Attn Maury parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Maury parent, and I agree that people who don't live in the vicinity shouldn't really be weighing in on matters that will not actually affect them, and on a topic that they probably haven't thought very deeply about. That said, it's a free country - for now - and you can weigh in on this Internet survey however you damn well please.

One thing that has been neglected in this pro-cluster conversation – which I initially felt inclined to support as well – is the fact that all of the teachers would have to reapply for their jobs, since it would be a new school. Also the cluster principal wouldn't be either in the Maury principal or the Miner principle – I have been told that neither principal would want that job, because it would create too much tension in the community and would look like favoritism for either school. So basically, what you're doing in this union is not simply combining two school populations to fast-track the lower-performing school that is already on the upswing; you'll basically be starting over. Hopefully some of the teachers would stay from both communities, but it's not likely that all would.

This is all neglecting the fact that the Maury school building is in desperate need of renovation and refresh, regardless of whether the schools are combined. A $20 million budget could be increased by 20 million to create an incredible school that would still come in far under the exorbitant budgets that we've seen at schools throughout DCPS. So what, they'll spend just 20 to get a half assed modernization and a half assed cluster that undermines the progress of both neighborhood schools? Or, they could increase the budget to 40, make Maury the school it should be and do it right once, and give Miner the time and space to develop into the school that it is growing into it as well. Miner apparently has been working hard to try to develop a language immersion program, and more of that would be welcomed and much appreciated on the hill – not sure why we need to feel like we need to "save" them when they have their own plans in place and have already made some good strides. There is a certain degree of racism in that "white savior" approach as well.

Anyway, there's more to it than just the naive, pie-in-the-sky vision of combining forces – it will require a lot of logistical effort that we can't count on DCPS to effectively and successfully accomplish.

Appreciate the thoughtful response. Does anyone know why the DCPS enrollment projections are now indicating over-crowding at Maury, when 2 years ago during boundary review, they must have expected Maury to be at or below capacity? (Thus the boundary expansion?) In other words, what's changed with their planning so that we should now trust their numbers? If there numbers are wrong, this is a huge debate for no reason.

(I understand anecdotally you see more people in the neighborhood, etc., whatever, but am specifically interested if DCPS explained to any Maury parents about how their methodology is now yielding 539+ students when it was seemingly a lower estimate only 2 years ago.)

[Anonymous]

Thoughtful maybe but PPs post is also a little ignorant:
- The "I've been told" is not true. We've been told those are questions (one principal/which principal, how to structure etc.) are important questions to solve, were one to go down that "cluster" route. As you may know, there isn't such a concept in the DCPS system aside from some empirical examples, each of which is unique.
- The "desperately needs a refresh and renovation" is plain untrue (Eliot-Hine does!). Maury underwent a phase I renovation (refresh and all) not that long ago. That is not the primary "need". Yes, the systems are old and ADA accessibility is lacking (phase II as it used to be called). The real "need" is one of enlargement that's dictated by run-away enrollments. I for one completely understand that those solutions addressing that core issue are at the top of the agenda.

[Anonymous]

Not ignorant whatsoever. Those words came from people who would be directly affected, but I will leave it at that so that no one gets into trouble because of this inane thread. Also, you must not know about the plumbing and heating issues in the 60's building. Eliot Hine absolutely needs a reno, too - that doesn't mean that Maury doesn't need modernization as well. Hell, how would we have even gotten to this point if DCPS didn't agree?!

Also, the SIT committee did call DCPS out on their lowball projections throughout the process but DCPS declined to take heed.

[Anonymous]

Why not handle this situation a little obliquely and have Maury drop PK classes and Miner add a bunch?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not handle this situation a little obliquely and have Maury drop PK classes and Miner add a bunch?

I was thinking something similar -- a cluster for PK only. That seems to meet space issues. Otherwise it seems like we're inevitably headed towards getting rid of PK at Maury.

[Anonymous]

Just read thru this entire thread and wish I could have those 20 minutes of my life back. That said, I do think DCPS deserves more blame for introducing an option that they MUST KNOW touches a fault line in society. Whether it's by busing or consolidation, the idea of merging 2 schools together when 1 is perceived as generally good and 1 is perceived as generally bad is HUGELY CONTROVERSIAL ... EVERYWHERE. You are entitled to your opinion as to whether it's ultimately a good idea or a bad idea but certainly it should have been handled with way more delicacy than an online survey and a few PowerPoint slides. I hope DCPS is not surprised by the ugliness here—because they're largely responsible for it

[Anonymous]

- What does "Maury community" mean? There seems to be an assumption that it is limited to the parents who have children at the school, maybe also including parents who will have children at the school. Truth is, anyone living in those boundaries (with kids, without kids, renters, owners, businesses etc.) are really part of that community. They have a stake in how schools are renovated and structured, looks, parking, uses and all.

Thanks for this. No kids at Maury but enjoy being a neighbor.

We've already got parking problems. If they build on what is now the school parking lot, it will be a disaster for both neighbors and Maury's staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not handle this situation a little obliquely and have Maury drop PK classes and Miner add a bunch?

I was thinking something similar -- a cluster for PK only. That seems to meet space issues. Otherwise it seems like we're inevitably headed towards getting rid of PK at Maury.

