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Reply to "what have Hill parents demanded of middle schools?"
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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I don't know about any gallery walk, but I bet the way Jefferson Academy ended up is not what those 15 parents were saying yes to. And once DCPS forced Jefferson on Brent why not get in on the principal panel? Doesn't really matter. Point is that Brent parents cannot be blamed for saying they "wanted" Jefferson Academy and then not showing up. It was poor planning and strategic thinking on the part of DCPS and probably lack of political leadership[/quote] BRENT ELEMENTARY PTA GALLERY WALK EXERCISE TYING BRENT MIDDLE SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS TO DCPS INVENTORY ON CAPITOL HILL 4/14/2010 The Brent PTA Middle School Working Group was asked by Chancellor Rhee’s office to revisit its ideas for middle schools on Capitol Hill and to tie requirements to facilities within DCPS’s inventory. On March 25th sixteen parents and teachers, a subset of the over forty-five who have been meeting every week since mid-January, assembled for a focused exercise. The findings of this group do not represent a consensus of opinion of the larger Brent Community, but they have informed Brent’s proposal. The group participated in a Gallery Walk Exercise focusing on the three most widely discussed alternatives; Jefferson and Eliot-Hine Middle School Options and a Cluster-type Option encompassing the use of the Van-Ness building as a stand-alone option or multi-facility partnerships with other schools that might include that building. The exercise began with a presentation of the advantages of each option. Presenters were tasked with making a strong case for each option as if he or she were trying to sell the audience on why their option was the best one for Brent parents. Following the pitch, the group identified facts on the ground creating a framework for the advantages and challenges each presents. Participants then split into three groups of five or six and spent time examining each option in turn. Groups identified steps that would need to be taken to convert each into an action plan Brent parents, the Chancellor and the larger Capitol Hill Educational Community might embrace. The groups then re-assembled to discuss the overall outcome of the exercise. The results were broadcast widely to the larger Brent Community on March 31st. Although the group is well-positioned to facilitate the thoughtful consideration of options the Chancellor may recommend it does not have any firm independent recommendations. Each option involves a dynamic set of inputs and a similar exercise would need to be repeated with a larger cross-section of the Brent Community to fully align opportunities and challenges of any options DCPS provides. After reflecting upon the outcome in preparation for Brent’s proposal, the working group concluded that aligning a conceptual frame-work proposal too closely with assumed facility options would unnecessarily limit consideration of all available options. The group also realizes parents do not have the expertise needed to correctly align programmatic desires and requirements with student population inputs, facility plans and constraints as well as the myriad of other relationships inherent with bringing together elementary school populations into an urban middle school. This exercise did, however, inform the group that the conceptual frame-work needed for parents to attach to a middle school solution is adaptable to various configurations. It can be overlaid to address the specific nuances of each and should allow the group to work on final details cooperatively with DCPS. DISCOVERIES; 1. Position of Strength is THE Core Requirement - Inserting a strong administration and a solid independently verifiable curriculum along with a strong cadre of high performing students. Proving success at middle school BEFORE scaling up to match the size of a bricks and mortar facility will create the foundation for long-term success. 2. The Cluster Option ceased to be a stand-alone concept and instead became one option of an interim step on the way toward a long-term middle school option. It could be housed in many other conceivable locations besides the Van Ness building. 