Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Brent, Maury and Watkins each lose at least half of their kids in 5th grade, one idea is to move to two middle schools, one for 5th and 6th, the other 7th and 8th and have all Hill schools feed into the two schools (yes, I know, there are more than those three schools), but it strikes me that there is a serious feeder problem with those schools in particular, and also SWS.

But it's an idea with no chance of seeing the light of day ever, mainly due to the political clout Cluster supporters enjoy, and have for decades. That's it, that's all.

This is an idea only bandied about by Hill parents who lack familiarity with the political landscape on the subject.

This is the weirdest myth, or maybe just out of date since SWS spun off. Watkins loses all of its inbound kids by 5th just like the rest of the Hill schools. Not sure why you think we’re running the table.

Come on, it's no secret that the politically connected Cluster leadership has fought every middle school solution that would have worked for the entire Hill community tooth and nail for decades. Individual UMC, IB parents like yourselves may not have done this, but Cluster admins, parent leaders and the Cluster dominated CHPSO as an organization certainly have.

Watkins' student body remains mostly OOB, as does its parent leadership. During the 2013-2014 DCPS boundary and feeder review, the well-organized and resourced Cluster PTA and CHPSO pulled strings on the city council and with Rhee and Henderson to keep Brent, Maury and SWS (in the early stages of the process of breaking off from the Cluster) from gaining by-right access to SH or a new pan Ward 6 middle school entity from being created. They also ensured that Tommy Wells was onboard with a 45 million dollar SH renovation, while Eliot-Hine and Jefferson got zip.

The Cluster's small-minded and selfish advocacy worked like a charm. Weirdest myth, hardly. Huge problem for Hill parents of elementary school age children, absolutely.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a year away from the possible 5th grade move to middle, but I at this point I can't imagine putting my kid on a city bus every day to get to/from school. I would personally be able to swing the drive, but is it out of the question for DC to provide school busses? I think our kids deserve that. They are exposed to A LOT on mass transit, not to mention the safety issues of not being guaranteed a seat, etc. Especially in situations like Brent where the IB elementary and IB middle schools are so far apart. Not to offer school busses for the DCPS kids is really unacceptable.

Oh my. I am telling you now that your concerns about your child getting to school
Indicate that you are not a good fit for any DCPS or DC Charter School. Public Service Announcement.

Anonymous wrote:Can't believe you choose to live in the city and will not entrust your kids to a city bus. This is one of the benefits of living in the city. An 11-12 year old is old enough to use the bus. I see plenty of middle schoolers/high schoolers on bus and Metro in the mornings. You are doing your kids a disservice by driving them everywhere. Kids need to learn to navigate the world themselves, whether they live in the suburbs or the city. This is one of the reasons so many kids arrive in colleges today unable to do things for themselves - because their parents did too much for them. They never had jobs in high school, etc. We have to give them a bit of independence and enable them to grow and learn valuable life skills. City busses are a safe and reliable (and FREE) way to get to school, especially if your kid has a phone with the WMATA Next Bus APP, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Brent, Maury and Watkins each lose at least half of their kids in 5th grade, one idea is to move to two middle schools, one for 5th and 6th, the other 7th and 8th and have all Hill schools feed into the two schools (yes, I know, there are more than those three schools), but it strikes me that there is a serious feeder problem with those schools in particular, and also SWS.

But it's an idea with no chance of seeing the light of day ever, mainly due to the political clout Cluster supporters enjoy, and have for decades. That's it, that's all.

This is an idea only bandied about by Hill parents who lack familiarity with the political landscape on the subject.

This is the weirdest myth, or maybe just out of date since SWS spun off. Watkins loses all of its inbound kids by 5th just like the rest of the Hill schools. Not sure why you think we’re running the table.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a year away from the possible 5th grade move to middle, but I at this point I can't imagine putting my kid on a city bus every day to get to/from school. I would personally be able to swing the drive, but is it out of the question for DC to provide school busses? I think our kids deserve that. They are exposed to A LOT on mass transit, not to mention the safety issues of not being guaranteed a seat, etc. Especially in situations like Brent where the IB elementary and IB middle schools are so far apart. Not to offer school busses for the DCPS kids is really unacceptable.

