Question on APE (or other APS related groups)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People are saying, "APE can't be shady, it was started by an involved parent." That's like saying, "That restaurant can't be a money laundering front, they make a great tuna melt!" That's the whole point of a front. There's the legitimate component to it (grassroots! local!), and then there's also the illegitimate component to it (dark money! ties to National Republican Senatorial Committee!), but the whole reason for its existence is the illegitimate component. Even though you can't see who is funding their lobbying because of how they chose to incorporate, you can look up who donated to the founder's political campaign. You can look up who the spouses of the executive board have worked for. Make up your own mind then, oh critical thinker.

Look at who their spouses work for? You think none of them have enough free will to come up with their own views and instead are guided by their spouse’s employers?

As for one of the founders’ political campaign contributions, I see lots of people from all over the political spectrum, including many democrats. You are focused only on the school reopening issue in that election, and forget that for a lot of people, it was also a referendum on how ACDC decides on its school board endorsements and the extent to which it favors insiders. That’s an issue that resonates with a lot of Arlington Democrats who feel the party leadership is out of touch with average Democrats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are saying, "APE can't be shady, it was started by an involved parent." That's like saying, "That restaurant can't be a money laundering front, they make a great tuna melt!" That's the whole point of a front. There's the legitimate component to it (grassroots! local!), and then there's also the illegitimate component to it (dark money! ties to National Republican Senatorial Committee!), but the whole reason for its existence is the illegitimate component. Even though you can't see who is funding their lobbying because of how they chose to incorporate, you can look up who donated to the founder's political campaign. You can look up who the spouses of the executive board have worked for. Make up your own mind then, oh critical thinker.

Look at who their spouses work for? You think none of them have enough free will to come up with their own views and instead are guided by their spouse’s employers?

As for one of the founders’ political campaign contributions, I see lots of people from all over the political spectrum, including many democrats. You are focused only on the school reopening issue in that election, and forget that for a lot of people, it was also a referendum on how ACDC decides on its school board endorsements and the extent to which it favors insiders. That’s an issue that resonates with a lot of Arlington Democrats who feel the party leadership is out of touch with average Democrats.

EXACTLY. Those of you looking for conspiracy theories and dark money should scratch your investigative itch by looking up Christina Diaz-Torres's new employer- Leadership for Educational Equity. I can't believe that nobody is calling her out on that obvious conflict of interest. But sure, go stalk the spouses of APS parent volunteers instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are saying, "APE can't be shady, it was started by an involved parent." That's like saying, "That restaurant can't be a money laundering front, they make a great tuna melt!" That's the whole point of a front. There's the legitimate component to it (grassroots! local!), and then there's also the illegitimate component to it (dark money! ties to National Republican Senatorial Committee!), but the whole reason for its existence is the illegitimate component. Even though you can't see who is funding their lobbying because of how they chose to incorporate, you can look up who donated to the founder's political campaign. You can look up who the spouses of the executive board have worked for. Make up your own mind then, oh critical thinker.

Look at who their spouses work for? You think none of them have enough free will to come up with their own views and instead are guided by their spouse’s employers?

As for one of the founders’ political campaign contributions, I see lots of people from all over the political spectrum, including many democrats. You are focused only on the school reopening issue in that election, and forget that for a lot of people, it was also a referendum on how ACDC decides on its school board endorsements and the extent to which it favors insiders. That’s an issue that resonates with a lot of Arlington Democrats who feel the party leadership is out of touch with average Democrats.

EXACTLY. Those of you looking for conspiracy theories and dark money should scratch your investigative itch by looking up Christina Diaz-Torres's new employer- Leadership for Educational Equity. I can't believe that nobody is calling her out on that obvious conflict of interest. But sure, go stalk the spouses of APS parent volunteers instead.

Yep. A school board member works for a charter school company that funneled thousands into her campaign. It’s all good though because she’s a Dem. 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are saying, "APE can't be shady, it was started by an involved parent." That's like saying, "That restaurant can't be a money laundering front, they make a great tuna melt!" That's the whole point of a front. There's the legitimate component to it (grassroots! local!), and then there's also the illegitimate component to it (dark money! ties to National Republican Senatorial Committee!), but the whole reason for its existence is the illegitimate component. Even though you can't see who is funding their lobbying because of how they chose to incorporate, you can look up who donated to the founder's political campaign. You can look up who the spouses of the executive board have worked for. Make up your own mind then, oh critical thinker.

Look at who their spouses work for? You think none of them have enough free will to come up with their own views and instead are guided by their spouse’s employers?

As for one of the founders’ political campaign contributions, I see lots of people from all over the political spectrum, including many democrats. You are focused only on the school reopening issue in that election, and forget that for a lot of people, it was also a referendum on how ACDC decides on its school board endorsements and the extent to which it favors insiders. That’s an issue that resonates with a lot of Arlington Democrats who feel the party leadership is out of touch with average Democrats.

