Call to discuss the state of Hardy 05/15/23

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This controversy will set Hardy back a decade. Sad.

PJ set Hardy back a decade. This "controversy" will reverse the backslide.

You guys are ridiculous. In one year PJ set the school back a decade? This is the kind of ludicrous unsubstantiated hysteria that got 400 parents whipped into a frenzy to sign a letter slim on facts. It’s also the kind of statement that makes you sound racist as hell given how over the top it is.

In the more than 5 years I’ve known Hardy, it has never been some kind of perfect gem! All the things happening at Hardy now happened under Cooke and Pride and the others before them. Then we had Covid, and budget cuts, and mental health crisis affecting kids, families, and teachers. Nothing is the same from before.

Cooke was better at PR. He answered his damn emails—but man he paid a lot of lip service to a bunch of things that NEVER changed under him. Nice guy but some really crappy teachers served under his watch. We had no clubs for years with Cooke and the sports were nonexistent? Where any you actually here under Cooke’s first few years? And then there’s that other difference between Cooke and PJ…wait what was it again??? Hmmm. Never mind.

It’s funny because you loved him so and yet you have at least a few of his coworkers here telling you all repeatedly that YOU ALL contributed to his departure with your nonsense but you’re just covering your ears. “ Lalalala” I can’t hear you! It could never have been ME!! I’m not the problem.

DP: My DS has hated his experience at Hardy this year -- abhors the constant misbehavior and lack of any effective discipline. If he had hated school this much under Cooke, I would have been complaining then too. I'm not accepting that he -- nor my younger DS -- should have to just be miserable because you think it was bad in the past too. I'm sorry change is tough for you, even if it may turn out positive for everyone.

I still fail to see how any of this makes things better for Hardy in the short and long term. Starting a search for a new leader and probably a good amount of teachers a month or two behind everyone else. Whoever is principal next year will be just as new and inexperienced, and I can promise you that there is nothing DCPS central is going to do to impact student misbehavior

Things were not getting better over the course of this year; they were getting worse. Now they have a decent chance of getting better. No one is under illusions that Hardy is suddenly idyllic, but there's space for optimism now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This controversy will set Hardy back a decade. Sad.

PJ set Hardy back a decade. This "controversy" will reverse the backslide.

You guys are ridiculous. In one year PJ set the school back a decade? This is the kind of ludicrous unsubstantiated hysteria that got 400 parents whipped into a frenzy to sign a letter slim on facts. It’s also the kind of statement that makes you sound racist as hell given how over the top it is.

In the more than 5 years I’ve known Hardy, it has never been some kind of perfect gem! All the things happening at Hardy now happened under Cooke and Pride and the others before them. Then we had Covid, and budget cuts, and mental health crisis affecting kids, families, and teachers. Nothing is the same from before.

Cooke was better at PR. He answered his damn emails—but man he paid a lot of lip service to a bunch of things that NEVER changed under him. Nice guy but some really crappy teachers served under his watch. We had no clubs for years with Cooke and the sports were nonexistent? Where any you actually here under Cooke’s first few years? And then there’s that other difference between Cooke and PJ…wait what was it again??? Hmmm. Never mind.

It’s funny because you loved him so and yet you have at least a few of his coworkers here telling you all repeatedly that YOU ALL contributed to his departure with your nonsense but you’re just covering your ears. “ Lalalala” I can’t hear you! It could never have been ME!! I’m not the problem.

DP: My DS has hated his experience at Hardy this year -- abhors the constant misbehavior and lack of any effective discipline. If he had hated school this much under Cooke, I would have been complaining then too. I'm not accepting that he -- nor my younger DS -- should have to just be miserable because you think it was bad in the past too. I'm sorry change is tough for you, even if it may turn out positive for everyone.

Likewise. When I told my DS about PJ’s firing, he expressed hope that something would finally be done about the out of control kids wandering the hallways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This controversy will set Hardy back a decade. Sad.

