Reply to Hardy---did they change number of OOB spots available?

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[quote=Anonymous]My child goes to a Hardy feeder school and we got this email today:

For the past several months PTA representatives from the elementary schools that feed into Hardy MS have been working together to address the ever dwindling numbers of feeder school families who enroll at Hardy. The goal of this working group is to transform Hardy into a school of academic excellence that can attract families from all feeder schools. A second objective is to make sure Hardy's principal has the resources, tools and backing from DCPS she needs to accomplish this goal. The team includes PTA representatives from all feeder schools, Hardy Principal Patricia Pride, representatives from Councilmember Mary Cheh's office, and key DCPS leaders such as Deputy Chief of Schools Dr. Amanda Alexander and Instructional Superintendent Dr. Mark King.

Since the start of the school year the group has met regularly. We have been positively impressed by the level of responsiveness and energy from Principal Pride and DCPS, which are in line with Chancellor Henderson's recent comment that improving DCPS middle schools will be one of DCPS's greatest priorities for 2014. It is clear DCPS is committed to make sure this effort succeeds in the very short term. To date the team has focused on the following areas to be implemented starting in the fall of 2014:

Prepared a new math sequencing plan, allowing differentiated math instruction and advanced math courses as early as 6th grade for those students who are ready. The plan also includes a standardized way to assess math performance for all incoming students, enabling adequate placement within this differentiated curriculum. The new plan will put Hardy's math offerings on par with those at Deal MS and in line with the area's top independent schools.

Strengthening the core language offerings. Hardy will offer two core language options for all students (the specific languages to be offered are being decided based on input from feeder school parents -- we sent you a survey to that effect earlier this month. If you haven't done so already, please click here and take a moment to complete it now). In addition, Hardy is offering the possibility of after-school independent study in other languages through a partnership with Rosetta Stone.

A strengthening of Hardy's Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM). The SEM is an exciting program for gifted and talented students, using a themed approach to learning. Themes are constructed around student interests and learning styles. SEM has been implemented in over 2,500 schools and has proven its effectiveness in schools with widely different socioeconomic levels. Hardy's SEM is initially being offered as an after-school enrichment program. Plans include additional SEM professional development for teachers and the possibility of building the SEM model into the school day.

Both Principal pride and DCPS leadership are committed to this effort. We are, for the first time, seeing unprecedented responsiveness and energy on the part of DCPS for Hardy's transformation. There is now real excitement about Hardy's plans at all feeder schools, and we hope this excitement will quickly result in increased attendance from feeder school families.[/quote]

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