Protest at Mundo on P street

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that the third grade class has experienced serious issues with teacher attrition this year as well as last year, to the point where kids have been without a teacher for long periods of time.

I think that's why their requests for teachers for this year seem excessive -- the issue is that kids have had short term subs and been stuck with virtual learning aids for significant portions of this year, and the families want the school to prioritize getting teachers in those classrooms NOW to address learning loss that has happened this year and last due to the school's inability to retain teachers.

I also suspect that is what the request for summer programming is for -- not just regular summer school/camp, but extra services for these specific kids to address deficiencies in their experience over the last two years from teacher attrition.

I feel bad for the kids who are struggling through this. I know a kid at another immersion charter who had a bunch of teacher losses this year and it's so hard on the kids. A school should be able to, at a minimum, provide kids with continuity in teaching during the duration of the school year. The fact that multiple teachers are bailing in the middle of the year is really bad.

What do you mean? In school virtual learning with subs?

Is MV8 really not having these issues? If it's about pay and structural issues with MV, why wouldn't MV8 teachers be having the same problems?

I mean, it's not even clear that this is a problem with all of Cooke campus, or just specific to the 3rd grade cohort. I can see a situation where these kids came out of Covid virtual school, lost a teacher last year maybe mid-year, got a new teacher but had lag time in between, the new teacher had a huge hill to climb because the kids really had not had consistent instruction since pre-Covid, and that led that teacher to quit, too.

(I have serious questions about any teacher who will quit mid-year, it's something I've never understood unless your job is actually abusive or you have extenuating circumstances in your life -- I would stick it out until the end of the year if I could for the kids, but it happens).

Anyway, it's unclear if this is a school-wide issue or just a series of unfortunate circumstances for this class. Either way, the school is responsible to these kids for fixing it, obviously.

I will say there may be something about 3rd graders. These were the kids in kindergarten when the pandemic hit. Our 3rd graders in our fancy WOTP elementary are kind of jerks too. So are a lot of the 4th graders. Missed some formative life skills from 5-7 years old

Fancy elementary school? And you come to post on a thread about a school that is struggling? Wow. And you’re calling 9 year olds jerks? Take a look at yourself in the mirror.

NP. You seem really insecure. I didn't read their post like that at all. They were making the exact opposite point. What they said was that 3rd grade is a challenge everywhere, even at their demographically advantaged NW ES.

Ok sure. Go torment more 9 year olds on your way to kick puppies or whatever it is you do. I’m insecure because I politely asked that you re read the drivel you posted “new poster”? Nah. You’re a bad person. Try to change yourself.

[Anonymous]

I really wonder what it will take to get the Board of Trustees' attention. People don't want to disenroll for lack of other options, donations strike won't make a dent, appeals to PCSB go nowhere because they literally don't care at all if a school destroys itself. Taking to the streets feels like the only option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just have to push back on all the criticism, lest anyone think that every parent is unhappy with Mundo Verde.

I am happy with the school and have been for many years. We have always had delightful teachers and the kids are happy, engaged, and learning all sorts of great things.

The pandemic was stressful for so many reasons, and that seems to be at the root of many issues right now (affecting teachers, 3rd graders, etc). I empathize with the frustrations of parents who’ve dealt with teachers leaving mid-year. But to throw the whole school into this negative spiral seems overboard when the majority of parents I interact with are happy with the school and are choosing to stay. The majority of teachers have been exceptional.

Criticism is fine, but let’s be constructive. Bashing Mundo verde like this is not helpful. Let’s celebrate the things we love about the school and work positively on the things that need to be improved.

Also, to those parents who are gloating about being “so happy that their kids are not at Mundo verde,” how is that helpful?

We aren’t at Mundo and those posters saying “we saw this coming and are glad we aren’t there” are just kind of gross. As parents we should be supporting the kids and parents going through this, not patting ourselves on the back. It’s gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just have to push back on all the criticism, lest anyone think that every parent is unhappy with Mundo Verde.

I am happy with the school and have been for many years. We have always had delightful teachers and the kids are happy, engaged, and learning all sorts of great things.

The pandemic was stressful for so many reasons, and that seems to be at the root of many issues right now (affecting teachers, 3rd graders, etc). I empathize with the frustrations of parents who’ve dealt with teachers leaving mid-year. But to throw the whole school into this negative spiral seems overboard when the majority of parents I interact with are happy with the school and are choosing to stay. The majority of teachers have been exceptional.

Criticism is fine, but let’s be constructive. Bashing Mundo verde like this is not helpful. Let’s celebrate the things we love about the school and work positively on the things that need to be improved.

Also, to those parents who are gloating about being “so happy that their kids are not at Mundo verde,” how is that helpful?

We aren’t at Mundo and those posters saying “we saw this coming and are glad we aren’t there” are just kind of gross. As parents we should be supporting the kids and parents going through this, not patting ourselves on the back. It’s gross.

