Do you think Shepherd Elementary will become/is becoming more diverse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't get your hopes up....it ain't changing.

I like it just the way it is. If it changes and has more diveristy, great. If it doesn't, great.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The fact that Shepherd is finally starting to get a little bit of love (or hate, as it were) on DCUM makes me even more interested to see the upcoming lottery results--wondering if the convergence of the still newish IB curriculum, the new PK3 class, and the rising in-boundary % will mean more lottery interest. Would love to have even more engaged, involved families interested in joining us at Shepherd. I guess we'll find out later this week!

Who on this thread said that they hate Shepherd? Don't be so sensitive just because someone asks about demographics and people comment on that.

I think she was just referring to the hateful comments (not directly aimed at Shepherd).

You mean the racist comments brushing NW as Upper Caucasia?

It was a joke. Jesus! Ward 3 is Upper Caucasia. What's the beef?? OMG - racist comments? Coming from the good white people at Living Social? Be mad at them.

NP here. Meaning is always in the context. I'm not born in this country, but my impression is that the term "Upper Caucasia" is frequently used in a derogatory way, insinuating that the people who move there do so because they don't like being around black people, and that the neighborhood is racially homogenous and people there live in a bubble. I believe that's how it was thrown around on this thread as well. If anyone had a comparable term for the AA neighborhoods in this city, I'm sure it would be completely unacceptable and considered racist.

It is a bubble! It's like 95% white in a black city. I never get the impression that they don't want black people there now. The reason that it is so white is because of redlining. Shepherd Park is diverse because the white neighbors stood against the banks because they did not want to keep black people out. I think that's why Shepherd Park is so progressive. After a while, black people could not afford to live in Ward 3. Generational housing wealth. That's been documented.

Look at the history of DC. It is what it is.

DC isn't a black city anymore. It was for several decades, but things have changed already. That doesn't mean upper NW is representative of the city as a whole, but not every area has to represent the city as a whole.

Well said. As someone pointed earlier, NW represents the country much better than any other area in the city, so perhaps it is time to devote more time to Shepherd Park and less to stupid "jokes" such as upper caucasia.

Why the hell are you comparing DC to the rest of the country? We are not the rest of the country. DC is still nearly 50% black so upper NW does not come close to representing the city. There's nothing wrong with it. Audubon Park area is 70% and New Orleans is about 37% white. For the love of God, can we stop race baiting? If you don't have anything to add about Shepherd and its diversity, start your own thread.

Exactly. D.C. is very much still a black city -- it's not a majority black city anymore, but only barely, and it's still definitely plurality black.

Signed, another white person who isn't interested in sending my kids to an 80 percent white school

I would respect a person more for being honest about their prejudice that trying to defend it with this kind of nonsense.

+1. DC is the CAPITAL of a country called USA. Whites are main group, followed by Latinos. If someone resents seeing too many of either group...

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The fact that Shepherd is finally starting to get a little bit of love (or hate, as it were) on DCUM makes me even more interested to see the upcoming lottery results--wondering if the convergence of the still newish IB curriculum, the new PK3 class, and the rising in-boundary % will mean more lottery interest. Would love to have even more engaged, involved families interested in joining us at Shepherd. I guess we'll find out later this week!

Who on this thread said that they hate Shepherd? Don't be so sensitive just because someone asks about demographics and people comment on that.

I think she was just referring to the hateful comments (not directly aimed at Shepherd).

You mean the racist comments brushing NW as Upper Caucasia?

It was a joke. Jesus! Ward 3 is Upper Caucasia. What's the beef?? OMG - racist comments? Coming from the good white people at Living Social? Be mad at them.

NP here. Meaning is always in the context. I'm not born in this country, but my impression is that the term "Upper Caucasia" is frequently used in a derogatory way, insinuating that the people who move there do so because they don't like being around black people, and that the neighborhood is racially homogenous and people there live in a bubble. I believe that's how it was thrown around on this thread as well. If anyone had a comparable term for the AA neighborhoods in this city, I'm sure it would be completely unacceptable and considered racist.

It is a bubble! It's like 95% white in a black city. I never get the impression that they don't want black people there now. The reason that it is so white is because of redlining. Shepherd Park is diverse because the white neighbors stood against the banks because they did not want to keep black people out. I think that's why Shepherd Park is so progressive. After a while, black people could not afford to live in Ward 3. Generational housing wealth. That's been documented.

Look at the history of DC. It is what it is.

DC isn't a black city anymore. It was for several decades, but things have changed already. That doesn't mean upper NW is representative of the city as a whole, but not every area has to represent the city as a whole.

Well said. As someone pointed earlier, NW represents the country much better than any other area in the city, so perhaps it is time to devote more time to Shepherd Park and less to stupid "jokes" such as upper caucasia.