3. Brent’s Conceptual Frame-work Proposal can work in a variety of settings. All three options are viable if all the action steps detailed in the following pages become commitments. The group is confident there are other viable options and we are ready to thoughtfully consider them. ELIOT-HINE MIDDLE SCHOOL OPTIONS This became known as the “path of least resistance”; it would not require as much capital investment, many Capitol Hill elementary schools are considering it, it clearly represents a focus area for DCPS and it has the space to accept various configurations of ideas that could work. Like every other option, however, significant challenges exist and even though substantial efforts have already been made to raise the school’s performance, parents of Capitol Hill elementary school students do not view it as a viable option currently. Radical change is required to alter both the facts and the perception of the facts of this option. ADVANTAGES (1830 Constitution Avenue NE) • Low Cost - Facility is ready, it’s large and in good condition with large athletic fields, a gymnasium, an auditorium and a computer lab • Could start a program there now with no need for interim housing • Aligns with Eastern, could share resources-classes, music programs, sports facilities • Merge with proficient students from other Capitol Hill schools. An "Educational Community” feel • Current student body of 270 is under good control and moving forward academically • Synergy with efforts with other Capitol Hill elementary schools • Geography (a Capitol Hill location near a Metro stop and walk-able/bike-able for older teens) • Could ask for a lot programmatically (extra teachers, IB, electives, extracurricular) since no need for DCPS to spend on building upgrade or renovation • Current principal appears welcoming and open to increased enrollment DISADVANTAGES AND DCPS COMMITMENTS NEEDED TO MAKE IT VIABLE: • Brent does not feed to Eliot-Hine. DCPS must change that feeder pattern. • Position of Strength Challenges o Current student body is low performing and the focus is on bringing students up to proficiency and not on taking students who are at proficiency to above proficiency. o Elementary School Coordination is more difficult than with other options • Safety and Security 24/7 Inside and Out and between school and home – DCPS must make visible investments and offer a credible plan. This is everyone’s #1 priority and parent perception will create the reality for parent involvement. Just one negative event, on school grounds or with children traversing between home and school will undermine investments and destroy parental support. This option is not free, just less capitally intensive. o Non-DCPS middle school occupants must be relocated. Staggered entry and/or release patterns are not enough o Proximity Challenges ? To high school students potentially problematic and a negative versus other options ? Transportation; shuttles from various points on Capitol Hill – no viable Metro options for 11-14 year olds o Access and After-hours activities (24/7) need to be controlled. DCPS & DCMPD. • IB Middle Years Program – Independently Verifiable Standards • Feeder-pattern issues (See appendix I) • PreK-12 Program Compatibility and Continuity – with up to eight elementary schools feeding in we need a DCPS commitment to deliver proficiency through 5th grade. Brent needs a defined role in that process. IB junior is one option that could create this. • Vibrant student life-on par with Deal in Northwest • A commitment to provide resources to make this a top-notch school (Technology, Programs) • "Wrap-around" services for students with behavioral/academic difficulties JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL OPTIONS Jefferson has been a mysterious alternative for Brent parents throughout this process. Most did not know of it or where it was and most had dismissed it as a non-starter due to its current condition, student feeder patterns and location. A large segment of Brent parents still hold this uninformed view and the group recognizes the challenges that would exist to get people behind this option. It was a surprise then when the working group convened the day after a couple of parents visited the school to see how the option captured the imagination of the group. Comparing the facility’s location to that of Eliot-Hine yielded a view of a stand-alone campus that wasn’t in the midst of urban housing or another school’s campus. While the school does have serious security issues attached to it, the campus was seen as relatively isolated and security measures needed did not appear to be as arduous. Likewise the relative ease of public transportation as well as commuter access to its facilities was more attractive than Eliot-Hine as well. When the facility offerings were lined up next to those of Eliot-Hine, it was immediately noted that investments on the order of $30-$40 million would be needed. However, the group could see a vision of a revitalized campus with much greater potential than the Eliot-Hine campus. The obvious challenge of the performance level of the children at Jefferson and of those likely to continue to feed into Jefferson is enormous. This is a challenge Brent cannot conceivably absorb without a critical mass of high performing students streaming in from elsewhere and a significant and sustained commitment from DCPS to work with that drastically underperforming population to bring them up to proficiency prior to 6th grade and then through 8th grade if the gap is not closed