New Principal at Oyster Adams? Whoa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They have NOT cancelled international trips. They have cancelled international exchange trips because of liability and as dictated by DCPS. Stop stirring things up here. If you have something to say, talk to her. Her doors are wide open. Don't be a coward and try to create some sort of scandal here. The new principal is great. I have faith in her. You can go ahead and schedule your own student exchange trip if it's so important to you. The students will still go on trips. Which, btw, NOBODY is entitled to have. Get over it!

Not an OA family, but do you mean that she's replaced international exchange trips with international not-exchange trips?

Something like that. An exchanged trip to Spain was replaced for a not-exchanged trip to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico was chosen because more students could go, e.g. those who don’t have passports (FYI Less than half of the 7th grade class used to go to the Spain trip) but Puerto Rico would still meet the language immersion requirements.

A Costa Rica trip, which includes language immersion and staying with local families was not cancelled.

They sent a letter yesterday explaining everything. So this post is no longer relevant unless we’re using this platform to complain.

This is a bit misleading. There were assumptions made and no attempt to ground truth them. Yes, about half of the students went on the Spain trip, but the reasons others students did not go are multiple inc not meeting behavioral or academic criteria, prior family commitments (it was around spring break), choosing other international trip option, or .... some just chose not to go (sending your kid abroad alone is not everyones cup of tea - no stigma). Of note, finances was not an issue- all financial need was met. Those without passports could have been helped to obtain them, if that was truly the issue.

What was presumed to have been the reference with "equity" was undocumented children. That appears to be why the trip was changed to a domestic one. But it is a huge loss for the rest of the student body, who now will never have that chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not the only school where this issue has come up. Honestly from DCPS and DC government perspective they were taking on a lot of liability for trips planned by teachers and parents. They would be the ones sued if something happened. I don’t blame DCPS for this one.

Well . . . Hmmm . . . Possible liability, huh? I cannot imagine . . . What to do, what to do — if ONLY we had some dang lawyers around in this here town!

Wait, I once remember reading something about — wait — what was it called? A “W-A-I-V-E-R?”

If only a lawyer around here could comment that a waiver does not prevent being sued. Or bad press if something happens to a kid. Or if a teacher or parent chaperone doesn’t follow the DCPS guidelines and rules. All it takes is not following one small rule and a parent can claim they signed the waiver but the chaperones didn’t follow the outlines rules and procedures. Trips literally have left kids alone in foreign countries before. You clearly know nothing about what a liability this is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They have NOT cancelled international trips. They have cancelled international exchange trips because of liability and as dictated by DCPS. Stop stirring things up here. If you have something to say, talk to her. Her doors are wide open. Don't be a coward and try to create some sort of scandal here. The new principal is great. I have faith in her. You can go ahead and schedule your own student exchange trip if it's so important to you. The students will still go on trips. Which, btw, NOBODY is entitled to have. Get over it!

Not an OA family, but do you mean that she's replaced international exchange trips with international not-exchange trips?

Something like that. An exchanged trip to Spain was replaced for a not-exchanged trip to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico was chosen because more students could go, e.g. those who don’t have passports (FYI Less than half of the 7th grade class used to go to the Spain trip) but Puerto Rico would still meet the language immersion requirements.

A Costa Rica trip, which includes language immersion and staying with local families was not cancelled.

They sent a letter yesterday explaining everything. So this post is no longer relevant unless we’re using this platform to complain.

This is a bit misleading. There were assumptions made and no attempt to ground truth them. Yes, about half of the students went on the Spain trip, but the reasons others students did not go are multiple inc not meeting behavioral or academic criteria, prior family commitments (it was around spring break), choosing other international trip option, or .... some just chose not to go (sending your kid abroad alone is not everyones cup of tea - no stigma). Of note, finances was not an issue- all financial need was met. Those without passports could have been helped to obtain them, if that was truly the issue.

What was presumed to have been the reference with "equity" was undocumented children. That appears to be why the trip was changed to a domestic one. But it is a huge loss for the rest of the student body, who now will never have that chance.

So everyone else is penalized due to parents coming here illegally. If you are undocumented then you don’t have the rights of legal residents.

i realize that these children are not to be blamed by the actions of their parents but it is what it is. My family immigrated here without wanting to due to a war but we went thru the appropriate channels to be legal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People the liability excuse is just a cover for the real reason - equity.

If all kids can’t have it then no kids can.

