Oyster Adams featured on CNN’s United Shades of America

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the latest episode of his CNN show United Shades of America, comedian W. Kamau Bell travels to Washington DC to visit “the other DC.”

“Bell also visits Oyster-Adams Bilingual School where about half the students are native English-speakers, the other half are native-Spanish speakers, and all students start learning Mandarin Chinese in 6th grade. When Bell mentions that Latinos are not necessarily the population someone might think of when they think of D.C., Oyster-Adams principal Mayra Cruz responds saying “You can’t have D.C. without Salvadorans.””

The Adams students that Bell interviewed were so poised, articulate and confident. Great job Oyster Adams—you represented DC well!

https://dcist.com/story/19/05/29/these-people-and-places-are-the-real-d-c-according-to-comedian-w-kamau-bell/

Time for a Hispanic Mayor!!!

DC is 11% Hispanic. I would think there would be a white mayor first.

Why do you think a Hispanic mayor wouldn’t be good for white people?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the latest episode of his CNN show United Shades of America, comedian W. Kamau Bell travels to Washington DC to visit “the other DC.”

“Bell also visits Oyster-Adams Bilingual School where about half the students are native English-speakers, the other half are native-Spanish speakers, and all students start learning Mandarin Chinese in 6th grade. When Bell mentions that Latinos are not necessarily the population someone might think of when they think of D.C., Oyster-Adams principal Mayra Cruz responds saying “You can’t have D.C. without Salvadorans.””

The Adams students that Bell interviewed were so poised, articulate and confident. Great job Oyster Adams—you represented DC well!

https://dcist.com/story/19/05/29/these-people-and-places-are-the-real-d-c-according-to-comedian-w-kamau-bell/

Time for a Hispanic Mayor!!!

DC is 11% Hispanic. I would think there would be a white mayor first.

If you have seen some of the obsessive threads about this, you should know you can be both Hispanic and white

You are right. But not all whites are Hispanic.

You're right -- I was just teasing you

Time for a competent and honest Mayor!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So only a third of students are on grade level by 5th grade?

No, almost 75% of OA students are at or above grade level, based on PARRC scores (4s and 5s). However, PARCC tests reading and math, not Spanish. In order to qualify for 6th-8th grade Spanish at Adams, students have to be *at least* at grade level in all three subjects. By the end of 5th grade, Adams students must have at least a 60 DRA/EDL score in order to take Mandarin the following year. A 60 is equivalent to a 6th grade level reading score, so students actually have to be above grade level by the end of 5th—and Adams is very strict about this cutoff. I’m not sure what the cutoffs are for English and math. When you think about it, it makes sense. If you’re struggling in math, English or Spanish, why would you add Mandarin to your plate?

Oops, I intended to say that “in order to qualify for 6th-8th grade MANDARIN at Adams, students have to be *at least* at grade level in all three subjects.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So only a third of students are on grade level by 5th grade?

No, almost 75% of OA students are at or above grade level, based on PARRC scores (4s and 5s). However, PARCC tests reading and math, not Spanish. In order to qualify for 6th-8th grade Spanish at Adams, students have to be *at least* at grade level in all three subjects. By the end of 5th grade, Adams students must have at least a 60 DRA/EDL score in order to take Mandarin the following year. A 60 is equivalent to a 6th grade level reading score, so students actually have to be above grade level by the end of 5th—and Adams is very strict about this cutoff. I’m not sure what the cutoffs are for English and math. When you think about it, it makes sense. If you’re struggling in math, English or Spanish, why would you add Mandarin to your plate?

Oops, I intended to say that “in order to qualify for 6th-8th grade MANDARIN at Adams, students have to be *at least* at grade level in all three subjects.”

But does this mean only 1/3 students meet the criteria to take mandarin at Adams?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the latest episode of his CNN show United Shades of America, comedian W. Kamau Bell travels to Washington DC to visit “the other DC.”

“Bell also visits Oyster-Adams Bilingual School where about half the students are native English-speakers, the other half are native-Spanish speakers, and all students start learning Mandarin Chinese in 6th grade. When Bell mentions that Latinos are not necessarily the population someone might think of when they think of D.C., Oyster-Adams principal Mayra Cruz responds saying “You can’t have D.C. without Salvadorans.””

