Janney Principal politely scolding parents...RANT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was given a $50 ticket for parking to run in to drop off my child at Janney. The ticketer stood 9'feet in the air atop his gigantic Segway. He fiercly pointed to the no parking sign and looked ready to wrestle me and my remaining child to the ground if we offered any peep of resistance. It was a completely over the top show of force. This is a horrible atmosphere to have surrounding a public school. It is not a prison! We can have a kinder gentler atmosphere around our schools if we refuse to tolerate the prison guard mentality of staff and so called "security officers".

You see, at GDS, we park LEGALLY (many parents even have Zone 3 parking stickers) and the neighbors still get into a huff.

I think that if there is a NO PARKING sign, you need to obey it. I personally think that parents who park illegally should get ticketed--whether at Janney or GDS. The No Parking signs are there for a reason--to improve safety or traffic flow.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you just have your kids sit outside the gate to the playground until 8:35? The sidewalk is public space. Either that or just ignore the newsletter. The principal didn't scold you directly did she? Just plead ignorance.

[Anonymous]

The JED form that I saw said before care begins at 7:45 and cost $85/month. So, for 3 months I come up with $610 ($85 x 6). You can drop at 7:45 and stop racing around, start your day earlier.

You have been given several other reasonable options in this thread. Personally, I might look for a neighbor who would walk them to school for ~$100 a month. I have the impression there are a lot of SAHMs in Janney area (could be wrong) and someone might be interested. Perhaps advertise in the weekly school newsletter? Or on the list serve?

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Thank to those who offered a reasonable alternative--pay $800 for 1 semester (3 months) to drop off the 2 kids age 10 and 11 for 15 minutes early so I can race across town to my older kid's school and then race over to work. And yes having three kids--I should be penalized this way. Everyone should have one child and walk to school everyday or suffer the consequences. That is reasonable. Thank you.

OP, I don't know what to tell you. You seem to think that because you have a hectic schedule, the school should devise some sort of means by which you can drop your kids off early. Wait, what's that? They have one? Oh. So now it's too expensive, so they need to come up with ANOTHER alternative. One that's convenient for you and costs whatever it is that you would find acceptable.

Related question - when you change a lightbulb, do you just stand there and hold it, while the world turns around you? I didn't think so.

Hafta say, though, the picture is pretty funny. You get points for that.

[Anonymous]

When I have gone and parked so I can walk her in for some particular reason, I always have to park a couple of blocks away and it is a bit of a hike.

Pardon me, but I have to go change my shirt. It got so wet with the tears I shed over your profound hardship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don't you just have your kids sit outside the gate to the playground until 8:35? The sidewalk is public space. Either that or just ignore the newsletter. The principal didn't scold you directly did she? Just plead ignorance.

Given OP's statements here, that's definitely believable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am OP... yeah, a little stressed, to say the least. I'm just wondering if I'm the only Janney parent who feels besieged in this way?

You're the only one I've heard blame the Principal for looking out for the safety of the kids and protecting the school from a lawsuit! Get a grip!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While the tickets are annoying, I have no doubt that the parents and others would abuse any and all ability to park around that school and would be there ALL day given their druthers.

It is a city. Deal with it.

PP, are you dealing with this situation? Because saying just deal with, it is the city, makes me think that you aren't but are just a smart ass.

There would be abusers who would park all day and those should be given tickets--but these Segway guys position themselves there at "drop off" and pick up times. Parents are not abusing the parking. They are there for a few minutes, to drop their kids into a PUBLIC SCHOOL.The city needs to make some accommodation with the parents. Access to PUBLIC EDUCATION IS A PRIVILEDGE. But it is like a feeding frenzy for the city ticketers. They make more$$ in one fell swoop than if they were to wait until 10:30 or so when you have the random nonparent commuter abusers who try to park and leave their cars all day. This is a very specific attack against parents as we have no choice but to drop our kids off early and draw the ire of the principal or park walk in and get a ticket. It is an OUTRAGE and I have really had it!!!!!! $$50 every time!!! In this economy!!!!!

And let me add that the Principal warned parents about these practices repeatedly (I've heard it several times, from open houses to special events). She doesn't run the DC government or police dept! To title this ridiculous rant as the Janney Principal scolding parents is ludicrous!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you taken your concern directly to the principal?

No I haven't--by the scolding tone of these newsletter warnings about coming "early" I wouldn't think she'd be very receptive. They are very punitive in this school even if your little pre-kr is late because of emotional melt down and poop attack while there older sib is now late too because of it you are just TARDY no excuses tolerated. And pretty soon they're dragging you in for a conference if your child is sick and you call it in but fail get an OK from the principal. Parents do not have the autonomy to call their child in sick ANYMORE. I find that INCREDIBLY intrusive. I really would like to get a sense here if others are finding the tone to be heavy handed.

I suggest maybe OP take this to a therapist. The Prinicpal isn't a Psychiatrist or the Chief of Police. Geez.

