Stuart Hobson

[Anonymous]

Unless you send your own kids there I couldn’t give less of a shit about your PhD in STEM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We left after 6th. Curriculum and teachers were not the problem, non-tracked science and social studies were, in a big way. Most kids working below grade level in those classes, including a number of students working several years behind grade level. Much better situation for math, ELA and Spanish. Discipline and classroom management so-so. No regrets about leaving. Search for other recent SH threads - quite a few in the last two years.

I'm curious how you knew, as a parent, that other students in class were working several years below grade level. Did you go observe? Take other parents' word for it? Did the teacher tell you?

What does below grade level even mean for middle school science? From what I recall, it was just fun experiments.

Sounds like you were below grade level.

Either that or these parents are trying to create artificial divisions so that Larla doesn't have to be in a class with kids that don't look like her. My PhD in STEM makes me believe it's the latter.

Give us a break. We're AA and theSH kids look like mine. I wouldn't necessarily mind my "Larla" in one or two classes with 6th graders who are several grade levels behind in reading and math but wouldn't want that for 8th grade. No way. My kid wouldn't learn enough at school. Sorry, too much expensive and bothersome supplementing in store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We left after 6th. Curriculum and teachers were not the problem, non-tracked science and social studies were, in a big way. Most kids working below grade level in those classes, including a number of students working several years behind grade level. Much better situation for math, ELA and Spanish. Discipline and classroom management so-so. No regrets about leaving. Search for other recent SH threads - quite a few in the last two years.

I'm curious how you knew, as a parent, that other students in class were working several years below grade level. Did you go observe? Take other parents' word for it? Did the teacher tell you?

What does below grade level even mean for middle school science? From what I recall, it was just fun experiments.

Realistically, it looks like kids who read 2-3 years behind grade level. It makes it very difficult to reach actual on grade level science, especially by 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We left after 6th. Curriculum and teachers were not the problem, non-tracked science and social studies were, in a big way. Most kids working below grade level in those classes, including a number of students working several years behind grade level. Much better situation for math, ELA and Spanish. Discipline and classroom management so-so. No regrets about leaving. Search for other recent SH threads - quite a few in the last two years.

I'm curious how you knew, as a parent, that other students in class were working several years below grade level. Did you go observe? Take other parents' word for it? Did the teacher tell you?

What does below grade level even mean for middle school science? From what I recall, it was just fun experiments.

Realistically, it looks like kids who read 2-3 years behind grade level. It makes it very difficult to reach actual on grade level science, especially by 8th grade.

As a science teacher, who has taught pretty much every grade from 6-12, I disagree. Reading on grade level does not equate to curiosity. I've had students, in this city, who were below grade level and were able to get more curious (or were already curious) who rose to the occasion (even in 8th grade). Other students though, who are made to look down on others because they have a learning disability in reading (yes, this really happens) or because they don't perceive them to be smart really have to work against your children (and their perceptions) in small groups. Teachers work hard to support this not happening or trying to fix it when it does, but with parents supporting this small-minded way of thinking (as is apparent on this message board often) it can feel like pushing a boulder up a hill.

There are a number of teachers from Stuart on Twitter. Some posted about their distance learning experience too. OP, I'd go check it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you send your own kids there I couldn’t give less of a shit about your PhD in STEM.

My kids are very excited to go to SH in a few years. They have a phenomenal arts program and good academics. This attempt to criticize over the lack of tracking in social studies and science is ridiculous.

Science is about being inquisitive and trying to figure out how things work. I don't see a reason everyone can't be included in those explorations.

Social studies is about trying to understand different people in different cultures and different times (including our own). Tracking seems somewhat counterproductive to having inclusive and diverse discussions.

Those classes aren't tracked at most middle schools. So, it does beg the question of why it matters in this particular situation. When you talk about extending tracking to every discipline, it starts to split the school into two tiers. That is not the kind of education I want for my child.

What I'm trying to say is that SH is an outstanding school academically, full of a diversity of cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. To some, that diversity can be intimidating both at a conscious and subconscious level. You owe it to your child to be honest with yourself about what is causing your discomfort with the school. Otherwise, they might miss out on a unique opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you send your own kids there I couldn’t give less of a shit about your PhD in STEM.

My kids are very excited to go to SH in a few years. They have a phenomenal arts program and good academics. This attempt to criticize over the lack of tracking in social studies and science is ridiculous.

Science is about being inquisitive and trying to figure out how things work. I don't see a reason everyone can't be included in those explorations.

Social studies is about trying to understand different people in different cultures and different times (including our own). Tracking seems somewhat counterproductive to having inclusive and diverse discussions.

Those classes aren't tracked at most middle schools. So, it does beg the question of why it matters in this particular situation. When you talk about extending tracking to every discipline, it starts to split the school into two tiers. That is not the kind of education I want for my child.

What I'm trying to say is that SH is an outstanding school academically, full of a diversity of cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. To some, that diversity can be intimidating both at a conscious and subconscious level. You owe it to your child to be honest with yourself about what is causing your discomfort with the school. Otherwise, they might miss out on a unique opportunity.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you send your own kids there I couldn’t give less of a shit about your PhD in STEM.

My kids are very excited to go to SH in a few years. They have a phenomenal arts program and good academics. This attempt to criticize over the lack of tracking in social studies and science is ridiculous.

