DCI -- how is your 6th grader commuting?

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking about the future and wondering how my kid will likely commute to/from DCI next year. We live pretty close by -- an easy bike ride, quick single bus, or even walk are all possible.

I'm just still doing pick up from elementary (farther from home) and wondering if most kids by 6th are independent or still have parents helping with pick up. Child is average in terms of responsibility and focus but slightly above average in terms of being conscientious (tho, will see what happens to that with puberty).

If you don't mind sharing personal experience and also how/if kid has communication device of any sort that would be great. (I'm weighing putting my hat in the ring for a job that would make my hours longer and just thinking through what my kid will really need next year.)

[Anonymous]

Families in Northwest D.C. are voicing their concerns over two recent robberies targeting students from the D.C. International School (DCI) in the Walter Reed community.

At least three students were targeted at the nearby Fort Stevens Recreation Center which is just a six-minute walk from the campus.

The most recent incident happened Friday around 3:30 p.m. according to Tracie Cole who called 911 after she saw one of the victims.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/parents-concerned-after-dc-students-are-robbed-while-walking-home-from-school/ar-AA1gRLvr

[Anonymous]

Most kids take the bus. By 6th grade they will get the hang of it pretty quickly.

[Anonymous]

The overwhelming majority of middle and high school kids in this city from schools all over take public transportation with metro or the bus.

We are in feeder and I know lots of kids take metro with friends. We plan on DS using metro to get to school.

[Anonymous]

I think comfort levels among parents vary. Some parents arrange travel groups for their kids, you can find other local kids and your kid can commute together with them, at least at first.

There is also plenty of traffic at pickup as well as kids who attend aftercare, so it's clear to me that some parents don't feel comfortable having their kids commute alone or with peers.

My child traveled with an Apple Watch, and then eventually graduated to a cell phone. I was told all their peers had a cell phone, but I held out for a while.

[Anonymous]

My child traveled by the 16th St bus to/from the Logan Circle area as a 6th grader. (Sometimes took the 14th St bus back.) We got him a Gizmo watch - basically an Apple Watch made for kids. All worked well. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

There has been a rash of DCI students getting mugged at gunpoint near the school. Please tell your kids to stay away from Ft Steven’s park

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There has been a rash of DCI students getting mugged at gunpoint near the school. Please tell your kids to stay away from Ft Steven’s park

Have these been happening at the park (the big grassy expanse with the cannons) or the playground/tennis court area? Neither is okay, just wondering where the kids are hanging out and this is happening.

[Anonymous]

This is happening near the field of the Ft Steven’s Rec Center around Luzon St near Van Buren. This is about a 3 min walk from school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There has been a rash of DCI students getting mugged at gunpoint near the school. Please tell your kids to stay away from Ft Steven’s park

See news article linked above.

[Anonymous]

If you live close to school, bus transportation is easy on the 14th & 16th st. lines. The buses are full of DCI kids in the morning and afternoon.

[Anonymous]

I was skeptical that it would work out, but the sixth graders are doing ok on metro and bus. They go in a group. A parent was with a few of the groups the first few days for kids who didn't have older siblings.

[Anonymous]

We live further away than you. Kid commuting with buddies on metro and bus. After two weeks, they could do it without a parent.