Seeking Intel on Springarn Swing // JO Wilson and the 18-month timeline, Chisholm, others who have used the space ...

[Anonymous]

Chisholm had its modernization PTA meeting last night, and it appears DCPS is leaning toward Springarn for a swing space. I know past schools have used it. I know traffic/parking is an issue. But how have the experiences been overall? I think SWS used it, and J.O. Wilson is about to move in. Any feedback that would be helpful to know? Is it worth sticking with it?

Another note - the DCPS representative explained that JO Wilson is moving into the Springarn space in a few weeks - a mid-year move. This is due to what was described as the "complexities" of the Browne renovation, but the rep explicitly denied that this was a delay of any sort, and indicated that JO Wilson is on time. But this gives them only 18 months for construction for Springarn to become available if Chisholm is going to swing there. Is this realistic? Do folks from JO Wilson have any intel on this, or concerns on their end? Would like to know if we need to increase our advocacy efforts or brace ourselves for a last-minute switch to a worse swing space (see, e.g., the surprise Brent parents got last spring when Meyer was announce).

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

I think Spingarn (it's not SpRingarn) is a pretty good option for you. There's really no convenient way to modernize a school, period. Traffic and parking will definitely be an issue at Emery and KC Lewis sites-- it's not like DCPS has some empty vacant school with a big parking lot just lying around waiting for you to use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Spingarn (it's not SpRingarn) is a pretty good option for you. There's really no convenient way to modernize a school, period. Traffic and parking will definitely be an issue at Emery and KC Lewis sites-- it's not like DCPS has some empty vacant school with a big parking lot just lying around waiting for you to use it.

OP here. Yes, thank you - there's no "edit" button on posts and I realized my spelling error the moment I hit submit, of course. The temptation to add the "r" was too strong in the moment.

My post acknowledged the traffic and parking, and I'm fully aware there's no empty vacant school with a large parking lot lying around. No one is unaware that modernization comes with its headaches. But I think the community has an incentive to gather information and advocate for itself, where possible, rather than take a passive backseat.

If anyone has productive comments on their experience with Spingarn (including improvements that could be advocated for during this process) I'd love to hear it!

[Anonymous]

I think the rep meant that mid-year moves are in general less than ideal and DCPS tries to avoid them, but the Browne reno (a new build gym and mods to a very old building) is extra complex so this is how it worked out. Not that there's some new complexity.


You can see a list of swing spaces here. Ask yourself if there's anything you'd prefer.
https://dcps.dc.gov/page/school-planning

There's a lot of info on this site if you poke around: https://sites.google.com/dc.gov/dcps-facilities/modernizations?authuser=0

[Anonymous]

JO families have been assured the modernization can be completed in 18 months. It's not yet running behind since it can't actually start in earnest until the school is vacated and we don't have any special knowledge about how likely they are to stick to the schedule. I know these projects run behind all the time.

I can't speak to parking or traffic yet since we haven't moved. The main question I have is how car drop off of PK kids is going to work because it sounds like the drop off lane is designed for older kids (who can get out of the car and walk into school on their own) and they are still working out something so that PK kids can be handed off directly to teachers. Right now a lot of PK parents either walk/bike or park their cars so that they can walk kids all the way to hand off. Some people are going to use the DCPS provided buses from JO to the swing but I think a lot of people would prefer to take the little kids themselves and are anxious to hear how this is going to work.

I'm happy to report back in January with more info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the rep meant that mid-year moves are in general less than ideal and DCPS tries to avoid them, but the Browne reno (a new build gym and mods to a very old building) is extra complex so this is how it worked out. Not that there's some new complexity.


You can see a list of swing spaces here. Ask yourself if there's anything you'd prefer.
https://dcps.dc.gov/page/school-planning

There's a lot of info on this site if you poke around: https://sites.google.com/dc.gov/dcps-facilities/modernizations?authuser=0

That's what it comes down to. Spingarn is imperfect but I think for schools on the Hill it's the obvious winner due to proximity and the resources available there. Most of your alternatives will require a substantial commute for the kids.

The biggest piece of advice I have for you is to be flexible and understand that your choices will be limited. The process will not be ideal and there will be inconveniences and hardships. So your goal is just to try and mitigate the pain as much as you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:JO families have been assured the modernization can be completed in 18 months. It's not yet running behind since it can't actually start in earnest until the school is vacated and we don't have any special knowledge about how likely they are to stick to the schedule. I know these projects run behind all the time.

I can't speak to parking or traffic yet since we haven't moved. The main question I have is how car drop off of PK kids is going to work because it sounds like the drop off lane is designed for older kids (who can get out of the car and walk into school on their own) and they are still working out something so that PK kids can be handed off directly to teachers. Right now a lot of PK parents either walk/bike or park their cars so that they can walk kids all the way to hand off. Some people are going to use the DCPS provided buses from JO to the swing but I think a lot of people would prefer to take the little kids themselves and are anxious to hear how this is going to work.

I'm happy to report back in January with more info.

I'd appreciate that so much - best of luck!

[Anonymous]

We were the first group in the swing space, and most of our students were bussed from SWS to and from Spingarn, so the drop-off/pick-up lines were not too bad. They did have a lot of adults managing the lines.

The space was nice, with a really cool deck system between classes, with buildings holding multiple grades, and then walking outside to go to some of the specials. The bigger kids did have to head down the hill to the Spingarn field for recess, since the playground space at the swing site was fine, but small.

Since we were there for the virtual year and the year just post covid, we were happy that the space gave lots of opportunity to be outside. Not sure if that is still a concern.

[Anonymous]

Springarn is somewhat a trek from Chisholm but it is also a zillion times better and more workable than what Amidon and Brent are being offered. They will get JO done on time (possibly w a big push the second summer).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Springarn is somewhat a trek from Chisholm but it is also a zillion times better and more workable than what Amidon and Brent are being offered. They will get JO done on time (possibly w a big push the second summer).

Do you have intel on that? I hope you are right!