Wilson High -- The New Normal?

[Anonymous]

I have heard from my 11th grader that the new tone at Wilson without Cahall means, at times, school feels like reform school. "Hall Sweeps" are the norm, administrators are moody, they miss being called "scholars", and kids feel like they are suspected of misdeeds at all times. I have been personally contacted by the school by phone and email when getting my child 45 minutes early for a doctor's appointment, even after submitting the form for early dismissal. The tone sounds like a fresh buckling down on problem students but is potentially having a morale lowering affect on all of the students that, for the most part, felt respected by Cahall (not to say the interim is not potentially a great leader, just that the absence of Cahall may be palpable to the kids --not in a good way). Also the recent student newspaper staff printed an editorial that spoke to the climate of mistrust because they have tried to reach Kaya Henderson (unsuccessfully) on several occasions -- and others --and feel the students at Wilson have a right to have more information about why Cahall departed, asking how can they determine what traits they should seek in a new principal if they don't even understand what lead to the last principal's contract being ended. The school paper is a great resource for parents, as well, here's a recent article. Hoping things settle back into Wilson being a friendlier place soon. http://thewilsonbeacon.com/attendance-problems-heightened-due-to-hall-sweep-policy/

[Anonymous]

I've heard Coolidge is very personal and friendly.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard Coolidge is very personal and friendly.

How is that relevant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard from my 11th grader that the new tone at Wilson without Cahall means, at times, school feels like reform school. "Hall Sweeps" are the norm, administrators are moody, they miss being called "scholars", and kids feel like they are suspected of misdeeds at all times. I have been personally contacted by the school by phone and email when getting my child 45 minutes early for a doctor's appointment, even after submitting the form for early dismissal. The tone sounds like a fresh buckling down on problem students but is potentially having a morale lowering affect on all of the students that, for the most part, felt respected by Cahall (not to say the interim is not potentially a great leader, just that the absence of Cahall may be palpable to the kids --not in a good way). Also the recent student newspaper staff printed an editorial that spoke to the climate of mistrust because they have tried to reach Kaya Henderson (unsuccessfully) on several occasions -- and others --and feel the students at Wilson have a right to have more information about why Cahall departed, asking how can they determine what traits they should seek in a new principal if they don't even understand what lead to the last principal's contract being ended. The school paper is a great resource for parents, as well, here's a recent article. Hoping things settle back into Wilson being a friendlier place soon. http://thewilsonbeacon.com/attendance-problems-heightened-due-to-hall-sweep-policy/

"Scholars" is such a contrived term for students and the reality is that some students decidedly are not scholars!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard from my 11th grader that the new tone at Wilson without Cahall means, at times, school feels like reform school. "Hall Sweeps" are the norm, administrators are moody, they miss being called "scholars", and kids feel like they are suspected of misdeeds at all times. I have been personally contacted by the school by phone and email when getting my child 45 minutes early for a doctor's appointment, even after submitting the form for early dismissal. The tone sounds like a fresh buckling down on problem students but is potentially having a morale lowering affect on all of the students that, for the most part, felt respected by Cahall (not to say the interim is not potentially a great leader, just that the absence of Cahall may be palpable to the kids --not in a good way). Also the recent student newspaper staff printed an editorial that spoke to the climate of mistrust because they have tried to reach Kaya Henderson (unsuccessfully) on several occasions -- and others --and feel the students at Wilson have a right to have more information about why Cahall departed, asking how can they determine what traits they should seek in a new principal if they don't even understand what lead to the last principal's contract being ended. The school paper is a great resource for parents, as well, here's a recent article. Hoping things settle back into Wilson being a friendlier place soon. http://thewilsonbeacon.com/attendance-problems-heightened-due-to-hall-sweep-policy/

"Scholars" is such a contrived term for students and the reality is that some students decidedly are not scholars!

Talk about missing the point. OP is lamenting a tonal shift at the school, something that the kids are feeling.

OP, I can't imagine this is the "new normal"; it's a time of transition, and I imagine things won't feel settled until there's a new principal. I assume that the interim principal knows he's not the long-term answer and is essentially following central-office orders until he hands off the new guy/gal.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard Coolidge is very personal and friendly.

How is that relevant?

Just a way-too-snide way to say "I think you still have it good at Wilson."

[Anonymous]

It's probably true that Cahall was more touchy-feely.

[Anonymous]

Yeah my kids both got hallswept last week. Oh well. ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah my kids both got hallswept last week. Oh well. ...

If my kids aren't where they're supposed to be I want them hallswept.

[Anonymous]

My kid is happy with it. Sadly between the robberies in school and the recent robberies in the neighborhood after school (by students of course) my kid has felt very unsettled all fall. He has felt uneasy going to the bathroom during class because there have been a lot of kids milling about when classes have been going on. Hopefully things are getting back under control and the kids will learn to be in their classes on time.

[Anonymous]

I welcome the crack-down new normal. This is what they did at Deal over the years. The incoming class of students and parents for 2015-2016 are expecting an orderly learning environment--I agree though that kids should not be shouted at or treated like prisoners. DCPS security guards are not known for their nuanced approach to communication. There has to be a middle ground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah my kids both got hallswept last week. Oh well. ...

Bring back Michelle Rhee and her big broom!

[Anonymous]

After the videotaped beatings I am OK with hall sweeps. They should be done every period until assaults stop happening.

[Anonymous]

On a different note, what's the percentage of in boundary kids that attend Wilson?
I am talking about students who live in boundary. Maybe 10%?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On a different note, what's the percentage of in boundary kids that attend Wilson?
I am talking about students who live in boundary. Maybe 10%?

What is your question? What percentage of in-boundary high school students attend Wilson rather than other DCPS schools, charter schools, or private schools? Or are you wondering what percentage of the total Wilson population lives in-boundary? These are 2 different questions with 2 different answers. I doubt that a reliable answer to the first question is available.

BTW, thank you to the PP who posted the link to the Wilson student-run newspaper. I had heard that it was an impressive paper but hadn't seen it. Overall it looks pretty good; nice job, students. But what's up with the all-white newspaper staff? How is that even possible in a school as diverse as Wilson?