Anonymous
12/11/2019 11:24
Subject: how can I learn about Wilson
I'm the parent of a senior who previously made the point that the principal is acting rationally by not trying to attract parents to an overcrowded school.
While I think she's acting rationally, I agree with PP that this is part of a strategy to minimize the involvement of parents because parental involvement and parents advocating for their kids makes her job harder and interferes with what she perceives as her mission, which is primarily helping at risk kids, including homeless, poor and minority kids, especially those from neighborhoods much more difficult than NW DC.
With that said, Wilson is a public good that's funded with our tax dollars. It's perfectly reasonable for ALL Wilson parents to advocate for their kids and for making the most of their public school, whether or not that's what the principal wants.
I hear a lot of complaints from other Wilson parents about honors for all. Most of them seem to start by questioning principal Martin's reasons for implementing honor for all and complaining that she's trying to drive away white parents. They don't address the rationale that's been very clearly stated for honors for all, nor do they, for the most part argue the research about de-tracking. Lots of white UMC parents argue based on their personal experience that tracking is great without seeming to realize that tracking has in MANY implementations been a system rigged to unfairly benefit white UMC kids, so their arguments that it's been great for them are about as convincing as a white South African arguing that they don't personally see any issues with Apartheid.
There seems to be a lot of recent, high quality research suggesting that tracking can benefit everybody including poor and minority students. It seems to me that going to principal's coffees, attending any DCPS public meetings and or contacting members of council and asking questions specifically based on this research and framed in terms of the best ways to address the achievement gap is probably more useful that scornfully questioning the principal's motives on DCUM. Also, somebody needs to answer the question of what happens with low income, low achieving kids who are in the lowest tracks. What's done to help those kids? The parents on DCUM who talk about "thugs" and "poorly behaved OOB kids" seem pretty quick to dismiss those kids, but they are children, human beings, our neighbors and members of our community. We are all better off when those kids maximize their potential. That needs to be part of any discussion of tracking.
While I think she's acting rationally, I agree with PP that this is part of a strategy to minimize the involvement of parents because parental involvement and parents advocating for their kids makes her job harder and interferes with what she perceives as her mission, which is primarily helping at risk kids, including homeless, poor and minority kids, especially those from neighborhoods much more difficult than NW DC.
With that said, Wilson is a public good that's funded with our tax dollars. It's perfectly reasonable for ALL Wilson parents to advocate for their kids and for making the most of their public school, whether or not that's what the principal wants.
I hear a lot of complaints from other Wilson parents about honors for all. Most of them seem to start by questioning principal Martin's reasons for implementing honor for all and complaining that she's trying to drive away white parents. They don't address the rationale that's been very clearly stated for honors for all, nor do they, for the most part argue the research about de-tracking. Lots of white UMC parents argue based on their personal experience that tracking is great without seeming to realize that tracking has in MANY implementations been a system rigged to unfairly benefit white UMC kids, so their arguments that it's been great for them are about as convincing as a white South African arguing that they don't personally see any issues with Apartheid.
There seems to be a lot of recent, high quality research suggesting that tracking can benefit everybody including poor and minority students. It seems to me that going to principal's coffees, attending any DCPS public meetings and or contacting members of council and asking questions specifically based on this research and framed in terms of the best ways to address the achievement gap is probably more useful that scornfully questioning the principal's motives on DCUM. Also, somebody needs to answer the question of what happens with low income, low achieving kids who are in the lowest tracks. What's done to help those kids? The parents on DCUM who talk about "thugs" and "poorly behaved OOB kids" seem pretty quick to dismiss those kids, but they are children, human beings, our neighbors and members of our community. We are all better off when those kids maximize their potential. That needs to be part of any discussion of tracking.
Anonymous
12/11/2019 07:32
Subject: Re:how can I learn about Wilson
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is this the Wilson’s principal’s way of trying to subtly discourage white families who are on the fence from enrolling?
It’s obvious yes it is. That is why the PTO has to step up. It’s ridiculous it has come to this.
PPs' slimy race baiting aside, it's pretty understandable that the principal of a school that's bursting at the seams doesn't have events to try to recruit even more students. Having more kids decide to attend the school -- particularly kids who might chose instead to attend an application school or private -- doesn't particularly help the school accomplish it's mission as a comprehensive public high school.
On another note, the school pretty routinely fails at fairly basic administrative stuff. Most people know that scheduling classes is an annual disaster, but even easier stuff is hard. The summer before DS was going into freshman year, I had some pretty basic questions about credits from middle school and about athletic forms. I asked 10 different people at various times in the office (DS was doing sports at the school over the summer so I was there daily), and I got 5 "I don't know" answers and 5 totally wrong answers. I left voicemails for the people that I was told could answer my questions and also sent emails, and I never got any response whatsoever.
I'm not sure to what extent this is incompetence and to what extent staff are overwhelmed dealing with much more pressing needs than my wealthy upper NW kid's issues, but I do think that some people at the school see parents like me as a PITA. This is probably partially because so many parents (particularly parents of incoming freshmen) come into the office ready to be angry and they get pretty hostile almost immediately. I understand this to some extent -- it's frustrating to be told "I don't know" by an adult working in the office when asking a basic question, but from experience I can tell new parents that positivity and patience work much better.
