Janney Vent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like all 3 of OPs kids were special needs kids. That is what I assume private schools is usually for - for kids who can’t cut it in mainstream public. (yes, I know public is supposed to provide supports to special needs students, but there just isn’t sufficient funding for that.) Not sure I see your point here.

+1. If your kid is having trouble with reading you don’t just let it go and hope for the best. It’s also up to you to advocate for your kid, including getting them tested for learning disabilities, which sounds like needed to happen with kids #1 and 2. No school — public or private — is going to save your kids and it’s totally misguided to think that they should or will.

Nope. OP here. #1 was tested and no issues. Schools stopped teaching phonics at some point. After much debate, some districts are bringing it back. #1 is now at a private. Thriving, actually excelling, with very little intervention on our part. It’s amazing. She’s a different person here. I wish I would have gone to a school like this. Every child should know what this is like. We are spending an obscene amount of money for this and can’t do it for all three so that’s why the move. Out of the DC area.

She needed help to learn to read in a way that wasn’t offered by the school, so you should have gotten her that help. “Very little intervention” sounds like there was some intervention at some point. But it’s easy to come back now and blame the problems on an entire school. Come on.

DP it is well documented.that schools messed up big time by stopping phonics. A lot of kids didn't learn to read. That is the fault of the schools and Lucy Caulkins and Fountas and Pinnell. They were also reassuring parents that everything was fine when it was not. Nobody should ever blame parents for this travesty. Parent advocacy by parents whose kids slipped through the cracks is why things have changed.

Amen. Google “phonics in public schools” and you can read all about the debacle that is now being reversed.

Also, schools are overcrowded, teachers are burnt out, bizarre DEI curriculum was fine until it got weird (ie, Is Lincoln a Racist? Was Louisa May Alcott actually trans? Discuss.)

If you have 1) a kid who is a rule follower and/or fits the typical social mold or 2) the money/time/sense to support with outside enrichment for ND kids or 3) the belief that “school is school and kids will be kids” and that everything will work out OK…you are a great candidate for public school.

If not, it’s not your fault, it’s not your kid’s fault, it’s not the school’s fault. Public education is struggling. Our society is struggling. Good luck to everyone. I know we all love our kids and want them to succeed and be happy. It’s hard. You’re not alone.

These things aren't weird? Everyone knows Lincoln was a racist and Alcott was trans?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like all 3 of OPs kids were special needs kids. That is what I assume private schools is usually for - for kids who can’t cut it in mainstream public. (yes, I know public is supposed to provide supports to special needs students, but there just isn’t sufficient funding for that.) Not sure I see your point here.

+1. If your kid is having trouble with reading you don’t just let it go and hope for the best. It’s also up to you to advocate for your kid, including getting them tested for learning disabilities, which sounds like needed to happen with kids #1 and 2. No school — public or private — is going to save your kids and it’s totally misguided to think that they should or will.

Nope. OP here. #1 was tested and no issues. Schools stopped teaching phonics at some point. After much debate, some districts are bringing it back. #1 is now at a private. Thriving, actually excelling, with very little intervention on our part. It’s amazing. She’s a different person here. I wish I would have gone to a school like this. Every child should know what this is like. We are spending an obscene amount of money for this and can’t do it for all three so that’s why the move. Out of the DC area.

She needed help to learn to read in a way that wasn’t offered by the school, so you should have gotten her that help. “Very little intervention” sounds like there was some intervention at some point. But it’s easy to come back now and blame the problems on an entire school. Come on.

You’re so right. Why didn’t I just think of that in the first place? I take it all back. Public schools are amazing and Janney is a beacon. I am taking full personal responsibility for my child’s lack of capabilities and my inability to support them properly. I’m so glad we talked.

Why are you saying this like it wasn't always your full personal responsibility for these things??

Really hope you are not a janney parent because most of us are actually nice people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve come to dread February every year at Janney. My kids come home feeling like they have personally caused an entire race of people to be harmed.

Have had multiple kids at Janney for many years and have never remotely had the sense my (white) kids feel they personally are at fault for racism. I literally have no idea what you’re talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve come to dread February every year at Janney. My kids come home feeling like they have personally caused an entire race of people to be harmed.

Imagine being so privileged that you dread BHM. Look at what’s going on in the world right now. Dear God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve come to dread February every year at Janney. My kids come home feeling like they have personally caused an entire race of people to be harmed.

Imagine being so privileged that you dread BHM. Look at what’s going on in the world right now. Dear God.

dp: I don't get your point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve come to dread February every year at Janney. My kids come home feeling like they have personally caused an entire race of people to be harmed.

Imagine being so privileged that you dread BHM. Look at what’s going on in the world right now. Dear God.

Yeah that is some bizarre projection from that parent - I've sent two kids thru Janney and if you are so privileged and clueless that BHM is causing you stress that is just another sign of the bubble you are living in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like all 3 of OPs kids were special needs kids. That is what I assume private schools is usually for - for kids who can’t cut it in mainstream public. (yes, I know public is supposed to provide supports to special needs students, but there just isn’t sufficient funding for that.) Not sure I see your point here.

+1. If your kid is having trouble with reading you don’t just let it go and hope for the best. It’s also up to you to advocate for your kid, including getting them tested for learning disabilities, which sounds like needed to happen with kids #1 and 2. No school — public or private — is going to save your kids and it’s totally misguided to think that they should or will.