EXACTLY. Those of you looking for conspiracy theories and dark money should scratch your investigative itch by looking up Christina Diaz-Torres's new employer- Leadership for Educational Equity. I can't believe that nobody is calling her out on that obvious conflict of interest. But sure, go stalk the spouses of APS parent volunteers instead.

Yep. A school board member works for a charter school company that funneled thousands into her campaign. It’s all good though because she’s a Dem. 🙄

The website doesn't indicate it's a charter school company. Where did you get that information?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are saying, "APE can't be shady, it was started by an involved parent." That's like saying, "That restaurant can't be a money laundering front, they make a great tuna melt!" That's the whole point of a front. There's the legitimate component to it (grassroots! local!), and then there's also the illegitimate component to it (dark money! ties to National Republican Senatorial Committee!), but the whole reason for its existence is the illegitimate component. Even though you can't see who is funding their lobbying because of how they chose to incorporate, you can look up who donated to the founder's political campaign. You can look up who the spouses of the executive board have worked for. Make up your own mind then, oh critical thinker.

Look at who their spouses work for? You think none of them have enough free will to come up with their own views and instead are guided by their spouse’s employers?

As for one of the founders’ political campaign contributions, I see lots of people from all over the political spectrum, including many democrats. You are focused only on the school reopening issue in that election, and forget that for a lot of people, it was also a referendum on how ACDC decides on its school board endorsements and the extent to which it favors insiders. That’s an issue that resonates with a lot of Arlington Democrats who feel the party leadership is out of touch with average Democrats.

EXACTLY. Those of you looking for conspiracy theories and dark money should scratch your investigative itch by looking up Christina Diaz-Torres's new employer- Leadership for Educational Equity. I can't believe that nobody is calling her out on that obvious conflict of interest. But sure, go stalk the spouses of APS parent volunteers instead.

Yep. A school board member works for a charter school company that funneled thousands into her campaign. It’s all good though because she’s a Dem. 🙄

The website doesn't indicate it's a charter school company. Where did you get that information?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/group-tied-to-charter-school-backers-spent-thousands-in-va-school-board-election/2018/11/24/2a11fbc0-e696-11e8-a939-9469f1166f9d_story.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you wandered into a group that sounds reasonable on its face but is not. APE has bullied teachers and parents, belittled teachers, admins, Dr. Duran. Screamed at the School Board. They have a terrible reputation in APS. Be careful about associating with them.

APE is not just a parent group. APE is a 501c4 lobbying group. Do they not disclose that to their new members? That's shady.

I am part of APE's Facebook group but am not an active member on social media or IRL. That said, having a terrible reputation with the incompetent school system they're working to reform doesn't strike me as a bad thing. Whether you agree with everything APE stands for or not, I think you have to give them credit for trying to shake things up and get attention on issues that merit attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APE is a good group. Their heart is in the right place in wanting to keep schools open and keep Duran and the School Board accountable. I know a bunch of people in the group and none are crazy or republican.

If this is true, then APE should support masks. But APE does not support masks. We know that because they refused to offer support in their embarrassing statement.

APE can't and won't ever say they support masks because they have too many members who are anti-maskers.

At least we all now know who they really are and what they really stand for.

[Anonymous]

APE sucks. All of it sucks. Be a part of the PTA. That’s what we had before the pandemic, and that’s what we should have now. It’s collaborative and includes everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APE sucks. All of it sucks. Be a part of the PTA. That’s what we had before the pandemic, and that’s what we should have now. It’s collaborative and includes everyone.

Riiiigght. They did such a great job standing up for kids and families during the pandemic. So much advocacy on evidence based reading instruction! Love all the work they've done to get our kids more days in school. Stand up job on the most important issues! PTA is for book sales, charity drives and other feel good events. They won't take a position on anything that is even remotely contentious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APE sucks. All of it sucks. Be a part of the PTA. That’s what we had before the pandemic, and that’s what we should have now. It’s collaborative and includes everyone.

Riiiigght. They did such a great job standing up for kids and families during the pandemic. So much advocacy on evidence based reading instruction! Love all the work they've done to get our kids more days in school. Stand up job on the most important issues! PTA is for book sales, charity drives and other feel good events. They won't take a position on anything that is even remotely contentious.

I went to many many PTA meetings over the years where no more than 10 parents showed up. We had to FaceTime friends in to have a quorum to vote to pass proposals like teacher grants. Most parents do not get involved when push comes to shove. They yell and scream when it’s convenient for them from behind their computer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APE is a good group. Their heart is in the right place in wanting to keep schools open and keep Duran and the School Board accountable. I know a bunch of people in the group and none are crazy or republican.

If this is true, then APE should support masks. But APE does not support masks. We know that because they refused to offer support in their embarrassing statement.

