SWS has jumped the shark

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where does one lottery into that has better scores when one doesn't live in bounds for rich real estate elementary schools/preschool?

This is exactly it. I think it is totally fair to want SWS over many low-performing IB schools in DC. Just have eyes wide open as to what you are choosing. I think that the smugness that SWS is better than Brent, Maury, Ludlow, however, needs to stop. SWS is simply not producing kinder or more academically prepared students than any of those schools. We know people at all of them. ( I say this with the caveat that SWS does seem to nip bullying in the bud at school better than many other schools. I don't think it changes the bullies long-term-- plenty do graduate from SWS and go on to bully kids at MS. But it does have the benefit of keeping it out of the school day. Some parents are going to be more concerned about this than others, depending on their kid).

At this point, SWS *feels* like it has changed in demographics over the past few years to become a bit more diverse, has more non-Hill parents of more diverse backgrounds and SES. More than half my kid's friends (maybe two thirds?) don't live in bounds for any Hill school and couldn't afford to. However, DCUM talks like everyone at SWS lives on Capitol Hill, has choices, and chose SWS when things are changing each year. Even if I had a choice (I don't live on Capitol Hill or rich NW), knowing a school does do a decent job of combating bullying and promoting kindness (even if yes, bad apples and incidents occur, speaking on the whole), I WILL prioritize that over a school that gets higher PARCC scores. It matters that much to me, as a previously bullied person. Our experience is that yes, SWS does do a good job on the bullying front.

How exactly, do you know that your kids' friends couldn't afford to live on Capitol Hill. You might assume about my family but you would be wrong. Not everyone prefers to live on Capitol Hill, you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where does one lottery into that has better scores when one doesn't live in bounds for rich real estate elementary schools/preschool?

This is exactly it. I think it is totally fair to want SWS over many low-performing IB schools in DC. Just have eyes wide open as to what you are choosing. I think that the smugness that SWS is better than Brent, Maury, Ludlow, however, needs to stop. SWS is simply not producing kinder or more academically prepared students than any of those schools. We know people at all of them. ( I say this with the caveat that SWS does seem to nip bullying in the bud at school better than many other schools. I don't think it changes the bullies long-term-- plenty do graduate from SWS and go on to bully kids at MS. But it does have the benefit of keeping it out of the school day. Some parents are going to be more concerned about this than others, depending on their kid).

At this point, SWS *feels* like it has changed in demographics over the past few years to become a bit more diverse, has more non-Hill parents of more diverse backgrounds and SES. More than half my kid's friends (maybe two thirds?) don't live in bounds for any Hill school and couldn't afford to. However, DCUM talks like everyone at SWS lives on Capitol Hill, has choices, and chose SWS when things are changing each year. Even if I had a choice (I don't live on Capitol Hill or rich NW), knowing a school does do a decent job of combating bullying and promoting kindness (even if yes, bad apples and incidents occur, speaking on the whole), I WILL prioritize that over a school that gets higher PARCC scores. It matters that much to me, as a previously bullied person. Our experience is that yes, SWS does do a good job on the bullying front.

How exactly, do you know that your kids' friends couldn't afford to live on Capitol Hill. You might assume about my family but you would be wrong. Not everyone prefers to live on Capitol Hill, you know.

+100. Is there anything more xenophobic than a longtime Hill resident?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where does one lottery into that has better scores when one doesn't live in bounds for rich real estate elementary schools/preschool?

This is exactly it. I think it is totally fair to want SWS over many low-performing IB schools in DC. Just have eyes wide open as to what you are choosing. I think that the smugness that SWS is better than Brent, Maury, Ludlow, however, needs to stop. SWS is simply not producing kinder or more academically prepared students than any of those schools. We know people at all of them. ( I say this with the caveat that SWS does seem to nip bullying in the bud at school better than many other schools. I don't think it changes the bullies long-term-- plenty do graduate from SWS and go on to bully kids at MS. But it does have the benefit of keeping it out of the school day. Some parents are going to be more concerned about this than others, depending on their kid).

At this point, SWS *feels* like it has changed in demographics over the past few years to become a bit more diverse, has more non-Hill parents of more diverse backgrounds and SES. More than half my kid's friends (maybe two thirds?) don't live in bounds for any Hill school and couldn't afford to. However, DCUM talks like everyone at SWS lives on Capitol Hill, has choices, and chose SWS when things are changing each year. Even if I had a choice (I don't live on Capitol Hill or rich NW), knowing a school does do a decent job of combating bullying and promoting kindness (even if yes, bad apples and incidents occur, speaking on the whole), I WILL prioritize that over a school that gets higher PARCC scores. It matters that much to me, as a previously bullied person. Our experience is that yes, SWS does do a good job on the bullying front.

How exactly, do you know that your kids' friends couldn't afford to live on Capitol Hill. You might assume about my family but you would be wrong. Not everyone prefers to live on Capitol Hill, you know.

Because folks talk about not affording to live in certain areas. When people blatantly say "I can't afford to live in x location" you take it at face value though, guess they could be lying outright.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of the parents can come off as brash. Just a vibe you get when you run into them on the playground and hear them talk about how awesome their weekend was.

