Pre-K 3: Free in DC, but seems like a real lack of schools, especially in NW!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3, y’all gettin played. No summer school programs, no charters, no PS-3, no outdoor pools, and overcrowded MS/HS schools with kids from all eight wards. Keep sending in those taxes though!

Love,

The Rest of the City

Summers are for traveling and being at home doing nothing. Don't care about any of the charters. Went to see something Latin on military road many many years ago, what a dump it was.
We have a heated pool that opens mid May and is 2 minute walk from our front door.
Hardy is hardly overcrowded and DC thrives in crowds.
Getting a tax refund yet again. All I paid comes back and more. Oh, and other kids had people waiting to sign them up for summer program located in another DCPS.
We will skip Europe this year but will definitely go next year.
Going nowhere from ward 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So start telling Mary Cheh and Ruth Wattenburg and David Grosso and Muriel Bowser and the DME and chancellor that you are willing to have the boundaries of WoTP schools shrunk so that the schools can accommodate PK3. The challenge is that most families living WOTP would rather have the right to attend the schools they prefer for K-12 than to have more PK seats.

Anyone living IB for a school that doesn't offer PK could move IB for a school that does (and could even move IB for a school that has guaranteed PK!) but if you don't want to, that's ok--you're lucky to have the choice when lots of folks in Wards 7 and 8 don't have the option of moving to Ward 3.

This.

One of the biggest issues is space. Many of the WOTP ES are crowded and the people pushing back against more ECE seats are the parents of the current K-5 kids. The schools are at capacity, and if you don't want to have older elementary students in trailers, then there isn't space for the 3 and 4 year olds. If Ward 3 wants more spots for PK4 (and PK3) the discussion has to happen in Ward 3. This is not the rest of the city against you. This is Ward 3 parents dividing the ES space that exists.

[Anonymous]

At the over crowded ES WOTP, the trend is towards fewer PK4 classrooms, to ensure that older grades aren’t huge. There simply isn’t the capacity to increase PK4, let alone start offering PK3!

Now, if you want to start agitating, look at the old Hardy school space - they can use that for PK3/4– will never happen.

[Anonymous]

Sending the middle schoolers at Adams to MacFarland and the middle schoolers at Francis Stevens to Cardozo would open up probably 15 more classrooms WOTP that could be used for PK, and better utilize the under-enrolled schools.

Moving art instruction in-house at the schools currently served by Fillmore would allow several more classrooms there.

Wards 2 and 3 just need to decide which they prefer and start lobbying for whatever they decide. Parents of 1 and 2 year olds would like there to be 20 more PK classrooms near them, and it can be done with minimal capital investment. Parents of older kids like Fillmore and their current assigned middle and high school. And the parents of older kids are easier to organize because they can work through existing PTAs and they aren't exhausted by taking care of babies. So it's a hard fight for the parents of younger kids to win. But it could easily be done if there were the will among constituents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3, y’all gettin played. No summer school programs, no charters, no PS-3, no outdoor pools, and overcrowded MS/HS schools with kids from all eight wards. Keep sending in those taxes though!

Love,

The Rest of the City

Summers are for traveling and being at home doing nothing. Don't care about any of the charters. Went to see something Latin on military road many many years ago, what a dump it was.
We have a heated pool that opens mid May and is 2 minute walk from our front door.
Hardy is hardly overcrowded and DC thrives in crowds.
Getting a tax refund yet again. All I paid comes back and more. Oh, and other kids had people waiting to sign them up for summer program located in another DCPS.
We will skip Europe this year but will definitely go next year.
Going nowhere from ward 3.

It wouldn't be DCUM without a post reeking of privilege and lacking self-awareness.

-Ward 4 parent who is thrilled not to have to interact with many Ward 3 parents like PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a Maryland resident I'm happy to hear this

Glad to know I'm not missing out on much

Well, you're not missing out on much compared to Upper Caucasia in NW. The rest of us are quite pleased with the many options for free PK3 and 4. We've got boatloads over in here in Ward 5, that's for certain. I know I sure don't mind saving $45k over a couple of years!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sending the middle schoolers at Adams to MacFarland and the middle schoolers at Francis Stevens to Cardozo would open up probably 15 more classrooms WOTP that could be used for PK, and better utilize the under-enrolled schools.

Moving art instruction in-house at the schools currently served by Fillmore would allow several more classrooms there.

Wards 2 and 3 just need to decide which they prefer and start lobbying for whatever they decide. Parents of 1 and 2 year olds would like there to be 20 more PK classrooms near them, and it can be done with minimal capital investment. Parents of older kids like Fillmore and their current assigned middle and high school. And the parents of older kids are easier to organize because they can work through existing PTAs and they aren't exhausted by taking care of babies. So it's a hard fight for the parents of younger kids to win. But it could easily be done if there were the will among constituents.

