Describe your Dream Charter

[Anonymous]

I just read through the new applications on file with the DCPCSB and none would be of interest to me. Perhaps if charter trailblazers knew what parents wanted, there would be more proposals that meet those desires, and more interests from stakeholders to make them happen. So, I know DCUM is not the end-all place for the conversation, but it's a good survey field (if even a sharp-tongued one!) to gage what parents want. I'll go first

1. French immersion (please do not mention "Haricots Verts" or anything to do with that whatsoever. For people in the dark, you can do a search on that).
2. Focus on the arts
3. DCI feeder rights (once/if it loses the dreadful tech focus)
4. Focus on athletics (I have boys)
5. Reasonable aftercare
6. Centrally located- preferably Ward 1 due to the large Francophone immigrant population around Columbia Heights.
7. Focus on the diverse Francophone world- not just Europe. I'd be interested in learning about where most Francophones live- many countries on the continent of Africa. I'd also be interested in learning about the French-speaking Caribbean and Louisiana culture.

These are not in any particular order and not exhaustive. Just a few thoughts. What are yours? Also, please don't let this degrade into a discussion of race and economics and who has a right to a charter, etc... I didn't list it, but I'd also like a school that seeks out Francophone kids to apply for all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. As for the general population, I'd like anyone with any interest for any reason to apply.

[Anonymous]

Just move! You'd be much better off!

[Anonymous]

These charter trailblazers you speak of have their own visions which they then try to implement.

Why don't you reach out to FOCUS and attend one of their workshops on how to start a school and do it yourself. I"m not being snarky -- that's literally how it happens.

[Anonymous]

Leave the experts to starting charters. Random parents who want language immersion are fighting a losing battle. The delusion that anyone can start a charter has to stop.

[Anonymous]

It is not the model or ideology, but how things are being implemented by every teacher.
While elementary schools, both public and charter, are getting better, there is a real shortage of good middle school options, where, regardless of the methodology (traditional, immersion, heavy on technology, no technology, expeditionary, experiential), actual teaching and learning is happening in the classroom.
Instruction does not need to be either totally accelerated covering a ton of material but learning nothing in depth, or doing just the opposite and spending months on one single topic. Top level instruction does not mean teaching to the top 20% of the class, and dismissing the rest by telling parents their kids are not cut to be part of this school ...

I have seen several schools in action, and personally I believe the Latin model works. It is not difficult to replace Latin studies with partial language immersion, and emphasize the arts. Bring board members who are educators (instead of lawyers, company CEO's or fundraisers) and this will be feasible.

[Anonymous]

But it sounds like lawyers et al are the ones actually doing something. Are teachers begging for board slots?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just read through the new applications on file with the DCPCSB and none would be of interest to me. Perhaps if charter trailblazers knew what parents wanted, there would be more proposals that meet those desires, and more interests from stakeholders to make them happen. So, I know DCUM is not the end-all place for the conversation, but it's a good survey field (if even a sharp-tongued one!) to gage what parents want. I'll go first

1. French immersion (please do not mention "Haricots Verts" or anything to do with that whatsoever. For people in the dark, you can do a search on that).
2. Focus on the arts
3. DCI feeder rights (once/if it loses the dreadful tech focus)
4. Focus on athletics (I have boys)
5. Reasonable aftercare
6. Centrally located- preferably Ward 1 due to the large Francophone immigrant population around Columbia Heights.
7. Focus on the diverse Francophone world- not just Europe. I'd be interested in learning about where most Francophones live- many countries on the continent of Africa. I'd also be interested in learning about the French-speaking Caribbean and Louisiana culture.

These are not in any particular order and not exhaustive. Just a few thoughts. What are yours? Also, please don't let this degrade into a discussion of race and economics and who has a right to a charter, etc... I didn't list it, but I'd also like a school that seeks out Francophone kids to apply for all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. As for the general population, I'd like anyone with any interest for any reason to apply.

The attitude you seem to have is "we can say what we want, and then someone will create the school." That's not how it works. Instead, people get together with a vision for a school and then do a TON of work to make it happen. It's not like there is someone at the PCSB who is putting together charter applications based on what people want.

