Advice Needed-Really Worried about Child at Current School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: yes. I know of situations where school transfers happen within DCPS for extraordinary circumstances. You can start by contacting the DCPS crisis team or family advocate or ombudsman whatever it is called..

But really think about if a transfer is what you want. Is there any way to salvage the current situation? Maybe a new outside school activity or a new pet or some cognitive behavioral ways to think about these difficulties as growth experiences. Definitely something fun to look forward to during winter and spring breaks to give him something to propel him through hard days.

Of course if he is truly being mistreated by other kids or adults at school that needs to be addressed. Speak up loudly.

As for PPs guessing why 5th grade in DCPS can be hard and blaming it on charter schools “taking” friends. I call BS. I have yet to see a DCPS elementary school that provides the intellectual and social opportunities that these 10/11 year olds are ready for. They THRiVE at Latin and Basis in 5th grade. They love it. They are ready for it. DCPS could do something similar in their 5th grades, but don’t.

Charters like Basis and Latin and then adding sibling preference has truly hurt the kids and schools on Capitol Hill.
Breaking up 5th grade when it’s a promotion year does hurt. A feeling of being left behind, seeing all the kids commuting.

SP: adding that we will never get EH, SH and Eastern in a good place if kids keep leaving. For the record these schools have a lot of potential!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: yes. I know of situations where school transfers happen within DCPS for extraordinary circumstances. You can start by contacting the DCPS crisis team or family advocate or ombudsman whatever it is called..

But really think about if a transfer is what you want. Is there any way to salvage the current situation? Maybe a new outside school activity or a new pet or some cognitive behavioral ways to think about these difficulties as growth experiences. Definitely something fun to look forward to during winter and spring breaks to give him something to propel him through hard days.

Of course if he is truly being mistreated by other kids or adults at school that needs to be addressed. Speak up loudly.

As for PPs guessing why 5th grade in DCPS can be hard and blaming it on charter schools “taking” friends. I call BS. I have yet to see a DCPS elementary school that provides the intellectual and social opportunities that these 10/11 year olds are ready for. They THRiVE at Latin and Basis in 5th grade. They love it. They are ready for it. DCPS could do something similar in their 5th grades, but don’t.

I fundamentally think the problem is that 5th graders are ready for real content, not just skills learning. But elementary school teachers are skills specialists, not content specialists. So a person who can teach 2nd graders ELA is also going to potentially teach 5th graders. But middle school teachers are content specialists - so they dive deep into their areas of specialty and get to the meaty stuff of history, math, English, science etc.

Elementary content specialist here. This is a huge generalization. SOME 5th graders are excited to have meaty content while some are more concerned with who likes who. SOME elementary teachers are content specialists and excited to share their love of science and social studies, while others are just skimming through to check boxes. SOME middle school teachers are captivating and sow a love of their subject among students. SOME are checking boxes. This issue varies widely among students, teachers and schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Of course if he is truly being mistreated by other kids or adults at school that needs to be addressed. Speak up loudly.

What!!!??? Could you be any more dismissive and condescending? I literally questioned whether the mistreatment OP feels is actually mistreatment. Your people skills could use some work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: yes. I know of situations where school transfers happen within DCPS for extraordinary circumstances. You can start by contacting the DCPS crisis team or family advocate or ombudsman whatever it is called..

But really think about if a transfer is what you want. Is there any way to salvage the current situation? Maybe a new outside school activity or a new pet or some cognitive behavioral ways to think about these difficulties as growth experiences. Definitely something fun to look forward to during winter and spring breaks to give him something to propel him through hard days.

Of course if he is truly being mistreated by other kids or adults at school that needs to be addressed. Speak up loudly.

As for PPs guessing why 5th grade in DCPS can be hard and blaming it on charter schools “taking” friends. I call BS. I have yet to see a DCPS elementary school that provides the intellectual and social opportunities that these 10/11 year olds are ready for. They THRiVE at Latin and Basis in 5th grade. They love it. They are ready for it. DCPS could do something similar in their 5th grades, but don’t.

Charters like Basis and Latin and then adding sibling preference has truly hurt the kids and schools on Capitol Hill.
Breaking up 5th grade when it’s a promotion year does hurt. A feeling of being left behind, seeing all the kids commuting.