The Adams students that Bell interviewed were so poised, articulate and confident. Great job Oyster Adams—you represented DC well!

https://dcist.com/story/19/05/29/these-people-and-places-are-the-real-d-c-according-to-comedian-w-kamau-bell/

Time for a Hispanic Mayor!!!

DC is 11% Hispanic. I would think there would be a white mayor first.

Because we’re only allowed to vote along race lines or ... ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“You can’t have D.C. without Salvadorans.”

True! Isn't she from California with Nicaraguan parents? Nice show of diplomacy. OA has one of the most diverse Latino communities. Love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, I caught that (I’m an Adams parent). In order to take daily Mandarin classes in 6th-8th grade at Adams, students have to be on grade level in math, English and Spanish by the end of 5th grade. I love that those students are now eligible to take a trip to China in 7th grade—great experience!

Why do media stories about OA always get basic things wrong!?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“You can’t have D.C. without Salvadorans.”

True! Isn't she from California with Nicaraguan parents? Nice show of diplomacy. OA has one of the most diverse Latino communities. Love it.

Yes, both of Principal Cruz's parents are from Nicaragua.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, I caught that (I’m an Adams parent). In order to take daily Mandarin classes in 6th-8th grade at Adams, students have to be on grade level in math, English and Spanish by the end of 5th grade. I love that those students are now eligible to take a trip to China in 7th grade—great experience!

Why do media stories about OA always get basic things wrong!?!

In case, no doubt it is because the story was not about OA, but rather demographics in DC. OA was used to illustrate a broader point.

[Anonymous]

I know this is negative, but I feel like (1) Oyster's too fancy now to be representative of much of DC's Hispanic community; and (2) while certainly there are a lot of Salvadorans, saying DC isn't DC without Salvadorans leaves out a pretty decent number of other Hispanics, particularly other Central Americans.

Not to be too nitpicky or anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is negative, but I feel like (1) Oyster's too fancy now to be representative of much of DC's Hispanic community; and (2) while certainly there are a lot of Salvadorans, saying DC isn't DC without Salvadorans leaves out a pretty decent number of other Hispanics, particularly other Central Americans.

Not to be too nitpicky or anything.

FWIW - DC has the largest population of folks from El Salvador outside of El Salvador, so it's a thing. And Sra. Cruz is Nicaragüense so it's not for any reason other than it's the truth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is negative, but I feel like (1) Oyster's too fancy now to be representative of much of DC's Hispanic community; and (2) while certainly there are a lot of Salvadorans, saying DC isn't DC without Salvadorans leaves out a pretty decent number of other Hispanics, particularly other Central Americans.

Not to be too nitpicky or anything.

Latinos, especially poor Latinos, are treated at oyster like they should be SO GRATEFUL to be there.

So I agree with you PP.

- Latinx person who wasn’t grateful enough apparently

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“You can’t have D.C. without Salvadorans.”

True! Isn't she from California with Nicaraguan parents? Nice show of diplomacy. OA has one of the most diverse Latino communities. Love it.

Yes, both of Principal Cruz's parents are from Nicaragua.

But she is not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this is negative, but I feel like (1) Oyster's too fancy now to be representative of much of DC's Hispanic community; and (2) while certainly there are a lot of Salvadorans, saying DC isn't DC without Salvadorans leaves out a pretty decent number of other Hispanics, particularly other Central Americans.

Not to be too nitpicky or anything.

Latinos, especially poor Latinos, are treated at oyster like they should be SO GRATEFUL to be there.

So I agree with you PP.

- Latinx person who wasn’t grateful enough apparently

You are a fake Latin@ and fake OA parent.

We know your type -- let's always find a way to criticize one of the best and most diverse schools in town.

Jealousy I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is negative, but I feel like (1) Oyster's too fancy now to be representative of much of DC's Hispanic community; and (2) while certainly there are a lot of Salvadorans, saying DC isn't DC without Salvadorans leaves out a pretty decent number of other Hispanics, particularly other Central Americans.

Not to be too nitpicky or anything.

Yeah I kind of think he should've picked DC Bilingual.