If you get in nowhere, what next?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are parents doing who can't or don't want to afford private school tuition, can't get in the charters of choice, out of bounds doesn't work out and your neighborhood school is unacceptable? What other options are you are investigating? I know homeschool could be an option or moving, but in today's economy that might not really work. Are you going with your neighborhood school anyway? I just ticks me off that even when you are a responsible parent and are striving to do what's best for your children and you live in DC, the school system seems to let you down. Maybe I'm just a little frustrated. I grew up in DC public schools and the schools were fine. The neighborhood schools were fine, they were safe, we had good teachers and administration, we had books and other resources and now while the city supposedly is getting better, the schools aren't. What gives?

Actually the schools are getting better in my neighborhood. Young folks decided to stay when they had their families and now schools that the middle class avoided before are attracting middle class kids in pre-K and K, which bodes well for the higher grades. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of parent activism and vigilance but it is happening. I would encourage everyone not to reject their local DCPS elementary before they have had a chance to visit, talk to staff and parents. It may not be right for you but it might surprise you, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It is actually AGAINST DCPS regulations. And they DO check. Don't ruin it for the rest of us. The schools are already bursting at the seams and full of fmailies who sacrifice and make choices in order to send their kids to the best school for their child. Just because you think YOU deserve something doesn't mean that it's right. Your actions have an effect on others.

Sorry to disappoint everyone in far NW, but this is not new - it has been going on for years. Maybe it's just easier for the secret to get out now because of the Internet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are parents doing who can't or don't want to afford private school tuition, can't get in the charters of choice, out of bounds doesn't work out and your neighborhood school is unacceptable? What other options are you are investigating? I know homeschool could be an option or moving, but in today's economy that might not really work. Are you going with your neighborhood school anyway? I just ticks me off that even when you are a responsible parent and are striving to do what's best for your children and you live in DC, the school system seems to let you down. Maybe I'm just a little frustrated. I grew up in DC public schools and the schools were fine. The neighborhood schools were fine, they were safe, we had good teachers and administration, we had books and other resources and now while the city supposedly is getting better, the schools aren't. What gives?

Honestly - It's called planning. You need to move to a desirable school, just like the rest of us. You can't have your cheap house and fantastic school, unfortunately. We don't even own yet because of this. We could afford a place in a bad neighborhood, with bad schools. We decided to rent in a desirable area. These were your choices.

Honestly - you are a jerk and very unkind. And unhelpful. You need to think about your rationale for posting this message. It was your choice, and it was not a good one.

Honestly I think she is right though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You sound entitled and totally misinformed, nevermind the fact that you're advocating something that's illegal. And - the fact that you think a principal would support this means your head is really in the sand. If the OP were SO INVOLVED and the parent who would be willing to go through all of the trouble to rent an apartment for a few mos is so involved - then why don't they work their magic and put their energies into helping buuild up their ZONED SCHOOL???? 33% of DC kids go to a charter. It's not en mass, yet. There are PLENTY of chances to get invovled in your neighborhood (YES - even before a person has children - because families drive up home values and make for a nice community). Go get on the PTA, bang some drums at DCPS meetings. It's NOT HARD. Heck - it's a hell of a lot easier than commuting clear across the city everyday to a school that isn't your own and lyiong about it in the process.

You don't like the system? then change the system. Don't "one up" corruption and unbalanced schooling by doing your own corrupt action.

You are hilarious. Illegal? Get real. There is nothing illegal about owning one property and renting another. There is nothing illegal in moving from one domicile to another and back. There is no law being broken here. The system is what it is, and playing it is not corrupt. Corrupt would be paying someone in the school to move up on the waitlist. This is simply playing the game and you know what they say - don't hate the player, hate the game.

It may not be illegal but "playing the system" the way you describe is at the very least very dishonest. Way to go educating another entitled person just like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It may not be illegal but "playing the system" the way you describe is at the very least very dishonest. Way to go educating another entitled person just like you.

Guess what? In the United States, a free public education is the very definition of an entitlement for all residents - homeowner, leaseholder, legal or illegal. We all support the schools through taxes and we're all entitled to this benefit. I understand why you would like to restrict your school to only the wealthy residents of your neighborhood. In this regard you are really no different from the generation of white parents who fled the cities after Brown v. Board of Ed., and especially those who left after forced (bussed) integration. You do not want your children to go to school with those other children.

