Truth about being three coughs above FARMS at a high performing Charter School

[Anonymous]

OP, please come back and at least tell us what "coughs" mean! We are dying to know. I assumed it was an auto-correct error or a typo.

[Anonymous]

I want to know why people are trying to discredit her. She wrote the post to help other parents who are in similar situations by giving a different perspective than has been shared. Why fault her for views and desire to share her experience?

It seems to me that the negative responders are the ones who have an agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want to know why people are trying to discredit her. She wrote the post to help other parents who are in similar situations by giving a different perspective than has been shared. Why fault her for views and desire to share her experience?

It seems to me that the negative responders are the ones who have an agenda.

Why did she write the post? To "help" other parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I want to know why people are trying to discredit her. She wrote the post to help other parents who are in similar situations by giving a different perspective than has been shared. Why fault her for views and desire to share her experience?

It seems to me that the negative responders are the ones who have an agenda.

Why did she write the post? To "help" other parents?

Yes, I believe she wrote the post to help other parents. She said that she was naive when she started out in charters. She assumed that because it was a highly-regarded charter that her child was "set" but now she realizes that that thinking was flawed. I thought she explained her background and financial situation to emphasis how resources or lack there of have hindered HER. I didn't see that she was blaming anyone. She seemed to blame herself and wanted to let others know what to expect.

Instead of offering understanding, some DCUM posters went as far as to put her down because she should have known that she needed to devote more time and effort. Well, she already said she didn't put in enough time/effort and doesn't have the money to catch up. I didn't see her post as a blame game when I read it, so I was surprised to see DCUM respond that way.

I don't think we should make a person who feels marginalized even more marginalized. Just because your experience is different, doesn't mean that hers is wrong. Yes, she sounded frustrated, but I could read through that and get her main points.

I am a new charter school parent and appreciated her point of view. Do I think negatively of charters now? NO! Will I think twice about projecting my views on someone else who may have a different opinion or feel marginalized? YES!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want to know why people are trying to discredit her. She wrote the post to help other parents who are in similar situations by giving a different perspective than has been shared. Why fault her for views and desire to share her experience?

It seems to me that the negative responders are the ones who have an agenda.

No agenda here but given the way "high performing, long-waitlist charters" were portrayed in her post, the suggestion was that all charters are as she describes. That is absolutely not the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I want to know why people are trying to discredit her. She wrote the post to help other parents who are in similar situations by giving a different perspective than has been shared. Why fault her for views and desire to share her experience?

It seems to me that the negative responders are the ones who have an agenda.

Why did she write the post? To "help" other parents?

Yes, I believe she wrote the post to help other parents. She said that she was naive when she started out in charters. She assumed that because it was a highly-regarded charter that her child was "set" but now she realizes that that thinking was flawed. I thought she explained her background and financial situation to emphasis how resources or lack there of have hindered HER. I didn't see that she was blaming anyone. She seemed to blame herself and wanted to let others know what to expect.

Instead of offering understanding, some DCUM posters went as far as to put her down because she should have known that she needed to devote more time and effort. Well, she already said she didn't put in enough time/effort and doesn't have the money to catch up. I didn't see her post as a blame game when I read it, so I was surprised to see DCUM respond that way.

I don't think we should make a person who feels marginalized even more marginalized. Just because your experience is different, doesn't mean that hers is wrong. Yes, she sounded frustrated, but I could read through that and get her main points.

I am a new charter school parent and appreciated her point of view. Do I think negatively of charters now? NO! Will I think twice about projecting my views on someone else who may have a different opinion or feel marginalized? YES!

Really? She wasn't blaming anyone? She didn't accuse the admins and teachers at the "HRCS" for treating her child unfairly? Of revoking their residency papers and relegating them to second-class status? I didn't read one sentence that spoke to her blaming herself... Can you point that out?

She is frustrated, clearly! But what were her main points again? She and her kid are being discriminated right?

How does this possibly help you as a new charter school parent?

[Anonymous]

She made serious accusations that charter schools sort and grade children by the amount of money their parents donate! She said that anyone who questions the school has their residency papers lost! And we're being accused of unfounded accusations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, please come back and at least tell us what "coughs" mean! We are dying to know. I assumed it was an auto-correct error or a typo.