How do you think kids got to school EVERY day across DC? When Rhee closed all of the schools were you banging on the table wondering how these kids will get to school each day? But your precious child who lives on Cap Hill deserves a school bus? Look around and see how the rest of DC lives.

Is there a reason to be so nasty? I think EVERYONES precious child should have a school bus if they are not in walking distance from school. I walk my kids to my neighborhood school and have been doing that since my rising 4th grader was 3. When we need to go to a school further away, they will not be on a city bus. I have the flexibility to make this happen since it bothers me (fine if it does not bother you). Not everyone has a choice, which is my point. Everyone should be able to choose not to send their 9 year old to school on dc public transit. No clue why you would think I thought this should be for my child only. Good lord.

Brent and Jefferson are 1.4 miles apart. Honestly, for healthy middle schoolers that IS walking distance. Kids with disabilities, of course, should have transportation built into their IEPs as needed. The other kids can walk, take the circulator directly between the schools, or use the metro for free.

1.4 miles equals a 30 minute walk (for an adult) you think it's cool for a 10 year old to walk 30 minutes to school twice a a day in the middle of a not so safe city? Get a grip.

a) middle school starts at 6th grade. Most kids are 11 or 12 when they start
b) they're free to walk with their parents or friends if they can't do it alone
c) with childhood obesity the way it is, the high number of car accidents, and daytime violent crime rates in the area between Brent and Jefferson vanishingly low, it is probably way safer and healthier for kids to get an hour of exercise each day than to be driven to and from school
d) there's also a metro and kids can ride it for free if they don't want to walk
e) starting in the fall there will also be a bus
f) I would rather send my kid on a public bus or metro with a mix of adults and kids than a bus solely full of middle schoolers. I rode a school bus K-12 in a fairly wealthy suburb. The kids were jerks and there was a lot of acting up. I don't think a school bus would be a more pleasant experience than public transit.

This is ridiculous. 11 year olds should not have to walk up to 2 miles, under a highway overpass, through a somewhat tricky area or a not very populated/non-residential area just to get to school. No one thinks that commute is doable year round by middle schoolers on foot. That’s absurd.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a year away from the possible 5th grade move to middle, but I at this point I can't imagine putting my kid on a city bus every day to get to/from school. I would personally be able to swing the drive, but is it out of the question for DC to provide school busses? I think our kids deserve that. They are exposed to A LOT on mass transit, not to mention the safety issues of not being guaranteed a seat, etc. Especially in situations like Brent where the IB elementary and IB middle schools are so far apart. Not to offer school busses for the DCPS kids is really unacceptable.

How do you think kids got to school EVERY day across DC? When Rhee closed all of the schools were you banging on the table wondering how these kids will get to school each day? But your precious child who lives on Cap Hill deserves a school bus? Look around and see how the rest of DC lives.

Is there a reason to be so nasty? I think EVERYONES precious child should have a school bus if they are not in walking distance from school. I walk my kids to my neighborhood school and have been doing that since my rising 4th grader was 3. When we need to go to a school further away, they will not be on a city bus. I have the flexibility to make this happen since it bothers me (fine if it does not bother you). Not everyone has a choice, which is my point. Everyone should be able to choose not to send their 9 year old to school on dc public transit. No clue why you would think I thought this should be for my child only. Good lord.

Brent and Jefferson are 1.4 miles apart. Honestly, for healthy middle schoolers that IS walking distance. Kids with disabilities, of course, should have transportation built into their IEPs as needed. The other kids can walk, take the circulator directly between the schools, or use the metro for free.

