fenty kids to lafayette?

[Anonymous]

I teach in Dc and my kids could not go the school that I teach at without paying out of bounds fees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you trying to compare the threats that the Obamas face to Jimmy Carter - are you for real? I just read somewhere that the threats against Obama are 400% more than the previous President. Can't compare the two. I was raised here and remember when Amy Carter went to public - her first day was a zoo, even by 70s standards. And if I am not mistaken she ended up going to private anyway, Holton Arms I think.

I am not saying that the teacher policies should apply to the Obamas or the Fentys I think they should be able to go wherever they want. But if I am reading the previous posts correctly and we want everyone to be treated the same then teachers should lose their ability to take slots that should go to those who have gone through the process and procedures outlined by DCPS.

The threats we all face are more now, and we handle them with more alertness and security efforts. What diff on that front does private make? Amy Carter went to Stevens and Hardy(public); where she went after dad was Pres doesn't concern me.

[Anonymous]

You are forgetting all of the tutoring Amy Carter received outside of DCPS to stay current with peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I teach in Dc and my kids could not go the school that I teach at without paying out of bounds fees.

Are you a DC resident? What are Out of Bounds Fees? Do you mean out of district fees?

[Anonymous]

Agree 13:59 Amy Carter's experience in public was a disaster. No way to secure a public school - not to the satisfaction of the SS.

[Anonymous]

I am the parent-teacher organization President for West, and I took offense to the statement that West is "in turmoil," and sent a response directly to Mr. Jaffe. I've pasted a copy of my note to him below:


Dear Mr. Jaffe,

I just read your article about "Fenty Twins Set to Attend DC Public Schools," and I would like to know what you mean when you state that West "has been in turmoil." If your definition of "turmoil" is increasing enrollment and raising test scores, then I would agree. If you mean the classic definition of "utter confusion and agitation," I couldn't disagree with you more.

There are many exciting things happening at West and the school is continuing to meet the goals that West has set for itself. For example, the 2007-2008 goal was to increase student enrollment, and that was accomplished by 30%. Last year West grew from 192 students to 251 students. The 2008-2009 goal was to increase student achievement, and that was accomplished by a 15.46 point increase in DCCAS math scores and 5.72 point increase in reading scores. In the last two years, the overall gains have been 11 points in math and 13 points in reading. The 2009-2010 goal is to further increase student achievement, enhance the school's culture and climate, and ensure that West is providing the best education possible to each student. This year West has additional support in the form of an Assistant Principal, two instructional coaches, and a French instructor. All West students will receive some level of French instruction this year. This is in addition to core courses, physical education and exposure to the arts through the partnership with Fillmore.

West also has a vibrant parent organization called the West Parent, Staff and Community Organization (PSCO), and we have a variety of exciting events planned for the new year in order to support West. The first event is a free movie night on the grounds of the school, Wednesday, August 5. Then we are planning three pre-school play dates in August to allow families of young children to meet each other and get familiar with the school. We will participate in the DC-wide beautification day on August 22 and begin preparing flower beds to create a Monarch Butterfly Garden. We will also have family orientations before school begins, and a family pot-luck the first week of school.

If you would like to know more about West, please check out our website: www.westschool.org, or even better, why not come by for a visit and see for yourself. Your article says that Michelle Fenty didn't even visit West, so I am confused about how West got the label of being "in turmoil" in the first place. This unsubstantiated claim implies a lack of respect for all of the hard work that the Chancellor, West staff, students and parents have contributed to improve the school.

Regarding our Mayor and his twins, we would welcome the children with open arms and would be glad to include the Mayor, his wife, and his children as part of the West family. But regardless of whether or not they enroll at West, West will become a model of what can happen at at DC public school when you have the right leadership, great teachers and parental involvement.

I would be glad to speak with you at any time about West and the plans for its future. I can be reached at 202-445-6849 or [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Sherilyn Pruitt
PSCO President
LSRT Representative
Proud Parent of Two West Students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree 13:59 Amy Carter's experience in public was a disaster. No way to secure a public school - not to the satisfaction of the SS.

Why?

I am assuming it is 'secure' for all the plebian children who attend...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you trying to compare the threats that the Obamas face to Jimmy Carter - are you for real? I just read somewhere that the threats against Obama are 400% more than the previous President. Can't compare the two. I was raised here and remember when Amy Carter went to public - her first day was a zoo, even by 70s standards. And if I am not mistaken she ended up going to private anyway, Holton Arms I think.

