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I'd break OP's question into two parts (although I'm not sure OP intended to ask both parts):
(1) Why do people hate the label "Big 3"? That's the question most people seem to be answering here. I think the answer is clear -- lots of people think their own schools are just as good or better than the three schools that people commonly associate with the label "Big 3." They hear the term "Big 3" and hate that it might suggest their own schools are somehow lesser. Personally, I think the term is useful shorthand for DCUM, and I'm not offended by it at all, but I generally don't care what others think about me or my kid's school. Still, I can understand why others are bothered, even if I think they're over-reacting.
(2) Why do people hate the particular three schools associated with the term "Big 3"? I think that's a tougher question because I suspect that many people have different reasons for their hatred. For a few, maybe they had a child at the school and did not like it, but I've only seen a few times on DCUM where people claim they pulled a child out of one of these schools over dislike, so I suspect that's pretty rare. For some, maybe it's that they have met some parents or kids from these schools and did not like them. But if that's the reason, I think it's a silly one because each of these schools has hundreds (thousands?) of kids/parents, so I doubt anyone has met enough to draw a valid assessment. For a lot, I suspect it's just that they think people who attend these schools think they're superior -- not really jealousy, but human nature.
FWIW, I've often wondered the same thing. I've never seen any reason to dislike any of these schools, or any other school for that matter. I toured several schools, and know parents/kids at several. I like some better than others (not only schools, but also parent/kids), I've never seen much reason to hate any place as much as some people here do. Maybe I just need to get out more.
(1) Why do people hate the label "Big 3"? That's the question most people seem to be answering here. I think the answer is clear -- lots of people think their own schools are just as good or better than the three schools that people commonly associate with the label "Big 3." They hear the term "Big 3" and hate that it might suggest their own schools are somehow lesser. Personally, I think the term is useful shorthand for DCUM, and I'm not offended by it at all, but I generally don't care what others think about me or my kid's school. Still, I can understand why others are bothered, even if I think they're over-reacting.
(2) Why do people hate the particular three schools associated with the term "Big 3"? I think that's a tougher question because I suspect that many people have different reasons for their hatred. For a few, maybe they had a child at the school and did not like it, but I've only seen a few times on DCUM where people claim they pulled a child out of one of these schools over dislike, so I suspect that's pretty rare. For some, maybe it's that they have met some parents or kids from these schools and did not like them. But if that's the reason, I think it's a silly one because each of these schools has hundreds (thousands?) of kids/parents, so I doubt anyone has met enough to draw a valid assessment. For a lot, I suspect it's just that they think people who attend these schools think they're superior -- not really jealousy, but human nature.
FWIW, I've often wondered the same thing. I've never seen any reason to dislike any of these schools, or any other school for that matter. I toured several schools, and know parents/kids at several. I like some better than others (not only schools, but also parent/kids), I've never seen much reason to hate any place as much as some people here do. Maybe I just need to get out more.
Anonymous wrote:Perhaps [some] volunteers are getting something out of the volunteering that they want to preserve. Volunteering also gives you access to the school head and administration, among other things.
Not to take this discussion too far off-track, but why would anyone care so much about special access to the school head and administration? If I want access, I just send an email or pick up the phone or schedule an appointment. That's about all the access I can conceive of needing or wanting. Are you thinking that some people might use their greater access to influence ... what exactly? School policy? Curriculum? Scheduling the play? Lunchroom choices? Are there big influence issues I am naive about? I'm not trying to be sarcastic; I really don't understand. Please help.
I think you can set Outlook to sync with Google Calendar automatically, but I've never done it so not sure how. You could keep work on Outlook and set it to sync with home on Google. Or, you could just put everything on Google Calendar using the BB's browser. Check here: http://www.google.com/mobile/
I think you ought to investigate different approaches to keeping organized (there are many) and pick one that speaks to you, and then choose the organizer/planner that fits your style. Otherwise, you may be trying to force yourself to keep organized in a way that is frustrating and likely to fail.
Here is an article I read recently about organizers: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/10-great-notebooks-productive-people-love.html . Lots of people really love those moleskein spiral binders; I think it's a "Getting Things Done" habit, but I'm not sure.
The whole Lifehack website is good for organization tips without being too dogmatic about any one style. There's also a site called 43Folders (or 49Folders or something like that) that's good. (EDIT: Here's the hipster PDA at 43Folders: http://www.43folders.com/2004/09/03/introducing-the-hipster-pda).
My own method is to use Outlook to the max -- contacts, calendar, dated task lists, color coding, category tagging, etc. I carry a Blackberry at all times (although other devices would work) and everything gets plugged into Outlook immediately. I try to minimize paper because I just lose it or forget to enter the data later (although I carry some paper to catch stray thoughts if using the BB is not feasible). I also use lots of Google Apps to coordinate with my partner -- Google Docs and Google Notebook are especially good. Google Docs is a file cabinet of things we both access and add input to, such as our running grocery list and our budget, and you can access it on-the-go from the Blackberry or most other smartphones. Google Notebook is good for catching and storing random thoughts and keeping them organized. Lots of other good Google Apps also make sense but I have not learned how to use them well enough yet to incorporate them.
