All the boundary options are bad for the DCC-- how do we organize against that? (Any ideas for alternative options?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any DCC people/orgs starting to pull things together? People we should contact if we want to get involved? Facebook groups or listservs where we can communicate about this? (If folks are creating new ones, probably makes sense for it to be focused on looking out for the DCC's interests both around the boundary study and program analysis/proposed DCC abolishment? Or just a broader DCC-families-united type group that can include but not be limited to advocacy for those goals?) Sign-on letters being drafted and circulated?

I don't have the capacity to start any of them myself but would love to plug in if they're moving elsewhere. And I think if we don't start organizing and coordinating ourselves in those ways we're not going to succeed.

What issues do you see as common for the "DCC Community" to advocate around in regards to the boundary study and program analysis? The reality is the DCC is large with a lot of economic diversity. My home is in-bounds for Einstein. I've had kids at Blair and Einstein and of course know families with kids at other DCC schools. These are middle class and upper middle class families (the most likely to know about these issues and to advocate), and I'm not sure there would be a lot of agreement amongst them about what we should be advocating for in terms of the DCC community.

The whole point is solidarity. Why are DCC schools still dealing with overcrowding under these options and the richer schools aren't? Why wasn't there any effort made to make things a little easier on DCC schools by shifting some of the demographics a bit (and before you say it, this has nothing to do with not wanting poorer kids in our schools and everything to do with the challenges of running a high FARMS school and the way those challenges are unequally distributed)? Why are tons of our kids having to deal with split articulation and almost none of the rich schools' kids?

We are not all going to be dealing with all of these issues. Some of us may not be dealing with any of them. But coming together to look beyond our narrow interest towards the broader unfairness here, and supporting our neighbors on their issues as they support us in ours, is the whole point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems pretty clear that the DCC is being split up and each school is on its own for advocacy. Blair or Northwood seem unlikely to advocate for Einstein. MCPS has to fill Woodward.

Let the ToK issue go. There is no way they will walk to Einstein, with the recent tragedy of a student crossinf University Blvd. Focus on what you really want for Einstein, not what you want to take away from others. Look at what Wheaton has been able to do with Engineering.

To me, the appeal of Einstein is that it is smaller. I like that. I would also want high level classes, whether IB or AP. Maybe add a program like WJ has (Apex) instead of IB. Who gets the Medical Science program? Maybe it could be Einstein.

Then fill out the surveys and go to the BOE and testify, that’s how it works.

And organize your PTA and have them email blast your local listserves or parents in atoz with talking points. Stop whining and just do the work it takes to advocate for your kids and ask the same of those in your community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems pretty clear that the DCC is being split up and each school is on its own for advocacy. Blair or Northwood seem unlikely to advocate for Einstein. MCPS has to fill Woodward.

Let the ToK issue go. There is no way they will walk to Einstein, with the recent tragedy of a student crossinf University Blvd. Focus on what you really want for Einstein, not what you want to take away from others. Look at what Wheaton has been able to do with Engineering.

To me, the appeal of Einstein is that it is smaller. I like that. I would also want high level classes, whether IB or AP. Maybe add a program like WJ has (Apex) instead of IB. Who gets the Medical Science program? Maybe it could be Einstein.

I have heard few if any actual people focus on adding ToK to Einstein. I think MCPS should do that but it's certainly not my focus. Our PTA's preferred option in the first set of options didn't do that. It's not a priority for our community but I think it should be a priority for MCPS if they want to actually balance the 4 factors but they clearly do not.

And yet it keeps coming up.

On DCUM more than in real life.

+1 this narrative that DCC parents just don't care enough or care about the wrong things is offensive and ridiculous on so many levels but I guess some of you all are too insecure to acknowledge real inequities

[Anonymous]

I think DCC parents care about their kids. I also see that DCC parents in this thread are focusing on casting aspersions on other schools. That does seem like it will help them and only pisses other people off.

[Anonymous]

*does NOT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems pretty clear that the DCC is being split up and each school is on its own for advocacy. Blair or Northwood seem unlikely to advocate for Einstein. MCPS has to fill Woodward.

