Fenty's Sons to Attend DC Public School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS attends school with Mayor Fenty's sons. The school is definitely not adding a grade next year. It is a very small private school and somewhat offers protection to his sons and his family. As he does seem committed to his sons entering DCPS next year, I hope the media - and the public - quite frankly -allow his sons to have some of the sense of normalcy that they now have at their current school.

I am curious about what Fenty's kids need to be protected from?

A lot of children of high-profile individuals need protection. They present attractive targets to media types as well as more mainstream and conventionally dangerous wackos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. . . In overwhelmingly Democrat DC . . .

Democratic. It's an adjective, not a political football. Using the noun form where the adjective is called for just makes you sound like a moron and a partisan hack. From the rest of your thoughtful and well-written post, you're obviously not a moron. Really, do yourself a favor and drop that particular Limbaugh affectation for proper English -- 90% of this city will take you more seriously and the Fox News crowd will still know what you mean. [/rant]

Ugh. Yes, that was indeed a rant.

(And I'm an INDEPENDENT - the most politically disenfranchised voters in America - in DC.)

So am I (ranter here) -- one who hates it when partisanship is elevated above grammar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. . . In overwhelmingly Democrat DC . . .

Democratic. It's an adjective, not a political football. Using the noun form where the adjective is called for just makes you sound like a moron and a partisan hack. From the rest of your thoughtful and well-written post, you're obviously not a moron. Really, do yourself a favor and drop that particular Limbaugh affectation for proper English -- 90% of this city will take you more seriously and the Fox News crowd will still know what you mean. [/rant]

Wow, I would love to see you when you get REALLY fired up. Saying 'Democrat DC' makes me sound like a moron and a partisan hack? I understand the usage of that phrasing to tweak the nose of Democrats (thank you Wikipedia, since I had to look up someone's impassioned entry on that one!). I also understand the argument that language changes over time, and that using nouns as adjectives is becoming far more common and accepted (the Iraq war versus the Iraqi War anyone?). I also understand that you took exception with what you perceived as my semantic intent--overall I was critiquing inconsistent Democrats, so you assumed that I was using the phrase 'overwhelmingly Democrat DC' in an insulting way, as some people have used it. I wasn't. Isn't that my democratic right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS attends school with Mayor Fenty's sons. The school is definitely not adding a grade next year. It is a very small private school and somewhat offers protection to his sons and his family. As he does seem committed to his sons entering DCPS next year, I hope the media - and the public - quite frankly -allow his sons to have some of the sense of normalcy that they now have at their current school.

I am curious about what Fenty's kids need to be protected from?

A lot of children of high-profile individuals need protection. They present attractive targets to media types as well as more mainstream and conventionally dangerous wackos.

08:25 poster here - That may be the case, but I am sure that any public school in the city would be willing to work with the Mayor and his wife to ensure that his sons needs are met and they are protected from the media and others. If the Mayor doesn't have the confidence in the school system to do that, that is a pretty sad statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. . . In overwhelmingly Democrat DC . . .

Democratic. It's an adjective, not a political football. Using the noun form where the adjective is called for just makes you sound like a moron and a partisan hack. From the rest of your thoughtful and well-written post, you're obviously not a moron. Really, do yourself a favor and drop that particular Limbaugh affectation for proper English -- 90% of this city will take you more seriously and the Fox News crowd will still know what you mean. [/rant]

Ugh. Yes, that was indeed a rant.

(And I'm an INDEPENDENT - the most politically disenfranchised voters in America - in DC.)

So am I (ranter here) -- one who hates it when partisanship is elevated above grammar.

Heeeey....so am I (rantee here). When we wrap up the grammar kerfluffle, we should have a happy hour. For INDEPENDENTS, this is practically a movement.!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. . . In overwhelmingly Democrat DC . . .

Democratic. It's an adjective, not a political football. Using the noun form where the adjective is called for just makes you sound like a moron and a partisan hack. From the rest of your thoughtful and well-written post, you're obviously not a moron. Really, do yourself a favor and drop that particular Limbaugh affectation for proper English -- 90% of this city will take you more seriously and the Fox News crowd will still know what you mean. [/rant]

Ugh. Yes, that was indeed a rant.

