Murch- Getting screwed again?

[Anonymous]

Wait, are they really standard??/I was joking.

Omg, DC. (Sorry, having hysterical laughing fit. Need water.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope someone will post about the community meeting here. I want to hear how DGS and DCPS explain themselves when they compare the nickel and diming they are doing to Murch when compared the the blank checks they've been writing for other renovation projects.

It's surreal, but it is what it is. DCPS loves to play Robin Hood 2.0: steal from wealthy taxpayers to pay for huge projects in areas that vote for the Mayor.

NP. I have not read this whole thread and I'm probably jumping into a snake pit--but I don't think this is true? Shepherd Park/Colonial Village largely voted for Bowser--heck, she even lives here now--yet there are similar frustrations that the Shepherd Elementary community has had with cuts to their renovation project, including:

1) upgrade to full kitchen removed--it seems Shepherd is one of the only renovation projects in recent years in which a full kitchen will not be a part of the modernization. So kids will have to continue with "heat and eat" options.

2) renovations to gym/auditorium removed--as a result, there are acoustic problems that interfere with concerts and other activities. Also, the gym is too small to have home games, so all basketball games are "away" games (which is too bad since the boys' team has now made it to the citywide semi-finals).

3) underground parking was nixed (although I honestly am okay with this, as it seems this is not needed as much as the other parts of the project that were removed)

Despite these cuts, the budget has increased from $20 to 30 million. There was a petition campaign last year to get these items reinstated, but to no avail. There was even a meeting with DGS and Brandon Todd a few weeks ago (planned for months), and still, it seems no changes to the current situation will be made--so I don't think this is a question of political favoritism.

Of course, you can say that that Shepherd's renovations will only benefit 330 kids--however, the student population is growing, as they may be adding another PK class next year, and there are lots of new families moving in to the neighborhood. So the size of the school is sure to grow (although I certainly hope not too much).

My point is not to detract from the validity of the Murch community's argument. It sounds like the full scope of renovations at Murch sorely needs to be done. It's just to say that no school community seems spared from DGS's incompetence (except perhaps Ellington). Maybe we should all band together in some way, looking for renovation problems experienced by multiple schools--I dunno, perhaps that would get more recognition/traction. But then again, I haven't been in DC long, so perhaps too optimistic about how things work.

These are similar issues and frustrations as those faced by Murch with the ludicrous "redesign" -- A functional cafeteria (with a kitchen) and a functional gym that can hold the whole student body and actually allow a PE program more than once a week should not be things that are eliminated from any design proposal. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope someone will post about the community meeting here. I want to hear how DGS and DCPS explain themselves when they compare the nickel and diming they are doing to Murch when compared the the blank checks they've been writing for other renovation projects.

It's surreal, but it is what it is. DCPS loves to play Robin Hood 2.0: steal from wealthy taxpayers to pay for huge projects in areas that vote for the Mayor.

NP. I have not read this whole thread and I'm probably jumping into a snake pit--but I don't think this is true? Shepherd Park/Colonial Village largely voted for Bowser--heck, she even lives here now--yet there are similar frustrations that the Shepherd Elementary community has had with cuts to their renovation project, including:

1) upgrade to full kitchen removed--it seems Shepherd is one of the only renovation projects in recent years in which a full kitchen will not be a part of the modernization. So kids will have to continue with "heat and eat" options.

2) renovations to gym/auditorium removed--as a result, there are acoustic problems that interfere with concerts and other activities. Also, the gym is too small to have home games, so all basketball games are "away" games (which is too bad since the boys' team has now made it to the citywide semi-finals).

3) underground parking was nixed (although I honestly am okay with this, as it seems this is not needed as much as the other parts of the project that were removed)

Despite these cuts, the budget has increased from $20 to 30 million. There was a petition campaign last year to get these items reinstated, but to no avail. There was even a meeting with DGS and Brandon Todd a few weeks ago (planned for months), and still, it seems no changes to the current situation will be made--so I don't think this is a question of political favoritism.

Of course, you can say that that Shepherd's renovations will only benefit 330 kids--however, the student population is growing, as they may be adding another PK class next year, and there are lots of new families moving in to the neighborhood. So the size of the school is sure to grow (although I certainly hope not too much).

My point is not to detract from the validity of the Murch community's argument. It sounds like the full scope of renovations at Murch sorely needs to be done. It's just to say that no school community seems spared from DGS's incompetence (except perhaps Ellington). Maybe we should all band together in some way, looking for renovation problems experienced by multiple schools--I dunno, perhaps that would get more recognition/traction. But then again, I haven't been in DC long, so perhaps too optimistic about how things work.

These are similar issues and frustrations as those faced by Murch with the ludicrous "redesign" -- A functional cafeteria (with a kitchen) and a functional gym that can hold the whole student body and actually allow a PE program more than once a week should not be things that are eliminated from any design proposal. Good luck!

