Anonymous wrote:The back and forth about race isn't nearly as relevant in this equation as the back and forth about Principal Cobbs. Active IB PTA parents generally leave before K because they get fed up with her, regardless of how they feel about race and class. Most of those who interact with her regularly lose faith and leave. A few more IB and high SES will stay on for K this year than in the past, but not many compared to Maury and Brent.

As many of you probably know, the main reason Cobbs stays is because, 6 or 7 years ago, an earlier generation of IB parents lobbied hard to get DCPS to change out the previous principal, who makes Cobbs look gentrifier friendly. Thus, in Kaya Henderson's view, DCPS has done its duty to serve IB LT parents on the leadership front and expect them to make the best of Cobbs.

Removing Cobbs is a no brainer, it's also a non-starter for at least another school year or two.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the diversity of LT is one of its strengths. But I also think it (and all DCPS schools) should be citywide schools - why should the in-boundary families get preference at that school at all? The only argument families have against LT is that the principal is at times hostile or suspicious that inboundary families will try to push out those from other parts of the city. And that she and the school do not try to recruit or retain them. Fair enough - but maybe no school should be made up of neighborhood kids. Why do we have that model at all?

We only attended LT for a month, so while yes, I did get more than enough of an impression of the principal through meetings, robo calls, etc, I do not know as much about the school as many of you do. I will say, that I did NOT find the school diverse at all, not by typical standards at least. The PS was close to entirely white, PK seemed to have a nice racial mix and K and up was almost entirely black. That is not really diversity at all in my book (aside from PK).

I find these discussions about diversity very interesting...some people seem to be seeking it, while others make statements about not wanting their child to be the only white kid in the class.
The only way to create diversity is often to commit to being that or those first families to "integrate" a school...my own kids (white) have been among the minority in their majority black school since PreK. (often 6-10 white kids in the entire grade level, 3 or 4 classes). Guess what? they did not get any cooties, they are still great kids, they still score pass-advanced on tests, eldest is doing well at SWW, and they will hopefully never have this many hang-ups about the way their classmates look.

I'm not familiar enough with LT to have an opinion about that particular school. I just don't get why people so quickly assume that OOB or majority black is a deal breaker. Driving by a playground is no way to measure a school. We got to know other families whose kids went to our neighborhood school, people we liked and respected, which really helped us make our decision to stay. There were also plenty of people who told us they would never send their kids there--people who were also our friends, but who had never even set foot in the school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the diversity of LT is one of its strengths. But I also think it (and all DCPS schools) should be citywide schools - why should the in-boundary families get preference at that school at all? The only argument families have against LT is that the principal is at times hostile or suspicious that inboundary families will try to push out those from other parts of the city. And that she and the school do not try to recruit or retain them. Fair enough - but maybe no school should be made up of neighborhood kids. Why do we have that model at all?

We only attended LT for a month, so while yes, I did get more than enough of an impression of the principal through meetings, robo calls, etc, I do not know as much about the school as many of you do. I will say, that I did NOT find the school diverse at all, not by typical standards at least. The PS was close to entirely white, PK seemed to have a nice racial mix and K and up was almost entirely black. That is not really diversity at all in my book (aside from PK).

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why this forum bashed this school. If you do not want to send your children there, then don't. Bottom Line. Offer your opinions yes, but the RACIST overtures are ridiculous.

There are many options in this city. If you like the one in your neighborhood...Rocket Science here...don't go.

If you enroll and something better comes up...change schools. The hatred that is displayed on this site is sickening.

Yes there is not much diversity in the upper grades, however, their scores are high. If you have spent any amount of time at the school(to complete research vs. depending on someone with a hidden agenda and computer) you will find that the teachers are very caring, the students are respectful and SMART!!!

I think the main question to IB parents is why is going to school with children of different races so scary for you? I am from a area where my school was mixed and there a wealth of knowledge and compassion that I learned from being with others that were not like me.

Also, not all Black children are from low SES households. You people need to stop. This forum needs to be ended. Stop spewing your underlying hatred for "black" children and your opposition to be around on this site.

The principal is solid, better than most in this city...like it or not. I would prefer her to make sure her staff is on target, than to cater to a bunch of obnoxious parents who think that there child should be her main priority. She is there for the entire school, I want her to focus on that. Should she be more open , yes. But think of this, the things that are said about her are shameful. She has a job that she is doing...and apparently well. However, she gets slammed for not answering your telephone call, or remembering your name...people please.

I think what most of you need is an apology, for how your feel. If you need one, then here it goes...

I am sorry that you don't like LT. I'm sorry there are a lot of Black scholars there. I'm sorry that you don't like the principal because she is (fill in the blank). I am sorry for whatever experience you have had that would cause you to continue to spew this hatred for a school that clearly wants and move on from rumors and such. I am sorry that you don't want to take advantage of the great program and teachers, small classrooms, personalized attention. I am sorry that you are bitter. I am sorry that we live in a city that allows parents to choose what school they wish to send them to. I am sorry that despite having the choice to send to private, your child clearly lacks the educational ability or you lack the financial means to send them. I am sorry just for everything....

Now that that's over. Please move on. Don't knock until you've tried it. If you don't like it after you tried it then much luck in your continued effort to find a great school for your child.