Open house impressions thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I think PP was being sarcastic to the poster who doesn't want to spend money on DCPS facilities because students aren't performing well. (Doesn't make much sense since we were discussing Shepherd, which is relatively high performing.)

Yes, sarcasm - thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I think PP was being sarcastic to the poster who doesn't want to spend money on DCPS facilities because students aren't performing well. (Doesn't make much sense since we were discussing Shepherd, which is relatively high performing.)

Yes, sarcasm - thank you.

Oh, okay! My sarcasm detector is off (time for more coffee).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shepherd installed steel beams into an existing 1950's structure, to accommodate the weight of their kiln... instead of doing something basic, like putting it on the first floor. It's true, I read it here first--but then I researched it. Look it up. They are also, I believe, in the process of putting in their underground parking. It won't serve all the teachers, but a few.

As for this:

I don't know anything about the underground parking or kilns, but I do know a thing or two about running a school. You simply don't get it: there is a huge difference between expanding an already successful school, and learning from what is working at that school and getting other leaders to apply it/implement it elsewhere. Seems like many have tried already to explain to you, and maybe your heels are just too dug in and you're beyond learning anything new about this, but you cannot just take schools that are working at a certain size and demand that they increase in classes significantly - for a variety of reasons.

But instead of explaining it to you again, because others have already made their points, I suggest you put your money where your mouth is and go work at a school or volunteer at a school that you think is working well. You have your child in a charter - volunteer there and ask the leadership why they don't expand to 700 students or double their number of classes.

I am not talking out of my ass. I've seen a successful public school expand, from about 400 kids when our kids started there to 700 five years later. And the school now has national recognition, about a 50% free lunch population, and a diverse student body. It's really not that complicated. Hire two assistant principals instead of one, expand your teaching staff. I volunteeered at this school for five years and watched the transformation. Helped with it. Really--not that hard.

You know what the most beautiful thing about your bossy "I've seen it done so it can be done - go do it because I said so" attitude? While you hang out on the internet bossing people around, real people are out there actually doing something to make things better in DC. Taking actual steps.

And not one single one of those people has to listen to you. They've put in the time and effort, and they have earned the right to run the schools the way they think is best. And DCPS as it struggles along also has to work with those who are actually doing something. Bossy voices who know best on DCUM can generate some interesting discussions, but nothing about this thread is actually making a single thing better for any kids in DC.

So enjoy your "It can be done, I saw it". Just don't fool yourself that you're helping anyone, because your backseat school expansion driving helps absolutely no one, except maybe making you feel better about yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You seem to know nothing about charters, so please stop talking with grown ups and go back to imaginary school that you doubled in size all by your self.

And you seem to know nothing about how to run a school efficiently, which, considering what I've seen in DC, is not at all a surprise. It's depressing though, how much money is thrown around here on renovations and how little seems to actually be applied to improving results for the kids.

DCPS has among the highest spending per student in the country. While I agree that there has been some ridiculous overspending on facilities, the high schools in particular, I don't begrudge the money spent on elementary schools at all. Why shouldn't kids have an art room or an atrium? I went to DCPS back in the 70s and some of the schools still look exactly the same. Bright, modern facilities are uplifting for students and staff alike.

What if you averaged the facility spending over the last 40 years, to take into account the years of neglect? I think we should spend more on our schools.

Sure, spend more since DCPS spending is mostly to prop up contractors and the building trades with jobs. All that spending has done little to nothing to actually teach children but man, how uplifting it is to still do crappy in an expensive new building. All show, ZERO substance.

The per pupil spending figures usually cited DON"T include facilities.

So if facilities is included in per pupil spending we are still #1 spending per pupil in the entire country.

This is the DCPS version of a high school dropout on welfare who is all decked out in designer clothes and fancy sneakers and cars. Glad to see the schools reflect those they graduate or dropout.

[Anonymous]

DCPS has some excellent elementary schools (Janney, Murch, Brent, Shephard, Mann, Key, Lafayette, Ross, Hyde-Addison, Maury). Just make sure your kid gets into one of these schools, put them in a charter for middle school (or Deal), and either put them in SWW, Banneker, Mckinley, or opt for one of the many great private high schools in the city.

This is the route that 95% of parents on DCUM should take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You seem to know nothing about charters, so please stop talking with grown ups and go back to imaginary school that you doubled in size all by your self.

And you seem to know nothing about how to run a school efficiently, which, considering what I've seen in DC, is not at all a surprise. It's depressing though, how much money is thrown around here on renovations and how little seems to actually be applied to improving results for the kids.

DCPS has among the highest spending per student in the country. While I agree that there has been some ridiculous overspending on facilities, the high schools in particular, I don't begrudge the money spent on elementary schools at all. Why shouldn't kids have an art room or an atrium? I went to DCPS back in the 70s and some of the schools still look exactly the same. Bright, modern facilities are uplifting for students and staff alike.

What if you averaged the facility spending over the last 40 years, to take into account the years of neglect? I think we should spend more on our schools.

Sure, spend more since DCPS spending is mostly to prop up contractors and the building trades with jobs. All that spending has done little to nothing to actually teach children but man, how uplifting it is to still do crappy in an expensive new building. All show, ZERO substance.