Yeah, nah. You must be new here. Charters have not “hurt” schools on Capitol Hill one bit. You would know that if you knew how these schools operated before charters. The option of charter schools have created a confidence in public schooling in DC in general that has invigorated both the charter and DCPS sectors. Both sectors were adding students at a good clip from a devastating low ( pre-charters ). Then covid…but enrollment heading up again. Try to see the big picture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Of course if he is truly being mistreated by other kids or adults at school that needs to be addressed. Speak up loudly.

What!!!??? Could you be any more dismissive and condescending? I literally questioned whether the mistreatment OP feels is actually mistreatment. Your people skills could use some work.

Wow.slow down PP This is what OP reported:

[child]now is reporting bullying from other students and due to a variety of reasons has two subs, no permanent teachers. He communicates he isnt learning anything, doesn't like how the teachers talk to him, is afraid of being beaten up by his classmates, has no friends, etc.


All of this is reported by a 9 or 10 year old and requires more difgging by a parent to see if the child is truly being mistreated. Why the freak out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
As for PPs guessing why 5th grade in DCPS can be hard and blaming it on charter schools “taking” friends. I call BS. I have yet to see a DCPS elementary school that provides the intellectual and social opportunities that these 10/11 year olds are ready for. They THRiVE at Latin and Basis in 5th grade. They love it. They are ready for it. DCPS could do something similar in their 5th grades, but don’t.

I agree with the caveat that this is not just about DCPS and it is nonsense to blame this on "charters". The exact same thing happens in 5th at HRCS. Kids peel off for Latin and BASIS because parents realize the social emotional wellbeing crap is not happening and is a shield against poor academic standards. It is also an issue of HS path.

As a parent of a kid that escaped to Latin or BASIS in 5th, I cringe when I think about how far behind our kid's friends in 5th and 6th are as against where they are now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As for PPs guessing why 5th grade in DCPS can be hard and blaming it on charter schools “taking” friends. I call BS. I have yet to see a DCPS elementary school that provides the intellectual and social opportunities that these 10/11 year olds are ready for. They THRiVE at Latin and Basis in 5th grade. They love it. They are ready for it. DCPS could do something similar in their 5th grades, but don’t.

I agree with the caveat that this is not just about DCPS and it is nonsense to blame this on "charters". The exact same thing happens in 5th at HRCS. Kids peel off for Latin and BASIS because parents realize the social emotional wellbeing crap is not happening and is a shield against poor academic standards. It is also an issue of HS path.

As a parent of a kid that escaped to Latin or BASIS in 5th, I cringe when I think about how far behind our kid's friends in 5th and 6th are as against where they are now.

wow you need to get over yourself

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Of course if he is truly being mistreated by other kids or adults at school that needs to be addressed. Speak up loudly.

What!!!??? Could you be any more dismissive and condescending? I literally questioned whether the mistreatment OP feels is actually mistreatment. Your people skills could use some work.

Wow.slow down PP This is what OP reported:

[child]now is reporting bullying from other students and due to a variety of reasons has two subs, no permanent teachers. He communicates he isnt learning anything, doesn't like how the teachers talk to him, is afraid of being beaten up by his classmates, has no friends, etc.


All of this is reported by a 9 or 10 year old and requires more difgging by a parent to see if the child is truly being mistreated. Why the freak out?

So the kid's parent takes the kid's concerns at face value but you are here to suggest that maybe they shouldn't listen to their kid's concerns and feelings? And you think I'm off base to call you condescending?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As for PPs guessing why 5th grade in DCPS can be hard and blaming it on charter schools “taking” friends. I call BS. I have yet to see a DCPS elementary school that provides the intellectual and social opportunities that these 10/11 year olds are ready for. They THRiVE at Latin and Basis in 5th grade. They love it. They are ready for it. DCPS could do something similar in their 5th grades, but don’t.

I agree with the caveat that this is not just about DCPS and it is nonsense to blame this on "charters". The exact same thing happens in 5th at HRCS. Kids peel off for Latin and BASIS because parents realize the social emotional wellbeing crap is not happening and is a shield against poor academic standards. It is also an issue of HS path.

As a parent of a kid that escaped to Latin or BASIS in 5th, I cringe when I think about how far behind our kid's friends in 5th and 6th are as against where they are now.

wow you need to get over yourself

That's a healthy and mature response. Much easier than having to face down the reality that 5th grade at most ES and most HRCS is substandard. Seems to me like I may have struck a nerve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As for PPs guessing why 5th grade in DCPS can be hard and blaming it on charter schools “taking” friends. I call BS. I have yet to see a DCPS elementary school that provides the intellectual and social opportunities that these 10/11 year olds are ready for. They THRiVE at Latin and Basis in 5th grade. They love it. They are ready for it. DCPS could do something similar in their 5th grades, but don’t.

