Are we fools not to play lottery for our 3 y o?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that it is absolutely wonderful that enough progress has been made in elementary education in DC that people are even having this discussion. To those of us who have been here watching and helping this movement, congratulations. To those who are just joining in and seeing new things that they would like to improve, welcome and I hope you can create the options that you want, but please try to give a little bit of credit to what has been done so far recently before you bad mouth what is here.

Oh come on!

I'll give you a ton of credit for creating options that work for your family, but that's it. Do not have the nerve to think that the situation you've helped to create works for every family. And do not think that the "improvements" you've made to the system don't have unintended consequences to other families. There are some good in-bounds schools now (not near me) and there are more and more charters competing with them for other kids, presenting other options (none attractive to me). Just because YOU think it is better because you've created an option that works for YOU does not mean it is inherently better.

To my mind, there is little in this world more dysfunctional than this city's school and charter and OOB system. It would be easier to improve the local in-bounds when the current families don't have a free alternative there is more incentive to stick with and fix the local schools. I love that the charter system has done exactly what all of us public school boosters said it would do, leaving fewer engaged families willing to give the local school their elbow grease.

So - thanks for that?

Visit Chicago, Detroit, or LA (I could go on). You'll get over yourself more quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You're absolutely incorrect, however, about what the expansion accomplished and was designed to do. Head start is / was a program designed to give a leg up (literally: a head start) for disadvantaged kids, to level the playing field. However, middle class families, who were paying for daycare, observed that it was unfair to give a big portion of the city free childcare, and to give this childcare an educational component, thereby disadvantaging THEIR kids. So those families cried foul, and the city listened, and expanded PS and PK as a way to support working, mostly middle-class families.

As one of those upper-middle class parents that asked the city to provide universal PreK, may I please explain that it really had quite a lot to do with making our DCPS neighborhood school competitive with charter schools that provided PS3 to those lucky enough to get into the school? Without providing PS3, many DCPS schools were not on a level playing field when competing for students. I personally also desired a mixed income preschool setting rather than school for a bunch of other upper-middle class if we went with private care? there are also plenty of studies indicating that mixed income settings is the best way to erase the achievement gap, something I am VERY concerned about for our society. I personally believe in early childhood education, but I get that I could be wrong and maybe kids would actually do better in the long run if they delayed to K.

So, I hope you ask the charter are want your child to attend K at why they decided to accept students at PS3 or PS4 instead of K. If you don't find the reason personally satisfactory, please ask them to consider helping you draft a charter with a K start date. I think it would be fascinating to have a charter school that mirrors another one except for the possibly crucial detail of starting in K. In time, the records of the students would indicate whether or not the start date makes a difference. IF the kids do better starting in K, that could cause reconsideration of the universal preschool movement. I doubt that would happen, but I would really love to see this play out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also - note that many parents coming out on the other side of the tunnel on the lottery thing aren't saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it." They are either saying some variation of live with it, deal with it, or "I've got mine, it's your problem now." while pretending this has been a win for all kids. LOL. If they were telling the truth, they'd say "we are hanging on to a rope in an extremely dysfunctional system and I'm terrified of ANY movement that might jeopardize my tenuous foothold."

I think that's what all the irritation and ire from the charter school system boosters is coming from. They are terrified that we'll rock the boat.

Guess what? We're going to.

So what do you propose to do? I'm not terrified or hanging on a rope-- the system is working fine for my family. That is the truth. Now, what I don't feel good about is the many children in primarily Wards 7 and 8 that are stuck in bad schools. I don't care about middle-class families that are able to keep their children home until K or afford private programs.

[Anonymous]

Why not take the 'free' preschool slote and pick your dc up at lunchtime every day? Or only send a few days a week?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also - note that many parents coming out on the other side of the tunnel on the lottery thing aren't saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it." They are either saying some variation of live with it, deal with it, or "I've got mine, it's your problem now." while pretending this has been a win for all kids. LOL. If they were telling the truth, they'd say "we are hanging on to a rope in an extremely dysfunctional system and I'm terrified of ANY movement that might jeopardize my tenuous foothold."

I think that's what all the irritation and ire from the charter school system boosters is coming from. They are terrified that we'll rock the boat.

Guess what? We're going to.

So what do you propose to do? I'm not terrified or hanging on a rope-- the system is working fine for my family. That is the truth. Now, what I don't feel good about is the many children in primarily Wards 7 and 8 that are stuck in bad schools. I don't care about middle-class families that are able to keep their children home until K or afford private programs.

