WTF is happening at HARDY??????????

[Anonymous]

Just read Bill Turque's article......WOW!! What a shock!!

[Anonymous]

does anybody have the link to the Turque article???

[Anonymous]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcschools/2011/01/henderson_readies_plan_for_saf.html

[Anonymous]

This is no shock. What's shocking is that Arne Duncan is now pressuring Gray to keep Henderson in place to continue to do nothing to improve DCPS. There should be a rally, I'm not from Hardy but I would definitely rise up.

[Anonymous]

As an Alumni.......So Sad

[Anonymous]

And Rhee is off to make the big bucks consulting while DCPS implodes in her wake. Lovely.

[Anonymous]

Something doesn't make sense -- an otherwise wonderful school (as Hardy/Pope boosters would assert) turns into a chaotic, violent, unsafe school because of a change in principal? Please!
Also, what does Rhee have to do with a teacher accused of 3! separate issues of corporal punishment.
Let's at least be honest. There are real problems here, especially with the students and teachers (who see the change in principal as an opportunity to act-out). Grow up and take responsibility.

[Anonymous]

Weren't the behavior issues present while Pope was there too? The MS in DCPS are a mess, except for maybe Deal.

[Anonymous]

WTF is happening at every other Middle School in DC? I guess the parents at those schools don't feel the need to share with the Washington Post every discussion they have with the principal, whereas the cabal at Hardy apparently enjoys seeing their names in print. It calls into question whether they are trying to improve the school or trying to create more problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Weren't the behavior issues present while Pope was there too? The MS in DCPS are a mess, except for maybe Deal.

Not like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is no shock. What's shocking is that Arne Duncan is now pressuring Gray to keep Henderson in place to continue to do nothing to improve DCPS. There should be a rally, I'm not from Hardy but I would definitely rise up.

Ha ha! Right, damn that Arne Duncan for twisting Gray's arm! I guess the only other explanation is that--as we've hashed over and over again on this board--Gray agrees with about 99.99% of the Fenty/Rhee strategy that's been underway for years, and used the misdirected anger of folks who hate change to leverage himself into the mayorship. Maybe four years from now you'll be able to find someone who can give you the mythical unicorn you're looking for: DCPS reform without a single disruption, or without changing anything for that matter.

Turns out I'm starting to like Gray after all.

[Anonymous]

Gee, I wonder if the acting out by students has anything to do with the large number of parent's high-profile attack on the legitimacy of the school administration.

Kind of reminds me of youth attacks on "gentrifiers" in east Captiol Hill and elsewhere. Who knew when parents sit around talking about the "white interlopers who are stealing all our stuff and forcing us out of our homes" the kids might pick up on this and fight back?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WTF is happening at every other Middle School in DC? I guess the parents at those schools don't feel the need to share with the Washington Post every discussion they have with the principal, whereas the cabal at Hardy apparently enjoys seeing their names in print. It calls into question whether they are trying to improve the school or trying to create more problems.

I'm not a Hardy parent, but that strikes me as unfair.

Look, when you go in and seriously disrupt a successful school you have to expect blowback. If the only recourse these families have to vent their displeasure (and since no-one's doing anything for them it's not hard to see why they'd feel this way) is to leak to Bill Turque, then that's what's going to happen.

If DCPS wants them to stop, then they're going to have to satisfy some of their demands in some way.

"The beatings will continue until morality improves" is a pretty ineffective customer-satisfaction strategy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gee, I wonder if the acting out by students has anything to do with the large number of parent's high-profile attack on the legitimacy of the school administration.

Kind of reminds me of youth attacks on "gentrifiers" in east Captiol Hill and elsewhere. Who knew when parents sit around talking about the "white interlopers who are stealing all our stuff and forcing us out of our homes" the kids might pick up on this and fight back?

Bingo!! I think you hit the nail on the head. When parents (and teachers, I must say) are so openly hostile to the administration, it is no surprise that kids think it's acceptable to challenge the administration at every turn. Did anyone attend the meeting last year (where Rhee announced Popes removal/departure)? The open anger/vitriol/hostility demonstrated by parents and teacher/union reps. in full view of students was appalling! No wonder some of these kids would think it's just fine to act out. Wise up Hardy community, you are doing more to damage this school than any administrator ever could.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I missed the part of the story where the parents were unable to get a meeting with the principal, were unable to engage DCPS, were not listened to--except for being told that Pope is returning. Otherwise, running to the Post is nothing more than a petty cry for attention. And the poster who mentioned the impact parents' attitudes have on their children is right on. It's no wonder kids are copping attitude toward the Hardy leadership when they see their parents doing it every night.