I agree with the caveat that this is not just about DCPS and it is nonsense to blame this on "charters". The exact same thing happens in 5th at HRCS. Kids peel off for Latin and BASIS because parents realize the social emotional wellbeing crap is not happening and is a shield against poor academic standards. It is also an issue of HS path.

As a parent of a kid that escaped to Latin or BASIS in 5th, I cringe when I think about how far behind our kid's friends in 5th and 6th are as against where they are now.

wow you need to get over yourself

That's a healthy and mature response. Much easier than having to face down the reality that 5th grade at most ES and most HRCS is substandard. Seems to me like I may have struck a nerve.

Lol you cringe at your friends childrens academic performance I'm good

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. He had 4 good friends in the class and they all left last or this year. No 504. He is high achieving and no disabilities. Usually a really smart, happy, social person until this year. The school is looking into it, encouraging him to see the school counselor, etc.

When you found out they were leaving, you should have made the same plan too.
See what happens.

[Anonymous]

It is my understanding that if you are explicit with school, in writing, stating bullying, this triggers a process the school MUST enter into.
https://dcps.dc.gov/bullying

The school has a certain number of days to respond and then put in place a plan. I would reach out to DCPS person on this link if you do
not have it immediately addressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As for PPs guessing why 5th grade in DCPS can be hard and blaming it on charter schools “taking” friends. I call BS. I have yet to see a DCPS elementary school that provides the intellectual and social opportunities that these 10/11 year olds are ready for. They THRiVE at Latin and Basis in 5th grade. They love it. They are ready for it. DCPS could do something similar in their 5th grades, but don’t.

I agree with the caveat that this is not just about DCPS and it is nonsense to blame this on "charters". The exact same thing happens in 5th at HRCS. Kids peel off for Latin and BASIS because parents realize the social emotional wellbeing crap is not happening and is a shield against poor academic standards. It is also an issue of HS path.

As a parent of a kid that escaped to Latin or BASIS in 5th, I cringe when I think about how far behind our kid's friends in 5th and 6th are as against where they are now.

wow you need to get over yourself

That's a healthy and mature response. Much easier than having to face down the reality that 5th grade at most ES and most HRCS is substandard. Seems to me like I may have struck a nerve.

Lol you cringe at your friends childrens academic performance I'm good

Again, this is too personal for you to be able to differentiate between feeling sorry for kids who are receiving a substandard education and feeling sorry for the kids' performance. Not the same thing.

If it makes you feel better to lash out at me, I'm ok with that. Probably easier than having to face the reality of the learning deficit your kid is experiencing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As for PPs guessing why 5th grade in DCPS can be hard and blaming it on charter schools “taking” friends. I call BS. I have yet to see a DCPS elementary school that provides the intellectual and social opportunities that these 10/11 year olds are ready for. They THRiVE at Latin and Basis in 5th grade. They love it. They are ready for it. DCPS could do something similar in their 5th grades, but don’t.

I agree with the caveat that this is not just about DCPS and it is nonsense to blame this on "charters". The exact same thing happens in 5th at HRCS. Kids peel off for Latin and BASIS because parents realize the social emotional wellbeing crap is not happening and is a shield against poor academic standards. It is also an issue of HS path.

As a parent of a kid that escaped to Latin or BASIS in 5th, I cringe when I think about how far behind our kid's friends in 5th and 6th are as against where they are now.

wow you need to get over yourself

That's a healthy and mature response. Much easier than having to face down the reality that 5th grade at most ES and most HRCS is substandard. Seems to me like I may have struck a nerve.

Lol you cringe at your friends childrens academic performance I'm good

Again, this is too personal for you to be able to differentiate between feeling sorry for kids who are receiving a substandard education and feeling sorry for the kids' performance. Not the same thing.

If it makes you feel better to lash out at me, I'm ok with that. Probably easier than having to face the reality of the learning deficit your kid is experiencing.

It's not personal to me I don't even have kids. I work at one of the two "prestige" schools you mention and am laughing because its really not that different. Just trying to figure out which parent you are so I can roll my eyes at dismissal

[Anonymous]

What is the nature of the bullying? is it race based?