Wilson High/Overcrowded Future?

[Anonymous]

See this article from the DC Examiner, by Jaffe, usually a big Wilson booster. He makes some valid points, for those of us excited to explore the "new" facilities for our inbounds kids, of which maybe there are too many of us?

http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/10/wilson-high-burning-and-busting-seams

[Anonymous]

I was at one of the open houses recently and Cahall said they were overcrowded now and would be at even greater numbers next year and beyond. I don't know what the answer is, but it gives me pause about sending my kid there.

[Anonymous]

Here's a post replying to Jaffe's article:
For the past 2 and 1/2 years, Wilson, LIKE EVERY HIGH SCHOOL IN THE CITY are lead by people who ARE NOT DISCIPLINARIANS, lack effective school management abilities, and who are SCARED of the students. It is well know that when Dr. Wilma Bonner and Dr. Stephen Tarason served as principal of Wilson in the 1980's, 1990's, and early 2000's, Wilson's enrollment was the same or higher as it is today, but the school was well ran and always orderly, and the halls were clear during class time. These two principals have a lasting reputation of not tolerating nonsense or behavioral problems from any students---AT ALL.

Face it folks, Peter Cahall is just not the right person to serve as principal of Wilson. Since he has been the principal of Wilson, student behavoral issues are more frequent and out of control. Although he may be a tall man, he is a very weak one when dealing with behavioral and other-related problems at Wilson. Kids at Wilson are often seen disrespecting Cahall throughout the building and throughout the school day, and he does nothing. There is no consistent approach to handling discipline problems at Wilson. School rules are never enforced and students are allowed to do whatever they want and when they want.

I am a 3rd year Teach for America teacher at Wilson. Believe me, the place can be scary. I will not state my name as I fear severe retaliation for telling the truth.


Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/10/wilson-high-burning-and-busting-seams#disqus_thread#ixzz1cc39Sreg

[Anonymous]

00:20, You are so right on point. The two principals that you mentioned were excellent at the leadership of Wilson during their tenure.

There's a difference between overcrowded and overrunned. The latter pretty much describes the breakdown. Therefore, Wilson has always been overcrowded with various principals [wo]manning the building but pinpointing the overrunning of the building under one's leadership is evident.

The theory of build it and they will come has come full circle and now what?

[Anonymous]

I heard one of the main problems to Wilson's overcrowding is because of Eastern High School. It seems that Eastern was not allowed to enroll any 9th grade repeaters. Such as the case when Wilson tried to send those 9th grade repeaters back to their neighborhood school as in Eastern, it was halted.

My take on that situation was like robbing Peter to pay Paul. All is not fair and equitable when it comes to DCPS. I am only sensing and anticipating a when it rains it pours situation next year. I say that because Ballou, Roosevelt, Dunbar and Cardozo will all be on some form of construction. Well, guess who will be the first choice for those 9th graders. You guessed it, bulldozer free Wilson!

Can Wilson's marching band play Chuck Brown's version of "Busting Loose."

Stop laughing, you know it true!

Oh! Another round of school closures is pending and we all know how the dominoe effect that can cause throughout this city.

[Anonymous]

Any current Wilson parents out there? Knowledge?

[Anonymous]

I checked with Don Shea and they have protected Eastern at all costs. Really no one can explain the reasons for this plan. But in hindsight it was not fair to a lot of schools.

If you think about it, that process almost guarantees you with an age appropriate freshmen class. I do believe other than having an application only process, you can't beat the deal Eastern has secured. You better, go girl!!! That Boston savvy paid off.

[Anonymous]

I am a current Wilson parent with very close contacts to several teachers at Wilson and I would disagree very strongly with the PP comment about Pete Cahall. I have not heard this at all from any of my current wilson teacher or administrator friends. In addition, my child as well as all the other children I know at the school in all grades, cower in sight of Cahall. He is a no-nonsense, strict, yet fair administrator. He is always out and about in the hallways, greeting and checking on kids and clearing the halls. I'll agree that from what I heard from parents back then, Dr. Bonner kept that school under a tight rein. But from the many, many accounts I heard from children and parents when Tarason was there, he was a disaster, he locked himself in his office during the day and ran from the building like his pants were on fire at 3:15. Several students that I knew from that time did not even know what he looked like! One student at graduation, saw Tarason on the stage and said to his mom, oh, so that's who he is.

Cahall has a deep respect and love for Wilson and he is phenomenal. This poster is either a disgruntled former teacher who Cahall moved out of the building, or the problem is that they are a TFA grad. They are notorious for not being able to handle a classroom of kids, elementary, middle or HS. From my many years in DCPS, every TFA teacher we've ever had (1st year, 2nd or more) had no idea of how to handle a classroom of children and really had no business teaching-they were constantly complaining about the kids (even kindergartners in an upper income DCPS) being "out of control." This TFA teacher probably tries to get the admin in the room all day because they can't command the respect of the students, so they get put through the ringer. But they have to put something on their resume for law school, so why not kill a few years in DCPS? Look, do us all a favor and leave the teaching profession now, and don't try to bash Cahall, cause those of us who know him and Wilson, know this is BS.

