GDS admissions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand how GDS or the ANC can tell people not to park in the metered spots along the west side of Wisconsin Ave. It's a commercial street.

My husband I keep looking at the GDS map that outlines the off limit streets, and unless I’m insane, it looks like both sides of Wisconsin are fair game and you can do what you want. Maybe that’s not honoring what the spirit of the agreement is, but that’s sure as heck what the map looks like.

That's definitely a correct reading of the map. And it makes complete sense because there are no actual neighbors on the west side of Wisconsin. It's a super busy road, with a vacant lot, an abandoned car dealership, Steak and Eggs, and other fine dining options. But no neighbors.

The head of the ANC was not just mean-spirited, but simply wrong in vilifying GDS parents who are doing drop-offs and pick-ups on Wisconsin during the last ANC meeting. You would think that he would have reviewed the MOU before going off like he did. And I don't understand why GDS failed to correct the ANC on this point about Wisconsin Ave. in the meeting. Did no one--either from GDS or the ANC--review the MOU before this contentious meeting? Such poor preparation.
Yes, GDS was wrong to not have filed their report to the ANC--someone in GDS administration clearly dropped the ball there--and GDS should have notified the ANC and DDOT of the increased number of students due to unanticipated COVID yield. The excuse "but we were busy with COVID" was weak. But to actually malign GDS as encouraging families to "cheat" is almost slanderous. You would think that the other ANC commissioners, especially the one with the kid at GDS, would have tried to straighten the record and insert some objectivity into the conflict. What a terrible ANC meeting. Disappointing all around.

Totally agreed. The head of the ANC is exactly the type we know who take these roles. A small-ball lawyer with nothing better to do but to foot fault on some reg. this is the DC classic in every neighborhood commission, homeowners association etc.

Here is the video of the ANC meeting
https://vimeo.com/797699219

Here is the resolution passed against GDS
https://anc3e.org/wp-content/uploads/Draft-Resolution-Re-GDS-Violations-V4.pdf

This could have been resolved by a phone call to GDS. This guy instead chooses to call them out publicly.

[Anonymous]

What was the "key provision" gds changed regarding their traffic counts, referenced in the anc statement?

[Anonymous]

Watching that video of the ANC, the thing that stands out is that the lawyer guy who runs the ANC used every private conversation with the school as a form of testimony that he called out in the meeting. GDS should lawyer up and treat every call as if it's giving sworn testimony. This guy will not let go

[Anonymous]

Guys, the ANC is just enforcing the MOU that GDS signed. Before you jump on neighbors, read what you agreed to. On page 3 number 11
“ 11. No passenger vehicle pick-up and drop-off of students shall occur on the streets immediately adjacent to the Campus (i.e., Ellicott Street, NW, 42nd Street, NW, Chesapeake Street, NW,
4822-9611-3237.5
3

River Road, NW, 43rd Place, NW, and 43rd Street, NW). During drop-off and pick-up, caregivers shall not park in the neighborhood to wait or walk their student(s) to the Campus. Pick-up and drop-off of students by School-chartered bus(es) shall be permitted on 42nd Street.”

And page 4 number 14
“ 14. The School agrees that it will instruct parents, caregivers, and staff who drive to use the entrance and exit that requires the least driving through the neighborhood around the School. Additionally, the School will, as part of its enrollment contract, instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use 43rd Place NW, Ellicott Street, NW, or Fessenden Street, NW, between River Road and Wisconsin Avenue, to reach the School for pick-up or drop-off, whether on the way to or returning from the school, and will similarly instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use of Chesapeake Street when traveling between River Road and 42nd Street. In addition to incorporating this restriction into its enrollment contract in writing, this instruction will be given orally at School orientation. The parties acknowledge that the School, unlike some universities but like most secondary schools, does not have its own police force and cannot independently enforce this restriction. Nevertheless, School personnel who become aware of such use shall advise the offending driver of the School’s policy, and if the School becomes aware of repeat violations by offending drivers, said drivers shall be subject to disciplinary action.”
https://anc3e.org/wp-content/uploads/MOU-between-GDS-and-ANC-3E-Nov.-2017-4822-9611-3237-v.5.pdf

[Anonymous]

Then why is Wisconsin Avenue being called into question? It's not listed, nor is it adjacent to the campus. The school does everything noted below. The ANC and neighbors are being unwelcome, and they have chosen to treat the school like a punching bag.