APE can't and won't ever say they support masks because they have too many members who are anti-maskers.

At least we all now know who they really are and what they really stand for.

Yup. Turner is pandering to the anti-science/anti-public health RWNJs. No backbone.

No way would I trust her in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are saying, "APE can't be shady, it was started by an involved parent." That's like saying, "That restaurant can't be a money laundering front, they make a great tuna melt!" That's the whole point of a front. There's the legitimate component to it (grassroots! local!), and then there's also the illegitimate component to it (dark money! ties to National Republican Senatorial Committee!), but the whole reason for its existence is the illegitimate component. Even though you can't see who is funding their lobbying because of how they chose to incorporate, you can look up who donated to the founder's political campaign. You can look up who the spouses of the executive board have worked for. Make up your own mind then, oh critical thinker.

Look at who their spouses work for? You think none of them have enough free will to come up with their own views and instead are guided by their spouse’s employers?

As for one of the founders’ political campaign contributions, I see lots of people from all over the political spectrum, including many democrats. You are focused only on the school reopening issue in that election, and forget that for a lot of people, it was also a referendum on how ACDC decides on its school board endorsements and the extent to which it favors insiders. That’s an issue that resonates with a lot of Arlington Democrats who feel the party leadership is out of touch with average Democrats.

EXACTLY. Those of you looking for conspiracy theories and dark money should scratch your investigative itch by looking up Christina Diaz-Torres's new employer- Leadership for Educational Equity. I can't believe that nobody is calling her out on that obvious conflict of interest. But sure, go stalk the spouses of APS parent volunteers instead.

Yep. A school board member works for a charter school company that funneled thousands into her campaign. It’s all good though because she’s a Dem. 🙄

The website doesn't indicate it's a charter school company. Where did you get that information?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/group-tied-to-charter-school-backers-spent-thousands-in-va-school-board-election/2018/11/24/2a11fbc0-e696-11e8-a939-9469f1166f9d_story.html

Tangential. It's not a hard core charter school program. Teach for America puts teachers in public schools. (not necessarily very good teachers, but in public schools)
Even if it were a more blatant thing, maybe she could bring some of the successful tactics of successful charters to APS policies and instruction. But that's really giving her too much credit and influence. SB doesn't exert that much real influence. It just poses a few questions and supports everything unless there's too much voter pushback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APE is a good group. Their heart is in the right place in wanting to keep schools open and keep Duran and the School Board accountable. I know a bunch of people in the group and none are crazy or republican.

If this is true, then APE should support masks. But APE does not support masks. We know that because they refused to offer support in their embarrassing statement.

APE can't and won't ever say they support masks because they have too many members who are anti-maskers.

At least we all now know who they really are and what they really stand for.

Finally making the proper distinction. The entire group isn't solely ardent anti-maskers. There are a number of anti-maskers. Hence, the inability to form a consensus as a group to take a position. They could take a vote and agree to adopt that position; but either outcome would alienate too many members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APE is a good group. Their heart is in the right place in wanting to keep schools open and keep Duran and the School Board accountable. I know a bunch of people in the group and none are crazy or republican.

If this is true, then APE should support masks. But APE does not support masks. We know that because they refused to offer support in their embarrassing statement.

APE can't and won't ever say they support masks because they have too many members who are anti-maskers.

At least we all now know who they really are and what they really stand for.

Finally making the proper distinction. The entire group isn't solely ardent anti-maskers. There are a number of anti-maskers. Hence, the inability to form a consensus as a group to take a position. They could take a vote and agree to adopt that position; but either outcome would alienate too many members.

I am in the APE facebook group - which by the way is not actually considered the APE orgnaization proper that you keep referring to.
In terms of anit-maskers which apparently to you is the biggest issue ever in education and know academics and teaching are just decoration, I can think of 3 people who actual get riled up over the issue. There are others who might complain now and again but meh, I have seen plenty of masker people complain they are tired of it too.
And you have to wonder, this seems to be your rallying point over and over so I guess you can't find too much other fault with them.
I am all for my masks myself and have no issues with it and just find mask vs. no mask debates worthless at this point because there are so many other real issue in APS that need to be addressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APE is a good group. Their heart is in the right place in wanting to keep schools open and keep Duran and the School Board accountable. I know a bunch of people in the group and none are crazy or republican.

If this is true, then APE should support masks. But APE does not support masks. We know that because they refused to offer support in their embarrassing statement.

APE can't and won't ever say they support masks because they have too many members who are anti-maskers.

At least we all now know who they really are and what they really stand for.

Finally making the proper distinction. The entire group isn't solely ardent anti-maskers. There are a number of anti-maskers. Hence, the inability to form a consensus as a group to take a position. They could take a vote and agree to adopt that position; but either outcome would alienate too many members.

Right - they aren't looking at "science" and "data" - they are being driven by anti-mask RWNJs.

As if we didn't already know that all along.