Experience with Macfarland?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math and history.

Why do you care what choices other parents are making? It’s fear mongering.

+1

It’s “fear mongering” to want to know about the curriculum?

This kind of attempts to silence/shame reasonable questions is exactly why parents don’t take a chance on a school.

Lol, going full censorship. You could also just, call the school?

Sure, I would call the school. But it’s not like this stuff should be hidden. That makes zero sense.

You're right. It makes much more sense to take the word of an anonymous person who may or may not have a child at a particular school.

Why do you have a problem with people talking openly about advanced classes? My kid is going to a different MS and it’s helpful to know what other MS offer, so we can get it too. This is one way to start gathering information.

I have no problem with it. I just don't know why you would rely on information on a site like this, which clearly skews WOTP or bust rather than talk to the school and get the information from people who are there.

Straw, meet man.

Do you know what a strawman is? I'm curious how I fit that title

“Strawman: 1. an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.”

Okay, how did I do that?

By claiming that all I’m doing is relying on DCUM and creating a false dichotomy between talking to the school and drawing on other sources of information. Nothing in what anyone wrote here precludes also going to the school. You’re trying to discredit posters asking for information about academics by creating the misrepresented proposition that we believe DCUM is the only source of information and that we believe it is an infallible source of information. Great way to distract from the actual discussion! Which is: what kind of challenge/grade-level classes does MacFarland provide?

I'm not sure, but you will get a much more accurate representation by talking to someone at the school. If you call them or email they will probably even set you up with real live parents!

Alternatively, you can continue to get your information from anonymous sources on the internet. Which is a choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people on here so invested in tearing down a public school they know nothing about. I’m very confused.

My kid’s Spanish is improving by leaps and bounds at MacFarland which is our #1 goal. Kid is in accelerated classes and loves their teachers.

And we’re thinking McKinley for HS but I do love your broad speculation.

What are the accelerated classes at Macfarland? It’s not tearing the school down to want to ensure your kid gets appropriate instruction.

+1. The facts are the facts with the poor PARCC scores that is a valid concern. I would not call that tearing the school down. But to say that a school offers accelerated classes when kids can’t even work on grade level is misleading. Posters are rightly questioning that.

It’s pretty obvious to me that there are lots of families posting here with kids in DCPS bilingual schools that feed to McFarland and are pretty defensive and angry about any negative comments at all. I would argue you should also be questioning the above if you are considering McFarland.

Asking hard questions and for accountability is not tearing a school down.

Agree. But I’ll add - I am actually not even expecting accelerated classes. I really just want to know if they group the grade level kids together. The stats show they have about 40 grade level/near grade level kids in each year.

Guess who would be well equipped to answer these questions?

Guess who is desperately trying to silence discussion?

'Silencing' is so funny. What would you do if you or your child used reddit to write their research papers or to source information at work? It's not the best source, especially when its so easy to just dial a phone number.

Here is the number: [phone]
Their principal is Lucas Cooke. [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math and history.

Why do you care what choices other parents are making? It’s fear mongering.

+1

It’s “fear mongering” to want to know about the curriculum?

This kind of attempts to silence/shame reasonable questions is exactly why parents don’t take a chance on a school.

Lol, going full censorship. You could also just, call the school?

Sure, I would call the school. But it’s not like this stuff should be hidden. That makes zero sense.

You're right. It makes much more sense to take the word of an anonymous person who may or may not have a child at a particular school.

Why do you have a problem with people talking openly about advanced classes? My kid is going to a different MS and it’s helpful to know what other MS offer, so we can get it too. This is one way to start gathering information.

I have no problem with it. I just don't know why you would rely on information on a site like this, which clearly skews WOTP or bust rather than talk to the school and get the information from people who are there.

Straw, meet man.

Do you know what a strawman is? I'm curious how I fit that title

“Strawman: 1. an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.”

Okay, how did I do that?

By claiming that all I’m doing is relying on DCUM and creating a false dichotomy between talking to the school and drawing on other sources of information. Nothing in what anyone wrote here precludes also going to the school. You’re trying to discredit posters asking for information about academics by creating the misrepresented proposition that we believe DCUM is the only source of information and that we believe it is an infallible source of information. Great way to distract from the actual discussion! Which is: what kind of challenge/grade-level classes does MacFarland provide?

