Deal ipl

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is there a DCPS middle or high school that is bringing kids back for more than one class/week for live, in-person instruction?


According to DCPS Reopen strong, yes, the answer is yes. Other schools are doing more.

At a minimum, Deal could bring back alot more students right now and offer more in person instruction if they encouraged teachers to come back instead of discouraging them them.

I believe MD and VA schools are back on a hybrid rotation - in school 2 full days a week.

And pretty much the rest of America is back at least hybrid - and were always open hybrid or full. In NJ and CA parents had to sue, but the schools then opened. Middle schools and high schools are back in full rotation. And they are now cutting down on the quarantining after finding so few kids testing positive. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/school-quarantine-changes/2021/05/02/681cdb4a-668e-11eb-886d-5264d4ceb46d_story.html

Deal has a baseball team, even drives the kids to the game in busses, but somehow refuses to provide in school instruction. its just awful.


Which ones, specifically? Even at Wilson, where the principal was very pro-return, the kids are in max half day/week, just like at Deal. (I have one kid at each.) So which DCPS middle schools and high schools are doing more? Please name them and share their plans if you’re going to single out Deal and Ms. Neal as underperforming.


Stop comparing Deal to Wilson. I also have kids at both and at Wilson my kid gets in person instruction where the teacher in the room teachers to the kids in the room. Deal is not doing that and it is a HUGE difference.

And why are other DCPS schools the standard? Plenty of DC charter schools are back. Private schools are back. AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS IN THE CLASSROOM.

I fully believe that if leaders such as Neal had come out and said truthfully that they cannot adequately teach students through distanced learning and that these students are being irreparably harmed it would have made a huge difference with the policy makers. But they didn't stand up for their students and settled for just barely teaching this year.

Just got a notice that the science teacher will not be teaching this week. No sub, just some homework and free time. i recognize that teachers to have emergencies and do need leave, but normally there would be lesson plans and a sub. And normally a teacher that misses 2 classes would still be teaching 3 classes that week.

Honestly, it feels like Deal has completely given up and written off this year. The parents are so beaten down that they can't even get up the anger any more. No public official one is talking about this at all. And honestly, I am questioning whether Deal will open next year. I already hear the press release: "We had the full intention of opening, but Deal is so big that its just too big of a risk. We can't have 1500 students in one building at the same time...."


The critique on this thread is of Deal and Ms. Neal, specifically. Deal and Ms. Neal operate within a system, DCPS. So it’s relevant to compare Deal and Ms. Neal to other schools and principals in DCPS. If other DCPS MSs are doing more than Deal, let’s talk about that. Otherwise, this just feels like a big tantrum by parents who for some reason expect Deal to operate differently than other DCPS middle schools.

(And, by the way, the idea that what’s happening at Wilson—ONE period of in-person instruction each week—is so far superior to what Deal is doing is absolutely laughable...especially since some of the Deal IP students, including my kid, are also getting one period of in-person instruction. My kid at Wilson has had teachers occasionally not show up or cancel class, but my kid at Deal has had that experience only once all year. I say this not to criticize Wilson but just to make the point that all of this is hard and imperfect, and Ms. Martin and Ms. Neal and their staffs are doing their best in an extraordinarily difficult situation.)


Well you have been really lucky. There are multiple Deal teachers who have missed double digit days, many without calling out. They just don't show up.
My kid has one of them It's horrible.

If you're sick or unable to teach: at least email the school and/or the kids. It's what any other professional on the planet has to do.


+1. It's a combination of Neal's vocal support of WTU's efforts to keep schools closed, her condescension towards parents who want in person school, her collusion and manipulation with the ADCA/LSAT reps to silence parents who want schools reopen, her refusal to manage underperforming teachers that predates the pandemic but is heightened now with teachers just not attending class because no one is managing them, etc. That's why Neal is rightfully criticized.


And, to add, it is apparent that none if this happened across the street at Wilson. Ms. Martin has been pretty vocal about her frustrations with DCPS and seems like she tried just about everything to get the kids into school more. Our understanding from our Deal friends is that this is where the frustration lies, and I think parents are willing to cut Ms. Martin some slack because she actually tried to do something for the kids. One question for this board - instead of complaining here, is there any evidence that DCPS Central Office knows or cares about the issues? It would seem to be a bad look for them to have their flagship middle school go down the tubes due to poor leadership.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is there a DCPS middle or high school that is bringing kids back for more than one class/week for live, in-person instruction?


According to DCPS Reopen strong, yes, the answer is yes. Other schools are doing more.

