Murch moving to lafayette

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love the way all the Lafayette people come here with doom and gloom scenarios. Yes, there needs to be proper planning, but there is simply no reason to build another demountable farm further away when a perfectly good one exists.

When was the last time Lafayette students needed to be evacuated to Blessed Sacrament?

I'm a Murch person, I think swinging at Lafayette is a terrible idea. Why is having 1400 kids on site at Lafayette better than staying on site at Murch?

The arguments I've seen against swinging on site amount to two things: that it's dangerous to be on a live construction site (which Lafayette kids have been doing this year, without any problems) and that there won't be enough play space (which doubling the number of kids on Lafayette's site while leaving trailers on the fields doesn't really address).

I can't understand the loud aversion to swinging on site, but it's a real thing among a certain subset of Murch families. Most of the kids would stay in the building during the renovation. Why is that not preferable to schlepping up to a bunch of trailers on a field for two years?

[Anonymous]

Someone just posted this this on the Chevy Chase listserv, from the Lafayette principal. My pet theory is that DC does not want to use Lafayette but is being pressured by a subset of Murch parents to consider it, so rather than say no outright they're going to hide behind Lafayette community opposition. If the letter below is any indication, they're going to get their wish.

Dear Lafayette Families and Community:

This past Friday afternoon, the members of the Lafayette School Improvement Team (SIT), myself included, received an email from the Department of General Services (DGS). The email indicated that DGS would like to discuss "the topic of utilizing the Lafayette trailer complex for the Murch ES modernization as swing space for the next two years."

Although we were told that this issue had been "put to bed" several months ago, we are now being told that it is being analyzed as one of several options. I immediately reached out to DCPS Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Nathaniel Beers, expressing my grave concerns over the timing of the issue, the issues of safety involved in reutilizing the trailers for Murch, and seeking clarity on how we can best express our voice as a community. He provided the following information:
"...as [DCPS/DGS] explore[s] options for the Murch modernization [DCPS/DGS] have to look into the benefits and limitations to reusing the Lafayette swing space. What I can assure you is that no decision has been made. In addition, I can assure you that Lafayette is not a first choice that we would consider."
"The goal was to share this information with the SIT team this coming week to start creating a space for the Lafayette community to share their concerns so that [DCPS/DGS] can make sure that [DCPS/DGS] are not overlooking any issues before [DCPS/DGS] make a decision."
"The DCPS team will be at the SIT meeting this week to start hearing the issues. In addition, they will outline the ways that parents, teachers and community members can share their concerns with us."
We need your voice.

Please use the link below to fill out a survey to capture your thoughts, concerns, and opinions on the possibility of Lafayette's trailers being reused as Murch swing space. Please complete the survey ASAP and no later than Tuesday at 6pm. All points of view are important, sought, and valued. I will share all responses with DGS and DCPS.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YQYBVMB

Please attend the community meeting hosted by DGS and scheduled for Tuesday, 12/15 at 7 pm in the Big Top.

At this time, both myself and the HSA have connected with Councilman Brandon Todd, as well as ANC commissioner Rebecca Maydak to express our concerns about this proposal.

Sincerely,

Carrie Broquard, Ed. D.
Principal
Lafayette Elementary School

[Anonymous]

Has putting trailers on the field next to the forest hills playground been ruled out? That seems to be the best option: next to a playground and walking distance from Murch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has putting trailers on the field next to the forest hills playground been ruled out? That seems to be the best option: next to a playground and walking distance from Murch.

Not ruled out, but I think the concern is expense (still TBD) and neighborhood opposition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has putting trailers on the field next to the forest hills playground been ruled out? That seems to be the best option: next to a playground and walking distance from Murch.

Not ruled out, but I think the concern is expense (still TBD) and neighborhood opposition.

I don't know anything about expense, but neighborhood opposition can't be any greater than the opposition of the non-Lafayette families that already hate Lafayette's trailers.

[Anonymous]

Hearst just opened a ginormous school (for its enrollment). Why not use any excess capacity in the Hearst building, together with the temporary building at the Hearst site?

[Anonymous]

You are welcome to come visit Hearst, there is not excess space available. The trailer could certainly be moved to Murch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are welcome to come visit Hearst, there is not excess space available. The trailer could certainly be moved to Murch.

The school seems so large, for a relatively small IB area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hearst just opened a ginormous school (for its enrollment). Why not use any excess capacity in the Hearst building, together with the temporary building at the Hearst site?

Ginormous? Yes, we now have enough classrooms for our students. And a gym/cafeteria/auditorium. Are you the poster earlier this year who suggested kicking out the autism classes? The school finally has appropriate facilities. Back off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are welcome to come visit Hearst, there is not excess space available. The trailer could certainly be moved to Murch.

The school seems so large, for a relatively small IB area.

Come visit! We will have another open house in January. The new facilities are pretty fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are welcome to come visit Hearst, there is not excess space available. The trailer could certainly be moved to Murch.

The school seems so large, for a relatively small IB area.

Come visit! We will have another open house in January. The new facilities are pretty fantastic.

And, to echo PPs, appropriately sized for the 300 ish enrollment which is not expected to increase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hearst just opened a ginormous school (for its enrollment). Why not use any excess capacity in the Hearst building, together with the temporary building at the Hearst site?

Murch population is more than double the Hearst population. The new Hearst building is smaller than the old Murch building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hearst just opened a ginormous school (for its enrollment). Why not use any excess capacity in the Hearst building, together with the temporary building at the Hearst site?

The temporary Lafayette space is bigger than the permanent Hearst space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has putting trailers on the field next to the forest hills playground been ruled out? That seems to be the best option: next to a playground and walking distance from Murch.

Not ruled out, but I think the concern is expense (still TBD) and neighborhood opposition.

I don't know anything about expense, but neighborhood opposition can't be any greater than the opposition of the non-Lafayette families that already hate Lafayette's trailers.

Then, you are not acquainted with the single-family households in the most immediate area surrounding the DPR land (Gates Rd., 32nd st, Brandywine and Chesapeake).

Move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hearst just opened a ginormous school (for its enrollment). Why not use any excess capacity in the Hearst building, together with the temporary building at the Hearst site?

The temporary Lafayette space is bigger than the permanent Hearst space.

For twice as many kids!