New homeless shelters and impacted schools

[Anonymous]

OOB, not OON.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What schools will be impacted?

Eaton, for one.

I think the Ward 4 shelter is inbound for Truesdell.

Outside of Eaton, they are all high poverty schools, hopefully the city will provide them with the extra resources they may need.

See the PP posting. Eaton is going to need more resources, big time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What schools will be impacted?

Eaton, for one.

I think the Ward 4 shelter is inbound for Truesdell.

Outside of Eaton, they are all high poverty schools, hopefully the city will provide them with the extra resources they may need.

The high poverty schools are the ones with the appropriate resources. That may be how they chose the locations.

please elaborate

One point is that the schools with Title I funding have appropriate programming paid for by those funds to support at risk students, like extended day/year, free before and after care, etc. Schools like Janney, Key, Mann, Murch, and Lafayette, etc. do not have this, and all before and after care is paid for by the parents using it -- some is quite expensive.

But a bigger point is the unclear way in which social support resources are allocated. Some schools have 1/2 a social worker for 600 students/4% at risk (DCPS funded, 1:1200 ratio) while others have 2 social workers and 2 psychologists on staff for 400 students/75% at risk (half funded by DCPS, half by Title I, 1:100 ratio), based on the anticipated needs of the student body. Obviously the first school is staffed in anticipation of low need, and there are times when there is no one in the building who is designated support which doesn't really meet the needs of students who are not at risk but still need support, let alone those who are at risk. These budgets are set almost a year in advance, when it is unknown whether or not transient students will be in the school, so to have high need students show up mid year at a school funded under the first model would be a problem. DCPS will have to beef up the budget for school support staff in advance of the shelter relocations to properly serve these children, even if none of the students end up attending the school.

I have no knowledge of how this was done or how these resources are allocated, but I would expect that someone put some thought into the need to consolidate resources. I believe Eaton is presently funded for 1 social worker and 1/2 psychologist (currently 6% at risk), none with Title I funds. Maybe that's enough to absorb the potentially added students, maybe it isn't. Oddly, some schools with much higher at risk % (but lower enrollment) have the same staff at Eaton, while others with much lower at risk (but much higher enrollment) have more staff (Janney and Lafayette). Seems pretty random.

Source: http://www.dcpsdatacenter.com/fy17_initial.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once the 120 days goes by are these kids plucked out again, or do they have the right to remain at the school in-bounds for the shelter?

If they switch to the school that is IB to the shelter, they have a right to remain at that school for the rest of the school year, but not after that. Then they would have to switch to their new IB school or enter the lottery (if they wanted to remain at the shelter IB school).

Not exactly so. If the children are considered "at risk" (which basically they are by definition) then they can remain in the school that they attend. So even if the family moves from the shelter to a different school area, the kids can remain in the shelter-area school if a parent so chooses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What schools will be impacted?

Eaton, for one.

This is a good example of the questions DCPS needs to answer. Eaton is one of the smallest schools physically in DC (building and school yard). It has one of the smallest sq. ft. per pupil ratios in DCPS. It is about 125% over-enrolled this year, despite having enrollment that is is 55-60% OOB. (Can someone explain how a school with such high OON can be significantly over-enrolled?). The planned family homeless shelter within Eaton's district was recently and significantly up-sized from 30 to 50 units. Let's assume conservatively that one third of the families at the shelter will have school age children. While it's possible for students to remain where they were before (and perhaps some will), why wouldn't most rational adults, with a chance to send their kid(s) to one of the better-ranked schools in DC (and part of the Wilson cluster) not move them, particularly to a school that is within walking distance in a safe neighborhood. And, as others have pointed out, because these are homeless, at risk children, they can stay put at Eaton after their families move out of the district. So, assuming that units in the shelter turn over every 120 days (which is a big if, but what the DC government is saying), it is not difficult to see how the number of at-risk/homeless kids at Eaton will compound over a couple of years and become a not insignificant bloc of students. These kids obviously face challenges in their non-school lives, not just from homelessness, but some may have unstable families, substance abusing parents, etc. To say that they may have learning difficulties and major academic challenges is an understatement. What resources is DCPS committing to add to a school like Eaton to effectively serve these children? To address their non-school challenges to improve their learning chances? To address their needs without overly burdening existing resources and impacting the learning of other students?

Exactly. The city keeps dismissing these concerns, saying that DC's experience is that few homeless students actually switch schools. But that data may not be relevant in Eaton's case -- which is likely far from the family's old school and is stronger academically.

Eaton's biggest problem now is it's over-crowding. It's maddening that this gets dismissed as a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What schools will be impacted?

Eaton, for one.

