Advice Needed-Really Worried about Child at Current School

[Anonymous]

We have a child who up until this year has been very happy at their school-a DCPS elementary school. He is a fifth grader and now is reporting bullying from other students and due to a variety of reasons has two subs, no permanent teachers. He communicates he isnt learning anything, doesn't like how the teachers talk to him, is afraid of being beaten up by his classmates, has no friends, etc. Does anyone have any experience in switching DCPS schools in the middle of the year and is that even possible? Is there a way to request a "special transfer" or anything? I am also communicating with the school and central office but am seeking advice here too if anyone has a similar experience and has ideas. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Sorry, 5th grade is a sh*tshow everywhere, it appears. I believe that you can get "safety transfers" but only for pretty serious bullying, and I don't know where they'd send him.

Have you connected with other parents?

On the friend issue - what happened with his friends from previous years? Can you match-make a little? I had to push my DS a little to solidify friendships. They aren't too old for some parental interference.

[Anonymous]

First a few questions:
1) You say you spoke to the school- but what does that entail? Have you sat down with the principal and counselors?
2) Does he have any special needs? If yes, does he haven an IEP or 504? If no, are there any reasons to suspect he does?

DCPS isn't going to move him to an out-of-bounds, in-demand school (ie., a school that has a waitlist or many lottery applicants) without a whole lot of paperwork behind it.

[Anonymous]

OP. He had 4 good friends in the class and they all left last or this year. No 504. He is high achieving and no disabilities. Usually a really smart, happy, social person until this year. The school is looking into it, encouraging him to see the school counselor, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, 5th grade is a sh*tshow everywhere, it appears. I believe that you can get "safety transfers" but only for pretty serious bullying, and I don't know where they'd send him.

Have you connected with other parents?

On the friend issue - what happened with his friends from previous years? Can you match-make a little? I had to push my DS a little to solidify friendships. They aren't too old for some parental interference.

Agree with this. I have never really heard of a good 5th grade year in DCPS. We were in a JKLM (3 kids) and it was always a weak year: bad teachers, no teachers (temporary or permanent subs) out of control kids, etc.

Can you afford private? There may be mid-year spots at some of the K-8 schools.

[Anonymous]

Which ward are you in, PP? Are you in a position to get hold of an IB address that works for a school you’d like him to switch to? Last year, we “rented” out our basement apt to a friend in similar circumstances. She moved her kid from one Ward 6 school to another using our basement address. She hasn’t lived in our basement, not a problem. She pulled together enrollment docs with our support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which ward are you in, PP? Are you in a position to get hold of an IB address that works for a school you’d like him to switch to? Last year, we “rented” out our basement apt to a friend in similar circumstances. She moved her kid from one Ward 6 school to another using our basement address. She hasn’t lived in our basement, not a problem. She pulled together enrollment docs with our support.

So.... you are encouraging residency fraud?

[Anonymous]

HAve you sent an email (it needs to be in writing) to the principal and vice principal? Outline and give specific examples of bullying. Perhaps they can switch your child out of the classes he is in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which ward are you in, PP? Are you in a position to get hold of an IB address that works for a school you’d like him to switch to? Last year, we “rented” out our basement apt to a friend in similar circumstances. She moved her kid from one Ward 6 school to another using our basement address. She hasn’t lived in our basement, not a problem. She pulled together enrollment docs with our support.

So.... you are encouraging residency fraud?

Sure, when it's a gray area, like so many other things in life. If nobody's renting a legit housing unit and a friend, the owner, is willing to let you rent it (for, say, $1) go for it, get your kid away from a dysfunctional, even dangerous, classroom situation fast. You pay DC taxes and deserve much better for your family.

[Anonymous]

Please deal with the bullying first. That can solve a lot of issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which ward are you in, PP? Are you in a position to get hold of an IB address that works for a school you’d like him to switch to? Last year, we “rented” out our basement apt to a friend in similar circumstances. She moved her kid from one Ward 6 school to another using our basement address. She hasn’t lived in our basement, not a problem. She pulled together enrollment docs with our support.

So.... you are encouraging residency fraud?

Sure, when it's a gray area, like so many other things in life. If nobody's renting a legit housing unit and a friend, the owner, is willing to let you rent it (for, say, $1) go for it, get your kid away from a dysfunctional, even dangerous, classroom situation fast. You pay DC taxes and deserve much better for your family.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which ward are you in, PP? Are you in a position to get hold of an IB address that works for a school you’d like him to switch to? Last year, we “rented” out our basement apt to a friend in similar circumstances. She moved her kid from one Ward 6 school to another using our basement address. She hasn’t lived in our basement, not a problem. She pulled together enrollment docs with our support.

So.... you are encouraging residency fraud?

Sure, when it's a gray area, like so many other things in life. If nobody's renting a legit housing unit and a friend, the owner, is willing to let you rent it (for, say, $1) go for it, get your kid away from a dysfunctional, even dangerous, classroom situation fast. You pay DC taxes and deserve much better for your family.

Everyone who commits residency fraud will claim that it's in a grey area. That's what happens when school attendance is determined by address.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which ward are you in, PP? Are you in a position to get hold of an IB address that works for a school you’d like him to switch to? Last year, we “rented” out our basement apt to a friend in similar circumstances. She moved her kid from one Ward 6 school to another using our basement address. She hasn’t lived in our basement, not a problem. She pulled together enrollment docs with our support.

Maybe you can support OP too.

[Anonymous]

5th grade seems to be hard in DC elementary since so many kids peel off for middle schools that start in 5th. My son is also having a hard 5th grade - he had 7 friends all leave his class after last year - six to Latin, Basis, Inspired, and one moved to MD. Sorry OP, sympathy to you and your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which ward are you in, PP? Are you in a position to get hold of an IB address that works for a school you’d like him to switch to? Last year, we “rented” out our basement apt to a friend in similar circumstances. She moved her kid from one Ward 6 school to another using our basement address. She hasn’t lived in our basement, not a problem. She pulled together enrollment docs with our support.

So.... you are encouraging residency fraud?

Sure, when it's a gray area, like so many other things in life. If nobody's renting a legit housing unit and a friend, the owner, is willing to let you rent it (for, say, $1) go for it, get your kid away from a dysfunctional, even dangerous, classroom situation fast. You pay DC taxes and deserve much better for your family.

+1. NP and I totally agree. If you're planning on continuing to the feeder middle school, I'd find the cheapest short term rental you can at another feeder elementary and consider it money well spent to escape a bullying situation. Cheaper than the therapy bills you'd be paying for if his mental health is destroyed by the end of the school year. Grey area or not, your child's mental health comes first.