Open house impressions thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shepherd installed steel beams into an existing 1950's structure, to accommodate the weight of their kiln... instead of doing something basic, like putting it on the first floor. It's true, I read it here first--but then I researched it. Look it up. They are also, I believe, in the process of putting in their underground parking. It won't serve all the teachers, but a few.

As for this:

I don't know anything about the underground parking or kilns, but I do know a thing or two about running a school. You simply don't get it: there is a huge difference between expanding an already successful school, and learning from what is working at that school and getting other leaders to apply it/implement it elsewhere. Seems like many have tried already to explain to you, and maybe your heels are just too dug in and you're beyond learning anything new about this, but you cannot just take schools that are working at a certain size and demand that they increase in classes significantly - for a variety of reasons.

But instead of explaining it to you again, because others have already made their points, I suggest you put your money where your mouth is and go work at a school or volunteer at a school that you think is working well. You have your child in a charter - volunteer there and ask the leadership why they don't expand to 700 students or double their number of classes.

I am not talking out of my ass. I've seen a successful public school expand, from about 400 kids when our kids started there to 700 five years later. And the school now has national recognition, about a 50% free lunch population, and a diverse student body. It's really not that complicated. Hire two assistant principals instead of one, expand your teaching staff. I volunteeered at this school for five years and watched the transformation. Helped with it. Really--not that hard.

Public and charter are not the same.

[Anonymous]

http://dgs.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dgs/publication/attachments/1668_001.pdf

Shepherd's more recent renovations. It might also be notable to say that the school I volunteered in, that my children attended for many years, had no renovations since the 60's--aside from some toxic mercury light fixes and a few coats of paint. And yet, it had two science labs, two art rooms, a gymnasium, auditorium and cafeteria with full kitchen. Shepherd is just an example--when we moved here I was shocked at how plush DC school facilities are. And yet... is it working?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shepherd installed steel beams into an existing 1950's structure, to accommodate the weight of their kiln... instead of doing something basic, like putting it on the first floor. It's true, I read it here first--but then I researched it. Look it up. They are also, I believe, in the process of putting in their underground parking. It won't serve all the teachers, but a few.

As for this:

I don't know anything about the underground parking or kilns, but I do know a thing or two about running a school. You simply don't get it: there is a huge difference between expanding an already successful school, and learning from what is working at that school and getting other leaders to apply it/implement it elsewhere. Seems like many have tried already to explain to you, and maybe your heels are just too dug in and you're beyond learning anything new about this, but you cannot just take schools that are working at a certain size and demand that they increase in classes significantly - for a variety of reasons.

But instead of explaining it to you again, because others have already made their points, I suggest you put your money where your mouth is and go work at a school or volunteer at a school that you think is working well. You have your child in a charter - volunteer there and ask the leadership why they don't expand to 700 students or double their number of classes.

I am not talking out of my ass. I've seen a successful public school expand, from about 400 kids when our kids started there to 700 five years later. And the school now has national recognition, about a 50% free lunch population, and a diverse student body. It's really not that complicated. Hire two assistant principals instead of one, expand your teaching staff. I volunteeered at this school for five years and watched the transformation. Helped with it. Really--not that hard.

Shepherd is NOT currently slated to get an underground parking garage. This, along with gym renovations and installation of a full working kitchen, were removed from the modernization plans. There was a campaign by Shepherd families to try to get these things reinstated, and several parents even testified downtown. But so far, AFAIK these have not been reinstated.

Here's the most recent update doc on the scope of the current renovations, which mostly include updating of classrooms, an atrium connecting the buildings, and addition of a third floor for specials classrooms:

http://dgs.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dgs/publication/attachments/Shepherd%20ES%20Phase%20Modernization%20Construction%20Update%20-%20November%2030%202015.pdf

[Anonymous]

Public and charter are not the same.

Correct. This was a public school. A charter school, which does not need to stay within union regulations, could have an easier time expanding.

[Anonymous]

So with the addition of the third floor, are they adding additional classes? No? Just the atrium? The atrium instead of a kitchen? Well. That makes total sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shepherd installed steel beams into an existing 1950's structure, to accommodate the weight of their kiln... instead of doing something basic, like putting it on the first floor. It's true, I read it here first--but then I researched it. Look it up. They are also, I believe, in the process of putting in their underground parking. It won't serve all the teachers, but a few.

As for this:

I don't know anything about the underground parking or kilns, but I do know a thing or two about running a school. You simply don't get it: there is a huge difference between expanding an already successful school, and learning from what is working at that school and getting other leaders to apply it/implement it elsewhere. Seems like many have tried already to explain to you, and maybe your heels are just too dug in and you're beyond learning anything new about this, but you cannot just take schools that are working at a certain size and demand that they increase in classes significantly - for a variety of reasons.

