Confused about MV

[Anonymous]

I was at a Q&A and tour this morning with about 3 dozen other families admitted off the Waitlist. Overall was well run and an impressive new section and renovation (for a total of $15 million, DCPS could learn some tricks there!), but had a couple follow up observersations I'd love to hear from current families about:

• Why did they roll out a minor administrator who didn't have a lot of answers and who qualified every answer with "I can't speak for the administration"? I'd really prefer to hear from the organization's leader since that goes a long way in DC Ed circles. She was vague on native-Spanish speakers but made it sound as though 20% of the school 40% hispano/latin background speak it at home. Does this mean 8%?

• I have a few qualms about their decision to not hire security. I arrived after drop off and was harassed by homeless dudes both coming and going right in front of the school. That's just not cool. If you had security presumably they could manage and monitor loiterers.

[Anonymous]

In terms of administration, there are three people, the executive director, the principal, and the chief operating officer. The chief operating officer doesn't do a lot with the students of the school as much as with the facilities, so you really would only be happy talking to the executive director or the principal. Unfortunately, they are extremely busy and can't be at everything. Luckily, they have people who can help. If you have other questions, I'm sure you could write an email or ask here. They are unlikely to change any policies though based on questions from people who haven't entered, so if it is just to disagree with policies (i.e., security), please don't waste their

[Anonymous]

Oops, sent too quickly...

please don't waste their time on policy questions in hopes of changing them. They are very flexible, but this wouldn't be the right time to address such issues.

My bet is that about 40% of the student body is from families who identify as latino, but only 20% are from families that only (or mostly) speak Spanish at home. The other 20 percent are mixed Spanish/English speakers. In addition to that 40% though, there is another probably 30% in which the parents are not latino, but the parents speak Spanish fluently. Raised in Latin America, former Peace Corps, etc.

I have not had problems with anyone on the block of the school, although the neighborhood is not completely gentrified, and you will definitely see evidence of that. As for the security decisions, this is probably a question more for the chief operations officer, although again, I would approach it from the perspective of finding out information as opposed to changing the policy at this point.

[Anonymous]

If you are uncomfortable with "homeless dudes" you probably need to go to a different school.

[Anonymous]

So others may Eat (SOME) is on the next block and buses the homeless in to feed them.

If having homeless dudes bother you, go to another school.

[Anonymous]

My kids will happily take your spot!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oops, sent too quickly...

please don't waste their time on policy questions in hopes of changing them. They are very flexible, but this wouldn't be the right time to address such issues.

My bet is that about 40% of the student body is from families who identify as latino, but only 20% are from families that only (or mostly) speak Spanish at home. The other 20 percent are mixed Spanish/English speakers. In addition to that 40% though, there is another probably 30% in which the parents are not latino, but the parents speak Spanish fluently. Raised in Latin America, former Peace Corps, etc.

I have not had problems with anyone on the block of the school, although the neighborhood is not completely gentrified, and you will definitely see evidence of that. As for the security decisions, this is probably a question more for the chief operations officer, although again, I would approach it from the perspective of finding out information as opposed to changing the policy at this point.

30% non latino parents that speak Spanish? That is REALLY high estimate.

[Anonymous]

My kids will happily take your spot!!!

Mine too--signed #267 on the waitlist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

My kids will happily take your spot!!!

Mine too--signed #267 on the waitlist.

Forgot to sign #390s on waitlist

[Anonymous]

I think the security question is more of a general inquiry than just basing it off of the one homeless guy.

How does the school handle visitors etc.?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the security question is more of a general inquiry than just basing it off of the one homeless guy.

How does the school handle visitors etc.?

Doors are locked throughout the day apart from 15 mins in the morning for dropoff. Any visitors need to pass through the main entrance and sign in at the reception desk. Eventually there will be fences around the perimeter of the school.

[Anonymous]

Wow, it was that many families. I was going to go today, but will go on Friday and decide if we will enroll.

How long did it last?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So others may Eat (SOME) is on the next block and buses the homeless in to feed them.

If having homeless dudes bother you, go to another school.

Thanks the the replies all. So the schools top 3 were "too busy"
to welcome new families and answer questions--and current families are okay being treated that way?


OP here and I don't live too far from MV, so no issues with homeless. Aggressive panhandling and harassment such as I experienced today , however crossed a line.

[Anonymous]

SOME on O St isn't moving, in fact, they are expanding so if the panhandling bothers you...

[Anonymous]

FYI: Other neighborhood news: A new 120+ unit luxury condo building is going up on the site of the old Brass knob building on N St and Hanover, down the street from SOME. Building will commence later this year once the construction on MV is done. Designed by the same architectural firm as MV. So traffic will not be getting better anytime soon.