Roll Call: Prince Georges parents, are any of you on DCUM? Raise your hands

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cheverly poster here. We love it here, we do, for all the reasons previously mentioned. But schools are a huge concern. I would be lying if I didn't admit that it seems silly not to sacrifice a bit and pick up and move a county over, where the schools are stellar by comparison. And then I start my populist rant against myself. I'm a big proponent of public schools and think every kid has the right to a quality education. If I want to see PG schools improve, shouldn't I send my child to school here, get involved and work to make the school better? But then comes the part that makes me feel enormous guilt -- I don't want my child to be a guinea pig. Involved parents are hugely important, but there are so many factors beyond our control that can make or break a kid's education.. sigh. It's all really upsetting.

move

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cheverly poster here. We love it here, we do, for all the reasons previously mentioned. But schools are a huge concern. I would be lying if I didn't admit that it seems silly not to sacrifice a bit and pick up and move a county over, where the schools are stellar by comparison. And then I start my populist rant against myself. I'm a big proponent of public schools and think every kid has the right to a quality education. If I want to see PG schools improve, shouldn't I send my child to school here, get involved and work to make the school better? But then comes the part that makes me feel enormous guilt -- I don't want my child to be a guinea pig. Involved parents are hugely important, but there are so many factors beyond our control that can make or break a kid's education.. sigh. It's all really upsetting.

PP, I also live in Cheverly, and send my kids to the neighborhood elementary school.

How old are your kids? Do you know about CAPS? You might want to get on their mailing list.

And the Spellman PTA welcomes members of the community to join and attend meetings and help out. Just FYI, you'd be welcome!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cheverly poster here. We love it here, we do, for all the reasons previously mentioned. But schools are a huge concern. I would be lying if I didn't admit that it seems silly not to sacrifice a bit and pick up and move a county over, where the schools are stellar by comparison. And then I start my populist rant against myself. I'm a big proponent of public schools and think every kid has the right to a quality education. If I want to see PG schools improve, shouldn't I send my child to school here, get involved and work to make the school better? But then comes the part that makes me feel enormous guilt -- I don't want my child to be a guinea pig. Involved parents are hugely important, but there are so many factors beyond our control that can make or break a kid's education.. sigh. It's all really upsetting.

The problem is: PG county has a tax rate cap. PG citizens make less money than those in Mont county. Therefore, PG pays its teachers much than Mont does. Therefore all the best teachers get recruited over to Mont. county. Poor people need to realize that they need to pay a larger fraction of their salary for the basics (police, schooling) than rich people. It ain't fair, but life ain't fair. Until that changes, you have to go to the very small number of private schools nearby or drive your kid to rich areas and have them spend two hours a day in the car that they could spend playing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was unwilling to live in Virginia and couldn't afford anything metro-accessible in Montgomery County, so we ended up here in PG. I like being on this side of the city for all the reasons people mentioned about green space and cost of living. Also, honestly, I like living in a majority-black area: it makes me feel like I'm back in Chicago or Philly, two places I lived as a child and young adult and really enjoyed.

Why would you be "unwilling" to live in virginia? And why place importance on the color of your neighbor's skin? Odd.

I would be unwilling to live in Virginia due to the commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cheverly poster here. We love it here, we do, for all the reasons previously mentioned. But schools are a huge concern. I would be lying if I didn't admit that it seems silly not to sacrifice a bit and pick up and move a county over, where the schools are stellar by comparison. And then I start my populist rant against myself. I'm a big proponent of public schools and think every kid has the right to a quality education. If I want to see PG schools improve, shouldn't I send my child to school here, get involved and work to make the school better? But then comes the part that makes me feel enormous guilt -- I don't want my child to be a guinea pig. Involved parents are hugely important, but there are so many factors beyond our control that can make or break a kid's education.. sigh. It's all really upsetting.

The problem is: PG county has a tax rate cap. PG citizens make less money than those in Mont county. Therefore, PG pays its teachers much than Mont does. Therefore all the best teachers get recruited over to Mont. county. Poor people need to realize that they need to pay a larger fraction of their salary for the basics (police, schooling) than rich people. It ain't fair, but life ain't fair. Until that changes, you have to go to the very small number of private schools nearby or drive your kid to rich areas and have them spend two hours a day in the car that they could spend playing.

Really doubt the problem is the teachers. Problem is the parents.