Seems more of an indication of the people where you live? I get that vibe in general in the rich areas of DC and it doesn't depend on where the parents send their kids to school.

[Anonymous]

Is it not odd that the first 2 groups are open to anyone “identifying as” Black or a POC, but not the White group - it’s not sufficient to “identify as White” - apparently entry allowed only if you pass as White.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids go to a school where they emphasize kindness and acceptance but they also really worry about good parcc scores. It’s not mutually exclusive.

Congratulations, do you live in rich real estate on the Hill or in NW? Some of us don't have that luxury.

Not to worry. The upper NW schools also have these types of exclusive affinity groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids go to a school where they emphasize kindness and acceptance but they also really worry about good parcc scores. It’s not mutually exclusive.

Congratulations, do you live in rich real estate on the Hill or in NW? Some of us don't have that luxury.

Not to worry. The upper NW schools also have these types of exclusive affinity groups.

Ours has nothing like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't even the most offensive email that SWS leadership has sent recently about which students and families are allowed to go to which events.

If you're so offended, take your kid out of the school.

You're mad because they had a social event for Black families and that all of this came out of direct feedback from black families at the school? I mean SWS can't win, first they are attacked on DCUM for being too white, then when they address specific and direct concerns that have been addressed, they're too woke?

It did feel exclusionary to be honest. Is it really ok to have [insert race or ethnicity]-only events hosted by and at public schools? I don't understand how that brings a community together.

White parent and I felt glad they did that in light of actual feedback I've heard (directly)/read (on DCUM) from other Black parents.

What is the feedback you've heard? That black families want to the school to sponsor an event where only people of color are allowed?

Wouldn't the recent Supreme Court decision now ban public schools from hosting events meant to boost a particular racial group?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't even the most offensive email that SWS leadership has sent recently about which students and families are allowed to go to which events.

If you're so offended, take your kid out of the school.

You're mad because they had a social event for Black families and that all of this came out of direct feedback from black families at the school? I mean SWS can't win, first they are attacked on DCUM for being too white, then when they address specific and direct concerns that have been addressed, they're too woke?

It did feel exclusionary to be honest. Is it really ok to have [insert race or ethnicity]-only events hosted by and at public schools? I don't understand how that brings a community together.

White parent and I felt glad they did that in light of actual feedback I've heard (directly)/read (on DCUM) from other Black parents.

What is the feedback you've heard? That black families want to the school to sponsor an event where only people of color are allowed?

Wouldn't the recent Supreme Court decision now ban public schools from hosting events meant to boost a particular racial group?!

Not the recent one, but maybe more to come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it not odd that the first 2 groups are open to anyone “identifying as” Black or a POC, but not the White group - it’s not sufficient to “identify as White” - apparently entry allowed only if you pass as White.

Is there a committee that decides if you’re white enough?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it not odd that the first 2 groups are open to anyone “identifying as” Black or a POC, but not the White group - it’s not sufficient to “identify as White” - apparently entry allowed only if you pass as White.

Is there a committee that decides if you’re white enough?

Again, how is any of this legal at a public school?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it not odd that the first 2 groups are open to anyone “identifying as” Black or a POC, but not the White group - it’s not sufficient to “identify as White” - apparently entry allowed only if you pass as White.

Is there a committee that decides if you’re white enough?

Again, how is any of this legal at a public school?!

Forget legality- how are parents allowing this? Especially considering the mediocre academics at SWS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it not odd that the first 2 groups are open to anyone “identifying as” Black or a POC, but not the White group - it’s not sufficient to “identify as White” - apparently entry allowed only if you pass as White.

Is there a committee that decides if you’re white enough?

Again, how is any of this legal at a public school?!

Forget legality- how are parents allowing this? Especially considering the mediocre academics at SWS?

It’s a difficult situation because this crap is being pushed by both the principal and the most powerful parent (who is truly a nut). In an environment where questioning initiatives like this risks getting you labeled as a MAGA supporter, parents are unlikely to speak up.

[Anonymous]

As a former SWS parent, from the pre-woke times, I believe what PP says about the environment. It sounds like SWS has changed a lot over the years, but if one thing has remained the same it is the cult-like environment. PP, please know that in other schools, parents are not scared to challenge the administration or teachers. This sort of environment is really toxic. I’d argue that it is also counter to Reggio principles, which are supposed to encourage critical thinking!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a former SWS parent, from the pre-woke times, I believe what PP says about the environment. It sounds like SWS has changed a lot over the years, but if one thing has remained the same it is the cult-like environment. PP, please know that in other schools, parents are not scared to challenge the administration or teachers. This sort of environment is really toxic. I’d argue that it is also counter to Reggio principles, which are supposed to encourage critical thinking!

NP here. We used to attend a charter school mentioned on this thread that is currently experiencing significant leadership struggles. The environment was eerily similar among parents and teachers--even though critical thinking was supposedly prioritized, parents were afraid to speak out against glaring issues with the school (particularly around COVID, when the former HOS refused to open in person). It was bizarre to me.