Protest at Mundo on P street

[Anonymous]

MV cycles through happy parents as fast as good teachers.

I’m glad that some families have had good experiences, but it’s more the exception than the rule. The school has serious issues that have existed since its founding. The school leadership disenfranchises parents and teachers even as their rhetoric would suggest otherwise. Talk to teachers who have left and you’ll get the real deal. Many parents have concluded that a leadership change is necessary. I’d love to see that and a renewal of the school mission. I still believe in its promise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 .

But there is an argument that charters do make neighborhood public schools weaker. I think that's why the "gross" comments feel justified.

There are many discussions to be has about people who are willing to live in a neighborhood, but won't send their kids to school with the kids who live in the neighborhood. And with my own eyes and ears, I have heard from parents who turned down Langley or Seaton bc they wanted their kid to have a different "peer group." So there is a schadenfreude element here -- you have the peer group, but at the expense of the education.

[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?

I see Kristin is here.

[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.

You miss the point. They are telling you that this isn't new. This isn't pandemic related. This has been the MV way for many years. If you want to eradicate a disease the first step is to properly classify the cause. What is being suggested is that this is a long festering cancer, not a recently developed skin rash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the message that the school administrators sent to the entire community in response to the protest. It seems a little apathetic to the issues the children are facing—


“Dear Mundo Verde Families,

We are writing to let you know that a group of Third Grade parents and caregivers from J.F. Cook campus organized a protest today, June 14, during arrival. Please be aware that while we hope to minimize disruptions during arrival and 5th grade Expo, this small group may continue these actions tomorrow. While we hope it will not be repeated on Thursday, some parents and caregivers brought accusatory signage to campus on Wednesday - a regrettable and unfortunate public display of disrespect for the core values of ESPICA that we teach our students and ask everyone to practice.

Some students might have seen this action by these parents/caregivers, some might have been encouraged to participate in various ways, and some might have been upset as a result. Teachers and staff will be on alert Thursday to identify any unusual stress or worry that this situation may have caused and will encourage students to share any concerns they may have.

The stated goal of this protest was to schedule a meeting with the school leadership to talk about staffing and their experience with the school. Without listing all the meetings, hours and events, please know that school leadership has held many hours of meetings throughout the year to listen carefully to the concerns raised. If you would like to know more about the specific opportunities that have been provided for these discussions please contact us.

As school leaders, we will continue to actively engage with all members of the community who are contributing to the school’s overall success.”

I don't have a kid at MV and I don't know anything about the concerns or protests. This response from MV is TOTALLY off base and inappropriate. It is overtly threatening to those who choose to participate and gives BS lip services to concern for students who might be stressed out by protesters and signs. Would that they were as concerned about the drug use and shootings in their neighborhood. This is a bad look for MV.

This. Sorry but Truxton Circle and P St are regularly scary. Parents with signs is nothing compared to the other things kids see.

And yet; the School administration allegedly called the police on the protestors. Shocking.

Can confirm. The responding officer said it was the school that called.

[Anonymous]

Nope, for the most record, I think she should be replaced, and I think parents should be able to elect at least one board member, but probably more.

I genuinely like the school, though I know the parents who don’t like it (for their own valid reasons) will try to tell me that I am wrong to like it, or I have some privilege that makes my opinion less worthy than theirs, or whatever.

I support leadership change, but as another person said, the teachers who show up for our kids are amazing humans, and I support them too.

[Anonymous]

ugh, this school.

We barely lasted the year at this campus. We wanted to like it. It was everything you all said it would be and worse.

the core of it is that the parent ground is constantly at odds with the school administration. it is mind boggling. you'd think these two groups would have common ground enough to work together, but no.

as for the 3rd grade-- there was a letter that went around that one of those classrooms did not have a teacher on a testing day... i can't even imagine. these kids are 8 years old and should not have to worry if there is going to be a teacher or not.

going elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope, for the most record, I think she should be replaced, and I think parents should be able to elect at least one board member, but probably more.

I genuinely like the school, though I know the parents who don’t like it (for their own valid reasons) will try to tell me that I am wrong to like it, or I have some privilege that makes my opinion less worthy than theirs, or whatever.

I support leadership change, but as another person said, the teachers who show up for our kids are amazing humans, and I support them too.

The protestors 100% support the teachers and was coordinated with the union in advance. If you are indeed at Calle 8 you have access to all of this information. If you choose not to hear it, that is to your detriment and worse, your child’s.

[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?

I see Kristin is here.

I was wondering if it was someone from the school as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

How was the expansion approval "in the name of equity"? Were there promises to serve more at-risk students at the new campus or something else?

[Anonymous]

If I were in a DCI feeder I would be all over this. Damn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

+100. Even if the school is "working" for your kids--you have to know that situation is tenuous at best, given the lack of leadership. Next year, your child could be in a classroom that experiences all of these issues (and more!). When there are systemic problems at the leadership level, it's only a matter of time until your child feels the negative impact. That's why I don't get the "MV is working for my kids now, so I'm not going to worry". That's extremely narrow minded of you. What will you do in 2-3 years time as the school continues to crumble? You have to plan for the long game in this city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Different poster and I totally agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

+100. Even if the school is "working" for your kids--you have to know that situation is tenuous at best, given the lack of leadership. Next year, your child could be in a classroom that experiences all of these issues (and more!). When there are systemic problems at the leadership level, it's only a matter of time until your child feels the negative impact. That's why I don't get the "MV is working for my kids now, so I'm not going to worry". That's extremely narrow minded of you. What will you do in 2-3 years time as the school continues to crumble? You have to plan for the long game in this city.

Who said this “ "MV is working for my kids now, so I'm not going to worry"?

[Anonymous]

When will parents start taking responsibility?