PJ set Hardy back a decade. This "controversy" will reverse the backslide.

You guys are ridiculous. In one year PJ set the school back a decade? This is the kind of ludicrous unsubstantiated hysteria that got 400 parents whipped into a frenzy to sign a letter slim on facts. It’s also the kind of statement that makes you sound racist as hell given how over the top it is.

In the more than 5 years I’ve known Hardy, it has never been some kind of perfect gem! All the things happening at Hardy now happened under Cooke and Pride and the others before them. Then we had Covid, and budget cuts, and mental health crisis affecting kids, families, and teachers. Nothing is the same from before.

Cooke was better at PR. He answered his damn emails—but man he paid a lot of lip service to a bunch of things that NEVER changed under him. Nice guy but some really crappy teachers served under his watch. We had no clubs for years with Cooke and the sports were nonexistent? Where any you actually here under Cooke’s first few years? And then there’s that other difference between Cooke and PJ…wait what was it again??? Hmmm. Never mind.

It’s funny because you loved him so and yet you have at least a few of his coworkers here telling you all repeatedly that YOU ALL contributed to his departure with your nonsense but you’re just covering your ears. “ Lalalala” I can’t hear you! It could never have been ME!! I’m not the problem.

There you go again with the crazed accusations of racism. I stopped reading at that point as I suspect did everybody else who has any interest in reasoned discourse. Any administrator or teacher worth their salt values parents who are invested in their children’s education and the schools that provide it. Those who abhor parental involvement and accountability for performance generally have the most to lose from it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard from reliable sources that there is more information that both teachers AND parents are not privy to that played into this decision. I personally do not know what this info is, but it’s clear there is more to this story than just a petition. I wouldn’t jump on here and make claims one way or another without being able to say you 100% know all the facts. [b]The truth is, no one in this board knows 100% of it.

And yet you jumped on the board and did exactly that. Info that teachers and parents don’t know yet somehow was mentioned to you but you don’t know what it is…

I guess when all else fails, use random gossip, innuendo, and totally unsubstantiated rumors. As if the accusations against PJ weren’t already vague enough…Fights! Schedules! Lies! Other secrets things secret people told me must have happened!! Trust us it was bad! Even if you didn’t realize it was bad. It was.

Oh honey boo boo did I make you mad? I don’t have a dog in this race. I’m not a Hardy parent and I’m not an arrogant @$$ who thinks I have all the answers. Just here to remind you: you’re not God, you don’t have the answers, and you’re not always “right.” I won’t be responding to you further or checking this thread with all this unhinged behavior but best of luck to you!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This controversy will set Hardy back a decade. Sad.

PJ set Hardy back a decade. This "controversy" will reverse the backslide.

You guys are ridiculous. In one year PJ set the school back a decade? This is the kind of ludicrous unsubstantiated hysteria that got 400 parents whipped into a frenzy to sign a letter slim on facts. It’s also the kind of statement that makes you sound racist as hell given how over the top it is.

In the more than 5 years I’ve known Hardy, it has never been some kind of perfect gem! All the things happening at Hardy now happened under Cooke and Pride and the others before them. Then we had Covid, and budget cuts, and mental health crisis affecting kids, families, and teachers. Nothing is the same from before.

Cooke was better at PR. He answered his damn emails—but man he paid a lot of lip service to a bunch of things that NEVER changed under him. Nice guy but some really crappy teachers served under his watch. We had no clubs for years with Cooke and the sports were nonexistent? Where any you actually here under Cooke’s first few years? And then there’s that other difference between Cooke and PJ…wait what was it again??? Hmmm. Never mind.

It’s funny because you loved him so and yet you have at least a few of his coworkers here telling you all repeatedly that YOU ALL contributed to his departure with your nonsense but you’re just covering your ears. “ Lalalala” I can’t hear you! It could never have been ME!! I’m not the problem.

