Arl Dems Caucus Endorsement - School Board - In the Candidates' Words

[Anonymous]

Lauds? That’s your own color commentary. Looks like it’s reporting about a congressional hearing covering covid school closure. (Have you heard, that’s kinda their issue?) they covered everyone that testified but sure go ahead and cherry pick. I guess you want them to sanitize congressional hearings now. It’s almost like some people want to erase or rewrite history.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lauds? That’s your own color commentary. Looks like it’s reporting about a congressional hearing covering covid school closure. (Have you heard, that’s kinda their issue?) they covered everyone that testified but sure go ahead and cherry pick. I guess you want them to sanitize congressional hearings now. It’s almost like some people want to erase or rewrite history.

Oh wow. Looks like ape also connected to the school nurse association (follow the clicks!). They also cover secretary cardona a lot….I knew they were his dirty work for him! Do this thread a favor and back to 4chan and piecing together your Qanon theories there.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Saw this posted elsewhere: https://www.gazetteleader.com/arlington/opinion/letter-turner-is-optimal-choice-in-school-board-race-6909377

To the editor: We are writing to express our enthusiastic support for Miranda Turner to receive the Democratic endorsement for the Arlington School Board election.

We have been elementary-school tutors for disadvantaged Arlington and D.C. students. We have witnessed the severe extent that the last few years have significantly diminished literacy and widened equity gaps. Our current reality is that Arlington has kids in fourth and fifth grade who are functionally illiterate. Instead of reading to learn, they are still struggling with learning to read.

Turner’s No. 1 priority is rightly on instruction. She advocates for an all-hands-on-deck approach to support classroom educators in their effort to reverse this trend. She supports increased instructional time, interventionists, tutoring and after-school and summer programs to counter the attainment gaps in literacy and numeracy.

Turner supports both equity and excellence. She recognizes that we must address achievement gaps and ensure that Arlington maintains high standards. Every student should be given the opportunity, access and support to reach his or her highest potential with advanced/accelerated classes.

Turner is a longtime Arlington resident and ardent APS volunteer, serving in several roles. She has a personal stake in school-system performance with three children. She is a successful attorney and community advocate. We are lucky she enthusiastically wants to serve on the School Board to help our community.

If you are an Arlington Democrat, please join us in supporting Miranda in the upcoming caucus.

Sam and Debbie Kirzner, Arlington

I think he is APE so no surprise. Her APE supporters are her base. We already knew that.

He's a retired guy in ArlDems who volunteers in the community. Try again.

Anti-APE folks just can't believe that a democrat was/is/could be a member of APE, can they?
I don't know if the people who signed the letter were/were not or are/are not part of APE. And I really don't care. But I"ll take their perspective as outlined in their letter more credibly than that of someone so anti-APE that they can't believe anyone but a MAGA republican could align with the group, and who can't move beyond it.

What are you talking about? I am no fan of APE but no one is saying that APE is all MAGA Republicans. There are some Dems in APE, there are a lot of DINOs in there, there are a lot of Republicans in there, there are Rs who voted in the last Dem caucus, and then there are the MAGA Republicans in there.

There are enough Rs in APE that they aligned with Republican positions during the pandemic. For instance, they were the only Arlington group that I can think of that didn't support our school board when it stood up to the overreaching by Youngkin in his politicized exec order prohibiting masking during the Omicrom surge.

Yes, standing in 2023, it's obvious that the mask mandate was the only thing between us and certain death and destruction. Are you really out here still fighting for masks?

There we go. APE tough guy ready to throw down about masks.

Nice job electing a POS republican just so you could drop the masks one month early. Way to ruin it for everyone.

You are so out of touch that you don't realize that most Dems now agree the mask mandates were irrelevant. You're still out there fighting old battles that don't even matter.

It doesn’t matter now. It didn’t matter one month after you elected Youngkin.

The point was that Republicans politicized covid/masks/vaccines/school openings/CRT/bathrooms/etc. Instead of rationally these topics, we get bullies, many Republican, who were trying to force their beliefs on everyone else.

In 2023, that is relevant because we have POS R governor because of this politicization. And we have a SB candidate who stood by and watched all of that nastiness go down in her group and thought that was acceptable.

There you go again, trying to blame Miranda Turner for all of your political grievances.

I’m holding her accountable for her own actions.

She chose to lead that group and to continue leading that group.

Good luck with that. Fortunately other people are looking out for our students. You just keep holding your grudge on this insignificant portion of the internet.

Guess I like to hold people accountable for their actions. YMMV.

She has demonstrated that she tolerates bullying and failed to consider input from multiple stakeholders during a crisis. Fail.

