how can I learn about Wilson

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this the Wilson’s principal’s way of trying to subtly discourage white families who are on the fence from enrolling?

By having events welcoming prospective parents? What’s your agenda, PP?

Oh come on. The principal and school are not doing anything. Who has heard of a PTO doing an open house? How is that effective vs a real open house or meeting to see what the principal and leadership goals, vision for the school?

Oh yes the principal is very purposefully doing this. And given the overcrowding - can't say I blame them. But given her attitude towards Deal students and her love of diversity - "everything has to be geared towards leveling the playing field."

It is what it is...for now it is still a decent school...

And the PTO often does the open house - they coordinate it with the school - but at most of the JLKMs the PTO/HSA/whatever - runs the open house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this the Wilson’s principal’s way of trying to subtly discourage white families who are on the fence from enrolling?

It’s obvious yes it is. That is why the PTO has to step up. It’s ridiculous it has come to this.

PPs' slimy race baiting aside, it's pretty understandable that the principal of a school that's bursting at the seams doesn't have events to try to recruit even more students. Having more kids decide to attend the school -- particularly kids who might chose instead to attend an application school or private -- doesn't particularly help the school accomplish it's mission as a comprehensive public high school.

On another note, the school pretty routinely fails at fairly basic administrative stuff. Most people know that scheduling classes is an annual disaster, but even easier stuff is hard. The summer before DS was going into freshman year, I had some pretty basic questions about credits from middle school and about athletic forms. I asked 10 different people at various times in the office (DS was doing sports at the school over the summer so I was there daily), and I got 5 "I don't know" answers and 5 totally wrong answers. I left voicemails for the people that I was told could answer my questions and also sent emails, and I never got any response whatsoever.

I'm not sure to what extent this is incompetence and to what extent staff are overwhelmed dealing with much more pressing needs than my wealthy upper NW kid's issues, but I do think that some people at the school see parents like me as a PITA. This is probably partially because so many parents (particularly parents of incoming freshmen) come into the office ready to be angry and they get pretty hostile almost immediately. I understand this to some extent -- it's frustrating to be told "I don't know" by an adult working in the office when asking a basic question, but from experience I can tell new parents that positivity and patience work much better.

On a positive note, many things are getting better. At least I no longer get texts telling me my kid is truant when he's sitting in history class.

I don’t agree with you. Trying to push wealthy white parents into private by refusing to share info about the school is not a smart strategy. DCPS needs all the high income parents it can get. DC families of all kinds should be encouraged to join their public school even if it is overcrowded. Over time, that is the only way positive change will come. DC needs to redraw the Wilson boundaries to limit enrollment. Having a rogue principal refuse to allow open houses or shadow days is an inefficient, ineffective and unfeeling way of reducing the student population

+1. The principal also doesn’t have to face perspective parents with questions challenging the honors for all program. It’s not detracting. It’s complete, total avoidance. It’s a big red flag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this the Wilson’s principal’s way of trying to subtly discourage white families who are on the fence from enrolling?

It’s obvious yes it is. That is why the PTO has to step up. It’s ridiculous it has come to this.

PPs' slimy race baiting aside, it's pretty understandable that the principal of a school that's bursting at the seams doesn't have events to try to recruit even more students. Having more kids decide to attend the school -- particularly kids who might chose instead to attend an application school or private -- doesn't particularly help the school accomplish it's mission as a comprehensive public high school.

On another note, the school pretty routinely fails at fairly basic administrative stuff. Most people know that scheduling classes is an annual disaster, but even easier stuff is hard. The summer before DS was going into freshman year, I had some pretty basic questions about credits from middle school and about athletic forms. I asked 10 different people at various times in the office (DS was doing sports at the school over the summer so I was there daily), and I got 5 "I don't know" answers and 5 totally wrong answers. I left voicemails for the people that I was told could answer my questions and also sent emails, and I never got any response whatsoever.

I'm not sure to what extent this is incompetence and to what extent staff are overwhelmed dealing with much more pressing needs than my wealthy upper NW kid's issues, but I do think that some people at the school see parents like me as a PITA. This is probably partially because so many parents (particularly parents of incoming freshmen) come into the office ready to be angry and they get pretty hostile almost immediately. I understand this to some extent -- it's frustrating to be told "I don't know" by an adult working in the office when asking a basic question, but from experience I can tell new parents that positivity and patience work much better.

On a positive note, many things are getting better. At least I no longer get texts telling me my kid is truant when he's sitting in history class.

I don’t agree with you. Trying to push wealthy white parents into private by refusing to share info about the school is not a smart strategy. DCPS needs all the high income parents it can get. DC families of all kinds should be encouraged to join their public school even if it is overcrowded. Over time, that is the only way positive change will come. DC needs to redraw the Wilson boundaries to limit enrollment. Having a rogue principal refuse to allow open houses or shadow days is an inefficient, ineffective and unfeeling way of reducing the student population

Why do you imagine that DCPS generally and Wilson specifically "needs all the high income parents it can get"? Why does the school "need" those parents? It's a comprehensive high school whose mission is to serve the kids who come through the front door. Why is it that you feel an overcrowded school should be bending over backwards to socially engineer more white and wealthy school population? If your kid attends, the school will educate them. It's not the school's job to hold your hand or make you feel good about your choice.

Also, the notion that the principal is "rogue" for not allowing shadow days is nuts. Cahill didn't allow shadow days. From looking at the BCC "prospective students" page it doesn't seem that they allow shadow days. The fact that the principal doesn't do what YOU want doesn't make her "rogue."

[Anonymous]

My kid absolutely did a shadow day under Cahall, the last principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid absolutely did a shadow day under Cahall, the last principal.