There you go again with the crazed accusations of racism. I stopped reading at that point as I suspect did everybody else who has any interest in reasoned discourse. Any administrator or teacher worth their salt values parents who are invested in their children’s education and the schools that provide it. Those who abhor parental involvement and accountability for performance generally have the most to lose from it.

I really wish you would stop pretending that this is about teachers hating parental involvement. I have great relationships with most of my families, they know that they can bring up concerns with me, and I still support many of them as they matriculate to HS.

What you are doing is overstepping the role of the parent, and that is what I think is the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not a Hardy parent but good for these parents for getting organized and leading an effective outcome.
This puts DCPS on notice that they better do right by Hardy.
[b]Maybe someone could encourage the Hardy parent organizers to help other parent communities at other schools to organize as well to pressure DCPS to improve learning conditions.
DCPS needs accountability as they get away with way too much crap

This would be viewed as "condescending" and "evidence of privilege". There is no winning. If you don't try and help you are a racist. If you try and help you are a racist. The only acceptable response is to self flagellate early and often and hope to be labeled and ally.

-signed
Someone who used to try and support these causes but has had enough

Everyone get out your tiniest violins for the poor white victims in our society

Are you really trying to convince us you’ve tried to help the schools of other Wards? Because no one believes you.

Y’all are crazy defensive. You think it’s “performative” to consider your role in perpetuating inequality and racism. you’ve got no intention of helping others whatsoever. You benefit from this system. You’re like—I got mine!! My kids are “suffering” at this TERRIBLE school and we just HAPPEN to have time and resources to do something about it!! Geez I wonder WHY you have the time and resources to do anything about it?? Nothing to do with race there, huh??

No one’s is saying you should stop advocating but the the repeated screams of THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE! are just dumb.

PJ might have needed to go but I have no doubt that had he been a young WHITE first year principal it would have been handled differently.

I still do not understand what you want. You clearly have a problem with a lot of things. But I'm not sure how you think this whole chain of events should have been handled.

I think you want a bunch of people to say, "You got me; I'm a total racist," because that would confirm you world view. But what that has to do with solving problems for Hardy is beyond me.

They don't want to solve problems. They want performance grief. They want to call people racist. They don't care about the quality of education for black kids as long as they get to call people names and get back at the man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This controversy will set Hardy back a decade. Sad.

What? You think the UMC families that predominate Hardy are going to go somewhere else? To protest...an active PTA? Demands for competent principals? The only people who are upset by this are race baiters who don't send their kids to Hardy and like to agitate to stir up crap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not a Hardy parent but good for these parents for getting organized and leading an effective outcome.
This puts DCPS on notice that they better do right by Hardy.
Maybe someone could encourage the Hardy parent organizers to help other parent communities at other schools to organize as well to pressure DCPS to improve learning conditions.
DCPS needs accountability as they get away with way too much crap

This would be viewed as "condescending" and "evidence of privilege". There is no winning. If you don't try and help you are a racist. If you try and help you are a racist. The only acceptable response is to self flagellate early and often and hope to be labeled and ally.

-signed
Someone who used to try and support these causes but has had enough

Everyone get out your tiniest violins for the poor white victims in our society

You miss the point. We don't care about your name calling. Hardy is better for our activism. But you do you because calling people names is surely going to help improve schools where you pretend to live. Shocking that whining and name calling of white folks in W3 and W2 hasn't yet improved schools in W7 and W8. That really seemed like a winning approach on paper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not a Hardy parent but good for these parents for getting organized and leading an effective outcome.
This puts DCPS on notice that they better do right by Hardy.
Maybe someone could encourage the Hardy parent organizers to help other parent communities at other schools to organize as well to pressure DCPS to improve learning conditions.
DCPS needs accountability as they get away with way too much crap

This would be viewed as "condescending" and "evidence of privilege". There is no winning. If you don't try and help you are a racist. If you try and help you are a racist. The only acceptable response is to self flagellate early and often and hope to be labeled and ally.