BTW a PR trip at a hotel is not immersion and not anywhere close to the same experience. Also watch and wait if there is even approval for this since there is a cost and it’s not equitable.

You say that as if it's the wrong thing. Of course if not all can go, nobody should go. If equity is such a big deal for you, go to a private school. I bet you can afford it.

You are so entitled and elitist, it's gross. You know, OA has a lot of good things but one bad thing is people like you, who look down on everyone and think they are superior to everyone else.

I hope this new principal ignores all your temper tantrums and does what she need to do to make OA MORE equitable.

Nobody is looking down on anybody. You are making incorrect assumptions.
You don’t make things more equitable by taking away options that strengthen a child’s experience. You find a way to offer it to those who don’t have that option.

People like you and your way of thinking is what is driving families with options away from DCPS and the resources they provide and why more then 1/2 the kids in this city opt out.

As someone said earlier, Adams is not that great and coasting on its reputation. Making it equitable at all costs without seeing the big picture will further drive away families. Good luck with that.

I hope they make oa a pk-5 school and send everyone to MacFarland and Roosevelt. Then you can really work toward educational equity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People the liability excuse is just a cover for the real reason - equity.

If all kids can’t have it then no kids can.

BTW a PR trip at a hotel is not immersion and not anywhere close to the same experience. Also watch and wait if there is even approval for this since there is a cost and it’s not equitable.

You say that as if it's the wrong thing. Of course if not all can go, nobody should go. If equity is such a big deal for you, go to a private school. I bet you can afford it.

You are so entitled and elitist, it's gross. You know, OA has a lot of good things but one bad thing is people like you, who look down on everyone and think they are superior to everyone else.

I hope this new principal ignores all your temper tantrums and does what she need to do to make OA MORE equitable.

Nobody is looking down on anybody. You are making incorrect assumptions.
You don’t make things more equitable by taking away options that strengthen a child’s experience. You find a way to offer it to those who don’t have that option.

People like you and your way of thinking is what is driving families with options away from DCPS and the resources they provide and why more then 1/2 the kids in this city opt out.

As someone said earlier, Adams is not that great and coasting on its reputation. Making it equitable at all costs without seeing the big picture will further drive away families. Good luck with that.

The families in the OA zone already have by right access to an immersion program that most other DC families do not have the same access. Immersion schools should be district wide schools. It is a shame that Latino families in Colombia Heights and Brightwood aren’t afforded equal access to these opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People the liability excuse is just a cover for the real reason - equity.

If all kids can’t have it then no kids can.

BTW a PR trip at a hotel is not immersion and not anywhere close to the same experience. Also watch and wait if there is even approval for this since there is a cost and it’s not equitable.

You say that as if it's the wrong thing. Of course if not all can go, nobody should go. If equity is such a big deal for you, go to a private school. I bet you can afford it.

You are so entitled and elitist, it's gross. You know, OA has a lot of good things but one bad thing is people like you, who look down on everyone and think they are superior to everyone else.

I hope this new principal ignores all your temper tantrums and does what she need to do to make OA MORE equitable.

Nobody is looking down on anybody. You are making incorrect assumptions.
You don’t make things more equitable by taking away options that strengthen a child’s experience. You find a way to offer it to those who don’t have that option.

People like you and your way of thinking is what is driving families with options away from DCPS and the resources they provide and why more then 1/2 the kids in this city opt out.

As someone said earlier, Adams is not that great and coasting on its reputation. Making it equitable at all costs without seeing the big picture will further drive away families. Good luck with that.

The families in the OA zone already have by right access to an immersion program that most other DC families do not have the same access. Immersion schools should be district wide schools. It is a shame that Latino families in Colombia Heights and Brightwood aren’t afforded equal access to these opportunities.

Come on. I don’t live in OA boundaries but Marie Reed is in the Columbia Heights boundaries and Latino families can get into most DCPS schools due to spanish dominant preference.

Lastly, no immersion should not be district wide. It’s a niche. Many families don’t want immersion and not all kids will do well in immersion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OA families are living in such a different world than most dcps families. It's amazing.

'

That may be true, but most dcps families live in a different world than the average American. DCPS has to serve all its students, not just the highest needs students.

An international stay in someone’s home is not a need.

I get that people are upset, and I was too when I initially heard about it because it’s frustrating watching DCPS cut things… but I get upset that they’re cutting advanced math options, or trimming extracurriculars. This is not the same. This is changing an international trip to stay in someone’s home, to an international trip. I am often critical of DCPS, but not with this. There are bigger priorities, even within OA.

