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

[Anonymous]

All of you parents vate blind or you too busy to see what really is happening.check the videos kid posted punching inside the school , vaping ,girl telling other students to kill yourself to other kids, and teacher pastor behavior is disgusting with the female students.You terrible parents that don't care about safety of kids .stop defending the bad guys and leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of you parents vate blind or you too busy to see what really is happening.check the videos kid posted punching inside the school , vaping ,girl telling other students to kill yourself to other kids, and teacher pastor behavior is disgusting with the female students.You terrible parents that don't care about safety of kids .stop defending the bad guys and leave.

Do you have links to these videos?

[Anonymous]

Check Instagram Hardy middle school videos.

[Anonymous]

I have a rising 5th grader who will be going to Hardy. How worried should I be? Is physical safety a problem for kids who don’t engage in fights? Is it so bad that students have to worry about being in the wrong place at the wrong time? My DD does not like physical confrontation, so she wouldn’t be involved unless she was attacked or there was a huge fight and she was physically unable to move out of the way.

[Anonymous]

There been many fights in the school.Ask any student about the videos they recorded and receive in the chats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check Instagram Hardy middle school videos.

Tried that. Cannot find anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a rising 5th grader who will be going to Hardy. How worried should I be? Is physical safety a problem for kids who don’t engage in fights? Is it so bad that students have to worry about being in the wrong place at the wrong time? My DD does not like physical confrontation, so she wouldn’t be involved unless she was attacked or there was a huge fight and she was physically unable to move out of the way.

You're describing my daughter. She is safe.

There is commotion during transitions. It is more than there should be and it is not controlled, but I don't think it poses any real threats to most kids.

The commotion is natural and the principal/administration shouldn't be blamed for it. But the unwillingness or inability to stymie it and the more serious physical altercations is on him/them. Fights that go unaddressed just beget more fights. The adults in that building need to be doing much more than holing themselves up in their offices. A few minutes before every bell, every non-teaching adult should be in the hallways and stairwells until they restore expectations of order. Teachers should stand by their classroom doors, not inside their classrooms.

One of the tragedies of Hardy this year is that this is all so fixable. The parents have been trying to mentor and support him for months. He seems to have this arrogance about him underneath the bright smile that just rejects any notion of help. That or his realization that better than Dunbar is good enough for him.

While his lack of ability to lead the school is burning it to the ground this year, I don't think it is physically unsafe for most kids similar to those you describe. One warning, though: unless the administration starts getting actually serious about putting staff out in front of Safeway after school, have your kid grab the bus at a different stop. And, no, Principal Johnson briefly standing on the school side of the street ain't good enough.

[Anonymous]

This entire thread is horrible and going way too far. I would also like to know what the students of Hardy are saying. I know two families who are very happy at Hardy. They are also appalled that all of this is taking place. The principal deserves support and encouragement. It is obvious the man is working hard not only running Hardy but dodging the BS. What no one is willing to say is that race may be a huge factor in how the new principal is being treated. I know some of the folks who are leading the witch hunt-smh. DCPS needs to take a firm stand against all forms of racism and interrupt this crap. Everyone has a right to be treated fairly and equitably— including this principal.

The crazy thing is the incident rates at Hardy are comparable to other middle schools including Deal. Not understanding why we are basing our opinions and judgments on rumors rather than facts. The district should use objective data and metrics to evaluate the performance of the principal and communicate the results to the community so we know what is really going on. This will help to dispel any misinformation that may be circulating

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I'm confused. I read DCUM and I thought the prevailing narrative was that charters were bad because "they aren't accountable" to anyone but a private board. Seems like the parents have been making noise about persistent failures of the principal at Hardy and DCPS Central has ignored those entreaties. That is shocking since I was led to believe that parents had a direct voice in leadership hiring and retention at DCPS schools.

Sincerely,
SHOCKED BY THIS DEVELOPMENT

Well, we’re about to find out . . .

The broader question (my sarcasm aside) is how is it any different to lobby DCPS Central than the Board of a charter school? Answer: It isn't. The idea of "accountability" is laughable. DCPS Central is insulated from all criticism and accountability. The IS forced out, discriminated against cost the city $$$$ in a lawsuit at JOW and the solution was...move JOW out of her division. Hundreds of millions in improper contracting dollars are spent and the answer is some low level, unnamed people are disciplined. No report and no higher ups lose their jobs.

Sure, but the stakes for Ferrebee are high on this one. They are pouring tens of millions into a new HS to relieve J-R that will be fed by Hardy. That new HS will never get anywhere if Hardy continues to go down the shitter. A good chunk of the high-performing ESs could go too. We don’t need to get into the fallout from any future security incidents. And a letter that strong, drafted by the entire parent engagement team for all three grades, is not an everyday event.

You think that because it impacts your school and your community and you think W3 schools and your community are the most important. You would be wrong. But points for being as self centered as the W3 cliche would suggest.

