Here's a 10 minute clip from the end of the meeting that stands out to me. If you don't have five and a half hours to kill, I think this part is worth watching. If you're fired up after watching it, please email Mayor Bowser.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNRC9r_J9XQ


edit: not sure why I can't embed it

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Allen didn't stay for the whole meeting but while he was there he seemed to be the only one questioning the approach. Grosso asked a few hard questions but Nesbitt either didn't answer the questions at all or gave really flippant answers. I wonder who the groups are that will receive the "grants" and what existing connections those groups have to DOH.

Allen left early? Does he even pretend to care?

For what it's worth, Councilmember Allen gave opening remarks that hit the nail on the head for perspective as a parent. You should be able to find it on the video link if you're really interested.

I wasn't able to stay for the whole hearing, but what I did see towards the end was that Grosso was very understanding of a compromise - to start the new comprehensive programs as planned, but to keep the same level of nurse coverage at least for the rest of the year so we can see what the new programs will provide. He offered support for a mid-year funding transfer to support this, which she promptly shot down "I'm not asking for that."

At this point, I think it needs to be elevated to Bowser. I hope she's already aware of this, but she needs to move on this or own it herself.

The video of the hearing is posted here:
http://dc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=3451

Dr. Nesbitt's testimony starts at 3:22:00.

I'll work on writing a letter and I'll post it here if anyone wants to plagiarize.

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone going to the meeting this week?

I'll be at Councilmember Grosso's roundtable this Tuesday. I've spoken with several other parents who plan to testify. If anyone reading this is on the fence about testifying, I'm happy to provide some pointers and encouragement.

Councilmember Grosso will hold a roundtable 10/25 at 2:30pm at the Wilson Building (http://www.davidgrosso.org/grosso-analysis/2016/10/12/grosso-announces-public-roundtable-on-school-health-services-program).
You need to sign up to testify by Sunday 10/23 at 5pm.

Also, please see this petition to Mayor Bowser: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/every-child-deserves

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friday afternoon news dump from DC Government about nurses.

http://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/u23/memo%20to%20parents%20with%20header_FINAL.pdf

(annoying: Why is there no "From" on this memo?)

According to release there will be two meetings:

October 5, 2016 at Paul Lawrence Dunbar Senior High School (101 N St, NW)

October 17, 2016 at Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter School (2427 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave, SE).

Both forums will be from 6-8 pm. No RSVP is required.

Did anyone go to the Oct 5th meeting? I was planning to but DS was sick. Wondering what the reaction of parents was.

I went. I'd guess about 25-30, including a group of about 10 nurses. I don't think the message was sent out very broadly.

I think most parents (including myself) were impressed by / in favor of the new programs, but not the reduced minimum for school nurses. Most of the presentation focused on the new programs. The discussion about the possibility of cuts to school nurses was a bit more heated. I don't the the Director of DOH, Dr. Nesbitt, was able to explain why less than one full-time nurse per school is acceptable.
She said that the guidelines for one full-time nurse wer applicable as a general guideline, but not necessary for DC. I don't think that lines up with the expectations of parents.

At a Ward 4 Education Alliance meeting on September 14th, the DCPS Deputy Chief, Student Wellness, Dr. Heidi Schumacher, talked to us about upcoming changes to the way school nurses will be provided from the Department of Health, as it applies to both DCPS and DCPCS. It looks like they're going after some lofty goals (equity, better coordinated care), but the bottom line is that they're going to change from a minimum of 1 full time nurse per school to a minimum of 1/2 time nurse per school. The assessments that determine the actual number of positions for each school will come out in November and be fully implemented by January.

In my opinion, this is misguided and is being sprung on us as a done deal. I'd like to see this initiative delayed until it can be done right or shifted to accomplish these goals in a different way if it's not the right thing for us.

By reducing the school nursing staff, the Department of Health expects the schools to pick up the extra (first aid, managing student illness, etc.) as collateral duties. I heard nothing about additional money for schools to staff for these collateral duties. I just don’t believe that adding responsibilities without adding manpower is reasonable or achievable. Staff shouldn’t have to prioritize between their main duties and the medical needs of children.

For anything beyond minor 1st aid, I'd like a real nurse to be present. What happens when there's an outbreak of something contagious at the school? I'd rather the response be immediate than wait for the next day the nurse is available. And I won't trust centralized resources over a person dedicated to and present at our school. How often will students just be sent home rather than treated for minor things at school? Will non-medical staff miss important signs of illness and tell students to tough it out?

The things that the Department of Health is trying for, like coordinating care with the kids' doctors and coordinating with community resources sound great. But that is the type of thing that warrants spending more money, not reducing nurse staffing to accommodate. It also sounds like duplication of what the family support collaboratives (like the Georgia Ave Family Support Collaborative) are already doing at our schools.

Overall, this seems like a reduction in the total amount of actual nurse time in the system, and instead we'll get coordinators and quality assurance / evaluation people. That's a big change that no one has been talking to us about. For what it's worth, DCPS didn't approach us about this. They responded to our request based on rumors that we've been hearing.

