OK, I will start this thread - Sela

[Anonymous]

Yes, thank you for the explanation.

I take your wise advice that "I'd like the Sela skeptics to remain open-minded about the school and not let this single individual tarnish your perception too much."

I hope such a one-of-a-kind charter succeeds and enriches DC's educational ecosystem.

[Anonymous]

As one of the people who has kept an open mind about Sela but also scratched my head a lot too, this is really helpful to understand about the flow of these threads. There have been times when I'm pretty sure there really was a real conversation with many real parties on both sides, but there have been a LOT of other times when the "Sela parent" or "non-Sela parent" that was posting sounded too much like the same person. Now it all makes sense.

Thank you Jeff, both for clearly trying hard not to micro-manage, but also being willing to call out abuse of the anonymity here at DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As one of the people who has kept an open mind about Sela but also scratched my head a lot too, this is really helpful to understand about the flow of these threads. There have been times when I'm pretty sure there really was a real conversation with many real parties on both sides, but there have been a LOT of other times when the "Sela parent" or "non-Sela parent" that was posting sounded too much like the same person. Now it all makes sense.

Thank you Jeff, both for clearly trying hard not to micro-manage, but also being willing to call out abuse of the anonymity here at DCUM.

Agreed. Mystery solved!

[Anonymous]

Dr. Lody will serve as the principal until a new one is found. I met the former principal, Dr. Young, several times--a very pleasant person, always professional, but in my opinion, not a perfect fit for the school. I have no doubt things in her absence will progress just fine, with no offense meant to Dr. Young.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Lody will serve as the principal until a new one is found. I met the former principal, Dr. Young, several times--a very pleasant person, always professional, but in my opinion, not a perfect fit for the school. I have no doubt things in her absence will progress just fine, with no offense meant to Dr. Young.

Is it already clear why the principal resigned right as school started?

[Anonymous]

He seemed like the principal to me anyway so there shouldn't be any hick ups

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope. The Sela HSA is following the lead of the Stokes PTA and calling for a boycott of responding to the DCUM bullies. We will wish you' and more importantly your children, good health. Peace!

There is no Sela HSA. The Meeting to set one up is next week. Quit trolling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. The Sela HSA is following the lead of the Stokes PTA and calling for a boycott of responding to the DCUM bullies. We will wish you' and more importantly your children, good health. Peace!

There is no Sela HSA. The Meeting to set one up is next week. Quit trolling.

Is the Sela troll still around, despite Jeff's long note?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. The Sela HSA is following the lead of the Stokes PTA and calling for a boycott of responding to the DCUM bullies. We will wish you' and more importantly your children, good health. Peace!

There is no Sela HSA. The Meeting to set one up is next week. Quit trolling.

Is the Sela troll still around, despite Jeff's long note?

Shit-stirring troll alert! Go back in your hole...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. The Sela HSA is following the lead of the Stokes PTA and calling for a boycott of responding to the DCUM bullies. We will wish you' and more importantly your children, good health. Peace!

There is no Sela HSA. The Meeting to set one up is next week. Quit trolling.

Is the Sela troll still around, despite Jeff's long note?

She was a Sela booster. You are a Sela troll.

See the difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. The Sela HSA is following the lead of the Stokes PTA and calling for a boycott of responding to the DCUM bullies. We will wish you' and more importantly your children, good health. Peace!

There is no Sela HSA. The Meeting to set one up is next week. Quit trolling.

Is the Sela troll still around, despite Jeff's long note?

She was a Sela booster. You are a Sela troll.

See the difference?

I guess you are assuming I am the person who wrote both posts above. Nope, it was a different PP who wrote "There is no Sela HSA. The Meeting to set one up is next week. Quit trolling. "

And it was clear from Jeff's note that (she) Sela booster is also a (she) major troll. Two roles, same person. I want to believe it isn't you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. The Sela HSA is following the lead of the Stokes PTA and calling for a boycott of responding to the DCUM bullies. We will wish you' and more importantly your children, good health. Peace!

There is no Sela HSA. The Meeting to set one up is next week. Quit trolling.

Is the Sela troll still around, despite Jeff's long note?

She was a Sela booster. You are a Sela troll.

See the difference?

I guess you are assuming I am the person who wrote both posts above. Nope, it was a different PP who wrote "There is no Sela HSA. The Meeting to set one up is next week. Quit trolling. "

And it was clear from Jeff's note that (she) Sela booster is also a (she) major troll. Two roles, same person. I want to believe it isn't you.

