Murch Boundary Change

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:some issues are more important than others, true, but I think any issue that doesn't make sense and negatively affects families should be kept on the table.

When parents are urged by other parents to consider undesirable outcomes for their kids (and fight among themselves about who has it worse) it's a sign to DME that some of her bad ideas are likely to be accepted.

Hear hear

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The real solution to overcrowding at Murch is a Lafayette-Janney-Murch-Hearst choice set (with a sibling preference and some kind of proximity preference). That would allow the schools to assign new families to whatever school has the capacity for the kids.

Hearst has a new building? Boom, new families go in Hearst. Lafayette's population goes down? Boom, kids move to Lafayette with no need for redrawing boundaries. Much more sensible use of resources, really.

And as everyone keeps pointing out, all these schools are essentially the same. How can you complain about having to walk a few extra blocks or drive five minutes? The issues are really minor and will only affect incoming families. Ward 3 for choice sets!

But they're not all the same. People deliberate choose to live near Janney, Lafayette, or Murch. They just don't feel the same about Hearst. Sorry, but they just don't. Are the first three schools essentially the same? Yes performance-wise, and the differences are in the preferences. Some prefer the more international flavor of Murch. Some prefer the natural beauty and access to Rock Creek Park, some prefer the structure at Janney. All are great, the differences are around the margins. Hearst isn't in that group.

As a Hearst parent, I think these people are missing out on something huge. But after reading all these threads, I really don't want these people messing up our awesome community anyway. Our group is just great.

[Anonymous]

Look, as a future Hearst parent I would tell the Murch parents that are concerned to visit Hearst. Ask for a meeting with the principal. Meet real parents and kids at the school, I think you will be impressed and heartened by the strong community. Please come and see for yourself, even if it is a bit of a walk or a short drive for you.

[Anonymous]

Seriously. Much of the complaining on this thread is a waste of energy. If you are a current Murch family that has been rezoned, your time would be best utilized working to ensure that all siblings will be grandfathered in. If you were a future Murch family that was rezoned and you live close to the school, when your child comes of age, apply for proximity preference. Otherwise, if you don't want your kid to attend Hearst because there is no "H" in JKLMM and it is not up to your standards-- go private or move if it's that deep for you.

It is your right to kick up a fuss and complain if you so choose, but don't expect much sympathy from most people particularly when you consider that families at other schools which have really gotten the short end of the boundary and feeder pattern changes, haven't created three different strings with page after page bemoaning having to walk an extra couple of blocks, drive 5 minutes, or (cue shuddering) have to deal with the "traffic nightmare" those OOB families will certainly create.

You may not be able to hear yourselves above your emotions, but your complaints comes off as shallow, whiny and disingenuous.

Carry on.

[Anonymous]

I'm a parent whose kid will be rezoned from Murch to Hearst and actually think that by the time my kid gets to Hearst it will be a better school than Murch (more diversity, better facilities, and smaller with no impending renovation headache). The thing I'm pissed about is the commute - whatever way you slice it it will add half an hour to my morning - that's 30 minutes less that i'll get to spend with my kids (other than the one i'm dragging along uphill to school) or get stuff done around the house or do work so that I can be blackberry free at home. It is pretty sucky that parents coming from the other side of connecticut will drive by my house as they speed down 36th street from albemarle on the other side of connecticut and park to drop their kid off at Murch. It is pretty sucky that Murch will lose the support of a close neighbor for things like their fall fair. It is pretty sucky that when I go to vote for Mayor I will be doing so at Murch, where my kids can't go to school anymore. For my family with my three young kids every minute saved is helpful. It is why we live in the city rather than commute from BFE. that 30 minutes twice a day is 5 hours a week, and 260 hours a year. It means that when I have a kid at Hearst and Deal I'll be walking in two totally different directions to get the kids to school instead of just up Davenport. So while I would love to send my kids to Hearst - it is definitely a problem for me from a commute perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The real solution to overcrowding at Murch is a Lafayette-Janney-Murch-Hearst choice set (with a sibling preference and some kind of proximity preference). That would allow the schools to assign new families to whatever school has the capacity for the kids.

Hearst has a new building? Boom, new families go in Hearst. Lafayette's population goes down? Boom, kids move to Lafayette with no need for redrawing boundaries. Much more sensible use of resources, really.