But instead of explaining it to you again, because others have already made their points, I suggest you put your money where your mouth is and go work at a school or volunteer at a school that you think is working well. You have your child in a charter - volunteer there and ask the leadership why they don't expand to 700 students or double their number of classes.

I am not talking out of my ass. I've seen a successful public school expand, from about 400 kids when our kids started there to 700 five years later. And the school now has national recognition, about a 50% free lunch population, and a diverse student body. It's really not that complicated. Hire two assistant principals instead of one, expand your teaching staff. I volunteeered at this school for five years and watched the transformation. Helped with it. Really--not that hard.

Shepherd is NOT currently slated to get an underground parking garage. This, along with gym renovations and installation of a full working kitchen, were removed from the modernization plans. There was a campaign by Shepherd families to try to get these things reinstated, and several parents even testified downtown. But so far, AFAIK these have not been reinstated.

Here's the most recent update doc on the scope of the current renovations, which mostly include updating of classrooms, an atrium connecting the buildings, and addition of a third floor for specials classrooms:

http://dgs.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dgs/publication/attachments/Shepherd%20ES%20Phase%20Modernization%20Construction%20Update%20-%20November%2030%202015.pdf

Whoops, this should read 2nd floor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Public and charter are not the same.

Correct. This was a public school. A charter school, which does not need to stay within union regulations, could have an easier time expanding.

I'm sure ITS, which was just unable to add a few spots per grade would disagree with you.

You seem to know nothing about charters, so please stop talking with grown ups and go back to imaginary school that you doubled in size all by your self.

[Anonymous]

You seem to know nothing about charters, so please stop talking with grown ups and go back to imaginary school that you doubled in size all by your self.

And you seem to know nothing about how to run a school efficiently, which, considering what I've seen in DC, is not at all a surprise. It's depressing though, how much money is thrown around here on renovations and how little seems to actually be applied to improving results for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You seem to know nothing about charters, so please stop talking with grown ups and go back to imaginary school that you doubled in size all by your self.

And you seem to know nothing about how to run a school efficiently, which, considering what I've seen in DC, is not at all a surprise. It's depressing though, how much money is thrown around here on renovations and how little seems to actually be applied to improving results for the kids.

DCPS has among the highest spending per student in the country. While I agree that there has been some ridiculous overspending on facilities, the high schools in particular, I don't begrudge the money spent on elementary schools at all. Why shouldn't kids have an art room or an atrium? I went to DCPS back in the 70s and some of the schools still look exactly the same. Bright, modern facilities are uplifting for students and staff alike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You seem to know nothing about charters, so please stop talking with grown ups and go back to imaginary school that you doubled in size all by your self.

And you seem to know nothing about how to run a school efficiently, which, considering what I've seen in DC, is not at all a surprise. It's depressing though, how much money is thrown around here on renovations and how little seems to actually be applied to improving results for the kids.

DCPS has among the highest spending per student in the country. While I agree that there has been some ridiculous overspending on facilities, the high schools in particular, I don't begrudge the money spent on elementary schools at all. Why shouldn't kids have an art room or an atrium? I went to DCPS back in the 70s and some of the schools still look exactly the same. Bright, modern facilities are uplifting for students and staff alike.

What if you averaged the facility spending over the last 40 years, to take into account the years of neglect? I think we should spend more on our schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You seem to know nothing about charters, so please stop talking with grown ups and go back to imaginary school that you doubled in size all by your self.

And you seem to know nothing about how to run a school efficiently, which, considering what I've seen in DC, is not at all a surprise. It's depressing though, how much money is thrown around here on renovations and how little seems to actually be applied to improving results for the kids.

DCPS has among the highest spending per student in the country. While I agree that there has been some ridiculous overspending on facilities, the high schools in particular, I don't begrudge the money spent on elementary schools at all. Why shouldn't kids have an art room or an atrium? I went to DCPS back in the 70s and some of the schools still look exactly the same. Bright, modern facilities are uplifting for students and staff alike.

What if you averaged the facility spending over the last 40 years, to take into account the years of neglect? I think we should spend more on our schools.

Sure, spend more since DCPS spending is mostly to prop up contractors and the building trades with jobs. All that spending has done little to nothing to actually teach children but man, how uplifting it is to still do crappy in an expensive new building. All show, ZERO substance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You seem to know nothing about charters, so please stop talking with grown ups and go back to imaginary school that you doubled in size all by your self.