(And I'm an INDEPENDENT - the most politically disenfranchised voters in America - in DC.)

So am I (ranter here) -- one who hates it when partisanship is elevated above grammar.

Heeeey....so am I (rantee here). When we wrap up the grammar kerfluffle, we should have a happy hour. For INDEPENDENTS, this is practically a movement.!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS attends school with Mayor Fenty's sons. The school is definitely not adding a grade next year. It is a very small private school and somewhat offers protection to his sons and his family. As he does seem committed to his sons entering DCPS next year, I hope the media - and the public - quite frankly -allow his sons to have some of the sense of normalcy that they now have at their current school.

I am curious about what Fenty's kids need to be protected from?

A lot of children of high-profile individuals need protection. They present attractive targets to media types as well as more mainstream and conventionally dangerous wackos.

I am the poster with the DS in school with the twins. The need for protection is why many high profile individuals choose private schools. The public, not even necessarily wackos, can be quite mean - as you can see from this board alone. It should not be that far fetched to think that the Mayor's children may need to be protected. There are not many of us that can do a google search and possible see mean and vile things written about our children. I predict that to be the case when they enter DCPS. They have been able to grow and blossom in their current school without alot of spotlight and attention. We will see what next year brings.

I certainly have read some mean spirited things written about Sasha and Malia. It ould have to make a parent wonder about the safety of their child.

[Anonymous]

sorry ...late night post...should have read "probably" and "would". Let me quickly correct it before the mean-spirited DCUM grammar police start flaming me...LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS attends school with Mayor Fenty's sons. The school is definitely not adding a grade next year. It is a very small private school and somewhat offers protection to his sons and his family. As he does seem committed to his sons entering DCPS next year, I hope the media - and the public - quite frankly -allow his sons to have some of the sense of normalcy that they now have at their current school.

I am curious about what Fenty's kids need to be protected from?

A lot of children of high-profile individuals need protection. They present attractive targets to media types as well as more mainstream and conventionally dangerous wackos.

I am the poster with the DS in school with the twins. The need for protection is why many high profile individuals choose private schools. The public, not even necessarily wackos, can be quite mean - as you can see from this board alone. It should not be that far fetched to think that the Mayor's children may need to be protected. There are not many of us that can do a google search and possible see mean and vile things written about our children. I predict that to be the case when they enter DCPS. They have been able to grow and blossom in their current school without alot of spotlight and attention. We will see what next year brings.

I certainly have read some mean spirited things written about Sasha and Malia. It ould have to make a parent wonder about the safety of their child.

Hi, vis 'meanness'...

I've taught in both public and private schools in DC. Based on this I'll generalize that schools are like families, and both kinds of schools tend to circle their wagons around their members (just as you have done with the twins, because you are a decent person). The DC public schools I've taught in have been no different from the DC private schools, in terms of protecting their membership. When I've had the children and grandchildren of 'high profile' individuals in public school class, the excitement has simmered down pretty quickly. Once the initial, natural curiosity is assuaged-most members of the community are indifferent or feign indifference and carry on with business as usual --interacting as human individuals, not symbols of something. I have never seen anyone in public school try to discuss the parent's public profile with the child, or try to 'buttonhole' the parent--(except the head of school who might occasionally tap them for something). I'm going to go out on a limb here. Most Americans are pretty egalitarian and do not like the feeling that someone is somehow 'better' than them based on station in life. In public school. the community members close the distance pretty effectively by focusing on aspects other than the fellow parent's status-- like soccer practice and complaining about the school (you know you all do it to bond!). And regarding an atmosphere to grow and blossom --we are talking about DC here. Given the political leanings, in what public school would the Fenty twins, and Sasha and Malia, NOT be welcomed with open arms?

In my experience, the 'wacko public' is not running rampant in public schools ANY more than in private (statistically you get a few, generally harmless, wackos cycling through both). Private schools may screen for financial standing or academics, but character? Is there some litmus test they have in admissions that judges 'meanness'? And just because a school is public, it is not an 'open' community. You need an actual child to get in.

