please, please DCPS stand strong and don't close!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The roads are fine. I just got to work. I live and work in the city. I don't understand why everyone is so anxious to close. I for one would prefer that my children's summer plans begin on time. DC only builds two days into the schedule.

Good for you, now I hope you realize most teachers who work for DCPS do not live in DC. Several of then have kids that will be home today so they will use their leave and students would just spend time in the gym or in a classroom with an adult. There would be no lesson. It is better to just close.

Sorry but this is a lame reason to close schools

You must be one of those people who think that school is daycare. So as lame as you may feel it is to close school today, it's more lame to have students come to school and not have teachers there to teach them. Warehousing kids is really lame.

When the teachers took the job, they were aware of where it was, so unless metro shuts down etc, they should be expected in. If the commute is so awful, they could aim to teach in the same school district their kids attend. I think it is a shame when teachers, police officers, and firefighters can't afford to live in their own district, btw

It's not the commute, it's the fact that because they can't afford to live in DC, there own children go to neighboring districts, who are closed. DC is fortunate to have more public transportation options than suburban counties. My DS teacher text this morning to say she will not be in. DC residents don't want teachers children to be able to attend DCPS schools, but also want teachers to be available to them. It is pretty sad. Last year a highly effective teacher left our title 1 school for this very reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Metro Bus tweeted 13 times that DCPS was closed today! I guess they thought it was logical that DCPS was closed today today too!

And the thing that irritates me is that our bus, if it runs today, will be empty of all the kids from the ghetto. So keeping the schools open in a misguided attempt to serve the poor is simply wrong since at least in our neighborhood they mostly do not go to school on days like today. There are plenty of other social safety nets which I am supportive of and DCPS does not need to keep schools open on a day like today.

Your point is what??? What I stated is a fact since I have seen this effect anytime there is any sort of bad weather.

PP point was not very nicely put; however, at my school they are correct at the middle/high school level.
Most needy children do not go to school because they don't wan/can't leave the house, perhaps they don't have the appropriate clothes or they just don't want to and use any excuse not to go to school. They're certainly not going to get on a bus and come just for the free breakfast and lunch. The only students that showed up on delay days were the SpEd students and the ESL students, the school would be practically empty.

NP - and I echo what the PP posted - my bus route goes through several housing projects that are full of kids, and whenever the weather is even the slightest bit bad, there's a steep dropoff in the number of kids showing up. When they do show up, I see a lot of them (at least the older ones) are wearing North Face and Helly Hansen jackets, so it's not as though that many of them don't have any choice in clothing either.

[Anonymous]

I drove around upper NW (AU Park) and the main roads are just wet and the one that rarely get traveled on (like my street) are melting slush.
GOOD CALL DCPS! way to not listen to the alarmist crazies!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The roads are fine. I just got to work. I live and work in the city. I don't understand why everyone is so anxious to close. I for one would prefer that my children's summer plans begin on time. DC only builds two days into the schedule.

Good for you, now I hope you realize most teachers who work for DCPS do not live in DC. Several of then have kids that will be home today so they will use their leave and students would just spend time in the gym or in a classroom with an adult. There would be no lesson. It is better to just close.

How about citing a source for that statement? Pulling your thoughts and observations out of your butt really isn't the most intelligent way to make your point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It's not the commute, it's the fact that because they can't afford to live in DC, there own children go to neighboring districts, who are closed. DC is fortunate to have more public transportation options than suburban counties. My DS teacher text this morning to say she will not be in. DC residents don't want teachers children to be able to attend DCPS schools, but also want teachers to be available to them. It is pretty sad. Last year a highly effective teacher left our title 1 school for this very reason.

What stops them from seeking work in their own 'home' schools? I doubt they work in DC because of how fantastic the school environment is. They are working here because it pays a bit more, and need to accept that the closings, spring breaks, etc may not align with PG or Arlington Schools. I wonder if MoCo teachers complain about school opening in MoCo because they live in Frederick and schools there are closed

If I took an office job at Biglaw in Downtown DC, I'd expect very little accommodation when Loudon County has a slew of snow days, while DC is open for business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's not the commute, it's the fact that because they can't afford to live in DC, there own children go to neighboring districts, who are closed. DC is fortunate to have more public transportation options than suburban counties. My DS teacher text this morning to say she will not be in. DC residents don't want teachers children to be able to attend DCPS schools, but also want teachers to be available to them. It is pretty sad. Last year a highly effective teacher left our title 1 school for this very reason.