-signed
Someone who used to try and support these causes but has had enough

Everyone get out your tiniest violins for the poor white victims in our society

You miss the point. We don't care about your name calling. Hardy is better for our activism. But you do you because calling people names is surely going to help improve schools where you pretend to live. Shocking that whining and name calling of white folks in W3 and W2 hasn't yet improved schools in W7 and W8. That really seemed like a winning approach on paper.

How is it better for your activism? Replacing one problem with a bigger one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This controversy will set Hardy back a decade. Sad.

PJ set Hardy back a decade. This "controversy" will reverse the backslide.

You guys are ridiculous. In one year PJ set the school back a decade? This is the kind of ludicrous unsubstantiated hysteria that got 400 parents whipped into a frenzy to sign a letter slim on facts. It’s also the kind of statement that makes you sound racist as hell given how over the top it is.

In the more than 5 years I’ve known Hardy, it has never been some kind of perfect gem! All the things happening at Hardy now happened under Cooke and Pride and the others before them. Then we had Covid, and budget cuts, and mental health crisis affecting kids, families, and teachers. Nothing is the same from before.

Cooke was better at PR. He answered his damn emails—but man he paid a lot of lip service to a bunch of things that NEVER changed under him. Nice guy but some really crappy teachers served under his watch. We had no clubs for years with Cooke and the sports were nonexistent? Where any you actually here under Cooke’s first few years? And then there’s that other difference between Cooke and PJ…wait what was it again??? Hmmm. Never mind.

It’s funny because you loved him so and yet you have at least a few of his coworkers here telling you all repeatedly that YOU ALL contributed to his departure with your nonsense but you’re just covering your ears. “ Lalalala” I can’t hear you! It could never have been ME!! I’m not the problem.

There you go again with the crazed accusations of racism. I stopped reading at that point as I suspect did everybody else who has any interest in reasoned discourse. Any administrator or teacher worth their salt values parents who are invested in their children’s education and the schools that provide it. Those who abhor parental involvement and accountability for performance generally have the most to lose from it.

I really wish you would stop pretending that this is about teachers hating parental involvement. I have great relationships with most of my families, they know that they can bring up concerns with me, and I still support many of them as they matriculate to HS.

What you are doing is overstepping the role of the parent, and that is what I think is the problem.

DP: At least a couple of the teachers on here seem to resent the whole idea of parents. I appreciate that your perspective is different and am glad you have good relationships with students and families.

But where is the line at which parents take strong action? No doubt people have different opinions on that, but a bunch of us were at our limit. Obviously the hundreds of us who signed the petition had not taken a similar action previously in our years with DCPS.

My own family was at the point of seriously talking about moving out of DC. Perhaps a teacher would have a longer perspective, but a student having a terrible 2-3 years of a 3 year experience is too much in my own view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This controversy will set Hardy back a decade. Sad.

What? You think the UMC families that predominate Hardy are going to go somewhere else? To protest...an active PTA? Demands for competent principals? The only [b]people who are upset by this are race baiters who don't send their kids to Hardy and like to agitate to stir up crap.[/b]

Not true. Send my kids to Hardy. Am upset by how this unfolded. Am not a race baiter. Not everyone is camp Hardy was a hellscape with “kids roaming the halls” and therefore the principal had to leave immediately with a month left of school.

This is part of what is upsetting. Many of you fail to even consider any alternate point of view and that’s how you proceeded. There is ton of dismissive, self righteous, condescending and flat out aggressive comments on this thread from the parents who support this. No other view points matter but yours. Even teachers who have reasonably brought up good points are attacked here and called names. Mob mentality.

It doesn’t matter now anyhow as it’s done. Let’s see how the next month of school goes. I suspect it will get worse before it gets better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This controversy will set Hardy back a decade. Sad.

PJ set Hardy back a decade. This "controversy" will reverse the backslide.

You guys are ridiculous. In one year PJ set the school back a decade? This is the kind of ludicrous unsubstantiated hysteria that got 400 parents whipped into a frenzy to sign a letter slim on facts. It’s also the kind of statement that makes you sound racist as hell given how over the top it is.