I'm not sure, but you will get a much more accurate representation by talking to someone at the school. If you call them or email they will probably even set you up with real live parents!

Alternatively, you can continue to get your information from anonymous sources on the internet. Which is a choice.

Again with the strawman! And I guarantee that you would be one of those parents who would roll their eyes if I asked about academics in your presence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math and history.

Why do you care what choices other parents are making? It’s fear mongering.

+1

It’s “fear mongering” to want to know about the curriculum?

This kind of attempts to silence/shame reasonable questions is exactly why parents don’t take a chance on a school.

Lol, going full censorship. You could also just, call the school?

Sure, I would call the school. But it’s not like this stuff should be hidden. That makes zero sense.

You're right. It makes much more sense to take the word of an anonymous person who may or may not have a child at a particular school.

Why do you have a problem with people talking openly about advanced classes? My kid is going to a different MS and it’s helpful to know what other MS offer, so we can get it too. This is one way to start gathering information.

I have no problem with it. I just don't know why you would rely on information on a site like this, which clearly skews WOTP or bust rather than talk to the school and get the information from people who are there.

Straw, meet man.

Do you know what a strawman is? I'm curious how I fit that title

“Strawman: 1. an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.”

Okay, how did I do that?

By claiming that all I’m doing is relying on DCUM and creating a false dichotomy between talking to the school and drawing on other sources of information. Nothing in what anyone wrote here precludes also going to the school. You’re trying to discredit posters asking for information about academics by creating the misrepresented proposition that we believe DCUM is the only source of information and that we believe it is an infallible source of information. Great way to distract from the actual discussion! Which is: what kind of challenge/grade-level classes does MacFarland provide?

I'm not sure, but you will get a much more accurate representation by talking to someone at the school. If you call them or email they will probably even set you up with real live parents!

Alternatively, you can continue to get your information from anonymous sources on the internet. Which is a choice.

Again with the strawman! And I guarantee that you would be one of those parents who would roll their eyes if I asked about academics in your presence.

You definitely do not know what a Strawman is. What choice am I leaving out here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people on here so invested in tearing down a public school they know nothing about. I’m very confused.

My kid’s Spanish is improving by leaps and bounds at MacFarland which is our #1 goal. Kid is in accelerated classes and loves their teachers.

And we’re thinking McKinley for HS but I do love your broad speculation.

What are the accelerated classes at Macfarland? It’s not tearing the school down to want to ensure your kid gets appropriate instruction.

+1. The facts are the facts with the poor PARCC scores that is a valid concern. I would not call that tearing the school down. But to say that a school offers accelerated classes when kids can’t even work on grade level is misleading. Posters are rightly questioning that.

It’s pretty obvious to me that there are lots of families posting here with kids in DCPS bilingual schools that feed to McFarland and are pretty defensive and angry about any negative comments at all. I would argue you should also be questioning the above if you are considering McFarland.

Asking hard questions and for accountability is not tearing a school down.

Agree. But I’ll add - I am actually not even expecting accelerated classes. I really just want to know if they group the grade level kids together. The stats show they have about 40 grade level/near grade level kids in each year.

Guess who would be well equipped to answer these questions?

Guess who is desperately trying to silence discussion?

'Silencing' is so funny. What would you do if you or your child used reddit to write their research papers or to source information at work? It's not the best source, especially when its so easy to just dial a phone number.

Here is the number: [phone]
Their principal is Lucas Cooke. [e-mail]

Do you know basic logic? The fact that I am seeking information from one source does not mean I will never seek information from another source. And of course, sometimes anonymous sources have better information. Your clear goal here is to stop this discussion. Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math and history.

Why do you care what choices other parents are making? It’s fear mongering.

+1

It’s “fear mongering” to want to know about the curriculum?

This kind of attempts to silence/shame reasonable questions is exactly why parents don’t take a chance on a school.

Lol, going full censorship. You could also just, call the school?

Sure, I would call the school. But it’s not like this stuff should be hidden. That makes zero sense.

You're right. It makes much more sense to take the word of an anonymous person who may or may not have a child at a particular school.

Why do you have a problem with people talking openly about advanced classes? My kid is going to a different MS and it’s helpful to know what other MS offer, so we can get it too. This is one way to start gathering information.

