Hardy Middle School -- 5th grade in feeder school -- who's considering Hardy for 6th?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People should go into the school selection process with information, not hearsay (and by this I mean, PLEASE do not rely on DCUM gossip, including my own opinion). Go see for yourself, ask questions, and keep an open mind. There are upcoming open houses at the school.

Hardy is an urban school in an ethnically diverse city - this is both a blessing and a challenge. If you don't feel comfortable with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, it may not be the school for you. It has an obligation to be a school for everybody, not just your child. If you want special attention given to your child, it might not be for you. It is undergoing a lot of transformation, and if you are uncomfortable leading change, rather than benefiting from it, go elsewhere. It has strong and emerging academics, but it is certainly not a magnate school, and if you have a child who is exceptionally gifted, they will likely do better in a more consistently challenging environment.

As the previous poster noted, language about school enrollment is focused on feeder school enrollment, not in boundary. And this is good, because what we want for a public school is an emphasis on academics, and adequate preparation for rigor during the transition from elementary to middle school, right? Because given the demographics, if you care more about in boundary rather than feeder school patterns, the focus shifts to class and race, rather than education. If you want a school with rich, white kids, this is not the school for you.

I choose to live in DC because the diversity is so dynamic and interesting, and with this come some obvious challenges. Why would I want to deprive my children of being able to benefit from all the richness (culturally) that surrounds them? They need to learn to handle themselves around others that are richer, poorer, Blacker, whiter, more or less American, smarter, and less smart than they are. I think they will benefit from developing their own academic interests and challenges, rather than having it fed to them from the school, so having the time and independence to explore an interest on their own will develop a passion more readily than having 4 hours of homework a night.

I posit this: is it really the best for your child to go to the "best school"? What is the outcome we seek for our children?

This is what I think Patricia Pride and Ms. Whisnant should have said to Mann parents, in addition to the fact that Hardy still practices what I would call old school EOTP "tough love" in terms of their emphasis on behavior and discipline - obviously having staff scream at kids is on the brink of inappropriate, but at BASIS DC you can tell which teachers came from EOTP DC schools and which ones came from AZ - not because one group are clearer better teachers than the other, just because their entire approach to the kids and issues of classroom control are different. And to be honest, some times old school EOTP tough love works better because that is what the kids who are getting out of line are used to.............

Just to be clear, fellow Mann parent, your children are not at Hardy and have never been at Hardy. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable making declarations, like that bold-faced above, about what a school is or isn't like given that I have NO PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE about said school.

Frankly, I think you sound reasonable and I don't doubt what you're hearing even though those sentiments do not match what I'm hearing from Mann parents. But I think comments like that above (and previously) bear a startling resemblance to those made by people with a clear agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People should go into the school selection process with information, not hearsay (and by this I mean, PLEASE do not rely on DCUM gossip, including my own opinion). Go see for yourself, ask questions, and keep an open mind. There are upcoming open houses at the school.

Hardy is an urban school in an ethnically diverse city - this is both a blessing and a challenge. If you don't feel comfortable with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, it may not be the school for you. It has an obligation to be a school for everybody, not just your child. If you want special attention given to your child, it might not be for you. It is undergoing a lot of transformation, and if you are uncomfortable leading change, rather than benefiting from it, go elsewhere. It has strong and emerging academics, but it is certainly not a magnate school, and if you have a child who is exceptionally gifted, they will likely do better in a more consistently challenging environment.

As the previous poster noted, language about school enrollment is focused on feeder school enrollment, not in boundary. And this is good, because what we want for a public school is an emphasis on academics, and adequate preparation for rigor during the transition from elementary to middle school, right? Because given the demographics, if you care more about in boundary rather than feeder school patterns, the focus shifts to class and race, rather than education. If you want a school with rich, white kids, this is not the school for you.