On a positive note, many things are getting better. At least I no longer get texts telling me my kid is truant when he's sitting in history class.
I don’t agree with you. Trying to push wealthy white parents into private by refusing to share info about the school is not a smart strategy. DCPS needs all the high income parents it can get. DC families of all kinds should be encouraged to join their public school even if it is overcrowded. Over time, that is the only way positive change will come. DC needs to redraw the Wilson boundaries to limit enrollment. Having a rogue principal refuse to allow open houses or shadow days is an inefficient, ineffective and unfeeling way of reducing the student population
Do you not know anyone with kids at Wilson? My kids attended private for grade school and I know a handful of Wilson kids. I don’t see why you think it is a slight to white families? ....and I’m white and have lived in NW for 15 years. Wilson doesn’t need you.
It’s more like it’s a slight to involved parents who want information to make decisions for high school. A generalization but involved parents are usually the educated parents which in this city tend to be more white.
I’m not white, a minority but educated parent. It’s bad optics when leadership doesn’t care to give perspective parents information about the school. It doesn’t take much effort to host an open house. It conveys the message that leadership doesn’t care and yes, it will drive families away who have other options. No doubt about it.
This. Deal is overcrowded too but the admin there does an excellent job with open houses, allowing parents to tour the school, making staff available to meet with prospective parents, etc. My husband missed the official Deal tour and they let him drop by and look around while school was in session. They even brought over a specific staff member to answer his questions about a particular program even though he didn't request it. It sets the right tone.
Not sure if this is the case with the Wilson principal, but I've seen other principals with this same level of apathy towards parents and it's clear they don't want parental collaboration and have more of a take it or leave it approach. These principals prefer a parent community that doesn't advocate and they get it by driving away those with other options. It's a very bad way to lead.
Anonymous
12/11/2019 06:05
Subject: how can I learn about Wilson
And your children are attending, not investing.
Anonymous
12/11/2019 05:37
Subject: Re:how can I learn about Wilson
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is this the Wilson’s principal’s way of trying to subtly discourage white families who are on the fence from enrolling?
It’s obvious yes it is. That is why the PTO has to step up. It’s ridiculous it has come to this.
PPs' slimy race baiting aside, it's pretty understandable that the principal of a school that's bursting at the seams doesn't have events to try to recruit even more students. Having more kids decide to attend the school -- particularly kids who might chose instead to attend an application school or private -- doesn't particularly help the school accomplish it's mission as a comprehensive public high school.
On another note, the school pretty routinely fails at fairly basic administrative stuff. Most people know that scheduling classes is an annual disaster, but even easier stuff is hard. The summer before DS was going into freshman year, I had some pretty basic questions about credits from middle school and about athletic forms. I asked 10 different people at various times in the office (DS was doing sports at the school over the summer so I was there daily), and I got 5 "I don't know" answers and 5 totally wrong answers. I left voicemails for the people that I was told could answer my questions and also sent emails, and I never got any response whatsoever.
I'm not sure to what extent this is incompetence and to what extent staff are overwhelmed dealing with much more pressing needs than my wealthy upper NW kid's issues, but I do think that some people at the school see parents like me as a PITA. This is probably partially because so many parents (particularly parents of incoming freshmen) come into the office ready to be angry and they get pretty hostile almost immediately. I understand this to some extent -- it's frustrating to be told "I don't know" by an adult working in the office when asking a basic question, but from experience I can tell new parents that positivity and patience work much better.
On a positive note, many things are getting better. At least I no longer get texts telling me my kid is truant when he's sitting in history class.
I don’t agree with you. Trying to push wealthy white parents into private by refusing to share info about the school is not a smart strategy. DCPS needs all the high income parents it can get. DC families of all kinds should be encouraged to join their public school even if it is overcrowded. Over time, that is the only way positive change will come. DC needs to redraw the Wilson boundaries to limit enrollment. Having a rogue principal refuse to allow open houses or shadow days is an inefficient, ineffective and unfeeling way of reducing the student population
Do you not know anyone with kids at Wilson? My kids attended private for grade school and I know a handful of Wilson kids. I don’t see why you think it is a slight to white families? ....and I’m white and have lived in NW for 15 years. Wilson doesn’t need you.
I actually do have a child at Wilson and have first hand experience of the school. I would prefer not to send my younger kids there if possible which is too bad as we live close by and there are some positive things about the school
Your post makes no sense. If you are rejecting why do you need a shadow day? This whole thread makes no sense. Wilson is overcrowded, why would they want more kids? Parents constantly complain about the overcrowding but now also complaining Wilson doesn’t try to attract them. These two complaints are at odds with each other.
I disagree. They are not at odds at all. Yes there is overcrowding. The right thing to do is add more space if possible or 2nd campus, add more teachers. The wrong thing to do is to discourage IB families not to invest in their neighborhood schools.
They don’t need you to invest. They have plenty of investors.