I'm a Maury parent, and I agree that people who don't live in the vicinity shouldn't really be weighing in on matters that will not actually affect them, and on a topic that they probably haven't thought very deeply about. That said, it's a free country - for now - and you can weigh in on this Internet survey however you damn well please.

One thing that has been neglected in this pro-cluster conversation – which I initially felt inclined to support as well – is the fact that all of the teachers would have to reapply for their jobs, since it would be a new school. Also the cluster principal wouldn't be either in the Maury principal or the Miner principle – I have been told that neither principal would want that job, because it would create too much tension in the community and would look like favoritism for either school. So basically, what you're doing in this union is not simply combining two school populations to fast-track the lower-performing school that is already on the upswing; you'll basically be starting over. Hopefully some of the teachers would stay from both communities, but it's not likely that all would.

This is all neglecting the fact that the Maury school building is in desperate need of renovation and refresh, regardless of whether the schools are combined. A $20 million budget could be increased by 20 million to create an incredible school that would still come in far under the exorbitant budgets that we've seen at schools throughout DCPS. So what, they'll spend just 20 to get a half assed modernization and a half assed cluster that undermines the progress of both neighborhood schools? Or, they could increase the budget to 40, make Maury the school it should be and do it right once, and give Miner the time and space to develop into the school that it is growing into it as well. Miner apparently has been working hard to try to develop a language immersion program, and more of that would be welcomed and much appreciated on the hill – not sure why we need to feel like we need to "save" them when they have their own plans in place and have already made some good strides. There is a certain degree of racism in that "white savior" approach as well.

Anyway, there's more to it than just the naive, pie-in-the-sky vision of combining forces – it will require a lot of logistical effort that we can't count on DCPS to effectively and successfully accomplish.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids at Maury and live in the Miner boundaries. I don't know where I will come down on this but appreciate the conversation - though not necessarily on this forum, it's not useful for that. Since that's where we're at, let me throw in a few hopefully reflective comments that haven't already been voiced:
- Let's not forget that as open minded, liberal, progressive, inclusive, as we all think we are, when it comes to our own "back yard" and the kids in it, defensive territorial instincts can get the better of us. Let's just be mindful of that and try to occasionally and dispassionately see the bigger picture.
- When it comes to that bigger picture, distributive politics aside for a moment, having kids in elementary school can be a pretty short parenthesis. However long we live here, we're also citizens of a neighborhood and a city and thereby interested in seeing space used efficiently and our city and schools as a whole flourish (whatever that may mean for this particular issue).
- What does "Maury community" mean? There seems to be an assumption that it is limited to the parents who have children at the school, maybe also including parents who will have children at the school. Truth is, anyone living in those boundaries (with kids, without kids, renters, owners, businesses etc.) are really part of that community. They have a stake in how schools are renovated and structured, looks, parking, uses and all.

you for president ... #not joking

+1.

Also, would like to point out that those of us busy working long hours care just as much as those who have the privilege of having the free time to attend meetings in person.

Also, the voices of people truly committed to staying in the public system through high school should be given more weight than families that leave when things get real challenging.

The ability to threaten to leave gives parents leverage to make demands.

Your point assumes that the person making the decision cares about parents leaving/public perception. In my experience, they don't. These controversial decisions get made by some flunky or beancounter somewhere and only afterwards do the PR people come in and try to finesse the mistake. Only in a high functioning organization would all employees realize that every decision influences the end user experience. DCPS ain't that

PS this will be extra true while the new chancellor is still acclimating and more likely to defer to current staff

why should DCPS care about the "end user experience" of only one group?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids at Maury and live in the Miner boundaries. I don't know where I will come down on this but appreciate the conversation - though not necessarily on this forum, it's not useful for that. Since that's where we're at, let me throw in a few hopefully reflective comments that haven't already been voiced:
- Let's not forget that as open minded, liberal, progressive, inclusive, as we all think we are, when it comes to our own "back yard" and the kids in it, defensive territorial instincts can get the better of us. Let's just be mindful of that and try to occasionally and dispassionately see the bigger picture.
- When it comes to that bigger picture, distributive politics aside for a moment, having kids in elementary school can be a pretty short parenthesis. However long we live here, we're also citizens of a neighborhood and a city and thereby interested in seeing space used efficiently and our city and schools as a whole flourish (whatever that may mean for this particular issue).
- What does "Maury community" mean? There seems to be an assumption that it is limited to the parents who have children at the school, maybe also including parents who will have children at the school. Truth is, anyone living in those boundaries (with kids, without kids, renters, owners, businesses etc.) are really part of that community. They have a stake in how schools are renovated and structured, looks, parking, uses and all.

you for president ... #not joking

+1.

Also, would like to point out that those of us busy working long hours care just as much as those who have the privilege of having the free time to attend meetings in person.

Also, the voices of people truly committed to staying in the public system through high school should be given more weight than families that leave when things get real challenging.

