If DMV schools don't open in the fall, are you moving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Not just because a second year of this will be so devastating, but because if they really can't find a way to open schools after more than a year of learning about Covid, widespread vaccine availability (which we will presumably have by the fall), and the many examples of schools around the world successfully finding a way, then I think it's time for me to accept that I can't trust DCPS to education my child and we have to go elsewhere. We can't afford private in the city, so we'd have to move somewhere with open schools or where we can live cheaply enough to afford private. We are steering clear of MoCo since they have the same problems, but I've already started pricing out houses and schools in HoCo and PG, and even Baltimore. We are nowhere near making this decision and are even still doing the lottery this year. But I can't imagine not coming up with a contingency plan at this point.

Same here, we're looking at Loudoun County. We've been looking at real estate and we could get a new build with good schools for far less than our current home that needs updating is worth. For us, it's a combination of 1) keeping schools closed is terrible for our kids' education and emotional well-being and can't continue, 2) we no longer have any faith in WTU/teachers, elected officials who support WTU, DCPS, or the mayor, 3) we like Deal but we're iffy on Wilson, and 4) VA has some great state schools and the difference in cost between in-state tuition vs/ out-of-state tuition or private college is substantial.

I've heard very good things about HoCo schools from people who live there FYI. We also would never consider MoCo for the same reasons. This situation has taught me that we need to be in a district with lots of MC/lower end of UMC (but not upper end of UMC, and definitely not LC or UC) people who rely on public schools and advocate for quality education for their children. Putting our lot in with the very poor and the wealthy results in a lot of people at one end who don't advocate for education and people who can pay for pods and tutors and privates at the other end. That's how WTU and DCPS get away with such poor performance.

[Anonymous]

No. School districts which open when it's not safe, and place staff in danger, probably don't have good STEM programs anyhow.

[Anonymous]

We moved. Increased crime and closed schools. Our values aren’t aligned with those of DCPS and the local gov.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. School districts which open when it's not safe, and place staff in danger, probably don't have good STEM programs anyhow.

Yes. DCPS is known for its excellent stem schools. Ha

[Anonymous]

We’d love to stay but won’t if DCPS can’t get their act together. No dig on teachers, but DL doesn’t work for our family and the school system feels dysfunctional right now.

[Anonymous]

It would be helpful if people say what grades their kids are in. I think the decision to move is more complicated when kids are in MS and HS.

[Anonymous]

I would love to, at least for a couple years. My husband wouldn’t agree. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Move? Of course not. My DC is in HS. It hasn’t been easy, but I treasure this time with DC and DH.

It's a different ballgame when your kids can handle DL without you co-teaching and can plan their own social lives.

[Anonymous]

Moving to another city is definitely an option, yet still unlikely. At a charter that we like so not ready to give up yet. But by fall? Also would consider private school, though that would be tough financially. We thought charters had more flexibility but our student has been in a classroom since March, so we see no difference.

This from a previous poster really resonates with me: "This situation has taught me that we need to be in a district with lots of MC/lower end of UMC (but not upper end of UMC, and definitely not LC or UC) people who rely on public schools and advocate for quality education for their children. Putting our lot in with the very poor and the wealthy results in a lot of people at one end who don't advocate for education and people who can pay for pods and tutors and privates at the other end."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Moving to another city is definitely an option, yet still unlikely. At a charter that we like so not ready to give up yet. But by fall? Also would consider private school, though that would be tough financially. We thought charters had more flexibility but our student has been in a classroom since March, so we see no difference.

This from a previous poster really resonates with me: "This situation has taught me that we need to be in a district with lots of MC/lower end of UMC (but not upper end of UMC, and definitely not LC or UC) people who rely on public schools and advocate for quality education for their children. Putting our lot in with the very poor and the wealthy results in a lot of people at one end who don't advocate for education and people who can pay for pods and tutors and privates at the other end."

This should have said HAS NOT been in a classroom since March.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Moving to another city is definitely an option, yet still unlikely. At a charter that we like so not ready to give up yet. But by fall? Also would consider private school, though that would be tough financially. We thought charters had more flexibility but our student has been in a classroom since March, so we see no difference.

This from a previous poster really resonates with me: "This situation has taught me that we need to be in a district with lots of MC/lower end of UMC (but not upper end of UMC, and definitely not LC or UC) people who rely on public schools and advocate for quality education for their children. Putting our lot in with the very poor and the wealthy results in a lot of people at one end who don't advocate for education and people who can pay for pods and tutors and privates at the other end."

Wow, I never thought of it that way but it makes a lot of sense to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.
We've applied our one kid to 7 privates. Hoping one comes through but applications are way up all all schools.
Kid #2 is already in private.
Kid #3 in public and struggling but we don't have the money for more private school so didn't apply. This is our youngest kids and we love our elementary... just need in-person.

I'm thinking we may just move over the summer if things are trending virtual in June (which is when we're locked in for private tuition). It seems to be the easiest option.

You do understand that except for Florida, Alabama and South Dakota public schools will be DL for a while on and off right?

I think you should move to Florida or Alabama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.
We've applied our one kid to 7 privates. Hoping one comes through but applications are way up all all schools.
Kid #2 is already in private.
Kid #3 in public and struggling but we don't have the money for more private school so didn't apply. This is our youngest kids and we love our elementary... just need in-person.

I'm thinking we may just move over the summer if things are trending virtual in June (which is when we're locked in for private tuition). It seems to be the easiest option.

You do understand that except for Florida, Alabama and South Dakota public schools will be DL for a while on and off right?

I think you should move to Florida or Alabama.

Or Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Georgia
New York
Texas
Vermont
New Hampshire
Maine

I could go on.... you sound misinformed and ignorant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I'm grateful the school system is acting responsibly to help stop the spread.

Except all evidence shows that schools are not contributing to the spread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.
We've applied our one kid to 7 privates. Hoping one comes through but applications are way up all all schools.
Kid #2 is already in private.
Kid #3 in public and struggling but we don't have the money for more private school so didn't apply. This is our youngest kids and we love our elementary... just need in-person.

I'm thinking we may just move over the summer if things are trending virtual in June (which is when we're locked in for private tuition). It seems to be the easiest option.

You do understand that except for Florida, Alabama and South Dakota public schools will be DL for a while on and off right?

I think you should move to Florida or Alabama.

False. Schools have been opened across the Northeast since fall.