term 2 charter school updates

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basis is opening this week for sped, ell, homelessness, kids whose parents are essential workers who must go into work and those kids who are really struggling academically. The rest has yet to be announced.

To clarify, Basis is offering DL support to such groups. There is no on-site teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did charters see this coming? Was it known that the mayor was going to make this announcement?

Seems like they didn’t see it coming based on the incorrect communication we got from LAMB.

It wasn't an "incorrect" communication received from LAMB. DCPS is essentially doing now (on-site instruction for at-risk) what LAMB has been doing all along as part of their BASES program. If you don't qualify for BASES, then you likely won't qualify for DCPS on-site (although the CARES program lottery component could own it up to more people, but this is a childcare solution only, it's not the same as in person instruction since it is childcare from non-teachers to supervise DL)

Ok, misleading, if not incorrect, implying that very few DCPS kids will be in buildings when indeed there are 21,000 spots for kids in buildings with the CARE classrooms, covering all but 20-25% of the students.

Isn't DCPS enrollment 45K?

Yes. Only around 50% of kids are getting in school spots. The PPP seems to be misunderstanding that those numbers are for elementary only.

Good point! Yes, I was missing that point as well!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did charters see this coming? Was it known that the mayor was going to make this announcement?

Seems like they didn’t see it coming based on the incorrect communication we got from LAMB.

It wasn't an "incorrect" communication received from LAMB. DCPS is essentially doing now (on-site instruction for at-risk) what LAMB has been doing all along as part of their BASES program. If you don't qualify for BASES, then you likely won't qualify for DCPS on-site (although the CARES program lottery component could own it up to more people, but this is a childcare solution only, it's not the same as in person instruction since it is childcare from non-teachers to supervise DL)

Ok, misleading, if not incorrect, implying that very few DCPS kids will be in buildings when indeed there are 21,000 spots for kids in buildings with the CARE classrooms, covering all but 20-25% of the students.

Isn't DCPS enrollment 45K?

Yes. Only around 50% of kids are getting in school spots. The PPP seems to be misunderstanding that those numbers are for elementary only.

so 75% of elementary kids will have a live classroom or a school sponsored learning pod for virtual learning by November 30.

Good point! Yes, I was missing that point as well!

[Anonymous]

At schools with more classrooms per grade (like Watkins and Brent), it will be a much smaller % of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 100% certain DCPS did not tell charters anything about the plan they announced yesterday. Hell, they didn't even tell their own teachers.

This is just like in the spring when DCPS announced they were going to close 3 weeks early and then charters had to scramble to decide if they would follow that lead or not.

And in the summer, when DCPS fully planned to open virtually before announcing at the end of July that they'd be in DL until the end of the first term, and a whole bunch of charters who were ready to open in a phased hybrid plan changed everything to adjust to that announcement.

It would be one thing if DCPS's plans seem well-reasoned and like they will be well-executed. But they don't, and it's frustrating that charters continue to put themselves in this reactive position.

Charters knew DCPS was going to try to return in person in some form on November 9. My charter already has some in-person and is expanding the number of spots available for November 9. We've been planning for an increase for November 9 based on knowing that DCPS was planning for this date (and assuming that DCPS has better information on health stats but that may not be true). The other charter people I know were also expecting a DCPS announcement about November 9. Most are still doing their own thing but it's not because they didn't know what DCPS is doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 100% certain DCPS did not tell charters anything about the plan they announced yesterday. Hell, they didn't even tell their own teachers.

This is just like in the spring when DCPS announced they were going to close 3 weeks early and then charters had to scramble to decide if they would follow that lead or not.

And in the summer, when DCPS fully planned to open virtually before announcing at the end of July that they'd be in DL until the end of the first term, and a whole bunch of charters who were ready to open in a phased hybrid plan changed everything to adjust to that announcement.

It would be one thing if DCPS's plans seem well-reasoned and like they will be well-executed. But they don't, and it's frustrating that charters continue to put themselves in this reactive position.

Charters knew DCPS was going to try to return in person in some form on November 9. My charter already has some in-person and is expanding the number of spots available for November 9. We've been planning for an increase for November 9 based on knowing that DCPS was planning for this date (and assuming that DCPS has better information on health stats but that may not be true). The other charter people I know were also expecting a DCPS announcement about November 9. Most are still doing their own thing but it's not because they didn't know what DCPS is doing.

what is "your" charter, please? Info is useless without names.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Basis is opening this week for sped, ell, homelessness, kids whose parents are essential workers who must go into work and those kids who are really struggling academically. The rest has yet to be announced.

To clarify, Basis is offering DL support to such groups. There is no on-site teaching.

Right. Sorry, thanks for the clarification. In-person DL, with support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At schools with more classrooms per grade (like Watkins and Brent), it will be a much smaller % of kids.

How about at Lafayette with 960 kids? You are looking at 10% or less of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At schools with more classrooms per grade (like Watkins and Brent), it will be a much smaller % of kids.

How about at Lafayette with 960 kids? You are looking at 10% or less of kids.

It’s 50% district wide. They never guaranteed 50% of the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At schools with more classrooms per grade (like Watkins and Brent), it will be a much smaller % of kids.

How about at Lafayette with 960 kids? You are looking at 10% or less of kids.

It’s 50% district wide. They never guaranteed 50% of the school.

I don't think they can get to 75% district wide without the larger schools having more care classrooms. Those schools would have to be a 50% to get to a district wide number of 75%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At schools with more classrooms per grade (like Watkins and Brent), it will be a much smaller % of kids.

How about at Lafayette with 960 kids? You are looking at 10% or less of kids.

It’s 50% district wide. They never guaranteed 50% of the school.

I don't think they can get to 75% district wide without the larger schools having more care classrooms. Those schools would have to be a 50% to get to a district wide number of 75%.

I also don't see why they wouldn't do it based on capacity, not strict numbers.

I really don't think this will come to pass as is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 100% certain DCPS did not tell charters anything about the plan they announced yesterday. Hell, they didn't even tell their own teachers.

This is just like in the spring when DCPS announced they were going to close 3 weeks early and then charters had to scramble to decide if they would follow that lead or not.

And in the summer, when DCPS fully planned to open virtually before announcing at the end of July that they'd be in DL until the end of the first term, and a whole bunch of charters who were ready to open in a phased hybrid plan changed everything to adjust to that announcement.

It would be one thing if DCPS's plans seem well-reasoned and like they will be well-executed. But they don't, and it's frustrating that charters continue to put themselves in this reactive position.

Very much agree with the bolded. We are at a popular charter known for strong leadership and they keep being duped by DCPS. After the 3rd time, isn't it clear now is the time to take advantage of autonomy and make your own reasonable plan?! It's so disappointing. I was a strong proponent of the charter system until seeing how little most schools have done to use their independence during this time.

[Anonymous]

^^ interesting points. Are any charters doing something innovative at this time?

[Anonymous]

Bridges will begin in-person instruction November 9, starting with Pre-K, K, and high level Special Ed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bridges will begin in-person instruction November 9, starting with Pre-K, K, and high level Special Ed.

This is GREAT news.