Any Religious Parents in DCPS Because it feels like the "Just" Thing to Do?

[Anonymous]

I'm going to go out on a limb and put this out here, mostly because DCUM is anonymous. I know in liberal DC (we're liberal, just also religious Christians) talk of religious stuff is kind of taboo.
BUT
Here's the thing - we made a decision to be committed to DCPS and the sometimes-difficult integration it requires out of a sense of Christian obligation, the idea that getting what's best for me is not actually what I'm supposed to be doing in life. (And I can imagine many others feeling a similar ethical calling regardless of faith tradition, or altruistic humanists, etc.)

I don't ask this to denigrate anyone's choices - but is there anyone out there like us? Who decided rather than some episcopal day school or Catholic school that might teach religion, that being a good neighbor meant actually trying to work alongside your neighbors to make DCPS all that it can be?

Just a question, not a criticism of anyone. (Sometimes it just feels kind of like there is no one out there in DC like us, and I wonder if that is true.)

[Anonymous]

That's quite a pedestal you've climbed up on, OP.

Maybe pat yourself on the back less and actually engage in human kindness, be aware of your own biases, and be actively anti-racist.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused. Your child is in DCPS because of your own sense of Christian martyrdom?

[Anonymous]

I definitely feel that it has an ethical dimension, though I am not religious.

[Anonymous]

thanks for those quick posts guys; confirms that this is not a motivation to share with others publicly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to go out on a limb and put this out here, mostly because DCUM is anonymous. I know in liberal DC (we're liberal, just also religious Christians) talk of religious stuff is kind of taboo.
BUT
Here's the thing - we made a decision to be committed to DCPS and the sometimes-difficult integration it requires out of a sense of Christian obligation, the idea that getting what's best for me is not actually what I'm supposed to be doing in life. (And I can imagine many others feeling a similar ethical calling regardless of faith tradition, or altruistic humanists, etc.)

I don't ask this to denigrate anyone's choices - but is there anyone out there like us? Who decided rather than some episcopal day school or Catholic school that might teach religion, that being a good neighbor meant actually trying to work alongside your neighbors to make DCPS all that it can be?

Just a question, not a criticism of anyone. (Sometimes it just feels kind of like there is no one out there in DC like us, and I wonder if that is true.)

What are you doing to improve DCPS, or is gracing it with your presence enough?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to go out on a limb and put this out here, mostly because DCUM is anonymous. I know in liberal DC (we're liberal, just also religious Christians) talk of religious stuff is kind of taboo.
BUT
Here's the thing - we made a decision to be committed to DCPS and the sometimes-difficult integration it requires out of a sense of Christian obligation, the idea that getting what's best for me is not actually what I'm supposed to be doing in life. (And I can imagine many others feeling a similar ethical calling regardless of faith tradition, or altruistic humanists, etc.)

I don't ask this to denigrate anyone's choices - but is there anyone out there like us? Who decided rather than some episcopal day school or Catholic school that might teach religion, that being a good neighbor meant actually trying to work alongside your neighbors to make DCPS all that it can be?

Just a question, not a criticism of anyone. (Sometimes it just feels kind of like there is no one out there in DC like us, and I wonder if that is true.)

which DCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I definitely feel that it has an ethical dimension, though I am not religious.

+1

[Anonymous]

If you are asking whether there are religious families in DCPS, the answer is obviously yes. But I think they are there because they like the schools.

[Anonymous]

God wants you to take up a preschool spot, not help that much, then bail for St. Peter's or St. Anthony's.

[Anonymous]

I don’t live in DC but I don’t agree with PPs criticizing OP. I think it’s a nice thing when people that have better options choose to send their kids to public school. All the chides about “gracing” the schools with her presence and implying OP’s thoughts are racist are ignoring real issues with struggling public schools. Those schools could benefit from buy in from higher income parents that can donate to the PTA. And studies show schools with concentrated poverty suffer.

Isn't it good that OP is choosing to integrate/help deconcentrate poverty? Don’t people that choose to go private or option get vilified for fleeing/opting out? Is every choice made by UMC parents automatically racist and terrible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t live in DC but I don’t agree with PPs criticizing OP. I think it’s a nice thing when people that have better options choose to send their kids to public school. All the chides about “gracing” the schools with her presence and implying OP’s thoughts are racist are ignoring real issues with struggling public schools. Those schools could benefit from buy in from higher income parents that can donate to the PTA. And studies show schools with concentrated poverty suffer.

Isn't it good that OP is choosing to integrate/help deconcentrate poverty? Don’t people that choose to go private or option get vilified for fleeing/opting out? Is every choice made by UMC parents automatically racist and terrible?

Unless someone is actively declining a better option, they are doing this for themselves. I chose our IB because of what it offered and thw affordable home and short commute. Yes I tried to help but that was not the real reason I was there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t live in DC but I don’t agree with PPs criticizing OP. I think it’s a nice thing when people that have better options choose to send their kids to public school. All the chides about “gracing” the schools with her presence and implying OP’s thoughts are racist are ignoring real issues with struggling public schools. Those schools could benefit from buy in from higher income parents that can donate to the PTA. And studies show schools with concentrated poverty suffer.

Isn't it good that OP is choosing to integrate/help deconcentrate poverty? Don’t people that choose to go private or option get vilified for fleeing/opting out? Is every choice made by UMC parents automatically racist and terrible?

It's DC. Damned if you do; damned if you don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to go out on a limb and put this out here, mostly because DCUM is anonymous. I know in liberal DC (we're liberal, just also religious Christians) talk of religious stuff is kind of taboo.
BUT
Here's the thing - we made a decision to be committed to DCPS and the sometimes-difficult integration it requires out of a sense of Christian obligation, the idea that getting what's best for me is not actually what I'm supposed to be doing in life. (And I can imagine many others feeling a similar ethical calling regardless of faith tradition, or altruistic humanists, etc.)

I don't ask this to denigrate anyone's choices - but is there anyone out there like us? Who decided rather than some episcopal day school or Catholic school that might teach religion, that being a good neighbor meant actually trying to work alongside your neighbors to make DCPS all that it can be?

Just a question, not a criticism of anyone. (Sometimes it just feels kind of like there is no one out there in DC like us, and I wonder if that is true.)

Sounds like someone can't afford private school and it trying to justify this to themselves.

We are conservative Catholics and are in DCPS Title I school. We love the school and the community. Plus it is convenient for us and I like the price. I don't at all feel like I am obligated by my religion to use the school to fulfill any Christian obligation or ethical calling. We donate to Catholic charities who are doing the heavy lifting on improving "thy neighbor" in DC and around the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t live in DC but I don’t agree with PPs criticizing OP. I think it’s a nice thing when people that have better options choose to send their kids to public school. All the chides about “gracing” the schools with her presence and implying OP’s thoughts are racist are ignoring real issues with struggling public schools. Those schools could benefit from buy in from higher income parents that can donate to the PTA. And studies show schools with concentrated poverty suffer.

Isn't it good that OP is choosing to integrate/help deconcentrate poverty? Don’t people that choose to go private or option get vilified for fleeing/opting out? Is every choice made by UMC parents automatically racist and terrible?

You have made a lot of assumptions. She doesn't say what her income is or which DCPS school she is fulfilling her Christian obligation through. Since you aren't in DC you may not know that all DCPS schools aren't the same, nor are they all high poverty.