Although DCPS is being put forward to take the fall for this decision, it does not appear they were the decision makers here. There has yet to be any change in DCPS policies. This was an OA admin decision, without community discussion. It seems the apparent main cause of the cancellation was because some kids cant get travel documents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People the liability excuse is just a cover for the real reason - equity.

If all kids can’t have it then no kids can.

BTW a PR trip at a hotel is not immersion and not anywhere close to the same experience. Also watch and wait if there is even approval for this since there is a cost and it’s not equitable.

You say that as if it's the wrong thing. Of course if not all can go, nobody should go. If equity is such a big deal for you, go to a private school. I bet you can afford it.

You are so entitled and elitist, it's gross. You know, OA has a lot of good things but one bad thing is people like you, who look down on everyone and think they are superior to everyone else.

I hope this new principal ignores all your temper tantrums and does what she need to do to make OA MORE equitable.

I am not the poster, but totally disagree with your response (and insults).

OA is a bilingual school with a lot of economic diversity. The Spain exchange was an international immersion opportunity open to all students, without financial barriers. That is pretty darn equitable. And a particularly great opportunity for those children whose families may not be inclined to travel, or those that would not have the finances to travel otherwise.

The poster is allowed to be upset that this opportunity was cancelled without being called "entitled and elitist".

It is the misuse of the term to say that it was cancelled for “equity”. One could argue that the cancellation of the trip hurts the more disadvantaged students disproportionately (as the more affluent families will still find travel international opportunities for their kids).

[Anonymous]

The English side of Oyster should be districtwide. Given the program, absolutely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OA families are living in such a different world than most dcps families. It's amazing.

'

That may be true, but most dcps families live in a different world than the average American. DCPS has to serve all its students, not just the highest needs students.

An international stay in someone’s home is not a need.

I get that people are upset, and I was too when I initially heard about it because it’s frustrating watching DCPS cut things… but I get upset that they’re cutting advanced math options, or trimming extracurriculars. This is not the same. This is changing an international trip to stay in someone’s home, to an international trip. I am often critical of DCPS, but not with this. There are bigger priorities, even within OA.

Although DCPS is being put forward to take the fall for this decision, it does not appear they were the decision makers here. There has yet to be any change in DCPS policies. This was an OA admin decision, without community discussion. It seems the apparent main cause of the cancellation was because some kids cant get travel documents.

Well if that is the case, then it speaks poorly of the principal. Catering to what 5%if that of the student body and taking away the potential experience of the remaining 95%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People the liability excuse is just a cover for the real reason - equity.

If all kids can’t have it then no kids can.

BTW a PR trip at a hotel is not immersion and not anywhere close to the same experience. Also watch and wait if there is even approval for this since there is a cost and it’s not equitable.

You say that as if it's the wrong thing. Of course if not all can go, nobody should go. If equity is such a big deal for you, go to a private school. I bet you can afford it.

You are so entitled and elitist, it's gross. You know, OA has a lot of good things but one bad thing is people like you, who look down on everyone and think they are superior to everyone else.

I hope this new principal ignores all your temper tantrums and does what she need to do to make OA MORE equitable.

Nobody is looking down on anybody. You are making incorrect assumptions.
You don’t make things more equitable by taking away options that strengthen a child’s experience. You find a way to offer it to those who don’t have that option.

People like you and your way of thinking is what is driving families with options away from DCPS and the resources they provide and why more then 1/2 the kids in this city opt out.

As someone said earlier, Adams is not that great and coasting on its reputation. Making it equitable at all costs without seeing the big picture will further drive away families. Good luck with that.

The families in the OA zone already have by right access to an immersion program that most other DC families do not have the same access. Immersion schools should be district wide schools. It is a shame that Latino families in Colombia Heights and Brightwood aren’t afforded equal access to these opportunities.

Come on. I don’t live in OA boundaries but Marie Reed is in the Columbia Heights boundaries and Latino families can get into most DCPS schools due to spanish dominant preference.

Lastly, no immersion should not be district wide. It’s a niche. Many families don’t want immersion and not all kids will do well in immersion.

NP but I don’t think PP meant all schools should be immersion. They meant immersion schools shouldn’t have in-boundary. It should be district wide (like application high schools). It is a speciality school.