Nonetheless, this is how the system works, whether like it or not - and you need to understand that. Just as much as you want to keep them out, there's nothing wrong with them playing the game to try to get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It may not be illegal but "playing the system" the way you describe is at the very least very dishonest. Way to go educating another entitled person just like you.

Guess what? In the United States, a free public education is the very definition of an entitlement for all residents - homeowner, leaseholder, legal or illegal. We all support the schools through taxes and we're all entitled to this benefit. I understand why you would like to restrict your school to only the wealthy residents of your neighborhood. In this regard you are really no different from the generation of white parents who fled the cities after Brown v. Board of Ed., and especially those who left after forced (bussed) integration. You do not want your children to go to school with those other children.

Nonetheless, this is how the system works, whether like it or not - and you need to understand that. Just as much as you want to keep them out, there's nothing wrong with them playing the game to try to get in.

Funny as I am neither wealthy nor white. I am though one honest law abiding citizen who refuses to bend rules and "play the game" like some entitled people who would do anything to get "in".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It may not be illegal but "playing the system" the way you describe is at the very least very dishonest. Way to go educating another entitled person just like you.

Guess what? In the United States, a free public education is the very definition of an entitlement for all residents - homeowner, leaseholder, legal or illegal. We all support the schools through taxes and we're all entitled to this benefit. I understand why you would like to restrict your school to only the wealthy residents of your neighborhood. In this regard you are really no different from the generation of white parents who fled the cities after Brown v. Board of Ed., and especially those who left after forced (bussed) integration. You do not want your children to go to school with those other children.

Nonetheless, this is how the system works, whether like it or not - and you need to understand that. Just as much as you want to keep them out, there's nothing wrong with them playing the game to try to get in.

Funny as I am neither wealthy nor white. I am though one honest law abiding citizen who refuses to bend rules and "play the game" like some entitled people who would do anything to get "in".

Then don't, nobody cares. Just try to stay off your high horse while you're at it because you just sound foolish. No laws are being broken and no cheating is going on. This is absolutely PLAYING BY THE RULES. Just because you don't like it or didn't figure it out doesn't mean it's wrong. As for entitlement, you can bet your bottom dollar that the OP's child is 100% as entitled to a free public education as anyone else in DC, whichever side of the park they live on.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. Not only a free public education but an EXCELLENT education. The socioeconomics af our neighborhoods east and wet of rock creek park are quite disparate. I personally think any schools (like Oyster) that are opffering a specialized program should be a lottery for the whole city--so many dcps resources are poured in to specialized programs (which is a good thing!) but you can only access them if you live in a million dollar neighborhood OR you are spanish dominant. Much like School Without Walls or Ellington pulls from the whole city, I stronly believe that others like Oyster should too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. Not only a free public education but an EXCELLENT education. The socioeconomics af our neighborhoods east and wet of rock creek park are quite disparate. I personally think any schools (like Oyster) that are opffering a specialized program should be a lottery for the whole city--so many dcps resources are poured in to specialized programs (which is a good thing!) but you can only access them if you live in a million dollar neighborhood OR you are spanish dominant. Much like School Without Walls or Ellington pulls from the whole city, I stronly believe that others like Oyster should too.

Wow - you ladies are daft. No - your kids is not entitled to your own personal definition of an excellent education. They are entitled to a FREE education that you are ZONED FOR. You are NOT entitled to get whatever you want, wherever you want just because you either didn't have the foresight to buy in a good school - or you are too lazy to sell and buy elsewhere. Or - GASP! - RENT inbounds as your actual residence.

I live inbounds for Oyster and moved there 4 yrs ago in a RENTAL. We are nowhere near able to buy a house. Buying is not the only option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. Not only a free public education but an EXCELLENT education. The socioeconomics af our neighborhoods east and wet of rock creek park are quite disparate. I personally think any schools (like Oyster) that are opffering a specialized program should be a lottery for the whole city--so many dcps resources are poured in to specialized programs (which is a good thing!) but you can only access them if you live in a million dollar neighborhood OR you are spanish dominant. Much like School Without Walls or Ellington pulls from the whole city, I stronly believe that others like Oyster should too.

Wow - you ladies are daft. No - your kids is not entitled to your own personal definition of an excellent education. They are entitled to a FREE education that you are ZONED FOR. You are NOT entitled to get whatever you want, wherever you want just because you either didn't have the foresight to buy in a good school - or you are too lazy to sell and buy elsewhere. Or - GASP! - RENT inbounds as your actual residence.

I live inbounds for Oyster and moved there 4 yrs ago in a RENTAL. We are nowhere near able to buy a house. Buying is not the only option.