Science is about being inquisitive and trying to figure out how things work. I don't see a reason everyone can't be included in those explorations.

Social studies is about trying to understand different people in different cultures and different times (including our own). Tracking seems somewhat counterproductive to having inclusive and diverse discussions.

Those classes aren't tracked at most middle schools. So, it does beg the question of why it matters in this particular situation. When you talk about extending tracking to every discipline, it starts to split the school into two tiers. That is not the kind of education I want for my child.

What I'm trying to say is that SH is an outstanding school academically, full of a diversity of cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. To some, that diversity can be intimidating both at a conscious and subconscious level. You owe it to your child to be honest with yourself about what is causing your discomfort with the school. Otherwise, they might miss out on a unique opportunity.

...says the parent of kindergartners....

[Anonymous]

Ignore the guilt trip from the goofy optimist posting above. We live across the Street from SH, have for 20 years. Not as many kids brawling on the playground as a few years ago, but the cops still turn up to drag away kids and drug dealing parents now and then. Kid yourself if it works for you but the great majority of IB parents don’t take the bait, same story as 20 years ago...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you send your own kids there I couldn’t give less of a shit about your PhD in STEM.

My kids are very excited to go to SH in a few years. They have a phenomenal arts program and good academics. This attempt to criticize over the lack of tracking in social studies and science is ridiculous.

Science is about being inquisitive and trying to figure out how things work. I don't see a reason everyone can't be included in those explorations.

Social studies is about trying to understand different people in different cultures and different times (including our own). Tracking seems somewhat counterproductive to having inclusive and diverse discussions.

Those classes aren't tracked at most middle schools. So, it does beg the question of why it matters in this particular situation. When you talk about extending tracking to every discipline, it starts to split the school into two tiers. That is not the kind of education I want for my child.

What I'm trying to say is that SH is an outstanding school academically, full of a diversity of cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. To some, that diversity can be intimidating both at a conscious and subconscious level. You owe it to your child to be honest with yourself about what is causing your discomfort with the school. Otherwise, they might miss out on a unique opportunity.

+100

If everything is hunky dory why are the test scores so mediocre?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ignore the guilt trip from the goofy optimist posting above. We live across the Street from SH, have for 20 years. Not as many kids brawling on the playground as a few years ago, but the cops still turn up to drag away kids and drug dealing parents now and then. Kid yourself if it works for you but the great majority of IB parents don’t take the bait, same story as 20 years ago...

Wow! You have to tell us more about these drug dealers?!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you send your own kids there I couldn’t give less of a shit about your PhD in STEM.

My kids are very excited to go to SH in a few years. They have a phenomenal arts program and good academics. This attempt to criticize over the lack of tracking in social studies and science is ridiculous.

Science is about being inquisitive and trying to figure out how things work. I don't see a reason everyone can't be included in those explorations.

Social studies is about trying to understand different people in different cultures and different times (including our own). Tracking seems somewhat counterproductive to having inclusive and diverse discussions.

Those classes aren't tracked at most middle schools. So, it does beg the question of why it matters in this particular situation. When you talk about extending tracking to every discipline, it starts to split the school into two tiers. That is not the kind of education I want for my child.

What I'm trying to say is that SH is an outstanding school academically, full of a diversity of cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. To some, that diversity can be intimidating both at a conscious and subconscious level. You owe it to your child to be honest with yourself about what is causing your discomfort with the school. Otherwise, they might miss out on a unique opportunity.

Because the proponents aren't trying to track by skills, but by, you know, "other" factors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ignore the guilt trip from the goofy optimist posting above. We live across the Street from SH, have for 20 years. Not as many kids brawling on the playground as a few years ago, but the cops still turn up to drag away kids and drug dealing parents now and then. Kid yourself if it works for you but the great majority of IB parents don’t take the bait, same story as 20 years ago...

Wow! You have to tell us more about these drug dealers?!?

Also about your close and personal friendships with kids 11-15.

[Anonymous]

This silly thread is going nowhere. OP, if you're still interested, search for other recent SH threads. No shortage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ignore the guilt trip from the goofy optimist posting above. We live across the Street from SH, have for 20 years. Not as many kids brawling on the playground as a few years ago, but the cops still turn up to drag away kids and drug dealing parents now and then. Kid yourself if it works for you but the great majority of IB parents don’t take the bait, same story as 20 years ago...

Wow! You have to tell us more about these drug dealers?!?

Also about your close and personal friendships with kids 11-15.

PP would know because she's a drug dealer who has been dealing to 11-15 for these past 20 years. For shame, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ignore the guilt trip from the goofy optimist posting above. We live across the Street from SH, have for 20 years. Not as many kids brawling on the playground as a few years ago, but the cops still turn up to drag away kids and drug dealing parents now and then. Kid yourself if it works for you but the great majority of IB parents don’t take the bait, same story as 20 years ago...

You live across the street? When was the last time you stepped into the building? Spoke to Principal Comeforo or the new Principal, Eric Fraser? Attended a theater production? Met some of the fantastic teachers, including Ms. Smullen who received the Milken Teacher of the Year Award last year? Volunteered to help around the school grounds -- or actually inside the building, perhaps even with the students?
But yet, you certainly have the time to post messages about drug dealing parents and kids being dragged away on DC Urban Mom.