Until you decide what's right for you, try the "hipster PDA" to get a feel for what you like/dislike.
Good luck!
Here is an article I read recently about organizers: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/10-great-notebooks-productive-people-love.html . Lots of people really love those moleskein spiral binders; I think it's a "Getting Things Done" habit, but I'm not sure.
The whole Lifehack website is good for organization tips without being too dogmatic about any one style. There's also a site called 43Folders (or 49Folders or something like that) that's good. (EDIT: Here's the hipster PDA at 43Folders: http://www.43folders.com/2004/09/03/introducing-the-hipster-pda).
My own method is to use Outlook to the max -- contacts, calendar, dated task lists, color coding, category tagging, etc. I carry a Blackberry at all times (although other devices would work) and everything gets plugged into Outlook immediately. I try to minimize paper because I just lose it or forget to enter the data later (although I carry some paper to catch stray thoughts if using the BB is not feasible). I also use lots of Google Apps to coordinate with my partner -- Google Docs and Google Notebook are especially good. Google Docs is a file cabinet of things we both access and add input to, such as our running grocery list and our budget, and you can access it on-the-go from the Blackberry or most other smartphones. Google Notebook is good for catching and storing random thoughts and keeping them organized. Lots of other good Google Apps also make sense but I have not learned how to use them well enough yet to incorporate them.
Until you decide what's right for you, try the "hipster PDA" to get a feel for what you like/dislike.
Good luck!
I guess different people just have different views (not a surprise here on DCUM). I suspect the comfort level has a lot to do with what you are used it and what is unfamiliar. I'd be nervous walking home late at night west of Metro, but not east, mainly because I don't walk to the west at night too often. Nevertheless, I see lots of people walking west each night, and they don't seem scared. The other person posting here is clearly afraid of walking in Takoma at night, but she also does not live here so I'd guess it's a little less familiar for her. All that said, there definitely is some street crime in Takoma Park. I don't know enough about the Forest Glen neighborhood to compare them, but when I spend time in the Forest Glen area, it doesn't feel much different than Takoma. Not knowing Forest Glen too well, I'd be a little nervous walking around there at night, but that's all because I have no sense of what streets might be safe after dark and what's not.
Takoma Park people who take the Metro to work walk home from the Metro just like everyone else, at all times of year. I can't really speak to what other Takoma Park people do about driving to events in the evening -- for me at least, driving or not would depend on things like how convenient/inconvenient the destination is to Metro, how late at night, how lazy I'm feeling about walking, whether I have a child with me, etc. I'd really strongly recommend that OP and her husband come over to Takoma Park 2-3 nights after work to walk around. Stop at someplace crowded like Mark's Kitchen or Middle East Market for dinner, and chat up some people about Takoma Park after dark (people are pretty chatty at those places). After dinner, walk down a couple of the streets where you might buy to see what it feels like at night, and then head back to the Metro. Do the same thing at Forest Glen. That's going to tell you a lot more (and probably be more fun) than trading messages with people on DCUM. I know it's a pain to spend 2-3 nights doing that, but if you're about to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars and several years of your life in a house, it seems like wise research.
Good luck!
Takoma Park people who take the Metro to work walk home from the Metro just like everyone else, at all times of year. I can't really speak to what other Takoma Park people do about driving to events in the evening -- for me at least, driving or not would depend on things like how convenient/inconvenient the destination is to Metro, how late at night, how lazy I'm feeling about walking, whether I have a child with me, etc. I'd really strongly recommend that OP and her husband come over to Takoma Park 2-3 nights after work to walk around. Stop at someplace crowded like Mark's Kitchen or Middle East Market for dinner, and chat up some people about Takoma Park after dark (people are pretty chatty at those places). After dinner, walk down a couple of the streets where you might buy to see what it feels like at night, and then head back to the Metro. Do the same thing at Forest Glen. That's going to tell you a lot more (and probably be more fun) than trading messages with people on DCUM. I know it's a pain to spend 2-3 nights doing that, but if you're about to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars and several years of your life in a house, it seems like wise research.
Good luck!
Anonymous wrote:07:18, very cool map. did you create it?
Nope, I just saw the link on the Takoma Park Police Dept website and thought it was neat.