The ability to threaten to leave gives parents leverage to make demands.

yeah no, public school doesn't work this way. gentrifier parents are not consumers who can win by threatening to boycott. Sorry to break it to you but you actually are not that important that DCPS cares if you move to MoCo because you're afraid of brown kids. Your "leverage" is to work closely with your community to find solutions for everyone, or to pull other political strings you may have. But leaving DCPS as leverage? Please. White parents leaving DCPS is the status quo, not leverage.

Anonymous wrote:Make it work then, maybe use parent volunteers to supervise. The staff at AppleTree LP does.

it's not a terrible idea especially if the school tacks on some extra recess time!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids at Maury and live in the Miner boundaries. I don't know where I will come down on this but appreciate the conversation - though not necessarily on this forum, it's not useful for that. Since that's where we're at, let me throw in a few hopefully reflective comments that haven't already been voiced:
- Let's not forget that as open minded, liberal, progressive, inclusive, as we all think we are, when it comes to our own "back yard" and the kids in it, defensive territorial instincts can get the better of us. Let's just be mindful of that and try to occasionally and dispassionately see the bigger picture.
- When it comes to that bigger picture, distributive politics aside for a moment, having kids in elementary school can be a pretty short parenthesis. However long we live here, we're also citizens of a neighborhood and a city and thereby interested in seeing space used efficiently and our city and schools as a whole flourish (whatever that may mean for this particular issue).
- What does "Maury community" mean? There seems to be an assumption that it is limited to the parents who have children at the school, maybe also including parents who will have children at the school. Truth is, anyone living in those boundaries (with kids, without kids, renters, owners, businesses etc.) are really part of that community. They have a stake in how schools are renovated and structured, looks, parking, uses and all.

you for president ... #not joking

+1.

Also, would like to point out that those of us busy working long hours care just as much as those who have the privilege of having the free time to attend meetings in person.

Also, the voices of people truly committed to staying in the public system through high school should be given more weight than families that leave when things get real challenging.

The ability to threaten to leave gives parents leverage to make demands.

Your point assumes that the person making the decision cares about parents leaving/public perception. In my experience, they don't. These controversial decisions get made by some flunky or beancounter somewhere and only afterwards do the PR people come in and try to finesse the mistake. Only in a high functioning organization would all employees realize that every decision influences the end user experience. DCPS ain't that

PS this will be extra true while the new chancellor is still acclimating and more likely to defer to current staff

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids at Maury and live in the Miner boundaries. I don't know where I will come down on this but appreciate the conversation - though not necessarily on this forum, it's not useful for that. Since that's where we're at, let me throw in a few hopefully reflective comments that haven't already been voiced:
- Let's not forget that as open minded, liberal, progressive, inclusive, as we all think we are, when it comes to our own "back yard" and the kids in it, defensive territorial instincts can get the better of us. Let's just be mindful of that and try to occasionally and dispassionately see the bigger picture.
- When it comes to that bigger picture, distributive politics aside for a moment, having kids in elementary school can be a pretty short parenthesis. However long we live here, we're also citizens of a neighborhood and a city and thereby interested in seeing space used efficiently and our city and schools as a whole flourish (whatever that may mean for this particular issue).
- What does "Maury community" mean? There seems to be an assumption that it is limited to the parents who have children at the school, maybe also including parents who will have children at the school. Truth is, anyone living in those boundaries (with kids, without kids, renters, owners, businesses etc.) are really part of that community. They have a stake in how schools are renovated and structured, looks, parking, uses and all.

you for president ... #not joking

+1.

Also, would like to point out that those of us busy working long hours care just as much as those who have the privilege of having the free time to attend meetings in person.

Also, the voices of people truly committed to staying in the public system through high school should be given more weight than families that leave when things get real challenging.

The ability to threaten to leave gives parents leverage to make demands.

Running a school system through threats and hostility benefits the needs of the privileged. Guess the cycle continues, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

Maybe one day such a construct will work past elementary school. The privileged will be forced to work with the less fortunate, as opposed to a smaller elementary schools they were able to influence through purchasing homes that are outside the reach of average Americans.

Skeptical that trickle down education will ever work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids at Maury and live in the Miner boundaries. I don't know where I will come down on this but appreciate the conversation - though not necessarily on this forum, it's not useful for that. Since that's where we're at, let me throw in a few hopefully reflective comments that haven't already been voiced:
- Let's not forget that as open minded, liberal, progressive, inclusive, as we all think we are, when it comes to our own "back yard" and the kids in it, defensive territorial instincts can get the better of us. Let's just be mindful of that and try to occasionally and dispassionately see the bigger picture.
- When it comes to that bigger picture, distributive politics aside for a moment, having kids in elementary school can be a pretty short parenthesis. However long we live here, we're also citizens of a neighborhood and a city and thereby interested in seeing space used efficiently and our city and schools as a whole flourish (whatever that may mean for this particular issue).
- What does "Maury community" mean? There seems to be an assumption that it is limited to the parents who have children at the school, maybe also including parents who will have children at the school. Truth is, anyone living in those boundaries (with kids, without kids, renters, owners, businesses etc.) are really part of that community. They have a stake in how schools are renovated and structured, looks, parking, uses and all.

you for president ... #not joking

+1.