1. School board members are going to be targets for bullying and criticism. She's shown she can handle that without question.

How so? She wasn't the target. She was aligned with the people screaming AT the school board members. And teachers. And even shouting down other (brown) parents.

She's received plenty of criticism and personal verbal "attacks" and name-calling. Also, she obviously had to engage and interact with the loudmouths within APE. She's been around it, been the butt of it, and still has the courage and fortitude to run for school board. She knows what's out there and is willing to put up with it.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I find it very surprising that so many people in Arlington still stand behind our long return to in-person learning for almost all kids 5 days a week, when the data are so overwhelming that this was a bad call -- even if it was a well-intentioned bad call.

No one is debating the return to classroom timing, except you.

We are discussing SB candidates and what they bring to the table. Unfortunately, we have no good options this year so it’s a tough conversation.

That's not true. Many people here think APS was right to not have kids back for any amount of time until all teachers had been vaccinated (and even then it was not full time). Someone in this thread called that reasonable. In hindsight, it was a horrible decision that did a huge amount of damage. It's relevant, because what Miranda was advocating for then has, in fact, been now demonstrated to have been the correct action. But the main thing people seem to hold against her is that she held that (now shown to be correct, very unpopular at time) opinion. And, since then, one of the primary things she is focused on is trying to help students recover from that bad decision. So it's all very relevant.

Arlington still has not, and I think, sadly, will not, admit that we erred very badly here.

Arlington made reasonable choices, similar to what many other school districts made. We aren't debating that right now though, no matter how many times you want to bring it up. We are discussing the school board candidates.

We aren't discussing Turner's opinions, we are discussing her actions and approach. She was comfortable with her people bullying others and she was comfortable not listening to various stakeholders. Those are disqualifying behaviors for me.

Her choosing to attempt to lead a group of people advocating for the same goals does not mean she was comfortable with the obnoxious behavior of some of the group's members. Unless you were part of the group and interacted with her and them together directly, you don't have a clue what she did or didn't do behind the scenes or know for fact that she "was comfortable" with their behaviors.
I really don't understand your point about not listening to various stakeholders. She was part of a group advocating for a certain position. Why would she listen to other stakeholders who were free to do (and did) their own advocating for their own positions?

She was comfortable enough to continue working with those people in APE for years. And then on her first campaign. And now her second.

If you’re trying to have a rational community discussion that requires working with various stakeholders. It’s ineffective - and damaging - to try to scream over everyone else. Perhaps if her group tried to engage others instead of bullying them we could have had an actual conversation.

This might be my favorite post of the entire thread. The advise to "engage others" is coming from the poster who responds to every single post with a comment about MT's "bullying" antics. You literally attack anyone who offers a different opinion.

In all seriousness, you are not capable of a conversation. Your posts are obsessive and not advancing any dialogue.

I haven’t attacked anyone here.

I’m sharing my opinions about the actions of a school board candidate.

PP didn't say you attacked anyone. I agree with PP about your hypocrisy. Anyone who refuses to be open-minded and genuinely consider another person's viewpoint is not engaging. You don't have to yell at someone to not be engaging. You shut out any supportive or positive opinions and comments about MT. That's not "engaging" a conversation and, as PP stated, does not advance any dialogue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lauds? That’s your own color commentary. Looks like it’s reporting about a congressional hearing covering covid school closure. (Have you heard, that’s kinda their issue?) they covered everyone that testified but sure go ahead and cherry pick. I guess you want them to sanitize congressional hearings now. It’s almost like some people want to erase or rewrite history.

hahaha, nice attempt at trying to walk back from your right wing ties, APEster!

The newsletter specifically highlighted ONE person's testimony - the RWNJ - and even noted that the RWNJ quoted APE's twitter account!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lauds? That’s your own color commentary. Looks like it’s reporting about a congressional hearing covering covid school closure. (Have you heard, that’s kinda their issue?) they covered everyone that testified but sure go ahead and cherry pick. I guess you want them to sanitize congressional hearings now. It’s almost like some people want to erase or rewrite history.

hahaha, nice attempt at trying to walk back from your right wing ties, APEster!

The newsletter specifically highlighted ONE person's testimony - the RWNJ - and even noted that the RWNJ quoted APE's twitter account!!!

but sure, nothing to see here, wink, wink.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I find it very surprising that so many people in Arlington still stand behind our long return to in-person learning for almost all kids 5 days a week, when the data are so overwhelming that this was a bad call -- even if it was a well-intentioned bad call.

No one is debating the return to classroom timing, except you.

We are discussing SB candidates and what they bring to the table. Unfortunately, we have no good options this year so it’s a tough conversation.

