New Principal at Oyster Adams? Whoa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are an OA family and I’m very aware of the “debate” about the international trips. I was surprised to learn that previous trips weee planned and chaperoned by teachers only.
My big concern was the “home stay” in another country. Not sure if I am comfortable sending my 13 year old to stay with strangers. I don’t know why they can’t just get hotels. I get the immersion part but still.
Btw, I like the principal and she has been very transparent about equity. The newest debate is about how to offer algebra 1 in 7th so kids that are ready can take geometry in 8th. So kids took it online but principal is putting a stop to that. So that’s getting parents riled up. Dr Tito was honest tho about the need to prioritize underachieving kids first.

Oh wow. OA is really going down the race to the bottom path... What a shame.

Did OA ever had Algebra 1 in 7th grade? I don't think so. As far as I know, a lower (than other WoP middle schools) lever of Math was always the case for OA. Wasn't it? So, not necessarily the new Principals' fault.

Kids who were "ready" were able to go straight geometry in 8th grade through an online class taken during the school day. This was after taking 7th grade "pre-algebra" but maybe they were to accelerate in the class. Dr Brito has said no to allowing online classes during the day.

I see... I had no idea. I guess my kids were never that ahead. Was a reason given as to "why not"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They have NOT cancelled international trips. They have cancelled international exchange trips because of liability and as dictated by DCPS. Stop stirring things up here. If you have something to say, talk to her. Her doors are wide open. Don't be a coward and try to create some sort of scandal here. The new principal is great. I have faith in her. You can go ahead and schedule your own student exchange trip if it's so important to you. The students will still go on trips. Which, btw, NOBODY is entitled to have. Get over it!

Not an OA family, but do you mean that she's replaced international exchange trips with international not-exchange trips?

Something like that. An exchanged trip to Spain was replaced for a not-exchanged trip to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico was chosen because more students could go, e.g. those who don’t have passports (FYI Less than half of the 7th grade class used to go to the Spain trip) but Puerto Rico would still meet the language immersion requirements.

A Costa Rica trip, which includes language immersion and staying with local families was not cancelled.

They sent a letter yesterday explaining everything. So this post is no longer relevant unless we’re using this platform to complain.

This is a bit misleading. There were assumptions made and no attempt to ground truth them. Yes, about half of the students went on the Spain trip, but the reasons others students did not go are multiple inc not meeting behavioral or academic criteria, prior family commitments (it was around spring break), choosing other international trip option, or .... some just chose not to go (sending your kid abroad alone is not everyones cup of tea - no stigma). Of note, finances was not an issue- all financial need was met. Those without passports could have been helped to obtain them, if that was truly the issue.

What was presumed to have been the reference with "equity" was undocumented children. That appears to be why the trip was changed to a domestic one. But it is a huge loss for the rest of the student body, who now will never have that chance.

Well, this is misleading. Finances were a major issue! The international trips at OA were neither free nor fully covered. If you decided to participate, you had to pay any of the following:

Spain: Approximately $2,000, plus hosting a Spanish student for one week
Taiwan: Approximately $4,000
Costa Rica: Approximately $1,600

Students who couldn't afford those were given an option to go to NYC.

Yes, there was fundraising, but most of it went toward covering chaperones’ (teachers’) expenses. The principal is not preventing students from receiving any DCPS funding!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are an OA family and I’m very aware of the “debate” about the international trips. I was surprised to learn that previous trips weee planned and chaperoned by teachers only.
My big concern was the “home stay” in another country. Not sure if I am comfortable sending my 13 year old to stay with strangers. I don’t know why they can’t just get hotels. I get the immersion part but still.
Btw, I like the principal and she has been very transparent about equity. The newest debate is about how to offer algebra 1 in 7th so kids that are ready can take geometry in 8th. So kids took it online but principal is putting a stop to that. So that’s getting parents riled up. Dr Tito was honest tho about the need to prioritize underachieving kids first.

Oh wow. OA is really going down the race to the bottom path... What a shame.

Did OA ever had Algebra 1 in 7th grade? I don't think so. As far as I know, a lower (than other WoP middle schools) lever of Math was always the case for OA. Wasn't it? So, not necessarily the new Principals' fault.

Kids who were "ready" were able to go straight geometry in 8th grade through an online class taken during the school day. This was after taking 7th grade "pre-algebra" but maybe they were to accelerate in the class. Dr Brito has said no to allowing online classes during the day.

I heard that very few students were ready to take Geometry in 8th grade. Those who were ready took an online course that was paid for by the parents, not the school. So I guess students can still take the online course at home if they want.... Right now I'm worry about math at 6th!

[Anonymous]

Update here:

- Sixth grade went on a week-long overnight camping trip to Camp Horizons.

- Seventh grade traveled to Puerto Rico.

- Eighth grade traveled to Costa Rica.

Kids who opted to not attend overnight trips had fun local field trips in D.C.

Parent-led fundraising ensured that cost was not a barrier to any child attending these activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People the liability excuse is just a cover for the real reason - equity.

If all kids can’t have it then no kids can.

BTW a PR trip at a hotel is not immersion and not anywhere close to the same experience. Also watch and wait if there is even approval for this since there is a cost and it’s not equitable.

You say that as if it's the wrong thing. Of course if not all can go, nobody should go. If equity is such a big deal for you, go to a private school. I bet you can afford it.

You are so entitled and elitist, it's gross. You know, OA has a lot of good things but one bad thing is people like you, who look down on everyone and think they are superior to everyone else.

I hope this new principal ignores all your temper tantrums and does what she need to do to make OA MORE equitable.

Nobody is looking down on anybody. You are making incorrect assumptions.
You don’t make things more equitable by taking away options that strengthen a child’s experience. You find a way to offer it to those who don’t have that option.

People like you and your way of thinking is what is driving families with options away from DCPS and the resources they provide and why more then 1/2 the kids in this city opt out.

As someone said earlier, Adams is not that great and coasting on its reputation. Making it equitable at all costs without seeing the big picture will further drive away families. Good luck with that.

The families in the OA zone already have by right access to an immersion program that most other DC families do not have the same access. Immersion schools should be district wide schools. It is a shame that Latino families in Colombia Heights and Brightwood aren’t afforded equal access to these opportunities.

By saying that immersion should be district wide, you are also discounting the opportunity for Spanish dominant kids to have a neighborhood school with immersion. The lottery already serves to provide district-wide access, and they have equal access to lottery in when mostly Spanish dominant kids start in PK4.