The DCPS official present was Dr. Heidi Schumacher (heidi.schumacher@dc.gov) and she said that we should provide comments to the Department of Health at charlissa.quick@dc.gov and OSSE at DonnaM.Anthony@dc.gov. I think that we should also contact the Deputy Mayor for Education (dme@dc.gov), the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services (dmhhs@dc.gov), and our councilmembers to see if there's a way they can make this right. I'll be writing them tonight.

Anonymous wrote:I am confused. What are we branding for those of us who are not in dual language programs? I have yet to hear what programming exists for us. So, what is the community inclusiveness? I think this needs to be figured out first before any branding can happen. Let's not put the cart before the horse.

I asked AP Sanders about when they'd start working on programming / selling points for the comprehensive part of the school. He said he's looking at developing that starting around late Fall of this year once the dual-language program is up and running. Given that we're a couple of years from having that part of the school open, that seems reasonable to me. I think he's got the message that we're looking for something special, not just a school that opened.

They are going to start making marketing materials since the school is opening for next year. What they're looking for on branding is just feedback on the way those materials look. Is the school name written in English and Spanish? Just parts?

Anonymous wrote:

JoshH wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No charters?

Correct. This is hosted by the Ward 4 Education Alliance, which doesn't typically deal with citywide options.

No Shepherd or Lafayette?

I don't normally see people from Lafayette or Shepherd at Ward 4 Education Alliance meetings. It could be because the Ward 3 Education group also includes Wilson feeders.

Anonymous wrote:No charters?

Correct. This is hosted by the Ward 4 Education Alliance, which doesn't typically deal with citywide options.

The Ward 4 Education Alliance will be hosting representatives from Ward 4 neighborhood DC Public Schools on Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Takoma Education Campus (7010 Piney Branch Rd NW). Please come by if you are interested in talking to parents and staff from these schools, including:
-New International High School opening at Roosevelt
-New Dual Language Middle School opening at MacFarland
-Fantastic Feeder Elementary Schools: Raymond, West, Truesdell, Barnard, Bruce Monroe, Powell, Dorothy Heights ES

Anonymous wrote:As I was saying to the O.P. take a look good look around before you decide and take into account any factors that might impact your child including health issues. As a result of the school not being renovated the technology is also very outdated. No Smartboards in the classroom and a few outdated desktops. There is a computer lab but no dedicated technology teacher. There are iPads and it is my understanding that they will be ordering more next year.

I agree that the lack of renovation is impeding some of the technology improvements, but they are working it into the classroom. To toot our own horns, the parents ran a tree sale last December (with lots of great participation from the community) and bought a load of laptops (about 20, I think) that are being used throughout the school.
I'd love to have a dedicated technology teacher, but the school is just making strides hiring a music teacher, which I think we're all excited about. I know there's been some coding taught, including participation in the Hour of Code with help from Christopher Alexander (of NW Saturday Academy fame). There are also a number of kids working on robotics projects. We cleaned up against other DC schools at a Navy competition with underwater robots that the students built.

I'm not sure what you're referring to regarding health issues. Our biggest issue with deferred renovation is the lack of walls between classrooms, but if you see the classes in session, the teachers (and credit to the kids too) do a good job at keeping a nice environment. While some of the classrooms are less pleasant (little to no natural light), it doesn't seem unclean / unhealthy to me.

As far as the principal, I've met her a few times now, and she seems to be getting off to a great start. I like her organized approach to getting into the school, and I think she legitimately understands the issues we are facing. If you're genuinely interested, come meet her at one of the upcoming meet and greets.

Thanks,
Josh
West PSCO President

Reminder:
Our next open house is tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 5 from 9:00 to 10:00 am.

Come meet Principal Caruthers and see the classes in action.

You are cordially invited to attend an Open House at West Education Campus on
Thursday, January 29, from 5:30 to 6:00 pm &
Thursday, Feb. 5 from 9:00 to 10:00 am

•West is one of a few schools in DC to offer the School Wide Enrichment Model (SEM), a program that offers all students opportunities to explore new subjects, while providing extra challenges for exceptional students. We have a dedicated SEM teacher who leads small groups of students to develop new skills and knowledge through interest-based and inquiry-driven projects and experiences. Examples include participation in Underwater Robotics, GeoPlunge, Music Appreciation and more!
•West provides a nurturing and supportive community for children from PK3 to 8th grade. Class sizes are small, giving each student the individual attention he or she deserves. Positive and respectful behavior is modeled and rewarded.
•We are a community school—our parents are engaged and our students are prepared to become life-long learners.
Please come visit us to find out more.

West is located at 1338 Farragut Street, NW

In other fun West news, check out two of our elementary school students introducing the President and Vice President earlier in December.

http://www.westschool.org/#!news-and-events/c24vq

Thanks to all of you who came by last weekend - I'm glad the trees are looking good.

We will be on-site again selling today, Friday 12/5, from 4pm-7pm, and then again on Sunday 12/7 from 10am-5pm.

We still have 5 to 6 foot trees and 6 to 7 foot trees.