Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 22:20     Subject: Re:More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
But see PP, even your own version of what happens in these threads is wrong in THIS thread! You said the 1st posts are by non-Sela/negative posters, but that's not even true in this thread.

Within the 1st 4 posts, there are 2 positive mentions of Sela and no negatives. Then post #5 asks "Now will all the Sela hate stop?" and THAT is what sparked the conversation about the negatives.

It's simply not true that the negative Sela posts just explode out of nowhere in each thread. The negatives are responding to previous posts.

Try it, link to one single thread where the 1st mention of Sela is negative?
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 22:08     Subject: More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
I consider myself pretty objective since my kids are in their teens and I have to connection to the Hebrew....and I have to say I don't see the Selah people inserting themselves into every conversation at all. What I see is a lot hyper-critical commentary by non-Selah people and insertion of Selah into every thread -and then people responding, presumably Selah-parents to be.....so it seems to be that if you would stop bashing Selah----these parents would stop defending Selah. For example, in this thread, someone said something positive about Selah in a LIST with other schools, and the nasty Selah talk started. Similarly, on the one or two Selah postive threads started here, the anti-Selah people started talking smack. ENOUGH ALREADY. Every year you people pick one school to trash - and it's so unnecessary. It is unsurprising to me that the YY parents stick up for Selah -they have been through the same tired routine from you people.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:57     Subject: More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
Anonymous wrote:Personally have no opinion about Sela or Hebrew and honestly if an English only charter had as many obnoxious boosters who brings up their not opened as yet charter at every opportunity, would be just as sick and tired of hearing about them too.


^^ This X 1000
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:51     Subject: More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Interesting article. Good thing they clarify their definition of "bilingual" is speaking 2+ languages daily since 10 yrs old, I was about to enroll in advanced French classes to get my French groove back!

http://news.yahoo.com/study-bilinguals-faster-brains-120105403--abc-news-health.html




Now that the benefits of a 2nd language - any second language - are established, do you think that means the SELA hate will stop?




That depends... will some Sela posters stop making stuff up about the level of interest and acting like Sela is already open and other decisions about it have already been made? That is what is making people intolerant of some of the Sela discussion. There'd be just as much hostility here about Sela if it was English only, if it's boosters kept making stuff up.
yes, just like the BASIS catfights
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:50     Subject: Re:More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
Anonymous wrote:Isn't it kind of old news that bilingualism is supposed to be good for the brain?

Anyway, it won't help the vast majority of kids get into a dual language school. This thread title and several of the comments just seem so self-congratulatory. Whoop de doo. Congratulations on your precious winning the lottery. I'm sure she'll have a much happier and successful life because her synaspes fire faster


You assume the OP is already in a bilingual school. OP's choice of thread wording says to me she (or he) isn't in yet, but that's just a guess. Why are you so sure it's self-congratulatory (the title, not the "Whooo hooo" posts which obviously are).
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:49     Subject: More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What is the Sela animosity due to?


Feverish brows, marked pettiness, disgruntled DCPS teachers who want all charters to fail, holders of prized copies of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, people who were lazy and didn't oppose Sela and/or YY, and/or Basis, and/or other "unique" charters when they had their chance before the PCSB, and therefore bitch anonymously on DCUM, people who believe that Hebrew is too "hard" for African-Americans and other DC children (aka bigotry of soft expectations)....but certainly not from other charters in the District, the Charter School Board, most parents looking for quality education choices for their children, Muriel Bowser, Kid Power, FOCUS, or other supporters of Sela. Check yourself, before you wreck yourself, folks.


Whoa, where did you pull that one from? I've never seen anyone on DCUM say that about Sela "too hard for AA students"?? Seriously, Hebrew is "hard" but Mandarin isn't? You sure you're not projecting on that one?



Not the PP, but I've seen more than one accusation in this forum that Hebrew is not a useful-enough language that families will enroll and trek over from Wards 7 & 8, consequently it will be a white, upper middle class school by default. "useful enough" "practical" "realistic" whatever - there are some posters out there who are very opposed to SELA, and pointing out its lack of "utility" to the (almost exclusively AA) families in Anacostia is just one more way to suggest they're not as smart as you are - not smart enough to care about another language, however challenging.