Let the ToK issue go. There is no way they will walk to Einstein, with the recent tragedy of a student crossinf University Blvd. Focus on what you really want for Einstein, not what you want to take away from others. Look at what Wheaton has been able to do with Engineering.

To me, the appeal of Einstein is that it is smaller. I like that. I would also want high level classes, whether IB or AP. Maybe add a program like WJ has (Apex) instead of IB. Who gets the Medical Science program? Maybe it could be Einstein.

I have heard few if any actual people focus on adding ToK to Einstein. I think MCPS should do that but it's certainly not my focus. Our PTA's preferred option in the first set of options didn't do that. It's not a priority for our community but I think it should be a priority for MCPS if they want to actually balance the 4 factors but they clearly do not.

And yet it keeps coming up.

On DCUM more than in real life.

+1 this narrative that DCC parents just don't care enough or care about the wrong things is offensive and ridiculous on so many levels but I guess some of you all are too insecure to acknowledge real inequities

No. I’d gladly acknowledge real inequities. I just don’t see any easy fixes and am not going to spend my scarce time and resources advocating for them. It’s also why I didn’t move to the DCC. But I’d gladly support our PTA or our foundation making a donation to your school every now and then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any DCC people/orgs starting to pull things together? People we should contact if we want to get involved? Facebook groups or listservs where we can communicate about this? (If folks are creating new ones, probably makes sense for it to be focused on looking out for the DCC's interests both around the boundary study and program analysis/proposed DCC abolishment? Or just a broader DCC-families-united type group that can include but not be limited to advocacy for those goals?) Sign-on letters being drafted and circulated?

I don't have the capacity to start any of them myself but would love to plug in if they're moving elsewhere. And I think if we don't start organizing and coordinating ourselves in those ways we're not going to succeed.

What issues do you see as common for the "DCC Community" to advocate around in regards to the boundary study and program analysis? The reality is the DCC is large with a lot of economic diversity. My home is in-bounds for Einstein. I've had kids at Blair and Einstein and of course know families with kids at other DCC schools. These are middle class and upper middle class families (the most likely to know about these issues and to advocate), and I'm not sure there would be a lot of agreement amongst them about what we should be advocating for in terms of the DCC community.

The whole point is solidarity. Why are DCC schools still dealing with overcrowding under these options and the richer schools aren't? Why wasn't there any effort made to make things a little easier on DCC schools by shifting some of the demographics a bit (and before you say it, this has nothing to do with not wanting poorer kids in our schools and everything to do with the challenges of running a high FARMS school and the way those challenges are unequally distributed)? Why are tons of our kids having to deal with split articulation and almost none of the rich schools' kids?

We are not all going to be dealing with all of these issues. Some of us may not be dealing with any of them. But coming together to look beyond our narrow interest towards the broader unfairness here, and supporting our neighbors on their issues as they support us in ours, is the whole point.

Northwood is getting a brand new school (that likely can be built out more for future growth) that cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Wheaton was rebuilt several years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any DCC people/orgs starting to pull things together? People we should contact if we want to get involved? Facebook groups or listservs where we can communicate about this? (If folks are creating new ones, probably makes sense for it to be focused on looking out for the DCC's interests both around the boundary study and program analysis/proposed DCC abolishment? Or just a broader DCC-families-united type group that can include but not be limited to advocacy for those goals?) Sign-on letters being drafted and circulated?

I don't have the capacity to start any of them myself but would love to plug in if they're moving elsewhere. And I think if we don't start organizing and coordinating ourselves in those ways we're not going to succeed.

What issues do you see as common for the "DCC Community" to advocate around in regards to the boundary study and program analysis? The reality is the DCC is large with a lot of economic diversity. My home is in-bounds for Einstein. I've had kids at Blair and Einstein and of course know families with kids at other DCC schools. These are middle class and upper middle class families (the most likely to know about these issues and to advocate), and I'm not sure there would be a lot of agreement amongst them about what we should be advocating for in terms of the DCC community.

DP - not getting rid of the DCC, for one? I don’t know any parents here who want that. And if they insist on getting rid of it, DCC high schools should *all* have advanced academic options for kids.

Those seem like pretty universal issues.

The entire plan is that all high schools should have advanced academic options for kids! Or are you the poster who defines "advanced academic options" to mean solely offering MVC?