in time for 6th grade. Jefferson thus offers the most expensive, longest-term option with the most opportunities for short-term failure to achieve a position of strength. However, with the growing Capitol Quarter population and development plans continuing in SW and given all the attributes of Jefferson’s physical campus and location, it clearly represents a school with a lot of upside potential. ADVANTAGES (1150 7th ST SW): • Great location-near National Mall, Waterfront, nice immediate neighborhood • Numerous enrichment opportunities nearby (Smithsonian, Arena Stage, Kids Set Sail) • Ease of student drop-off for parents who work downtown • Big facility with large outdoor space • Historic character and majestic look of building, an illustrious past (perhaps with active alumni association that would like to get involved) • Demographic trends of SW-new residents, developments planned • Ripe for reconstitution-under current program which is bleeding enrollment. • Only two other feeder schools currently • One feeder, Thompson Elementary in NW, has good academic momentum, a visionary principal and a Primary Years IB Program- Chinese language aligns with Brent’s focus area • Location is in the heart of Washington DC experience - walk to National Mall • Room to grow there accommodates Brent and growing Capitol Quarter population • Has the most potential in the long term (with mix of new start, location, building, nearby opportunities) • Two Metro stops very close (Waterfront & L'Enfant) DISADVANTAGES AND DCPS COMMITMENTS NEEDED TO MAKE IT VIABLE: • Jefferson MUST Feed to Eastern High School • 24/7 Security Inside and Out; Similar problems as at Eliot-Hine, but easier to secure. • Student Bodies Currently Feeding into Jefferson – Out of boundary and Amidon-Bowen o Intensive “KIPP-Like” PK-5 Program at Amidon-Bowen in 2010. o Closely scrutinize in-bound population at Amidon-Bowen removing any non-DC residents and restricting access to truly in-bound and sibling preference students o Address Feeder Pattern Issues (See Appendix I) ? Application School ? Guarantee for Inbound Proficient Students ? Close the Gap Options for In-bound Poor Performers • DCPS Commitment to 75% On Grade Level Population 6th-8th • Renovation not Slated Until 2014; Need a massive renovation initiated by 2012 and Completed by 2014 • Top-notch facility and program on par with Deal Middle School in NW. • Partnership with city resources ( i.e. museums, courts, sports facilities, arts programs) • Transportation-shuttles from various points on Capitol Hill • Vibrant student life-on par with Deal in Northwest • A commitment to provide resources to make this a top-notch school (Technology, Programs) • "Wrap-around" services for students with behavioral/academic difficulties • IB middle years program • Thompson Elementary has to be "on board" • Alternate location to Create and Grow 2011- 2013 During Renovation (Not Trailers) o 3-5 Year Plan to Scale Up and Move IB Into Renovated Jefferson o Considered Van Ness, Eastern High, Other Under-Capacity Buildings VAN NESS / CLUSTER MIDDLE SCHOOL OPTIONS Van Ness is a close-by location that is ideal for the development and growth of a middle school that could then be placed into one of the existing facilities. Long-term, Van Ness could be used to house a new elementary school for the Capitol Quarter Community or for a Brent/Van Ness Cluster that would have two campuses for grades PreK3-5th. ADVANTAGES OF VAN NESS FACILITY (1150 5th Street SE) – This is still considered EITHER a stand-alone small middle school option OR as a interim curriculum step for later installation at Jefferson or Eliot-Hine • Proximity to Brent - On Capitol Hill, in our community • Ownership - extension of the Brent Community with complete control of administration/enrollment etc. • Possible one-time capital investments could be solicited from the Capitol Quarter Neighborhood Association and the Nationals organization • Building in good shape - ready for us; overhaul, not a renovation • Surrounding area with good possibilities (Navy Yard, Marine Barracks, a pool) • Various configurations would allow Brent to accommodate growing population of Capitol Quarter • If seen as an interim solution en route to Jefferson or Eliot-Hine in 2014, its proximity to Thomson (Navy Yard metro is four stops from Gallery Place) improves chances to get them involved 2011-2013 • Would be a good home base for a Smithsonian school without walls-type partnership DISADVANTAGES AND DCPS COMMITMENTS NEEDED TO MAKE IT VIABLE: • IB Middle Years Program • Controlled Choice application process to ensure the majority of students are coming from a program on or above grade level • Partnerships with city resources and other Capitol Hill schools to provide extra-curricular/enrichment opportunities • Moderate capital expenditures, interior and exterior, will be required to the facilities[/quote]
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