Anonymous wrote:Guys, the ANC is just enforcing the MOU that GDS signed. Before you jump on neighbors, read what you agreed to. On page 3 number 11
“ 11. No passenger vehicle pick-up and drop-off of students shall occur on the streets immediately adjacent to the Campus (i.e., Ellicott Street, NW, 42nd Street, NW, Chesapeake Street, NW,
4822-9611-3237.5
3

River Road, NW, 43rd Place, NW, and 43rd Street, NW). During drop-off and pick-up, caregivers shall not park in the neighborhood to wait or walk their student(s) to the Campus. Pick-up and drop-off of students by School-chartered bus(es) shall be permitted on 42nd Street.”

And page 4 number 14
“ 14. The School agrees that it will instruct parents, caregivers, and staff who drive to use the entrance and exit that requires the least driving through the neighborhood around the School. Additionally, the School will, as part of its enrollment contract, instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use 43rd Place NW, Ellicott Street, NW, or Fessenden Street, NW, between River Road and Wisconsin Avenue, to reach the School for pick-up or drop-off, whether on the way to or returning from the school, and will similarly instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use of Chesapeake Street when traveling between River Road and 42nd Street. In addition to incorporating this restriction into its enrollment contract in writing, this instruction will be given orally at School orientation. The parties acknowledge that the School, unlike some universities but like most secondary schools, does not have its own police force and cannot independently enforce this restriction. Nevertheless, School personnel who become aware of such use shall advise the offending driver of the School’s policy, and if the School becomes aware of repeat violations by offending drivers, said drivers shall be subject to disciplinary action.”
https://anc3e.org/wp-content/uploads/MOU-between-GDS-and-ANC-3E-Nov.-2017-4822-9611-3237-v.5.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guys, the ANC is just enforcing the MOU that GDS signed. Before you jump on neighbors, read what you agreed to. On page 3 number 11
“ 11. No passenger vehicle pick-up and drop-off of students shall occur on the streets immediately adjacent to the Campus (i.e., Ellicott Street, NW, 42nd Street, NW, Chesapeake Street, NW,
4822-9611-3237.5
3

River Road, NW, 43rd Place, NW, and 43rd Street, NW). During drop-off and pick-up, caregivers shall not park in the neighborhood to wait or walk their student(s) to the Campus. Pick-up and drop-off of students by School-chartered bus(es) shall be permitted on 42nd Street.”

And page 4 number 14
“ 14. The School agrees that it will instruct parents, caregivers, and staff who drive to use the entrance and exit that requires the least driving through the neighborhood around the School. Additionally, the School will, as part of its enrollment contract, instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use 43rd Place NW, Ellicott Street, NW, or Fessenden Street, NW, between River Road and Wisconsin Avenue, to reach the School for pick-up or drop-off, whether on the way to or returning from the school, and will similarly instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use of Chesapeake Street when traveling between River Road and 42nd Street. In addition to incorporating this restriction into its enrollment contract in writing, this instruction will be given orally at School orientation. The parties acknowledge that the School, unlike some universities but like most secondary schools, does not have its own police force and cannot independently enforce this restriction. Nevertheless, School personnel who become aware of such use shall advise the offending driver of the School’s policy, and if the School becomes aware of repeat violations by offending drivers, said drivers shall be subject to disciplinary action.”
https://anc3e.org/wp-content/uploads/MOU-between-GDS-and-ANC-3E-Nov.-2017-4822-9611-3237-v.5.pdf

Did you not watch the ANC meeting? The head ANC was accusing GDS of violating the MOU by having parents use Wisconsin Avenue for drop off and pick up. The MOU explicitly names the streets that are to be off limits -- 43rd Place, Ellicott, and Fessenden between River and Wisconsin, and Chesapeake between River and 42nd. Wisconsin Ave itself is not listed as a street to be avoided for drop offs and pick ups (otherwise, the MOU would presumable state something like Wisconsin Avenue between Fessenden and Chesapeake). Anyway, I think the business on Wisconsin would protest if people weren't allowed to park on Wisconsin because GDS was scaring cars away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guys, the ANC is just enforcing the MOU that GDS signed. Before you jump on neighbors, read what you agreed to. On page 3 number 11
“ 11. No passenger vehicle pick-up and drop-off of students shall occur on the streets immediately adjacent to the Campus (i.e., Ellicott Street, NW, 42nd Street, NW, Chesapeake Street, NW,
4822-9611-3237.5
3

