Jefferson-Houston Principal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:these reports of UMC white kids bring left to fend for themselves and a nonexistent PTA are purely anecdotal and likely quite dated. My “UMC white” kid attended JH from 2014 to 2018 and was not left to fend for himself. And the PTA was incredibly active. I remain in touch with friends on the PTA and it remains just as active. As for accreditation, that’s based on test scores, which don’t show the full picture of whether learning is occurring. My kid was reading well above grade level and performing above grade level on math when we moved from JH this academic year. It’s difficult to do well on tests when you are living in a hotel with your grandmother and three siblings and don’t know when your next meal will be or you share a one bedroom apartment with your siblings, parents, and a few other adults. As long as the FARM rates remain high at JH - in large part because middle class families flee the school - the test scores will be low and accreditation will be difficult to attain. So, no JH is not a joke. Try being a part of the solution rather than the problem. Give the new JH a try.

Unfortunately, the academics - especially reading issues - aren't overstated.

There is actually a link I posted a while back that has the results of a UVA education group who audited the reading instruction at J-H and it was pretty bad. I recall them mentioning that the Reading instructor didn't quite know what she was supposed to be doing or how to support the teachers in the school. That's the sole dedicated resource in the school for reading instruction btw and she doesn't understand her job or how to implement. That's not good. The report also identified pretty big gaps in reading instruction and it was pretty clear why kids were not making much progress.

I do find it interesting though that Hispanic children actually perform slightly better in SOLs at this school then Black children. It seems that perhaps J-H has managed to improve their instruction to reach ELL students better than other schools have done.

Presented on 3/24/17:
https://esbpublic.acps.k12.va.us/attachments/ebbd7a54-9a23-4914-8107-3b79ac70c9bf.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:these reports of UMC white kids bring left to fend for themselves and a nonexistent PTA are purely anecdotal and likely quite dated. My “UMC white” kid attended JH from 2014 to 2018 and was not left to fend for himself. And the PTA was incredibly active. I remain in touch with friends on the PTA and it remains just as active. As for accreditation, that’s based on test scores, which don’t show the full picture of whether learning is occurring. My kid was reading well above grade level and performing above grade level on math when we moved from JH this academic year. It’s difficult to do well on tests when you are living in a hotel with your grandmother and three siblings and don’t know when your next meal will be or you share a one bedroom apartment with your siblings, parents, and a few other adults. As long as the FARM rates remain high at JH - in large part because middle class families flee the school - the test scores will be low and accreditation will be difficult to attain. So, no JH is not a joke. Try being a part of the solution rather than the problem. Give the new JH a try.

Unfortunately, the academics - especially reading issues - aren't overstated.

There is actually a link I posted a while back that has the results of a UVA education group who audited the reading instruction at J-H and it was pretty bad. I recall them mentioning that the Reading instructor didn't quite know what she was supposed to be doing or how to support the teachers in the school. That's the sole dedicated resource in the school for reading instruction btw and she doesn't understand her job or how to implement. That's not good. The report also identified pretty big gaps in reading instruction and it was pretty clear why kids were not making much progress.

I do find it interesting though that Hispanic children actually perform slightly better in SOLs at this school then Black children. It seems that perhaps J-H has managed to improve their instruction to reach ELL students better than other schools have done.

Presented on 3/24/17:
https://esbpublic.acps.k12.va.us/attachments/ebbd7a54-9a23-4914-8107-3b79ac70c9bf.pdf

Or, perhaps, Hispanic families tend to put more effort into raising their children. Totally different family structure, culturally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:these reports of UMC white kids bring left to fend for themselves and a nonexistent PTA are purely anecdotal and likely quite dated. My “UMC white” kid attended JH from 2014 to 2018 and was not left to fend for himself. And the PTA was incredibly active. I remain in touch with friends on the PTA and it remains just as active. As for accreditation, that’s based on test scores, which don’t show the full picture of whether learning is occurring. My kid was reading well above grade level and performing above grade level on math when we moved from JH this academic year. It’s difficult to do well on tests when you are living in a hotel with your grandmother and three siblings and don’t know when your next meal will be or you share a one bedroom apartment with your siblings, parents, and a few other adults. As long as the FARM rates remain high at JH - in large part because middle class families flee the school - the test scores will be low and accreditation will be difficult to attain. So, no JH is not a joke. Try being a part of the solution rather than the problem. Give the new JH a try.

Unfortunately, the academics - especially reading issues - aren't overstated.

There is actually a link I posted a while back that has the results of a UVA education group who audited the reading instruction at J-H and it was pretty bad. I recall them mentioning that the Reading instructor didn't quite know what she was supposed to be doing or how to support the teachers in the school. That's the sole dedicated resource in the school for reading instruction btw and she doesn't understand her job or how to implement. That's not good. The report also identified pretty big gaps in reading instruction and it was pretty clear why kids were not making much progress.

