Fenty's boys -- where are they going?

[Anonymous]

I note the gerund "moving" and "trying" and again observe that public school is not for all students. I for one would absolutely respect Mayor Fenty not sending one or both of his boys to a public school if one or both had any learning issues that diminished their chances for success in a public school setting. However if Mayor Fenty's boys are without issues and he sends them to private I will be upset but, given what we've seen, not surprised.

[Anonymous]

Interesting that the people that feel so strongly about Fenty sending his boys to public school already dislike him anyway. It doesn't seem like he can win no matter what, so why bother? He will still be the 'kid' mayor that you're unhappy with.

[Anonymous]

Is that why people do the right thing -- 'to win'?

[Anonymous]

It doesn't seem like he can win no matter what, so why bother?

What? His stock would go up with me if he sent his boys to public. He's win big if he did that, even among folks like me who've become disenchanted with him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that the people that feel so strongly about Fenty sending his boys to public school already dislike him anyway. It doesn't seem like he can win no matter what, so why bother? He will still be the 'kid' mayor that you're unhappy with.

Actually, I liked Fenty a lot for a while, but still was perturbed when he made a commitment to send his kids to public school and did not. My impression of him has been going downhill for a wide variety of reasons (not the issue of his kids' school), but I would still count myself in his camp. That being said, I am very disappointed that his kids are in private school. I think it sends entirely the wrong message.

I am currently living abroad with my school aged child, but will be returning to my home in DC in the next couple of years. If the mayor doesn't have enough confidence in the DC school system to enroll his children, it makes me nervous about enrolling my child. Luckily, I have options... I can rent a small apt in the surburbs and have her go to school there. I would prefer not to, but if push comes to shove, I can do that. And, there are a lot of DC residents who don't have the same options as I do.

I am tracking the status of DC schools closely, chatting with friends whose kids are in public neighborhood and charter schools, and keeping my fingers crossed that we will be able to find a public DC option that will work for us when the time comes.

Sorry for the tangent...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that the people that feel so strongly about Fenty sending his boys to public school already dislike him anyway. It doesn't seem like he can win no matter what, so why bother? He will still be the 'kid' mayor that you're unhappy with.

He made his bed. He's done some really arrogant things. He starting losing me the day after the primary, when he announced his flip-flop on taking control of schools. That was calculated, cynical intellectual dishonesty. But I kept giving him the benefit of the doubt. Eventually he used up all his benefits.

[Anonymous]

Yes, DCPS parent here. I voted for him, but wouldn't do it again. I'm very unhappy with his chancellor and his behavior. The fact that he can't even be bothered to try DCPS for his children just seals the deal. I miss Mayor Tony.

[Anonymous]

But I kept giving him the benefit of the doubt. Eventually he used up all his benefits.

Exactly. If he has so much confidence in Rhee and her ability to improve schools, he needs to move his own kids to DCPS, stat!

[Anonymous]

Ditto. Bring Back Tony Williams! Anyone know where he is?

[Anonymous]

Fenty is a huge disappointment and so is Rhee.

[Anonymous]

i think we need to give rhee more time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i think we need to give rhee more time.

No way. She's had her two years; we don't give DCPS superintendents any longer than that to make deep, lasting change to the school system. Time to get someone new in on so that we don't get behind on the calling-for-his/her-head schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i think we need to give rhee more time.

No way. She's had her two years; we don't give DCPS superintendents any longer than that to make deep, lasting change to the school system. Time to get someone new in on so that we don't get behind on the calling-for-his/her-head schedule.

Very clever.

[Anonymous]

I'll give her time; let's see when the DC-CAS are released this summer. Let's see if she makes as big a show of them. She has had your kids (mine voluntarily left a "good" DCPS for charter years ago, he was so bored...) cramming for the test months before due date so hopefully it is worth it, since they weren't sitting around having Socratic discussions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll give her time; let's see when the DC-CAS are released this summer. Let's see if she makes as big a show of them. She has had your kids (mine voluntarily left a "good" DCPS for charter years ago, he was so bored...) cramming for the test months before due date so hopefully it is worth it, since they weren't sitting around having Socratic discussions.

This is true. The kids spend more time than most parents imagine rehearsing test questions. On the other hand, improved test scores could encourage more educated families to choose DCPS. A greater percentage of competent, serious students would eventually raise the quality of instruction.