The applications this year I thought were great--not for my kid, but for kids in the city who need things that are very different from what the typical DCUM reader needs for his or her children. If you want a charter focused on the DCUM-type population, then you need to do the work to set it up and get it approved.

[Anonymous]

My dream charter is a non-shitty one that is close to my home with non-psycho parents and a curriculum that isn't all gimmicks. Oh, and where I wouldn't be #8,194 on the waitlist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dream charter is a non-shitty one that is close to my home with non-psycho parents and a curriculum that isn't all gimmicks. Oh, and where I wouldn't be #8,194 on the waitlist.

The comment from 11:29 is for you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dream charter is a non-shitty one that is close to my home with non-psycho parents and a curriculum that isn't all gimmicks. Oh, and where I wouldn't be #8,194 on the waitlist.

Recruit a partner and start your own. You'll get founders preference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read through the new applications on file with the DCPCSB and none would be of interest to me. Perhaps if charter trailblazers knew what parents wanted, there would be more proposals that meet those desires, and more interests from stakeholders to make them happen. So, I know DCUM is not the end-all place for the conversation, but it's a good survey field (if even a sharp-tongued one!) to gage what parents want. I'll go first

1. French immersion (please do not mention "Haricots Verts" or anything to do with that whatsoever. For people in the dark, you can do a search on that).
2. Focus on the arts
3. DCI feeder rights (once/if it loses the dreadful tech focus)
4. Focus on athletics (I have boys)
5. Reasonable aftercare
6. Centrally located- preferably Ward 1 due to the large Francophone immigrant population around Columbia Heights.
7. Focus on the diverse Francophone world- not just Europe. I'd be interested in learning about where most Francophones live- many countries on the continent of Africa. I'd also be interested in learning about the French-speaking Caribbean and Louisiana culture.

These are not in any particular order and not exhaustive. Just a few thoughts. What are yours? Also, please don't let this degrade into a discussion of race and economics and who has a right to a charter, etc... I didn't list it, but I'd also like a school that seeks out Francophone kids to apply for all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. As for the general population, I'd like anyone with any interest for any reason to apply.

The attitude you seem to have is "we can say what we want, and then someone will create the school." That's not how it works. Instead, people get together with a vision for a school and then do a TON of work to make it happen. It's not like there is someone at the PCSB who is putting together charter applications based on what people want.

The applications this year I thought were great--not for my kid, but for kids in the city who need things that are very different from what the typical DCUM reader needs for his or her children. If you want a charter focused on the DCUM-type population, then you need to do the work to set it up and get it approved.

You seem to have the attitude that people don't have the right to state what their dream charter is lest they put for their business model to make it happen. Not every parent here is equipped with the knowledge or the time to make their dream school come true. But, at least you put your dreams out there. Maybe a charter trailblazer is out there and reading. This might be their inspiration. But, they have to know what parents want. Even still, it might be a pipe dream. No harm in stating what you want though. Also, not all parents want gimmicky immersion programs. Is there something else out there that would appeal?

[Anonymous]

12:21 is SPOT ON. Just YES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read through the new applications on file with the DCPCSB and none would be of interest to me. Perhaps if charter trailblazers knew what parents wanted, there would be more proposals that meet those desires, and more interests from stakeholders to make them happen. So, I know DCUM is not the end-all place for the conversation, but it's a good survey field (if even a sharp-tongued one!) to gage what parents want. I'll go first

1. French immersion (please do not mention "Haricots Verts" or anything to do with that whatsoever. For people in the dark, you can do a search on that).
2. Focus on the arts
3. DCI feeder rights (once/if it loses the dreadful tech focus)
4. Focus on athletics (I have boys)
5. Reasonable aftercare
6. Centrally located- preferably Ward 1 due to the large Francophone immigrant population around Columbia Heights.
7. Focus on the diverse Francophone world- not just Europe. I'd be interested in learning about where most Francophones live- many countries on the continent of Africa. I'd also be interested in learning about the French-speaking Caribbean and Louisiana culture.

