SELA PICKS WARD 4 - Takoma, DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Awesome. Just make sure you aren't pretending to care about Hebrew immersion.

Honey, I am not pretending to care. I CARE. I would CARE about Italian immersion. I would care about German immersion. I would care about Gulah immersion. I would care about Dari immersion. I care about bilingual education PERIOD. Hebrew is a historic language, just because my peeps didn't speak it, I don't feel the need to trash it or devalue it....and frankly, it's worrisome that some of the PP seem to need to do this on a thread about LOCATION. Sounds like you need to do some soul-searching....why is it that you can't be THANKFUL to have more charter school options. It sounds like you are probably a DCPS teacher in a near-empty school...I feel for ya...but not enough to join in with your negative and nasty hijacking of this thread. Peace!

[Anonymous]

What am I missing here? The location is great because... why? Is there something about the building that is spectacular, or is it just convenient to the people posting? From what I read the location is on a 5 year lease. Is that considered "long term"? I mean, yes, it is a longer lease than several of the newer charters have secured (MV, IT, CM, etc), but it's not forever, especially if you have younger siblings to consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What am I missing here? The location is great because... why? Is there something about the building that is spectacular, or is it just convenient to the people posting? From what I read the location is on a 5 year lease. Is that considered "long term"? I mean, yes, it is a longer lease than several of the newer charters have secured (MV, IT, CM, etc), but it's not forever, especially if you have younger siblings to consider.

One of my neighbors volunteers with the school, so granted, I have been hearing him chat up the school for many months. The location is a good choice, because it's area where a lot of middle-class families are moving to - it's getting a gastro-pub, it has a brewery, it's walkable to the crunchy parts of Takoma. The building itself is huge and will hold the school for five years or more, I think there is an issue with them wanting to expand to jr. high? And if they do that they might want to move or join the languages jr. high, I forget where that's going to be, but it's somewhere in Ward 4. So, he says they definitely want to stay in Ward 4 or close to Ward 4, and could stay in the building for more than five years - it depends if they get into the languages jr. high, I think.

From my perspective as a parent who is has a child in a private nursery, the unique thing is that they chose Ward 4. There is a dearth of options for Ward 4 (and 5) parents, and this is where a lot of younger families are settling in. Not everybody can afford to live in Ward 1. Also, the fact that they got a space so early, when you have schools who don't know where they are going to be until right before school opens. So, I think that is also an achievement. Granted I'm biased a little because of my neighbor, but it sounds to be like they have their act together. They have very active volunteers and they are hiring staff, getting the building ready, etc.

[Anonymous]

The serial "legitimate questioner" seeks any opportunity to undermine anything out there that isn't 100% aligned with her agenda. This time it's Hebrew language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What am I missing here? The location is great because... why? Is there something about the building that is spectacular, or is it just convenient to the people posting? From what I read the location is on a 5 year lease. Is that considered "long term"? I mean, yes, it is a longer lease than several of the newer charters have secured (MV, IT, CM, etc), but it's not forever, especially if you have younger siblings to consider.

One of my neighbors volunteers with the school, so granted, I have been hearing him chat up the school for many months. The location is a good choice, because it's area where a lot of middle-class families are moving to - it's getting a gastro-pub, it has a brewery, it's walkable to the crunchy parts of Takoma. The building itself is huge and will hold the school for five years or more, I think there is an issue with them wanting to expand to jr. high? And if they do that they might want to move or join the languages jr. high, I forget where that's going to be, but it's somewhere in Ward 4. So, he says they definitely want to stay in Ward 4 or close to Ward 4, and could stay in the building for more than five years - it depends if they get into the languages jr. high, I think.

From my perspective as a parent who is has a child in a private nursery, the unique thing is that they chose Ward 4. There is a dearth of options for Ward 4 (and 5) parents, and this is where a lot of younger families are settling in. Not everybody can afford to live in Ward 1. Also, the fact that they got a space so early, when you have schools who don't know where they are going to be until right before school opens. So, I think that is also an achievement. Granted I'm biased a little because of my neighbor, but it sounds to be like they have their act together. They have very active volunteers and they are hiring staff, getting the building ready, etc.