In the more than 5 years I’ve known Hardy, it has never been some kind of perfect gem! All the things happening at Hardy now happened under Cooke and Pride and the others before them. Then we had Covid, and budget cuts, and mental health crisis affecting kids, families, and teachers. Nothing is the same from before.

Cooke was better at PR. He answered his damn emails—but man he paid a lot of lip service to a bunch of things that NEVER changed under him. Nice guy but some really crappy teachers served under his watch. We had no clubs for years with Cooke and the sports were nonexistent? Where any you actually here under Cooke’s first few years? And then there’s that other difference between Cooke and PJ…wait what was it again??? Hmmm. Never mind.

It’s funny because you loved him so and yet you have at least a few of his coworkers here telling you all repeatedly that YOU ALL contributed to his departure with your nonsense but you’re just covering your ears. “ Lalalala” I can’t hear you! It could never have been ME!! I’m not the problem.

There you go again with the crazed accusations of racism. I stopped reading at that point as I suspect did everybody else who has any interest in reasoned discourse. Any administrator or teacher worth their salt values parents who are invested in their children’s education and the schools that provide it. Those who abhor parental involvement and accountability for performance generally have the most to lose from it.

Of course you will cover your ears. You don’t want to hear the truth. The truth is glaring. ERROL JOHNSON WAS TREATED MUCH DIFFERENTLY THAN COOKE BECAUSE HE IS BLACK. There it is. Let it hurt your ears and move your heart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This controversy will set Hardy back a decade. Sad.

PJ set Hardy back a decade. This "controversy" will reverse the backslide.

You guys are ridiculous. In one year PJ set the school back a decade? This is the kind of ludicrous unsubstantiated hysteria that got 400 parents whipped into a frenzy to sign a letter slim on facts. It’s also the kind of statement that makes you sound racist as hell given how over the top it is.

In the more than 5 years I’ve known Hardy, it has never been some kind of perfect gem! All the things happening at Hardy now happened under Cooke and Pride and the others before them. Then we had Covid, and budget cuts, and mental health crisis affecting kids, families, and teachers. Nothing is the same from before.

Cooke was better at PR. He answered his damn emails—but man he paid a lot of lip service to a bunch of things that NEVER changed under him. Nice guy but some really crappy teachers served under his watch. We had no clubs for years with Cooke and the sports were nonexistent? Where any you actually here under Cooke’s first few years? And then there’s that other difference between Cooke and PJ…wait what was it again??? Hmmm. Never mind.

It’s funny because you loved him so and yet you have at least a few of his coworkers here telling you all repeatedly that YOU ALL contributed to his departure with your nonsense but you’re just covering your ears. “ Lalalala” I can’t hear you! It could never have been ME!! I’m not the problem.

There you go again with the crazed accusations of racism. I stopped reading at that point as I suspect did everybody else who has any interest in reasoned discourse. Any administrator or teacher worth their salt values parents who are invested in their children’s education and the schools that provide it. Those who abhor parental involvement and accountability for performance generally have the most to lose from it.

I really wish you would stop pretending that this is about teachers hating parental involvement. I have great relationships with most of my families, they know that they can bring up concerns with me, and I still support many of them as they matriculate to HS.

What you are doing is overstepping the role of the parent, and that is what I think is the problem.

DP: At least a couple of the teachers on here seem to resent the whole idea of parents. I appreciate that your perspective is different and am glad you have good relationships with students and families.

But where is the line at which parents take strong action? No doubt people have different opinions on that, but a bunch of us were at our limit. Obviously the hundreds of us who signed the petition had not taken a similar action previously in our years with DCPS.

My own family was at the point of seriously talking about moving out of DC. Perhaps a teacher would have a longer perspective, but a student having a terrible 2-3 years of a 3 year experience is too much in my own view.