It's gross, yes. But people are also trying to tell you that these issues were plain to see even to outsiders, if you knew how to look. They have been building for years. It's not just some random thing popping up with a few 3rd grade parents. Getting the full picture of a school includes hearing perspectives from people who really did consider it and decided against. If you only listen to people who enrolled, you won't get the full picture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really wonder what it will take to get the Board of Trustees' attention. People don't want to disenroll for lack of other options, donations strike won't make a dent, appeals to PCSB go nowhere because they literally don't care at all if a school destroys itself. Taking to the streets feels like the only option.

What about the Dc council? Maybe there is a photo opportunity in it for them? I wouldn’t count on Charles Allen who “doesn’t support” charter schools but what about Brianne Nadeau? She has kids in a charter. What about Trayvon White? He does too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really wonder what it will take to get the Board of Trustees' attention. People don't want to disenroll for lack of other options, donations strike won't make a dent, appeals to PCSB go nowhere because they literally don't care at all if a school destroys itself. Taking to the streets feels like the only option.

What about the Dc council? Maybe there is a photo opportunity in it for them? I wouldn’t count on Charles Allen who “doesn’t support” charter schools but what about Brianne Nadeau? She has kids in a charter. What about Trayvon White? He does too.

If they were going to do that kind of thing, they would already be doing it. The Washington Post won't publish anything negative about charters, and TBH they seldom publish anything about the public school system at all. A real gap in their coverage. The City Paper is your best bet.

[Anonymous]

There are many things I love about Mundo Verde and teachers and staff we have loved, too. Some jumped ship, some are still there and I'm so thankful that they are. There still are truly amazing human beings going to work there every day.

I just can't help but wonder how things could have been different if the charter board listened to the many parents testifying the school was not ready to expand to two campuses. I think the intentions were good but there were enough red flags that should have alarmed the MV board and the PCSB. Both boards are responsible. Are they learning anything from this mess?

So much done in the name of equity has backfired and left vulnerable kids more vulnerable.

[Anonymous]

Perry Stein did cover the unionization movement in 2019:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/teachers-at-a-dc-charter-school-are-trying-to-unionize-in-a-rare-move/2019/04/23/3b1d9568-652c-11e9-a1b6-b29b90efa879_story.html

[Anonymous]

And here's one of several from WAMU:

https://www.npr.org/local/305/2019/11/14/779373801/teachers-on-cusp-of-creating-first-ever-union-at-d-c-charter-school

[Anonymous]

Every parent should be outraged.

Dci should be outraged.

The mayor needs to step in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just have to push back on all the criticism, lest anyone think that every parent is unhappy with Mundo Verde.

I am happy with the school and have been for many years. We have always had delightful teachers and the kids are happy, engaged, and learning all sorts of great things.

The pandemic was stressful for so many reasons, and that seems to be at the root of many issues right now (affecting teachers, 3rd graders, etc). I empathize with the frustrations of parents who’ve dealt with teachers leaving mid-year. But to throw the whole school into this negative spiral seems overboard when the majority of parents I interact with are happy with the school and are choosing to stay. The majority of teachers have been exceptional.

Criticism is fine, but let’s be constructive. Bashing Mundo verde like this is not helpful. Let’s celebrate the things we love about the school and work positively on the things that need to be improved.

Also, to those parents who are gloating about being “so happy that their kids are not at Mundo verde,” how is that helpful?

We aren’t at Mundo and those posters saying “we saw this coming and are glad we aren’t there” are just kind of gross. As parents we should be supporting the kids and parents going through this, not patting ourselves on the back. It’s gross.

+1 Agree. It doesn't matter if you choose the school, this is about the kids, let's support the kids and the parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just have to push back on all the criticism, lest anyone think that every parent is unhappy with Mundo Verde.

I am happy with the school and have been for many years. We have always had delightful teachers and the kids are happy, engaged, and learning all sorts of great things.

The pandemic was stressful for so many reasons, and that seems to be at the root of many issues right now (affecting teachers, 3rd graders, etc). I empathize with the frustrations of parents who’ve dealt with teachers leaving mid-year. But to throw the whole school into this negative spiral seems overboard when the majority of parents I interact with are happy with the school and are choosing to stay. The majority of teachers have been exceptional.

Criticism is fine, but let’s be constructive. Bashing Mundo verde like this is not helpful. Let’s celebrate the things we love about the school and work positively on the things that need to be improved.

Also, to those parents who are gloating about being “so happy that their kids are not at Mundo verde,” how is that helpful?

We aren’t at Mundo and those posters saying “we saw this coming and are glad we aren’t there” are just kind of gross. As parents we should be supporting the kids and parents going through this, not patting ourselves on the back. It’s gross.

+1 Agree. It doesn't matter if you choose the school, this is about the kids, let's support the kids and the parents.

Support them by enabling year after year of dysfunction? Enough is enough. I'm not gloating, but the crumbling of this school is newsworthy and people should be held accountable. Public funds, public transparency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just have to push back on all the criticism, lest anyone think that every parent is unhappy with Mundo Verde.

I am happy with the school and have been for many years. We have always had delightful teachers and the kids are happy, engaged, and learning all sorts of great things.