FYI us upper income and middle income people have been living her for YEARS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The serial "legitimate questioner" seeks any opportunity to undermine anything out there that isn't 100% aligned with her agenda. This time it's Hebrew language.

"THE serial legitimate questioner"?? Yeah, keep fooling yourself that it's only one person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Awesome. Just make sure you aren't pretending to care about Hebrew immersion.

Honey, I am not pretending to care. I CARE. I would CARE about Italian immersion. I would care about German immersion. I would care about Gulah immersion. I would care about Dari immersion. I care about bilingual education PERIOD. Hebrew is a historic language, just because my peeps didn't speak it, I don't feel the need to trash it or devalue it....and frankly, it's worrisome that some of the PP seem to need to do this on a thread about LOCATION. Sounds like you need to do some soul-searching....why is it that you can't be THANKFUL to have more charter school options. It sounds like you are probably a DCPS teacher in a near-empty school...I feel for ya...but not enough to join in with your negative and nasty hijacking of this thread. Peace!

Right, because usually on DCUM the conversation always stays with the original thread topic...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What am I missing here? The location is great because... why? Is there something about the building that is spectacular, or is it just convenient to the people posting? From what I read the location is on a 5 year lease. Is that considered "long term"? I mean, yes, it is a longer lease than several of the newer charters have secured (MV, IT, CM, etc), but it's not forever, especially if you have younger siblings to consider.

One of my neighbors volunteers with the school, so granted, I have been hearing him chat up the school for many months. The location is a good choice, because it's area where a lot of middle-class families are moving to - it's getting a gastro-pub, it has a brewery, it's walkable to the crunchy parts of Takoma. The building itself is huge and will hold the school for five years or more, I think there is an issue with them wanting to expand to jr. high? And if they do that they might want to move or join the languages jr. high, I forget where that's going to be, but it's somewhere in Ward 4. So, he says they definitely want to stay in Ward 4 or close to Ward 4, and could stay in the building for more than five years - it depends if they get into the languages jr. high, I think.

From my perspective as a parent who is has a child in a private nursery, the unique thing is that they chose Ward 4. There is a dearth of options for Ward 4 (and 5) parents, and this is where a lot of younger families are settling in. Not everybody can afford to live in Ward 1. Also, the fact that they got a space so early, when you have schools who don't know where they are going to be until right before school opens. So, I think that is also an achievement. Granted I'm biased a little because of my neighbor, but it sounds to be like they have their act together. They have very active volunteers and they are hiring staff, getting the building ready, etc.

Sela is trying to join DCI? That makes a lot of sense, and frankly, that's always my concern with these new charters. Where will the kids end up for middle school. It's a risk to try something new when you don't know where they'll end up for 6th grade. Of course, putting my kid in a low-performing DCPS is a risk, too. So it sounds like Sela might be in this location for more than 5 years which is also good news. We are considering moving to Takoma Park or Silver Spring if we can't get into a good charter, but might be willing to give Sela a one-year shot if it works out, DC keeps another taxpayer. Now, if only they make over the entire DCPS...they'd keep a lot more.

[Anonymous]

I'm a Ward 4 gentrifier with kids, but I don't see the point in celebrating this as a new option for families like mine. Without neighborhood preferences, there's no particular advantage to having a great school in your ward or neighborhood. Each morning I fight the drop-off traffic at the excellent charter two blocks from my house, so I can drive my kid two miles to the excellent charter where he lucked into a spot. I'm glad Sela found good space, but it's hardly a victory for the Ward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Ward 4 gentrifier with kids, but I don't see the point in celebrating this as a new option for families like mine. Without neighborhood preferences, there's no particular advantage to having a great school in your ward or neighborhood. Each morning I fight the drop-off traffic at the excellent charter two blocks from my house, so I can drive my kid two miles to the excellent charter where he lucked into a spot. I'm glad Sela found good space, but it's hardly a victory for the Ward.