[Anonymous]

Tarason being a disaster was only the result from parents who thought there was solidarity with him because of his race. So, when they would make disparaging remarks about the AA's within the Wilson, they would be equally shocked when they found out Tarason was married to an AA and they felt they were duped and labled as a racist. So, the hiding in the principal office was to avoid unnecessary scuttle-butt. He did phenomenal things at Wilson but his demise was virtually white on white crime. As for Dr. Bonner many love the ground she walked on and pretty much demanded that she be elevated to Assistant Superintendent of High Schools. Which DCPS obliged but again Wilson thought that was their in-roads to make Wilson HS exclusive and privy to all all that was deemed educational gold. NOT!!!! Because for every Dr. Bonner there was Mr. Neal who made sure that equity was for all comprehensive high schools.

[Anonymous]

Um, I can't believe an actual teacher posted that. I am not a grammar Nazi but the quantity of errors that were not typos... but usage... no way.

[Anonymous]

Grammar Nazi or not, texting can be difficult on a metro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a current Wilson parent with very close contacts to several teachers at Wilson and I would disagree very strongly with the PP comment about Pete Cahall. I have not heard this at all from any of my current wilson teacher or administrator friends. In addition, my child as well as all the other children I know at the school in all grades, cower in sight of Cahall. He is a no-nonsense, strict, yet fair administrator. He is always out and about in the hallways, greeting and checking on kids and clearing the halls. I'll agree that from what I heard from parents back then, Dr. Bonner kept that school under a tight rein. But from the many, many accounts I heard from children and parents when Tarason was there, he was a disaster, he locked himself in his office during the day and ran from the building like his pants were on fire at 3:15. Several students that I knew from that time did not even know what he looked like! One student at graduation, saw Tarason on the stage and said to his mom, oh, so that's who he is.

Cahall has a deep respect and love for Wilson and he is phenomenal. This poster is either a disgruntled former teacher who Cahall moved out of the building, or the problem is that they are a TFA grad. They are notorious for not being able to handle a classroom of kids, elementary, middle or HS. From my many years in DCPS, every TFA teacher we've ever had (1st year, 2nd or more) had no idea of how to handle a classroom of children and really had no business teaching-they were constantly complaining about the kids (even kindergartners in an upper income DCPS) being "out of control." This TFA teacher probably tries to get the admin in the room all day because they can't command the respect of the students, so they get put through the ringer. But they have to put something on their resume for law school, so why not kill a few years in DCPS? Look, do us all a favor and leave the teaching profession now, and don't try to bash Cahall, cause those of us who know him and Wilson, know this is BS.

You are entitled to your opinions, except for the ones in which you denigrate and typecast people who do not share your opinions.

It's quite possible that not everyone feels the same as you and their reasons may be just as compelling as yours.

[Anonymous]

...actually "this poster" (I speak to 16:36) is me. I ran from DCPS like my pants were on fire for my kids' middle school, but have been considering Wilson for a return to DCPS for HS. The opinion I cut and pasted was a reply to the DC Examiner article written by Jaffe, and it doesn't sound inflammatory at all. It sounds, pretty much, like the even tone and wise maturity demonstrated by Wilson parents or teachers of the past, when the school continued to produce National Merit Scholars and Ivy League scholars against all odds -- in a crumbling building within the old guard of the NON-Rheeformed DC. The Cahall opion split is typical of the views shared by most parents who have lived through pre-reform and post-Rhee-form and feel the best parts of community involvement and school autonomy have been lost, not just at Wilson but everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Bonner and Tarason both directly participated in grade changing scandals. The school was a zoo when Tarason was principal. The halls were never clear and students couldn't get IDs on-time. Nothing was remotely orderly during Tarason's time at Wilson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...actually "this poster" (I speak to 16:36) is me. I ran from DCPS like my pants were on fire for my kids' middle school, but have been considering Wilson for a return to DCPS for HS. The opinion I cut and pasted was a reply to the DC Examiner article written by Jaffe, and it doesn't sound inflammatory at all. It sounds, pretty much, like the even tone and wise maturity demonstrated by Wilson parents or teachers of the past, when the school continued to produce National Merit Scholars and Ivy League scholars against all odds -- in a crumbling building within the old guard of the NON-Rheeformed DC. The Cahall opion split is typical of the views shared by most parents who have lived through pre-reform and post-Rhee-form and feel the best parts of community involvement and school autonomy have been lost, not just at Wilson but everywhere.

This is my feeling with DCPS. I support DCPS, but the schools that seem to really work for kids in NW seem to work in spite of, not because of , DCPS. I don't know if this is the same in other parts of the city? My direct experience is with NW schools. But I imagine the same meddling and one-size fits all goes on everywhere. I am not saying DCPS doesn't have a thankless job, much ground to make up, and many many children to serve who have been underserved. But their instrinct seems to be punitive and to reward success with less, not more, autonomy. Again, you can STILL find great DCPS schools and moments. But where is the 'heart' with RHEEform. Schools are places where children should look happy. Not every child, all the time-but most children, most of the time. Is that guaged in IMPACT? A happy community?