Why the hell are you comparing DC to the rest of the country? We are not the rest of the country. DC is still nearly 50% black so upper NW does not come close to representing the city. There's nothing wrong with it. Audubon Park area is 70% and New Orleans is about 37% white. For the love of God, can we stop race baiting? If you don't have anything to add about Shepherd and its diversity, start your own thread.

Exactly. D.C. is very much still a black city -- it's not a majority black city anymore, but only barely, and it's still definitely plurality black.

Signed, another white person who isn't interested in sending my kids to an 80 percent white school

I would respect a person more for being honest about their prejudice that trying to defend it with this kind of nonsense.

Yes, because white people being prejudiced against white people is a big problem in this country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another case in point that I am hesitant to bring up, because I don't like to criticize decisions that were made before my time, and whose logic I can understand... even if I vehemently disagree with it....

Shepherd's funding cuts involve them not getting a parking lot. That's what everyone is upset about--that they're not ripping up more of their green space to put in a parking lot.

Now, do the teachers need a place to park? Of course they do. I understand that. But there is plenty of street parking, for anyone who can parallel park.

I'm not 100% sure but I think the initial renovation plans called for underground parking. I'm with you; I hope they don't touch the green space if they do get that funding restored. It would be nice though, as it's often a bit chaotic in the mornings, and off-street parking for staff would free up street parking for families.

FWIW, I think families are especially pushing for the other renovations--at the last PTA meeting, the kitchen and cafeteria seemed to be a bigger focus of concern for safety and health reasons. For example, right now the kitchen is only a "heat and eat" kitchen that doesn't allow cooking/preparation of meals onsite. Also, the gym renovations were cut out, so there's a push to get that addressed as well (e.g., stage is not ADA-compliant for kids or staff w/disabilities).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:The fact that Shepherd is finally starting to get a little bit of love (or hate, as it were) on DCUM makes me even more interested to see the upcoming lottery results--wondering if the convergence of the still newish IB curriculum, the new PK3 class, and the rising in-boundary % will mean more lottery interest. Would love to have even more engaged, involved families interested in joining us at Shepherd. I guess we'll find out later this week!

Who on this thread said that they hate Shepherd? Don't be so sensitive just because someone asks about demographics and people comment on that.

I think she was just referring to the hateful comments (not directly aimed at Shepherd).

You mean the racist comments brushing NW as Upper Caucasia?

It was a joke. Jesus! Ward 3 is Upper Caucasia. What's the beef?? OMG - racist comments? Coming from the good white people at Living Social? Be mad at them.

NP here. Meaning is always in the context. I'm not born in this country, but my impression is that the term "Upper Caucasia" is frequently used in a derogatory way, insinuating that the people who move there do so because they don't like being around black people, and that the neighborhood is racially homogenous and people there live in a bubble. I believe that's how it was thrown around on this thread as well. If anyone had a comparable term for the AA neighborhoods in this city, I'm sure it would be completely unacceptable and considered racist.

It is a bubble! It's like 95% white in a black city. I never get the impression that they don't want black people there now. The reason that it is so white is because of redlining. Shepherd Park is diverse because the white neighbors stood against the banks because they did not want to keep black people out. I think that's why Shepherd Park is so progressive. After a while, black people could not afford to live in Ward 3. Generational housing wealth. That's been documented.

Look at the history of DC. It is what it is.

DC isn't a black city anymore. It was for several decades, but things have changed already. That doesn't mean upper NW is representative of the city as a whole, but not every area has to represent the city as a whole.

Well said. As someone pointed earlier, NW represents the country much better than any other area in the city, so perhaps it is time to devote more time to Shepherd Park and less to stupid "jokes" such as upper caucasia.

Why the hell are you comparing DC to the rest of the country? We are not the rest of the country. DC is still nearly 50% black so upper NW does not come close to representing the city. There's nothing wrong with it. Audubon Park area is 70% and New Orleans is about 37% white. For the love of God, can we stop race baiting? If you don't have anything to add about Shepherd and its diversity, start your own thread.

Exactly. D.C. is very much still a black city -- it's not a majority black city anymore, but only barely, and it's still definitely plurality black.

Signed, another white person who isn't interested in sending my kids to an 80 percent white school

I would respect a person more for being honest about their prejudice that trying to defend it with this kind of nonsense.

Yes, because white people being prejudiced against white people is a big problem in this country.

Stupidity is indeed a big problem in this country, and one that knows no racial barriers.

[Anonymous]

I'm not 100% sure but I think the initial renovation plans called for underground parking. I'm with you; I hope they don't touch the green space if they do get that funding restored. It would be nice though, as it's often a bit chaotic in the mornings, and off-street parking for staff would free up street parking for families.