This is true to a certain extent, but whenever there is a new charter, there is a shot to get in on the ground floor when there is lower demand. Once you're in, you're in, and with sibling preference- it can work out to be a big deal for your family. There is also the possibility that having a good charter convinces enrolled families to move closer to the school, which is good for the neighborhood/Ward. I live near Latin, for example, and I know at least three people on my (very long) block or so who have bought houses to be close to the school (not that they're going to buy a house near their new location or anything, but it does happen.

[Anonymous]

The serial "legitimate questioner" seeks any opportunity to undermine anything out there that isn't 100% aligned with her agenda. This time it's Hebrew language.


"THE serial legitimate questioner"?? Yeah, keep fooling yourself that it's only one person.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What am I missing here? The location is great because... why? Is there something about the building that is spectacular, or is it just convenient to the people posting? From what I read the location is on a 5 year lease. Is that considered "long term"? I mean, yes, it is a longer lease than several of the newer charters have secured (MV, IT, CM, etc), but it's not forever, especially if you have younger siblings to consider.

One of my neighbors volunteers with the school, so granted, I have been hearing him chat up the school for many months. The location is a good choice, because it's area where a lot of middle-class families are moving to - it's getting a gastro-pub, it has a brewery, it's walkable to the crunchy parts of Takoma. The building itself is huge and will hold the school for five years or more, I think there is an issue with them wanting to expand to jr. high? And if they do that they might want to move or join the languages jr. high, I forget where that's going to be, but it's somewhere in Ward 4. So, he says they definitely want to stay in Ward 4 or close to Ward 4, and could stay in the building for more than five years - it depends if they get into the languages jr. high, I think.

From my perspective as a parent who is has a child in a private nursery, the unique thing is that they chose Ward 4. There is a dearth of options for Ward 4 (and 5) parents, and this is where a lot of younger families are settling in. Not everybody can afford to live in Ward 1. Also, the fact that they got a space so early, when you have schools who don't know where they are going to be until right before school opens. So, I think that is also an achievement. Granted I'm biased a little because of my neighbor, but it sounds to be like they have their act together. They have very active volunteers and they are hiring staff, getting the building ready, etc.

I agree, having a new charter tell you where they are going to be for 5 or more years is great in terms of planning for your family - and having such a big space is also awesome. Good job, Sela! I'm excited about the Hebrew language opportunity, but I am not sure I would have driven to the other side of the city for it. This
location makes the choice easy.





Sela is trying to join DCI? That makes a lot of sense, and frankly, that's always my concern with these new charters. Where will the kids end up for middle school. It's a risk to try something new when you don't know where they'll end up for 6th grade. Of course, putting my kid in a low-performing DCPS is a risk, too. So it sounds like Sela might be in this location for more than 5 years which is also good news. We are considering moving to Takoma Park or Silver Spring if we can't get into a good charter, but might be willing to give Sela a one-year shot if it works out, DC keeps another taxpayer. Now, if only they make over the entire DCPS...they'd keep a lot more.

[Anonymous]

Hello, I'm new to this discussion. Just wondering, are the founders and principal of this school Jewish, or gentiles? Will SELA use the HaYesod curriculum, or another curriculum? Lastly, what is the oldest age that a student can be admitted --- for example, could a 3rd or 4th grader who has learned Herbrew at a day school transfer in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello, I'm new to this discussion. Just wondering, are the founders and principal of this school Jewish, or gentiles? Will SELA use the HaYesod curriculum, or another curriculum? Lastly, what is the oldest age that a student can be admitted --- for example, could a 3rd or 4th grader who has learned Herbrew at a day school transfer in?

From their website it looks like their founding group are a mix of Israeli/Jewish/African-American education/professional types (based on attendance at HBCUs and/or names). Their ED looks like a Catholic: http://www.selapcs.org//#!our-leadership/c1avw

They are opening with pre-K, K, and 1 only and adding a grade, though.

[Anonymous]

But up until what grade does their charter allow? And through what grade will they admit new students?

If SELA is successful, undoubtedly families with Hebrew speaking kids in the upper elementary grades will move to DC in the coming years and want to attend. Will they be able to?