I choose to live in DC because the diversity is so dynamic and interesting, and with this come some obvious challenges. Why would I want to deprive my children of being able to benefit from all the richness (culturally) that surrounds them? They need to learn to handle themselves around others that are richer, poorer, Blacker, whiter, more or less American, smarter, and less smart than they are. I think they will benefit from developing their own academic interests and challenges, rather than having it fed to them from the school, so having the time and independence to explore an interest on their own will develop a passion more readily than having 4 hours of homework a night.

I posit this: is it really the best for your child to go to the "best school"? What is the outcome we seek for our children?

This is what I think Patricia Pride and Ms. Whisnant should have said to Mann parents, in addition to the fact that Hardy still practices what I would call old school EOTP "tough love" in terms of their emphasis on behavior and discipline - obviously having staff scream at kids is on the brink of inappropriate, but at BASIS DC you can tell which teachers came from EOTP DC schools and which ones came from AZ - not because one group are clearer better teachers than the other, just because their entire approach to the kids and issues of classroom control are different. And to be honest, some times old school EOTP tough love works better because that is what the kids who are getting out of line are used to.............

... and which act like they used to work as corrections staff at Lorton. This approach doesn't belong at BASIS and sure doesn't belong at Hardy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People should go into the school selection process with information, not hearsay (and by this I mean, PLEASE do not rely on DCUM gossip, including my own opinion). Go see for yourself, ask questions, and keep an open mind. There are upcoming open houses at the school.

Hardy is an urban school in an ethnically diverse city - this is both a blessing and a challenge. If you don't feel comfortable with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, it may not be the school for you. It has an obligation to be a school for everybody, not just your child. If you want special attention given to your child, it might not be for you. It is undergoing a lot of transformation, and if you are uncomfortable leading change, rather than benefiting from it, go elsewhere. It has strong and emerging academics, but it is certainly not a magnate school, and if you have a child who is exceptionally gifted, they will likely do better in a more consistently challenging environment.

As the previous poster noted, language about school enrollment is focused on feeder school enrollment, not in boundary. And this is good, because what we want for a public school is an emphasis on academics, and adequate preparation for rigor during the transition from elementary to middle school, right? Because given the demographics, if you care more about in boundary rather than feeder school patterns, the focus shifts to class and race, rather than education. If you want a school with rich, white kids, this is not the school for you.

I choose to live in DC because the diversity is so dynamic and interesting, and with this come some obvious challenges. Why would I want to deprive my children of being able to benefit from all the richness (culturally) that surrounds them? They need to learn to handle themselves around others that are richer, poorer, Blacker, whiter, more or less American, smarter, and less smart than they are. I think they will benefit from developing their own academic interests and challenges, rather than having it fed to them from the school, so having the time and independence to explore an interest on their own will develop a passion more readily than having 4 hours of homework a night.

I posit this: is it really the best for your child to go to the "best school"? What is the outcome we seek for our children?

This is what I think Patricia Pride and Ms. Whisnant should have said to Mann parents, in addition to the fact that Hardy still practices what I would call old school EOTP "tough love" in terms of their emphasis on behavior and discipline - obviously having staff scream at kids is on the brink of inappropriate, but at BASIS DC you can tell which teachers came from EOTP DC schools and which ones came from AZ - not because one group are clearer better teachers than the other, just because their entire approach to the kids and issues of classroom control are different. And to be honest, some times old school EOTP tough love works better because that is what the kids who are getting out of line are used to.............

... and which act like they used to work as corrections staff at Lorton. This approach doesn't belong at BASIS and sure doesn't belong at Hardy.

