saw on Twitter that Bowser said DCPS will be open as usual. They totally read here.

Also road closures have been announced: http://www.wusa9.com/story/life/faith/pope-coverage/2015/09/10/road-closures-announced-pope-francis-visit/72019814/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is another reason to choose your neighborhood school.

Thanks a lot Mr/ Ms Smug! If only my neighborhood school taught more than 15% of its students to read at the level of proficient!

If you and a bunch of other people in your neighborhood sent your kids there, the proficiency rate might go up.

Anonymous wrote:This is another reason to choose your neighborhood school.

That one time the Pope visits and you may have to take off work is a great reason to choose a school.

Anonymous wrote:This is another reason to choose your neighborhood school.

Thanks a lot Mr/ Ms Smug! If only my neighborhood school taught more than 15% of its students to read at the level of proficient!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS and DCPCS are primarily for low-income families. Low income families tend not to have jobs where you can telecommute. The schools will stay open so the kids have a place to go, and so they can keep learning. If a few charters right nearby want to close those days that's up to them. But most kids go to school fairly close to their homes, even if they don't go to their IB DCPS, and shouldn't have too hard of a time. If you don't want to take your kid, just get an unexcused absence and have fun at home--no big deal.

What in the holy shit are you talking about!

I laughed out loud at that one! I wonder who they employed to write their post?

You can laugh all you want about it, but the people in charge at DCPS and DCPCS see their mission as educating low-income and at-risk students. If some middle/upper class folks want to enroll in school that's fine, but the system is not set up to cater to them. Look at curriculum choices, snow days and other scheduling issues, uniforms, attendance policies, etc.

In 2012-3, 4 out of 5 kids in public school here qualified for free or reduced meals: http://www.21csf.org/csf-home/DocUploads/DataShop/DS_355.pdf p.13
The system is just not designed around the needs of the other 20%.

Oh for pete's sake. It does not mean 80% of the kids qualify for free lunch. It means 80% of kids attend a school in which 40% or higher gets free lunch.

Sorry, I meant 40% or higher QUALIFY for free lunch.

No. These stats predate the community eligibility option. They are literally who qualified for FARMs.

If you don't like those stats, look at http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2015/02/06/at-risk-funding-in-the-district-school-by-school/. 40% of DCPS kids are at-risk (a more stringent definition than FARMs): homeless, in foster care, getting TANF or food stamps, or at least a year behind in high school. In many (probably most) schools, a majority of the kids are at risk: http://atriskfunds.ourdcschools.org/

Right FORTY Percent. Not EIGHTY. Big difference.

40% are at risk. 80% qualify for FARMs. They are different criteria.

To qualify for FARMs, a single parent and one child would have household income below $29,471 this year. Two parents and two kids would have an HHI under $44,863. DCPS and DCPCS are running a school system where 4 out of 5 kids are that poor, in a city where it's very expensive to live, and a lot of their policies reflect that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS and DCPCS are primarily for low-income families. Low income families tend not to have jobs where you can telecommute. The schools will stay open so the kids have a place to go, and so they can keep learning. If a few charters right nearby want to close those days that's up to them. But most kids go to school fairly close to their homes, even if they don't go to their IB DCPS, and shouldn't have too hard of a time. If you don't want to take your kid, just get an unexcused absence and have fun at home--no big deal.

What in the holy shit are you talking about!

I laughed out loud at that one! I wonder who they employed to write their post?

You can laugh all you want about it, but the people in charge at DCPS and DCPCS see their mission as educating low-income and at-risk students. If some middle/upper class folks want to enroll in school that's fine, but the system is not set up to cater to them. Look at curriculum choices, snow days and other scheduling issues, uniforms, attendance policies, etc.

In 2012-3, 4 out of 5 kids in public school here qualified for free or reduced meals: http://www.21csf.org/csf-home/DocUploads/DataShop/DS_355.pdf p.13
The system is just not designed around the needs of the other 20%.

look, I am in the 20%. we are middle class, my kids are not low income or at risk, but my kids need to be in school during the papal visit, both for their education and because my DH and I both work and cannot take days off for nonsense reasons, illnesses and snow days are enough for us to deal with. DCPS issues a calendar every year, parents get organized based on the calendar and DCPS should stick to it unless there are extenuating circumstances, and the papal visit is no reason to close schools except maybe the few that are around some of the main events.

Indeed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS and DCPCS are primarily for low-income families. Low income families tend not to have jobs where you can telecommute. The schools will stay open so the kids have a place to go, and so they can keep learning. If a few charters right nearby want to close those days that's up to them. But most kids go to school fairly close to their homes, even if they don't go to their IB DCPS, and shouldn't have too hard of a time. If you don't want to take your kid, just get an unexcused absence and have fun at home--no big deal.