1.4 miles equals a 30 minute walk (for an adult) you think it's cool for a 10 year old to walk 30 minutes to school twice a a day in the middle of a not so safe city? Get a grip.

a) middle school starts at 6th grade. Most kids are 11 or 12 when they start
b) they're free to walk with their parents or friends if they can't do it alone
c) with childhood obesity the way it is, the high number of car accidents, and daytime violent crime rates in the area between Brent and Jefferson vanishingly low, it is probably way safer and healthier for kids to get an hour of exercise each day than to be driven to and from school
d) there's also a metro and kids can ride it for free if they don't want to walk
e) starting in the fall there will also be a bus
f) I would rather send my kid on a public bus or metro with a mix of adults and kids than a bus solely full of middle schoolers. I rode a school bus K-12 in a fairly wealthy suburb. The kids were jerks and there was a lot of acting up. I don't think a school bus would be a more pleasant experience than public transit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a year away from the possible 5th grade move to middle, but I at this point I can't imagine putting my kid on a city bus every day to get to/from school. I would personally be able to swing the drive, but is it out of the question for DC to provide school busses? I think our kids deserve that. They are exposed to A LOT on mass transit, not to mention the safety issues of not being guaranteed a seat, etc. Especially in situations like Brent where the IB elementary and IB middle schools are so far apart. Not to offer school busses for the DCPS kids is really unacceptable.

How do you think kids got to school EVERY day across DC? When Rhee closed all of the schools were you banging on the table wondering how these kids will get to school each day? But your precious child who lives on Cap Hill deserves a school bus? Look around and see how the rest of DC lives.

Is there a reason to be so nasty? I think EVERYONES precious child should have a school bus if they are not in walking distance from school. I walk my kids to my neighborhood school and have been doing that since my rising 4th grader was 3. When we need to go to a school further away, they will not be on a city bus. I have the flexibility to make this happen since it bothers me (fine if it does not bother you). Not everyone has a choice, which is my point. Everyone should be able to choose not to send their 9 year old to school on dc public transit. No clue why you would think I thought this should be for my child only. Good lord.

Brent and Jefferson are 1.4 miles apart. Honestly, for healthy middle schoolers that IS walking distance. Kids with disabilities, of course, should have transportation built into their IEPs as needed. The other kids can walk, take the circulator directly between the schools, or use the metro for free.

1.4 miles equals a 30 minute walk (for an adult) you think it's cool for a 10 year old to walk 30 minutes to school twice a a day in the middle of a not so safe city? Get a grip.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a year away from the possible 5th grade move to middle, but I at this point I can't imagine putting my kid on a city bus every day to get to/from school. I would personally be able to swing the drive, but is it out of the question for DC to provide school busses? I think our kids deserve that. They are exposed to A LOT on mass transit, not to mention the safety issues of not being guaranteed a seat, etc. Especially in situations like Brent where the IB elementary and IB middle schools are so far apart. Not to offer school busses for the DCPS kids is really unacceptable.

How do you think kids got to school EVERY day across DC? When Rhee closed all of the schools were you banging on the table wondering how these kids will get to school each day? But your precious child who lives on Cap Hill deserves a school bus? Look around and see how the rest of DC lives.

Is there a reason to be so nasty? I think EVERYONES precious child should have a school bus if they are not in walking distance from school. I walk my kids to my neighborhood school and have been doing that since my rising 4th grader was 3. When we need to go to a school further away, they will not be on a city bus. I have the flexibility to make this happen since it bothers me (fine if it does not bother you). Not everyone has a choice, which is my point. Everyone should be able to choose not to send their 9 year old to school on dc public transit. No clue why you would think I thought this should be for my child only. Good lord.

Brent and Jefferson are 1.4 miles apart. Honestly, for healthy middle schoolers that IS walking distance. Kids with disabilities, of course, should have transportation built into their IEPs as needed. The other kids can walk, take the circulator directly between the schools, or use the metro for free.