What stops them from seeking work in their own 'home' schools? I doubt they work in DC because of how fantastic the school environment is. They are working here because it pays a bit more, and need to accept that the closings, spring breaks, etc may not align with PG or Arlington Schools. I wonder if MoCo teachers complain about school opening in MoCo because they live in Frederick and schools there are closed

If I took an office job at Biglaw in Downtown DC, I'd expect very little accommodation when Loudon County has a slew of snow days, while DC is open for business.

#BAM #GREATPOINT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Metro Bus tweeted 13 times that DCPS was closed today! I guess they thought it was logical that DCPS was closed today today too!

And the thing that irritates me is that our bus, if it runs today, will be empty of all the kids from the ghetto. So keeping the schools open in a misguided attempt to serve the poor is simply wrong since at least in our neighborhood they mostly do not go to school on days like today. There are plenty of other social safety nets which I am supportive of and DCPS does not need to keep schools open on a day like today.

Your point is what??? What I stated is a fact since I have seen this effect anytime there is any sort of bad weather.

PP point was not very nicely put; however, at my school they are correct at the middle/high school level.
Most needy children do not go to school because they don't wan/can't leave the house, perhaps they don't have the appropriate clothes or they just don't want to and use any excuse not to go to school. They're certainly not going to get on a bus and come just for the free breakfast and lunch. The only students that showed up on delay days were the SpEd students and the ESL students, the school would be practically empty.

NP - and I echo what the PP posted - my bus route goes through several housing projects that are full of kids, and whenever the weather is even the slightest bit bad, there's a steep dropoff in the number of kids showing up. When they do show up, I see a lot of them (at least the older ones) are wearing North Face and Helly Hansen jackets, so it's not as though that many of them don't have any choice in clothing either.

PP--you too are as dim as the first poster who seemed to think that it is okay to draw conclusions from what is seen in your 10 block radius. You and the other PP seem to believe that you know that the kids you see on the BUS don't need food when school is closed because--for example- they are wearing North Face (seriously, you've never heard of knock offs? If so, just ride down to the end of Benning Rd. or take a trip to NYC ). There are many reasons why you may not see these kids going to school on days like today. Don't make assumptions like this. Because you really don't know.

[Anonymous]

The fact is that Bowser deservedly got her butt kicked a few weeks ago when she was brand new in the job, schools stayed open and DC completely fell down on clearing the roads. (It even spawned a new phrase : DC got "Bowsered.") Now she is over-reacting and playing it uber-cautious over a small amount of snow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The roads are fine. I just got to work. I live and work in the city. I don't understand why everyone is so anxious to close. I for one would prefer that my children's summer plans begin on time. DC only builds two days into the schedule.

Good for you, now I hope you realize most teachers who work for DCPS do not live in DC. Several of then have kids that will be home today so they will use their leave and students would just spend time in the gym or in a classroom with an adult. There would be no lesson. It is better to just close.

The Feds were two-hours delayed too. People all over our metro area live one place and work another. Not understanding why so much extra credence needs to be given to one select group of professionals--teachers. Come on! They are employees and parents and commuters just like the rest of us expected to make adult decisions about their schedules, their leave, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's not the commute, it's the fact that because they can't afford to live in DC, there own children go to neighboring districts, who are closed. DC is fortunate to have more public transportation options than suburban counties. My DS teacher text this morning to say she will not be in. DC residents don't want teachers children to be able to attend DCPS schools, but also want teachers to be available to them. It is pretty sad. Last year a highly effective teacher left our title 1 school for this very reason.

What stops them from seeking work in their own 'home' schools? I doubt they work in DC because of how fantastic the school environment is. They are working here because it pays a bit more, and need to accept that the closings, spring breaks, etc may not align with PG or Arlington Schools. I wonder if MoCo teachers complain about school opening in MoCo because they live in Frederick and schools there are closed

If I took an office job at Biglaw in Downtown DC, I'd expect very little accommodation when Loudon County has a slew of snow days, while DC is open for business.