FWIW, I think families are especially pushing for the other renovations--at the last PTA meeting, the kitchen and cafeteria seemed to be a bigger focus of concern for safety and health reasons. For example, right now the kitchen is only a "heat and eat" kitchen that doesn't allow cooking/preparation of meals onsite. Also, the gym renovations were cut out, so there's a push to get that addressed as well (e.g., stage is not ADA-compliant for kids or staff w/disabilities).

Well, underground parking sounds insane. If they were building that, I'd really wonder what they're spending money for. Underground parking in a neighborhood with plentiful street parking???? Really? I'm there every day. At drop off, the blocks surrounding Shepherd are covered about halfways by cars parked with room for more cars. We are talking nominal convenience at most here, in a neighborhood that is otherwise low traffic.

I think a new kitchen and cafeteria sound nice.... but then again, when I look at the DCPS menus that Shepherd currently uses with whatever the caterer is, the choices don't look awful. This is my opinion only. I agree, more gym renovations would be nice. And I really don't know. We are new to the school. I'm not opposed to any of these renovations, but I'm also not outraged that they've been taken away.

All things are subjective... but for me, honestly, the fact that they have a music teacher from Oberlin and no musical instruments trumps parking in an area where there's plentiful street parking. Get those kids some instruments. As I said, these things are all subjective, and probably come from different funding pools... but this is where I'd focus concern.

[Anonymous]

Actually, the more I think about the parking thing, the more I think, "Is it me, or you?" Is it the community, for being so NIMBY they can't manage to have cars that are not their cars parked in front of their house for ten minutes in the morning? Is it the parents who drive their kids to school, who are dedicated for doing so, but can't manage to also walk an extra block, or use the car drop off line thing? Is the community outraged that employees are parking on Kalmia, even along the side of the street that extends for quite some time with no houses on it? Look, the parking thing. I really, really do not get it. It is a massive disconnect. I am not judging, but I am genuinely, genuinely completely confused.

[Anonymous]

Is it security? Is it unsafe for employees to park in this residential neighborhood? Are cars being broken into?

[Anonymous]

I work in development and I can tell you that each underground Parking space costs between 30k-50k to build. If they are building underground parking that is a total misuse of funds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in development and I can tell you that each underground Parking space costs between 30k-50k to build. If they are building underground parking that is a total misuse of funds.

does janney have it?

[Anonymous]

I think Shepherd suffers a great deal from "does Janney have it-itis." But the parking thing... look, I know, I'm not the person to get it. But I really, truly, absolutely do not get it. I would love to see an argument that made sense for the parking--one that I could get behind. It is true, with the snow, a ;pt of the streets are not plowed, and any teacher or employee who makes it to work... (good luck, with the busses not running also), would be hard pressed to find parking.... but the answer there is not "build an underground garage!!!" it is, plow the damn street and clear spaces for parking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it security? Is it unsafe for employees to park in this residential neighborhood? Are cars being broken into?

No.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, street parking would be a super-easy thing for DCPS to fix for its teachers. All teachers in DCPS & DCPS charter can apply to get a special Teacher Parking Pass (like the Visitor Passes you can get for your nanny or contractor). The pass enables them to park from 7 to 7 on residential streets, regardless of what RPP (Residential Parking Permit) area they happen to be in. I also work in development and building underground parking for a school in that low density of a neighborhood is a [/b]grossly negligent[b] misuse of funds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Shepherd suffers a great deal from "does Janney have it-itis." But the parking thing... look, I know, I'm not the person to get it. But I really, truly, absolutely do not get it. I would love to see an argument that made sense for the parking--one that I could get behind. It is true, with the snow, a ;pt of the streets are not plowed, and any teacher or employee who makes it to work... (good luck, with the busses not running also), would be hard pressed to find parking.... but the answer there is not "build an underground garage!!!" it is, plow the damn street and clear spaces for parking.

Couldn't agree more. There is plenty of parking in the neighborhood (one of my favorite things about living here). There is a 2 hour residential max. I understand the frustration of friends on 14th, Kalmia and Jonquil. Commuters have parked in the neighborhood for access to metro (and other parts south and east when Walter Reed was open). Most of our friends are more irritated with the MD adult soccer players that come park (facing wrong way etc), but at the end of the day its a public street. We are a little entitled and sheltered and don't realize how good we have it with regards to parking. Especially when most of us have off street parking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Shepherd suffers a great deal from "does Janney have it-itis." But the parking thing... look, I know, I'm not the person to get it. But I really, truly, absolutely do not get it. I would love to see an argument that made sense for the parking--one that I could get behind. It is true, with the snow, a ;pt of the streets are not plowed, and any teacher or employee who makes it to work... (good luck, with the busses not running also), would be hard pressed to find parking.... but the answer there is not "build an underground garage!!!" it is, plow the damn street and clear spaces for parking.

I have never seen what you describe other than just now when someone asked if Janney has underground parking.