At a minimum, Deal could bring back alot more students right now and offer more in person instruction if they encouraged teachers to come back instead of discouraging them them.

I believe MD and VA schools are back on a hybrid rotation - in school 2 full days a week.

And pretty much the rest of America is back at least hybrid - and were always open hybrid or full. In NJ and CA parents had to sue, but the schools then opened. Middle schools and high schools are back in full rotation. And they are now cutting down on the quarantining after finding so few kids testing positive. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/school-quarantine-changes/2021/05/02/681cdb4a-668e-11eb-886d-5264d4ceb46d_story.html

Deal has a baseball team, even drives the kids to the game in busses, but somehow refuses to provide in school instruction. its just awful.


Which ones, specifically? Even at Wilson, where the principal was very pro-return, the kids are in max half day/week, just like at Deal. (I have one kid at each.) So which DCPS middle schools and high schools are doing more? Please name them and share their plans if you’re going to single out Deal and Ms. Neal as underperforming.


Stop comparing Deal to Wilson. I also have kids at both and at Wilson my kid gets in person instruction where the teacher in the room teachers to the kids in the room. Deal is not doing that and it is a HUGE difference.

And why are other DCPS schools the standard? Plenty of DC charter schools are back. Private schools are back. AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS IN THE CLASSROOM.

I fully believe that if leaders such as Neal had come out and said truthfully that they cannot adequately teach students through distanced learning and that these students are being irreparably harmed it would have made a huge difference with the policy makers. But they didn't stand up for their students and settled for just barely teaching this year.

Just got a notice that the science teacher will not be teaching this week. No sub, just some homework and free time. i recognize that teachers to have emergencies and do need leave, but normally there would be lesson plans and a sub. And normally a teacher that misses 2 classes would still be teaching 3 classes that week.

Honestly, it feels like Deal has completely given up and written off this year. The parents are so beaten down that they can't even get up the anger any more. No public official one is talking about this at all. And honestly, I am questioning whether Deal will open next year. I already hear the press release: "We had the full intention of opening, but Deal is so big that its just too big of a risk. We can't have 1500 students in one building at the same time...."


The critique on this thread is of Deal and Ms. Neal, specifically. Deal and Ms. Neal operate within a system, DCPS. So it’s relevant to compare Deal and Ms. Neal to other schools and principals in DCPS. If other DCPS MSs are doing more than Deal, let’s talk about that. Otherwise, this just feels like a big tantrum by parents who for some reason expect Deal to operate differently than other DCPS middle schools.

(And, by the way, the idea that what’s happening at Wilson—ONE period of in-person instruction each week—is so far superior to what Deal is doing is absolutely laughable...especially since some of the Deal IP students, including my kid, are also getting one period of in-person instruction. My kid at Wilson has had teachers occasionally not show up or cancel class, but my kid at Deal has had that experience only once all year. I say this not to criticize Wilson but just to make the point that all of this is hard and imperfect, and Ms. Martin and Ms. Neal and their staffs are doing their best in an extraordinarily difficult situation.)


Well you have been really lucky. There are multiple Deal teachers who have missed double digit days, many without calling out. They just don't show up.
My kid has one of them It's horrible.

If you're sick or unable to teach: at least email the school and/or the kids. It's what any other professional on the planet has to do.


+1. It's a combination of Neal's vocal support of WTU's efforts to keep schools closed, her condescension towards parents who want in person school, her collusion and manipulation with the ADCA/LSAT reps to silence parents who want schools reopen, her refusal to manage underperforming teachers that predates the pandemic but is heightened now with teachers just not attending class because no one is managing them, etc. That's why Neal is rightfully criticized.


And, to add, it is apparent that none if this happened across the street at Wilson. Ms. Martin has been pretty vocal about her frustrations with DCPS and seems like she tried just about everything to get the kids into school more. Our understanding from our Deal friends is that this is where the frustration lies, and I think parents are willing to cut Ms. Martin some slack because she actually tried to do something for the kids. One question for this board - instead of complaining here, is there any evidence that DCPS Central Office knows or cares about the issues? It would seem to be a bad look for them to have their flagship middle school go down the tubes due to poor leadership.


+1. Some parents have documented our frustrations in any text options for surveys and emailed DCPS and the Mayor, so DCPS should know. Deal really is declining and I wouldn't expect it to correct course with Neal at the helm.