So give up your slot and go save 'em phony. Not likely. Anyone who doesn't care about all kids isn't much of an altruistic person. You're a reverse racist scum. Higher SES families are struggling too. Hose children are just as deserving as the Ward 7 and 8 kids.

[Anonymous]

Is it just me, or has Eastern High School booster/word salad poster found this thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also - note that many parents coming out on the other side of the tunnel on the lottery thing aren't saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it." They are either saying some variation of live with it, deal with it, or "I've got mine, it's your problem now." while pretending this has been a win for all kids. LOL. If they were telling the truth, they'd say "we are hanging on to a rope in an extremely dysfunctional system and I'm terrified of ANY movement that might jeopardize my tenuous foothold."

I think that's what all the irritation and ire from the charter school system boosters is coming from. They are terrified that we'll rock the boat.

Guess what? We're going to.

So what do you propose to do? I'm not terrified or hanging on a rope-- the system is working fine for my family. That is the truth. Now, what I don't feel good about is the many children in primarily Wards 7 and 8 that are stuck in bad schools. I don't care about middle-class families that are able to keep their children home until K or afford private programs.

So give up your slot and go save 'em phony. Not likely. Anyone who doesn't care about all kids isn't much of an altruistic person. You're a reverse racist scum. Higher SES families are struggling too. Hose children are just as deserving as the Ward 7 and 8 kids. [/quot

I don't need to care about kids that have resources. If you can pay for private or live off of one income-- you are not struggling. Also, you are seriously angry-- laughable too. "reverse racist scum"-- You clearly have reading comprehension issues-- I never said anything about saving anyone--my point was that the children really suffering have limited resources and likely live in areas of the city where poverty is concentrated. If your family can't afford private or live off of one income, you are not included in my point. Instead of writing like you are going to die of high blood pressure, calm down and make suggestions. You never seem to answer any questions, but attack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also - note that many parents coming out on the other side of the tunnel on the lottery thing aren't saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it." They are either saying some variation of live with it, deal with it, or "I've got mine, it's your problem now." while pretending this has been a win for all kids. LOL. If they were telling the truth, they'd say "we are hanging on to a rope in an extremely dysfunctional system and I'm terrified of ANY movement that might jeopardize my tenuous foothold."

I think that's what all the irritation and ire from the charter school system boosters is coming from. They are terrified that we'll rock the boat.

Guess what? We're going to.

Don't be silly, no-one could be less afraid of you.

If you want to support early education in general, and your child in particular, your fantasy of being a crusader is working in opposition to your aim. Your rallying cry against the evil charters, who are trying to bring free pre-school, language education, and school-choice to the District, is not actually the motivator which you imagine it to be.

"Be the change" you want to see, right? So, instead of bitching and moaning because you don't like someone else's model, go write a charter and be the change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am very much not a troll and I agree that there is a lot of entitlement on this thread. First, this is a poor city that had for many years extremely poor citizens. The city designed the free PS and PK as an offshoot of Head Start to provide free early education to kids whose parents can't afford it. It's great that you would prefer to have your child spend time with a nanny or you and only attend preschool part time. Then do that. But it is entitled to demand that the city offer you the free preschool that you want in addition to the free preschool that the city believes the poor children of this city need. Second, the problem that people seem to have really stems from your own decision to live in a neighborhood that does not offer a school that you find acceptable. Living here requires trade offs. If you choose to live in the biggest house you can afford in a transitional neighborhood then you have to play the lottery and take the full day PS and PK. If you want to pick your preschool and still have a guaranteed K then you will have to move to a neighborhood that allows that.

here here!!!

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also - note that many parents coming out on the other side of the tunnel on the lottery thing aren't saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it." They are either saying some variation of live with it, deal with it, or "I've got mine, it's your problem now." while pretending this has been a win for all kids. LOL. If they were telling the truth, they'd say "we are hanging on to a rope in an extremely dysfunctional system and I'm terrified of ANY movement that might jeopardize my tenuous foothold."

I think that's what all the irritation and ire from the charter school system boosters is coming from. They are terrified that we'll rock the boat.

Guess what? We're going to.

I don't understand this at all. What are you saying current charter parents are worried about? If they're current charter parents, their kids are in... why are they worried about anything?

Please explain this further, what kind of movement are you saying charter boosters are afraid of?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also - note that many parents coming out on the other side of the tunnel on the lottery thing aren't saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it." They are either saying some variation of live with it, deal with it, or "I've got mine, it's your problem now." while pretending this has been a win for all kids. LOL. If they were telling the truth, they'd say "we are hanging on to a rope in an extremely dysfunctional system and I'm terrified of ANY movement that might jeopardize my tenuous foothold."