1.4 miles equals a 30 minute walk (for an adult) you think it's cool for a 10 year old to walk 30 minutes to school twice a a day in the middle of a not so safe city? Get a grip.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a year away from the possible 5th grade move to middle, but I at this point I can't imagine putting my kid on a city bus every day to get to/from school. I would personally be able to swing the drive, but is it out of the question for DC to provide school busses? I think our kids deserve that. They are exposed to A LOT on mass transit, not to mention the safety issues of not being guaranteed a seat, etc. Especially in situations like Brent where the IB elementary and IB middle schools are so far apart. Not to offer school busses for the DCPS kids is really unacceptable.

How do you think kids got to school EVERY day across DC? When Rhee closed all of the schools were you banging on the table wondering how these kids will get to school each day? But your precious child who lives on Cap Hill deserves a school bus? Look around and see how the rest of DC lives.

Is there a reason to be so nasty? I think EVERYONES precious child should have a school bus if they are not in walking distance from school. I walk my kids to my neighborhood school and have been doing that since my rising 4th grader was 3. When we need to go to a school further away, they will not be on a city bus. I have the flexibility to make this happen since it bothers me (fine if it does not bother you). Not everyone has a choice, which is my point. Everyone should be able to choose not to send their 9 year old to school on dc public transit. No clue why you would think I thought this should be for my child only. Good lord.

Brent and Jefferson are 1.4 miles apart. Honestly, for healthy middle schoolers that IS walking distance. Kids with disabilities, of course, should have transportation built into their IEPs as needed. The other kids can walk, take the circulator directly between the schools, or use the metro for free.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Brent, Maury and Watkins each lose at least half of their kids in 5th grade, one idea is to move to two middle schools, one for 5th and 6th, the other 7th and 8th and have all Hill schools feed into the two schools (yes, I know, there are more than those three schools), but it strikes me that there is a serious feeder problem with those schools in particular, and also SWS.

But it's an idea with no chance of seeing the light of day ever, mainly due to the political clout Cluster supporters enjoy, and have for decades. That's it, that's all.

This is an idea only bandied about by Hill parents who lack familiarity with the political landscape on the subject.

Anonymous wrote:Why isn’t SWS zoned for Stuart Hobson when they are in short walking distance? They are done the street from each other. Nothing against the other middle schools, but Stuart Hobson seems most logical. All the middle schools might be on the same level.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Right, and the Capitol Hill Cluster School also has-has?—a special Metrobus transporting students among the Peabody—Watkins —Stuart Hobson campuses. See a trend?

yes, Rich people get more than poor people. Please file that under the no shit category. That is why the ghetto kids are supposed to work hard and get rich so their kids do not have to put up with the BS they did. That is what people did for thousands of years until the entitlement class that has foolishly come to expect parity from a system that actually exacerbates and needs inequity.

Capitalism is a meritocracy, the part people forget is merit is multi-generational and accumulative and disproportionately based on positioning and only factoring facilities from those in the proper position. The race doesn't start even every generation and nobody would accept a system that doesn't the privileged to pass along that to their children.

Cap Hill is surrounded by poor people, this whole conversation is about the parents being uncomfortable with the reality that at some point they are going to have to send their kids to schools with more kids not like them than like them. They don't quite (or don't want to) realize that middle schools pull from multiple neighborhoods and can't be flipped by one group like they did with a few elementary schools. Those parents are getting to the point where the reality of the geographic locality that they love is slandered by the reality of SES isolation. They can no more build a wall from shifting demographics than the center of the country can. Even if the intent of the migration are polar opposites

News flash, the only middle school that will work for Cap Hill would consist of a mix of students that isn't really supported by the regions demographics. OOB applications, privates and moving will remain the majority of paths taken until the city gentrifies to a point when they can gerrymander a middle that looks more Ward 3 like than they would admit is their intent.