99 percent FARM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I personally would not place my child in a school that is 99% FARMS. The social atmosphere will be different. Usually kids from these types of backgrounds come to school with lots of social, cognitive,emotional, and behavoirial problems. I'm not saying that all FARM students fit this profile. However, in DC it's most likely that these children come from dysfunctional homes where there is child abuse, substance abuse issues, and a list of other problems. It could be a cultural shock listening to a four year verbalizing profanity and misogynistic words, but can't even recite the alphabet. It will be a cultural shock to witness how angry, maladjusted, and unstable these students are. Most of these students never been read to, never been told the words, "I love you", or their emotional needs were never met from the time they were infants. Teachers spend a great deal of time trying to diffuse negative social behavior that teaching sometimes take a backseat. Which means your child's needs aren't going to get met because the priorities of the FARM students are so much more important. The needs of the FARM students are a priority. The entire educational setting will be focus on assisting those students with the various issues that they bring to school. The fact of the matter is that many poor inner-city children in DC are born to parents who don't give a damn. So, when unstable parents bring children into the world, it is up to the schools to provide some form of stability, love, attention, and other unmet needs to these children. I think there are some phenomenal teachers and specialists out there who do an amazing job with these students. However, it's a difficult task. It's the reason why so many DCPS are problematic. We have a culture of children who are born from generations of poverty, child abuse, and other issues. Teachers are forced to take on the role of a parent in these classrooms.

Also, it will be extremely difficult for you to establish friendships with the parents. There is a provincial attitude and a strong level of resistance with some DC residents (especially those from the lower class black communities) against integration and diversity. So, you may encounter some negative attitudes and behaviors from the parents as well.

You have to ask yourself do you want to take a risk and make your child the sacrificial lamb?

This is one of the most insightful posts I've read on this board so far. Thank you for posting this.

[Anonymous]

It is a crap shoot considering you can have a large percentage of FARM students and the school is doing quite well by DCPS standards. Case in point Kelly Miller has a large FARM population but the Principal is the Principal of the Year and I do believe our Teacher of the Year came from a school with large FARM population. High FARM populated schools have the same programs for students who excel and therefore sending your child to a school with a larger FARM population doesn't always mean doom and gloom.

@19:03, as for being the sacificial lamb, you should ask yourself do you actually believe in the bullsh*t you are providing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 10:29 -Integration and diversity are for people in the majority. Minorities have always had to deal with integration and diversity.

DC's majority has been overwhelmingly AA for decades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I personally would not place my child in a school that is 99% FARMS. The social atmosphere will be different. Usually kids from these types of backgrounds come to school with lots of social, cognitive,emotional, and behavoirial problems. I'm not saying that all FARM students fit this profile. However, in DC it's most likely that these children come from dysfunctional homes where there is child abuse, substance abuse issues, and a list of other problems. It could be a cultural shock listening to a four year verbalizing profanity and misogynistic words, but can't even recite the alphabet. It will be a cultural shock to witness how angry, maladjusted, and unstable these students are. Most of these students never been read to, never been told the words, "I love you", or their emotional needs were never met from the time they were infants. Teachers spend a great deal of time trying to diffuse negative social behavior that teaching sometimes take a backseat. Which means your child's needs aren't going to get met because the priorities of the FARM students are so much more important. The needs of the FARM students are a priority. The entire educational setting will be focus on assisting those students with the various issues that they bring to school. The fact of the matter is that many poor inner-city children in DC are born to parents who don't give a damn. So, when unstable parents bring children into the world, it is up to the schools to provide some form of stability, love, attention, and other unmet needs to these children. I think there are some phenomenal teachers and specialists out there who do an amazing job with these students. However, it's a difficult task. It's the reason why so many DCPS are problematic. We have a culture of children who are born from generations of poverty, child abuse, and other issues. Teachers are forced to take on the role of a parent in these classrooms.

Also, it will be extremely difficult for you to establish friendships with the parents. There is a provincial attitude and a strong level of resistance with some DC residents (especially those from the lower class black communities) against integration and diversity. So, you may encounter some negative attitudes and behaviors from the parents as well.

You have to ask yourself do you want to take a risk and make your child the sacrificial lamb?

This is one of the most insightful posts I've read on this board so far. Thank you for posting this.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is a crap shoot considering you can have a large percentage of FARM students and the school is doing quite well by DCPS standards. Case in point Kelly Miller has a large FARM population but the Principal is the Principal of the Year and I do believe our Teacher of the Year came from a school with large FARM population. High FARM populated schools have the same programs for students who excel and therefore sending your child to a school with a larger FARM population doesn't always mean doom and gloom.

@19:03, as for being the sacificial lamb, you should ask yourself do you actually believe in the bullsh*t you are providing?

The FARMS numbers are skewed, as for many schools they are disproportionately high compared to actual income and demographics in the neighborhoods they serve. I think a lot of families apply for FARMS even when they aren't technically eligible by income, and I don't think DCPS is tremendously vigilant in policing it as they stand to benefit from additional funds, Title I et cetera.

[Anonymous]

I find this discussion extremely offensive. I am from a low-income family, went to public school in a predominantly low-income/minority community, and did quite well and made lasting friendships. Just because the school is composed of low-income student population does not mean the students will be ill-mannered and illiterate or that their parents do not love them. This is the part I find most offensive. These parents are doing the best for their children, like my single mother did, by working multiple jobs to feed the family. These parents may not have the time or the resources to attend every PTA meeting, but that does not mean that they don't care about their kids.

