charter parents -- envious DCPS at least has a plan?

[Anonymous]

Sorry clicked submit too soon. At the same time, a Covid death in our community makes me want to sit back longer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB, DCI, DCB, MV, YY---None of them have any plans to open anytime soon. They're all sitting at home. Why have so-called charter schools if they're just going to follow the DCPS on all closings, from snow to Covid?

Uh nope. MV bringing some needier students back to class Nov and plan is hybrid in Nov. if everything goes as planned. They have been working on it for a while and communicating well with parents.

Plan is comprehensive, definite and actual, concrete steps have been implemented already in regards to HVAC, classroom restructuring, logistics, processes set up, etc...

Meant hybrid in Jan

so you'll be super upset on December 19 when they say it's not happening?

Do you think all the rest of these schools had the same? LAMB also had a detailed plan, new HVAC, routing in and out of the building, all kinds of prep.

You know what the difference is? MV has been polling families frequently about their DL, what their needs are, etc.. It seems like every 1-2 weeks, there’s a survey. They are now communicating biweekly to families regarding reopening updates. So if that is the case, I would bet they are in frequent communication with teachers too.

LAMB did no such thing. Just like DCPS, top down decision making with no transparency to staff or parents.

Why don’t you touch base here in Jan. If numbers stay low, very good chance of hybrid.

Interesting. Although parents I know still think it won't happen. That's because of both rising Covid cases in winter, and, because the MV teachers are in fact unionized. That's the part I'd want to hear about.

Still, I find it interesting how some schools are more parent ("customer") oriented, and some are staff oriented. I actually am jealous of MV this way BUT wonder if in the big picture, the MV issues with teaching staff behind the scenes are more serious.

Another MV parent. I've been impressed with the communication about reopening. They aren't promising hybrid in January, but they are planning as though it will be happening, which is all I can ask of them at this point. Real plans with building entry and exit maps, contingencies, plans for isolation rooms, etc. Of course we need to continue taking into account health metrics so they should not make a decision until we see case rates after the holidays. But I absolutely believe they're working towards reopening if the situation allows.

One thing I will say is that their plan states they will give all teachers 4 fabric non-medical face masks. I.E. no medical grade PPE, which seems like super weak sauce.

+1. Another MV parent. No one can promise hybrid because no one has a glass ball to predict numbers in the next few months. But MV is moving forward with implementation for possible hybrid in Jan.

Everything that they are doing is being conveyed to parents in PowerPoint format and live information sessions. Of course they are working with the staff to try to move forward with hybrid. Do you actually think they are sending all these detailed information out to the community and physically implementing the reopening plans without consulting the teachers and staff, of whom many are parents with kids at the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB, DCI, DCB, MV, YY---None of them have any plans to open anytime soon. They're all sitting at home. Why have so-called charter schools if they're just going to follow the DCPS on all closings, from snow to Covid?

Uh nope. MV bringing some needier students back to class Nov and plan is hybrid in Nov. if everything goes as planned. They have been working on it for a while and communicating well with parents.

Plan is comprehensive, definite and actual, concrete steps have been implemented already in regards to HVAC, classroom restructuring, logistics, processes set up, etc...

Meant hybrid in Jan

so you'll be super upset on December 19 when they say it's not happening?

Do you think all the rest of these schools had the same? LAMB also had a detailed plan, new HVAC, routing in and out of the building, all kinds of prep.

It's all so ass backwards. In Jan numbers across the country will no doubt look worse than they did in Sept. and outdoor options will be limited. It's such a travesty how badly this has been bumbled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB, DCI, DCB, MV, YY---None of them have any plans to open anytime soon. They're all sitting at home. Why have so-called charter schools if they're just going to follow the DCPS on all closings, from snow to Covid?

Uh nope. MV bringing some needier students back to class Nov and plan is hybrid in Nov. if everything goes as planned. They have been working on it for a while and communicating well with parents.

Plan is comprehensive, definite and actual, concrete steps have been implemented already in regards to HVAC, classroom restructuring, logistics, processes set up, etc...

Meant hybrid in Jan

so you'll be super upset on December 19 when they say it's not happening?

Do you think all the rest of these schools had the same? LAMB also had a detailed plan, new HVAC, routing in and out of the building, all kinds of prep.

You know what the difference is? MV has been polling families frequently about their DL, what their needs are, etc.. It seems like every 1-2 weeks, there’s a survey. They are now communicating biweekly to families regarding reopening updates. So if that is the case, I would bet they are in frequent communication with teachers too.

