What is going on at Cleveland?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing people mention that there are some issues at Cleveland. Does anyone know what's going on? Is this about getting a new principal? We are on the WL for PK4 and hoping to attend.

The Pre-k 4 teacher is Mrs. Joya and the aide is Mr. Lopez, they are both great, knowledgeable and kind people. Mrs. Joya is expecting and should have her baby sometime this summer. She might not be back in time for the beginning of the school year. Kinder and first grade teachers are Ms. Max and Mrs. Frank and the aide is Ms. Maria they are also great! Mrs. Frank is a tough cookie but has your child's best interest at heart.

Despite any school issues you will be happy with Pre-k-1st.

[Anonymous]

Second poster is back after a long day of work -- wow, this thread has gone wild with the speculation. Growing pains referred to changes in the new resident population coming to the school - high SES, all races/ethnicities had various issues but recess was not one that was prominent this year. For instance, they ranged from discipline approaches to perceived inequity between the English and a Dual language sides of the school. There were also issues raised by Hispanic, mainly immigrant families, who said they mistrusted the administration. There was also a spate of bullying that the school took steps to address, and some children were suspended (and consequently some families felt that that was not enough or too much). And there were some parents who took their concerns directly to the central office, flying over the principal and the pta. Have been at this school for a few years and can tell you it's a great school well beyond k. Things got out of hand, and I think it's unfortunate for all. many of us appreciate the teachers and caring school staff. The last principal was overwhelmed. The new pick is coming from Marie reed, where she was the AP. Try not to read between the lines. I am trying to be clear, not obtuse. Bottom line: it's a good school, but had some growing pains. Even old schools can have those, if the admin and parent population is changing. No one is pretending this is a charge. We are proud to be a dpcs school. Some of us don't do charters.

[Anonymous]

I meant, no one is pretending this is a charter. Typo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Second poster is back after a long day of work -- wow, this thread has gone wild with the speculation. Growing pains referred to changes in the new resident population coming to the school - high SES, all races/ethnicities had various issues but recess was not one that was prominent this year. For instance, they ranged from discipline approaches to perceived inequity between the English and a Dual language sides of the school. There were also issues raised by Hispanic, mainly immigrant families, who said they mistrusted the administration. There was also a spate of bullying that the school took steps to address, and some children were suspended (and consequently some families felt that that was not enough or too much). And there were some parents who took their concerns directly to the central office, flying over the principal and the pta. Have been at this school for a few years and can tell you it's a great school well beyond k. Things got out of hand, and I think it's unfortunate for all. many of us appreciate the teachers and caring school staff. The last principal was overwhelmed. The new pick is coming from Marie reed, where she was the AP. Try not to read between the lines. I am trying to be clear, not obtuse. Bottom line: it's a good school, but had some growing pains. Even old schools can have those, if the admin and parent population is changing. No one is pretending this is a charge. We are proud to be a dpcs school. Some of us don't do charters.

Appreciate your candor, PP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I meant, no one is pretending this is a charter. Typo.

Freudian slip? What does that even mean?

Seems like DCPS schools have greater challenges when it comes to gentrification, doesn't it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought recess time was fixed, it seems like at least for the preschoolers the day is on a minute by minute schedule.

Can't the gentrifiers bring in some outerwear?

If the school social worker says that's wanted and needed and appropriate -- maybe. But there are only about 10% higher SES families at a school live Cleveland, and most are gone by K or 1st. The population that stays through fifth is kinda over the know it all white women coming in and telling them how to do behave / what to wear / how to live in most parts of the city.

Another way of looking at it is that the white women with high expectations who are raising academically successful children are so over banging their heads against the wall in order to demonstrate what a high-achieving academic environment looks like. They want it for their children and are sharing the benefits with others.

So they leave and take their expertise with them. And not surprisingly, the schools go downhill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a terrific school that had some growing pains this past achool year. The new principal sounds amazing. She speaks Spanish and is coming from the dual language program at Marie Reed, a school with a similar socioeconomic and race/etniciry profile. We love Cleveland and hope you will join us.

I agree that the new principal sounds like she might be a good fit IF she comes in with the right attitude. There are some solid, veteran teachers at Cleveland so she is going to need to navigate the waters carefully. I loved the personality of the old principal. She was very personable and humble. Takes notes new principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought recess time was fixed, it seems like at least for the preschoolers the day is on a minute by minute schedule.

Can't the gentrifiers bring in some outerwear?

If the school social worker says that's wanted and needed and appropriate -- maybe. But there are only about 10% higher SES families at a school live Cleveland, and most are gone by K or 1st. The population that stays through fifth is kinda over the know it all white women coming in and telling them how to do behave / what to wear / how to live in most parts of the city.

Another way of looking at it is that the white women with high expectations who are raising academically successful children are so over banging their heads against the wall in order to demonstrate what a high-achieving academic environment looks like. They want it for their children and are sharing the benefits with others.

So they leave and take their expertise with them. And not surprisingly, the schools go downhill.

