Actually...being "in the know": a lot (all? I don't know) of this year's money was from the settlement/refund/whatever it was DCPS got from the Chartwells fiasco.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How in the world can they do this and not have a test-in middle school? I can only imagine the demographics of this first group, given the short turn-around and need for a passport.

lots of children of immigrants have passports, too--they need them if they go to their parents' country of birth.

Wasn't thinking about all the children of Columbia Heights -- was thinking more of the third-generation folks of SE in 11th grade at Ballou.

Well, then thank previous PP for expanding your thinking.

I guess the PP thinks that only (certain) poor kids deserve to study abroad for free.

I'm the pp and I was only thinking about how many students at Deal have passports as opposed to Elliot Hine. Not hating on the children of immigrants.

Really? Are there a lot of IB Deal students residing in Columbia Heights? Nice try, but your post clearly indicates that you think that children of immigrants are the less deserving poor for these study abroad trips.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How in the world can they do this and not have a test-in middle school? I can only imagine the demographics of this first group, given the short turn-around and need for a passport.

lots of children of immigrants have passports, too--they need them if they go to their parents' country of birth.

Wasn't thinking about all the children of Columbia Heights -- was thinking more of the third-generation folks of SE in 11th grade at Ballou.

Well, then thank previous PP for expanding your thinking.

I guess the PP thinks that only (certain) poor kids deserve to study abroad for free.

I'm the pp and I was only thinking about how many students at Deal have passports as opposed to Elliot Hine. Not hating on the children of immigrants.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How in the world can they do this and not have a test-in middle school? I can only imagine the demographics of this first group, given the short turn-around and need for a passport.

lots of children of immigrants have passports, too--they need them if they go to their parents' country of birth.

Wasn't thinking about all the children of Columbia Heights -- was thinking more of the third-generation folks of SE in 11th grade at Ballou.

Well, then thank previous PP for expanding your thinking.

I guess the PP thinks that only (certain) poor kids deserve to study abroad for free.

Anonymous wrote:How in the world can they do this and not have a test-in middle school? I can only imagine the demographics of this first group, given the short turn-around and need for a passport.

Have you ever seen some of the perks that come with Fairfax/MoCo type middle and high schools? Have you looked at their sports fields?! About time that we get something like that. I'll take trips abroad over manicured soccer lawns anytime! I'm genuinely excited about this. Well done! I hope my child will get to go but will survive if not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a fantastic opportunity! I hope it's a success and they continue to offer it in years to come.

I paid for a trip to Spain with my Spanish class in 11th grade and it is an experience I look back on fondly to this day particularly since studying abroad in college wasn't in the cards for me for a variety of reasons.

Thanks for the positive response! Some of these posters act as if DCPS is taking food off their table. This is an excellent educational opportunity for DCPS students. Try to be happy for them--jeez!

I'm not sure why anyone is surprised by this. I distinctly recall Mayor Bowser talking about this last spring (maybe March?).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How in the world can they do this and not have a test-in middle school? I can only imagine the demographics of this first group, given the short turn-around and need for a passport.

lots of children of immigrants have passports, too--they need them if they go to their parents' country of birth.

Wasn't thinking about all the children of Columbia Heights -- was thinking more of the third-generation folks of SE in 11th grade at Ballou.

Well, then thank previous PP for expanding your thinking.

Anonymous wrote:What a fantastic opportunity! I hope it's a success and they continue to offer it in years to come.

I paid for a trip to Spain with my Spanish class in 11th grade and it is an experience I look back on fondly to this day particularly since studying abroad in college wasn't in the cards for me for a variety of reasons.

Thanks for the positive response! Some of these posters act as if DCPS is taking food off their table. This is an excellent educational opportunity for DCPS students. Try to be happy for them--jeez!

I don't think it should be free, but have parents pay SOMETHING if they want their student to go. Sounds like a great opportunity. I guess it doesn't really matter what we think though, huh? It's a done deal!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this program free for all? Funding should be based on need. There are plenty of families who can afford to pay the way for their kids.

No, middle class parents are feeling the economic squeeze as well. I am completely against this being a means-tested program.

Why should my tax dollars pay for your kid's trip to Europe if you could afford it but would "feel the economic squeeze"? There is a BIG difference between not being affordable and it may set me back for my monthly manicures.

Not taxpayer funded aside from the people in Central Admin managing the program.

Funded by people like Walton Fdtn, Flamboyan, City Bridge, Arnold Fdtn.

Yes, that's right. Private donors can pay for whomever they choose.

What a fantastic opportunity! I hope it's a success and they continue to offer it in years to come.

I paid for a trip to Spain with my Spanish class in 11th grade and it is an experience I look back on fondly to this day particularly since studying abroad in college wasn't in the cards for me for a variety of reasons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this program free for all? Funding should be based on need. There are plenty of families who can afford to pay the way for their kids.

No, middle class parents are feeling the economic squeeze as well. I am completely against this being a means-tested program.

Why should my tax dollars pay for your kid's trip to Europe if you could afford it but would "feel the economic squeeze"? There is a BIG difference between not being affordable and it may set me back for my monthly manicures.

Our taxes pay for many things we may not like. These educational trips will fall into that category for you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this program free for all? Funding should be based on need. There are plenty of families who can afford to pay the way for their kids.

No, middle class parents are feeling the economic squeeze as well. I am completely against this being a means-tested program.

Why should my tax dollars pay for your kid's trip to Europe if you could afford it but would "feel the economic squeeze"? There is a BIG difference between not being affordable and it may set me back for my monthly manicures.

Not taxpayer funded aside from the people in Central Admin managing the program.

Funded by people like Walton Fdtn, Flamboyan, City Bridge, Arnold Fdtn.

The application says it is ok to apply if you don't have a passport yet.

Those can be expedited if need be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How in the world can they do this and not have a test-in middle school? I can only imagine the demographics of this first group, given the short turn-around and need for a passport.

lots of children of immigrants have passports, too--they need them if they go to their parents' country of birth.

Wasn't thinking about all the children of Columbia Heights -- was thinking more of the third-generation folks of SE in 11th grade at Ballou.