I just don't see how you jump from "not useful" to "families in Anacostia aren't as smart as you". Nothing said in this conversation (and I've been following all the bilingual ed conversations in the last 5 months here closely b/c that's what I'm going for for my DS) has talked about it being too hard. Only questioning why anyone (including DC's majority AA student poulation) would choose Hebrew over a language they can actually use widely in the US or abroad like Spanish, French or Mandarin, or usewidely in world businesses like Hindu, Mandarin or Russian. That is not the same as saying "Because those kids aren't smart enough to learn it".
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:43     Subject: Re:More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
Isn't it kind of old news that bilingualism is supposed to be good for the brain?

Anyway, it won't help the vast majority of kids get into a dual language school. This thread title and several of the comments just seem so self-congratulatory. Whoop de doo. Congratulations on your precious winning the lottery. I'm sure she'll have a much happier and successful life because her synaspes fire faster
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:43     Subject: More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
Anonymous wrote:I have to say as a YY parent with no skin in the game, what are they accused of making up? That they have interested parents? How the heck would you know? That they have had a lot of applications? Again, what is your source that they don't? They are participating in the common lottery as I understand it - don't you need to be near enrollment to participate in the lottery? That someone likely not affiliated with Sela said they saw a mob of people at their table....what did you bug the place? Install cameras? That they want to be a part of DCI in a gazillion years when they are eligible? That people in DCI are open to their and other language charters participation? A) How the heck would you know, B) where is the would-be hoodwink? Very kooky! I can understand a given person not wanting their kid to study Hebrew, just like I wouldn't want my mine in a Spanish immersion when she gets that at home, but seriously, it's really not your call or my call what another family wants for their kid...we simply have no idea. That's why there is a charter board and a public opposition period...


Try saying that at 2 Charter School expos (Cap Hill and last weekend) their table was "mobbed" (debunked by many others at both expos)... stating repeatedly that they were already a part of DCI... that kind of thing.

This is DCUM. While your defense of the Sela over-boosters is admirable (sure you're a YY parent with no skin in the game! ), most of what you're saying is never what they've been rebuffed here for. And sorry, mulitple eyewitnesses trump your "Ooooh, did you have the place bugged? Cameras?" attempt to legitimize the hype.

Sela's success (or lack thereof) will speak for itself. Most posters are positive or neutral re: Sela, and most wish Sela the best (I certainly do). But anyone who lies on DCUM about stuff that can be verified risks having those lies/exaggerations exposed. It's that simple. Cheering = good. Repeated Exaggerating = DCUM grumbling.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:42     Subject: More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
Personally have no opinion about Sela or Hebrew and honestly if an English only charter had as many obnoxious boosters who brings up their not opened as yet charter at every opportunity, would be just as sick and tired of hearing about them too.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:34     Subject: More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What is the Sela animosity due to?


Feverish brows, marked pettiness, disgruntled DCPS teachers who want all charters to fail, holders of prized copies of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, people who were lazy and didn't oppose Sela and/or YY, and/or Basis, and/or other "unique" charters when they had their chance before the PCSB, and therefore bitch anonymously on DCUM, people who believe that Hebrew is too "hard" for African-Americans and other DC children (aka bigotry of soft expectations)....but certainly not from other charters in the District, the Charter School Board, most parents looking for quality education choices for their children, Muriel Bowser, Kid Power, FOCUS, or other supporters of Sela. Check yourself, before you wreck yourself, folks.


Whoa, where did you pull that one from? I've never seen anyone on DCUM say that about Sela "too hard for AA students"?? Seriously, Hebrew is "hard" but Mandarin isn't? You sure you're not projecting on that one?



Not the PP, but I've seen more than one accusation in this forum that Hebrew is not a useful-enough language that families will enroll and trek over from Wards 7 & 8, consequently it will be a white, upper middle class school by default. "useful enough" "practical" "realistic" whatever - there are some posters out there who are very opposed to SELA, and pointing out its lack of "utility" to the (almost exclusively AA) families in Anacostia is just one more way to suggest they're not as smart as you are - not smart enough to care about another language, however challenging.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:31     Subject: More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What is the Sela animosity due to?