This is a good example of the questions DCPS needs to answer. Eaton is one of the smallest schools physically in DC (building and school yard). It has one of the smallest sq. ft. per pupil ratios in DCPS. It is about 125% over-enrolled this year, despite having enrollment that is is 55-60% OOB. (Can someone explain how a school with such high OON can be significantly over-enrolled?). The planned family homeless shelter within Eaton's district was recently and significantly up-sized from 30 to 50 units. Let's assume conservatively that one third of the families at the shelter will have school age children. While it's possible for students to remain where they were before (and perhaps some will), why wouldn't most rational adults, with a chance to send their kid(s) to one of the better-ranked schools in DC (and part of the Wilson cluster) not move them, particularly to a school that is within walking distance in a safe neighborhood. And, as others have pointed out, because these are homeless, at risk children, they can stay put at Eaton after their families move out of the district. So, assuming that units in the shelter turn over every 120 days (which is a big if, but what the DC government is saying), it is not difficult to see how the number of at-risk/homeless kids at Eaton will compound over a couple of years and become a not insignificant bloc of students. These kids obviously face challenges in their non-school lives, not just from homelessness, but some may have unstable families, substance abusing parents, etc. To say that they may have learning difficulties and major academic challenges is an understatement. What resources is DCPS committing to add to a school like Eaton to effectively serve these children? To address their non-school challenges to improve their learning chances? To address their needs without overly burdening existing resources and impacting the learning of other students?

Exactly. The city keeps dismissing these concerns, saying that DC's experience is that few homeless students actually switch schools. But that data may not be relevant in Eaton's case -- which is likely far from the family's old school and is stronger academically.

Eaton's biggest problem now is it's over-crowding. It's maddening that this gets dismissed as a problem.

How is John Eaton meaningfully overcrowded when the majority of the student population is OOB? Isn't DC managing the number of OOB spots down as IB enrollment climbs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What schools will be impacted?

Eaton, for one.

This is a good example of the questions DCPS needs to answer. Eaton is one of the smallest schools physically in DC (building and school yard). It has one of the smallest sq. ft. per pupil ratios in DCPS. It is about 125% over-enrolled this year, despite having enrollment that is is 55-60% OOB. (Can someone explain how a school with such high OON can be significantly over-enrolled?). The planned family homeless shelter within Eaton's district was recently and significantly up-sized from 30 to 50 units. Let's assume conservatively that one third of the families at the shelter will have school age children. While it's possible for students to remain where they were before (and perhaps some will), why wouldn't most rational adults, with a chance to send their kid(s) to one of the better-ranked schools in DC (and part of the Wilson cluster) not move them, particularly to a school that is within walking distance in a safe neighborhood. And, as others have pointed out, because these are homeless, at risk children, they can stay put at Eaton after their families move out of the district. So, assuming that units in the shelter turn over every 120 days (which is a big if, but what the DC government is saying), it is not difficult to see how the number of at-risk/homeless kids at Eaton will compound over a couple of years and become a not insignificant bloc of students. These kids obviously face challenges in their non-school lives, not just from homelessness, but some may have unstable families, substance abusing parents, etc. To say that they may have learning difficulties and major academic challenges is an understatement. What resources is DCPS committing to add to a school like Eaton to effectively serve these children? To address their non-school challenges to improve their learning chances? To address their needs without overly burdening existing resources and impacting the learning of other students?

Exactly. The city keeps dismissing these concerns, saying that DC's experience is that few homeless students actually switch schools. But that data may not be relevant in Eaton's case -- which is likely far from the family's old school and is stronger academically.

Eaton's biggest problem now is it's over-crowding. It's maddening that this gets dismissed as a problem.

How is John Eaton meaningfully overcrowded when the majority of the student population is OOB? Isn't DC managing the number of OOB spots down as IB enrollment climbs?

No.

You would think, but no. Instead, for example, they've reconfigured stairwell landings as small-group spaces. Where ever you are in the school, you can hear noise from some other class or activity. If you are not someone who easily tunes it out, it is painful.

[Anonymous]

Eaton offered fewer K seats in the lottery this year than last (only 4 versus 10).

Once OOB students are in, they have a right to stay through 5th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What schools will be impacted?

Eaton, for one.

This is a good example of the questions DCPS needs to answer. Eaton is one of the smallest schools physically in DC (building and school yard). It has one of the smallest sq. ft. per pupil ratios in DCPS. It is about 125% over-enrolled this year, despite having enrollment that is is 55-60% OOB. (Can someone explain how a school with such high OON can be significantly over-enrolled?). The planned family homeless shelter within Eaton's district was recently and significantly up-sized from 30 to 50 units. Let's assume conservatively that one third of the families at the shelter will have school age children. While it's possible for students to remain where they were before (and perhaps some will), why wouldn't most rational adults, with a chance to send their kid(s) to one of the better-ranked schools in DC (and part of the Wilson cluster) not move them, particularly to a school that is within walking distance in a safe neighborhood. And, as others have pointed out, because these are homeless, at risk children, they can stay put at Eaton after their families move out of the district. So, assuming that units in the shelter turn over every 120 days (which is a big if, but what the DC government is saying), it is not difficult to see how the number of at-risk/homeless kids at Eaton will compound over a couple of years and become a not insignificant bloc of students. These kids obviously face challenges in their non-school lives, not just from homelessness, but some may have unstable families, substance abusing parents, etc. To say that they may have learning difficulties and major academic challenges is an understatement. What resources is DCPS committing to add to a school like Eaton to effectively serve these children? To address their non-school challenges to improve their learning chances? To address their needs without overly burdening existing resources and impacting the learning of other students?

