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Help with Murch
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Anonymous
| I'm starting a new thread because I am just so frustrated with Murch. I keep trying for ages to find out when the Murch lottery for preK was happening so we would know what to do about other schools--some of whose deadlines for registration are today. Well, it says late Feb on the DCPS website and in Murch newsletters, then I was told mid March. Then I was told it already happened. Then that letters would go out at the end of this week. Well today I was told that we won't hear until early April. I am unable to even get a straight answer why. Something about out of boundary kids. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that I'm now officially psycho persona non-grata there and wondering if any other Murch preK applicant parents have any info, or want to take a shot at calling. It seems crazy that we would have to wait for so long. I also wonder whether the staff and principal are really as rude, unwelcoming, and defensive as they seem... Thank you so much for any input. |
Anonymous
| The principal and teachers are wonderful. The kindergarten teachers are amazing. I'm sorry you've had a bad time with the admin staff, but they are usually quite nice. Maybe they've just been swamped. |
Anonymous
| Thanks so much for the feedback. I know you must be right--everyone says the same thing. I guess this process brings out the worst in people. It obviously does in me.. |
Anonymous
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I understand what you have been through. I have done this and been through this process for about 4 years and I am at the point that I am tired and decide to move to another location with better public schools for my 16 yr and 6 yr old..
It's hard to get into these so called out-of-boundary schools where everybody of course do not get the change to get there child(ren) enrolled..I was wondering why they cannot have the same programs/teachers or whatever at the other Public schools that make these schools so good..it is unfair towards the parents and the kids to have ONLY a group(in the same public system) have the best when all DC parents pay taxes, work as hard as everybody..I feel that all kids regardless there background have the same right to the same education and environment regardless where they live or how much the parents make.. I think the Out-of-Boundary is a waste of time.... |
Anonymous
| PP, all DC Schools get money allocated on a per student basis, then some more depending on the special needs of the populations they serve. So, schools with a higher percentage of special needs students actually get more money. What distinguishes Murch and other schools like it is the PARENTS. They volunteer at the school, raise extra money, and generally set very high standards for the principal and the teachers. Because of that, the school tends to attract and keep good teachers and staff. And the students tend to be from homes where there is a high emphasis on learning. There's no magic secret. Yes, the public schools in the wealthier neighborhoods tend to be better, but that's because of community involvement. Life isn't fair. You want good schools in your neighborhod? Get together with your neighbors and volunteer! |
Anonymous
I agree with the pp. I have 2 children at Murch and this is our third year. Parents make all of the difference. Murch just like other dc schools follow the same curriculum (Which personally I think can be improved), offer the same crappy  hot lunch, have old faciities, and so on. However, at Murch the kids' education is supplemented with programs that the PARENTS organize and make happen. We have additional music, language, art, science, just to name a few. The PARENTS volunteer, substitute, assist the office admin, work on additional minor projects (ie. hanging new white boards). There is so much going on that our family has a hard time choosing. Also, the teachers are outstanding. Some of them work with the extracurricular activities while others offer backup after school child care. Everyone is friendly with one another and keeps an eye on each other's kids while playing on the playground. I must say that I've never witnessed another school like Murch when it comes to Parent involvement and I am a native Washingtonian who grew up (K-12) in the DC Public School System. PP you are right every child deserves this type of education regardless of their race, economic status, etc. It unfortunate that parents at less fortunate schools don't acknowledge this fact and make it happen for their child. Someone has to make an initiative and the rest will follow, hopefully. Good luck with your search for a school like Murch.
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Anonymous
OK, besides the fact that this post is condescending (at best) IMO, it does not seem to address OP's message. OP - sorry it's so frustrating. I'm right there with you (with twins, actually). But glad to hear you have options. FWIW, from what I understand, if you're not in the top 5 spots on the waiting list, it's probably not going to happen given the priorities Murch has to consider. As I'm sure you've realized, since pre-K isn't compulsory, everyone in the city is treated as "out of boundary" unless they have a sibling in the school. Life isn't fair. (As if we needed PP to explain that to us  ) But hey, sometimes we get lucky. At least you don't have to send a thank you note with toddler artwork 
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Anonymous
What the ____?!?! When was the last time you actually TALKED TO parents at "less fortunate" schools? Whatever. How about we just end this thread before it gets even further off point and wish OP the best. |
Anonymous
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What the ____?!?! When was the last time you actually TALKED TO parents at "less fortunate" schools? Actually, I have friends (as I stated before I grew up in DC) who are less fortunate and their children go to less fortunate schools (SE and NE). They don't volunteer. They have stated that there aren't many parents who do. Surprisingly, they aren't doing much about that either. Please remember why myself and the other poster started making comments or this issue. She (pp) stated "I was wondering why they cannot have the same programs/teachers or whatever at the other Public schools that make these schools so good..it is unfair towards the parents and the kids to have ONLY a group(in the same public system) have the best when all DC parents pay taxes, work as hard as everybody..I feel that all kids regardless there background have the same right to the same education and environment regardless where they live or how much the parents make.. I think the Out-of-Boundary is a waste of time...." Boo hoo  So she was looking for an answer and we gave it to her. If pp thinks out-of-boundary is a waste of time then maybe she should look into making her in-boundary school a better one. Or if she's too lazy then I guess she can move! |
Anonymous
Actually, I have friends (as I stated before I grew up in DC) who are less fortunate and their children go to less fortunate schools (SE and NE). They don't volunteer. They have stated that there aren't many parents who do. Surprisingly, they aren't doing much about that either. Please remember why myself and the other poster started making comments or this issue. She (pp) stated "I was wondering why they cannot have the same programs/teachers or whatever at the other Public schools that make these schools so good..it is unfair towards the parents and the kids to have ONLY a group(in the same public system) have the best when all DC parents pay taxes, work as hard as everybody..I feel that all kids regardless there background have the same right to the same education and environment regardless where they live or how much the parents make.. I think the Out-of-Boundary is a waste of time...." Boo hoo So she was looking for an answer and we gave it to her. If pp thinks out-of-boundary is a waste of time then maybe she should look into making her in-boundary school a better one. Or if she's too lazy then I guess she can move!
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