Lafayette's new cafetorium is not designed to hold the whole student body. Probably the same with Janney? I don't think that particular issue is that big a deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope someone will post about the community meeting here. I want to hear how DGS and DCPS explain themselves when they compare the nickel and diming they are doing to Murch when compared the the blank checks they've been writing for other renovation projects.

It's surreal, but it is what it is. DCPS loves to play Robin Hood 2.0: steal from wealthy taxpayers to pay for huge projects in areas that vote for the Mayor.

NP. I have not read this whole thread and I'm probably jumping into a snake pit--but I don't think this is true? Shepherd Park/Colonial Village largely voted for Bowser--heck, she even lives here now--yet there are similar frustrations that the Shepherd Elementary community has had with cuts to their renovation project, including:

1) upgrade to full kitchen removed--it seems Shepherd is one of the only renovation projects in recent years in which a full kitchen will not be a part of the modernization. So kids will have to continue with "heat and eat" options.

2) renovations to gym/auditorium removed--as a result, there are acoustic problems that interfere with concerts and other activities. Also, the gym is too small to have home games, so all basketball games are "away" games (which is too bad since the boys' team has now made it to the citywide semi-finals).

3) underground parking was nixed (although I honestly am okay with this, as it seems this is not needed as much as the other parts of the project that were removed)

Despite these cuts, the budget has increased from $20 to 30 million. There was a petition campaign last year to get these items reinstated, but to no avail. There was even a meeting with DGS and Brandon Todd a few weeks ago (planned for months), and still, it seems no changes to the current situation will be made--so I don't think this is a question of political favoritism.

Of course, you can say that that Shepherd's renovations will only benefit 330 kids--however, the student population is growing, as they may be adding another PK class next year, and there are lots of new families moving in to the neighborhood. So the size of the school is sure to grow (although I certainly hope not too much).

My point is not to detract from the validity of the Murch community's argument. It sounds like the full scope of renovations at Murch sorely needs to be done. It's just to say that no school community seems spared from DGS's incompetence (except perhaps Ellington). Maybe we should all band together in some way, looking for renovation problems experienced by multiple schools--I dunno, perhaps that would get more recognition/traction. But then again, I haven't been in DC long, so perhaps too optimistic about how things work.

These are similar issues and frustrations as those faced by Murch with the ludicrous "redesign" -- A functional cafeteria (with a kitchen) and a functional gym that can hold the whole student body and actually allow a PE program more than once a week should not be things that are eliminated from any design proposal. Good luck!

Lafayette's new cafetorium is not designed to hold the whole student body. Probably the same with Janney? I don't think that particular issue is that big a deal.

The current revised plan has a cafeteria that fits one third of the students, so there would have to be three lunch periods. Can you imagine a kindergartner eating lunch at 1030 and making it to the end of the day in one piece? Maybe one that fits half the population is workable elsewhere but that's not what is being proposed here.

[Anonymous]

There should be one indoor gathering place in every school where the entire student body can gather. Why is that not standard? You don't have to be able to have the entire student body to eat together, but gather for important announcements, assemblies and emergencies is important and valuable. Retractable bleachers found in most gymnasiums fulfill this need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There should be one indoor gathering place in every school where the entire student body can gather. Why is that not standard? You don't have to be able to have the entire student body to eat together, but gather for important announcements, assemblies and emergencies is important and valuable. Retractable bleachers found in most gymnasiums fulfill this need.

Not to mention that Murch is a DC polling place, which means student access to needed facilities is curtailed on election days. There should be alternative gathering spots for students for such times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be one indoor gathering place in every school where the entire student body can gather. Why is that not standard? You don't have to be able to have the entire student body to eat together, but gather for important announcements, assemblies and emergencies is important and valuable. Retractable bleachers found in most gymnasiums fulfill this need.

Not to mention that Murch is a DC polling place, which means student access to needed facilities is curtailed on election days. There should be alternative gathering spots for students for such times.

Many schools in the city can't accommodate all children in one place. It's great but that isn't the sword I'd die on.

As for polling places, in VA they close school on election day for just this reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The UDC campus is already a mess right now between the student center and other construction. Even if they started building the Murch swing space today, just can't see how it would be ready by August. Have they even done traffic studies to see how the surrounding houses will be impacted by the additional traffic? Have to imagine the embassies are not thrilled with this, let alone the surrounding home owners.

Who cares about the embassies? They don't exactly care about the neighborhood.

Yes, but, when the embassies caught wind of UDC's plan to build a dorm on the field where the trailers are supposed to go, the State Department shut down UDC. That's kind of the point. Hopefully, the State Department has signed off on the swing space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope someone will post about the community meeting here. I want to hear how DGS and DCPS explain themselves when they compare the nickel and diming they are doing to Murch when compared the the blank checks they've been writing for other renovation projects.