Luckily, there are no teachers at Hardy that act that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You forgot to mention a third type of parents: those who genuinely think that Hardy is the best educational option for their kid. No need to reassure themselves. No interest or intention to contribute to the change.
Kids are different, parents are different. The school is a great match for some, and is a bad match for others. It definetly works great for kids who are socially mature and academically advanced. Those kids will thrive at Hardy.

ok on this one I am with pp above - if you are academically really advanced and have no interest or intention to contribute to the change and are coming from IB, don't go

but what I really want to know is about how Hardy is a perfect match for kids who

who have thick skins and can adjust ok from more nurturing and civil WOTP elementary school environments to the "tough love" disciplinary culture still practiced at Hardy

does the person who posted this care to describe/define/offer examples of/explain "the 'tough love' discipinary culture still practiced at Hardy?"[b]

My assumption is no one is talking about Lorton and maybe not talking about BASIS or EOTP but could someone tell me what the [b]Hardy version of tough love disciplinary culture is? Because it sounds like it applies to all students, and is in fact a culture, not singling out and isolating kids, which I am not in general on board with anyway until they get really out of line, however..........................

[Anonymous]

The Nineties are calling. They want their school uniforms back.

[Anonymous]

I think current IB families should ask to get rid of the uniforms. That will help attract more IB families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think current IB families should ask to get rid of the uniforms. That will help attract more IB families.

If you are interested in getting rid of the uniforms, go to a PTO meeting or make an appointment with Principal Pride and ask.

My guess is that most current families at Hardy would not feel that strongly either way. However, since nobody has asked them to change the status quo, they have not given much thought to changing it. So don't assume that current families at Hardy have strong feelings about uniforms - instead, assume that if you make a good-faith suggestion, it will be considered in good faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Nineties are calling. They want their school uniforms back.

You already made this joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Nineties are calling. They want their school uniforms back.

And midnight basketball! And "Scared Straight" (from the 80's)!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think current IB families should ask to get rid of the uniforms. That will help attract more IB families.

If you are interested in getting rid of the uniforms, go to a PTO meeting or make an appointment with Principal Pride and ask.

My guess is that most current families at Hardy would not feel that strongly either way. However, since nobody has asked them to change the status quo, they have not given much thought to changing it. So don't assume that current families at Hardy have strong feelings about uniforms - instead, assume that if you make a good-faith suggestion, it will be considered in good faith.

Actually I think Principal Pride has done some surveys on this and they have been pro-uniform. The uniform is a class issue for Northwest parents that they can't cope with. It sort of like when poor people adopt upper class names it all the sudden loses power. Frankly, given all the issues I see needing to be addressed this one just needs to go away, if you can't cope, pony up or private.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't assume anyone commuting in here is from NW or IB. This is the Internet, you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think current IB families should ask to get rid of the uniforms. That will help attract more IB families.

If you are interested in getting rid of the uniforms, go to a PTO meeting or make an appointment with Principal Pride and ask.

My guess is that most current families at Hardy would not feel that strongly either way. However, since nobody has asked them to change the status quo, they have not given much thought to changing it. So don't assume that current families at Hardy have strong feelings about uniforms - instead, assume that if you make a good-faith suggestion, it will be considered in good faith.

Actually I think Principal Pride has done some surveys on this and they have been pro-uniform. The uniform is a class issue for Northwest parents that they can't cope with. It sort of like when poor people adopt upper class names it all the sudden loses power. Frankly, given all the issues I see needing to be addressed this one just needs to go away, if you can't cope, pony up or private.

Is that you Tiffany?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't assume anyone commuting in here is from NW or IB. This is the Internet, you know.

I'm IB and from NW. I commented much earlier in this absurd thread. I'm fine with uniforms. And Hardy.

[Anonymous]

Deflection deflection distraction and yet again with the uniforms Tiffany!

Good job Hardy boosters.

Now to get back on topic, the kids who were described as those who would adapt well to Hardy included

kids who have thick skins and can adjust ok from more nurturing and civil WOTP elementary school environments to the "tough love" disciplinary culture still practiced at Hardy

does the person who posted this care to describe/define/offer examples of/explain "the 'tough love' discipinary culture still practiced at Hardy?"

[Anonymous]

Who is Tiffany?