DP but I for one would rather have the advanced classes offered at all schools rather than go through the DCC choice process and potentially end up at a school that doesn't have them. Maybe that's where some of the advocacy should focus- e.g., I think there is concern that by Einstein getting smaller, there wouldn't be enough students interested in certain advanced classes to offer them. Well, maybe it doesn't make sense to enforce the same minimum at each school when the total number of students differs that much? Just a thought.

The point is that MCPS has been clear that every school will offer at least AP Calculus BC. I don't think it is unrealistic to say "If your kid wants to go beyond AP Calculus BC, please consider one of these magnet programs."

The same goes for a kid who wants to take three dance periods a day. That kid should apply to a performing arts magnet.

It's FINE for schools to specialize, actually.

Even if say, only 10 kids sign up? Overall I agree with what you are saying.

[Anonymous]

Many assumptions here about WJ and BCC. Maybe if you looked closely, you would see they are highly diverse schools with many ESL and FARMS kids, as well as kids with special needs.

Why create an us (DCC) vs them (Ws) mindset?

[Anonymous]

I think there are lots (some) of in-bounds Einstein people IRL that are resentful that Einstein is a "Kensington" school but not filled with people who have a "Kensington" address. These sentiments are discussed in-person, not just online.

My own feeling as a homeowner in the Einstein walkzone is that advocating for a criteria magnet to be placed at Einstein will be more successful than trying to advocate for a boundary change for other people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any DCC people/orgs starting to pull things together? People we should contact if we want to get involved? Facebook groups or listservs where we can communicate about this? (If folks are creating new ones, probably makes sense for it to be focused on looking out for the DCC's interests both around the boundary study and program analysis/proposed DCC abolishment? Or just a broader DCC-families-united type group that can include but not be limited to advocacy for those goals?) Sign-on letters being drafted and circulated?

I don't have the capacity to start any of them myself but would love to plug in if they're moving elsewhere. And I think if we don't start organizing and coordinating ourselves in those ways we're not going to succeed.

What issues do you see as common for the "DCC Community" to advocate around in regards to the boundary study and program analysis? The reality is the DCC is large with a lot of economic diversity. My home is in-bounds for Einstein. I've had kids at Blair and Einstein and of course know families with kids at other DCC schools. These are middle class and upper middle class families (the most likely to know about these issues and to advocate), and I'm not sure there would be a lot of agreement amongst them about what we should be advocating for in terms of the DCC community.

The whole point is solidarity. Why are DCC schools still dealing with overcrowding under these options and the richer schools aren't? Why wasn't there any effort made to make things a little easier on DCC schools by shifting some of the demographics a bit (and before you say it, this has nothing to do with not wanting poorer kids in our schools and everything to do with the challenges of running a high FARMS school and the way those challenges are unequally distributed)? Why are tons of our kids having to deal with split articulation and almost none of the rich schools' kids?

We are not all going to be dealing with all of these issues. Some of us may not be dealing with any of them. But coming together to look beyond our narrow interest towards the broader unfairness here, and supporting our neighbors on their issues as they support us in ours, is the whole point.

Northwood is getting a brand new school (that likely can be built out more for future growth) that cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Wheaton was rebuilt several years ago.

A remind me again when was the last time Whitman had a major renovation? Oh that’s right - a $25 million minor addition in 2019-2021. Before that, you’d have to go back to the early 1990s for a major renovation. And yet you all complain of inequality between schools. It’s not about the facility but the students and community support. No reasonable amount of money is going to change that short of moving to a more socialized economic system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems pretty clear that the DCC is being split up and each school is on its own for advocacy. Blair or Northwood seem unlikely to advocate for Einstein. MCPS has to fill Woodward.

Let the ToK issue go. There is no way they will walk to Einstein, with the recent tragedy of a student crossinf University Blvd. Focus on what you really want for Einstein, not what you want to take away from others. Look at what Wheaton has been able to do with Engineering.

To me, the appeal of Einstein is that it is smaller. I like that. I would also want high level classes, whether IB or AP. Maybe add a program like WJ has (Apex) instead of IB. Who gets the Medical Science program? Maybe it could be Einstein.