The pandemic was stressful for so many reasons, and that seems to be at the root of many issues right now (affecting teachers, 3rd graders, etc). I empathize with the frustrations of parents who’ve dealt with teachers leaving mid-year. But to throw the whole school into this negative spiral seems overboard when the majority of parents I interact with are happy with the school and are choosing to stay. The majority of teachers have been exceptional.

Criticism is fine, but let’s be constructive. Bashing Mundo verde like this is not helpful. Let’s celebrate the things we love about the school and work positively on the things that need to be improved.

Also, to those parents who are gloating about being “so happy that their kids are not at Mundo verde,” how is that helpful?

We aren’t at Mundo and those posters saying “we saw this coming and are glad we aren’t there” are just kind of gross. As parents we should be supporting the kids and parents going through this, not patting ourselves on the back. It’s gross.

It's gross, yes. But people are also trying to tell you that these issues were plain to see even to outsiders, if you knew how to look. They have been building for years. It's not just some random thing popping up with a few 3rd grade parents. Getting the full picture of a school includes hearing perspectives from people who really did consider it and decided against. If you only listen to people who enrolled, you won't get the full picture.

+1. We are one of those families that seriously considered it and turned it down for a much less regarded school. I don't really blame ECE families that don't have experience with school choice in DC, or even families that are a year or two from middle school and are just biting the bullet. But when we were making the decision, we talked to friends that were at MV, read the transcripts from the expansion hearings, talked to teacher friends about the unionization efforts, and yes read DCUM with a grain of salt. It was abundantly clear that the school was unstable and put very inexperienced teachers in challenging situations without the tools or support to succeed. I can side eye other well-resourced parents for making different decisions than us, but ultimately you should not have to do that much research when you're choosing a school. There are many charter schools that have terrible administrations and create toxic environments for children and staff, and it is the PCSB and the city that are failing to provide adequate oversight and accountability. I truly hope the MV parents can make real change, but without legislative change to the way schools are run in DC, MV won't be the last school dealing with this type of crisis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just have to push back on all the criticism, lest anyone think that every parent is unhappy with Mundo Verde.

I am happy with the school and have been for many years. We have always had delightful teachers and the kids are happy, engaged, and learning all sorts of great things.

The pandemic was stressful for so many reasons, and that seems to be at the root of many issues right now (affecting teachers, 3rd graders, etc). I empathize with the frustrations of parents who’ve dealt with teachers leaving mid-year. But to throw the whole school into this negative spiral seems overboard when the majority of parents I interact with are happy with the school and are choosing to stay. The majority of teachers have been exceptional.

Criticism is fine, but let’s be constructive. Bashing Mundo verde like this is not helpful. Let’s celebrate the things we love about the school and work positively on the things that need to be improved.

Also, to those parents who are gloating about being “so happy that their kids are not at Mundo verde,” how is that helpful?

We aren’t at Mundo and those posters saying “we saw this coming and are glad we aren’t there” are just kind of gross. As parents we should be supporting the kids and parents going through this, not patting ourselves on the back. It’s gross.

It's gross, yes. But people are also trying to tell you that these issues were plain to see even to outsiders, if you knew how to look. They have been building for years. It's not just some random thing popping up with a few 3rd grade parents. Getting the full picture of a school includes hearing perspectives from people who really did consider it and decided against. If you only listen to people who enrolled, you won't get the full picture.

+1. We are one of those families that seriously considered it and turned it down for a much less regarded school. I don't really blame ECE families that don't have experience with school choice in DC, or even families that are a year or two from middle school and are just biting the bullet. But when we were making the decision, we talked to friends that were at MV, read the transcripts from the expansion hearings, talked to teacher friends about the unionization efforts, and yes read DCUM with a grain of salt. It was abundantly clear that the school was unstable and put very inexperienced teachers in challenging situations without the tools or support to succeed. I can side eye other well-resourced parents for making different decisions than us, but ultimately you should not have to do that much research when you're choosing a school. There are many charter schools that have terrible administrations and create toxic environments for children and staff, and it is the PCSB and the city that are failing to provide adequate oversight and accountability. I truly hope the MV parents can make real change, but without legislative change to the way schools are run in DC, MV won't be the last school dealing with this type of crisis.

Could you please explain why this? Their decision does not affect you .

[Anonymous]

It is the people who are excusing this as an isolated incident of one grade affected by the pandemic that are "gross."

I'm a former MV parent (pre-pandemic), and the letter sent in response to the protest was typical of the ED gaslighting we saw for YEARS.

One year we had a revolving door of teachers and the administration actually said to us that it wasn't a problem because based on test scores there was "no learning loss." Turns out the test scores for our class were the same at the end of the school year as they were at the beginning of that school year. Most people would read that as "there was no learning happening for an entire year" -- especially since the other classes in the same grade that didn't experience as much teacher turnover made the expected gains. But that's how they spun it.

They said this is a townhall meeting that parents demanded, and then they wouldn't let anyone ask questions! They just talked at us with PowerPoint slides and we had to submit questions in writing to be answered later -- but they were never answered.

I sincerely hope these protests are effective.