So, um, how did things go for you at Murch this am?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shout out to Brent ES on Cap Hill where my kids started this week. None of these kinds of problems, got our teacher assignments 2 weeks ago, everything went quite smoothly. Tons of staff members around with easy to spot nametags so it was super easy to just turn to someone and ask a question to help find the way. I work in a private school and the first day always has bumps, even when you're paying $, but Brent really had it's act together. Also, smaller class sizes than are being mentioned above. Glad we turned down Janney!

Same for Maury ES. There was a bit of grumbling about the "staggered start" for preschoolers, and the "orientation" dates were announced less than a week before the dates (so some parents were away on vacation and missed orientation), but all in all, things were refreshingly drama-free!

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised to hear--no, wait, this is DCUM, I shouldn't be surprised--bashing of parents who are "squeaky wheels" at their local (in this case, Murch) DCPS. The reason why schools like Murch have their reputations is because parents are willing and able to voice complaints about their school, whether those complaints are big or small. It's not just about "white privilege," it's about parents who are committed to fighting tooth and nail for their children to get the best education possible. Given the overall sorry state of DCPS, I think that the parents whose children attend lower-ranked schools should learn a lesson from parents are more highly ranked ones. Squeaky wheels DO get the grease, even though the sound grates one's ears.

[Anonymous]

here here. I agree, but shouldn't you all be voicing your concerns directly to the principal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:here here. I agree, but shouldn't you all be voicing your concerns directly to the principal?

Perhaps this thread will give you a sense of why that has not been a fruitful approach for anyone who has tried.
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/30/93750.page#1044984

[Anonymous]

How much principal turnover can one school take?

[Anonymous]

Well, by Murch standards, aren't we due for a new one soon? Don't think we've had a retired from Montgomery County one before, not sure how that impacts a DCPS career path?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, by Murch standards, aren't we due for a new one soon?

LOL. You guys eat principals for breakfast.

[Anonymous]

"The reason why schools like Murch have their reputations is because parents are willing and able to voice complaints about their school"

What reputation? High performing? Many would argue that Murch's test scores are a directly reflection of the socio-economic status of the families.

Yeah, I get what you guys are saying. Just understand that there are many of us who have children at schools that would be delighted to have the "problems" that you guys are whining about.

It's like going to a council meeting and listening to the Georgetown matron carrying on about parking tickets, meanwhile everyone else who takes the mike is talking about unsolved murders.

[Anonymous]

23:45 here. Yes, Murch's test scores are highly correlated to the SES of the parents. However, this doesn't take away from the larger point that Murch's parent's whining over "insignificant" details is, well, insignificant. I suspect that many Murch parents subscribe to the "broken windows" theory towards education, to draw an analogy with criminal theory. The "broken windows" approach argues that crime goes down in neighborhoods where broken windows and seemingly "minor" concerns are addressed--i.e., by fixing the small problems, you have a measurable impact upon larger ones. Of course Murch parents would be up in arms about big problems, and they would try fix the small ones, too.

[Anonymous]

Murch parent here:

After a few days of reading this, I am convinced that there is a very SMALL group of dissatified parents who like to vent on these boards. They are not in the majority. Five hundred people on the waitlist would like your kid's spot. They would happily deal with our problems. At least 7 embassies locate their staff in- bounds to Murch to send their kids there. As 22:45 pointed out, we could have bigger problems.

Autonomy for Murch means a chance for the teachers to teach and differentiate instruction for their students and for the school to have more control over its budget. Great!

Several of you do not like the principal - and I have had issues with her since I have a special needs kid. But the school is well-run and these postings are misleading. All you can point to is that there seems to be tension with the teachers and a lack of leadership. If you have real concerns that are indicative of larger problems than your own personal issues, bring it to the HSA presidents.

Yes, one teacher did leave due to a personality conflict and some instructional differences. It happens on any job.

The school is not on the brink of castastrophe. My DH calls this forum the DC Whiny Moms. He's got a point. This is a safe place to whine, but if you have something to say, say it where you can make a difference.

[Anonymous]

PP, I'm a Murch parent as well, and I agree whole-heartedly with your comments. Thanks for posting them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Murch parent here:

Several of you do not like the principal - and I have had issues with her since I have a special needs kid.

Ok, why are these 2 things linked? Why do the parents of vulnerable kids at Murch seem to have difficult interactions with the principal? Is it just that others don't need to interact with her? You brought this bit of info here and it jives with what other people have said as well. Could you pls say more about this? Was it that you were pressing for services for an IEP and there was pushback? Was it pushback about recognizing your child's SN, which I understand is the party line in DCPS right now? Or do you think it is a blind spot of this particular individual?

We have a typical child who has had a good experience at Murch, no need for contact with the principal. We have a younger child with very mild SN and the fact that I have heard several comments like yours concerns me.

[Anonymous]

I think it's a tiny bit of an exaggeration to say that someone claimed that Murch was on the brink of collapse.

People were annoyed and venting, it's what people do here. Why is that so threatening? No worries, your housing values are safe. Or is it that you fear what might come next if Rhee moves her?

[Anonymous]

Dissent is permitted, even under Ellis, lol. Everyone doesn't need to evince "fake cheerfulness" or whatever a PP called it.

Murch is a pretty good place to be. Do parents wish that they had better, more pleasant, more productive relationships with the principal? Yes, and that is fine. Bet the staff wish that they had them too!

[Anonymous]

From some of the comments on this forum, I imagine that the principal and some of the staff wishes they had better, more pleasant, more productive relationships with the parents!!