I do find it interesting though that Hispanic children actually perform slightly better in SOLs at this school then Black children. It seems that perhaps J-H has managed to improve their instruction to reach ELL students better than other schools have done.

Jefferson-Houston has a low percentage of Englsih-language learners according to the audit.

"A large majority of students (69%) receive free and reduced-price meals, while a small minority (approximately 13%) receive English language (ELL) support."

[Anonymous]

Hence the PP's point about the difference between child rearing in black families and Hispanic families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many of these posts (not all) smack of privilege and subtle racism - my kid went to JH and did just fine surrounded by the kids and families so many of these posts subtlety and not so subtlety disparage. And he learned that not everyone comes from the same privileged background as his family and neighborhood - he’s still close to these kids. Give JH a shot. It’s not perfect, but what school is? Particularly, what school in ACPS is perfect?

Thanks for this post. Our DD will be attending J-H in a few years due to the crackdown on transfers in our neighborhood, and we love our dynamic and vibrant Del Ray community way too much to move. However, despite all of the hand wringing on DCUM over J-H, I have heard nothing but positive feedback from people who actually send their children there.

So many things wrong with this post. First of all you acknowledge that you are sending your dd to JH only because you “lack another option” (crack down on transfers) and are unwilling to sacrifice your preferences (vibrant del Ray community) for your child’s benefit (an actual accredited school) then try to justify the decision . We live in Del Ray and I know several families who have tried sending their children to JH before seeking out other options so I think your may be being somewhat selective in your search for feedback if you have really only encountered positive views.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many of these posts (not all) smack of privilege and subtle racism - my kid went to JH and did just fine surrounded by the kids and families so many of these posts subtlety and not so subtlety disparage. And he learned that not everyone comes from the same privileged background as his family and neighborhood - he’s still close to these kids. Give JH a shot. It’s not perfect, but what school is? Particularly, what school in ACPS is perfect?

Thanks for this post. Our DD will be attending J-H in a few years due to the crackdown on transfers in our neighborhood, and we love our dynamic and vibrant Del Ray community way too much to move. However, despite all of the hand wringing on DCUM over J-H, I have heard nothing but positive feedback from people who actually send their children there.

So many things wrong with this post. First of all you acknowledge that you are sending your dd to JH only because you “lack another option” (crack down on transfers) and are unwilling to sacrifice your preferences (vibrant del Ray community) for your child’s benefit (an actual accredited school) then try to justify the decision . We live in Del Ray and I know several families who have tried sending their children to JH before seeking out other options so I think your may be being somewhat selective in your search for feedback if you have really only encountered positive views.

I'm the PP of the reply comment above. We still have four years before our DD is old enough for K, and she will be attending a private preschool in the meantime. We're committed to trying J-H for K, but we have reservations then we will move her to one of the smaller private schools in the neighborhood (probably Del Ray Montessori). General consensus is that things there aren't as bad as the internet makes them out to be, and a lot can change in four years. We've worked hard to build our Del Ray neighborhood 'family' and we'll explore all of the options before moving. I'm not sorry about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many of these posts (not all) smack of privilege and subtle racism - my kid went to JH and did just fine surrounded by the kids and families so many of these posts subtlety and not so subtlety disparage. And he learned that not everyone comes from the same privileged background as his family and neighborhood - he’s still close to these kids. Give JH a shot. It’s not perfect, but what school is? Particularly, what school in ACPS is perfect?

Thanks for this post. Our DD will be attending J-H in a few years due to the crackdown on transfers in our neighborhood, and we love our dynamic and vibrant Del Ray community way too much to move. However, despite all of the hand wringing on DCUM over J-H, I have heard nothing but positive feedback from people who actually send their children there.

So many things wrong with this post. First of all you acknowledge that you are sending your dd to JH only because you “lack another option” (crack down on transfers) and are unwilling to sacrifice your preferences (vibrant del Ray community) for your child’s benefit (an actual accredited school) then try to justify the decision . We live in Del Ray and I know several families who have tried sending their children to JH before seeking out other options so I think your may be being somewhat selective in your search for feedback if you have really only encountered positive views.

I'm the PP of the reply comment above. We still have four years before our DD is old enough for K, and she will be attending a private preschool in the meantime. We're committed to trying J-H for K, but we have reservations then we will move her to one of the smaller private schools in the neighborhood (probably Del Ray Montessori). General consensus is that things there aren't as bad as the internet makes them out to be, and a lot can change in four years. We've worked hard to build our Del Ray neighborhood 'family' and we'll explore all of the options before moving. I'm not sorry about that.