Feverish brows, marked pettiness, disgruntled DCPS teachers who want all charters to fail, holders of prized copies of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, people who were lazy and didn't oppose Sela and/or YY, and/or Basis, and/or other "unique" charters when they had their chance before the PCSB, and therefore bitch anonymously on DCUM, people who believe that Hebrew is too "hard" for African-Americans and other DC children (aka bigotry of soft expectations)....but certainly not from other charters in the District, the Charter School Board, most parents looking for quality education choices for their children, Muriel Bowser, Kid Power, FOCUS, or other supporters of Sela. Check yourself, before you wreck yourself, folks.


Whoa, where did you pull that one from? I've never seen anyone on DCUM say that about Sela "too hard for AA students"?? Seriously, Hebrew is "hard" but Mandarin isn't? You sure you're not projecting on that one?


There was thread, can't remember which one, where it talked about poor children being frustrated because they were forced to learn a difficult language like Hebrew. As an AA mom, I think that's clear code language.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:29     Subject: More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
I have to say as a YY parent with no skin in the game, what are they accused of making up? That they have interested parents? How the heck would you know? That they have had a lot of applications? Again, what is your source that they don't? They are participating in the common lottery as I understand it - don't you need to be near enrollment to participate in the lottery? That someone likely not affiliated with Sela said they saw a mob of people at their table....what did you bug the place? Install cameras? That they want to be a part of DCI in a gazillion years when they are eligible? That people in DCI are open to their and other language charters participation? A) How the heck would you know, B) where is the would-be hoodwink? Very kooky! I can understand a given person not wanting their kid to study Hebrew, just like I wouldn't want my mine in a Spanish immersion when she gets that at home, but seriously, it's really not your call or my call what another family wants for their kid...we simply have no idea. That's why there is a charter board and a public opposition period...
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:23     Subject: More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What is the Sela animosity due to?


Feverish brows, marked pettiness, disgruntled DCPS teachers who want all charters to fail, holders of prized copies of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, people who were lazy and didn't oppose Sela and/or YY, and/or Basis, and/or other "unique" charters when they had their chance before the PCSB, and therefore bitch anonymously on DCUM, people who believe that Hebrew is too "hard" for African-Americans and other DC children (aka bigotry of soft expectations)....but certainly not from other charters in the District, the Charter School Board, most parents looking for quality education choices for their children, Muriel Bowser, Kid Power, FOCUS, or other supporters of Sela. Check yourself, before you wreck yourself, folks.


Whoa, where did you pull that one from? I've never seen anyone on DCUM say that about Sela "too hard for AA students"?? Seriously, Hebrew is "hard" but Mandarin isn't? You sure you're not projecting on that one?
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:21     Subject: Re:More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
Wonder how widely this will be reported/re-reported, and whether it will help more bilingual middle and high schools get into motion in DC (or anywhere in the US)?

I am interested in bilingual ed anyway for my kids, but I'm interested to know if colleges/universities have increased their interest in bilingual students in the last 5-10 yrs as parents are seeking it younger and younger for their kids? Anyone read anything about measurable increased interest in bilingual college applicants? (It's always been a plus, but maybe more so now?)
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2013 19:20     Subject: More reason for there to be zero available slots at bilingual schools...
Anonymous wrote:What is the Sela animosity due to?


Feverish brows, marked pettiness, disgruntled DCPS teachers who want all charters to fail, holders of prized copies of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, people who were lazy and didn't oppose Sela and/or YY, and/or Basis, and/or other "unique" charters when they had their chance before the PCSB, and therefore bitch anonymously on DCUM, people who believe that Hebrew is too "hard" for African-Americans and other DC children (aka bigotry of soft expectations)....but certainly not from other charters in the District, the Charter School Board, most parents looking for quality education choices for their children, Muriel Bowser, Kid Power, FOCUS, or other supporters of Sela. Check yourself, before you wreck yourself, folks.