LAMB did no such thing. Just like DCPS, top down decision making with no transparency to staff or parents.

Why don’t you touch base here in Jan. If numbers stay low, very good chance of hybrid.

Interesting. Although parents I know still think it won't happen. That's because of both rising Covid cases in winter, and, because the MV teachers are in fact unionized. That's the part I'd want to hear about.

Still, I find it interesting how some schools are more parent ("customer") oriented, and some are staff oriented. I actually am jealous of MV this way BUT wonder if in the big picture, the MV issues with teaching staff behind the scenes are more serious.

Another MV parent. I've been impressed with the communication about reopening. They aren't promising hybrid in January, but they are planning as though it will be happening, which is all I can ask of them at this point. Real plans with building entry and exit maps, contingencies, plans for isolation rooms, etc. Of course we need to continue taking into account health metrics so they should not make a decision until we see case rates after the holidays. But I absolutely believe they're working towards reopening if the situation allows.

One thing I will say is that their plan states they will give all teachers 4 fabric non-medical face masks. I.E. no medical grade PPE, which seems like super weak sauce.

+1. Another MV parent. No one can promise hybrid because no one has a glass ball to predict numbers in the next few months. But MV is moving forward with implementation for possible hybrid in Jan.

Everything that they are doing is being conveyed to parents in PowerPoint format and live information sessions. Of course they are working with the staff to try to move forward with hybrid. Do you actually think they are sending all these detailed information out to the community and physically implementing the reopening plans without consulting the teachers and staff, of whom many are parents with kids at the school?

I wish we had this level of communication at LAMB. At least let’s try to move forward towards January. And let parents feel like they are both informed and involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a DCPS parent who has been long committed to staying out of charters because I think we need to invest in the public school system.

I am, for the first time, incredibly jealous of everyone in a charter. They seem to be handling DL much better than DCPS, and are able to problem solve more quickly because they don't have to run everything through Central Office. That's become so important during Covid. Also, the charters seem to have so much more control of how they allocate their budget, whereas in DCPS there are huge inequities between schools with large PTO funds and those without.

I think we may aim for a charter in the lottery in the spring. I never thought I'd say that, but we have been talking about moving within the city next year anyway and potentially moving schools as a result. I'm watching how charters and other DCPS schools are handling the crisis and taking notes. I'm extremely unhappy with how our IB has handled it.

I think you are right, but I really think this is more about the size of things. Its very hard to turn the titanic, regardless of who is running things. Size, and a lack of trust between teachers and admin are really the root problem.

PP here, and I agree. There are lots of issues in DCPS that are made more difficult by the size of the system. But I've never encountered an issue in which DCPS's inability to adapt was so catastrophic. And I think my family is actually probably better positioned than most to handle it (though I worry terribly about my youngest, who has always been such an easy going, school loving, child and is really struggling with DL). But I worry so much about many of the kids I know at our school who don't have the same resources.

For the last several months, whenever my husband and I discuss the challenges of DL or we talk to other families about how they are doing, I've had this idea in the back of my head that this is a temporary challenge that we are rising to in order to help our community. But that's shifted in the last two weeks. I now have no faith that this challenge is temporary, and instead of feeling like a part of a community working together, I feel abandoned. I understand why teachers are frustrated. I understand why it's hard. But I increasingly feel like I am on my own in all of this, and that is leading me to think much more selfishly about education than I ever have before. There is a good chance we unenroll and shift to homeschool for at least one of our children before the year is out, if we can make it work with our jobs.

I no longer believe the cavalry is coming.

THIS. But at a charter. I feel abandoned, like no one is even trying anymore. How long are we meant to sacrifice for? I too am thinking much differently. I’m a die hard public school parent and even I am thinking about private schools. I’m aware we have it better than many, but it feels awful to feel like we are all adrift and our kids don’t matter. The whole school year will be a wash.

[Anonymous]

This thread title made me laugh out loud. I bet you feel a right fool now!!!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/principals-critical-of-dc-school-systems-plan-to-reopen-elementary-schools/2020/10/28/1a81cbba-186a-11eb-befb-8864259bd2d8_story.html

Meanwhile, my kids' middle/high charter school has already successfully reopened for the priority kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB, DCI, DCB, MV, YY---None of them have any plans to open anytime soon. They're all sitting at home. Why have so-called charter schools if they're just going to follow the DCPS on all closings, from snow to Covid?

Uh nope. MV bringing some needier students back to class Nov and plan is hybrid in Nov. if everything goes as planned. They have been working on it for a while and communicating well with parents.