[Anonymous]

Please note there is a thread going on concurrently about the commitment that families must make to attend a language school — especially those that don’t speak an immersive language in their own home. It is well understood that traveling where that language is spoken is extremely important — but certainly being in a foreign country isn’t the same as speaking Spanish all day in a Spanish language family and going to their Spanish language school. Thus a homestay cannot be compared to a class vacation. It is simply comparing an apple to an orange. Any school that chooses not to engage in such a great learning opportunity seems to have an agenda other than education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please note there is a thread going on concurrently about the commitment that families must make to attend a language school — especially those that don’t speak an immersive language in their own home. It is well understood that traveling where that language is spoken is extremely important — but certainly being in a foreign country isn’t the same as speaking Spanish all day in a Spanish language family and going to their Spanish language school. Thus a homestay cannot be compared to a class vacation. It is simply comparing an apple to an orange. Any school that chooses not to engage in such a great learning opportunity seems to have an agenda other than education.

+1. The agenda is equity at all cost, not what is the best education for the majority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People the liability excuse is just a cover for the real reason - equity.

If all kids can’t have it then no kids can.

BTW a PR trip at a hotel is not immersion and not anywhere close to the same experience. Also watch and wait if there is even approval for this since there is a cost and it’s not equitable.

You say that as if it's the wrong thing. Of course if not all can go, nobody should go. If equity is such a big deal for you, go to a private school. I bet you can afford it.

You are so entitled and elitist, it's gross. You know, OA has a lot of good things but one bad thing is people like you, who look down on everyone and think they are superior to everyone else.

I hope this new principal ignores all your temper tantrums and does what she need to do to make OA MORE equitable.

Nobody is looking down on anybody. You are making incorrect assumptions.
You don’t make things more equitable by taking away options that strengthen a child’s experience. You find a way to offer it to those who don’t have that option.

People like you and your way of thinking is what is driving families with options away from DCPS and the resources they provide and why more then 1/2 the kids in this city opt out.

As someone said earlier, Adams is not that great and coasting on its reputation. Making it equitable at all costs without seeing the big picture will further drive away families. Good luck with that.

The families in the OA zone already have by right access to an immersion program that most other DC families do not have the same access. Immersion schools should be district wide schools. It is a shame that Latino families in Colombia Heights and Brightwood aren’t afforded equal access to these opportunities.

Come on. I don’t live in OA boundaries but Marie Reed is in the Columbia Heights boundaries and Latino families can get into most DCPS schools due to spanish dominant preference.

Lastly, no immersion should not be district wide. It’s a niche. Many families don’t want immersion and not all kids will do well in immersion.

That is why it should be district wide. Everyone has equal opportunity and no one has an immersion school as an in-boundary assigned school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People the liability excuse is just a cover for the real reason - equity.

If all kids can’t have it then no kids can.

BTW a PR trip at a hotel is not immersion and not anywhere close to the same experience. Also watch and wait if there is even approval for this since there is a cost and it’s not equitable.

You say that as if it's the wrong thing. Of course if not all can go, nobody should go. If equity is such a big deal for you, go to a private school. I bet you can afford it.

You are so entitled and elitist, it's gross. You know, OA has a lot of good things but one bad thing is people like you, who look down on everyone and think they are superior to everyone else.

I hope this new principal ignores all your temper tantrums and does what she need to do to make OA MORE equitable.

Nobody is looking down on anybody. You are making incorrect assumptions.
You don’t make things more equitable by taking away options that strengthen a child’s experience. You find a way to offer it to those who don’t have that option.

People like you and your way of thinking is what is driving families with options away from DCPS and the resources they provide and why more then 1/2 the kids in this city opt out.

As someone said earlier, Adams is not that great and coasting on its reputation. Making it equitable at all costs without seeing the big picture will further drive away families. Good luck with that.

The families in the OA zone already have by right access to an immersion program that most other DC families do not have the same access. Immersion schools should be district wide schools. It is a shame that Latino families in Colombia Heights and Brightwood aren’t afforded equal access to these opportunities.

Come on. I don’t live in OA boundaries but Marie Reed is in the Columbia Heights boundaries and Latino families can get into most DCPS schools due to spanish dominant preference.

Lastly, no immersion should not be district wide. It’s a niche. Many families don’t want immersion and not all kids will do well in immersion.

That is why it should be district wide. Everyone has equal opportunity and no one has an immersion school as an in-boundary assigned school.

That’s not happening because immersion is a niche. You have plenty of equal opportunities to get into immersion schools at charters and other DCPS schools.

You can basically get into most big the DCPS schools in K/1st