The thing is Cleveland was already an academically successful school before the "white women came with their expertise". It was one of the few schools that had such strong academics without being diverse. The teachers for the most part stayed the same. The changes were the new principal and the demographics of the school. I hate this notion of white parents coming to save a school that did excellently before. The principal was nice but not at all effective. The parents who came with their "expertise" railroaded her and suggested all kinds of things that most parents did not want and for the most part, she listened or at least considered it. Therefore, you end up with the remaining parents thinking that she is catering to "them" vs. us type of situation. One example is a group of parents who did not want homework for anyone. Certain cultures are against h.w. and certain cultures believe in h.w. This is an honest answer.

[Anonymous]

Thank you 18:29. The gentrifier attitude is too often our way is the best (or only) way. They probably don't even realize how they come off. Tone deaf and condescending.

[Anonymous]

+1 Thank you 18:29.

Signed, A former parent of Cleveland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought recess time was fixed, it seems like at least for the preschoolers the day is on a minute by minute schedule.

Can't the gentrifiers bring in some outerwear?

If the school social worker says that's wanted and needed and appropriate -- maybe. But there are only about 10% higher SES families at a school live Cleveland, and most are gone by K or 1st. The population that stays through fifth is kinda over the know it all white women coming in and telling them how to do behave / what to wear / how to live in most parts of the city.

Another way of looking at it is that the white women with high expectations who are raising academically successful children are so over banging their heads against the wall in order to demonstrate what a high-achieving academic environment looks like. They want it for their children and are sharing the benefits with others.

So they leave and take their expertise with them. And not surprisingly, the schools go downhill.

The thing is Cleveland was already an academically successful school before the "white women came with their expertise". It was one of the few schools that had such strong academics without being diverse. The teachers for the most part stayed the same. The changes were the new principal and the demographics of the school. I hate this notion of white parents coming to save a school that did excellently before. The principal was nice but not at all effective. The parents who came with their "expertise" railroaded her and suggested all kinds of things that most parents did not want and for the most part, she listened or at least considered it. Therefore, you end up with the remaining parents thinking that she is catering to "them" vs. us type of situation. One example is a group of parents who did not want homework for anyone. Certain cultures are against h.w. and certain cultures believe in h.w. This is an honest answer.

There are certain (no names mentioned) Capitol Hill schools that are dealing with the same thing. However, in all honesty I think the pressure is coming from the Superintendents to give an ear to the white parents (let's just call a spade a spade) and dismiss the black parents unless they come with something that is a legal issue. I know that Cleveland has a Hispanic population as well, but in my experience the Hispanic population doesn't become vocal until they feel they are slighted. I can see that happening in that area. DC for the most part has been black and white and everything in between has been an other.

[Anonymous]

The thing about gentrification is that you can't have it both ways.

You can't say that you don't want schools with concentrated poverty out of one side of your mouth, and then get resentful of the social and political power that gentrifiers bring to the school out of the other side.

Their economic, social and political power - their know-how and willingness to make changes and get things done is why these women are the driving force behind good schools. If you want them to be a force for improvement, then you get the whole package. Otherwise, stop resenting them for feeling unwelcome in the poor deprived enclaves that they won't venture into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you 18:29. The gentrifier attitude is too often our way is the best (or only) way. They probably don't even realize how they come off. Tone deaf and condescending.

Perhaps that is true, but why shouldn't the principal or Central Office listen to ALL parents. It doesn't have to be a all or nothing proposition. This is why middle schools are not improving because the DC school system does not want to hear that advanced academic offerings or test-in schools/classes are what "white" parents want in order for families to keep enrolling their kids past elementary school. Like it or not, more white families are enrolling their kids in DCPS and if DCPS wants to retain them, they should listen to their needs. They should also listen to the needs of black, Latino, Asian, whatever else families too. They just need to do so without pitting one group against the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought recess time was fixed, it seems like at least for the preschoolers the day is on a minute by minute schedule.

Can't the gentrifiers bring in some outerwear?

If the school social worker says that's wanted and needed and appropriate -- maybe. But there are only about 10% higher SES families at a school live Cleveland, and most are gone by K or 1st. The population that stays through fifth is kinda over the know it all white women coming in and telling them how to do behave / what to wear / how to live in most parts of the city.

Another way of looking at it is that the white women with high expectations who are raising academically successful children are so over banging their heads against the wall in order to demonstrate what a high-achieving academic environment looks like. They want it for their children and are sharing the benefits with others.

So they leave and take their expertise with them. And not surprisingly, the schools go downhill.

wow. ok. well, I refer everyone back to the "is this forum racist" thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The thing about gentrification is that you can't have it both ways.

You can't say that you don't want schools with concentrated poverty out of one side of your mouth, and then get resentful of the social and political power that gentrifiers bring to the school out of the other side.

Their economic, social and political power - their know-how and willingness to make changes and get things done is why these women are the driving force behind good schools. If you want them to be a force for improvement, then you get the whole package. Otherwise, stop resenting them for feeling unwelcome in the poor deprived enclaves that they won't venture into.

WHITE TEARS!!! I am a "white woman" and I think DCPS can do just find without all these other self-appointed saviors who believe that they are the shit then take all their marbles and go home when the school community does not fall on its knees before them. I mean, really. Do you even hear yourself?