I am not saying that the teacher policies should apply to the Obamas or the Fentys I think they should be able to go wherever they want. But if I am reading the previous posts correctly and we want everyone to be treated the same then teachers should lose their ability to take slots that should go to those who have gone through the process and procedures outlined by DCPS.

The threats we all face are more now, and we handle them with more alertness and security efforts. What diff on that front does private make? Amy Carter went to Stevens and Hardy(public); where she went after dad was Pres doesn't concern me.

It makes a HUGE difference. Securing a public school campus is orders of magnitude more difficult than securing a private school campus. Let's start with bureaucracy -- a private school is a single entity able to make decisions with only that school in mind and without clearing multiple levels of approval. The need for public disclosure -- "sunshine" -- is also significantly different. You might believe that the Obamas should have accepted those risks and gone public on principle, and you are entitled to that opinion. But to suggest that securing private and public schools is comparable in terms of difficulty is completely disingenuous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the parent-teacher organization President for West, and I took offense to the statement that West is "in turmoil," and sent a response directly to Mr. Jaffe. I've pasted a copy of my note to him below:


Dear Mr. Jaffe,

I just read your article about "Fenty Twins Set to Attend DC Public Schools," and I would like to know what you mean when you state that West "has been in turmoil." If your definition of "turmoil" is increasing enrollment and raising test scores, then I would agree. If you mean the classic definition of "utter confusion and agitation," I couldn't disagree with you more.

There are many exciting things happening at West and the school is continuing to meet the goals that West has set for itself. For example, the 2007-2008 goal was to increase student enrollment, and that was accomplished by 30%. Last year West grew from 192 students to 251 students. The 2008-2009 goal was to increase student achievement, and that was accomplished by a 15.46 point increase in DCCAS math scores and 5.72 point increase in reading scores. In the last two years, the overall gains have been 11 points in math and 13 points in reading. The 2009-2010 goal is to further increase student achievement, enhance the school's culture and climate, and ensure that West is providing the best education possible to each student. This year West has additional support in the form of an Assistant Principal, two instructional coaches, and a French instructor. All West students will receive some level of French instruction this year. This is in addition to core courses, physical education and exposure to the arts through the partnership with Fillmore.

West also has a vibrant parent organization called the West Parent, Staff and Community Organization (PSCO), and we have a variety of exciting events planned for the new year in order to support West. The first event is a free movie night on the grounds of the school, Wednesday, August 5. Then we are planning three pre-school play dates in August to allow families of young children to meet each other and get familiar with the school. We will participate in the DC-wide beautification day on August 22 and begin preparing flower beds to create a Monarch Butterfly Garden. We will also have family orientations before school begins, and a family pot-luck the first week of school.

If you would like to know more about West, please check out our website: www.westschool.org, or even better, why not come by for a visit and see for yourself. Your article says that Michelle Fenty didn't even visit West, so I am confused about how West got the label of being "in turmoil" in the first place. This unsubstantiated claim implies a lack of respect for all of the hard work that the Chancellor, West staff, students and parents have contributed to improve the school.

Regarding our Mayor and his twins, we would welcome the children with open arms and would be glad to include the Mayor, his wife, and his children as part of the West family. But regardless of whether or not they enroll at West, West will become a model of what can happen at at DC public school when you have the right leadership, great teachers and parental involvement.

I would be glad to speak with you at any time about West and the plans for its future. I can be reached at 202-445-6849 or [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Sherilyn Pruitt
PSCO President
LSRT Representative
Proud Parent of Two West Students

Well said; and the Fenty children will hopefully attend their in-boundary.

[Anonymous]

Why? I didn't attend mine. If Fenty think Lafayette's a better fit, they should go there.

[Anonymous]

I heard on the news last night that Fenty's wife said there was "no chance" her kids would attend West. She has only looked at Lafayette, Key, Janney and Murch.

[Anonymous]

Of course she's looking at top performing schools. West does not appear to be one of them, despite improvements noted by the letter writer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard on the news last night that Fenty's wife said there was "no chance" her kids would attend West. She has only looked at Lafayette, Key, Janney and Murch.

DC is gross; it's Animal Farm. All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree 13:59 Amy Carter's experience in public was a disaster. No way to secure a public school - not to the satisfaction of the SS.

Why?

I am assuming it is 'secure' for all the plebian children who attend...

My public is secure enough for my plebian children - thank you very much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard on the news last night that Fenty's wife said there was "no chance" her kids would attend West. She has only looked at Lafayette, Key, Janney and Murch.

DC is gross; it's Animal Farm. All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.

It is always the case that some animals are more equal than others.