I have heard few if any actual people focus on adding ToK to Einstein. I think MCPS should do that but it's certainly not my focus. Our PTA's preferred option in the first set of options didn't do that. It's not a priority for our community but I think it should be a priority for MCPS if they want to actually balance the 4 factors but they clearly do not.

And yet it keeps coming up.

On DCUM more than in real life.

+1 this narrative that DCC parents just don't care enough or care about the wrong things is offensive and ridiculous on so many levels but I guess some of you all are too insecure to acknowledge real inequities

No. I’d gladly acknowledge real inequities. I just don’t see any easy fixes and am not going to spend my scarce time and resources advocating for them. It’s also why I didn’t move to the DCC. But I’d gladly support our PTA or our foundation making a donation to your school every now and then.

Our DCC PTA has a strong track record of effectively fundraising and advocating for our specific needs. Just because your prejudiced a$$ has us stereotyped us as a charity case doesn't mean we aren't capable. However we do not have a time machine or the inside track on MCPS decision-making, and that's why we are advocating now that we're aware MCPS is dissolving decades-old programs loved and supported by our community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many assumptions here about WJ and BCC. Maybe if you looked closely, you would see they are highly diverse schools with many ESL and FARMS kids, as well as kids with special needs.

Why create an us (DCC) vs them (Ws) mindset?

C'mon, anyone can look at the stats and see you're lying. They are both almost half-white, 10% or less EML, and 25% or less FARMS. All way off from MCPS district-wide averages.

Or is that really what passes for diversity in your part of the county?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any DCC people/orgs starting to pull things together? People we should contact if we want to get involved? Facebook groups or listservs where we can communicate about this? (If folks are creating new ones, probably makes sense for it to be focused on looking out for the DCC's interests both around the boundary study and program analysis/proposed DCC abolishment? Or just a broader DCC-families-united type group that can include but not be limited to advocacy for those goals?) Sign-on letters being drafted and circulated?

I don't have the capacity to start any of them myself but would love to plug in if they're moving elsewhere. And I think if we don't start organizing and coordinating ourselves in those ways we're not going to succeed.

What issues do you see as common for the "DCC Community" to advocate around in regards to the boundary study and program analysis? The reality is the DCC is large with a lot of economic diversity. My home is in-bounds for Einstein. I've had kids at Blair and Einstein and of course know families with kids at other DCC schools. These are middle class and upper middle class families (the most likely to know about these issues and to advocate), and I'm not sure there would be a lot of agreement amongst them about what we should be advocating for in terms of the DCC community.

The whole point is solidarity. Why are DCC schools still dealing with overcrowding under these options and the richer schools aren't? Why wasn't there any effort made to make things a little easier on DCC schools by shifting some of the demographics a bit (and before you say it, this has nothing to do with not wanting poorer kids in our schools and everything to do with the challenges of running a high FARMS school and the way those challenges are unequally distributed)? Why are tons of our kids having to deal with split articulation and almost none of the rich schools' kids?

We are not all going to be dealing with all of these issues. Some of us may not be dealing with any of them. But coming together to look beyond our narrow interest towards the broader unfairness here, and supporting our neighbors on their issues as they support us in ours, is the whole point.

Northwood is getting a brand new school (that likely can be built out more for future growth) that cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Wheaton was rebuilt several years ago.

A remind me again when was the last time Whitman had a major renovation? Oh that’s right - a $25 million minor addition in 2019-2021. Before that, you’d have to go back to the early 1990s for a major renovation. And yet you all complain of inequality between schools. It’s not about the facility but the students and community support. No reasonable amount of money is going to change that short of moving to a more socialized economic system.

Physical plants downcounty (I mean the whole area, not just DCC) are a real problem. It is something many of us have in common. Lots of downcounty schools (maybe most?) are in the same boat as Whitman, or possibly worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many assumptions here about WJ and BCC. Maybe if you looked closely, you would see they are highly diverse schools with many ESL and FARMS kids, as well as kids with special needs.

Why create an us (DCC) vs them (Ws) mindset?

Why is MCPS leaving so many DCC schools overcrowded? Because it is "us" vs "them" in MoCo and always has been.