Quite frankly you should of taken your child somewhere else. Parents like you should pay tuition to get it (school) exactly how you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not a Hardy parent but good for these parents for getting organized and leading an effective outcome.
This puts DCPS on notice that they better do right by Hardy.
Maybe someone could encourage the Hardy parent organizers to help other parent communities at other schools to organize as well to pressure DCPS to improve learning conditions.
DCPS needs accountability as they get away with way too much crap

This would be viewed as "condescending" and "evidence of privilege". There is no winning. If you don't try and help you are a racist. If you try and help you are a racist. The only acceptable response is to self flagellate early and often and hope to be labeled and ally.

-signed
Someone who used to try and support these causes but has had enough

Everyone get out your tiniest violins for the poor white victims in our society

You miss the point. We don't care about your name calling. Hardy is better for our activism. But you do you because calling people names is surely going to help improve schools where you pretend to live. Shocking that whining and name calling of white folks in W3 and W2 hasn't yet improved schools in W7 and W8. That really seemed like a winning approach on paper.

This and you are pathetic. You are a racist and classist. This is America.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This controversy will set Hardy back a decade. Sad.

PJ set Hardy back a decade. This "controversy" will reverse the backslide.

You guys are ridiculous. In one year PJ set the school back a decade? This is the kind of ludicrous unsubstantiated hysteria that got 400 parents whipped into a frenzy to sign a letter slim on facts. It’s also the kind of statement that makes you sound racist as hell given how over the top it is.

In the more than 5 years I’ve known Hardy, it has never been some kind of perfect gem! All the things happening at Hardy now happened under Cooke and Pride and the others before them. Then we had Covid, and budget cuts, and mental health crisis affecting kids, families, and teachers. Nothing is the same from before.

Cooke was better at PR. He answered his damn emails—but man he paid a lot of lip service to a bunch of things that NEVER changed under him. Nice guy but some really crappy teachers served under his watch. We had no clubs for years with Cooke and the sports were nonexistent? Where any you actually here under Cooke’s first few years? And then there’s that other difference between Cooke and PJ…wait what was it again??? Hmmm. Never mind.

It’s funny because you loved him so and yet you have at least a few of his coworkers here telling you all repeatedly that YOU ALL contributed to his departure with your nonsense but you’re just covering your ears. “ Lalalala” I can’t hear you! It could never have been ME!! I’m not the problem.

There you go again with the crazed accusations of racism. I stopped reading at that point as I suspect did everybody else who has any interest in reasoned discourse. Any administrator or teacher worth their salt values parents who are invested in their children’s education and the schools that provide it. Those who abhor parental involvement and accountability for performance generally have the most to lose from it.

I really wish you would stop pretending that this is about teachers hating parental involvement. I have great relationships with most of my families, they know that they can bring up concerns with me, and I still support many of them as they matriculate to HS.

What you are doing is overstepping the role of the parent, and that is what I think is the problem.

DP: At least a couple of the teachers on here seem to resent the whole idea of parents. I appreciate that your perspective is different and am glad you have good relationships with students and families.

But where is the line at which parents take strong action? No doubt people have different opinions on that, but a bunch of us were at our limit. Obviously the hundreds of us who signed the petition had not taken a similar action previously in our years with DCPS.

My own family was at the point of seriously talking about moving out of DC. Perhaps a teacher would have a longer perspective, but a student having a terrible 2-3 years of a 3 year experience is too much in my own view.

Quite frankly you should of taken your child somewhere else. Parents like you should pay tuition to get it (school) exactly how you want.

Nope. I don't expect perfection. But when I have to drag my child to school everyday because he hates the environment, that's a problem. He, like all the rest of the kids, has the right to be there and to not feel vulnerable to someone else's misbehavior or rough-housing the whole time.

The idea that you have to put up with a miserable environment if you want to go to public school is a pathetically low standard. I expect more for my and everyone else's tax dollars.

I think what you are missing is quite how not-okay many of the kids have been this year with the lack of discipline. If you were to have my child in class, you wouldn't know how much he has hated this year. He stores up the misery until he's home.