Dr. Broquard/Lafayette

[Anonymous]

From all the name calling and the personal hatred expressed by a handful of families, I’m concluding that all the hatred directed toward Dr. B is really anger at DCPS policies. I get it, people get their backs up when they feel their children’s needs are not being fully met, but welcome to DCPS. Science education is weak and for some kids that is a real hole in their day because that is what most interested them. Many kids can’t write well, but spend hours each week on social-emotional education - yet for other kids that social emotional education is their greatest need. Most students needs are not fully met by the system. The system is underfunded and across the district the needs are grea and there are lots of policies in place that I disagree with and I don’t think serve my kids greatest interests and needs (really - a varsity athlete needs to take 2 semesters of PE in High school - its a stupid waste of time). I do take issue with parents trying to take down a principal who is doing her best to meet the needs of the greatest number of students in her school within the structures and resources of DCPS. (I don’t plan the JR principle for making my kid take PE) And, yes, you are welcome to seek out a charter school, parochial school or private school if you don’t like what the system is providing you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't understand the difference between "special treatment" and "special needs" that's on you. And blanket claim "she's bad with students who are not NT period" just shows how some critics try to unfairly project their individual feelings onto the masses. I think Dr. B is a hardworking, caring educator. She cares about ALL the kids - every single one, regardless of ability or who their parents are. And yes, it is unfortunate so much money meant for education ends up getting spent on litigation. But that's not Dr. B's fault - she upholds DC policy and law; she doesn't make it. And how have those lawsuits gone? Honest question.

She absolutely does not care about all kids. Maybe she cared about your kid and that is great, but many parents (MANY) don’t feel the same way. And is it normal for principals to have so many lawsuits filed against them?!? I bet my Childs principal hasn’t had any…

NP but I bet your child’s prinicipal has had complaints/lawsuits. Parents complain all the time in DCPS. I am a teacher and have heard ridiculous complaints to central office about my colleagues and administration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't understand the difference between "special treatment" and "special needs" that's on you. And blanket claim "she's bad with students who are not NT period" just shows how some critics try to unfairly project their individual feelings onto the masses. I think Dr. B is a hardworking, caring educator. She cares about ALL the kids - every single one, regardless of ability or who their parents are. And yes, it is unfortunate so much money meant for education ends up getting spent on litigation. But that's not Dr. B's fault - she upholds DC policy and law; she doesn't make it. And how have those lawsuits gone? Honest question.

She absolutely does not care about all kids. Maybe she cared about your kid and that is great, but many parents (MANY) don’t feel the same way. And is it normal for principals to have so many lawsuits filed against them?!? I bet my Childs principal hasn’t had any…

NP but I bet your child’s prinicipal has had complaints/lawsuits. Parents complain all the time in DCPS. I am a teacher and have heard ridiculous complaints to central office about my colleagues and administration.

I had a special education coordinator tell me that the school was not providing my child FAPE.
I had a child where the school decided to not get a replacement special education teacher while the teacher was on family leave and just decided it was cheaper (and easier) not to provide FAPE.
My child did not need compensatory education after school - where they needed specialized education was in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From all the name calling and the personal hatred expressed by a handful of families, I’m concluding that all the hatred directed toward Dr. B is really anger at DCPS policies. I get it, people get their backs up when they feel their children’s needs are not being fully met, but welcome to DCPS. Science education is weak and for some kids that is a real hole in their day because that is what most interested them. Many kids can’t write well, but spend hours each week on social-emotional education - yet for other kids that social emotional education is their greatest need. Most students needs are not fully met by the system. The system is underfunded and across the district the needs are grea and there are lots of policies in place that I disagree with and I don’t think serve my kids greatest interests and needs (really - a varsity athlete needs to take 2 semesters of PE in High school - its a stupid waste of time). I do take issue with parents trying to take down a principal who is doing her best to meet the needs of the greatest number of students in her school within the structures and resources of DCPS. (I don’t plan the JR principle for making my kid take PE) And, yes, you are welcome to seek out a charter school, parochial school or private school if you don’t like what the system is providing you.