And as everyone keeps pointing out, all these schools are essentially the same. How can you complain about having to walk a few extra blocks or drive five minutes? The issues are really minor and will only affect incoming families. Ward 3 for choice sets!

But they're not all the same. People deliberate choose to live near Janney, Lafayette, or Murch. They just don't feel the same about Hearst. Sorry, but they just don't. Are the first three schools essentially the same? Yes performance-wise, and the differences are in the preferences. Some prefer the more international flavor of Murch. Some prefer the natural beauty and access to Rock Creek Park, some prefer the structure at Janney. All are great, the differences are around the margins. Hearst isn't in that group.

As a Hearst parent, I think these people are missing out on something huge. But after reading all these threads, I really don't want these people messing up our awesome community anyway. Our group is just great.

As another current Hearst parent I believe everything is headed in the right direction at Hearst and I do think there are some old, outdated misperceptions about the school that need to be corrected (visiting us in person is a great way to do this!). And I think our current group IS great. Where I differ from the PP is that I do empathize with current Murch families who feel their carefully laid life plans are potentially subject to change - that is understandably upsetting to some. Things do change and sometimes the change can be ultimately be positive even if it doesn't seem so at first. I'd simply urge those who may be affected to try the walk/bike/drive, come see what's happening at the school and then come to a conclusion based on an up-to-date first hand impression. And I also differ with the PP in that I would welcome any new family that chooses to send their kid to 'The Best Little School in the District'. Come on down - it's a great place!

Some families who are IB for other great schools have already chosen Hearst ( Lafayette, Murch) and they are a wonderful part of the school's community; all are welcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a parent whose kid will be rezoned from Murch to Hearst and actually think that by the time my kid gets to Hearst it will be a better school than Murch (more diversity, better facilities, and smaller with no impending renovation headache). The thing I'm pissed about is the commute - whatever way you slice it it will add half an hour to my morning - that's 30 minutes less that i'll get to spend with my kids (other than the one i'm dragging along uphill to school) or get stuff done around the house or do work so that I can be blackberry free at home. It is pretty sucky that parents coming from the other side of connecticut will drive by my house as they speed down 36th street from albemarle on the other side of connecticut and park to drop their kid off at Murch. It is pretty sucky that Murch will lose the support of a close neighbor for things like their fall fair. It is pretty sucky that when I go to vote for Mayor I will be doing so at Murch, where my kids can't go to school anymore. For my family with my three young kids every minute saved is helpful. It is why we live in the city rather than commute from BFE. that 30 minutes twice a day is 5 hours a week, and 260 hours a year. It means that when I have a kid at Hearst and Deal I'll be walking in two totally different directions to get the kids to school instead of just up Davenport. So while I would love to send my kids to Hearst - it is definitely a problem for me from a commute perspective.

While I hear your frustration, let me submit that you're not the only parent in the city who has a sucky morning commute. Considering the fact that there are more kids in charters and in OOB slots across the District, I would argue that the majority of families here have a sucky morning commute, including this mom of three.

Life doesn't guarantee convenience.

Again, if it is that much of a hardship, apply for proximity preference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The real solution to overcrowding at Murch is a Lafayette-Janney-Murch-Hearst choice set (with a sibling preference and some kind of proximity preference). That would allow the schools to assign new families to whatever school has the capacity for the kids.

Hearst has a new building? Boom, new families go in Hearst. Lafayette's population goes down? Boom, kids move to Lafayette with no need for redrawing boundaries. Much more sensible use of resources, really.

And as everyone keeps pointing out, all these schools are essentially the same. How can you complain about having to walk a few extra blocks or drive five minutes? The issues are really minor and will only affect incoming families. Ward 3 for choice sets!

But they're not all the same. People deliberate choose to live near Janney, Lafayette, or Murch. They just don't feel the same about Hearst. Sorry, but they just don't. Are the first three schools essentially the same? Yes performance-wise, and the differences are in the preferences. Some prefer the more international flavor of Murch. Some prefer the natural beauty and access to Rock Creek Park, some prefer the structure at Janney. All are great, the differences are around the margins. Hearst isn't in that group.

As a Hearst parent, I think these people are missing out on something huge. But after reading all these threads, I really don't want these people messing up our awesome community anyway. Our group is just great.