I have no problem with it. I just don't know why you would rely on information on a site like this, which clearly skews WOTP or bust rather than talk to the school and get the information from people who are there.

Straw, meet man.

Do you know what a strawman is? I'm curious how I fit that title

“Strawman: 1. an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.”

Okay, how did I do that?

By claiming that all I’m doing is relying on DCUM and creating a false dichotomy between talking to the school and drawing on other sources of information. Nothing in what anyone wrote here precludes also going to the school. You’re trying to discredit posters asking for information about academics by creating the misrepresented proposition that we believe DCUM is the only source of information and that we believe it is an infallible source of information. Great way to distract from the actual discussion! Which is: what kind of challenge/grade-level classes does MacFarland provide?

I'm not sure, but you will get a much more accurate representation by talking to someone at the school. If you call them or email they will probably even set you up with real live parents!

Alternatively, you can continue to get your information from anonymous sources on the internet. Which is a choice.

Again with the strawman! And I guarantee that you would be one of those parents who would roll their eyes if I asked about academics in your presence.

You definitely do not know what a Strawman is. What choice am I leaving out here?

sigh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people on here so invested in tearing down a public school they know nothing about. I’m very confused.

My kid’s Spanish is improving by leaps and bounds at MacFarland which is our #1 goal. Kid is in accelerated classes and loves their teachers.

And we’re thinking McKinley for HS but I do love your broad speculation.

What are the accelerated classes at Macfarland? It’s not tearing the school down to want to ensure your kid gets appropriate instruction.

+1. The facts are the facts with the poor PARCC scores that is a valid concern. I would not call that tearing the school down. But to say that a school offers accelerated classes when kids can’t even work on grade level is misleading. Posters are rightly questioning that.

It’s pretty obvious to me that there are lots of families posting here with kids in DCPS bilingual schools that feed to McFarland and are pretty defensive and angry about any negative comments at all. I would argue you should also be questioning the above if you are considering McFarland.

Asking hard questions and for accountability is not tearing a school down.

Agree. But I’ll add - I am actually not even expecting accelerated classes. I really just want to know if they group the grade level kids together. The stats show they have about 40 grade level/near grade level kids in each year.

Guess who would be well equipped to answer these questions?

Guess who is desperately trying to silence discussion?

'Silencing' is so funny. What would you do if you or your child used reddit to write their research papers or to source information at work? It's not the best source, especially when its so easy to just dial a phone number.

Here is the number: [phone]
Their principal is Lucas Cooke. [e-mail]

Do you know basic logic? The fact that I am seeking information from one source does not mean I will never seek information from another source. And of course, sometimes anonymous sources have better information. Your clear goal here is to stop this discussion. Why?

If I wanted to know how grade level students at a school were grouped together, which is a fair and objective question, I would ask someone at the school who handles rostering, go to an open house or talk in person to people who are familiar with the school. I don't think that anyone could argue that an anonymous person online is a better source of information on a question like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math and history.

Why do you care what choices other parents are making? It’s fear mongering.

+1

It’s “fear mongering” to want to know about the curriculum?

This kind of attempts to silence/shame reasonable questions is exactly why parents don’t take a chance on a school.

Lol, going full censorship. You could also just, call the school?

Sure, I would call the school. But it’s not like this stuff should be hidden. That makes zero sense.

You're right. It makes much more sense to take the word of an anonymous person who may or may not have a child at a particular school.

Why do you have a problem with people talking openly about advanced classes? My kid is going to a different MS and it’s helpful to know what other MS offer, so we can get it too. This is one way to start gathering information.

I have no problem with it. I just don't know why you would rely on information on a site like this, which clearly skews WOTP or bust rather than talk to the school and get the information from people who are there.

Straw, meet man.

Do you know what a strawman is? I'm curious how I fit that title

“Strawman: 1. an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.”

Okay, how did I do that?

By claiming that all I’m doing is relying on DCUM and creating a false dichotomy between talking to the school and drawing on other sources of information. Nothing in what anyone wrote here precludes also going to the school. You’re trying to discredit posters asking for information about academics by creating the misrepresented proposition that we believe DCUM is the only source of information and that we believe it is an infallible source of information. Great way to distract from the actual discussion! Which is: what kind of challenge/grade-level classes does MacFarland provide?