Nope. OP here. #1 was tested and no issues. Schools stopped teaching phonics at some point. After much debate, some districts are bringing it back. #1 is now at a private. Thriving, actually excelling, with very little intervention on our part. It’s amazing. She’s a different person here. I wish I would have gone to a school like this. Every child should know what this is like. We are spending an obscene amount of money for this and can’t do it for all three so that’s why the move. Out of the DC area.

She needed help to learn to read in a way that wasn’t offered by the school, so you should have gotten her that help. “Very little intervention” sounds like there was some intervention at some point. But it’s easy to come back now and blame the problems on an entire school. Come on.

DP it is well documented.that schools messed up big time by stopping phonics. A lot of kids didn't learn to read. That is the fault of the schools and Lucy Caulkins and Fountas and Pinnell. They were also reassuring parents that everything was fine when it was not. Nobody should ever blame parents for this travesty. Parent advocacy by parents whose kids slipped through the cracks is why things have changed.

Amen. Google “phonics in public schools” and you can read all about the debacle that is now being reversed.

Also, schools are overcrowded, teachers are burnt out, bizarre DEI curriculum was fine until it got weird (ie, Is Lincoln a Racist? Was Louisa May Alcott actually trans? Discuss.)

If you have 1) a kid who is a rule follower and/or fits the typical social mold or 2) the money/time/sense to support with outside enrichment for ND kids or 3) the belief that “school is school and kids will be kids” and that everything will work out OK…you are a great candidate for public school.

If not, it’s not your fault, it’s not your kid’s fault, it’s not the school’s fault. Public education is struggling. Our society is struggling. Good luck to everyone. I know we all love our kids and want them to succeed and be happy. It’s hard. You’re not alone.

These things aren't weird? Everyone knows Lincoln was a racist and Alcott was trans?

Whether or not it is true, is this a priority for elementary students to discuss? I find it kind of ridiculous - not the PP .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve come to dread February every year at Janney. My kids come home feeling like they have personally caused an entire race of people to be harmed.

Imagine being so privileged that you dread BHM. Look at what’s going on in the world right now. Dear God.

Yeah that is some bizarre projection from that parent - I've sent two kids thru Janney and if you are so privileged and clueless that BHM is causing you stress that is just another sign of the bubble you are living in.

+1, as a teacher I had a student once say " I feel so guilty" and I said "why, you weren't there." ES kids internalizing BHM as something to take personally starts at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve come to dread February every year at Janney. My kids come home feeling like they have personally caused an entire race of people to be harmed.

Imagine being so privileged that you dread BHM. Look at what’s going on in the world right now. Dear God.

dp: I don't get your point.

My point is look around. You have kids in your own city who go to bed at night with empty bellies, and kids abroad getting blown to bits. And this person is dreading BHM at Janney. The lack of perspective is outrageous and offensive.

[Anonymous]

Those of you who left for small Christian private schools, and have been happy with the outcome, would you consider sharing where?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve come to dread February every year at Janney. My kids come home feeling like they have personally caused an entire race of people to be harmed.

I suspect this feeling your kids are experiencing is a cognitive dissonance between what is said and how life is lived. They participate in Black history month in a white neighborhood in a white school in a Black city. Segregation is unhealthy. My kids have never felt any personal responsibility for history in the majority minority school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve come to dread February every year at Janney. My kids come home feeling like they have personally caused an entire race of people to be harmed.

I suspect this feeling your kids are experiencing is a cognitive dissonance between what is said and how life is lived. They participate in Black history month in a white neighborhood in a white school in a Black city. Segregation is unhealthy. My kids have never felt any personal responsibility for history in the majority minority school.

Hate to break it to you, but DC is not a Black city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve come to dread February every year at Janney. My kids come home feeling like they have personally caused an entire race of people to be harmed.

I suspect this feeling your kids are experiencing is a cognitive dissonance between what is said and how life is lived. They participate in Black history month in a white neighborhood in a white school in a Black city. Segregation is unhealthy. My kids have never felt any personal responsibility for history in the majority minority school.

Yes! This is it exactly!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve come to dread February every year at Janney. My kids come home feeling like they have personally caused an entire race of people to be harmed.

I suspect this feeling your kids are experiencing is a cognitive dissonance between what is said and how life is lived. They participate in Black history month in a white neighborhood in a white school in a Black city. Segregation is unhealthy. My kids have never felt any personal responsibility for history in the majority minority school.

Hate to break it to you, but DC is not a Black city.

Ok, keep rationalizing segregation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like all 3 of OPs kids were special needs kids. That is what I assume private schools is usually for - for kids who can’t cut it in mainstream public. (yes, I know public is supposed to provide supports to special needs students, but there just isn’t sufficient funding for that.) Not sure I see your point here.

You have it twisted. Everyone can cut it in DCPS. OP's kid was probably slipping through the cracks because zero attention is given to the middle of the road readers.

But it doesn’t sound like her kid was middle of the road. She knew there was a problem and sat back and waited for the school to fix it for her. That’s not the way public school works in any district. Sorry.

There is a part of the special education act (not sure what it is called now) that the public school has a child find responsibility.
If the school knew or should have known that a child had a learning disability, they are responsible for triggering the process. Not all parent's are aware of the intricacies of requesting an assessment (and they shouldn't have to be).
I know of a family who sued DCPS (and won) because the school did not provide the required assessments given what they clearly knew (demonstrated by report cards and emails)
Would anyone be surprised to learn that the child had been enrolled at Janney?