However all children are to receive a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) by federal law and I think several of the posters had issues due to their children not receiving FAPE. So the question I would raise (which might be considered an ethical one) is: do you follow the guidelines of your local agency (in this case DCPS) or federal law to meet the children entrusted to your care?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't understand the difference between "special treatment" and "special needs" that's on you. And blanket claim "she's bad with students who are not NT period" just shows how some critics try to unfairly project their individual feelings onto the masses. I think Dr. B is a hardworking, caring educator. She cares about ALL the kids - every single one, regardless of ability or who their parents are. And yes, it is unfortunate so much money meant for education ends up getting spent on litigation. But that's not Dr. B's fault - she upholds DC policy and law; she doesn't make it. And how have those lawsuits gone? Honest question.

She absolutely does not care about all kids. Maybe she cared about your kid and that is great, but many parents (MANY) don’t feel the same way. And is it normal for principals to have so many lawsuits filed against them?!? I bet my Childs principal hasn’t had any…

NP but I bet your child’s prinicipal has had complaints/lawsuits. Parents complain all the time in DCPS. I am a teacher and have heard ridiculous complaints to central office about my colleagues and administration.

I had a special education coordinator tell me that the school was not providing my child FAPE.
I had a child where the school decided to not get a replacement special education teacher while the teacher was on family leave and just decided it was cheaper (and easier) not to provide FAPE.
My child did not need compensatory education after school - where they needed specialized education was in the classroom.

NP and I am not talking about complaints about FAPE, which are legitimate. I was responding to a PP who said they couldn’t imagine their child’s principal had complaints against them. And I stand by my comment that I bet every principal has many complaints against them- even great principals. Many of the complaints are just parents complaining about their kid not getting a grade they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From all the name calling and the personal hatred expressed by a handful of families, I’m concluding that all the hatred directed toward Dr. B is really anger at DCPS policies. I get it, people get their backs up when they feel their children’s needs are not being fully met, but welcome to DCPS. Science education is weak and for some kids that is a real hole in their day because that is what most interested them. Many kids can’t write well, but spend hours each week on social-emotional education - yet for other kids that social emotional education is their greatest need. Most students needs are not fully met by the system. The system is underfunded and across the district the needs are grea and there are lots of policies in place that I disagree with and I don’t think serve my kids greatest interests and needs (really - a varsity athlete needs to take 2 semesters of PE in High school - its a stupid waste of time). I do take issue with parents trying to take down a principal who is doing her best to meet the needs of the greatest number of students in her school within the structures and resources of DCPS. (I don’t plan the JR principle for making my kid take PE) And, yes, you are welcome to seek out a charter school, parochial school or private school if you don’t like what the system is providing you.

DCPS schools are NOT underfunded. There is SO much funding…….just not in Ward 3.

But somehow people argue there is still not “equity”. The problem is the gross waste and mismanagement of funds. And clearly the use of the funds is not working. So, who is being held accountable? No one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From all the name calling and the personal hatred expressed by a handful of families, I’m concluding that all the hatred directed toward Dr. B is really anger at DCPS policies. I get it, people get their backs up when they feel their children’s needs are not being fully met, but welcome to DCPS. Science education is weak and for some kids that is a real hole in their day because that is what most interested them. Many kids can’t write well, but spend hours each week on social-emotional education - yet for other kids that social emotional education is their greatest need. Most students needs are not fully met by the system. The system is underfunded and across the district the needs are grea and there are lots of policies in place that I disagree with and I don’t think serve my kids greatest interests and needs (really - a varsity athlete needs to take 2 semesters of PE in High school - its a stupid waste of time). I do take issue with parents trying to take down a principal who is doing her best to meet the needs of the greatest number of students in her school within the structures and resources of DCPS. (I don’t plan the JR principle for making my kid take PE) And, yes, you are welcome to seek out a charter school, parochial school or private school if you don’t like what the system is providing you.

DCPS schools are NOT underfunded. There is SO much funding…….just not in Ward 3.

But somehow people argue there is still not “equity”. The problem is the gross waste and mismanagement of funds. And clearly the use of the funds is not working. So, who is being held accountable? No one.