To add to the list of reasons why parents lost confidence in Neal: She was very sneaky in the way she "reopened" by calling it IPL and omitting key facts such as it's really zoom in a room, not live instruction taught by a teacher for many of the students. Kids get to school and take virtual classes while the teacher in the room teaches a different class. Neal lied by omission, and I don't believe for a minute that there wasn't a way to get every child at least one live class. She lost all credibility, so she doesn't get any benefit of the doubt the way Martin does.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Honest question: why do NW DC parents put up with this?


Correction - why do any parents put up with this?


True but I am particularly interested in those that live and have kids in NW DC. I used to live there and know the area and the schools well. The parent community is dynamic and made up of powerful movers and shakers in the city. They are not shrinking violets and work hard to provide the best for their kids. So, I ask again- why is this group complacent on this issue?

BTW, we live in Georgia now and schools have been open all year. The contrast is amazing


I'm jealous. There's this mindset that they must be on the side of the teachers. Many parents are afraid to stand up and say that WTU and their supporters are wrong. It's in direct conflict with the way they view themselves and how they want to play kumbaya. It's similar to school boosters who shut down anyone who criticizes their school. Their relationship with the school staff and teachers is too central to their identity and they can't listen to anyone who says differently. It's amazing how many parents are willing to screw over their own kids to keep their vision intact.


This is fascinating to me; thank you for summarizing so well what is in fact a distorted, twisted sense of loyalty, but unfortunately all too common in this area. I wonder if this is unique to Washington, where so many adults are personally vested in "The System." They have worked for Government - or entities that are enabled by government - for their entire careers and, as you say, must support it at all cost, even at the expense of independent critical thinking. They can't bear to admit that their children are paying the price for this, so they double down and carry on about the dangers of the pandemic. I expect this extends to mask-wearing as well.

I should have been a shrink, right?
Anonymous
1. Haven’t you been paying attention? Parents have spoken up only to be told to pipe down and check their privilege.

2. Pls point to any evidence of political power NW school families have. Do you think the schools would be so overcrowded if there was any political power in these parts of the city?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Honest question: why do NW DC parents put up with this?


Correction - why do any parents put up with this?


True but I am particularly interested in those that live and have kids in NW DC. I used to live there and know the area and the schools well. The parent community is dynamic and made up of powerful movers and shakers in the city. They are not shrinking violets and work hard to provide the best for their kids. So, I ask again- why is this group complacent on this issue?

BTW, we live in Georgia now and schools have been open all year. The contrast is amazing


I'm jealous. There's this mindset that they must be on the side of the teachers. Many parents are afraid to stand up and say that WTU and their supporters are wrong. It's in direct conflict with the way they view themselves and how they want to play kumbaya. It's similar to school boosters who shut down anyone who criticizes their school. Their relationship with the school staff and teachers is too central to their identity and they can't listen to anyone who says differently. It's amazing how many parents are willing to screw over their own kids to keep their vision intact.


This is fascinating to me; thank you for summarizing so well what is in fact a distorted, twisted sense of loyalty, but unfortunately all too common in this area. I wonder if this is unique to Washington, where so many adults are personally vested in "The System." They have worked for Government - or entities that are enabled by government - for their entire careers and, as you say, must support it at all cost, even at the expense of independent critical thinking. They can't bear to admit that their children are paying the price for this, so they double down and carry on about the dangers of the pandemic. I expect this extends to mask-wearing as well.

I should have been a shrink, right?


I absolutely agree that some of this is unique to DC, specifically the need to align with the virtue signaling behaviors such as siding with the teachers. Plus it's not fun to be in conflict with your kid's school. I'm livid with WTU but my kid is participating in teachers appreciation week because I don't want them to feel left out, not because I believe in any way that their teacher who went on strike and was forced back to work kicking and screaming in any way deserves it.
Anonymous
Just got an email for RISE (for rising 6th graders) this summer. Guess what? It’s virtual! And runs 9-noon but not on Friday. So this means that my kid would have had to skip camp for the week to do this, but only be occupied for 4 half days?

So relieved my child is not going to Deal next year.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can anyone name a middle school in DC that is giving more in person instruction than Deal?


If they are not in person in the fall, I will happily sign on to the lawsuit but I think it is too easy too throw sticks when you do not have to solve the problem.


Adams. My middle schooler attends Adams 4 days/week (Wednesday is asynchronous). It’s a full day (~8:45 am to 3 pm), and all of her classes (except specials) are taught in person by her regular teachers. Specials are taught via a distance learning format.


Thank you. How big is the school? The Oyster Adams profile page says 731 kids for Pk-8th. I think this is great and I think Deal could do more but I do not think they could do this given their numbers.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can anyone name a middle school in DC that is giving more in person instruction than Deal?