That's not true. Many people here think APS was right to not have kids back for any amount of time until all teachers had been vaccinated (and even then it was not full time). Someone in this thread called that reasonable. In hindsight, it was a horrible decision that did a huge amount of damage. It's relevant, because what Miranda was advocating for then has, in fact, been now demonstrated to have been the correct action. But the main thing people seem to hold against her is that she held that (now shown to be correct, very unpopular at time) opinion. And, since then, one of the primary things she is focused on is trying to help students recover from that bad decision. So it's all very relevant.

Arlington still has not, and I think, sadly, will not, admit that we erred very badly here.

Arlington made reasonable choices, similar to what many other school districts made. We aren't debating that right now though, no matter how many times you want to bring it up. We are discussing the school board candidates.

We aren't discussing Turner's opinions, we are discussing her actions and approach. She was comfortable with her people bullying others and she was comfortable not listening to various stakeholders. Those are disqualifying behaviors for me.

Her choosing to attempt to lead a group of people advocating for the same goals does not mean she was comfortable with the obnoxious behavior of some of the group's members. Unless you were part of the group and interacted with her and them together directly, you don't have a clue what she did or didn't do behind the scenes or know for fact that she "was comfortable" with their behaviors.
I really don't understand your point about not listening to various stakeholders. She was part of a group advocating for a certain position. Why would she listen to other stakeholders who were free to do (and did) their own advocating for their own positions?

She was comfortable enough to continue working with those people in APE for years. And then on her first campaign. And now her second.

If you’re trying to have a rational community discussion that requires working with various stakeholders. It’s ineffective - and damaging - to try to scream over everyone else. Perhaps if her group tried to engage others instead of bullying them we could have had an actual conversation.

This might be my favorite post of the entire thread. The advise to "engage others" is coming from the poster who responds to every single post with a comment about MT's "bullying" antics. You literally attack anyone who offers a different opinion.

In all seriousness, you are not capable of a conversation. Your posts are obsessive and not advancing any dialogue.

I haven’t attacked anyone here.

I’m sharing my opinions about the actions of a school board candidate.

PP didn't say you attacked anyone. I agree with PP about your hypocrisy. Anyone who refuses to be open-minded and genuinely consider another person's viewpoint is not engaging. You don't have to yell at someone to not be engaging. You shut out any supportive or positive opinions and comments about MT. That's not "engaging" a conversation and, as PP stated, does not advance any dialogue.

PP did say that.
“You literally attack anyone who offers a different opinion.”

I’m not running for SB and I’m not preventing anyone from posting. If you actually have a valid point, make it. I will continue to share my opinions about our candidates as I see fit. I don’t need your permission.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for highlighting this APE newsletter. I agree everyone should be aware of what they are advocating for. Here's the end of that discussion:

Why It Matters: This universal consensus among experts and politicians from both parties about the harmful impacts of remote instruction should ensure that districts are better prepared in the future. Of more immediate concern, the recognition of ongoing learning loss emphasizes how important it is that school districts properly address the harmful effects of remote instruction.


Our Take: As we have noted, APS has devoted a much smaller amount to combatting learning loss relative to its neighboring school districts. Whether you agree or disagree about past decisions, we can all agree that time is running out for those kids who are still far behind academically. As Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said, “We must make up for lost time.”

Read our Budget Letter to APS requesting funds for learning loss recovery and math interventionists.
Read our Letter to Arlington County Board urging increased attention and resources to better serve Arlington’s youth and students.
Read our March 30, 2023 letter to the County Board about proposed county budget and resources for APS for FY2024

[Anonymous]

I heard Miranda got another endorsement but can’t find it. I see MDF and head of ASHPA but who was after that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone else notice that APE's newsletter highlights and lauds the Congressional testimony of the director of an organization that is for channeling public money to private schools and against "radical" CRT and "gender ideology" in public schools?

As a reminder APE is the group that Miranda founded and led.

It only takes a couple of clicks to see the connection between APE and this right wing group -

https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/enews/april-20-2023/#Hearing

https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Gentles-testimony_-The-Consequences-of-School-Closures_-Intended-and-Unintended.pdf

https://www.iwf.org/efc/

Well. APE really walked right into this one. Thanks for highlighting this, PP.

Tell us again that you're not a MAGA right wing org, APE!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone else notice that APE's newsletter highlights and lauds the Congressional testimony of the director of an organization that is for channeling public money to private schools and against "radical" CRT and "gender ideology" in public schools?

As a reminder APE is the group that Miranda founded and led.