The per pupil spending figures usually cited DON"T include facilities.

So if facilities is included in per pupil spending we are still #1 spending per pupil in the entire country.

This is the DCPS version of a high school dropout on welfare who is all decked out in designer clothes and fancy sneakers and cars. Glad to see the schools reflect those they graduate or dropout.

You probably don't care about silly stuff like data, but you have your facts wrong. But please, don't let that stop you.

[Anonymous]

Anyone want to start a new thread that is actually about open house impressions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone want to start a new thread that is actually about open house impressions?

You went through the trouble of asking that question here instead of just going ahead and doing it? What's with the unwillingness to take actual action around here? And no, I'm not doing it because I'm more interested in the convo being had right now. But you should go ahead - or wait for someone else to which seems to be a trend in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Shepherd's atrium cost 30 million dollars. And they had an art room already. A rather spacious, light-filled one. What they didn't have was any art... supplies. Any. Nor did they have any musical instruments. Do they now?

It is a lovely school. And it is a lovely school that should actually expand its enrollment so that more children could benefit from its loveliness.

As I said, I spent a lot of time working at our previous school. I saw kindergarten classes expand from three, to five, to six--with the upper grades following suit. Lunchtimes and recess got a little louder. We had to split the Christmas pageant in two. But essentially, not a ton of difference in the day to day routine. More kids meant more parent volunteers. It meant a more active, vibrant community. I am not a fan of schools over the 700 mark, but I've seen very successful ones at that number.

Obviously, you all have had much different experiences. Possibly because DC. I might have a bias.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shepherd's atrium cost 30 million dollars. And they had an art room already. A rather spacious, light-filled one. What they didn't have was any art... supplies. Any. Nor did they have any musical instruments. Do they now?

It is a lovely school. And it is a lovely school that should actually expand its enrollment so that more children could benefit from its loveliness.

As I said, I spent a lot of time working at our previous school. I saw kindergarten classes expand from three, to five, to six--with the upper grades following suit. Lunchtimes and recess got a little louder. We had to split the Christmas pageant in two. But essentially, not a ton of difference in the day to day routine. More kids meant more parent volunteers. It meant a more active, vibrant community. I am not a fan of schools over the 700 mark, but I've seen very successful ones at that number.

Obviously, you all have had much different experiences. Possibly because DC. I might have a bias.

You DO have a lot of complaints about DC schools. If you loved your old school so much why did you move here? And, if you managed to do such a great job fixing things at your old school - please get the hell off your butt and volunteer.

[Anonymous]

Maybe Kaya can learn form this superintendent.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/this-superintendent-has-figured-out-how-to-make-school-work-for-poor-kids/2015/12/20/cadac2ca-a4e6-11e5-ad3f-991ce3374e23_story.html

[Anonymous]

I volunteer all the time. And in case it's not obvious from my posts... I'm not here because we wanted to be.

My experience thus far in DC however, has been stepping up, trying to help (not to change, because I'm a newcomer and I know enough to know I don't know how it works) -- and then being slapped in the face over and over again. Metaphorically speaking. I'd be okay with that if it was just me, but that's been my kids' experiences too. Am I bitter? Yes. Do I keep trying? Yes. Are the kids, parents, teachers and administrators lovely people? For the most part--yes.

But a lot of things here don't make sense to me. I can't help but think about how much our school could have done for its 700/kids with 30 million dollars. I can't help but notice that our hrcs is a wonderful, diverse place... But that the system doesn't exactly give people without the resources to drive their kids there every day a way to get there at all.

[Anonymous]

Anyways, I am sorry. I vented way too much tmi here. I should have saved this for the "generalized angst" forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Public and charter are not the same.

Correct. This was a public school. A charter school, which does not need to stay within union regulations, could have an easier time expanding.

I'm sure ITS, which was just unable to add a few spots per grade would disagree with you.

You seem to know nothing about charters, so please stop talking with grown ups and go back to imaginary school that you doubled in size all by your self.

ITS wasn't not able to get the few more spots, the agenda got delayed a month or two. Can we all agree to stop arguing with this crazy person hay thinks all half way decent schools should go from 300 to 700? She's half baked, an idiot and has no idea how DC works. Thank God she doesn't have any position to do anything about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shepherd's atrium cost 30 million dollars. And they had an art room already. A rather spacious, light-filled one. What they didn't have was any art... supplies. Any. Nor did they have any musical instruments. Do they now?

It is a lovely school. And it is a lovely school that should actually expand its enrollment so that more children could benefit from its loveliness.

As I said, I spent a lot of time working at our previous school. I saw kindergarten classes expand from three, to five, to six--with the upper grades following suit. Lunchtimes and recess got a little louder. We had to split the Christmas pageant in two. But essentially, not a ton of difference in the day to day routine. More kids meant more parent volunteers. It meant a more active, vibrant community. I am not a fan of schools over the 700 mark, but I've seen very successful ones at that number.

Obviously, you all have had much different experiences. Possibly because DC. I might have a bias.

Who would Shepherd pull kids from? Takoma? Brightwood? All are lovely schools. Brightwood has facilities far better than Shepherd. You, dear, at an idiot!!!