I think that's what all the irritation and ire from the charter school system boosters is coming from. They are terrified that we'll rock the boat.

Guess what? We're going to.

So what do you propose to do? I'm not terrified or hanging on a rope-- the system is working fine for my family. That is the truth. Now, what I don't feel good about is the many children in primarily Wards 7 and 8 that are stuck in bad schools. I don't care about middle-class families that are able to keep their children home until K or afford private programs.

So give up your slot and go save 'em phony. Not likely. Anyone who doesn't care about all kids isn't much of an altruistic person. You're a reverse racist scum. Higher SES families are struggling too. Hose children are just as deserving as the Ward 7 and 8 kids.

It would actually be better if you were a troll, but I'm pretty sure you're serious. Are you listening to yourself? No, obviously not. "Higher SES families are struggling too... those children are just as deserving as Ward 7 and 8 kids"??? Wait, maybe you are a troll? Because you are either a troll or delusional if you think the PUBLIC education system, set up to serve families who either cannot afford to send their kids to school or value/prioritize factors that make them choose a public school even if they could afford private, PUBLIC schools are NOT set up to serve higer SES families, nor are the kids of higher SES families "just as deserving" of free quality schools as Ward 7 and 8 kids. If DC was all high SES families (which it seems like in another decade or 2 it may just be!), then the conversation about how tax payer money should be spent becomes totally different. Public education exists to try (emphasis on TRY) to address the resource and education gap, which turns into a major opportunity gap, of those who cannot afford to pay for schools. All countries with thriving economies have some version of public education, because that's how you have at least a baseline educatied workforce. The idea that while DC is still economically mixed, high SES families kids' are just as much in "need" of quality free public schools as Ward 7 and 8 kids is delusional.

So now I'm still on the fence re: whether you're a troll or not, but I know one thing: you calling someone a reverse racist scum because they said they are only worried about families and kids with no options and don't care about wealthy families (because we all know they'll be fine - they have waaaay more choices), is a sure sign you're crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also - note that many parents coming out on the other side of the tunnel on the lottery thing aren't saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it." They are either saying some variation of live with it, deal with it, or "I've got mine, it's your problem now." while pretending this has been a win for all kids. LOL. If they were telling the truth, they'd say "we are hanging on to a rope in an extremely dysfunctional system and I'm terrified of ANY movement that might jeopardize my tenuous foothold."

I think that's what all the irritation and ire from the charter school system boosters is coming from. They are terrified that we'll rock the boat.

Guess what? We're going to.

Don't be silly, no-one could be less afraid of you.

If you want to support early education in general, and your child in particular, your fantasy of being a crusader is working in opposition to your aim. Your rallying cry against the evil charters, who are trying to bring free pre-school, language education, and school-choice to the District, is not actually the motivator which you imagine it to be.

"Be the change" you want to see, right? So, instead of bitching and moaning because you don't like someone else's model, go write a charter and be the change.

Best idea yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also - note that many parents coming out on the other side of the tunnel on the lottery thing aren't saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it." They are either saying some variation of live with it, deal with it, or "I've got mine, it's your problem now." while pretending this has been a win for all kids. LOL. If they were telling the truth, they'd say "we are hanging on to a rope in an extremely dysfunctional system and I'm terrified of ANY movement that might jeopardize my tenuous foothold."

I think that's what all the irritation and ire from the charter school system boosters is coming from. They are terrified that we'll rock the boat.

Guess what? We're going to.

So what do you propose to do? I'm not terrified or hanging on a rope-- the system is working fine for my family. That is the truth. Now, what I don't feel good about is the many children in primarily Wards 7 and 8 that are stuck in bad schools. I don't care about middle-class families that are able to keep their children home until K or afford private programs.

So give up your slot and go save 'em phony. Not likely. Anyone who doesn't care about all kids isn't much of an altruistic person. You're a reverse racist scum. Higher SES families are struggling too. Hose children are just as deserving as the Ward 7 and 8 kids.