As a previous poster stated, "coughs" means that she is one illness away from being FARMS (low income). This is often used to describe the state of being barely middle class. Her financial situation is precarious. She makes barely too much to qualify for assistance, but far too little to live without having to constantly worry that a large bill might "sink the ship". Please don't ask what sink the ship means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, please come back and at least tell us what "coughs" mean! We are dying to know. I assumed it was an auto-correct error or a typo.

As a previous poster stated, "coughs" means that she is one illness away from being FARMS (low income). This is often used to describe the state of being barely middle class. Her financial situation is precarious. She makes barely too much to qualify for assistance, but far too little to live without having to constantly worry that a large bill might "sink the ship". Please don't ask what sink the ship means.

Thanks for the clarification doc!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I want to know why people are trying to discredit her. She wrote the post to help other parents who are in similar situations by giving a different perspective than has been shared. Why fault her for views and desire to share her experience?

It seems to me that the negative responders are the ones who have an agenda.

Why did she write the post? To "help" other parents?

Yes, I believe she wrote the post to help other parents. She said that she was naive when she started out in charters. She assumed that because it was a highly-regarded charter that her child was "set" but now she realizes that that thinking was flawed. I thought she explained her background and financial situation to emphasis how resources or lack there of have hindered HER. I didn't see that she was blaming anyone. She seemed to blame herself and wanted to let others know what to expect.

Instead of offering understanding, some DCUM posters went as far as to put her down because she should have known that she needed to devote more time and effort. Well, she already said she didn't put in enough time/effort and doesn't have the money to catch up. I didn't see her post as a blame game when I read it, so I was surprised to see DCUM respond that way.

I don't think we should make a person who feels marginalized even more marginalized. Just because your experience is different, doesn't mean that hers is wrong. Yes, she sounded frustrated, but I could read through that and get her main points.

I am a new charter school parent and appreciated her point of view. Do I think negatively of charters now? NO! Will I think twice about projecting my views on someone else who may have a different opinion or feel marginalized? YES!

Really? She wasn't blaming anyone? She didn't accuse the admins and teachers at the "HRCS" for treating her child unfairly? Of revoking their residency papers and relegating them to second-class status? I didn't read one sentence that spoke to her blaming herself... Can you point that out?

She is frustrated, clearly! But what were her main points again? She and her kid are being discriminated right?

How does this possibly help you as a new charter school parent?

I'm the PP you're responding to. Here's the reference from her post:

"I do wish I'd not been so naive about academic program implementation however. My best suggestion is to supplement as much as you possibly can with outside enrichment. In that way no matter which way it goes, your child has a better change of not being behind his or her peers."

Here's what I took away from the post. Something VERY specific happened to the OP and she's upset about it. In her frustration, it occurred to her that other people she's spoken with have had similar experiences (or at least felt marginalized if what' she's saying is not completely true). She wished someone had given her a similar perspective when she first became a charter parent. She thought she'd help someone else by posting her experience (which was also therapeutic as confessions and personal accounts often are).

I thought it was harmless, but apparently I'm in the minority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I want to know why people are trying to discredit her. She wrote the post to help other parents who are in similar situations by giving a different perspective than has been shared. Why fault her for views and desire to share her experience?

It seems to me that the negative responders are the ones who have an agenda.

Why did she write the post? To "help" other parents?

Yes, I believe she wrote the post to help other parents. She said that she was naive when she started out in charters. She assumed that because it was a highly-regarded charter that her child was "set" but now she realizes that that thinking was flawed. I thought she explained her background and financial situation to emphasis how resources or lack there of have hindered HER. I didn't see that she was blaming anyone. She seemed to blame herself and wanted to let others know what to expect.

Instead of offering understanding, some DCUM posters went as far as to put her down because she should have known that she needed to devote more time and effort. Well, she already said she didn't put in enough time/effort and doesn't have the money to catch up. I didn't see her post as a blame game when I read it, so I was surprised to see DCUM respond that way.

I don't think we should make a person who feels marginalized even more marginalized. Just because your experience is different, doesn't mean that hers is wrong. Yes, she sounded frustrated, but I could read through that and get her main points.

I am a new charter school parent and appreciated her point of view. Do I think negatively of charters now? NO! Will I think twice about projecting my views on someone else who may have a different opinion or feel marginalized? YES!