It's surreal, but it is what it is. DCPS loves to play Robin Hood 2.0: steal from wealthy taxpayers to pay for huge projects in areas that vote for the Mayor.

NP. I have not read this whole thread and I'm probably jumping into a snake pit--but I don't think this is true? Shepherd Park/Colonial Village largely voted for Bowser--heck, she even lives here now--yet there are similar frustrations that the Shepherd Elementary community has had with cuts to their renovation project, including:

1) upgrade to full kitchen removed--it seems Shepherd is one of the only renovation projects in recent years in which a full kitchen will not be a part of the modernization. So kids will have to continue with "heat and eat" options.

2) renovations to gym/auditorium removed--as a result, there are acoustic problems that interfere with concerts and other activities. Also, the gym is too small to have home games, so all basketball games are "away" games (which is too bad since the boys' team has now made it to the citywide semi-finals).

3) underground parking was nixed (although I honestly am okay with this, as it seems this is not needed as much as the other parts of the project that were removed)

Despite these cuts, the budget has increased from $20 to 30 million. There was a petition campaign last year to get these items reinstated, but to no avail. There was even a meeting with DGS and Brandon Todd a few weeks ago (planned for months), and still, it seems no changes to the current situation will be made--so I don't think this is a question of political favoritism.

Of course, you can say that that Shepherd's renovations will only benefit 330 kids--however, the student population is growing, as they may be adding another PK class next year, and there are lots of new families moving in to the neighborhood. So the size of the school is sure to grow (although I certainly hope not too much).

My point is not to detract from the validity of the Murch community's argument. It sounds like the full scope of renovations at Murch sorely needs to be done. It's just to say that no school community seems spared from DGS's incompetence (except perhaps Ellington). Maybe we should all band together in some way, looking for renovation problems experienced by multiple schools--I dunno, perhaps that would get more recognition/traction. But then again, I haven't been in DC long, so perhaps too optimistic about how things work.

These are similar issues and frustrations as those faced by Murch with the ludicrous "redesign" -- A functional cafeteria (with a kitchen) and a functional gym that can hold the whole student body and actually allow a PE program more than once a week should not be things that are eliminated from any design proposal. Good luck!

Lafayette's new cafetorium is not designed to hold the whole student body. Probably the same with Janney? I don't think that particular issue is that big a deal.

The current revised plan has a cafeteria that fits one third of the students, so there would have to be three lunch periods. Can you imagine a kindergartner eating lunch at 1030 and making it to the end of the day in one piece? Maybe one that fits half the population is workable elsewhere but that's not what is being proposed here.

That's the set up at many schools. The little guys just eat their snack in the afternoon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The UDC campus is already a mess right now between the student center and other construction. Even if they started building the Murch swing space today, just can't see how it would be ready by August. Have they even done traffic studies to see how the surrounding houses will be impacted by the additional traffic? Have to imagine the embassies are not thrilled with this, let alone the surrounding home owners.

Who cares about the embassies? They don't exactly care about the neighborhood.

Yes, but, when the embassies caught wind of UDC's plan to build a dorm on the field where the trailers are supposed to go, the State Department shut down UDC. That's kind of the point. Hopefully, the State Department has signed off on the swing space.

The State Department has now signed off on the idea. The SIT learned that this week.

[Anonymous]

Oddly State Dept, foreign embassies and UDC easy to work with. DCPS and DGS, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

SIT member, have you had any luck getting Mary Cheh to advocate? Is she just MIA in all this? She is really the only person we have any direct sway with, in terms of our votes. The Murch community is a HUGE part of her constituency. Is she helping us at all? How?

As you can read in the NW Current, Cheh said she was "frustrated upon hearing news of budget woes and plans to do everything in her power to help secure additional funding" and that "it was unacceptable." She also said it was her "top priority item." From what I gather, she is as outraged by this bizarre turn of events as anybody. So, yeah, we are very heartened by that. (Not sure what makes you think I'm on the SIT. For all you know I could just be a mouse in the corner. One of many at Murch!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, are they really standard??/I was joking.

Omg, DC. (Sorry, having hysterical laughing fit. Need water.)

Yes. I'm sure there's an interesting story about how that came to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oddly State Dept, foreign embassies and UDC easy to work with. DCPS and DGS, not so much.

Some agencies like the State Department tend to attract bright, practical people -- DC agencies, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, are they really standard??/I was joking.

Omg, DC. (Sorry, having hysterical laughing fit. Need water.)

Yes. I'm sure there's an interesting story about how that came to be.

The CEO of the kiln company must be a donor.

Kidding. I hope.