Most parents--public school or private--just want the best for their child and his or her classmates. Who would cynically 'plant' their own child, just to get close to the child of a famous person, for the purpose of 'being mean'? That bizarre gesture would take a great deal of effort, and is certainly just as possible in private schools. I understand your concern as a fellow parent for the Fenty twins, but your sense that private school provides greater safety from 'mean people' does not bear out my experience. I have seen normal human kindness and 'meanness 'in both, because both are composed of (equally) human beings...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I certainly have read some mean spirited things written about Sasha and Malia. It ould have to make a parent wonder about the safety of their child.

Really? Where? I don't think I've read anything that wasn't fawning.

On second thought, I don't really want to know. I just want them to have a nice, happy childhood and I really don't care to read about them, especially if it's mean.

[Anonymous]

The internet is a powerful tool. Whatever school the Fenty's choose will become front-page news followed by the discussion of how they got in - if it is anywhere but WES (their neighborhood school).

While people are still asking what school the kids are in now...in one minute the whole world will know when they enter DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS attends school with Mayor Fenty's sons. The school is definitely not adding a grade next year. It is a very small private school and somewhat offers protection to his sons and his family. As he does seem committed to his sons entering DCPS next year, I hope the media - and the public - quite frankly -allow his sons to have some of the sense of normalcy that they now have at their current school.

I am curious about what Fenty's kids need to be protected from?

A lot of children of high-profile individuals need protection. They present attractive targets to media types as well as more mainstream and conventionally dangerous wackos.

I am the poster with the DS in school with the twins. The need for protection is why many high profile individuals choose private schools. The public, not even necessarily wackos, can be quite mean - as you can see from this board alone. It should not be that far fetched to think that the Mayor's children may need to be protected. There are not many of us that can do a google search and possible see mean and vile things written about our children. I predict that to be the case when they enter DCPS. They have been able to grow and blossom in their current school without alot of spotlight and attention. We will see what next year brings.

I certainly have read some mean spirited things written about Sasha and Malia. It ould have to make a parent wonder about the safety of their child.

Hi, vis 'meanness'...

I've taught in both public and private schools in DC. Based on this I'll generalize that schools are like families, and both kinds of schools tend to circle their wagons around their members (just as you have done with the twins, because you are a decent person). The DC public schools I've taught in have been no different from the DC private schools, in terms of protecting their membership. When I've had the children and grandchildren of 'high profile' individuals in public school class, the excitement has simmered down pretty quickly. Once the initial, natural curiosity is assuaged-most members of the community are indifferent or feign indifference and carry on with business as usual --interacting as human individuals, not symbols of something. I have never seen anyone in public school try to discuss the parent's public profile with the child, or try to 'buttonhole' the parent--(except the head of school who might occasionally tap them for something). I'm going to go out on a limb here. Most Americans are pretty egalitarian and do not like the feeling that someone is somehow 'better' than them based on station in life. In public school. the community members close the distance pretty effectively by focusing on aspects other than the fellow parent's status-- like soccer practice and complaining about the school (you know you all do it to bond!). And regarding an atmosphere to grow and blossom --we are talking about DC here. Given the political leanings, in what public school would the Fenty twins, and Sasha and Malia, NOT be welcomed with open arms?

In my experience, the 'wacko public' is not running rampant in public schools ANY more than in private (statistically you get a few, generally harmless, wackos cycling through both). Private schools may screen for financial standing or academics, but character? Is there some litmus test they have in admissions that judges 'meanness'? And just because a school is public, it is not an 'open' community. You need an actual child to get in.

Most parents--public school or private--just want the best for their child and his or her classmates. Who would cynically 'plant' their own child, just to get close to the child of a famous person, for the purpose of 'being mean'? That bizarre gesture would take a great deal of effort, and is certainly just as possible in private schools. I understand your concern as a fellow parent for the Fenty twins, but your sense that private school provides greater safety from 'mean people' does not bear out my experience. I have seen normal human kindness and 'meanness 'in both, because both are composed of (equally) human beings...

Excellent posting. Thanks for sharing your experience and insight.