Should there be separate DCUM forums for DCPS and DCPCS?

[Anonymous]

I'm curious if anyone else might find it valuable to separate the DC Public and Public Charter Schools forum? I find that so many threads just devolve into a Charter vs DCPS fight that the value of the original post often gets lost completely. Perhaps we could get more meaningful discussions if we simply separated these two conversations completely? Just a thought.

[Anonymous]

Not sure separate forms would help quell that fight.

I also think there's more stuff in common bw DC/DCPCS than separate. Think of people first coming to the lottery and sorting out what schools they should apply to, or people talking about DC bus passes or zoning etc.

[Anonymous]

So should we separate the Real Estate Forum by jurisdictions?

I'm tired of the Silver Spring-Takoma Park fights, but am ok with it being in one place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So should we separate the Real Estate Forum by jurisdictions?

I'm tired of the Silver Spring-Takoma Park fights, but am ok with it being in one place.

Actually that's a great idea. At least by MD/VA/DC... would be really helpful to stop getting area answers to DC questions! I mean, by that logic why do we have different private/independent/public school forums? Honestly, the groupings are largely arbitrary. I just think they should be made where they provide value. If *nearly every* thread is sabotaged by fighting between two factions, why wouldn't we consider separating them?

[Anonymous]

I feel like living in a place like DC, everyone just wants to retreat to their own tribal echo chamber... but that is not a positive thing.

[Anonymous]

No. Many people have kids or are looking at both DCPS and DCPCS schools. A lot of comparison are good and healthy. I think we need to just start reporting more when the fighters take over threads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like living in a place like DC, everyone just wants to retreat to their own tribal echo chamber... but that is not a positive thing.

Good point.

[Anonymous]

We should also split general parenting into breast feeders and formula feeders. Would be a lot less fights that way too.

[Anonymous]

People cross sectors all the time -- DCPS for ECE, then a charter for upper elementary or middle, back to DCPS for high school.

[Anonymous]

I think that people that "fight" over DCPS and DCPCS either have very young kids or really just don't understand the history of public and charter schools in this city.

Having lived here a long time - I just dismiss them as being young and probably moving to MD or VA after K anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So should we separate the Real Estate Forum by jurisdictions?

I'm tired of the Silver Spring-Takoma Park fights, but am ok with it being in one place.

Actually that's a great idea. At least by MD/VA/DC... would be really helpful to stop getting area answers to DC questions! I mean, by that logic why do we have different private/independent/public school forums? Honestly, the groupings are largely arbitrary. I just think they should be made where they provide value. If *nearly every* thread is sabotaged by fighting between two factions, why wouldn't we consider separating them?

its been my experience that someone will find a way to fight. separate or not.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

No - most people are looking for info on both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People cross sectors all the time -- DCPS for ECE, then a charter for upper elementary or middle, back to DCPS for high school.

Agreed. I don't think I've met anyone who wants only one system in the city. I am a supporter of our neighborhood DCPS, but I also want strong charter schools to complement them.

Being able to constructively discuss cross sector issues is very important.