What many don't get is that Hearst is joining that group. Hearst used to only go through 3rd grade and then the children went to Janney. It was turned tomorrow nightinto a pk - 5th school. It has a very small boundary, the kids are just as prepared, the facilities will be beautiful and it has the same feeder population. It also has an engaged principal and upward momentum.

Schools evolve but not everyone has evolved thinking, there are those that think Murch is not the "M" in JKLM. My kids go to Janney and I would be just as upset about moving my currently enrolled children to Murch as to Hearst but because they are part of that community and change would be hard. I would be more upset with my kids moving to Lafayette despite it being the "L" in JKLM because it has that crazy open classroom thing and it is changing principals this summer (and it is not as if Murch has had a stable principal situation for the last few years.). But ultimately they are all strong schools and I would overcome my bias.

If I had a two year old but strangely also the perspective of having been part of a strong elementary community and having seen what drives that, I expect I would be pretty excited with Hearst as my IB school. The hard part in this city has been combining the prepared cohort with a strong school staff (principal and teachers) and solid physical resources. Hearst has all that, I expect it to soar.

[Anonymous]

As someone who lives EOTP, I hope that the Murch parents get their way with the boundary and Hearst stays small--more room for my kid. Hearst sounds like an amazing school, and I would consider myself lucky to be able to send my child there, especially since our in-boundary school has 30% CAS proficiency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a parent whose kid will be rezoned from Murch to Hearst and actually think that by the time my kid gets to Hearst it will be a better school than Murch (more diversity, better facilities, and smaller with no impending renovation headache). The thing I'm pissed about is the commute - whatever way you slice it it will add half an hour to my morning - that's 30 minutes less that i'll get to spend with my kids (other than the one i'm dragging along uphill to school) or get stuff done around the house or do work so that I can be blackberry free at home. It is pretty sucky that parents coming from the other side of connecticut will drive by my house as they speed down 36th street from albemarle on the other side of connecticut and park to drop their kid off at Murch. It is pretty sucky that Murch will lose the support of a close neighbor for things like their fall fair. It is pretty sucky that when I go to vote for Mayor I will be doing so at Murch, where my kids can't go to school anymore. For my family with my three young kids every minute saved is helpful. It is why we live in the city rather than commute from BFE. that 30 minutes twice a day is 5 hours a week, and 260 hours a year. It means that when I have a kid at Hearst and Deal I'll be walking in two totally different directions to get the kids to school instead of just up Davenport. So while I would love to send my kids to Hearst - it is definitely a problem for me from a commute perspective.

While I hear your frustration, let me submit that you're not the only parent in the city who has a sucky morning commute. Considering the fact that there are more kids in charters and in OOB slots across the District, I would argue that the majority of families here have a sucky morning commute, including this mom of three.

Life doesn't guarantee convenience.

Again, if it is that much of a hardship, apply for proximity preference.

I don't get this argument-- we should not complain about the sucky commute because there are many others to there with a sucky commute? Really? This makes no sense at all. I am sure Hearst is a wonderful school and will only continue to get better in the next few years, and being a smaller school will have some advantages over Murch. I think this is pretty clear. However, some of us made certain life choices based on certain assumption (i.e. our kids can go to school 3 blocks away). My family made a choice to live in an apartment and walk to Murch (rather than a house a drive to Hearst). We don't see any reason why this choice has to be taken away from us, without any clear benefit for anyone. It is also unclear to me why those of you who are not rezoned or are generally not affected by the rezone are pissing hot lava over the fact that some of us the rezoned families are upset about this.

[Anonymous]

I am an OOB parent at Hearst and we are very happy with the school but have a different concern. By next fall, Hearst's renovations will be fully completed. The new buildings will be seated on some of the best green space in the city and the small 300 student school will continue to feed to Deal. That will make it even more attractive to inbounds families whose numbers have been on the increase over the last few years and leave less space for OOB families like mine who have enjoyed Hearst for decades. I suspect that by that time, even some of the Murch posters on this string who have indicated that Hearst is not good enough for their children, may begin to rethink that sentiment. I'm worried that the school will become insulated like some of the more popular Ward 3 schools and completely lose what makes a school like Hearst (& Eaton) so special -- it's small, warm and welcoming community that is racially, economically and culturally diverse, and where no one is an outsider.

