Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It not cheating, it’s taking matters into my own hands when the people I literally elect and pay to do their jobs simply—don’t.

This. I'm not a boundary cheat and don't endorse cheating, but I'm not going to judge fellow DC parents in tough circumstances related to access to acceptable schools, not when we have a mayor and city council member who don't care if we have acceptable neighborhood schools here EotP. Fenty and Rhee cared, Gray cared, Bowser and Allen clearly don't. It's much too easy to point the finger at individual families whose public school choices have fallen apart on the turn of a dime.

I mention the situation of neighbors and friends of ours of 20 years, Federal workers with several kids who went to a DCPS ES, then to BASIS. Two of the kids could tolerate BASIS but one was miserable, although her grades were good. But she didn't get into Walls, Banneker, Latin or Duke Ellington and they didn't get enough fi aid to make a private HS work. The girl developed such serious mental health problems in the BASIS HS that her grades plummeted and she began skipping school. They couldn't get her into MacArthur in the middle of a school year and couldn't swing homeschooling. Desperate, they rented a small apt in Upper NW so the girl could switch to J-R. They had a relative live there to pay the rent, with the girl staying some weeknights. Her situation quickly stabilized and she's going great.

You guys are saying that the whole family should have uprooted in this situation. I'm saying that these parents, having done their level best to follow the rules for many years, deserved a viable public high school for all of their children, vs. failing Eastern, their best option after BASIS didn't work for one child.

Hmm. In much of the country that's what you get -- one high school, take it or leave it. If you don't like it, move or go private.

I'm not saying that's ideal, but people already have more options here than most places and certainly than when we were young. The dysfunction of DC is not responsible for this family's plight.

One high school like dreary BASIS, with a set STEM curriculum, few electives and extra curriculars, poorly trained and paid, mostly young and inexperienced, teachers, no gym, stage/auditorium, music program, real art program, library, or outdoor space? You may not be aware that BASIS has a curriculum that it crams 4 years of high school classes into 3 along with a senior class that's one-half to one-third the size of the intake class. Most of the entering cohort invariably drops out along the way.

What, exactly, are the struggling family's other public high school options EotP? Fact is, BASIS as your only viable high school option, for those with lottery luck, is a uniquely DC thing. A uniquely crappy DC thing. The dysfunction of DC couldn't be more responsible for the family's plight.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It not cheating, it’s taking matters into my own hands when the people I literally elect and pay to do their jobs simply—don’t.

This. I'm not a boundary cheat and don't endorse cheating, but I'm not going to judge fellow DC parents in tough circumstances related to access to acceptable schools, not when we have a mayor and city council member who don't care if we have acceptable neighborhood schools here EotP. Fenty and Rhee cared, Gray cared, Bowser and Allen clearly don't. It's much too easy to point the finger at individual families whose public school choices have fallen apart on the turn of a dime.

I mention the situation of neighbors and friends of ours of 20 years, Federal workers with several kids who went to a DCPS ES, then to BASIS. Two of the kids could tolerate BASIS but one was miserable, although her grades were good. But she didn't get into Walls, Banneker, Latin or Duke Ellington and they didn't get enough fi aid to make a private HS work. The girl developed such serious mental health problems in the BASIS HS that her grades plummeted and she began skipping school. They couldn't get her into MacArthur in the middle of a school year and couldn't swing homeschooling. Desperate, they rented a small apt in Upper NW so the girl could switch to J-R. They had a relative live there to pay the rent, with the girl staying some weeknights. Her situation quickly stabilized and she's going great.

You guys are saying that the whole family should have uprooted in this situation. I'm saying that these parents, having done their level best to follow the rules for many years, deserved a viable public high school for all of their children, vs. failing Eastern, their best option after BASIS didn't work for one child.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It not cheating, it’s taking matters into my own hands when the people I literally elect and pay to do their jobs simply—don’t.