River Road, NW, 43rd Place, NW, and 43rd Street, NW). During drop-off and pick-up, caregivers shall not park in the neighborhood to wait or walk their student(s) to the Campus. Pick-up and drop-off of students by School-chartered bus(es) shall be permitted on 42nd Street.”

And page 4 number 14
“ 14. The School agrees that it will instruct parents, caregivers, and staff who drive to use the entrance and exit that requires the least driving through the neighborhood around the School. Additionally, the School will, as part of its enrollment contract, instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use 43rd Place NW, Ellicott Street, NW, or Fessenden Street, NW, between River Road and Wisconsin Avenue, to reach the School for pick-up or drop-off, whether on the way to or returning from the school, and will similarly instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use of Chesapeake Street when traveling between River Road and 42nd Street. In addition to incorporating this restriction into its enrollment contract in writing, this instruction will be given orally at School orientation. The parties acknowledge that the School, unlike some universities but like most secondary schools, does not have its own police force and cannot independently enforce this restriction. Nevertheless, School personnel who become aware of such use shall advise the offending driver of the School’s policy, and if the School becomes aware of repeat violations by offending drivers, said drivers shall be subject to disciplinary action.”
https://anc3e.org/wp-content/uploads/MOU-between-GDS-and-ANC-3E-Nov.-2017-4822-9611-3237-v.5.pdf

Did you not watch the ANC meeting? The head ANC was accusing GDS of violating the MOU by having parents use Wisconsin Avenue for drop off and pick up. The MOU explicitly names the streets that are to be off limits -- 43rd Place, Ellicott, and Fessenden between River and Wisconsin, and Chesapeake between River and 42nd. Wisconsin Ave itself is not listed as a street to be avoided for drop offs and pick ups (otherwise, the MOU would presumable state something like Wisconsin Avenue between Fessenden and Chesapeake). Anyway, I think the business on Wisconsin would protest if people weren't allowed to park on Wisconsin because GDS was scaring cars away.

I did and was involved in conversations about it with the school and ANC. You all keep missing this line
“ During drop-off and pick-up, caregivers shall not park in the neighborhood to wait or walk their student(s) to the Campus. ”. That can include everywhere including Wisconsin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guys, the ANC is just enforcing the MOU that GDS signed. Before you jump on neighbors, read what you agreed to. On page 3 number 11
“ 11. No passenger vehicle pick-up and drop-off of students shall occur on the streets immediately adjacent to the Campus (i.e., Ellicott Street, NW, 42nd Street, NW, Chesapeake Street, NW,
4822-9611-3237.5
3

River Road, NW, 43rd Place, NW, and 43rd Street, NW). During drop-off and pick-up, caregivers shall not park in the neighborhood to wait or walk their student(s) to the Campus. Pick-up and drop-off of students by School-chartered bus(es) shall be permitted on 42nd Street.”

And page 4 number 14
“ 14. The School agrees that it will instruct parents, caregivers, and staff who drive to use the entrance and exit that requires the least driving through the neighborhood around the School. Additionally, the School will, as part of its enrollment contract, instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use 43rd Place NW, Ellicott Street, NW, or Fessenden Street, NW, between River Road and Wisconsin Avenue, to reach the School for pick-up or drop-off, whether on the way to or returning from the school, and will similarly instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use of Chesapeake Street when traveling between River Road and 42nd Street. In addition to incorporating this restriction into its enrollment contract in writing, this instruction will be given orally at School orientation. The parties acknowledge that the School, unlike some universities but like most secondary schools, does not have its own police force and cannot independently enforce this restriction. Nevertheless, School personnel who become aware of such use shall advise the offending driver of the School’s policy, and if the School becomes aware of repeat violations by offending drivers, said drivers shall be subject to disciplinary action.”
https://anc3e.org/wp-content/uploads/MOU-between-GDS-and-ANC-3E-Nov.-2017-4822-9611-3237-v.5.pdf