This is a dumb argument - Maybe when your kids are babies you think a year's worth of preschool is a big deal, but trust me that once your kids are actually in the school you will see that overcrowding, no lunch rooms, 27 kids in a class, no available seats in key high school classes, eating lunch at 10 a.m., overworked school counselors, classes too big for a teacher to adequately give written feedback, etc. etc. is a far far bigger deal. You want free PK3? It's all yours if you are willing to drive a couple of miles. Save your advocacy energy for the bigger challenges to come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sending the middle schoolers at Adams to MacFarland and the middle schoolers at Francis Stevens to Cardozo would open up probably 15 more classrooms WOTP that could be used for PK, and better utilize the under-enrolled schools.

Moving art instruction in-house at the schools currently served by Fillmore would allow several more classrooms there.

Wards 2 and 3 just need to decide which they prefer and start lobbying for whatever they decide. Parents of 1 and 2 year olds would like there to be 20 more PK classrooms near them, and it can be done with minimal capital investment. Parents of older kids like Fillmore and their current assigned middle and high school. And the parents of older kids are easier to organize because they can work through existing PTAs and they aren't exhausted by taking care of babies. So it's a hard fight for the parents of younger kids to win. But it could easily be done if there were the will among constituents.

This is a dumb argument - Maybe when your kids are babies you think a year's worth of preschool is a big deal, but trust me that once your kids are actually in the school you will see that overcrowding, no lunch rooms, 27 kids in a class, no available seats in key high school classes, eating lunch at 10 a.m., overworked school counselors, classes too big for a teacher to adequately give written feedback, etc. etc. is a far far bigger deal. You want free PK3? It's all yours if you are willing to drive a couple of miles. Save your advocacy energy for the bigger challenges to come.

If you want K-12 with smaller class sizes, and overall enrollments, and lunch rooms, it's all yours if you are willing to drive a couple of miles too. Or WOTP families could start pushing for a redistricting process where school enrollments could better match school capacities. At this point, though, families seems to prefer having a right to overcrowded schools to having a right to other DCPS schools with lots more room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sending the middle schoolers at Adams to MacFarland and the middle schoolers at Francis Stevens to Cardozo would open up probably 15 more classrooms WOTP that could be used for PK, and better utilize the under-enrolled schools.

Moving art instruction in-house at the schools currently served by Fillmore would allow several more classrooms there.

Wards 2 and 3 just need to decide which they prefer and start lobbying for whatever they decide. Parents of 1 and 2 year olds would like there to be 20 more PK classrooms near them, and it can be done with minimal capital investment. Parents of older kids like Fillmore and their current assigned middle and high school. And the parents of older kids are easier to organize because they can work through existing PTAs and they aren't exhausted by taking care of babies. So it's a hard fight for the parents of younger kids to win. But it could easily be done if there were the will among constituents.

This is a dumb argument - Maybe when your kids are babies you think a year's worth of preschool is a big deal, but trust me that once your kids are actually in the school you will see that overcrowding, no lunch rooms, 27 kids in a class, no available seats in key high school classes, eating lunch at 10 a.m., overworked school counselors, classes too big for a teacher to adequately give written feedback, etc. etc. is a far far bigger deal. You want free PK3? It's all yours if you are willing to drive a couple of miles. Save your advocacy energy for the bigger challenges to come.

+1

I think the research is pretty consistent that PK3 provides marginal benefits for MC/UMC kids who are already exposed to language, museums, music, etc. It is a low priority because it doesn't provide much bang for the buck among that population. And because the real issues WOTP are related to overcrowding. Ward 3 has decided which it prefers--it prefers no PK3 in exchange for more space for K-5. No one cares except parents of toddlers, and they soon become parents of not-toddlers and don't care anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sending the middle schoolers at Adams to MacFarland and the middle schoolers at Francis Stevens to Cardozo would open up probably 15 more classrooms WOTP that could be used for PK, and better utilize the under-enrolled schools.

Moving art instruction in-house at the schools currently served by Fillmore would allow several more classrooms there.

Wards 2 and 3 just need to decide which they prefer and start lobbying for whatever they decide. Parents of 1 and 2 year olds would like there to be 20 more PK classrooms near them, and it can be done with minimal capital investment. Parents of older kids like Fillmore and their current assigned middle and high school. And the parents of older kids are easier to organize because they can work through existing PTAs and they aren't exhausted by taking care of babies. So it's a hard fight for the parents of younger kids to win. But it could easily be done if there were the will among constituents.

This is a dumb argument - Maybe when your kids are babies you think a year's worth of preschool is a big deal, but trust me that once your kids are actually in the school you will see that overcrowding, no lunch rooms, 27 kids in a class, no available seats in key high school classes, eating lunch at 10 a.m., overworked school counselors, classes too big for a teacher to adequately give written feedback, etc. etc. is a far far bigger deal. You want free PK3? It's all yours if you are willing to drive a couple of miles. Save your advocacy energy for the bigger challenges to come.

