary to keep things clipping along in a positive direction.

[Concerned Beach Parent]

First of all I would like to start off by saying that Beach School has been a great experience for my family. I have had children at Beach for a number of years and have never thought twice about moving them out of the spanish immersion program.I believe that every school has its challenges, but are worked through by ideas and shared conversation.
I was excited to hear about this website and that parents, potential parents, and many others may post comments, ideas, thoughts about what goes on at their school,until I read some pretty attacking comments towards the principal of Beach School. Everyone has the right to have their own (or form their own) opinion about anything they would like, and in my opinion it sounds like there are some personality issues going on. I believe that if it wasn't for the Principal this program wouldn't be what it is today. In having children at Beach for many years, I have never seen the program stronger.
I really do hope that anyone reading these comments will do their own research before they begin to make any judgments towards any school or staff member.

[Diana]

My son was accepted to the dual immersion pre-k program for the fall and we were hoping to connect with other families who will be going as well. Our family and another family who's son will be going to Beach are thinking about having a nanny share a couple afternoon's a week. We are hoping to find one or two other families who might like to join us. The "nanny" would walk the kids home from school and hang out with them for a couple hours, because the pre-k program is only a couple hours a day, this would give the parents a couple hours more and give the kiddos social/play time. Either way, we would love to connect with families. Thanks

[new to portland]

We just moved to Portland and are zoned for Beach. Our daughter won't start kindergarten until next year, but we'd like her to do the immersion program. Do you have to start that in pre-k though?

[beach parent]

You don't have to enroll in preK in order to get into the program. If you do get into preK, however, you are guaranteed a spot in Kinder. If you don't get into the preK, you will be in the lottery but neighborhood families do get priority.

I would also encourage interested families to contact the PTA and talk with other Beach families. Like any public school, parental involvement really makes schools great and Beach is a great example of that.

[Jennifer]

Diana - my son will also be in the Beach pre-k program. We would love to connect and possibly join in the nanny share. You can reach me at jenstoller@yahoo.com.

[Sue]

FYI

Beach Families will be gathering for very informal play-dates during the summer.

Mondays 9:30 to Whenever at Peninsula Park

Wednesday 4:30 till close at playground/wading pool at Overlook Park.

Both places should have wading pools open if the weather is good. Remember that Wednesday is the Farmer’s Market at Overlook so food is available.

Please call Sue Dearborn 503-222-6812 if you have any questions.

See you this summer

[Beach Parent]

I sure wish the principal would put the energy and quality into the education of the non dual immersion part of the school.

Several parents, including myself have never felt a sense of community at Beach, mainly because our children are not in the immersion program. One of the major reasons Beach will see an enrollment drop for next school year.

[Jennifer]

My daughter has also been accepted to the dual immersion Pre-K program for the fall. We had arrange childcare through our current provider, but now she has told us she cannot do pickup and drop off. We would hate to give up our spot, but I have been unable to find any other providers in the neighborhood that will take Pre-K students. If anyone has any information about childcare providers in that area that would be willing to do a pick-up, we could make arrangements to handle drop-off, please email me. We would really appreciate it. Thanks (jenminko@comcast.net)

Also, we have an older child who just completed kindergarten at Beach in the immersion program. We love the school and think the program is excellent. He had a hard time adjusting, but by the end of the year it was amazing all he had learned.

[Teacher]

I apologize for any discomfort or feeling of not being welcome that any of you felt attending any meeting at Beach School. I am aware that many of you may have felt unwelcome while attending meetings. Please know that we at Beach LOVE our parents, and welcome any and all input and support that we can get. I have taught at Beach for over 10 years, and can honestly say, we have an amazing staff, who are sincerely dedicated to making our school one of the top schools in Portland. I simply LOVE the increasing parent involvement that I have seen grow over the last few years! Without our parents, we are weak, no matter how strong our programs and teachers are. I feel your concerns, and ask that you keep up with your input, ask questions, and continue to do all the wonderful things you have done for Beach! I am proud to say I teach at Beach, and that we are one of the most advanced Tech. schools in any K-8 in Oregon. Guess you know who I am now:)
I appreciate all that you have done for our school, and the challenges you put before us. You get what you expect is my motto with teaching, and I expect Greatness! As parents, you should expect the same, and if you feel you are not getting it, I say get involved, and let us all work together and build that "community" feeling that will push our school to the next level! While I am not an official "Mama" I hope that my comments are accepted on this forum. I do own a dog? Does that count?
Have a great summer and I look forward, along with many of our teachers, to working along side all of you next year!

[fran]

hi, my family is considering a move to portland this year. we had found ainsworth, but only recently heard about beach and its spanish immersion program. ainsworth interests us because it feeds into west sylvan and lincoln, which i understand also have spanish immersion programs.

we have two girls, ages 10 and 8, who are currently in a full immersion elementary charter school. it's funny, but the satisfaction, tensions and opinions i read here are very similar to those at our school.

would any of the people posting here be willing to speak with me directly about Beach? and if you have any knowledge about Ainsworth or other immersion elementary, middle schools, etc., i'd like to know about points of view on them, too. if you would be willing to connect me directly,
you can email me at femelmed@gmail.com.

[OverlookDad]

We have two kids who we hope to send to Beach in the next few years. What do folks think about community members joining the PTA before their kids are actually attending? We would like to meet people, get a feel for the school and community, and be involved ahead of our kids attending. Is that possible? Do people have other ideas? Thanks for any responses.

[Sue]

I started hanging around the school when my daughter was two and had been to a few PTA meetings by the time she started in Pre-K. I always felt very welcome. PTA meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 - childcare is provided.

[Sarah C]

Beach will be hosting a Fall Harvest Festival at the school on Thursday November 6 at 5:30 to 8:30. It will feature carnival style games, a basket raffle, crafts, food for purchase and much more. All are welcome. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at sarah@hevanet.com.

[Chris Sullivan]

Mamas & Papas,

All are welcome at our PTA meetings. We send out our agenda about a week in advance so you can see what topics we'll be covering. If you're not in town and want to learn more about the school, check out the webpage http://www.beach.pps.k12.or.us/ and get enrolled in our Google Group http://groups-beta.google.com/group/beachelementary/subscribe. Also, take a look at the online calendar to get an idea of how active the school and its parents are: http://www.beach.pps.k12.or.us/Calendar.htm

Feel free to contact me directly with any questions/comments/concerns: chrisasullivan (at) gmail (dot) com.

Best,
Chris Sullivan
Beach PTA President (08-09)