#BAM #GREATPOINT

No, you would probably work from home! Last I checked teachers don't have that option. So, teachers use their leave and take off to stay home with their own kids. When a lot of teachers are not in school kids are moved to the gym and learning does not take place so what's the point??? Unless you just want your kid on school for free daycare...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's not the commute, it's the fact that because they can't afford to live in DC, there own children go to neighboring districts, who are closed. DC is fortunate to have more public transportation options than suburban counties. My DS teacher text this morning to say she will not be in. DC residents don't want teachers children to be able to attend DCPS schools, but also want teachers to be available to them. It is pretty sad. Last year a highly effective teacher left our title 1 school for this very reason.

What stops them from seeking work in their own 'home' schools? I doubt they work in DC because of how fantastic the school environment is. They are working here because it pays a bit more, and need to accept that the closings, spring breaks, etc may not align with PG or Arlington Schools. I wonder if MoCo teachers complain about school opening in MoCo because they live in Frederick and schools there are closed

If I took an office job at Biglaw in Downtown DC, I'd expect very little accommodation when Loudon County has a slew of snow days, while DC is open for business.

#BAM #GREATPOINT

No, you would probably work from home! Last I checked teachers don't have that option. So, teachers use their leave and take off to stay home with their own kids. When a lot of teachers are not in school kids are moved to the gym and learning does not take place so what's the point??? Unless you just want your kid on school for free daycare...

I guess I could just set up for that deposition by telekinesis or via a recorded line.... my kids no longer need a babysitter, thankfully, but I guess I don't see why teachers are any more special than any other parent who has to juggle bad roads and school delays

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's not the commute, it's the fact that because they can't afford to live in DC, there own children go to neighboring districts, who are closed. DC is fortunate to have more public transportation options than suburban counties. My DS teacher text this morning to say she will not be in. DC residents don't want teachers children to be able to attend DCPS schools, but also want teachers to be available to them. It is pretty sad. Last year a highly effective teacher left our title 1 school for this very reason.

What stops them from seeking work in their own 'home' schools? I doubt they work in DC because of how fantastic the school environment is. They are working here because it pays a bit more, and need to accept that the closings, spring breaks, etc may not align with PG or Arlington Schools. I wonder if MoCo teachers complain about school opening in MoCo because they live in Frederick and schools there are closed

If I took an office job at Biglaw in Downtown DC, I'd expect very little accommodation when Loudon County has a slew of snow days, while DC is open for business.

#BAM #GREATPOINT

No, you would probably work from home! Last I checked teachers don't have that option. So, teachers use their leave and take off to stay home with their own kids. When a lot of teachers are not in school kids are moved to the gym and learning does not take place so what's the point??? Unless you just want your kid on school for free daycare...

That is so crazy to me. I have a job outside the beltway. I figure out a way to get my kid to school or backup plans when my job (which never closes) is open for business.

[Anonymous]

10:59 you should be ashamed of yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's not the commute, it's the fact that because they can't afford to live in DC, there own children go to neighboring districts, who are closed. DC is fortunate to have more public transportation options than suburban counties. My DS teacher text this morning to say she will not be in. DC residents don't want teachers children to be able to attend DCPS schools, but also want teachers to be available to them. It is pretty sad. Last year a highly effective teacher left our title 1 school for this very reason.

What stops them from seeking work in their own 'home' schools? I doubt they work in DC because of how fantastic the school environment is. They are working here because it pays a bit more, and need to accept that the closings, spring breaks, etc may not align with PG or Arlington Schools. I wonder if MoCo teachers complain about school opening in MoCo because they live in Frederick and schools there are closed

If I took an office job at Biglaw in Downtown DC, I'd expect very little accommodation when Loudon County has a slew of snow days, while DC is open for business.

Believe it or not, some teachers actually want to work with inner city kids and try to make a difference in those kids lives. DCPS within the last 5-8 years became the highest paid district in the area and even before that you had great teachers commuting to deal with the foolishness and dysfunction of adults to help those kids. As for the pay, while it is higher, it is well earned. It's no secret that DCPS teachers still deal with a lot of issues that most districts do not. Many teachers at title 1 schools pay hundreds of dollars for things, out of pocket, for the children in their class. Not every school has strong PTA's to provide supplies. While it comes with the decision to work at those schools, I think we should applaud those teachers for doing something that many others wouldn't want to/ be able to do instead of suggesting they just go to there own district. I agree with the poster above who said many DCPS teachers feel unappreciated. Comments like this prove why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just walked about two blocks. It is SLICK out there on the sidewalks and the roads. The cars may be moving okay, but I fell on the sidewalk stepping into the street.

I fell too, in front of my daughter school.