I've seen this movie before when my oldest attended another school that flipped. Many of the new in bounds families had little interest in forming a community with the OOB population. Of course, the vast majority of Hearst's OOB population is on par with IB families in terms of education and income, which was not the case at our previous school. In my mind, that should not have made a difference (but it did).

I hope Hearst holds onto its sweetness, but I accept that "change happens," and am grateful that, by that time, my kids will be headed out the door with a heart full of happy memories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously. Much of the complaining on this thread is a waste of energy. If you are a current Murch family that has been rezoned, your time would be best utilized working to ensure that all siblings will be grandfathered in. If you were a future Murch family that was rezoned and you live close to the school, when your child comes of age, apply for proximity preference. Otherwise, if you don't want your kid to attend Hearst because there is no "H" in JKLMM and it is not up to your standards-- go private or move if it's that deep for you.

It is your right to kick up a fuss and complain if you so choose, but don't expect much sympathy from most people particularly when you consider that families at other schools which have really gotten the short end of the boundary and feeder pattern changes, haven't created three different strings with page after page bemoaning having to walk an extra couple of blocks, drive 5 minutes, or (cue shuddering) have to deal with the "traffic nightmare" those OOB families will certainly create.

You may not be able to hear yourselves above your emotions, but your complaints comes off as shallow, whiny and disingenuous.

Carry on.

Apparently you have no idea about how you come off. DME and her team must rejoice when they read things like this. Parents squabbling among themselves makes the job of divide and conquer so much easier. It's worked for them so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a parent whose kid will be rezoned from Murch to Hearst and actually think that by the time my kid gets to Hearst it will be a better school than Murch (more diversity, better facilities, and smaller with no impending renovation headache). The thing I'm pissed about is the commute - whatever way you slice it it will add half an hour to my morning - that's 30 minutes less that i'll get to spend with my kids (other than the one i'm dragging along uphill to school) or get stuff done around the house or do work so that I can be blackberry free at home. It is pretty sucky that parents coming from the other side of connecticut will drive by my house as they speed down 36th street from albemarle on the other side of connecticut and park to drop their kid off at Murch. It is pretty sucky that Murch will lose the support of a close neighbor for things like their fall fair. It is pretty sucky that when I go to vote for Mayor I will be doing so at Murch, where my kids can't go to school anymore. For my family with my three young kids every minute saved is helpful. It is why we live in the city rather than commute from BFE. that 30 minutes twice a day is 5 hours a week, and 260 hours a year. It means that when I have a kid at Hearst and Deal I'll be walking in two totally different directions to get the kids to school instead of just up Davenport. So while I would love to send my kids to Hearst - it is definitely a problem for me from a commute perspective.

While I hear your frustration, let me submit that you're not the only parent in the city who has a sucky morning commute. Considering the fact that there are more kids in charters and in OOB slots across the District, I would argue that the majority of families here have a sucky morning commute, including this mom of three.

Life doesn't guarantee convenience.

Again, if it is that much of a hardship, apply for proximity preference.

I don't get this argument-- we should not complain about the sucky commute because there are many others to there with a sucky commute? Really? This makes no sense at all. I am sure Hearst is a wonderful school and will only continue to get better in the next few years, and being a smaller school will have some advantages over Murch. I think this is pretty clear. However, some of us made certain life choices based on certain assumption (i.e. our kids can go to school 3 blocks away). My family made a choice to live in an apartment and walk to Murch (rather than a house a drive to Hearst). We don't see any reason why this choice has to be taken away from us, without any clear benefit for anyone. It is also unclear to me why those of you who are not rezoned or are generally not affected by the rezone are pissing hot lava over the fact that some of us the rezoned families are upset about this.

