MV seeking to replicate - expand to pld Potomac Lighthouse Bldg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MV has apparently been planning this expansion for 2 years, but never once mentioned it to existing families. We almost left after a very chaotic year last year, but we decided to stick it out because we understood this year to be the final growth year. Now that the school is at capacity with a fifth grade class for the first time, we expected things to finally stabilize. We didn't know of the expansion plans until 3 weeks ago -- too late to apply to other schools for the fall. So we're stuck with the chaos.

What's your neighborhood school?

[Anonymous]

I am so surprised to hear about all this "chaos" at MV. I have a bunch of friends at the school. Some have been there since the beginning and they all are as happy as can get and still can't believe their luck of getting in. I wonder why do people have such different experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so surprised to hear about all this "chaos" at MV. I have a bunch of friends at the school. Some have been there since the beginning and they all are as happy as can get and still can't believe their luck of getting in. I wonder why do people have such different experiences.

The same reason some friends post happy couples photos on Facebook while their marriage is crumbling?

[Anonymous]

Newbie dc families are ok with a subpar school such as MV because they

1) believe that elementary school is largely irrelevant seeing how many of them came from cornfields and went on to good schools and collect 6 figure salaries doing very little substantive work
2) love the progressive talk of bilingualism, environmentalalism, etc
3) won't move since they are intoxicated with their house equity and the ability to bike and walk to their trendy restaurants and taverns

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Newbie dc families are ok with a subpar school such as MV because they

1) believe that elementary school is largely irrelevant seeing how many of them came from cornfields and went on to good schools and collect 6 figure salaries doing very little substantive work
2) love the progressive talk of bilingualism, environmentalalism, etc
3) won't move since they are intoxicated with their house equity and the ability to bike and walk to their trendy restaurants and taverns

Or maybe just because it is better than their other options?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Newbie dc families are ok with a subpar school such as MV because they

1) believe that elementary school is largely irrelevant seeing how many of them came from cornfields and went on to good schools and collect 6 figure salaries doing very little substantive work
2) love the progressive talk of bilingualism, environmentalalism, etc
3) won't move since they are intoxicated with their house equity and the ability to bike and walk to their trendy restaurants and taverns

Or their kids are in preschool or K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Newbie dc families are ok with a subpar school such as MV because they

1) believe that elementary school is largely irrelevant seeing how many of them came from cornfields and went on to good schools and collect 6 figure salaries doing very little substantive work
2) love the progressive talk of bilingualism, environmentalalism, etc
3) won't move since they are intoxicated with their house equity and the ability to bike and walk to their trendy restaurants and taverns

Have to disagree on "subpar." Been at MV for three years and while not perfect we've have had a great experience there. Great teachers all three years, committed parents and a lovely building (albeit with not enough play space). I've seen very little chaos this year and think the school is finally finding its groove.
That said, is the school ready for replication? That was the thread right?
I'm not sure. In a few years maybe but not currently. I'm hoping (and I have lots of company) that the school waits a few more years before trying to open MV2.
TBD....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Newbie dc families are ok with a subpar school such as MV because they

1) believe that elementary school is largely irrelevant seeing how many of them came from cornfields and went on to good schools and collect 6 figure salaries doing very little substantive work
2) love the progressive talk of bilingualism, environmentalalism, etc
3) won't move since they are intoxicated with their house equity and the ability to bike and walk to their trendy restaurants and taverns

Have to disagree on "subpar." Been at MV for three years and while not perfect we've have had a great experience there. Great teachers all three years, committed parents and a lovely building (albeit with not enough play space). I've seen very little chaos this year and think the school is finally finding its groove.
That said, is the school ready for replication? That was the thread right?
I'm not sure. In a few years maybe but not currently. I'm hoping (and I have lots of company) that the school waits a few more years before trying to open MV2.
TBD....

The school is replicating - unless the PCSB stops them. Which they won't do unless someone steps up publicly and says they shouldn't.

Hoping it doesn't materialize is not a good strategy.

[Anonymous]

Not the original poster on this but.... I think MV parents are generally happy and believe strongly in the mission and promise of the school, but there have been lots of growing pains. Talk to parents of special needs kids. Talk to parents of kids of color. Talk to parents who have dealt with mid-year teacher turnover. Parents still believe in the promise of the school, but don't think its been realized yet. As a result, many were shocked and disheartened to learn about the replication plans. They just feel really premature and most families and staff want to wait until the foundation seems strong enough to build on. I agree, though, that the plans will likely move forward regardless...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not the original poster on this but.... I think MV parents are generally happy and believe strongly in the mission and promise of the school, but there have been lots of growing pains. Talk to parents of special needs kids. Talk to parents of kids of color. Talk to parents who have dealt with mid-year teacher turnover. Parents still believe in the promise of the school, but don't think its been realized yet. As a result, many were shocked and disheartened to learn about the replication plans. They just feel really premature and most families and staff want to wait until the foundation seems strong enough to build on. I agree, though, that the plans will likely move forward regardless...

Former MV family ... I think most- maybe 60%- of MV families are happy but they ALL have friends who have been in "that" classroom last year, the year before ... or experienced the high rates of teacher turnover or poor classroom management. Most likely sticking it out bc what are the other viable options available? Does it require selling a home and moving inbounds for another school? Transfer via the lottery (oh, too late as the school didn't share the plans with families in time)?

Our new school isn't perfect- but a vast improvement over the experience we had at MV. We have friends there- and might end up at DCI down the road- and genuinely like the teachers who put their heart and soul into their job. Even the ones not up to par seem to try- but the administration and communication is the biggest hurdle for success in the long term.

[Anonymous]

Why do other schools have a month leeway between their public comment and DCPCSB vote, and MV has both the same night? Doesn't feel very democratic.
http://www.dcpcsb.org/public-comment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Newbie dc families are ok with a subpar school such as MV because they

1) believe that elementary school is largely irrelevant seeing how many of them came from cornfields and went on to good schools and collect 6 figure salaries doing very little substantive work
2) love the progressive talk of bilingualism, environmentalalism, etc
3) won't move since they are intoxicated with their house equity and the ability to bike and walk to their trendy restaurants and taverns

Or maybe just because it is better than their other options?

this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do other schools have a month leeway between their public comment and DCPCSB vote, and MV has both the same night? Doesn't feel very democratic.
http://www.dcpcsb.org/public-comment

The public comment notice at first said it would be either May 22 or June 19.

Call the PCSB and ask for the vote to be pushed back. They often will delay if there are concerns expressed about a proposal during the comment period.

[Anonymous]

Join the group of parents planning to speak out on the 22nd.

Takes bravery- because their kids will still be at the school, but the administration will know clearly who is not supportive of the expansion. Strength in numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Join the group of parents planning to speak out on the 22nd.

Takes bravery- because their kids will still be at the school, but the administration will know clearly who is not supportive of the expansion. Strength in numbers.

There are no negative comments officially submitted on the record yet from parents, but a positive one refers to a letter/flyer.
The optics of this vote actually being held AT Mundo aren't great.