I'm not sure, but you will get a much more accurate representation by talking to someone at the school. If you call them or email they will probably even set you up with real live parents!

Alternatively, you can continue to get your information from anonymous sources on the internet. Which is a choice.

Again with the strawman! And I guarantee that you would be one of those parents who would roll their eyes if I asked about academics in your presence.

You definitely do not know what a Strawman is. What choice am I leaving out here?

sigh

The go to for any lost argument. Enjoy your day!

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately we cannot rely on DCPS staff to tell us accurate or truthful information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately we cannot rely on DCPS staff to tell us accurate or truthful information.

Lol if thats how you feel, then you are definitely not interested in this school and are just here to sow dissension

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately we cannot rely on DCPS staff to tell us accurate or truthful information.

Lol if thats how you feel, then you are definitely not interested in this school and are just here to sow dissension

DP. If you go to a MS open house and ask about homework or test scores, it’s like you just farted loudly. G-d forbid asking about tracking and acceleration. There’s a reason people ask anonymously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math and history.

Why do you care what choices other parents are making? It’s fear mongering.

+1

It’s “fear mongering” to want to know about the curriculum?

This kind of attempts to silence/shame reasonable questions is exactly why parents don’t take a chance on a school.

Lol, going full censorship. You could also just, call the school?

Sure, I would call the school. But it’s not like this stuff should be hidden. That makes zero sense.

You're right. It makes much more sense to take the word of an anonymous person who may or may not have a child at a particular school.

Why do you have a problem with people talking openly about advanced classes? My kid is going to a different MS and it’s helpful to know what other MS offer, so we can get it too. This is one way to start gathering information.

I have no problem with it. I just don't know why you would rely on information on a site like this, which clearly skews WOTP or bust rather than talk to the school and get the information from people who are there.

Straw, meet man.

Do you know what a strawman is? I'm curious how I fit that title

“Strawman: 1. an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.”

Okay, how did I do that?

By claiming that all I’m doing is relying on DCUM and creating a false dichotomy between talking to the school and drawing on other sources of information. Nothing in what anyone wrote here precludes also going to the school. You’re trying to discredit posters asking for information about academics by creating the misrepresented proposition that we believe DCUM is the only source of information and that we believe it is an infallible source of information. Great way to distract from the actual discussion! Which is: what kind of challenge/grade-level classes does MacFarland provide?

I'm not sure, but you will get a much more accurate representation by talking to someone at the school. If you call them or email they will probably even set you up with real live parents!

Alternatively, you can continue to get your information from anonymous sources on the internet. Which is a choice.

Again with the strawman! And I guarantee that you would be one of those parents who would roll their eyes if I asked about academics in your presence.

You definitely do not know what a Strawman is. What choice am I leaving out here?

sigh

The go to for any lost argument. Enjoy your day!

What is exactly is the argument you think you won?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately we cannot rely on DCPS staff to tell us accurate or truthful information.

Lol if thats how you feel, then you are definitely not interested in this school and are just here to sow dissension

I actually am interested in this school. It's possible to be interested in a school and yet not have 100% confidence in whichever person happens to pick up the phone.

I would like to know if the accelerated classes are truly above grade level. If I ask the school, they will say they are above grade level, but unfortunately, I won't believe them. Parents of kids in those classes are the best source of information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately we cannot rely on DCPS staff to tell us accurate or truthful information.

Lol if thats how you feel, then you are definitely not interested in this school and are just here to sow dissension

If MacFarland is only for people who have 100% confidence in the accuracy and truthfulness of DCPS staff, then it's going to be a very small school.

If you have confidence in MacFarland then you should be fine with a trust yet verify approach, because we'll find out that everything is true, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately we cannot rely on DCPS staff to tell us accurate or truthful information.

Lol if thats how you feel, then you are definitely not interested in this school and are just here to sow dissension

If MacFarland is only for people who have 100% confidence in the accuracy and truthfulness of DCPS staff, then it's going to be a very small school.

If you have confidence in MacFarland then you should be fine with a trust yet verify approach, because we'll find out that everything is true, right?

Absolutely. I have to ask though, how are you verifying anything taking the word of anonymous people online? I could be posting this from inside MacFarland or from the other side of the Atlantic.