It only takes a couple of clicks to see the connection between APE and this right wing group -

https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/enews/april-20-2023/#Hearing

https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Gentles-testimony_-The-Consequences-of-School-Closures_-Intended-and-Unintended.pdf

https://www.iwf.org/efc/

Well. APE really walked right into this one. Thanks for highlighting this, PP.

Tell us again that you're not a MAGA right wing org, APE!

Do you also think they’re a left wing org when they cover folks from the left? They covered all the witnesses who testified but it makes sense to highlight the excerpts about APS, no? PP is really stretching here and I can only hope most lurkers have the critical thinking skills to see that for themselves

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone else notice that APE's newsletter highlights and lauds the Congressional testimony of the director of an organization that is for channeling public money to private schools and against "radical" CRT and "gender ideology" in public schools?

As a reminder APE is the group that Miranda founded and led.

It only takes a couple of clicks to see the connection between APE and this right wing group -

https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/enews/april-20-2023/#Hearing

https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Gentles-testimony_-The-Consequences-of-School-Closures_-Intended-and-Unintended.pdf

https://www.iwf.org/efc/

Well. APE really walked right into this one. Thanks for highlighting this, PP.

Tell us again that you're not a MAGA right wing org, APE!

The current APE leadership does not hide their “Republicanism”. One even works for a Koch company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone else notice that APE's newsletter highlights and lauds the Congressional testimony of the director of an organization that is for channeling public money to private schools and against "radical" CRT and "gender ideology" in public schools?

As a reminder APE is the group that Miranda founded and led.

It only takes a couple of clicks to see the connection between APE and this right wing group -

https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/enews/april-20-2023/#Hearing

https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Gentles-testimony_-The-Consequences-of-School-Closures_-Intended-and-Unintended.pdf

https://www.iwf.org/efc/

Well. APE really walked right into this one. Thanks for highlighting this, PP.

Tell us again that you're not a MAGA right wing org, APE!

Are you serious? I can't stand the IWF, but why wouldn't APE highlight a congressional hearing with bipartisan "consensus that from all the witnesses and Members of Congress that school closures had led to learning loss and negative mental health effects that are still present today, and the fundamental importance of keeping schools open." That's the point of this whole thing, not to promote some rightwinger.

They don't control who congress invites as witnesses and they don't even mention her name despite sharing her comments about APE's work. But they do name and draw attention to quotes from two other witnesses. Seems like a fair summary of what happened in a congressional hearing where APE was mentioned.

Link to it so others can determine for themselves https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/enews/april-20-2023/#Hearing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for highlighting this APE newsletter. I agree everyone should be aware of what they are advocating for. Here's the end of that discussion:

Why It Matters: This universal consensus among experts and politicians from both parties about the harmful impacts of remote instruction should ensure that districts are better prepared in the future. Of more immediate concern, the recognition of ongoing learning loss emphasizes how important it is that school districts properly address the harmful effects of remote instruction.


Our Take: As we have noted, APS has devoted a much smaller amount to combatting learning loss relative to its neighboring school districts. Whether you agree or disagree about past decisions, we can all agree that time is running out for those kids who are still far behind academically. As Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said, “We must make up for lost time.”

Read our Budget Letter to APS requesting funds for learning loss recovery and math interventionists.
Read our Letter to Arlington County Board urging increased attention and resources to better serve Arlington’s youth and students.
Read our March 30, 2023 letter to the County Board about proposed county budget and resources for APS for FY2024

Radical. God help us all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone else notice that APE's newsletter highlights and lauds the Congressional testimony of the director of an organization that is for channeling public money to private schools and against "radical" CRT and "gender ideology" in public schools?

As a reminder APE is the group that Miranda founded and led.

It only takes a couple of clicks to see the connection between APE and this right wing group -

https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/enews/april-20-2023/#Hearing

https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Gentles-testimony_-The-Consequences-of-School-Closures_-Intended-and-Unintended.pdf

https://www.iwf.org/efc/

Well. APE really walked right into this one. Thanks for highlighting this, PP.

Tell us again that you're not a MAGA right wing org, APE!

Are you serious? I can't stand the IWF, but why wouldn't APE highlight a congressional hearing with bipartisan "consensus that from all the witnesses and Members of Congress that school closures had led to learning loss and negative mental health effects that are still present today, and the fundamental importance of keeping schools open." That's the point of this whole thing, not to promote some rightwinger.

They don't control who congress invites as witnesses and they don't even mention her name despite sharing her comments about APE's work. But they do name and draw attention to quotes from two other witnesses. Seems like a fair summary of what happened in a congressional hearing where APE was mentioned.

Link to it so others can determine for themselves https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/enews/april-20-2023/#Hearing

APE CHOSE to highlight ONE witness from that hearing - the MAJA RWNJ. Very telling.