Where is the self centered-ness? Any principal who has overseen such a dramatic deterioration in school performance and safety - which can be directly attributed to their incompetence - should be out of a job. That should happen in Ward 8 just as it should happen in Ward 3. No parent in this city should be silent when school leadership is failing to perform their most basic duties. You can do what you do to promote silly stereotypes and sow ethnic division, but I’m damn glad that there are parent volunteers in this city doing what needs to be done to ensure that DCPS doesn’t fall any father than it has already.

The self-centeredness is thinking that THIS is the matter for which the stakes are high for Ferrebee. As if Hardy's issues are unique in a post-Covid world or that one W3 school the the thing that could bring him down.

The relevance of the new high school opening has been explained. But, sure, if you think it's fine for DCPS to overpay by millions for a dated, poorly-located property and then not worry about whether anyone shows up, then yay. I think your expectations for DC's use of tax dollars are regrettably low.

Are you the same poster below who thinks they are super slick and can reframe the issue with no one noticing? Or are there two of you firing away at the same time?

You are introducing points no one raised and/or disagreed with. No one said it was ok to overpay (bonus points for the Fox News type flourish of inserting an opinion based conclusion as fact as if declaring it an overpayment makes it so). No one said people showing up (or not) doesn't matter. The point if my reply is that you and your W3 buddies are laughably self-centered and out of touch if you think Hardy is what will sink Ferrebee. DCPS has lots more pressing issues than this my self involved friend.

That you can't seem to grasp how these points are relevant to the discussion - and to rebutting your stupid stereotyping - is kinda embarrassing. I've read your crap before and it's a pox unto this site. You have no interest in any reasoned discourse, only trolling. Please get lost.

Riddle solved! It is the same poster trying in two different posts to shift the goalposts.

Pro-tip: If you want to post multiple replies and pretend it is different people, don't misuse words basic words like "stereotype" in back to back posts.

No dice. Multiple people called you out on your stereotyping because that's exactly what you are doing.

"Multiple people" who misuse the same word? And make the same logical mistake? Oh wait, are you pretending not to be that poster? Well played!

I know it for a fact as I was one of the posters but not the other. In addition to being a terribly prejudiced person and a snarky clown, you are wrong. For the umpteenth time, please find something better to do with your time. Good night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This entire thread is horrible and going way too far. I would also like to know what the students of Hardy are saying. I know two families who are very happy at Hardy. They are also appalled that all of this is taking place. The principal deserves support and encouragement. It is obvious the man is working hard not only running Hardy but dodging the BS. What no one is willing to say is that race may be a huge factor in how the new principal is being treated. I know some of the folks who are leading the witch hunt-smh. DCPS needs to take a firm stand against all forms of racism and interrupt this crap. Everyone has a right to be treated fairly and equitably— including this principal.

The crazy thing is the incident rates at Hardy are comparable to other middle schools including Deal. Not understanding why we are basing our opinions and judgments on rumors rather than facts. The district should use objective data and metrics to evaluate the performance of the principal and communicate the results to the community so we know what is really going on. This will help to dispel any misinformation that may be circulating

If I am reading this right, you have no direct connection to Hardy other than knowing two families with kids there and one or two of the very dedicated parent volunteers who are leading this extraordinary effort to save the school. Soyou have no first-hand experience into what is going on. But you yet have the gall to anonymously claim that those who have been in the trenches every day of this school year trying to make Principal Johnson a great principal are a bunch of racists? All of the grade level liasions, the PTO, and the LSAT? They are all a racist cabal? Even though they include many people of color? Your accusation is nothing short of disgusting. I sincerely wish I had the opportunity to confront you face-to-face and tell you what I make of you. What has gone on this year at Hardy is completely inexcusable. If DCPS chooses to protect the principal after all that he has done to drag a great school down, I will be bitterly disappointed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This entire thread is horrible and going way too far. I would also like to know what the students of Hardy are saying. I know two families who are very happy at Hardy. They are also appalled that all of this is taking place. The principal deserves support and encouragement. It is obvious the man is working hard not only running Hardy but dodging the BS. What no one is willing to say is that race may be a huge factor in how the new principal is being treated. I know some of the folks who are leading the witch hunt-smh. DCPS needs to take a firm stand against all forms of racism and interrupt this crap. Everyone has a right to be treated fairly and equitably— including this principal.

The crazy thing is the incident rates at Hardy are comparable to other middle schools including Deal. Not understanding why we are basing our opinions and judgments on rumors rather than facts. The district should use objective data and metrics to evaluate the performance of the principal and communicate the results to the community so we know what is really going on. This will help to dispel any misinformation that may be circulating

One of the (numerous) points of parents' complaints is that the incidents have not been reported as required, so DCPS doesn't have "objective data and metrics."

Your other points are equally baseless, but I'll stick to noting the above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a rising 5th grader who will be going to Hardy. How worried should I be? Is physical safety a problem for kids who don’t engage in fights? Is it so bad that students have to worry about being in the wrong place at the wrong time? My DD does not like physical confrontation, so she wouldn’t be involved unless she was attacked or there was a huge fight and she was physically unable to move out of the way.

You're describing my daughter. She is safe.