No, it was clear from Jeff's note that she is/was a major sock-puppet. Because she's a booster. That is distinct from trolling. Deliberately trying to smear a school or an individual is what trolling is, and you're dancing very close to that line.

As for me, no it was not me. I have nothing to do with the school, I just get tired of the bashing among anonymous adults who sound like bickering playground brats. But don't take my word for it - ask Jeff to compare IP addresses and posting styles, etc. It will be quite clear to him, and to everyone else, even if not to you. So, believe what you like.

[Anonymous]

I'm a Sela parent, but not the crazy one. I don't know who the Sela parent is, nor do I have any idea who they might be.

The staff is fairly young compared to other schools my child has been at. This could have something to do with comments on the attractiveness of the staff although I certainly haven't seen Bar Rafaeli there.

I met Dr. Young at the introductory meetings and found her to be rather pleasant. She isn't as outgoing as Dr. Lody, but she was fairly approachable, and very kind.

I'm not sure why they are saying she has a Baltimore accent as I think she is originally from somewhere else. She lived in the northern suburbs of Baltimore, and if she has a sick child, then it will be almost impossible to have the commute she was having, work the hours she works, and still take care of her child. I'm not sure what her duties were as the administration is pretty top heavy. They have a Hebrew Coordinator, an English Coordinator, and an Executive Director. I'm not entirely certain what each person's role is and how it would overlap with the principal. In the short term, I think that Dr. Lody is taking over the principal role. He was involved in the Center City PCS's transition from Catholic to Charter school.

The school itself has been fine. The class sizes are fairly small, and the school is well staffed. My recollection from the initial meetings was that they chose the building because the rent was cheaper than it would be in NW or closer to downtown so they could get a larger building for quite a bit less. The building itself is pretty big, so I'd be surprised if they are using half of it. They have room to grow so they won't need to move right away.

The playground is a big issue. They were negotiating with the church that is up the street on the other side to use some of their land as a playground, but I don't know what became of that. They think that they were using the large room that they have morning meetings in as a play area and for gym, but I could be mistaken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Sela parent, but not the crazy one. I don't know who the Sela parent is, nor do I have any idea who they might be.

The staff is fairly young compared to other schools my child has been at. This could have something to do with comments on the attractiveness of the staff although I certainly haven't seen Bar Rafaeli there.

I met Dr. Young at the introductory meetings and found her to be rather pleasant. She isn't as outgoing as Dr. Lody, but she was fairly approachable, and very kind.

I'm not sure why they are saying she has a Baltimore accent as I think she is originally from somewhere else. She lived in the northern suburbs of Baltimore, and if she has a sick child, then it will be almost impossible to have the commute she was having, work the hours she works, and still take care of her child. I'm not sure what her duties were as the administration is pretty top heavy. They have a Hebrew Coordinator, an English Coordinator, and an Executive Director. I'm not entirely certain what each person's role is and how it would overlap with the principal. In the short term, I think that Dr. Lody is taking over the principal role. He was involved in the Center City PCS's transition from Catholic to Charter school.

The school itself has been fine. The class sizes are fairly small, and the school is well staffed. My recollection from the initial meetings was that they chose the building because the rent was cheaper than it would be in NW or closer to downtown so they could get a larger building for quite a bit less. The building itself is pretty big, so I'd be surprised if they are using half of it. They have room to grow so they won't need to move right away.

The playground is a big issue. They were negotiating with the church that is up the street on the other side to use some of their land as a playground, but I don't know what became of that. They think that they were using the large room that they have morning meetings in as a play area and for gym, but I could be mistaken.

Thank you very much for providing an honest update. That is a good idea for the playground, i hope it works out. How is the Hebrew teaching going for your DC? What proportion of classes are in each language?

[Anonymous]

Hebrew is going well. My DC is picking up words. I feel like a really crap parent, because I don't know the exact percentage. I recall from a presentation or a meeting that they were going to shoot for 90% immersion with the Pre-K'ers but I don't think it is that high, maybe 60% immersion I would guess.

My DC is picking it up slowly, but also gets frustrated from having to communicate in a language not his own. That is my child's issue as my child is pig stubborn about everything and is secretly convinced that everyone speaks English if you press them hard enough.

I'm not sure what happened with the playground idea, since I haven't heard anything in a while. They are having an initial meeting for the PTA on the 16th (They are calling it something else), so maybe we'll know more then. The playground was a big reservation for me as my child is very energetic and needs to burn off some energy. Its been ok so far, but I am watching to see if problems crop up. The aftercare is pretty good and they keep the kids super busy which helps in terms of burning off energy.