This. I'm not a boundary cheat and don't endorse cheating, but I'm not going to judge fellow DC parents in tough circumstances related to access to acceptable schools, not when we have a mayor and city council member who don't care if we have acceptable neighborhood schools here EotP. Fenty and Rhee cared, Gray cared, Bowser and Allen clearly don't. It's much too easy to point the finger at individual families whose public school choices have fallen apart on the turn of a dime.

I mention the situation of neighbors and friends of ours of 20 years, Federal workers with several kids who went to a DCPS ES, then to BASIS. Two of the kids could tolerate BASIS but one was miserable, although her grades were good. But she didn't get into Walls, Banneker, Latin or Duke Ellington and they didn't get enough fi aid to make a private HS work. The girl developed such serious mental health problems in the BASIS HS that her grades plummeted and she began skipping school. They couldn't get her into MacArthur in the middle of a school year and couldn't swing homeschooling. Desperate, they rented a small apt in Upper NW so the girl could switch to J-R. They had a relative live there to pay the rent, with the girl staying some weeknights. Her situation quickly stabilized and she's going great.

You guys are saying that the whole family should have uprooted in this situation. I'm saying that these parents, having done their level best to follow the rules for many years, deserved a viable public high school for all of their children, vs. failing Eastern, their best option after BASIS didn't work for one child.

Hmm. In much of the country that's what you get -- one high school, take it or leave it. If you don't like it, move or go private.

I'm not saying that's ideal, but people already have more options here than most places and certainly than when we were young. The dysfunction of DC is not responsible for this family's plight.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It not cheating, it’s taking matters into my own hands when the people I literally elect and pay to do their jobs simply—don’t.

This. I'm not a boundary cheat and don't endorse cheating, but I'm not going to judge fellow DC parents in tough circumstances related to access to acceptable schools, not when we have a mayor and city council member who don't care if we have acceptable neighborhood schools here EotP. Fenty and Rhee cared, Gray cared, Bowser and Allen clearly don't. It's much too easy to point the finger at individual families whose public school choices have fallen apart on the turn of a dime.

I mention the situation of neighbors and friends of ours of 20 years, Federal workers with several kids who went to a DCPS ES, then to BASIS. Two of the kids could tolerate BASIS but one was miserable, although her grades were good. But she didn't get into Walls, Banneker, Latin or Duke Ellington and they didn't get enough fi aid to make a private HS work. The girl developed such serious mental health problems in the BASIS HS that her grades plummeted and she began skipping school. They couldn't get her into MacArthur in the middle of a school year and couldn't swing homeschooling. Desperate, they rented a small apt in Upper NW so the girl could switch to J-R. They had a relative live there to pay the rent, with the girl staying some weeknights. Her situation quickly stabilized and she's going great.

You guys are saying that the whole family should have uprooted in this situation. I'm saying that these parents, having done their level best to follow the rules for many years, deserved a viable public high school for all of their children, vs. failing Eastern, their best option after BASIS didn't work for one child.

Hmm. In much of the country that's what you get -- one high school, take it or leave it. If you don't like it, move or go private.

I'm not saying that's ideal, but people already have more options here than most places and certainly than when we were young. The dysfunction of DC is not responsible for this family's plight.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It not cheating, it’s taking matters into my own hands when the people I literally elect and pay to do their jobs simply—don’t.

This. I'm not a boundary cheat and don't endorse cheating, but I'm not going to judge fellow DC parents in tough circumstances related to access to acceptable schools, not when we have a mayor and city council member who don't care if we have acceptable neighborhood schools here EotP. Fenty and Rhee cared, Gray cared, Bowser and Allen clearly don't. It's much too easy to point the finger at individual families whose public school choices have fallen apart on the turn of a dime.

I mention the situation of neighbors and friends of ours of 20 years, Federal workers with several kids who went to a DCPS ES, then to BASIS. Two of the kids could tolerate BASIS but one was miserable, although her grades were good. But she didn't get into Walls, Banneker, Latin or Duke Ellington and they didn't get enough fi aid to make a private HS work. The girl developed such serious mental health problems in the BASIS HS that her grades plummeted and she began skipping school. They couldn't get her into MacArthur in the middle of a school year and couldn't swing homeschooling. Desperate, they rented a small apt in Upper NW so the girl could switch to J-R. They had a relative live there to pay the rent, with the girl staying some weeknights. Her situation quickly stabilized and she's going great.