There is commotion during transitions. It is more than there should be and it is not controlled, but I don't think it poses any real threats to most kids.

The commotion is natural and the principal/administration shouldn't be blamed for it. But the unwillingness or inability to stymie it and the more serious physical altercations is on him/them. Fights that go unaddressed just beget more fights. The adults in that building need to be doing much more than holing themselves up in their offices. A few minutes before every bell, every non-teaching adult should be in the hallways and stairwells until they restore expectations of order. Teachers should stand by their classroom doors, not inside their classrooms.

One of the tragedies of Hardy this year is that this is all so fixable. The parents have been trying to mentor and support him for months. He seems to have this arrogance about him underneath the bright smile that just rejects any notion of help. That or his realization that better than Dunbar is good enough for him.

While his lack of ability to lead the school is burning it to the ground this year, I don't think it is physically unsafe for most kids similar to those you describe. One warning, though: unless the administration starts getting actually serious about putting staff out in front of Safeway after school, have your kid grab the bus at a different stop. And, no, Principal Johnson briefly standing on the school side of the street ain't good enough.

Maybe his "arrogance" is a defense against parents weird desire to "mentor" him

[Anonymous]

I have two at Hardy. This is a witch and hunt and stupid. My kids are fine and doing well at Hardy. Can we acknowledge that all schools are experiencing higher levels of violence in the post-pandemic era. Did you see the news student that was killed? Dcps need to take steps to address the overall issue and provide support to our students and staff. The new principal should be given an opportunity to do his job, and the district should provide him with resources and support to address any issues that may come up. Let me go gather up the other 95% of parents and go see the chancellor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm confused. I read DCUM and I thought the prevailing narrative was that charters were bad because "they aren't accountable" to anyone but a private board. Seems like the parents have been making noise about persistent failures of the principal at Hardy and DCPS Central has ignored those entreaties. That is shocking since I was led to believe that parents had a direct voice in leadership hiring and retention at DCPS schools.

Sincerely,
SHOCKED BY THIS DEVELOPMENT

Well, we’re about to find out . . .

The broader question (my sarcasm aside) is how is it any different to lobby DCPS Central than the Board of a charter school? Answer: It isn't. The idea of "accountability" is laughable. DCPS Central is insulated from all criticism and accountability. The IS forced out, discriminated against cost the city $$$$ in a lawsuit at JOW and the solution was...move JOW out of her division. Hundreds of millions in improper contracting dollars are spent and the answer is some low level, unnamed people are disciplined. No report and no higher ups lose their jobs.

Sure, but the stakes for Ferrebee are high on this one. They are pouring tens of millions into a new HS to relieve J-R that will be fed by Hardy. That new HS will never get anywhere if Hardy continues to go down the shitter. A good chunk of the high-performing ESs could go too. We don’t need to get into the fallout from any future security incidents. And a letter that strong, drafted by the entire parent engagement team for all three grades, is not an everyday event.

You think that because it impacts your school and your community and you think W3 schools and your community are the most important. You would be wrong. But points for being as self centered as the W3 cliche would suggest.

Where is the self centered-ness? Any principal who has overseen such a dramatic deterioration in school performance and safety - which can be directly attributed to their incompetence - should be out of a job. That should happen in Ward 8 just as it should happen in Ward 3. No parent in this city should be silent when school leadership is failing to perform their most basic duties. You can do what you do to promote silly stereotypes and sow ethnic division, but I’m damn glad that there are parent volunteers in this city doing what needs to be done to ensure that DCPS doesn’t fall any father than it has already.

Where is the grace? Is this not his first year as a principal? Are you saying that the first year or the first time you performed a duty you knocked it out of the park? It is so easy to throw stones in a glass house. To call for his resignation in his first year is extreme and atypical as such. I wonder what the real reason you want him to be removed...hmmm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two at Hardy. This is a witch and hunt and stupid. My kids are fine and doing well at Hardy. Can we acknowledge that all schools are experiencing higher levels of violence in the post-pandemic era. Did you see the news student that was killed? Dcps need to take steps to address the overall issue and provide support to our students and staff. The new principal should be given an opportunity to do his job, and the district should provide him with resources and support to address any issues that may come up. Let me go gather up the other 95% of parents and go see the chancellor.

I am also a Hardy parent. I very much regret that it has come to this point. But anyone who insists that everything is fine or that the action taken is premature has not been paying attention. All of us who have tried to work with the principal to resolve serious issues impacting our children's education - such as the lack of any science instruction for almost a quarter for one cohort - have experienced an extraordinary lack of capability and no willingness to rectify the manifest shortcomings. The PTO, LSAT, and grade liaisons who are leading this initiative have a perspective - by virtue both of their prolonged engagement with Hardy and their intensive interactions with Principal Johnson over the past year - that you and I could only dream of. That they are unanimous in backing the removal request suggests the enormity of the problems. You can choose to remain ignorant of them or insist that it’s too early to judge, but please don’t say you weren’t warned when your children’s safety and their education (and those of hundreds of others) are sacrificed because you didn’t want to hurt someone’s feelings.