Athlete I’m sure.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the advice about the PTSO. A shame we missed the event, but helpful to understand it. I still do think it is a little odd that the new principal has cut off the open houses, etc. those were routine at our previous DCPS elementary and charter school but it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the advice about the PTSO. A shame we missed the event, but helpful to understand it. I still do think it is a little odd that the new principal has cut off the open houses, etc. those were routine at our previous DCPS elementary and charter school but it is what it is.

She didn’t cut them out. They didn’t really exist before. HS is different than lower grades. And Wilson is far more crowded. Even a few years ago you could still get in OOB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this the Wilson’s principal’s way of trying to subtly discourage white families who are on the fence from enrolling?

By having events welcoming prospective parents? What’s your agenda, PP?

Oh come on. The principal and school are not doing anything. Who has heard of a PTO doing an open house? How is that effective vs a real open house or meeting to see what the principal and leadership goals, vision for the school?

The PTA at our upper NW school handles all open houses. The principal attends if she is available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this the Wilson’s principal’s way of trying to subtly discourage white families who are on the fence from enrolling?

By having events welcoming prospective parents? What’s your agenda, PP?

Oh come on. The principal and school are not doing anything. Who has heard of a PTO doing an open house? How is that effective vs a real open house or meeting to see what the principal and leadership goals, vision for the school?

The PTA at our upper NW school handles all open houses. The principal attends if she is available.

Not an ideal situation. At EOTP schools and charters, the principal and admin runs the open houses with presentation and slide show of curriculum, etc... and answers any and all questions after. The PTO plays an adjunct role in having parents present to also any questions, talk about their experiences.

Having just a PTO run an open house is really less than ideal. Why do these schools accept that?

[Anonymous]

Because the EOTP schools and charters need to fill seats. And the PTOs etc need something to do. The SWW info nights are weak too, largely about the application process, and not ‘selling’ the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because the EOTP schools and charters need to fill seats. And the PTOs etc need something to do. The SWW info nights are weak too, largely about the application process, and not ‘selling’ the school.

Not true. Some charters have waiting lists in the 300-500 hundreds, 10 times more than spots. The auditorium is packed with parents at the open house. They don’t need to sell anything. But the information and actually meeting and talking with leadership is very helpful

Not a good reason that just because there is demand that leadership and administration doesn’t provide information to families.

PTO at these schools do plenty of other stuff.

But hey, instead of actually making leadership step up to do the right thing, you can continue to make weak excuses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the advice about the PTSO. A shame we missed the event, but helpful to understand it. I still do think it is a little odd that the new principal has cut off the open houses, etc. those were routine at our previous DCPS elementary and charter school but it is what it is.

She didn’t cut them out. They didn’t really exist before. HS is different than lower grades. And Wilson is far more crowded. Even a few years ago you could still get in OOB.

This is false information. They did exist before. I remember going to one a few years ago at Wilson. My kid was at Deal back then but trying to choose between Wilson, Walls and Banneker. It was very helpful to have the open house and we ultimately chose Wilson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid absolutely did a shadow day under Cahall, the last principal.

Athlete I’m sure.

Not an athlete, just a regular kid. I remember calling the school to ask for a shadow day and they put me in touch with Mr. Wilson who arranged it. It was very helpful for my kid who was choosing between different public high schools and one private

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this the Wilson’s principal’s way of trying to subtly discourage white families who are on the fence from enrolling?

It’s obvious yes it is. That is why the PTO has to step up. It’s ridiculous it has come to this.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this the Wilson’s principal’s way of trying to subtly discourage white families who are on the fence from enrolling?

It’s obvious yes it is. That is why the PTO has to step up. It’s ridiculous it has come to this.

PPs' slimy race baiting aside, it's pretty understandable that the principal of a school that's bursting at the seams doesn't have events to try to recruit even more students. Having more kids decide to attend the school -- particularly kids who might chose instead to attend an application school or private -- doesn't particularly help the school accomplish it's mission as a comprehensive public high school.

On another note, the school pretty routinely fails at fairly basic administrative stuff. Most people know that scheduling classes is an annual disaster, but even easier stuff is hard. The summer before DS was going into freshman year, I had some pretty basic questions about credits from middle school and about athletic forms. I asked 10 different people at various times in the office (DS was doing sports at the school over the summer so I was there daily), and I got 5 "I don't know" answers and 5 totally wrong answers. I left voicemails for the people that I was told could answer my questions and also sent emails, and I never got any response whatsoever.

I'm not sure to what extent this is incompetence and to what extent staff are overwhelmed dealing with much more pressing needs than my wealthy upper NW kid's issues, but I do think that some people at the school see parents like me as a PITA. This is probably partially because so many parents (particularly parents of incoming freshmen) come into the office ready to be angry and they get pretty hostile almost immediately. I understand this to some extent -- it's frustrating to be told "I don't know" by an adult working in the office when asking a basic question, but from experience I can tell new parents that positivity and patience work much better.

On a positive note, many things are getting better. At least I no longer get texts telling me my kid is truant when he's sitting in history class.

I don’t agree with you. Trying to push wealthy white parents into private by refusing to share info about the school is not a smart strategy. DCPS needs all the high income parents it can get. DC families of all kinds should be encouraged to join their public school even if it is overcrowded. Over time, that is the only way positive change will come. DC needs to redraw the Wilson boundaries to limit enrollment. Having a rogue principal refuse to allow open houses or shadow days is an inefficient, ineffective and unfeeling way of reducing the student population

Do you not know anyone with kids at Wilson? My kids attended private for grade school and I know a handful of Wilson kids. I don’t see why you think it is a slight to white families? ....and I’m white and have lived in NW for 15 years. Wilson doesn’t need you.