Sorry, but you are just wrong. It is as bad as you read online.

I mean, the school isn't even accredited. Tell your colleagues that you're sending your child to one of the three lowest performing schools in the entire state and watch their expression if you think this is all just hype.

With a new SB coming you can expect a reversal- either partly or fully. The folks being forced to send their kids there now are backing candidates that will undo that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many of these posts (not all) smack of privilege and subtle racism - my kid went to JH and did just fine surrounded by the kids and families so many of these posts subtlety and not so subtlety disparage. And he learned that not everyone comes from the same privileged background as his family and neighborhood - he’s still close to these kids. Give JH a shot. It’s not perfect, but what school is? Particularly, what school in ACPS is perfect?

Thanks for this post. Our DD will be attending J-H in a few years due to the crackdown on transfers in our neighborhood, and we love our dynamic and vibrant Del Ray community way too much to move. However, despite all of the hand wringing on DCUM over J-H, I have heard nothing but positive feedback from people who actually send their children there.

So many things wrong with this post. First of all you acknowledge that you are sending your dd to JH only because you “lack another option” (crack down on transfers) and are unwilling to sacrifice your preferences (vibrant del Ray community) for your child’s benefit (an actual accredited school) then try to justify the decision . We live in Del Ray and I know several families who have tried sending their children to JH before seeking out other options so I think your may be being somewhat selective in your search for feedback if you have really only encountered positive views.

I'm the PP of the reply comment above. We still have four years before our DD is old enough for K, and she will be attending a private preschool in the meantime. We're committed to trying J-H for K, but we have reservations then we will move her to one of the smaller private schools in the neighborhood (probably Del Ray Montessori). General consensus is that things there aren't as bad as the internet makes them out to be, and a lot can change in four years. We've worked hard to build our Del Ray neighborhood 'family' and we'll explore all of the options before moving. I'm not sorry about that.

Your post about privilege is a little ridiculous considering you have private schools lined up for your child in the event JH turns out to be terrible. Del Ray is very transient especially around middle school age so don't get too attached to "family"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many of these posts (not all) smack of privilege and subtle racism - my kid went to JH and did just fine surrounded by the kids and families so many of these posts subtlety and not so subtlety disparage. And he learned that not everyone comes from the same privileged background as his family and neighborhood - he’s still close to these kids. Give JH a shot. It’s not perfect, but what school is? Particularly, what school in ACPS is perfect?

Thanks for this post. Our DD will be attending J-H in a few years due to the crackdown on transfers in our neighborhood, and we love our dynamic and vibrant Del Ray community way too much to move. However, despite all of the hand wringing on DCUM over J-H, I have heard nothing but positive feedback from people who actually send their children there.

So many things wrong with this post. First of all you acknowledge that you are sending your dd to JH only because you “lack another option” (crack down on transfers) and are unwilling to sacrifice your preferences (vibrant del Ray community) for your child’s benefit (an actual accredited school) then try to justify the decision . We live in Del Ray and I know several families who have tried sending their children to JH before seeking out other options so I think your may be being somewhat selective in your search for feedback if you have really only encountered positive views.

I'm the PP of the reply comment above. We still have four years before our DD is old enough for K, and she will be attending a private preschool in the meantime. We're committed to trying J-H for K, but we have reservations then we will move her to one of the smaller private schools in the neighborhood (probably Del Ray Montessori). General consensus is that things there aren't as bad as the internet makes them out to be, and a lot can change in four years. We've worked hard to build our Del Ray neighborhood 'family' and we'll explore all of the options before moving. I'm not sorry about that.

I was you several years ago. My sincere advice is rip the band aid off and move somewhere where there isn't all this drama with the public schools. Several years ago it was the same "a lot can change" story line on J-H. Still waiting.

I loved Del Ray and I loved my community I built there. I get it. Yes, you'll have to start over somewhere, but do it now when your kid(s) are younger. I am just as happy where I landed. And your little family right now, from my experience that group will scatter when the rubber hits the road.

[Anonymous]

I know a family that said all along that J-H is about to turn the corner (any minute now!) and now the kid is still going to Del Ray Montessori years past when they planned.

So PP hanging on for JH, I would figure out whether you're ok with the Montessori model into the older elementary years. Because at some point, it's harder to transition them back to a regular public school classroom where the teaching philosophy is fairly different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many of these posts (not all) smack of privilege and subtle racism - my kid went to JH and did just fine surrounded by the kids and families so many of these posts subtlety and not so subtlety disparage. And he learned that not everyone comes from the same privileged background as his family and neighborhood - he’s still close to these kids. Give JH a shot. It’s not perfect, but what school is? Particularly, what school in ACPS is perfect?