Maybe this map will help you -- I think it's pretty cool: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107588221628936659690.000447de44f5b6812ff83&ll=38.982164,-77.004032&spn=0.048972,0.079823&z=14
Generally safe. Probably depends a little on where you're walking from the Takoma Metro. East of tracks is safer than west of tracks, in my opinion. I've been doing the walk for 8 years, sometimes as late as midnight, and never had any problems. My neighbors have been doing the walk for 25 years, and one of them was robbed the first week they lived here (25 years ago) but never any problems since. I do know a couple neighbors who have been robbed in recent years, so it's not 100% safe. Every summer, there is an uptick in street crime on commuters during the 5-9pm hours -- so "odd hours" actually might be a little safer in some respects. However, any such street crime is pretty widely reported and discussed (and complained about) because the neighborhood has a very active email list and active community generally. All in all, a great neighborhood -- I'd definitely recommend it. I can't really compare it to Forest Glen though.
Anonymous wrote:Good god! Is EVERYTHING out there potentially harmful or cancer causing?
Yes, just about everything, including Dove soap and Johnson's Baby Shampoo: http://www.wikicancer.org/page/The+list+of+carcinogens?t=anon . But take it all with a grain of salt (probably cancerous too!); as one toxicologist I know noted, "it's the dose that makes the difference!"
You have the right to remain silent.
Anonymous wrote:No chill on free speech.
Easy there, Oliver Wendell Holmes. No one's talking about taking away your right to say what you want. We're just talking about ways to put the brakes on some of the needless bitchiness. (After posting this, I'm realizing it's needlessly bitchy too. That tells me I'm spending way too much time here. Later.)
Anonymous wrote:How does "Lab" make you less anonymous? Ten four, good buddy.
I'm not proposing anyone use a "real" name; I can totally understand why most of us would want to remain anonymous. I'm suggesting we use logins, just like most other message boards out there. I'd be willing to bet that if people start doing that, it would cut down the garbage significantly. No one's forced to use a login here, but I'm just trying to encourage you and everyone else to do it voluntarily. It's the only way there will ever be any level of accountability here.
If you've participated in other message boards on other topics, you've probably used a login name (and still remained anonymous). However, in my experience at least, on message boards where logins are the norm, the discussion is better (and there is less nastiness). Of course there will always be jerks, but when people are using logins, you can spot them immediately and better avoid "feeding the trolls."
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I think this is just the result of an anonymous forum. I'm also on a local forum where people post with their own names and many know each other and it is always a very civil dicussion.
Totally agree. I challenge everyone here to create a login name. Be part of the solution.
Okay, you first!
Ooops. That was me. Computer had not kept me logged in. (I kind of look like an ass, huh?!?)
I think that if you like the schools, you should apply. If you don't even apply, then won't you be facing a case of the "what if's" a few months from now? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
These are good thoughts. Thanks for the input. I checked out Georgia Irvin's book yesterday at the bookstore. While I found general discussion section at the front about keeping things in perspective, finding the right school fit for your child, etc to be pretty good, the discussion of individual schools was a little limited (not much more than a compilation of stats). I suppose that's unavoidable for an in-print book, since things change so much from year to year and there's a perceived need to give "equal time" to all schools without seeming to promote one over another. All-in-all, it's a good starting resource but if you are looking for in-depth discussion of particular schools, you likely will need to dig further. Great thought on asking students/families who left about their reasons; this would reduce the risk of getting sugar-coated responses (although perhaps increase the risk of bile-coated responses depending on reason for leaving!).
Finally, on the point about not trusting anonymous voices on DCUM, I totally agree that anonymous postings can only carry little weight. For all I know, there are only 3-4 nutcases who are just posting here anonymously without any basis in fact (and I'm one of them!). However, this is clearly the most active website I have found, so it's all I've got in terms of broad community-consensus research. My hope is that while I cannot trust any individual anonymous posting, I can have some trust in a variety of voices if they are all consistent. I'd really like to encourage regular contributors to sign up for a user-name and post under that name, instead of posting anonymously. That way, we all can start to recognize one another and better evaluate each others' opinions. I recognize that people value anonymity and that the DC parenting community is not a large one, but it's not like we're sharing deep, dark fantasies here -- just opinions on schools and education. If you want to post details about your sex life, your income, or your deepest prejudices, then you can easily log out and revert to anonymous for those posts.
Keep the good ideas coming. Thanks again.
Finally, on the point about not trusting anonymous voices on DCUM, I totally agree that anonymous postings can only carry little weight. For all I know, there are only 3-4 nutcases who are just posting here anonymously without any basis in fact (and I'm one of them!). However, this is clearly the most active website I have found, so it's all I've got in terms of broad community-consensus research. My hope is that while I cannot trust any individual anonymous posting, I can have some trust in a variety of voices if they are all consistent. I'd really like to encourage regular contributors to sign up for a user-name and post under that name, instead of posting anonymously. That way, we all can start to recognize one another and better evaluate each others' opinions. I recognize that people value anonymity and that the DC parenting community is not a large one, but it's not like we're sharing deep, dark fantasies here -- just opinions on schools and education. If you want to post details about your sex life, your income, or your deepest prejudices, then you can easily log out and revert to anonymous for those posts.
Keep the good ideas coming. Thanks again.