Really? She wasn't blaming anyone? She didn't accuse the admins and teachers at the "HRCS" for treating her child unfairly? Of revoking their residency papers and relegating them to second-class status? I didn't read one sentence that spoke to her blaming herself... Can you point that out?

She is frustrated, clearly! But what were her main points again? She and her kid are being discriminated right?

How does this possibly help you as a new charter school parent?

I'm the PP you're responding to. Here's the reference from her post:

"I do wish I'd not been so naive about academic program implementation however. My best suggestion is to supplement as much as you possibly can with outside enrichment. In that way no matter which way it goes, your child has a better change of not being behind his or her peers."

Here's what I took away from the post. Something VERY specific happened to the OP and she's upset about it. In her frustration, it occurred to her that other people she's spoken with have had similar experiences (or at least felt marginalized if what' she's saying is not completely true). She wished someone had given her a similar perspective when she first became a charter parent. She thought she'd help someone else by posting her experience (which was also therapeutic as confessions and personal accounts often are).

I thought it was harmless, but apparently I'm in the minority.

OP has been invited, repeatedly, to detail said VERY specific incident. Otherwise, I'm not buying t, and am inclined to think YOU are OP.

...still waiting...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are wonderful. Sincerely, a working class DCPS teacher.

+ 1

It looks like DCPS teachers have decided to use DCUM as a lobbying forum for their jobs.

Nope. We come purely for entertainment purposes.

Obviously, but you're not very thoughtful.

We taxpayers would appreciate if you would do it less during work hours. Because you DCPS teachers definitely whine online during work hours, and it really makes our high DC taxes stink even more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are wonderful. Sincerely, a working class DCPS teacher.

+ 1

It looks like DCPS teachers have decided to use DCUM as a lobbying forum for their jobs.

Nope. We come purely for entertainment purposes.

Obviously, but you're not very thoughtful.

We taxpayers would appreciate if you would do it less during work hours. Because you DCPS teachers definitely whine online during work hours, and it really makes our high DC taxes stink even more.

Not the poster you are responding to, but you need a hobby if you are keeping track of times when someone post on this forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She made serious accusations that charter schools sort and grade children by the amount of money their parents donate! She said that anyone who questions the school has their residency papers lost! And we're being accused of unfounded accusations?

I am not so sure that this statement of hers is so wild and outlandish. Why is it so difficult to believe that parents who give large sums of money to a school have some influence and may by request, not design, receive preferential treatment? Parents who are plugged into their children's school know which teachers are sought after and which are to be avoided. Do you not think that parents who have this information would not politely request that their child be placed in the classroom of their choice? If these parents have a close relationship with school administrators, as a result of their generous contributions, I can see how the request may be granted. Of course the school may not be providing this treatment with the intention of disadvantaging low SES children, but this may be an outcome nonetheless. School administrators are human and have been given a tremendous task of providing an excellent academic experience with little resources. The DC charter school market is competitive and underfunded. Charter schools depend on outside funds to keep their doors open. All of these facts must at times create an environment where administrators are eager to please those parents who are significant contributors. This happens with corporate and large individual donors in elections, I do not find it hard to believe that it happens at charter schools as well. Of course, the influence of high SES families at HRCS would be diminished if charter schools received funding equal to that of traditional public schools. Let's advocate for that!

p.s. The tone of the posts by those who "know" OP is strange to say the least. Although OP gave some descriptive information regarding the school, she did not name the school. I actually came to my conclusion as to the school by the way she was attacked by those who "know" her. There are only a couple of schools on this board who are known to have combative boosters. No need to name them we all know who they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The vehicle that she drives is very relevant. If she is as economically disadvantaged as she claims and is discriminated against because of that then why is she driving an expensive vehicle? If that's the case then it suggests that she's not been honest about anything she's said. I also note that since that allegation was made she has not come back at all and has not disputed it - for me that's a huge sign that she is not credible.

well, maybe the expensive vehicle is a defense against being looked at 'cough-zone'?

I can't wrap my mind around how stupid that is. My minivan looks like it was shipped home from Iraq as forensic evidence of an explosion, yet our HHI is approximately 150K.

Nobody is forcing you to overspend on luxuries.