And you seem to know nothing about how to run a school efficiently, which, considering what I've seen in DC, is not at all a surprise. It's depressing though, how much money is thrown around here on renovations and how little seems to actually be applied to improving results for the kids.

DCPS has among the highest spending per student in the country. While I agree that there has been some ridiculous overspending on facilities, the high schools in particular, I don't begrudge the money spent on elementary schools at all. Why shouldn't kids have an art room or an atrium? I went to DCPS back in the 70s and some of the schools still look exactly the same. Bright, modern facilities are uplifting for students and staff alike.

What if you averaged the facility spending over the last 40 years, to take into account the years of neglect? I think we should spend more on our schools.

Sure, spend more since DCPS spending is mostly to prop up contractors and the building trades with jobs. All that spending has done little to nothing to actually teach children but man, how uplifting it is to still do crappy in an expensive new building. All show, ZERO substance.

That must be why private schools spend so little on facilities... because it really doesn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You seem to know nothing about charters, so please stop talking with grown ups and go back to imaginary school that you doubled in size all by your self.

And you seem to know nothing about how to run a school efficiently, which, considering what I've seen in DC, is not at all a surprise. It's depressing though, how much money is thrown around here on renovations and how little seems to actually be applied to improving results for the kids.

DCPS has among the highest spending per student in the country. While I agree that there has been some ridiculous overspending on facilities, the high schools in particular, I don't begrudge the money spent on elementary schools at all. Why shouldn't kids have an art room or an atrium? I went to DCPS back in the 70s and some of the schools still look exactly the same. Bright, modern facilities are uplifting for students and staff alike.

What if you averaged the facility spending over the last 40 years, to take into account the years of neglect? I think we should spend more on our schools.

Sure, spend more since DCPS spending is mostly to prop up contractors and the building trades with jobs. All that spending has done little to nothing to actually teach children but man, how uplifting it is to still do crappy in an expensive new building. All show, ZERO substance.

The per pupil spending figures usually cited DON"T include facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You seem to know nothing about charters, so please stop talking with grown ups and go back to imaginary school that you doubled in size all by your self.

And you seem to know nothing about how to run a school efficiently, which, considering what I've seen in DC, is not at all a surprise. It's depressing though, how much money is thrown around here on renovations and how little seems to actually be applied to improving results for the kids.

DCPS has among the highest spending per student in the country. While I agree that there has been some ridiculous overspending on facilities, the high schools in particular, I don't begrudge the money spent on elementary schools at all. Why shouldn't kids have an art room or an atrium? I went to DCPS back in the 70s and some of the schools still look exactly the same. Bright, modern facilities are uplifting for students and staff alike.

What if you averaged the facility spending over the last 40 years, to take into account the years of neglect? I think we should spend more on our schools.

Sure, spend more since DCPS spending is mostly to prop up contractors and the building trades with jobs. All that spending has done little to nothing to actually teach children but man, how uplifting it is to still do crappy in an expensive new building. All show, ZERO substance.

That must be why private schools spend so little on facilities... because it really doesn't matter.

Huh? I heard from an acquaintance that Beauvoir recently spent $6 million on a new playground with a zipline. Also, Lowell recently expanded and added a whole new building for its middle school. The facilities race is on at the independents too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You seem to know nothing about charters, so please stop talking with grown ups and go back to imaginary school that you doubled in size all by your self.

And you seem to know nothing about how to run a school efficiently, which, considering what I've seen in DC, is not at all a surprise. It's depressing though, how much money is thrown around here on renovations and how little seems to actually be applied to improving results for the kids.

DCPS has among the highest spending per student in the country. While I agree that there has been some ridiculous overspending on facilities, the high schools in particular, I don't begrudge the money spent on elementary schools at all. Why shouldn't kids have an art room or an atrium? I went to DCPS back in the 70s and some of the schools still look exactly the same. Bright, modern facilities are uplifting for students and staff alike.

What if you averaged the facility spending over the last 40 years, to take into account the years of neglect? I think we should spend more on our schools.

Sure, spend more since DCPS spending is mostly to prop up contractors and the building trades with jobs. All that spending has done little to nothing to actually teach children but man, how uplifting it is to still do crappy in an expensive new building. All show, ZERO substance.

That must be why private schools spend so little on facilities... because it really doesn't matter.

Huh? I heard from an acquaintance that Beauvoir recently spent $6 million on a new playground with a zipline. Also, Lowell recently expanded and added a whole new building for its middle school. The facilities race is on at the independents too.

I think PP was being sarcastic to the poster who doesn't want to spend money on DCPS facilities because students aren't performing well. (Doesn't make much sense since we were discussing Shepherd, which is relatively high performing.)