It would actually be better if you were a troll, but I'm pretty sure you're serious. Are you listening to yourself? No, obviously not. "Higher SES families are struggling too... those children are just as deserving as Ward 7 and 8 kids"??? Wait, maybe you are a troll? Because you are either a troll or delusional if you think the PUBLIC education system, set up to serve families who either cannot afford to send their kids to school or value/prioritize factors that make them choose a public school even if they could afford private, PUBLIC schools are NOT set up to serve higer SES families, nor are the kids of higher SES families "just as deserving" of free quality schools as Ward 7 and 8 kids. If DC was all high SES families (which it seems like in another decade or 2 it may just be!), then the conversation about how tax payer money should be spent becomes totally different. Public education exists to try (emphasis on TRY) to address the resource and education gap, which turns into a major opportunity gap, of those who cannot afford to pay for schools. All countries with thriving economies have some version of public education, because that's how you have at least a baseline educatied workforce. The idea that while DC is still economically mixed, high SES families kids' are just as much in "need" of quality free public schools as Ward 7 and 8 kids is delusional.

So now I'm still on the fence re: whether you're a troll or not, but I know one thing: you calling someone a reverse racist scum because they said they are only worried about families and kids with no options and don't care about wealthy families (because we all know they'll be fine - they have waaaay more choices), is a sure sign you're crazy.

Any chance you're crazy too? Nah.... LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Please take your head out of your ass. Seriously, just give it a try.

My family makes 60K a year. We are not upper class and I'm not sure we qualify as "middle class" in this city, though there are few cities where that logic would apply. Are you seriously that out of fucking touch with reality that you can't see that a family who might be able to save up and afford 2K per kid for two years for a private / coop preschool might not be able to pay 15K (rock bottom entry point by all accounts) for private for 12 more years? Holy shit. This is why people are accusing you of trolling. You are an upper middle class parent trying to school me on entitlement. LOL, lady! I am not GRATEFUL that these things are not income based, because I think they should be serving poor kids (Poorer than my family, in fact) and NOT providing a wealthy, entitled asswipe with free daycare. Goddamn, you are the dumbest person I've encountered on this site. Maybe you should go to school with your kids and learn to read?

You need to look step back and look at other Private options - as well as understand that at 60K you will get FA at school. Sacred Heart in Columbia Heights is bi-lingual and less than $6K a year Christian Family Montessori - is around $7K. This is will under the $15K you quoted.

Sacred Heart is fully subscribed in lower grades. They had a waitlist last year for Pre-K and probably will continue going forward. The cheapy option there is over too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's sad is that what's best for our kids takes a back seat to not being shut out by waiting. Your DC may not be ready right now, but if you don't apply and take a spot now you may be SOL later. We all lose in this game!

I disagree with using the term "sad". The option for free PK3 and PK4 is very rare in DC. You don't have to participate in the madness if you do not want. K is a good year to enter charters so if you opt to keep your child at home you have that right, but don't call it sad because its a daunting process if you wish to participate. All I see about preschool craziness in lotteries etc baffles me, it's more of an entitlement feeling from other parents rather than looking at it as a great benefit to utilize to offset expensive daycare and prepare our youngsters for Kinder (even of you're destined to a tier 2 option).

Say what? You sound so completely out of touch and I try to be respectful on this site but -- really? Perhaps it is just that you do not fully appreciate what the system means to children whose families do not live within bounds for a decent school. This isn't a matter of looking a "gift horse" (free preschool) in the mouth. This is feeling forced into sending a child to all day every day preschool because if you do not, your child will have a VERY small chance of getting into a workable public or charter school in kindergarten, which is mandatory. So yes, on the surface, DC's free preschool is nice. But it is very clearly geared toward children who need childcare. Those who do not need childcare, or those who believe their kids are better off with their nanny / play based preschool / whatever, still end up going to those preschools. Why? Because of the way the lottery works. If a school has a PS3, that is where the entry points are. If a school has a PK4, that's the entry point. So the slots get filled up by the students who get their toddler sized feet in the door. By the time my kid hits kindergarten, the only spots left are if a kid moves or ends up in a school that is a better fit. That kind of movement is comparatively minuscule when you think of the numbers of children applying. So it's far from feeling entitled. I would happily skip the DC public and charter school preschool. The problem is that by skipping it, I'm basically stuck with my in bounds. Which has had problems with violence (in elementary school) and where the children do not really get recess, and have gym 1x a week (for a half an hour!). I don't want my kids in that environment, so I feel stuck.

How is that entitlement exactly?

You apparently have the economic means to have a nanny or do private preschool since you "do not need childcare"; yet, you believe that the system (which was originally designed to be a way for low-income kids to get a "head start" on early childhood education) should cater to you. If you live in a neighborhood that does not have a good in-bounds school, I am guessing that most of the families there "need child care" because both parents (or a single mom) need to work! DC is a poor city, and it is pretty entitled of you to think that the system should revolve around your needs and not the needs of the kids who are clearly needy.

What keeps you from just sending your child to PS/PK only 3 days/week or picking him up after lunch??