You have every right to complain if you so choose. I never said you didn't. That's what this forum is for. You're entitled to that. My point was that no one is entitled to an easy commute even if we laid down the best plans. Life happens. However, you seemed extremely frustrated by the inconvenience this change will cause you which is why you should think about applying for proximity preference if keeping that hour is important to you. PS--Try not to take anonymous comments personally. They aren't personal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a parent whose kid will be rezoned from Murch to Hearst and actually think that by the time my kid gets to Hearst it will be a better school than Murch (more diversity, better facilities, and smaller with no impending renovation headache). The thing I'm pissed about is the commute - whatever way you slice it it will add half an hour to my morning - that's 30 minutes less that i'll get to spend with my kids (other than the one i'm dragging along uphill to school) or get stuff done around the house or do work so that I can be blackberry free at home. It is pretty sucky that parents coming from the other side of connecticut will drive by my house as they speed down 36th street from albemarle on the other side of connecticut and park to drop their kid off at Murch. It is pretty sucky that Murch will lose the support of a close neighbor for things like their fall fair. It is pretty sucky that when I go to vote for Mayor I will be doing so at Murch, where my kids can't go to school anymore. For my family with my three young kids every minute saved is helpful. It is why we live in the city rather than commute from BFE. that 30 minutes twice a day is 5 hours a week, and 260 hours a year. It means that when I have a kid at Hearst and Deal I'll be walking in two totally different directions to get the kids to school instead of just up Davenport. So while I would love to send my kids to Hearst - it is definitely a problem for me from a commute perspective.

I
While I hear your frustration, let me submit that you're not the only parent in the city who has a sucky morning commute. Considering the fact that there are more kids in charters and in OOB slots across the District, I would argue that the majority of families here have a sucky morning commute, including this mom of three.

Life doesn't guarantee convenience.

Again, if it is that much of a hardship, apply for proximity preference.

I'd think you'd be supporting fewer sucky commutes instead of welcoming others on to the sucky bandwagon. If DCPS concentrated on fixing neighborhood schools instead of moving kids around like widgets, parents could be sharing their good fortune instead of doing a misery-loves-company routine.

The more parents express a willingness or an expectation to be mode around at DME's bidding, the more it will happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a parent whose kid will be rezoned from Murch to Hearst and actually think that by the time my kid gets to Hearst it will be a better school than Murch (more diversity, better facilities, and smaller with no impending renovation headache). The thing I'm pissed about is the commute - whatever way you slice it it will add half an hour to my morning - that's 30 minutes less that i'll get to spend with my kids (other than the one i'm dragging along uphill to school) or get stuff done around the house or do work so that I can be blackberry free at home. It is pretty sucky that parents coming from the other side of connecticut will drive by my house as they speed down 36th street from albemarle on the other side of connecticut and park to drop their kid off at Murch. It is pretty sucky that Murch will lose the support of a close neighbor for things like their fall fair. It is pretty sucky that when I go to vote for Mayor I will be doing so at Murch, where my kids can't go to school anymore. For my family with my three young kids every minute saved is helpful. It is why we live in the city rather than commute from BFE. that 30 minutes twice a day is 5 hours a week, and 260 hours a year. It means that when I have a kid at Hearst and Deal I'll be walking in two totally different directions to get the kids to school instead of just up Davenport. So while I would love to send my kids to Hearst - it is definitely a problem for me from a commute perspective.

While I hear your frustration, let me submit that you're not the only parent in the city who has a sucky morning commute. Considering the fact that there are more kids in charters and in OOB slots across the District, I would argue that the majority of families here have a sucky morning commute, including this mom of three.

Life doesn't guarantee convenience.

Again, if it is that much of a hardship, apply for proximity preference.

I don't get this argument-- we should not complain about the sucky commute because there are many others to there with a sucky commute? Really? This makes no sense at all. I am sure Hearst is a wonderful school and will only continue to get better in the next few years, and being a smaller school will have some advantages over Murch. I think this is pretty clear. However, some of us made certain life choices based on certain assumption (i.e. our kids can go to school 3 blocks away). My family made a choice to live in an apartment and walk to Murch (rather than a house a drive to Hearst). We don't see any reason why this choice has to be taken away from us, without any clear benefit for anyone. It is also unclear to me why those of you who are not rezoned or are generally not affected by the rezone are pissing hot lava over the fact that some of us the rezoned families are upset about this.

You have every right to complain if you so choose. I never said you didn't. That's what this forum is for. You're entitled to that. My point was that no one is entitled to an easy commute even if we laid down the best plans. Life happens. However, you seemed extremely frustrated by the inconvenience this change will cause you which is why you should think about applying for proximity preference if keeping that hour is important to you. PS--Try not to take anonymous comments personally. They aren't personal.

Sounds like a big of backing off, here, which is a good thing, in my opinion. As for entitlement to an easy commute -- I don't know about the word "entitlement" which sounds like something rich people expect, but I do think every citizen has a right to a decent neighborhood school. Some People may choose to commute, but the public system shouldn't require it.