[Anonymous]

^^Janney Morning care is $440 per/child per "semester" or 3 months period. I don't think it should be free. But I think it should cost a lot less than that. That is very $$$ when you calculate holidays and weekends in (barely 30 days of school). But yeah, your right, having more than one child, I should have to just suck up the $840. That's reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you abuse of exclamation points and bolding of type, while I work, is the real sin here.

Please, ratchet down the hysteria.

You have to watch yer kids. Geez.

No one is saying it is easy or convenient or fair.

But that is YOUR job.

YOURS.

Notice my lack of bolding there. Nice, isn't it?

Are you a Janney Parent? Are you? Because the attack I'm feeling is a palpable thing that you have to have experienced at the school to judge what I'm saying. But thank you for your sentiment. In theory, you are correct. I am responsible. But at school on a school day, all I am asking for is a consensus on an accommadation--are there enough parents who need to drop off a little early--say 15 minutes early to warrant a little extra duff movement from the "security guards"? If so, can we not get that? If 25-30 kids on enclosed playground for 15 more minutes in the AM is too much too ask, then the SCHOOL-JANNEY is being unreasonable.

You really need some help -- a type that you aren't going to find on an anonymous message board. Goodness. Parenting can be hard - yup - we agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you taken your concern directly to the principal?

No I haven't--by the scolding tone of these newsletter warnings about coming "early" I wouldn't think she'd be very receptive. They are very punitive in this school even if your little pre-kr is late because of emotional melt down and poop attack while there older sib is now late too because of it you are just TARDY no excuses tolerated. And pretty soon they're dragging you in for a conference if your child is sick and you call it in but fail get an OK from the principal. Parents do not have the autonomy to call their child in sick ANYMORE. I find that INCREDIBLY intrusive. I really would like to get a sense here if others are finding the tone to be heavy handed.

I suggest maybe OP take this to a therapist. The Prinicpal isn't a Psychiatrist or the Chief of Police. Geez.

Why? Why should it be taken to a psychiatrist? Why the police? What are you even talking about? You are just a piling on asshole sadistically getting off on anonymous attack. I don't care about you--you probably have no stake in any of this but are just a jerk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you taken your concern directly to the principal?

No I haven't--by the scolding tone of these newsletter warnings about coming "early" I wouldn't think she'd be very receptive. They are very punitive in this school even if your little pre-kr is late because of emotional melt down and poop attack while there older sib is now late too because of it you are just TARDY no excuses tolerated. And pretty soon they're dragging you in for a conference if your child is sick and you call it in but fail get an OK from the principal. Parents do not have the autonomy to call their child in sick ANYMORE. I find that INCREDIBLY intrusive. I really would like to get a sense here if others are finding the tone to be heavy handed.

I suggest maybe OP take this to a therapist. The Prinicpal isn't a Psychiatrist or the Chief of Police. Geez.

Why? Why should it be taken to a psychiatrist? Why the police? What are you even talking about? You are just a piling on asshole sadistically getting off on anonymous attack. I don't care about you--you probably have no stake in any of this but are just a jerk.

OK - now I KNOW this HAS to be a troll! LOL!!

[Anonymous]

OMG, who said recently this forum had gotten boring? This is the most entertaining thread in a long time. I actually giggled out loud. And that was before the picture!

Keep it going! Please!

(FWIW, no dog in this fight, but I kinda wish parking would take a pass for the 10-15 minutes around drop off and pick up times. Not at Janney, but at another, more urban school, and if I park illegally (the spot on the end of the block outside the parking zone but still not in the crosswalk) on mornings we're running late, I can be in and out in less than 5 minutes and on my way. I kinda wish parking would give parents a small break, but in other neighborhoods - and it sounds like Janney is one, where there is plenty of parking a block away, seems like parents need to suck it up and park legally!). OP might need a rant to just de-stress, but jeez, i hope she steps back at some point, laughs a little, and then figures out a way to come down off her high.

Wait, the third kid is older than 10/11? Can you find alternate ways for that kid to get to school? Are there carpools? Public transport? I know people with 4 kids who handle this better than OP. Maybe you jsut need a better way to handle this 1-2 days a week, just enough to give you a break. Because expecting the 1 school (and not the other) to solve it for you is really not garnering you (ANY) sympathy. Enve if your attempt was just to rant, I'm sorry but even though you are hilarious I think you're not self aware enough to realize just how freaking hilarious you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The JED form that I saw said before care begins at 7:45 and cost $85/month. So, for 3 months I come up with $610 ($85 x 6). You can drop at 7:45 and stop racing around, start your day earlier.

You have been given several other reasonable options in this thread. Personally, I might look for a neighbor who would walk them to school for ~$100 a month. I have the impression there are a lot of SAHMs in Janney area (could be wrong) and someone might be interested. Perhaps advertise in the weekly school newsletter? Or on the list serve?

Good luck.

Drop your daily Starbucks and pack coffee in a thermos, and you will have your monthly fee for one kid.

From your posts it sounds like you would be the parent to sue if your unsupervised child was injured or worse, as a result of being on the playground before school. Poor principal.