These are not in any particular order and not exhaustive. Just a few thoughts. What are yours? Also, please don't let this degrade into a discussion of race and economics and who has a right to a charter, etc... I didn't list it, but I'd also like a school that seeks out Francophone kids to apply for all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. As for the general population, I'd like anyone with any interest for any reason to apply.

The attitude you seem to have is "we can say what we want, and then someone will create the school." That's not how it works. Instead, people get together with a vision for a school and then do a TON of work to make it happen. It's not like there is someone at the PCSB who is putting together charter applications based on what people want.

The applications this year I thought were great--not for my kid, but for kids in the city who need things that are very different from what the typical DCUM reader needs for his or her children. If you want a charter focused on the DCUM-type population, then you need to do the work to set it up and get it approved.

You seem to have the attitude that people don't have the right to state what their dream charter is lest they put for their business model to make it happen. Not every parent here is equipped with the knowledge or the time to make their dream school come true. But, at least you put your dreams out there. Maybe a charter trailblazer is out there and reading. This might be their inspiration. But, they have to know what parents want. Even still, it might be a pipe dream. No harm in stating what you want though. Also, not all parents want gimmicky immersion programs. Is there something else out there that would appeal?

Let me guess, OP is a Millennial. "Let me just put what I want out there and then someone will do it for me." Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dream charter is a non-shitty one that is close to my home with non-psycho parents and a curriculum that isn't all gimmicks. Oh, and where I wouldn't be #8,194 on the waitlist.

The comment from 11:29 is for you!

Ha! We ended up going private due to lack of such charter. We'd move out of the region entirely if the right opportunity presented itself, but not to the local suburbs. Not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read through the new applications on file with the DCPCSB and none would be of interest to me. Perhaps if charter trailblazers knew what parents wanted, there would be more proposals that meet those desires, and more interests from stakeholders to make them happen. So, I know DCUM is not the end-all place for the conversation, but it's a good survey field (if even a sharp-tongued one!) to gage what parents want. I'll go first

1. French immersion (please do not mention "Haricots Verts" or anything to do with that whatsoever. For people in the dark, you can do a search on that).
2. Focus on the arts
3. DCI feeder rights (once/if it loses the dreadful tech focus)
4. Focus on athletics (I have boys)
5. Reasonable aftercare
6. Centrally located- preferably Ward 1 due to the large Francophone immigrant population around Columbia Heights.
7. Focus on the diverse Francophone world- not just Europe. I'd be interested in learning about where most Francophones live- many countries on the continent of Africa. I'd also be interested in learning about the French-speaking Caribbean and Louisiana culture.

These are not in any particular order and not exhaustive. Just a few thoughts. What are yours? Also, please don't let this degrade into a discussion of race and economics and who has a right to a charter, etc... I didn't list it, but I'd also like a school that seeks out Francophone kids to apply for all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. As for the general population, I'd like anyone with any interest for any reason to apply.

The attitude you seem to have is "we can say what we want, and then someone will create the school." That's not how it works. Instead, people get together with a vision for a school and then do a TON of work to make it happen. It's not like there is someone at the PCSB who is putting together charter applications based on what people want.

The applications this year I thought were great--not for my kid, but for kids in the city who need things that are very different from what the typical DCUM reader needs for his or her children. If you want a charter focused on the DCUM-type population, then you need to do the work to set it up and get it approved.

You seem to have the attitude that people don't have the right to state what their dream charter is lest they put for their business model to make it happen. Not every parent here is equipped with the knowledge or the time to make their dream school come true. But, at least you put your dreams out there. Maybe a charter trailblazer is out there and reading. This might be their inspiration. But, they have to know what parents want. Even still, it might be a pipe dream. No harm in stating what you want though. Also, not all parents want gimmicky immersion programs. Is there something else out there that would appeal?

Let me guess, OP is a Millennial. "Let me just put what I want out there and then someone will do it for me." Got it.

How would you know? Again, you seem to be arguing that OP and others don't have the right to put their dreams out here without satisfying your requirement that they do something to make it happen. Did OP say he/she was looking for someone to wave a magic wand and deliver her a dream charter on a platter? However, if there are people out there with the means and education to start a charter and all they need is knowledge that their charter would be welcomed, the ideas here and help with that.