I've asked about this very topic before (clustering ECE). The issue is how many classes could one school convert to ECE (rooms with bathrooms, on the first floor). I think that can be a sticking point for a lot of schools. I know several that might have 4 to 6 but I'm assuming you would need 8+ in this case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not handle this situation a little obliquely and have Maury drop PK classes and Miner add a bunch?

I was thinking something similar -- a cluster for PK only. That seems to meet space issues. Otherwise it seems like we're inevitably headed towards getting rid of PK at Maury.

I've asked about this very topic before (clustering ECE). The issue is how many classes could one school convert to ECE (rooms with bathrooms, on the first floor). I think that can be a sticking point for a lot of schools. I know several that might have 4 to 6 but I'm assuming you would need 8+ in this case.

I think this is the one solution that Miner parents won't like unless you kept the guaranteed PK at least for Miner parents... Otherwise they are essentially just giving away preschool slots to better off people, no?

[Anonymous]

^^ I also am not sure it makes sense to create a "cluster" that is essentially just visitors in a school that have no stake in the school's future, especially when the strong/more diverse ECE program is one of the things most likely to improve Miner in the long run.

[Anonymous]

As a high SES Miner-zoned parent, I think a cluster for PK would be great for my kids, because we are likely only going to use Miner for PK. That said, it is clearly not in the long-term interest of the school or the parents of kids who plan to use it throughout ES.

If Maury wants to avoid Miner so badly that it doesn't want the cluster for the upper grades, why on earth would they be entitled to a cluster for the ECE? Clearly they'd just lose PK, which I personally think would be more likely to "destroy" the school than clustering with Miner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a high SES Miner-zoned parent, I think a cluster for PK would be great for my kids, because we are likely only going to use Miner for PK. That said, it is clearly not in the long-term interest of the school or the parents of kids who plan to use it throughout ES.

If Maury wants to avoid Miner so badly that it doesn't want the cluster for the upper grades, why on earth would they be entitled to a cluster for the ECE? Clearly they'd just lose PK, which I personally think would be more likely to "destroy" the school than clustering with Miner.

I think Maury would still be very strong without PK. An ECE center at Miner would definitely have to come with a perk for Miner, like guaranteed entry. I think it would ulimately help desegregate Miner while Maury could spread out, and neither school would have to be totally disrupted.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you look at the slides that were linked to the survey, it shows that parents have already been surveyed and responses compiled. Plus this already went out to Maury families on Maury's list serv. What is the actual intent of your post? Seems like the school list serv would be a better way to reach more families.


I second this! The Maury community weighed in already with its own survey, and overwhelming disfavored the cluster option. In our meeting DCPS officials, they seemed to say the cluster wasn't a real option, at least in the near term. The DCPS survey is intended to get feedback on a newly proposed option 4 that would renovate and modernize the school, with the caveat that additional funds from the FY2018 budget will need to be secured to move forward. I wonder why the poster even started this thread. Seems like more trouble/drama rather than a productive way to really think through this issue.

Let's keep it positive on this thread -- or better yet, stop responding to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP, if you look at the slides that were linked to the survey, it shows that parents have already been surveyed and responses compiled. Plus this already went out to Maury families on Maury's list serv. What is the actual intent of your post? Seems like the school list serv would be a better way to reach more families.

I second this! The Maury community weighed in already with its own survey, and overwhelming disfavored the cluster option. In our meeting DCPS officials, they seemed to say the cluster wasn't a real option, at least in the near term. The DCPS survey is intended to get feedback on a newly proposed option 4 that would renovate and modernize the school, with the caveat that additional funds from the FY2018 budget will need to be secured to move forward. I wonder why the poster even started this thread. Seems like more trouble/drama rather than a productive way to really think through this issue.

Let's keep it positive on this thread -- or better yet, stop responding to it.





Thank God. We are inbounds for Maury with a three year old and would not send our child to any Miner cluster. Sorry but that's the truth. If I was comfortable with miner I would not pay paid a million for my house near Lincoln Park. I would have bought a sweet little house by Lovejoy park and my rented out my basement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP, if you look at the slides that were linked to the survey, it shows that parents have already been surveyed and responses compiled. Plus this already went out to Maury families on Maury's list serv. What is the actual intent of your post? Seems like the school list serv would be a better way to reach more families.

I second this! The Maury community weighed in already with its own survey, and overwhelming disfavored the cluster option. In our meeting DCPS officials, they seemed to say the cluster wasn't a real option, at least in the near term. The DCPS survey is intended to get feedback on a newly proposed option 4 that would renovate and modernize the school, with the caveat that additional funds from the FY2018 budget will need to be secured to move forward. I wonder why the poster even started this thread. Seems like more trouble/drama rather than a productive way to really think through this issue.

Let's keep it positive on this thread -- or better yet, stop responding to it.

Thank God. We are inbounds for Maury with a three year old and would not send our child to any Miner cluster. Sorry but that's the truth. If I was comfortable with miner I would not pay paid a million for my house near Lincoln Park. I would have bought a sweet little house by Lovejoy park and my rented out my basement.

Argh white wine.

I would have bought a smaller house inbounds for miner and not paid too much for my house inbounds for Maury. Don't drink and DCUM.