Thanks for this post. Our DD will be attending J-H in a few years due to the crackdown on transfers in our neighborhood, and we love our dynamic and vibrant Del Ray community way too much to move. However, despite all of the hand wringing on DCUM over J-H, I have heard nothing but positive feedback from people who actually send their children there.

So many things wrong with this post. First of all you acknowledge that you are sending your dd to JH only because you “lack another option” (crack down on transfers) and are unwilling to sacrifice your preferences (vibrant del Ray community) for your child’s benefit (an actual accredited school) then try to justify the decision . We live in Del Ray and I know several families who have tried sending their children to JH before seeking out other options so I think your may be being somewhat selective in your search for feedback if you have really only encountered positive views.

I'm the PP of the reply comment above. We still have four years before our DD is old enough for K, and she will be attending a private preschool in the meantime. We're committed to trying J-H for K, but we have reservations then we will move her to one of the smaller private schools in the neighborhood (probably Del Ray Montessori). General consensus is that things there aren't as bad as the internet makes them out to be, and a lot can change in four years. We've worked hard to build our Del Ray neighborhood 'family' and we'll explore all of the options before moving. I'm not sorry about that.

I was you several years ago. My sincere advice is rip the band aid off and move somewhere where there isn't all this drama with the public schools. Several years ago it was the same "a lot can change" story line on J-H. Still waiting.

I loved Del Ray and I loved my community I built there. I get it. Yes, you'll have to start over somewhere, but do it now when your kid(s) are younger. I am just as happy where I landed. And your little family right now, from my experience that group will scatter when the rubber hits the road.

Good post. This is even more true when HS approaches. I know too many people that regret not setting sail sooner and being terrified while navigating TC as a white UMC student/family.

Need a gut check? Consult with your college friends that landed in Atlanta or Chicago or Denver and see how they feel about sending their kids to the local HS. None of mine are terrified for their kids. All of my friends with TC bound kids are freaked.

[Anonymous]

[Eye roll]

First off, after multiple years of double digit gains, Jefferson-Houston is now accredited. So, there's that.

For PP with "friends with TC bound kids [that are] freaked"...
I can truly say that attitudes like that come from a place of ignorance, bigotry, or both.

Signed,
Parent of student who got 5s on the two AP classes she took last year, is signed up for four more APs this year, and who has multiple friends who are both low income and minorities. (She met "those people" in her high commitment extra curriculars and/or her advanced classes, btw.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[Eye roll]

First off, after multiple years of double digit gains, Jefferson-Houston is now accredited. So, there's that.

For PP with "friends with TC bound kids [that are] freaked"...
I can truly say that attitudes like that come from a place of ignorance, bigotry, or both.

Signed,
Parent of student who got 5s on the two AP classes she took last year, is signed up for four more APs this year, and who has multiple friends who are both low income and minorities. (She met "those people" in her high commitment extra curriculars and/or her advanced classes, btw.)

It is not accredited but they expect it to get accredited later this month under the new standards that measure growth/progress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[Eye roll]

First off, after multiple years of double digit gains, Jefferson-Houston is now accredited. So, there's that.

For PP with "friends with TC bound kids [that are] freaked"...
I can truly say that attitudes like that come from a place of ignorance, bigotry, or both.

Signed,
Parent of student who got 5s on the two AP classes she took last year, is signed up for four more APs this year, and who has multiple friends who are both low income and minorities. (She met "those people" in her high commitment extra curriculars and/or her advanced classes, btw.)

Your child, who is clearly strong academically, is not necessarily having a typical experience. But way to throw in there that she's met some super great minorities in her advanced classes.

I am also in ACPS and people with average children who need more to be drawn out and reach full potential, TC can be a rough road. Why don't you send your kid through the "regular" classes for a year and see if you're singing a different tune. I am a parent of a (gasp) pretty average, reserved kid and I'm not sure what we're going to do. I don't think jumping to saying it's coming from a place of ignorance or bigotry is fair at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[Eye roll]

First off, after multiple years of double digit gains, Jefferson-Houston is now accredited. So, there's that.

For PP with "friends with TC bound kids [that are] freaked"...
I can truly say that attitudes like that come from a place of ignorance, bigotry, or both.

Signed,
Parent of student who got 5s on the two AP classes she took last year, is signed up for four more APs this year, and who has multiple friends who are both low income and minorities. (She met "those people" in her high commitment extra curriculars and/or her advanced classes, btw.)

That is a complete and total lie. It is unaccredited and a simple search will prove it to any doubters.

You obviously work for the SB.

REPORTED FOR REMOVAL