Anonymous wrote:I'm loving how it's ok to have Easter and Christmas holiday celebration...but mention Hebrew and HOLY HELL!!!! The Jews are coming! The Jews are coming!

Careful, your kids might catch it. You might get some Jew on you.

I'm not concerned about catching anything, I can just have some of Bubbies matzo ball soup and I'll be better in no time.....

Oh right. Never mind. Carry on. Should have read the whole thread before commenting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: More choice for parents, more options for children -- how can that be a bad thing? Don't like it, don't apply.

Signed,
non-Jew, took Latin for 8 years but not working in law or science nor can I remember more than a few words, DCPS parent

\

It can be a bad thing because some of us don't want taxpayer dollars funding a Jewish school -- any religious school. You know, that pesky founding framework for the nation and all.

They say it will not be a Jewish school but some are skeptical, and that's not only OK but to be expected. It's not unreasonable to assume that the school is going to attract largely Jews.

The documents say it will be secular, so I will take that on face value. But, yes, it makes me a bit uncomfortable. Church and state and all that.

Funny, I haven't noticed you haunting the threads about Center City PCS, the network of fomer Catholic schools. But I assume you've been watching them very carefully--separation of church & state and all that. Can you share your evaluation of how they're doing keeping the Catholicism out of the classroom (particularly since many are actually physically connected to churches)? Maybe Wash Hebrew can learn from their practices?

First of all, there are several of us participating in this conversation. Secondly, I take offense at your use of the word "haunting" as well as your insinuation. I'm unaware of the issues surrounding Center City or their charter, but if they are truly staying secular and it's not just a wink and a nod, then, yes, you're right, the Hebrew school could probably borrow some best practices.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: More choice for parents, more options for children -- how can that be a bad thing? Don't like it, don't apply.

Signed,
non-Jew, took Latin for 8 years but not working in law or science nor can I remember more than a few words, DCPS parent

\

It can be a bad thing because some of us don't want taxpayer dollars funding a Jewish school -- any religious school. You know, that pesky founding framework for the nation and all.

They say it will not be a Jewish school but some are skeptical, and that's not only OK but to be expected. It's not unreasonable to assume that the school is going to attract largely Jews.

The documents say it will be secular, so I will take that on face value. But, yes, it makes me a bit uncomfortable. Church and state and all that.

Yes, all people that speak Hebrew must be Jewish. I'm sure the Christians in Israel must love you.

Christians make up 2% of the population in Israel, but not sure what that has to do with anything we're talking about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: More choice for parents, more options for children -- how can that be a bad thing? Don't like it, don't apply.

Signed,
non-Jew, took Latin for 8 years but not working in law or science nor can I remember more than a few words, DCPS parent

\

It can be a bad thing because some of us don't want taxpayer dollars funding a Jewish school -- any religious school. You know, that pesky founding framework for the nation and all.

They say it will not be a Jewish school but some are skeptical, and that's not only OK but to be expected. It's not unreasonable to assume that the school is going to attract largely Jews.

The documents say it will be secular, so I will take that on face value. But, yes, it makes me a bit uncomfortable. Church and state and all that.

Funny, I haven't noticed you haunting the threads about Center City PCS, the network of fomer Catholic schools. But I assume you've been watching them very carefully--separation of church & state and all that. Can you share your evaluation of how they're doing keeping the Catholicism out of the classroom (particularly since many are actually physically connected to churches)? Maybe Wash Hebrew can learn from their practices?

I'm loving how it's ok to have Easter and Christmas holiday celebration...but mention Hebrew and HOLY HELL!!!! The Jews are coming! The Jews are coming!

Careful, your kids might catch it. You might get some Jew on you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: More choice for parents, more options for children -- how can that be a bad thing? Don't like it, don't apply.

Signed,
non-Jew, took Latin for 8 years but not working in law or science nor can I remember more than a few words, DCPS parent

\

It can be a bad thing because some of us don't want taxpayer dollars funding a Jewish school -- any religious school. You know, that pesky founding framework for the nation and all.

They say it will not be a Jewish school but some are skeptical, and that's not only OK but to be expected. It's not unreasonable to assume that the school is going to attract largely Jews.

The documents say it will be secular, so I will take that on face value. But, yes, it makes me a bit uncomfortable. Church and state and all that.

Yes, all people that speak Hebrew must be Jewish. I'm sure the Christians in Israel must love you.

In the same way that people might chose a Danish immersion school, because it will make it easier for their kids to learn German, parents might choose Hebrew, because it will make it easier for their kids to learn Arabic or Amharic. The PP is right that if we were so hot and bothered about the the Hebrew Charter, we should have been involved in the very long and transparent process of chartering the newly-approved schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is calling anyone crafty. You sound defensive. I just think this school's focus is way too narrow for the majority DC's families and will be attractive to a narrow slice of the city. I will eat my words if it plays out differently.

I recommend that you read the threads populated by parents of young kids in the 90s, 100s and 200s on multiple school waitlists. There's a sizable population that is DESPERATE for a decent school--any school!--for their kids. I predict that Washington Hebrew will attract the same parents all the other schools discussed here will.