Did you not watch the ANC meeting? The head ANC was accusing GDS of violating the MOU by having parents use Wisconsin Avenue for drop off and pick up. The MOU explicitly names the streets that are to be off limits -- 43rd Place, Ellicott, and Fessenden between River and Wisconsin, and Chesapeake between River and 42nd. Wisconsin Ave itself is not listed as a street to be avoided for drop offs and pick ups (otherwise, the MOU would presumable state something like Wisconsin Avenue between Fessenden and Chesapeake). Anyway, I think the business on Wisconsin would protest if people weren't allowed to park on Wisconsin because GDS was scaring cars away.

I did and was involved in conversations about it with the school and ANC. You all keep missing this line
“ During drop-off and pick-up, caregivers shall not park in the neighborhood to wait or walk their student(s) to the Campus. ”. That can include everywhere including Wisconsin.

You are clearly not an attorney or at least not a very careful one. What are the boundaries of the "neighborhood"? Does that extend to Friendship Heights? To the Tenleytown Metro? To Jackson Reed HS? There is no clear definition of the "neighborhood," and the vagueness of the term renders it meaningless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guys, the ANC is just enforcing the MOU that GDS signed. Before you jump on neighbors, read what you agreed to. On page 3 number 11
“ 11. No passenger vehicle pick-up and drop-off of students shall occur on the streets immediately adjacent to the Campus (i.e., Ellicott Street, NW, 42nd Street, NW, Chesapeake Street, NW,
4822-9611-3237.5
3

River Road, NW, 43rd Place, NW, and 43rd Street, NW). During drop-off and pick-up, caregivers shall not park in the neighborhood to wait or walk their student(s) to the Campus. Pick-up and drop-off of students by School-chartered bus(es) shall be permitted on 42nd Street.”

And page 4 number 14
“ 14. The School agrees that it will instruct parents, caregivers, and staff who drive to use the entrance and exit that requires the least driving through the neighborhood around the School. Additionally, the School will, as part of its enrollment contract, instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use 43rd Place NW, Ellicott Street, NW, or Fessenden Street, NW, between River Road and Wisconsin Avenue, to reach the School for pick-up or drop-off, whether on the way to or returning from the school, and will similarly instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use of Chesapeake Street when traveling between River Road and 42nd Street. In addition to incorporating this restriction into its enrollment contract in writing, this instruction will be given orally at School orientation. The parties acknowledge that the School, unlike some universities but like most secondary schools, does not have its own police force and cannot independently enforce this restriction. Nevertheless, School personnel who become aware of such use shall advise the offending driver of the School’s policy, and if the School becomes aware of repeat violations by offending drivers, said drivers shall be subject to disciplinary action.”
https://anc3e.org/wp-content/uploads/MOU-between-GDS-and-ANC-3E-Nov.-2017-4822-9611-3237-v.5.pdf

Did you not watch the ANC meeting? The head ANC was accusing GDS of violating the MOU by having parents use Wisconsin Avenue for drop off and pick up. The MOU explicitly names the streets that are to be off limits -- 43rd Place, Ellicott, and Fessenden between River and Wisconsin, and Chesapeake between River and 42nd. Wisconsin Ave itself is not listed as a street to be avoided for drop offs and pick ups (otherwise, the MOU would presumable state something like Wisconsin Avenue between Fessenden and Chesapeake). Anyway, I think the business on Wisconsin would protest if people weren't allowed to park on Wisconsin because GDS was scaring cars away.

I did and was involved in conversations about it with the school and ANC. You all keep missing this line
“ During drop-off and pick-up, caregivers shall not park in the neighborhood to wait or walk their student(s) to the Campus. ”. That can include everywhere including Wisconsin.