You guys are saying that the whole family should have uprooted in this situation. I'm saying that these parents, having done their level best to follow the rules for many years, deserved a viable public high school for all of their children, vs. failing Eastern, their best option after BASIS didn't work for one child.

Anonymous wrote:It not cheating, it’s taking matters into my own hands when the people I literally elect and pay to do their jobs simply—don’t.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So wait, my taxes are ok to support a non existing police force that lets shop lifters and violent criminals off the hook but I can’t rent a second home to have my kid go to a school that’s better than the one where math proficiency is 37%??

If the system was functional, I would GLADLY use it. But it’s not.

Are you actually suggesting that you should be allowed to cheat and break the rules so long as someone, somewhere, at some point, broke a different rule? I would hope that your child would know better, even if you don't.

I’m paying into a system that isn’t providing the most basic social contract function, physical safety. It’s not someone, somewhere, it’s right on my street and on your street—it’s systemic! I witnessed a robbery in broad daylight, reported to the police, identified the perpetrator (who was later just sitting in the park with a pile of things he stole and I pointed him out to the officer) and the police literally did nothing. My kid was also witness to the track meet shooting at the end of last school year; the track meet was literally next to the most dangerous intersection in the city. Why? Because we are cosplaying equity. Meanwhile we feed the poorest of our kids (those who really need quality breakfast) sugary crap for breakfast in DCPS. I do support our local ANC commissioner who is one of the rare sane ones.

But, no, if the system is rotten, I don’t feel an ounce of moral obligation to follow its rules. Watch The Wire. That’s basically where we are with DC governance. I hate Trump more than any person in recent history but he has a point about DC. :/

Ask yourself why everyone here in the exact same position as you still thinks you are a cheater. If DC is so awful just move.

This. If you think DCPS is garbage and that the city could be doing way more to create better schools all over the city, then the answer is that you need to leave DCPS. Go private, go to a charter, or move out of the city.

I have a million problems with DCPS and I don't know that we are going to make it through MS and HS in the city, but I accept that it is what it is and if I choose to use the public school system, I have to comply with the policies of the public school system. Especially given that multiple alternatives are available to me.

Imagine if everyone in the district just lied about their residence to go to the school of their choosing.

This kind of thinking is why when people at the Central office are laid off or there are other threats to DCPS, no one cares.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/195/1284724.page

You think people who care about good schools should go private, charter or leave the city? They are doing all of the above.

Make city schools good schools.

I think PP is saying that no, that you “care about good schools” does not justify you cheating. Is that truly confusing to you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So wait, my taxes are ok to support a non existing police force that lets shop lifters and violent criminals off the hook but I can’t rent a second home to have my kid go to a school that’s better than the one where math proficiency is 37%??

If the system was functional, I would GLADLY use it. But it’s not.

Are you actually suggesting that you should be allowed to cheat and break the rules so long as someone, somewhere, at some point, broke a different rule? I would hope that your child would know better, even if you don't.

I’m paying into a system that isn’t providing the most basic social contract function, physical safety. It’s not someone, somewhere, it’s right on my street and on your street—it’s systemic! I witnessed a robbery in broad daylight, reported to the police, identified the perpetrator (who was later just sitting in the park with a pile of things he stole and I pointed him out to the officer) and the police literally did nothing. My kid was also witness to the track meet shooting at the end of last school year; the track meet was literally next to the most dangerous intersection in the city. Why? Because we are cosplaying equity. Meanwhile we feed the poorest of our kids (those who really need quality breakfast) sugary crap for breakfast in DCPS. I do support our local ANC commissioner who is one of the rare sane ones.