I disagree that parents are so desperate for a decent school that they would send their kid to a Hebrew immersion school if they didn't have some connection with Jewish culture. Just like I don't think a family would send their kid to a school that is Danish immersion if they didn't have some connection to Denmark or Scandinavia. There just not that relevant.

Assuming Washington Hebrew has decent instruction & facilities, what parent would choose a DCPS with reading/math proficiency scores in the 40s, a dangerous outdated playground, and high teacher/admin turnover over Washington Hebrew just because they have no connection to Israel?

For a wide swath of this city, charters aren't just a nice alternative; they're an educational lifeline. If WH is a decent school, students of all backgrounds (but perhaps no alternatives) will flock there. If it's a school where kids don't learn, it will close for lack of interest.

I'm curious why everyone assumes this will be a quality school, anyway?

Anonymous wrote: More choice for parents, more options for children -- how can that be a bad thing? Don't like it, don't apply.

Signed,
non-Jew, took Latin for 8 years but not working in law or science nor can I remember more than a few words, DCPS parent

\

It can be a bad thing because some of us don't want taxpayer dollars funding a Jewish school -- any religious school. You know, that pesky founding framework for the nation and all.

They say it will not be a Jewish school but some are skeptical, and that's not only OK but to be expected. It's not unreasonable to assume that the school is going to attract largely Jews.

The documents say it will be secular, so I will take that on face value. But, yes, it makes me a bit uncomfortable. Church and state and all that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is calling anyone crafty. You sound defensive. I just think this school's focus is way too narrow for the majority DC's families and will be attractive to a narrow slice of the city. I will eat my words if it plays out differently.

I recommend that you read the threads populated by parents of young kids in the 90s, 100s and 200s on multiple school waitlists. There's a sizable population that is DESPERATE for a decent school--any school!--for their kids. I predict that Washington Hebrew will attract the same parents all the other schools discussed here will.

I disagree that parents are so desperate for a decent school that they would send their kid to a Hebrew immersion school if they didn't have some connection with Jewish culture. Just like I don't think a family would send their kid to a school that is Danish immersion if they didn't have some connection to Denmark or Scandinavia. There just not that relevant.

I'm not Jewish. I can't afford private school. Most DC public schools suck. I'm not yet at a point where it matters directly to our family but when it does if the choice comes down to either a school where my kids fear for their safety and are peer pressured not to learn or Hebrew immersion....all I can say is this: Shalom, bitches.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The real question will be what demographic the school attracts. For instance, will any Latinos apply? I'm sure they'll be a smattering of black students. I say black deliberately not AA. They'll be one or two Asian students - likely from a family that is not Asian. Mark my word.

This was slick. Congratulations.

? ? ?

I guess I'm dumber than I thought. I don't get the point PP is trying to make with the distinction between black and AA w/ respect to this school.

There are black jews (i.e., etheopians) but not many AA jews.

And I disagree with you. NP here. Think it depend more on how they present themselves, the details of the educational model rather than the language. I know people who apply to LAMB, Mundo Verde, Yu Ying because they are decent options-- some despite the immersion not because of it. See the recent Cooke Vs MV thread for evidence of this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is calling anyone crafty. You sound defensive. I just think this school's focus is way too narrow for the majority DC's families and will be attractive to a narrow slice of the city. I will eat my words if it plays out differently.

I recommend that you read the threads populated by parents of young kids in the 90s, 100s and 200s on multiple school waitlists. There's a sizable population that is DESPERATE for a decent school--any school!--for their kids. I predict that Washington Hebrew will attract the same parents all the other schools discussed here will.

I disagree that parents are so desperate for a decent school that they would send their kid to a Hebrew immersion school if they didn't have some connection with Jewish culture. Just like I don't think a family would send their kid to a school that is Danish immersion if they didn't have some connection to Denmark or Scandinavia. There just not that relevant.

Except for the fact that the NY Hebrew Charter school is already proving you wrong:

"The school population comprises approximately 35% Black, 6% Hispanic, 55% White, 0% Asian, and 4% other students. Approximately 66.5% of students are designated as receiving free/reduced price lunch, compared to 53.4% for the district."

I know many think the lost tribe can be found in Ethiopia but I highly doubt those are the AA parents choosing the school. Lots of people have no connection to China yet choose YY.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is calling anyone crafty. You sound defensive. I just think this school's focus is way too narrow for the majority DC's families and will be attractive to a narrow slice of the city. I will eat my words if it plays out differently.

I recommend that you read the threads populated by parents of young kids in the 90s, 100s and 200s on multiple school waitlists. There's a sizable population that is DESPERATE for a decent school--any school!--for their kids. I predict that Washington Hebrew will attract the same parents all the other schools discussed here will.

I disagree that parents are so desperate for a decent school that they would send their kid to a Hebrew immersion school if they didn't have some connection with Jewish culture. Just like I don't think a family would send their kid to a school that is Danish immersion if they didn't have some connection to Denmark or Scandinavia. There just not that relevant.