[Anonymous]

It's not about going to PTA meetings. It's about caring for your kids, you know: food, shelter, medical care, safe environment, love, attention.

Yes, many low income families have all of the above in place but, as other posters have noted, many do not. Schools become the safe haven for many children where they can eat, let down their guard (a little) and maybe eventually get to some real learning, but in many cases, not so much.

Instead of arguing about this problem, how can our city solve it for our kids?

[Anonymous]

It's a backward conclusion, low income families don't necessarily have problems just because they are low income. There are many in DC who are low income who are perfectly wonderful families.

But that said it should also be noted that the most dysfunctional families in America are typically low income because of dysfunctionality, whether alcohol or substance abuse, mental illness, criminal record, coarse or abusive behavior, poor education or other types of issues, that limit job options and the ability to hold down a job.

[Anonymous]

13:32 - are you seriously telling me that poor people don't love their children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I volunteer once a week at a school on Capitol Hill that is listed as 99% FARMS. I don't think that it is actually a full 99% low income, but that designation indicates that a very high percentage of the student population is low-income.

The behavior that I have personally witnessed is much more than "boy banter/playful aggression." I have seen serious fighting (in which children get hurt) and heard horrible language. Many of the children are outright defiant to teachers. They seem to have no respect for adults and either run around the room or wander the halls. Sadly, the classes in which I've seen this behavior have been very young children -- 1st and 2nd graders.

FARMS rate related to behavior???

I'd say so.My kids is FARM and has been in trouble more than other kids in class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13:32 - are you seriously telling me that poor people don't love their children?

That is exactly what I got from it. I grew up poor...hell, the whole neighborhood was poor. We may not have had name brands, filet mignon, mcmansions, or nannies, but there was no lack of love, food, med. care, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I volunteer once a week at a school on Capitol Hill that is listed as 99% FARMS. I don't think that it is actually a full 99% low income, but that designation indicates that a very high percentage of the student population is low-income.

The behavior that I have personally witnessed is much more than "boy banter/playful aggression." I have seen serious fighting (in which children get hurt) and heard horrible language. Many of the children are outright defiant to teachers. They seem to have no respect for adults and either run around the room or wander the halls. Sadly, the classes in which I've seen this behavior have been very young children -- 1st and 2nd graders.

FARMS rate related to behavior???

I'd say so.My kids is FARM and has been in trouble more than other kids in class.

That has nothing to do with the cost of their lunch. Check your parenting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13:32 - are you seriously telling me that poor people don't love their children?

I agree. They love their kids to pieces - as much as you loves yours- even as they may make decisions (or don't make decisons) that are incredibly harmful to their kids. There are a lot of reasons for this, but "not giving a damn" isn't one of them.

I wouldn't send my kids to a school where the majority of kids came from dysfunctional families and once you hit 70% poor families you are hitting 50% dysfunctional families in this area. I would be happier with a 40% farm rate (and I was one of the farm families though we were poor without any but the most ordinary middle-class kind of dysfunction).

[Anonymous]

OP, I personally would not place my child in a school that is 99% FARMS. The social atmosphere will be different. Usually kids from these types of backgrounds come to school with lots of social, cognitive,emotional, and behavoirial problems. I'm not saying that all FARM students fit this profile. However, in DC it's most likely that these children come from dysfunctional homes where there is child abuse, substance abuse issues, and a list of other problems. It could be a cultural shock listening to a four year verbalizing profanity and misogynistic words, but can't even recite the alphabet. It will be a cultural shock to witness how angry, maladjusted, and unstable these students are. Most of these students never been read to, never been told the words, "I love you", or their emotional needs were never met from the time they were infants. Teachers spend a great deal of time trying to diffuse negative social behavior that teaching sometimes take a backseat. Which means your child's needs aren't going to get met because the priorities of the FARM students are so much more important. The needs of the FARM students are a priority. The entire educational setting will be focus on assisting those students with the various issues that they bring to school. The fact of the matter is that many poor inner-city children in DC are born to parents who don't give a damn. So, when unstable parents bring children into the world, it is up to the schools to provide some form of stability, love, attention, and other unmet needs to these children. I think there are some phenomenal teachers and specialists out there who do an amazing job with these students. However, it's a difficult task. It's the reason why so many DCPS are problematic. We have a culture of children who are born from generations of poverty, child abuse, and other issues. Teachers are forced to take on the role of a parent in these classrooms.

Also, it will be extremely difficult for you to establish friendships with the parents. There is a provincial attitude and a strong level of resistance with some DC residents (especially those from the lower class black communities) against integration and diversity. So, you may encounter some negative attitudes and behaviors from the parents as well.

You have to ask yourself do you want to take a risk and make your child the sacrificial lamb?


This is one of the most insightful posts I've read on this board so far. Thank you for posting this.

Oh my, I hope you're joking, PP. The quoted is one of the most stereotypically obtuse posts I've ever read on this board.

[Anonymous]

The problem isn't with FARMS families in general - it's specifically with dysfunctional FARMS families. There's a far higher percentage of dysfunctional families in FARMS than there are in other SES groups.