Maybe you should read your child's English Book because your grasp of correct english is obviously lacking...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should read your child's English Book because your grasp of correct english is obviously lacking...

Grammatical snark with two capitalization mistakes and woeful style: priceless!

[Anonymous]

I absolutely disagree-we are not entitled to an "education" but we must demand excellence in every school for every child. From DCPS current Master Plan:

Ambitious Vision for Success
We have two related goals: to create the best urban school district in the country and to close the
achievement gap that persists along racial and socioeconomic lines.
In 5 years, our schools and our system as a whole will be much different – and much better. DCPS
will offer engaging instruction, diverse programs, and specialty learning environments. School facilities
will be safe, clean, and modern; and the centralized operations that support schools and learning
will be efficient, transparent, and responsive. DCPS will attract high-performing educators, efficiently
and systematically develop its people, reward performance, and will not tolerate mediocrity. Curriculum, instruction, student assessment, and professional development will all be directed toward improving student achievement. An informed parent population will become a driving force for change and an integral part of our strategy for achieving excellence. Throughout the system, innovative partnerships will engage the broader community in increasing educational options for students and playing an active, cooperative role in school improvement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. Not only a free public education but an EXCELLENT education. The socioeconomics af our neighborhoods east and wet of rock creek park are quite disparate. I personally think any schools (like Oyster) that are opffering a specialized program should be a lottery for the whole city--so many dcps resources are poured in to specialized programs (which is a good thing!) but you can only access them if you live in a million dollar neighborhood OR you are spanish dominant. Much like School Without Walls or Ellington pulls from the whole city, I stronly believe that others like Oyster should too.

Wow - you ladies are daft. No - your kids is not entitled to your own personal definition of an excellent education. They are entitled to a FREE education that you are ZONED FOR. You are NOT entitled to get whatever you want, wherever you want just because you either didn't have the foresight to buy in a good school - or you are too lazy to sell and buy elsewhere. Or - GASP! - RENT inbounds as your actual residence.

I live inbounds for Oyster and moved there 4 yrs ago in a RENTAL. We are nowhere near able to buy a house. Buying is not the only option.

See: it's easy. Renters are entitled to attend good schools too. All it takes is the foresight to just rent in bounds to your school of choice - long enough to enroll in the school - and then move. No need to buy. No need to postpone financial security either (losing out on the mortgage interest deduction is a killer tax-wise! Not to mention the failure to build equity?! Talk about stupid!) It happens all the time. The PP should try it too.

[Anonymous]

For those of you speculating as to the law, from the dcps website:

2105.1 Except as provided otherwise in this chapter, a student shall be required to attend the school for which the student is eligible which serves the attendance zone established for his or her place of residence, as defined in § 2199.

2105.2 A student whose place of residence within the District of Columbia changes from one attendance zone to a different attendance zone shall be transferred to the school serving the attendance zone where the student’s new place of residence is located. This requirement is subject to the exceptions set forth in §§ 2105.5 and 2105.7.

Those rules crosse- reference these rules:

2105.5 To provide for continuity of instruction, especially in the case of high school seniors scheduled to graduate the following June, the principal may authorize the continued attendance of the student at the school currently being attended for the remainder of the term or school year.

2105.6 Requests for permission to continue in attendance at a school out-of-zone must be made to the principal by the student’s parent or guardian, or by the adult student, prior to the effective date of the transfer.

2105.7 The provisions of § 2106 may be applied to a student whose change of place of residence would require a transfer under this section. A student who meets the requirements of § 2106 for out-of-zone attendance may be allowed to remain at the school currently being attended notwithstanding his or her change of address.

Section 2106 is the out of boundary rules, which have recently been updated and are too long to import

I read this saying the rule is to move schools when you move homes. I think the school has discretion to allow an in-bound student that moves out of bounds to stay. I do not think such a student has the same rights as a student that got in through the out of boundary process. If you are in a highly desirable overcrowded school, I would not count on being allowed to stay should you move out of boundary.

[Anonymous]

50% of dcps students attend a school outside their boundary. that is why dcps is considered a school choice district. unless there are severe or negligent behavior by the students that are oob or become oob when they move out the school zoned area i have never ever headr of anyone being displaced, in addition with no child left behind if a school has npt mey ayp for a number of years, those students BY RIGHT have the opportunity to attend a school out of their neighborhood school. a letter is sent every year to every student in those schools letting them know where they can transfer too.