Shepherd ES to New North Middle School?

[Anonymous]

Well, at the Ward 4 alliance meeting, multiple parents complained about resources at Shepherd. Other parents said Shepherd and Lafayette should be routed to New North. Brandon Todd was there. Interestingly, many of the older residents try to shut down any criticism of DCPS schools and suggested that some parents there, including AA Shepherd Park residents who opt-out of the schools are classists who don’t understand that the tests are all bogus and Coolidge is a wonderful school. There has to be tough conversations about what’s not working instead of trying to shame people into guinea-pigging their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, at the Ward 4 alliance meeting, multiple parents complained about resources at Shepherd. Other parents said Shepherd and Lafayette should be routed to New North. Brandon Todd was there. Interestingly, many of the older residents try to shut down any criticism of DCPS schools and suggested that some parents there, including AA Shepherd Park residents who opt-out of the schools are classists who don’t understand that the tests are all bogus and Coolidge is a wonderful school. There has to be tough conversations about what’s not working instead of trying to shame people into guinea-pigging their kids.

Uh this is not what happened! The woman from Takoma said, “she would like for SES and Lafayette to be at New North.” The same woman was highly critical of Coolidge and stated she didn’t want her daughter to attend. Her daughter is an infant! I was trying not to laugh at the absurdity. Meanwhile, there were a couple of parents whose children are going to New North and they want a dedicated bus for kids like Deal has. They weren’t saying the tests were bogus. They stated that ELL kids must take them a year after starting the school, regardless of English abilities, which mean low scores. They also said there is more to a school than test scores. I didn’t feel arguments were getting shutdown. I felt like they were trying to cut down some of the offensive language. Some people don’t have choices and their children are currently attending these schools that people seem to portray as some Lord of the Flies-Mad Max hellscape.

[Anonymous]

Takeaway: everyone should come to Ward 4 Ed Alliance meetings!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, at the Ward 4 alliance meeting, multiple parents complained about resources at Shepherd. Other parents said Shepherd and Lafayette should be routed to New North. Brandon Todd was there. Interestingly, many of the older residents try to shut down any criticism of DCPS schools and suggested that some parents there, including AA Shepherd Park residents who opt-out of the schools are classists who don’t understand that the tests are all bogus and Coolidge is a wonderful school. There has to be tough conversations about what’s not working instead of trying to shame people into guinea-pigging their kids.

What sorts of resources?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, at the Ward 4 alliance meeting, multiple parents complained about resources at Shepherd. Other parents said Shepherd and Lafayette should be routed to New North. Brandon Todd was there. Interestingly, many of the older residents try to shut down any criticism of DCPS schools and suggested that some parents there, including AA Shepherd Park residents who opt-out of the schools are classists who don’t understand that the tests are all bogus and Coolidge is a wonderful school. There has to be tough conversations about what’s not working instead of trying to shame people into guinea-pigging their kids.

What sorts of resources?

No idea, she didn’t elaborate. The woman was angry and pulling her child for the school. I think there are special needs kids at SES that need para-teachers but that’s my opinion. She just kept saying there lack of resources EtoP vs WtoP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, at the Ward 4 alliance meeting, multiple parents complained about resources at Shepherd. Other parents said Shepherd and Lafayette should be routed to New North. Brandon Todd was there. Interestingly, many of the older residents try to shut down any criticism of DCPS schools and suggested that some parents there, including AA Shepherd Park residents who opt-out of the schools are classists who don’t understand that the tests are all bogus and Coolidge is a wonderful school. There has to be tough conversations about what’s not working instead of trying to shame people into guinea-pigging their kids.

What sorts of resources?

No idea, she didn’t elaborate. The woman was angry and pulling her child for the school. I think there are special needs kids at SES that need para-teachers but that’s my opinion. She just kept saying there lack of resources EtoP vs WtoP

Hmm, interesting. That's my IB. I wonder what kind of magical resources she feels there are WOTP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, at the Ward 4 alliance meeting, multiple parents complained about resources at Shepherd. Other parents said Shepherd and Lafayette should be routed to New North. Brandon Todd was there. Interestingly, many of the older residents try to shut down any criticism of DCPS schools and suggested that some parents there, including AA Shepherd Park residents who opt-out of the schools are classists who don’t understand that the tests are all bogus and Coolidge is a wonderful school. There has to be tough conversations about what’s not working instead of trying to shame people into guinea-pigging their kids.

What sorts of resources?

No idea, she didn’t elaborate. The woman was angry and pulling her child for the school. I think there are special needs kids at SES that need para-teachers but that’s my opinion. She just kept saying there lack of resources EtoP vs WtoP

Hmm, interesting. That's my IB. I wonder what kind of magical resources she feels there are WOTP.

Maybe the Janney chickens? No clue. I have a Deal student and can tell you there isn’t much difference WotP except more white kids. I think some parents want some perfect experience that doesn’t exist at any school.

[Anonymous]

And half of these people pull their kids and put them in Catholic schools, which up until you get to the top tier, are often pretty bare bones affairs with super old school conservative curricula and like no frills. Of any kind. It takes a certain mindset to get to this place, logically.

[Anonymous]

12 years later...same spin cycle, slightly different flavor...no Rhee. We couldn't stand the emotional uncertainty of every year wondering which not-great school those upon high would move Shepherd kids to as the part of the fall out. Moved to Fairfax County...best choice we ever made, especially since we later discovered DC #2 has dyslexia. Sadly, even with the lack of diversity...its better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And half of these people pull their kids and put them in Catholic schools, which up until you get to the top tier, are often pretty bare bones affairs with super old school conservative curricula and like no frills. Of any kind. It takes a certain mindset to get to this place, logically.

