Ward 6 Focus Groups

[Anonymous]

I definitely got the sense at the Ward 6 Focus groups that there were two groups of parents with clear agendas - those that are seeking preference for SWS and those that want Stuart Hobson to get more money. I don't have a strong view about either of those goals, but I do think that it really skews any hope of these being real focus groups. Don't know what I was expecting, but it seems like those two pieces will effect very small parts of Ward 6 (for the SWS preferences, literally only a few families) and for Stuart Hobson, basically only the cluster. What am I missing?

[Anonymous]

Can't speak to the SH comments - and I didn't attend the focus groups personally.

However, I can tell you that the SWS Pro-proximity discussion is being driven by a small handful of extremely motivated parents who are MAKING it an issue everywhere. (Weren't there like 5 people testifying at Catania's hearing on the matter?)

Not sure if you're "missing" anything - other than the fact that it sounds like the focus groups are being driven by the people who know how to drive such things, and make their issues THE issues. In this area of the city, that means well-heeled, well-practiced people who most-likely make their livings convincing other people to do things they want: lawyers, lobbyists, etc. People are going to advocate for themselves when it comes to education and their children, not sure if there's an opportunity for you to share your feelings that the focus group perhaps focus on things that may benefit more than a "few families." If so - please do.

[Anonymous]

Proximity preference for SWS will change the school drastically. Be careful what you wish for -- the school works well when they are able to keep small class sizes and have grades "loop" with the same teacher. A glut of K and up students will ruin this. Glad I no longer have a dog in this fight

[Anonymous]

Proximity preference means just that -- increased opportunity to access the school for the people who live closest. Not a boundary or catchment where SWS would be obligated to provide space -- would have zero impact on class size, ability to loop.

Also no dog in this fight but sympathetic to the neighbors who are making what seems to be a very reasonable request.

[Anonymous]

What is that request - exactly? How is "proximity" defined?

[Anonymous]

I think they want preference in the lottery, not a guarantee. And I think they are asking for a few blocks around the school-more like 2-3 blocks rather than a real boundary.

[Anonymous]

Not really satisfied with this answer and I've seen this question raised on Moth and ignored. A 9-block square in that neck of the woods would fill a class right? and really make,it an expensive square to buy in wouldnt it? I think i remember from other posts that the way they give it now at maury or tyler is a big square, much bigger than 9-blocks. Preference seems to put these people to the front of a long line ahead of all other people in ward 6 that want a spot. Not sure that is reasonable or why they deserve it?

[Anonymous]

I think they are hoping that it will mean that it will be a guaranteed Ward 6 school, rather than a citywide school. But in truth whoever is outside the small radius will resent it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not really satisfied with this answer and I've seen this question raised on Moth and ignored. A 9-block square in that neck of the woods would fill a class right? and really make,it an expensive square to buy in wouldnt it? I think i remember from other posts that the way they give it now at maury or tyler is a big square, much bigger than 9-blocks. Preference seems to put these people to the front of a long line ahead of all other people in ward 6 that want a spot. Not sure that is reasonable or why they deserve it?

They don't "deserve" it. They can want anything they want, but wanting isn't getting. The only people who really have a reason to be upset about SWS being city-wide are the people who were inbounds for the Cluster, IMO. They lost SWS. The people who just happened to live next to a school where SWS ultimately ended up-- why should they be entitled to this program? Because they own expensive houses?

If DCPS does give proximity preference for SWS, I for one will be extremely pissed off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not really satisfied with this answer and I've seen this question raised on Moth and ignored. A 9-block square in that neck of the woods would fill a class right? and really make,it an expensive square to buy in wouldnt it? I think i remember from other posts that the way they give it now at maury or tyler is a big square, much bigger than 9-blocks. Preference seems to put these people to the front of a long line ahead of all other people in ward 6 that want a spot. Not sure that is reasonable or why they deserve it?

They don't "deserve" it. They can want anything they want, but wanting isn't getting. The only people who really have a reason to be upset about SWS being city-wide are the people who were inbounds for the Cluster, IMO. They lost SWS. The people who just happened to live next to a school where SWS ultimately ended up-- why should they be entitled to this program? Because they own expensive houses?

If DCPS does give proximity preference for SWS, I for one will be extremely pissed off.

+1

[Anonymous]

does any city in america have charters that have proximity preference? is there any precedent for this? or is this just some crazy idea people have.

[Anonymous]

Sws isn't a charter. It's dcPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not really satisfied with this answer and I've seen this question raised on Moth and ignored. A 9-block square in that neck of the woods would fill a class right? and really make,it an expensive square to buy in wouldnt it? I think i remember from other posts that the way they give it now at maury or tyler is a big square, much bigger than 9-blocks. Preference seems to put these people to the front of a long line ahead of all other people in ward 6 that want a spot. Not sure that is reasonable or why they deserve it?

They don't "deserve" it. They can want anything they want, but wanting isn't getting. The only people who really have a reason to be upset about SWS being city-wide are the people who were inbounds for the Cluster, IMO. They lost SWS. The people who just happened to live next to a school where SWS ultimately ended up-- why should they be entitled to this program? Because they own expensive houses?

If DCPS does give proximity preference for SWS, I for one will be extremely pissed off.

+1

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they are hoping that it will mean that it will be a guaranteed Ward 6 school, rather than a citywide school. But in truth whoever is outside the small radius will resent it.

I don't think this is what they want at all. As you mention, I think they want preference for themselves, but they say "keep it in ward 6" in the meetings, when they really mean "a tight radius around the school will 'keep it in' ward 6, not give all of ward 6 a higher chance. It will actually reduce most of the ward's chances of getting in. If they were really fighting for a ward 6 preference I'd love to get on board.

[Anonymous]

SWS is a specialized program and should remain city-wide, to provide an equal chance of getting non-sibling spots.