But, no, if the system is rotten, I don’t feel an ounce of moral obligation to follow its rules. Watch The Wire. That’s basically where we are with DC governance. I hate Trump more than any person in recent history but he has a point about DC. :/

Ask yourself why everyone here in the exact same position as you still thinks you are a cheater. If DC is so awful just move.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So wait, my taxes are ok to support a non existing police force that lets shop lifters and violent criminals off the hook but I can’t rent a second home to have my kid go to a school that’s better than the one where math proficiency is 37%??

If the system was functional, I would GLADLY use it. But it’s not.

Are you actually suggesting that you should be allowed to cheat and break the rules so long as someone, somewhere, at some point, broke a different rule? I would hope that your child would know better, even if you don't.

I’m paying into a system that isn’t providing the most basic social contract function, physical safety. It’s not someone, somewhere, it’s right on my street and on your street—it’s systemic! I witnessed a robbery in broad daylight, reported to the police, identified the perpetrator (who was later just sitting in the park with a pile of things he stole and I pointed him out to the officer) and the police literally did nothing. My kid was also witness to the track meet shooting at the end of last school year; the track meet was literally next to the most dangerous intersection in the city. Why? Because we are cosplaying equity. Meanwhile we feed the poorest of our kids (those who really need quality breakfast) sugary crap for breakfast in DCPS. I do support our local ANC commissioner who is one of the rare sane ones.

But, no, if the system is rotten, I don’t feel an ounce of moral obligation to follow its rules. Watch The Wire. That’s basically where we are with DC governance. I hate Trump more than any person in recent history but he has a point about DC. :/

Ask yourself why everyone here in the exact same position as you still thinks you are a cheater. If DC is so awful just move.

This. If you think DCPS is garbage and that the city could be doing way more to create better schools all over the city, then the answer is that you need to leave DCPS. Go private, go to a charter, or move out of the city.

I have a million problems with DCPS and I don't know that we are going to make it through MS and HS in the city, but I accept that it is what it is and if I choose to use the public school system, I have to comply with the policies of the public school system. Especially given that multiple alternatives are available to me.

Imagine if everyone in the district just lied about their residence to go to the school of their choosing.

This kind of thinking is why when people at the Central office are laid off or there are other threats to DCPS, no one cares.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/195/1284724.page

You think people who care about good schools should go private, charter or leave the city? They are doing all of the above.

Make city schools good schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So wait, my taxes are ok to support a non existing police force that lets shop lifters and violent criminals off the hook but I can’t rent a second home to have my kid go to a school that’s better than the one where math proficiency is 37%??

If the system was functional, I would GLADLY use it. But it’s not.

Are you actually suggesting that you should be allowed to cheat and break the rules so long as someone, somewhere, at some point, broke a different rule? I would hope that your child would know better, even if you don't.

I’m paying into a system that isn’t providing the most basic social contract function, physical safety. It’s not someone, somewhere, it’s right on my street and on your street—it’s systemic! I witnessed a robbery in broad daylight, reported to the police, identified the perpetrator (who was later just sitting in the park with a pile of things he stole and I pointed him out to the officer) and the police literally did nothing. My kid was also witness to the track meet shooting at the end of last school year; the track meet was literally next to the most dangerous intersection in the city. Why? Because we are cosplaying equity. Meanwhile we feed the poorest of our kids (those who really need quality breakfast) sugary crap for breakfast in DCPS. I do support our local ANC commissioner who is one of the rare sane ones.

But, no, if the system is rotten, I don’t feel an ounce of moral obligation to follow its rules. Watch The Wire. That’s basically where we are with DC governance. I hate Trump more than any person in recent history but he has a point about DC. :/

Ask yourself why everyone here in the exact same position as you still thinks you are a cheater. If DC is so awful just move.

This. If you think DCPS is garbage and that the city could be doing way more to create better schools all over the city, then the answer is that you need to leave DCPS. Go private, go to a charter, or move out of the city.

I have a million problems with DCPS and I don't know that we are going to make it through MS and HS in the city, but I accept that it is what it is and if I choose to use the public school system, I have to comply with the policies of the public school system. Especially given that multiple alternatives are available to me.