If they are not in person in the fall, I will happily sign on to the lawsuit but I think it is too easy too throw sticks when you do not have to solve the problem.


Adams. My middle schooler attends Adams 4 days/week (Wednesday is asynchronous). It’s a full day (~8:45 am to 3 pm), and all of her classes (except specials) are taught in person by her regular teachers. Specials are taught via a distance learning format.


Thank you. How big is the school? The Oyster Adams profile page says 731 kids for Pk-8th. I think this is great and I think Deal could do more but I do not think they could do this given their numbers.


This is absurd. Schools all over the country and around the world are open. Just WTF.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can anyone name a middle school in DC that is giving more in person instruction than Deal?


If they are not in person in the fall, I will happily sign on to the lawsuit but I think it is too easy too throw sticks when you do not have to solve the problem.


Adams. My middle schooler attends Adams 4 days/week (Wednesday is asynchronous). It’s a full day (~8:45 am to 3 pm), and all of her classes (except specials) are taught in person by her regular teachers. Specials are taught via a distance learning format.


Thank you. How big is the school? The Oyster Adams profile page says 731 kids for Pk-8th. I think this is great and I think Deal could do more but I do not think they could do this given their numbers.


Thanks for letting us know!

Are kids in set cohorts and if so do you know how many cohorts of students interact with a given teacher? And if they are maintaining 3 ft of space b/t students? (Trying to figure out if schools can make the choice not to follow the cohort and spacing guidance)
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can anyone name a middle school in DC that is giving more in person instruction than Deal?


If they are not in person in the fall, I will happily sign on to the lawsuit but I think it is too easy too throw sticks when you do not have to solve the problem.


Adams. My middle schooler attends Adams 4 days/week (Wednesday is asynchronous). It’s a full day (~8:45 am to 3 pm), and all of her classes (except specials) are taught in person by her regular teachers. Specials are taught via a distance learning format.


Thank you. How big is the school? The Oyster Adams profile page says 731 kids for Pk-8th. I think this is great and I think Deal could do more but I do not think they could do this given their numbers.


This is absurd. Schools all over the country and around the world are open. Just WTF.


+1
Anonymous
We have love Deal. I really don't understand the problem.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can anyone name a middle school in DC that is giving more in person instruction than Deal?


If they are not in person in the fall, I will happily sign on to the lawsuit but I think it is too easy too throw sticks when you do not have to solve the problem.


Adams. My middle schooler attends Adams 4 days/week (Wednesday is asynchronous). It’s a full day (~8:45 am to 3 pm), and all of her classes (except specials) are taught in person by her regular teachers. Specials are taught via a distance learning format.


Thank you. How big is the school? The Oyster Adams profile page says 731 kids for Pk-8th. I think this is great and I think Deal could do more but I do not think they could do this given their numbers.[/quote

Stop it. Pyle in MOCO is doing more. Much more and is 1500 kids. Deal is unique in size for DC but not in the area or around the country. This isn't rocket science.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:We have love Deal. I really don't understand the problem.


So you are ok with ZERO(at least for my child) in person learning and 4 day a week online learning for over 1 year?

Yes, you are the only one.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can anyone name a middle school in DC that is giving more in person instruction than Deal?


If they are not in person in the fall, I will happily sign on to the lawsuit but I think it is too easy too throw sticks when you do not have to solve the problem.


Adams. My middle schooler attends Adams 4 days/week (Wednesday is asynchronous). It’s a full day (~8:45 am to 3 pm), and all of her classes (except specials) are taught in person by her regular teachers. Specials are taught via a distance learning format.


Thank you. How big is the school? The Oyster Adams profile page says 731 kids for Pk-8th. I think this is great and I think Deal could do more but I do not think they could do this given their numbers.


Thanks for letting us know!

Are kids in set cohorts and if so do you know how many cohorts of students interact with a given teacher? And if they are maintaining 3 ft of space b/t students? (Trying to figure out if schools can make the choice not to follow the cohort and spacing guidance)


They don't have the choice is my inderstanding. The choice was made dcps-wide to have classrooms of 15 kids biding by cohorting requirements.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Just got an email for RISE (for rising 6th graders) this summer. Guess what? It’s virtual! And runs 9-noon but not on Friday. So this means that my kid would have had to skip camp for the week to do this, but only be occupied for 4 half days?

So relieved my child is not going to Deal next year.


That's the normal schedule for RISE even in person. The virtual part, year 2 is inexcusable especially since they could do part of it outside easily. Is there not one person making decisions at that school who is looking for opportunities how to make things work in person?
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