Also, would like to point out that those of us busy working long hours care just as much as those who have the privilege of having the free time to attend meetings in person.

Also, the voices of people truly committed to staying in the public system through high school should be given more weight than families that leave when things get real challenging.

The ability to threaten to leave gives parents leverage to make demands.

Make it work then, maybe use parent volunteers to supervise. The staff at AppleTree LP does.

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: all the Maury parents who do not support the building renovation because it cuts down on the open space—why not sacrifice the open space and instead use the massive public park that is 1 block away?

Some of the preschool classes do go there sometimes. But with limited staff to supervise and limited recess time, it doesn't seem like a realistic permanent solution for the school as a whole.

Serious question: all the Maury parents who do not support the building renovation because it cuts down on the open space—why not sacrifice the open space and instead use the massive public park that is 1 block away?

Hi, another Maury parent here. Obviously, fill out the survey if you have opinions on the matter. Public school buildings are big, expensive public facilities paid for by your taxes and exist right in the middle of the neighborhood. Putting aside that dig above about "people truly committed to staying," there have been some good points raised here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids at Maury and live in the Miner boundaries. I don't know where I will come down on this but appreciate the conversation - though not necessarily on this forum, it's not useful for that. Since that's where we're at, let me throw in a few hopefully reflective comments that haven't already been voiced:
- Let's not forget that as open minded, liberal, progressive, inclusive, as we all think we are, when it comes to our own "back yard" and the kids in it, defensive territorial instincts can get the better of us. Let's just be mindful of that and try to occasionally and dispassionately see the bigger picture.
- When it comes to that bigger picture, distributive politics aside for a moment, having kids in elementary school can be a pretty short parenthesis. However long we live here, we're also citizens of a neighborhood and a city and thereby interested in seeing space used efficiently and our city and schools as a whole flourish (whatever that may mean for this particular issue).
- What does "Maury community" mean? There seems to be an assumption that it is limited to the parents who have children at the school, maybe also including parents who will have children at the school. Truth is, anyone living in those boundaries (with kids, without kids, renters, owners, businesses etc.) are really part of that community. They have a stake in how schools are renovated and structured, looks, parking, uses and all.

you for president ... #not joking

+1.

Also, would like to point out that those of us busy working long hours care just as much as those who have the privilege of having the free time to attend meetings in person.

Also, the voices of people truly committed to staying in the public system through high school should be given more weight than families that leave when things get real challenging.

With the School Lottery, community has broadened when potentially/theoretically a parent can Lottery into the school. That broadens the stakeholder engagement.

Anonymous wrote:I have kids at Maury and live in the Miner boundaries. I don't know where I will come down on this but appreciate the conversation - though not necessarily on this forum, it's not useful for that. Since that's where we're at, let me throw in a few hopefully reflective comments that haven't already been voiced:
- Let's not forget that as open minded, liberal, progressive, inclusive, as we all think we are, when it comes to our own "back yard" and the kids in it, defensive territorial instincts can get the better of us. Let's just be mindful of that and try to occasionally and dispassionately see the bigger picture.
- When it comes to that bigger picture, distributive politics aside for a moment, having kids in elementary school can be a pretty short parenthesis. However long we live here, we're also citizens of a neighborhood and a city and thereby interested in seeing space used efficiently and our city and schools as a whole flourish (whatever that may mean for this particular issue).
- What does "Maury community" mean? There seems to be an assumption that it is limited to the parents who have children at the school, maybe also including parents who will have children at the school. Truth is, anyone living in those boundaries (with kids, without kids, renters, owners, businesses etc.) are really part of that community. They have a stake in how schools are renovated and structured, looks, parking, uses and all.

you for president ... #not joking

I have kids at Maury and live in the Miner boundaries. I don't know where I will come down on this but appreciate the conversation - though not necessarily on this forum, it's not useful for that. Since that's where we're at, let me throw in a few hopefully reflective comments that haven't already been voiced:
- Let's not forget that as open minded, liberal, progressive, inclusive, as we all think we are, when it comes to our own "back yard" and the kids in it, defensive territorial instincts can get the better of us. Let's just be mindful of that and try to occasionally and dispassionately see the bigger picture.
- When it comes to that bigger picture, distributive politics aside for a moment, having kids in elementary school can be a pretty short parenthesis. However long we live here, we're also citizens of a neighborhood and a city and thereby interested in seeing space used efficiently and our city and schools as a whole flourish (whatever that may mean for this particular issue).
- What does "Maury community" mean? There seems to be an assumption that it is limited to the parents who have children at the school, maybe also including parents who will have children at the school. Truth is, anyone living in those boundaries (with kids, without kids, renters, owners, businesses etc.) are really part of that community. They have a stake in how schools are renovated and structured, looks, parking, uses and all.