If you want K-12 with smaller class sizes, and overall enrollments, and lunch rooms, it's all yours if you are willing to drive a couple of miles too. Or WOTP families could start pushing for a redistricting process where school enrollments could better match school capacities. At this point, though, families seems to prefer having a right to overcrowded schools to having a right to other DCPS schools with lots more room.

The difference here is quality. ECE is great across the city in all schools. K-12-- not so much.

[Anonymous]

Every ward should have universal pre-k3 and pre-k4 regardless of the income in the area. Some Higher income people are just “broke” at a higher level. Like other communities they have mortgages, car notes, and more, which might cost more than in some areas. They deserve DCPS prekindergarten, too. Don’t hate because they might have a high income. Some high SES families that don’t live in Ward 3 have access to free pre-k and so should Ward 3. Also, without pre-k in Ward 3 schools, parents may take spots at other schools with no intention of staying. Quality Daycare is expensive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every ward should have universal pre-k3 and pre-k4 regardless of the income in the area. Some Higher income people are just “broke” at a higher level. Like other communities they have mortgages, car notes, and more, which might cost more than in some areas. They deserve DCPS prekindergarten, too. Don’t hate because they might have a high income. Some high SES families that don’t live in Ward 3 have access to free pre-k and so should Ward 3. Also, without pre-k in Ward 3 schools, parents may take spots at other schools with no intention of staying. Quality Daycare is expensive

I don't believe you mean what you write. I don't believe anyone who believes what you wrote would come here and write it on this thread, nor would they write "broke at a highr level." You're just being incendiary, and trying to stir up hate and drama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every ward should have universal pre-k3 and pre-k4 regardless of the income in the area. Some Higher income people are just “broke” at a higher level. Like other communities they have mortgages, car notes, and more, which might cost more than in some areas. They deserve DCPS prekindergarten, too. Don’t hate because they might have a high income. Some high SES families that don’t live in Ward 3 have access to free pre-k and so should Ward 3. Also, without pre-k in Ward 3 schools, parents may take spots at other schools with no intention of staying. Quality Daycare is expensive

Ward 3 has access to PK4 where space allows. PK3, you have to travel a few miles. Get over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every ward should have universal pre-k3 and pre-k4 regardless of the income in the area. Some Higher income people are just “broke” at a higher level. Like other communities they have mortgages, car notes, and more, which might cost more than in some areas. They deserve DCPS prekindergarten, too. Don’t hate because they might have a high income. Some high SES families that don’t live in Ward 3 have access to free pre-k and so should Ward 3. Also, without pre-k in Ward 3 schools, parents may take spots at other schools with no intention of staying. Quality Daycare is expensive

That is totally do-able. It just means that the school boundaries and feeder patterns need to change: parts of Lafayette to Shepherd and Brightwood, Murch to West, Hyde-Addison to Francis-Stevens, etc. Plus the end of Fillmore and to middle school at SWW and Adams. That wouldn't get to guaranteed PK WOTP, but changes like these could allow for a situation more like people see EOTP--where some schools waitlist in-bounds kids but the WLs move over the summers and there are nearby schools that take OOB kids. The tradeoff for this: some kids lose access to WoTP elementary schools for K-5, and more lose access to WOTP middle and high schools. Most WoTP families don't want to make that trade. If they did, they could move EOTP and probably have a bigger/cheaper place to live.

Other thing that would help: inserting an at-risk preference for all PK slots districtwide (or DCPS-wide, with charters allowed to do it), so the kids who would most benefit from PK get it. It could just put at-risk in front of each other category:

At risk IB with sib
IB with sib
At risk IB without sib
IB without sib
At Risk OOB with sib
OOB with Sib
At risk no preference
No preference

(I realize this leaves out proximity, sib enrolled v. admitted, and the different order for bilingual DCPS but you get the idea)

And if more day cares WOTP did like Communkids and took the DC subsidy for PK, that would open up a lot of PK slots outside of DCPS buildings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3, y’all gettin played. No summer school programs, no charters, no PS-3, no outdoor pools, and overcrowded MS/HS schools with kids from all eight wards. Keep sending in those taxes though!

Love,

The Rest of the City

Summers are for traveling and being at home doing nothing. Don't care about any of the charters. Went to see something Latin on military road many many years ago, what a dump it was.
We have a heated pool that opens mid May and is 2 minute walk from our front door.
Hardy is hardly overcrowded and DC thrives in crowds.
Getting a tax refund yet again. All I paid comes back and more. Oh, and other kids had people waiting to sign them up for summer program located in another DCPS.
We will skip Europe this year but will definitely go next year.
Going nowhere from ward 3.

It wouldn't be DCUM without a post reeking of privilege and lacking self-awareness.

-Ward 4 parent who is thrilled not to have to interact with many Ward 3 parents like PP.

Don't worry Ward 4 Parent, Ward 3 up there is probably a poser with a hideous LV knockoff bag and here's how I know:

1.) Europe is SO basic
2.) Real ballers don't get that excited about tax refunds