Anonymous wrote:Sue on failure to educate; children have a right to a minimum basic education. Scientific evidence is clear on the matter of in-person instruction in the classroom being safe (esp with vaccination now available) and the overwhelming evidence that hybrid and virtual learning environments harm the most at-risk students -- to say nothing of the emotional/psychological damage that a year without schooling has caused. NJ's case in South Orange is a lot like DC: city officials and union were squabbling and couldn't agree. Only the lawsuit moved the needle and got kids back in the classroom

Anonymous wrote:Sue on failure to educate; children have a right to a minimum basic education. Scientific evidence is clear on the matter of in-person instruction in the classroom being safe (esp with vaccination now available) and the overwhelming evidence that hybrid and virtual learning environments harm the most at-risk students -- to say nothing of the emotional/psychological damage that a year without schooling has caused. NJ's case in South Orange is a lot like DC: city officials and union were squabbling and couldn't agree. Only the lawsuit moved the needle and got kids back in the classroom

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious how many DCPS parents would be willing to go the route of public school parents in New Jersey and elsewhere who have successfully sued their school districts for in-person INSTRUCTION (not IPL, which is a farce, especially for middle school and high schoolers who sit in CARES classrooms on their computers while their teachers teach from home). After a year of getting the runaround from school administrators, Bowser, and the WTU, I'm pessimistic that they won't do more of the same in the fall (especially as they are running out the clock for Term 4 and not offering meaningful return to classroom instruction). Walls HS hasn't offered a single in-person class all year. Wilson is allowing one class a week in person for some students but it's still hybrid so the teacher is focused on the virtual students, not the ones in front of him/her.

The mayor claiming schools are open is ridiculous; they are not open and the surveys they have sent out to parents all year haven't even offered a return to in-person instruction as an option. Their reassurances that they "plan" to reopen in the fall are what they said over the winter break about the spring. I don't believe them.

Given the declining case rates, vaccination, new CDC guidance, etc. there is now plenty of objective scientific evidence that it is safe to return to full time, 5 days a week school. Other school districts have done it; private schools have done it since the fall. The threat of a lawsuit might help the mayor see some sense and clarify plans for the fall and perhaps finally give the WTU a response to their year-long goalpost shifting and dishonest stunts (body bags in front of the mayor's office, "mental health day" strikes, etc) with regard to getting back to the classroom. Thoughts?

My faith is so eroded in DCPS and charter schools that i feel my money and emotional labor is better spent exploring private school options. Selfish, I know. But that’s where my family is at right now.

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious how many DCPS parents would be willing to go the route of public school parents in New Jersey and elsewhere who have successfully sued their school districts for in-person INSTRUCTION (not IPL, which is a farce, especially for middle school and high schoolers who sit in CARES classrooms on their computers while their teachers teach from home). After a year of getting the runaround from school administrators, Bowser, and the WTU, I'm pessimistic that they won't do more of the same in the fall (especially as they are running out the clock for Term 4 and not offering meaningful return to classroom instruction). Walls HS hasn't offered a single in-person class all year. Wilson is allowing one class a week in person for some students but it's still hybrid so the teacher is focused on the virtual students, not the ones in front of him/her.

The mayor claiming schools are open is ridiculous; they are not open and the surveys they have sent out to parents all year haven't even offered a return to in-person instruction as an option. Their reassurances that they "plan" to reopen in the fall are what they said over the winter break about the spring. I don't believe them.

Given the declining case rates, vaccination, new CDC guidance, etc. there is now plenty of objective scientific evidence that it is safe to return to full time, 5 days a week school. Other school districts have done it; private schools have done it since the fall. The threat of a lawsuit might help the mayor see some sense and clarify plans for the fall and perhaps finally give the WTU a response to their year-long goalpost shifting and dishonest stunts (body bags in front of the mayor's office, "mental health day" strikes, etc) with regard to getting back to the classroom. Thoughts?