So you are saying schools should not be overfunded? That should be the goal, to give all schools an excess of what they need. And Ward 3 schools certainly are not underfunded if others aren’t to you.

[Anonymous]

It is good that Dr. B. is leaving Lafayette, but maybe too late for some students that didn’t get fair opportunities. Time for a fresh start.

She may have been a good principal at one time but at some point being in charge seemed to have become a game of strategies and do or say whatever to win. Special education teaching was not very good and self contained classes seemed to be viewed as a preferred option for those that didn’t measure up on standardized tests, bringing the school’s reputation down. Some kids seemed to be warehoused waiting to get out without surrendering to a nontraditional diploma matriculation path.

In some respects it was best to leave the Upper Northwest Ward 4 school to get a better chance at learning. Do the school lottery for safety each year in case you get enough of school. Hard to believe anyone would leave the coveted Lafayette-Deal -JR(Wilson) feeder path. No one expects for parents that make good salaries and spend money on private tutorial services would leave.

Special Ed program was disheartening and DCPS should shake it up and give hope to neurodiversity and different ways of learning. See who gets referred to self contained and regular special Ed. Are IEPs crafted right?

She might be what Miner Elementary needs for a couple of years. She might be a decent turnaround manager. This move might make her a better person and educator. She might be able to attract more Whites to Miner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From all the name calling and the personal hatred expressed by a handful of families, I’m concluding that all the hatred directed toward Dr. B is really anger at DCPS policies. I get it, people get their backs up when they feel their children’s needs are not being fully met, but welcome to DCPS. Science education is weak and for some kids that is a real hole in their day because that is what most interested them. Many kids can’t write well, but spend hours each week on social-emotional education - yet for other kids that social emotional education is their greatest need. Most students needs are not fully met by the system. The system is underfunded and across the district the needs are grea and there are lots of policies in place that I disagree with and I don’t think serve my kids greatest interests and needs (really - a varsity athlete needs to take 2 semesters of PE in High school - its a stupid waste of time). I do take issue with parents trying to take down a principal who is doing her best to meet the needs of the greatest number of students in her school within the structures and resources of DCPS. (I don’t plan the JR principle for making my kid take PE) And, yes, you are welcome to seek out a charter school, parochial school or private school if you don’t like what the system is providing you.

DCPS schools are NOT underfunded. There is SO much funding…….just not in Ward 3.

But somehow people argue there is still not “equity”. The problem is the gross waste and mismanagement of funds. And clearly the use of the funds is not working. So, who is being held accountable? No one.

Uhh. schools get the same per pupil funding. Or are you trying to argue that Lafayette deserves the bump that a title 1 school gets? (which is federal, and has nothing to do with DCPS or Dr B???)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't understand the difference between "special treatment" and "special needs" that's on you. And blanket claim "she's bad with students who are not NT period" just shows how some critics try to unfairly project their individual feelings onto the masses. I think Dr. B is a hardworking, caring educator. She cares about ALL the kids - every single one, regardless of ability or who their parents are. And yes, it is unfortunate so much money meant for education ends up getting spent on litigation. But that's not Dr. B's fault - she upholds DC policy and law; she doesn't make it. And how have those lawsuits gone? Honest question.

She absolutely does not care about all kids. Maybe she cared about your kid and that is great, but many parents (MANY) don’t feel the same way. And is it normal for principals to have so many lawsuits filed against them?!? I bet my Childs principal hasn’t had any…

NP but I bet your child’s prinicipal has had complaints/lawsuits. Parents complain all the time in DCPS. I am a teacher and have heard ridiculous complaints to central office about my colleagues and administration.

I had a special education coordinator tell me that the school was not providing my child FAPE.
I had a child where the school decided to not get a replacement special education teacher while the teacher was on family leave and just decided it was cheaper (and easier) not to provide FAPE.
My child did not need compensatory education after school - where they needed specialized education was in the classroom.

Where do you think they would get a magical special ed teacher who is available for 3 months in the middle of the school year? And I'm sympathetic. I have won a due process case against DCPS (not Lafayette ES). But let's be real. There aren't 'extra' special ed teachers sitting around looking to fill someone's maternity leave. There just aren't.