Imagine if everyone in the district just lied about their residence to go to the school of their choosing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So wait, my taxes are ok to support a non existing police force that lets shop lifters and violent criminals off the hook but I can’t rent a second home to have my kid go to a school that’s better than the one where math proficiency is 37%??

If the system was functional, I would GLADLY use it. But it’s not.

Are you actually suggesting that you should be allowed to cheat and break the rules so long as someone, somewhere, at some point, broke a different rule? I would hope that your child would know better, even if you don't.

I’m paying into a system that isn’t providing the most basic social contract function, physical safety. It’s not someone, somewhere, it’s right on my street and on your street—it’s systemic! I witnessed a robbery in broad daylight, reported to the police, identified the perpetrator (who was later just sitting in the park with a pile of things he stole and I pointed him out to the officer) and the police literally did nothing. My kid was also witness to the track meet shooting at the end of last school year; the track meet was literally next to the most dangerous intersection in the city. Why? Because we are cosplaying equity. Meanwhile we feed the poorest of our kids (those who really need quality breakfast) sugary crap for breakfast in DCPS. I do support our local ANC commissioner who is one of the rare sane ones.

But, no, if the system is rotten, I don’t feel an ounce of moral obligation to follow its rules. Watch The Wire. That’s basically where we are with DC governance. I hate Trump more than any person in recent history but he has a point about DC. :/

Ask yourself why everyone here in the exact same position as you still thinks you are a cheater. If DC is so awful just move.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So wait, my taxes are ok to support a non existing police force that lets shop lifters and violent criminals off the hook but I can’t rent a second home to have my kid go to a school that’s better than the one where math proficiency is 37%??

If the system was functional, I would GLADLY use it. But it’s not.

Are you actually suggesting that you should be allowed to cheat and break the rules so long as someone, somewhere, at some point, broke a different rule? I would hope that your child would know better, even if you don't.

I’m paying into a system that isn’t providing the most basic social contract function, physical safety. It’s not someone, somewhere, it’s right on my street and on your street—it’s systemic! I witnessed a robbery in broad daylight, reported to the police, identified the perpetrator (who was later just sitting in the park with a pile of things he stole and I pointed him out to the officer) and the police literally did nothing. My kid was also witness to the track meet shooting at the end of last school year; the track meet was literally next to the most dangerous intersection in the city. Why? Because we are cosplaying equity. Meanwhile we feed the poorest of our kids (those who really need quality breakfast) sugary crap for breakfast in DCPS. I do support our local ANC commissioner who is one of the rare sane ones.

But, no, if the system is rotten, I don’t feel an ounce of moral obligation to follow its rules. Watch The Wire. That’s basically where we are with DC governance. I hate Trump more than any person in recent history but he has a point about DC. :/

Ask yourself why everyone here in the exact same position as you still thinks you are a cheater. If DC is so awful just move.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So wait, my taxes are ok to support a non existing police force that lets shop lifters and violent criminals off the hook but I can’t rent a second home to have my kid go to a school that’s better than the one where math proficiency is 37%??

If the system was functional, I would GLADLY use it. But it’s not.

Are you actually suggesting that you should be allowed to cheat and break the rules so long as someone, somewhere, at some point, broke a different rule? I would hope that your child would know better, even if you don't.

I’m paying into a system that isn’t providing the most basic social contract function, physical safety. It’s not someone, somewhere, it’s right on my street and on your street—it’s systemic! I witnessed a robbery in broad daylight, reported to the police, identified the perpetrator (who was later just sitting in the park with a pile of things he stole and I pointed him out to the officer) and the police literally did nothing. My kid was also witness to the track meet shooting at the end of last school year; the track meet was literally next to the most dangerous intersection in the city. Why? Because we are cosplaying equity. Meanwhile we feed the poorest of our kids (those who really need quality breakfast) sugary crap for breakfast in DCPS. I do support our local ANC commissioner who is one of the rare sane ones.

But, no, if the system is rotten, I don’t feel an ounce of moral obligation to follow its rules. Watch The Wire. That’s basically where we are with DC governance. I hate Trump more than any person in recent history but he has a point about DC. :/