In my opinion, the neighborhood begins on 42nd Street and extends to River Rd. And the "spirit" of the MOU was to not disturb the residential areas of the "neighborhood." So, my understanding of the neighborhood does not include the business areas of Wisconsin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guys, the ANC is just enforcing the MOU that GDS signed. Before you jump on neighbors, read what you agreed to. On page 3 number 11
“ 11. No passenger vehicle pick-up and drop-off of students shall occur on the streets immediately adjacent to the Campus (i.e., Ellicott Street, NW, 42nd Street, NW, Chesapeake Street, NW,
4822-9611-3237.5
3

River Road, NW, 43rd Place, NW, and 43rd Street, NW). During drop-off and pick-up, caregivers shall not park in the neighborhood to wait or walk their student(s) to the Campus. Pick-up and drop-off of students by School-chartered bus(es) shall be permitted on 42nd Street.”

And page 4 number 14
“ 14. The School agrees that it will instruct parents, caregivers, and staff who drive to use the entrance and exit that requires the least driving through the neighborhood around the School. Additionally, the School will, as part of its enrollment contract, instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use 43rd Place NW, Ellicott Street, NW, or Fessenden Street, NW, between River Road and Wisconsin Avenue, to reach the School for pick-up or drop-off, whether on the way to or returning from the school, and will similarly instruct parents, caregivers, or staff not to use of Chesapeake Street when traveling between River Road and 42nd Street. In addition to incorporating this restriction into its enrollment contract in writing, this instruction will be given orally at School orientation. The parties acknowledge that the School, unlike some universities but like most secondary schools, does not have its own police force and cannot independently enforce this restriction. Nevertheless, School personnel who become aware of such use shall advise the offending driver of the School’s policy, and if the School becomes aware of repeat violations by offending drivers, said drivers shall be subject to disciplinary action.”
https://anc3e.org/wp-content/uploads/MOU-between-GDS-and-ANC-3E-Nov.-2017-4822-9611-3237-v.5.pdf

Did you not watch the ANC meeting? The head ANC was accusing GDS of violating the MOU by having parents use Wisconsin Avenue for drop off and pick up. The MOU explicitly names the streets that are to be off limits -- 43rd Place, Ellicott, and Fessenden between River and Wisconsin, and Chesapeake between River and 42nd. Wisconsin Ave itself is not listed as a street to be avoided for drop offs and pick ups (otherwise, the MOU would presumable state something like Wisconsin Avenue between Fessenden and Chesapeake). Anyway, I think the business on Wisconsin would protest if people weren't allowed to park on Wisconsin because GDS was scaring cars away.

I did and was involved in conversations about it with the school and ANC. You all keep missing this line
“ During drop-off and pick-up, caregivers shall not park in the neighborhood to wait or walk their student(s) to the Campus. ”. That can include everywhere including Wisconsin.

It could, but the ANC-GDS agreement specifically states what that means. The Hopper Transportation map has no restriction (travelling or parking/pick-up or drop-off) on Wisconsin Avenue. It's either wrong (in which case GDS needs to change it) or pick-up/drop-off on Wisconsin is fine, until it gets to a point where it becomes an issue. And maybe it has, but that's different from "GDS is violating its agreement." I suspect that if pick-up/drop-off on Wisconsin was the only issue (and it's not), there would be no issue. GDS families (and we're one) need to start reading what is/is not permitted (in the dozens of communications that are issued annually) and stop rationalizing a decision to ignore them.

[Anonymous]

Less than 5 community members have complained about traffic issues in the last year. This is the ANC doing ANC things. Trying to feel important/flexing muscles they dont have

[Anonymous]

Watching this ANC bully scream at the GDS administrator at minute 58 of the video is wild. He's treating this meeting as a litigation - he's play-acting as a lawyer

[Anonymous]

Drop offs before 9 am on the west side of Wisconsin are prohibited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Drop offs before 9 am on the west side of Wisconsin are prohibited.

False. That is not stated in the agreement signed by GDS and the city

[Anonymous]

I just watched this video. It's very clear that the ANC does not want GDS to be in the community. This is crystal clear. I do fear for where this ends up for GDS. It's a bad place to be in where the neighbors are doing everything they can to make the school look bad - falsifying statements, being accusatory, etc. Very bad place to be. The school clearly messed up by not reporting enrollment. But to ask them to disgorge their profits, and to do things that are not in the agreement with the city is beyond over-reach.