What in the holy shit are you talking about!

I laughed out loud at that one! I wonder who they employed to write their post?

You can laugh all you want about it, but the people in charge at DCPS and DCPCS see their mission as educating low-income and at-risk students. If some middle/upper class folks want to enroll in school that's fine, but the system is not set up to cater to them. Look at curriculum choices, snow days and other scheduling issues, uniforms, attendance policies, etc.

In 2012-3, 4 out of 5 kids in public school here qualified for free or reduced meals: http://www.21csf.org/csf-home/DocUploads/DataShop/DS_355.pdf p.13
The system is just not designed around the needs of the other 20%.

look, I am in the 20%. we are middle class, my kids are not low income or at risk, but my kids need to be in school during the papal visit, both for their education and because my DH and I both work and cannot take days off for nonsense reasons, illnesses and snow days are enough for us to deal with. DCPS issues a calendar every year, parents get organized based on the calendar and DCPS should stick to it unless there are extenuating circumstances, and the papal visit is no reason to close schools except maybe the few that are around some of the main events.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS and DCPCS are primarily for low-income families. Low income families tend not to have jobs where you can telecommute. The schools will stay open so the kids have a place to go, and so they can keep learning. If a few charters right nearby want to close those days that's up to them. But most kids go to school fairly close to their homes, even if they don't go to their IB DCPS, and shouldn't have too hard of a time. If you don't want to take your kid, just get an unexcused absence and have fun at home--no big deal.

What in the holy shit are you talking about!

I laughed out loud at that one! I wonder who they employed to write their post?

You can laugh all you want about it, but the people in charge at DCPS and DCPCS see their mission as educating low-income and at-risk students. If some middle/upper class folks want to enroll in school that's fine, but the system is not set up to cater to them. Look at curriculum choices, snow days and other scheduling issues, uniforms, attendance policies, etc.

In 2012-3, 4 out of 5 kids in public school here qualified for free or reduced meals: http://www.21csf.org/csf-home/DocUploads/DataShop/DS_355.pdf p.13
The system is just not designed around the needs of the other 20%.

Oh for pete's sake. It does not mean 80% of the kids qualify for free lunch. It means 80% of kids attend a school in which 40% or higher gets free lunch.

Sorry, I meant 40% or higher QUALIFY for free lunch.

No. These stats predate the community eligibility option. They are literally who qualified for FARMs.

If you don't like those stats, look at http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2015/02/06/at-risk-funding-in-the-district-school-by-school/. 40% of DCPS kids are at-risk (a more stringent definition than FARMs): homeless, in foster care, getting TANF or food stamps, or at least a year behind in high school. In many (probably most) schools, a majority of the kids are at risk: http://atriskfunds.ourdcschools.org/

Right FORTY Percent. Not EIGHTY. Big difference.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS and DCPCS are primarily for low-income families. Low income families tend not to have jobs where you can telecommute. The schools will stay open so the kids have a place to go, and so they can keep learning. If a few charters right nearby want to close those days that's up to them. But most kids go to school fairly close to their homes, even if they don't go to their IB DCPS, and shouldn't have too hard of a time. If you don't want to take your kid, just get an unexcused absence and have fun at home--no big deal.

What in the holy shit are you talking about!

I laughed out loud at that one! I wonder who they employed to write their post?

You can laugh all you want about it, but the people in charge at DCPS and DCPCS see their mission as educating low-income and at-risk students. If some middle/upper class folks want to enroll in school that's fine, but the system is not set up to cater to them. Look at curriculum choices, snow days and other scheduling issues, uniforms, attendance policies, etc.

In 2012-3, 4 out of 5 kids in public school here qualified for free or reduced meals: http://www.21csf.org/csf-home/DocUploads/DataShop/DS_355.pdf p.13
The system is just not designed around the needs of the other 20%.

Oh for pete's sake. It does not mean 80% of the kids qualify for free lunch. It means 80% of kids attend a school in which 40% or higher gets free lunch.

Sorry, I meant 40% or higher QUALIFY for free lunch.

No. These stats predate the community eligibility option. They are literally who qualified for FARMs.

If you don't like those stats, look at http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2015/02/06/at-risk-funding-in-the-district-school-by-school/. 40% of DCPS kids are at-risk (a more stringent definition than FARMs): homeless, in foster care, getting TANF or food stamps, or at least a year behind in high school. In many (probably most) schools, a majority of the kids are at risk: http://atriskfunds.ourdcschools.org/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS and DCPCS are primarily for low-income families. Low income families tend not to have jobs where you can telecommute. The schools will stay open so the kids have a place to go, and so they can keep learning. If a few charters right nearby want to close those days that's up to them. But most kids go to school fairly close to their homes, even if they don't go to their IB DCPS, and shouldn't have too hard of a time. If you don't want to take your kid, just get an unexcused absence and have fun at home--no big deal.