Who are “these people”?

Look, there will be people who just throw up their hands and walk away. They weren’t valuable to the community anyway since they just gave up. They were never going to be happy. Honestly, I have no idea what the issue is with schools. No place is perfect. What is missing and how do achieve what you’re looking for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, at the Ward 4 alliance meeting, multiple parents complained about resources at Shepherd. Other parents said Shepherd and Lafayette should be routed to New North. Brandon Todd was there. Interestingly, many of the older residents try to shut down any criticism of DCPS schools and suggested that some parents there, including AA Shepherd Park residents who opt-out of the schools are classists who don’t understand that the tests are all bogus and Coolidge is a wonderful school. There has to be tough conversations about what’s not working instead of trying to shame people into guinea-pigging their kids.

Uh this is not what happened! The woman from Takoma said, “she would like for SES and Lafayette to be at New North.” The same woman was highly critical of Coolidge and stated she didn’t want her daughter to attend. Her daughter is an infant! I was trying not to laugh at the absurdity. Meanwhile, there were a couple of parents whose children are going to New North and they want a dedicated bus for kids like Deal has. They weren’t saying the tests were bogus. They stated that ELL kids must take them a year after starting the school, regardless of English abilities, which mean low scores. They also said there is more to a school than test scores. I didn’t feel arguments were getting shutdown. I felt like they were trying to cut down some of the offensive language. Some people don’t have choices and their children are currently attending these schools that people seem to portray as some Lord of the Flies-Mad Max hellscape.

I have heard exactly the same BS at these meetings for years, which is why I stopped going last year. Old rich white ladies booster about schools and openly call anyone who disagrees with the racist, classist what have you. Hate testing. Hate charters. Never raise any criticism when ANCs, etc., come. Their has to be some honest happening or it’s not valuable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, at the Ward 4 alliance meeting, multiple parents complained about resources at Shepherd. Other parents said Shepherd and Lafayette should be routed to New North. Brandon Todd was there. Interestingly, many of the older residents try to shut down any criticism of DCPS schools and suggested that some parents there, including AA Shepherd Park residents who opt-out of the schools are classists who don’t understand that the tests are all bogus and Coolidge is a wonderful school. There has to be tough conversations about what’s not working instead of trying to shame people into guinea-pigging their kids.

What sorts of resources?

No idea, she didn’t elaborate. The woman was angry and pulling her child for the school. I think there are special needs kids at SES that need para-teachers but that’s my opinion. She just kept saying there lack of resources EtoP vs WtoP

Is this true? If so, then this is a serious resource issue. It's offensive to say that a DCPS elementary school is great . . . as long as you don't have special needs.

[Anonymous]

Weird that folks would assume an UMC AA woman (or any AA) would be talking about resources because of SNs. She was talking about rigor and specials and a rich PTA, because her kids are GT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Weird that folks would assume an UMC AA woman (or any AA) would be talking about resources because of SNs. She was talking about rigor and specials and a rich PTA, because her kids are GT.

Just FYI - no idea who you are speaing of, but kids can be GT AND have a SN and/or learning disability. It's called twice-exceptional or 2E.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, at the Ward 4 alliance meeting, multiple parents complained about resources at Shepherd. Other parents said Shepherd and Lafayette should be routed to New North. Brandon Todd was there. Interestingly, many of the older residents try to shut down any criticism of DCPS schools and suggested that some parents there, including AA Shepherd Park residents who opt-out of the schools are classists who don’t understand that the tests are all bogus and Coolidge is a wonderful school. There has to be tough conversations about what’s not working instead of trying to shame people into guinea-pigging their kids.

Uh this is not what happened! The woman from Takoma said, “she would like for SES and Lafayette to be at New North.” The same woman was highly critical of Coolidge and stated she didn’t want her daughter to attend. Her daughter is an infant! I was trying not to laugh at the absurdity. Meanwhile, there were a couple of parents whose children are going to New North and they want a dedicated bus for kids like Deal has. They weren’t saying the tests were bogus. They stated that ELL kids must take them a year after starting the school, regardless of English abilities, which mean low scores. They also said there is more to a school than test scores. I didn’t feel arguments were getting shutdown. I felt like they were trying to cut down some of the offensive language. Some people don’t have choices and their children are currently attending these schools that people seem to portray as some Lord of the Flies-Mad Max hellscape.

I have heard exactly the same BS at these meetings for years, which is why I stopped going last year. Old rich white ladies booster about schools and openly call anyone who disagrees with the racist, classist what have you. Hate testing. Hate charters. Never raise any criticism when ANCs, etc., come. Their has to be some honest happening or it’s not valuable.

Ok but no one was called a racist or classist. There were parents with kids at Roosevelt and LaSalle, who were trying to address current concerns while a woman with an infant was complaining about Coolidge and how she wasn’t sending her daughter there. She was complaining about the current student body at Coolidge wasn’t good enough for her infant daughter. The absurdity of the discussion with mind blowing! I have a middle schooler and would try New North without hesitation. There was nothing plenty of criticism of DCPS but also a focus on how to solve the issues. I understand how some would find those women annoying. I get it. There is a faction of anti-charter liberals. I’m pragmatic, charters provided a choice while DCPS got their sh*t together. I’m suspicious of people who are boosters but also who are a source of endless negativity....especially if they only have an infant.