DC charters - which ones are open? hybrid model? plans of reopening?

[Anonymous]

Just to follow up, LAMB had said previously it would open March 1 subject to the city hitting certain health metrics. It has spent the last several weeks communicating with parents in a manner that I have interpreted as showing they were serious with reopening (for example, a detailed drop-off/pick-up schedule broken down by class). Today, the city hit the health metrics so I am fully expecting to send my child to class next week.

My kids' teachers all appear to be planning to be in the classroom, teaching fully IP so it does seem like that will be happening in at least some of the classrooms. I can't speak to those classes where teachers may be simulcasting or where they may be relying on an aide but there are many classes and I don't doubt that it could be the case in some classes. The administration has scheduled Q&As every single night this week to address different aspects of hybrid and what the specifics with look like for different groups. I don't suffer delusions that it will be perfect, but I'm pleased overall with the way it appears to be handled. They seem to be offering IPL (2 days a week, every week) to all families that are interested while continuing to offer 4 days a week of a CARES-style classroom for families that choose that option.

Obviously we need to see how it all plays out next week, but compared to a lot of what I'm hearing from parents at other schools, it seems like they are working really hard to get something up and running.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to follow up, LAMB had said previously it would open March 1 subject to the city hitting certain health metrics. It has spent the last several weeks communicating with parents in a manner that I have interpreted as showing they were serious with reopening (for example, a detailed drop-off/pick-up schedule broken down by class). Today, the city hit the health metrics so I am fully expecting to send my child to class next week.

My kids' teachers all appear to be planning to be in the classroom, teaching fully IP so it does seem like that will be happening in at least some of the classrooms. I can't speak to those classes where teachers may be simulcasting or where they may be relying on an aide but there are many classes and I don't doubt that it could be the case in some classes. The administration has scheduled Q&As every single night this week to address different aspects of hybrid and what the specifics with look like for different groups. I don't suffer delusions that it will be perfect, but I'm pleased overall with the way it appears to be handled. They seem to be offering IPL (2 days a week, every week) to all families that are interested while continuing to offer 4 days a week of a CARES-style classroom for families that choose that option.

Obviously we need to see how it all plays out next week, but compared to a lot of what I'm hearing from parents at other schools, it seems like they are working really hard to get something up and running.

+1 very happy with how much effort they are putting into this and the fact they are offering to ALL parents who opt in, which seems like the fairest approach. I think just a few teachers continued to request or qualify for virtual even with the vaccination offered.

[Anonymous]

Agree that LAMB is working hard toward opening in some capacity.

Note to other charter school parents: There was a set of parents who made a stink several months ago about reopening. It was very contentious on the parent board. However, I do believe that without that set of parents pushing for IPL, we wouldn't be getting any sort of hybrid now. Certainly the planning seems to have been in the works for many months now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that LAMB is working hard toward opening in some capacity.

Note to other charter school parents: There was a set of parents who made a stink several months ago about reopening. It was very contentious on the parent board. However, I do believe that without that set of parents pushing for IPL, we wouldn't be getting any sort of hybrid now. Certainly the planning seems to have been in the works for many months now.

This is very true, and although I doubt the admin would admit that this made any difference, you can still come to your own conclusions.

Planning has been in the works for months, because first there were surveys to see how teachers felt about coming back, pre-vaccine, then parent surveys, then a lot of logistical planning around those numbers, then a lot of worry about case numbers, and finally, vaccinations.

[Anonymous]

Any updates on DCB? Thinking about whether or not to include the school on our lottery list. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any updates on DCB? Thinking about whether or not to include the school on our lottery list. Thanks.

A couple weeks ago they brought back in about 30 kids total using the CARES model (being run by the aftercare program).

At the very end of March they will bring back 25% of kids (so about 6 per 24 for most classes) for 2 days a week, teachers coming in one day a week. Almost all teachers have been vaccinated that want to be.

So, basically they punted everything until April and then are starting with the barest of bare to label teacher in person.

Full steam ahead on their growth and construction plans so maybe there will be space but not sure I'd recommend taking it.

[Anonymous]

Another day goes by with no update whatsoever from ITS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another day goes by with no update whatsoever from ITS!

Sigh. Same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another day goes by with no update whatsoever from ITS!

Sigh. Same.

Other schools are at least sending emails about the possibility of re-opening. But I guess that is too much to ask of ITS as they are determined to run out the clock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another day goes by with no update whatsoever from ITS!

Sigh. Same.

Other schools are at least sending emails about the possibility of re-opening. But I guess that is too much to ask of ITS as they are determined to run out the clock.

Y'all need to advocate. It won't happen otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another day goes by with no update whatsoever from ITS!

Sigh. Same.

Other schools are at least sending emails about the possibility of re-opening. But I guess that is too much to ask of ITS as they are determined to run out the clock.

Y'all need to advocate. It won't happen otherwise.

The problem with ITS is the director is leaving so she does not care. The families association is basically supine, the school has convinced them they have literally no power and exist only to provide money with no strings attached.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another day goes by with no update whatsoever from ITS!

Sigh. Same.

Other schools are at least sending emails about the possibility of re-opening. But I guess that is too much to ask of ITS as they are determined to run out the clock.

Y'all need to advocate. It won't happen otherwise.

The problem with ITS is the director is leaving so she does not care. The families association is basically supine, the school has convinced them they have literally no power and exist only to provide money with no strings attached.

I'm not at ITS, but that sounds so frustrating. I'm so sorry. I wonder if it's worth it to try to go directly to the Council of the Whole meetings, and suggest that the Mayor gets the charters to do at least as much as DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another day goes by with no update whatsoever from ITS!

Sigh. Same.

Other schools are at least sending emails about the possibility of re-opening. But I guess that is too much to ask of ITS as they are determined to run out the clock.

Y'all need to advocate. It won't happen otherwise.

The problem with ITS is the director is leaving so she does not care. The families association is basically supine, the school has convinced them they have literally no power and exist only to provide money with no strings attached.

I'm not at ITS, but that sounds so frustrating. I'm so sorry. I wonder if it's worth it to try to go directly to the Council of the Whole meetings, and suggest that the Mayor gets the charters to do at least as much as DCPS.

Oh please. They love giving charters maximum "flexibility".

[Anonymous]

I don't see all these unhappy ITS, EW Stokes and DCB families jumping to enroll at Noyes, Bunker Hill and Lamond Riggs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that LAMB is working hard toward opening in some capacity.

Note to other charter school parents: There was a set of parents who made a stink several months ago about reopening. It was very contentious on the parent board. However, I do believe that without that set of parents pushing for IPL, we wouldn't be getting any sort of hybrid now. Certainly the planning seems to have been in the works for many months now.

This is very true, and although I doubt the admin would admit that this made any difference, you can still come to your own conclusions.

Planning has been in the works for months, because first there were surveys to see how teachers felt about coming back, pre-vaccine, then parent surveys, then a lot of logistical planning around those numbers, then a lot of worry about case numbers, and finally, vaccinations.

I strongly disagree that the parents who were straight up rude and hostile had anything to do with reopening.