Exactly. The city keeps dismissing these concerns, saying that DC's experience is that few homeless students actually switch schools. But that data may not be relevant in Eaton's case -- which is likely far from the family's old school and is stronger academically.

Eaton's biggest problem now is it's over-crowding. It's maddening that this gets dismissed as a problem.

How is John Eaton meaningfully overcrowded when the majority of the student population is OOB? Isn't DC managing the number of OOB spots down as IB enrollment climbs?

No.

You would think, but no. Instead, for example, they've reconfigured stairwell landings as small-group spaces. Where ever you are in the school, you can hear noise from some other class or activity. If you are not someone who easily tunes it out, it is painful.

When is Eaton slated for renovation? Last I heard, the target date keeps slipping farther into the future. Eaton is basically the only school in upper NW that hasn't been renovated, is under renovation or about to start renovation.

I suppose that DCPS is under a lot of institutional (even political) pressure to continue to maximize the number of lottery spots available in schools west of the Park, even as longtime OOB schools fill with B students and they have become overcrowded.

[Anonymous]

Well Grosso's new analysis says Eaton ranks 26th in most need of renovation city wide.

https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2830804/2016-Facilities-Analysis-With-Key-for-Dist.pdf

[Anonymous]

My friend's kid at a JKLM school does not have a single african american classmate. The parents end up talking constantly with their kindergartner about race, racism, and inequality as an important but surreal abstract problem. They could use a dozen homeless students in their school and would treat them as superstars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend's kid at a JKLM school does not have a single african american classmate. The parents end up talking constantly with their kindergartner about race, racism, and inequality as an important but surreal abstract problem. They could use a dozen homeless students in their school and would treat them as superstars.

That may be, but Eaton is not in that boat - very diverse school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once the 120 days goes by are these kids plucked out again, or do they have the right to remain at the school in-bounds for the shelter?

If they switch to the school that is IB to the shelter, they have a right to remain at that school for the rest of the school year, but not after that. Then they would have to switch to their new IB school or enter the lottery (if they wanted to remain at the shelter IB school).

not true. homeless (or until recently homeless) kids have federal rights outside or normal lottery rules. They could stay.

I cannot assure you that it is true that these kids only have rights at the shelter IB school until the end of the year, but I can assure you that it what DC (i.e. Head of DC DHS, Laura Zeilinger) has been telling folks.

I can assure you it is in FACT 100% untrue. The kids have an absolute right to stay in there school. Laura is only telling a half truth. The kids no longer get to stay in the school base on there residency at the shelter after the year is finished, but they 100% have a right to stay at the school under federal law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What schools will be impacted?

Eaton, for one.

This is a good example of the questions DCPS needs to answer. Eaton is one of the smallest schools physically in DC (building and school yard). It has one of the smallest sq. ft. per pupil ratios in DCPS. It is about 125% over-enrolled this year, despite having enrollment that is is 55-60% OOB. (Can someone explain how a school with such high OON can be significantly over-enrolled?). The planned family homeless shelter within Eaton's district was recently and significantly up-sized from 30 to 50 units. Let's assume conservatively that one third of the families at the shelter will have school age children. While it's possible for students to remain where they were before (and perhaps some will), why wouldn't most rational adults, with a chance to send their kid(s) to one of the better-ranked schools in DC (and part of the Wilson cluster) not move them, particularly to a school that is within walking distance in a safe neighborhood. And, as others have pointed out, because these are homeless, at risk children, they can stay put at Eaton after their families move out of the district. So, assuming that units in the shelter turn over every 120 days (which is a big if, but what the DC government is saying), it is not difficult to see how the number of at-risk/homeless kids at Eaton will compound over a couple of years and become a not insignificant bloc of students. These kids obviously face challenges in their non-school lives, not just from homelessness, but some may have unstable families, substance abusing parents, etc. To say that they may have learning difficulties and major academic challenges is an understatement. What resources is DCPS committing to add to a school like Eaton to effectively serve these children? To address their non-school challenges to improve their learning chances? To address their needs without overly burdening existing resources and impacting the learning of other students?

Your OOB % for Eaton is very outdated. The school is over 50% IB now and changing quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend's kid at a JKLM school does not have a single african american classmate. The parents end up talking constantly with their kindergartner about race, racism, and inequality as an important but surreal abstract problem. They could use a dozen homeless students in their school and would treat them as superstars.

That may be, but Eaton is not in that boat - very diverse school.

Definitely not true in Eaton's case. My daughter's class this year is more than 50% minority students. Plus, there is a large international contingent as well from various embassies.