What in the holy shit are you talking about!

I laughed out loud at that one! I wonder who they employed to write their post?

You can laugh all you want about it, but the people in charge at DCPS and DCPCS see their mission as educating low-income and at-risk students. If some middle/upper class folks want to enroll in school that's fine, but the system is not set up to cater to them. Look at curriculum choices, snow days and other scheduling issues, uniforms, attendance policies, etc.

In 2012-3, 4 out of 5 kids in public school here qualified for free or reduced meals: http://www.21csf.org/csf-home/DocUploads/DataShop/DS_355.pdf p.13
The system is just not designed around the needs of the other 20%.

Oh for pete's sake. It does not mean 80% of the kids qualify for free lunch. It means 80% of kids attend a school in which 40% or higher gets free lunch.

Sorry, I meant 40% or higher QUALIFY for free lunch.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS and DCPCS are primarily for low-income families. Low income families tend not to have jobs where you can telecommute. The schools will stay open so the kids have a place to go, and so they can keep learning. If a few charters right nearby want to close those days that's up to them. But most kids go to school fairly close to their homes, even if they don't go to their IB DCPS, and shouldn't have too hard of a time. If you don't want to take your kid, just get an unexcused absence and have fun at home--no big deal.

What in the holy shit are you talking about!

I laughed out loud at that one! I wonder who they employed to write their post?

You can laugh all you want about it, but the people in charge at DCPS and DCPCS see their mission as educating low-income and at-risk students. If some middle/upper class folks want to enroll in school that's fine, but the system is not set up to cater to them. Look at curriculum choices, snow days and other scheduling issues, uniforms, attendance policies, etc.

In 2012-3, 4 out of 5 kids in public school here qualified for free or reduced meals: http://www.21csf.org/csf-home/DocUploads/DataShop/DS_355.pdf p.13
The system is just not designed around the needs of the other 20%.

Oh for pete's sake. It does not mean 80% of the kids qualify for free lunch. It means 80% of kids attend a school in which 40% or higher gets free lunch.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS and DCPCS are primarily for low-income families. Low income families tend not to have jobs where you can telecommute. The schools will stay open so the kids have a place to go, and so they can keep learning. If a few charters right nearby want to close those days that's up to them. But most kids go to school fairly close to their homes, even if they don't go to their IB DCPS, and shouldn't have too hard of a time. If you don't want to take your kid, just get an unexcused absence and have fun at home--no big deal.

What in the holy shit are you talking about!

I laughed out loud at that one! I wonder who they employed to write their post?

You can laugh all you want about it, but the people in charge at DCPS and DCPCS see their mission as educating low-income and at-risk students. If some middle/upper class folks want to enroll in school that's fine, but the system is not set up to cater to them. Look at curriculum choices, snow days and other scheduling issues, uniforms, attendance policies, etc.

In 2012-3, 4 out of 5 kids in public school here qualified for free or reduced meals: http://www.21csf.org/csf-home/DocUploads/DataShop/DS_355.pdf p.13
The system is just not designed around the needs of the other 20%.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes complete sense to schools who are in areas where the Pope will be to consider closing. It makes ZERO sense to close schools which are in neighborhoods far from the Pope's tour.

I didn't see anyone advocate for that.

then you did not read the posts. see 21:53, telling a poster with a school in upper NW that her school "should get on the ball and think about the parents who have to transverse DC" to get to the school, and then going on with the unbearable gridlock and other nonsense. it make sense for some schools in Brookland to close the day the pope will be there, but all other schools will not have most likely any problem whatsoever. if the Feds telework, there will be a lot less people on the streets that usual, so traffic will not be that bad. saying that DCPS should close citywide and that a school super far from any papal activity is not on the ball because is not closing down the day the pope is in DC is nonsense.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS and DCPCS are primarily for low-income families. Low income families tend not to have jobs where you can telecommute. The schools will stay open so the kids have a place to go, and so they can keep learning. If a few charters right nearby want to close those days that's up to them. But most kids go to school fairly close to their homes, even if they don't go to their IB DCPS, and shouldn't have too hard of a time. If you don't want to take your kid, just get an unexcused absence and have fun at home--no big deal.

What in the holy shit are you talking about!

I laughed out loud at that one! I wonder who they employed to write their post?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes complete sense to schools who are in areas where the Pope will be to consider closing. It makes ZERO sense to close schools which are in neighborhoods far from the Pope's tour.

I didn't see anyone advocate for that.

Ditto.