Plan is comprehensive, definite and actual, concrete steps have been implemented already in regards to HVAC, classroom restructuring, logistics, processes set up, etc...

Meant hybrid in Jan

so you'll be super upset on December 19 when they say it's not happening?

Do you think all the rest of these schools had the same? LAMB also had a detailed plan, new HVAC, routing in and out of the building, all kinds of prep.

You know what the difference is? MV has been polling families frequently about their DL, what their needs are, etc.. It seems like every 1-2 weeks, there’s a survey. They are now communicating biweekly to families regarding reopening updates. So if that is the case, I would bet they are in frequent communication with teachers too.

LAMB did no such thing. Just like DCPS, top down decision making with no transparency to staff or parents.

Why don’t you touch base here in Jan. If numbers stay low, very good chance of hybrid.

I don't understand what you are talking about. LAMB did a survey. It was not recently, but did you miss it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB, DCI, DCB, MV, YY---None of them have any plans to open anytime soon. They're all sitting at home. Why have so-called charter schools if they're just going to follow the DCPS on all closings, from snow to Covid?

Uh nope. MV bringing some needier students back to class Nov and plan is hybrid in Nov. if everything goes as planned. They have been working on it for a while and communicating well with parents.

Plan is comprehensive, definite and actual, concrete steps have been implemented already in regards to HVAC, classroom restructuring, logistics, processes set up, etc...

Meant hybrid in Jan

so you'll be super upset on December 19 when they say it's not happening?

Do you think all the rest of these schools had the same? LAMB also had a detailed plan, new HVAC, routing in and out of the building, all kinds of prep.

You know what the difference is? MV has been polling families frequently about their DL, what their needs are, etc.. It seems like every 1-2 weeks, there’s a survey. They are now communicating biweekly to families regarding reopening updates. So if that is the case, I would bet they are in frequent communication with teachers too.

LAMB did no such thing. Just like DCPS, top down decision making with no transparency to staff or parents.

Why don’t you touch base here in Jan. If numbers stay low, very good chance of hybrid.

I don't understand what you are talking about. LAMB did a survey. It was not recently, but did you miss it?

The one where they asked us those biased questions like, "How much do you love teachers? a) so much b) a whole lot c) way too much"?

But for real, the question of "How has DL been living up to your expectations?" is so badly worded. My expectations of DL was that it would be a disaster. And it was/is! So yes, DL lived up to my expectations! And then the administration seemed to think that meant that DL was working out great.

[Anonymous]

I’m not jealous of DCPS. It’s a mess. Our charter hasn’t announced anything yet (other than safety first) and it is fine by me. There are no good answers.

[Anonymous]

it doesnt matter if you have a plan. teachers will refuse to teach no matter what. see: lamb

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread title made me laugh out loud. I bet you feel a right fool now!!!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/principals-critical-of-dc-school-systems-plan-to-reopen-elementary-schools/2020/10/28/1a81cbba-186a-11eb-befb-8864259bd2d8_story.html

Meanwhile, my kids' middle/high charter school has already successfully reopened for the priority kids.

Same (same one maybe?) They have quietly gone about actually solving some problems and addressing those with the highest need. Cannot be grateful enough for our charter.

[Anonymous]

Yeah I originally said yes to the OP's question but watching the recent "sick out" threat of the WTU....nope! Not jealous!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread title made me laugh out loud. I bet you feel a right fool now!!!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/principals-critical-of-dc-school-systems-plan-to-reopen-elementary-schools/2020/10/28/1a81cbba-186a-11eb-befb-8864259bd2d8_story.html

Meanwhile, my kids' middle/high charter school has already successfully reopened for the priority kids.

Same (same one maybe?) They have quietly gone about actually solving some problems and addressing those with the highest need. Cannot be grateful enough for our charter.

Which one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread title made me laugh out loud. I bet you feel a right fool now!!!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/principals-critical-of-dc-school-systems-plan-to-reopen-elementary-schools/2020/10/28/1a81cbba-186a-11eb-befb-8864259bd2d8_story.html

Meanwhile, my kids' middle/high charter school has already successfully reopened for the priority kids.

Same (same one maybe?) They have quietly gone about actually solving some problems and addressing those with the highest need. Cannot be grateful enough for our charter.

Which one?

NP here, but I know Basis is one. (And PS- the kids have school all next week!)

[Anonymous]

Nope. I’d be envious if they had a safe hybrid plan, but I’m SO grateful my child won’t have their class and teacher interrupted halfway through the year.