Anonymous wrote:The city doesn't give a college subsidy; the Feds do. That goes back to certain Congressfolk saying that DC doesn't need representation, because our city belongs to the whole nation and all of Congress represents us. So as a (very nice!) gesture, we get in-state undergraduate tuition at many state schools.

I recall this tied to not wanting to put in the money necessary to UDC to make it a viable state university. This option is the response to all of those complaints.

Also, it is ridiculous to expect of ask for subsidy of preschool. If a family qualifies financially there is (and should be) daycare help available, but this is ridiculous. Preschool is not an entitlement, public school starting at age 5 for kindergarten is. DC provides much more than the vast majority of cities around the country in early childhood education.

For 3rd Grade:
Shepherd 14 (OOB no preference)
Bernard 2 (OOB no preference)
Takoma (got in OOB no preference)
West 1 (OOB no preference)

For PK:
Truesdell (got in, IB with sibling)
Bernard 80 (OOB no preference)
Shepherd 47 (OOB no preference)
Takoma 8 (OOB with sibling accepted)
West 5 (OOB no preference)


These are our numbers. Now what happens if I don't take my spot in Takoma? Cause I'd rather take Shepherd and our best number there is 14, any chance? Or even Bernard which from what I have read here on the board is very likely to get. I am exited about Bernard BUT we'd only get 2 yrs there for our oldest and then it's back to Lottery AGAIN. We're also waiting for Charters, just to make things even more difficult.

The city doesn't give a college subsidy; the Feds do. That goes back to certain Congressfolk saying that DC doesn't need representation, because our city belongs to the whole nation and all of Congress represents us. So as a (very nice!) gesture, we get in-state undergraduate tuition at many state schools.

delphia wrote:Okay, so how do you suppose Mayor Gray and the Council would feel about providing a tax credit to parents of 3yo's that were not accepted into any public and/or charter schools? Makes perfect sense to me. If the city/DCPS cannot facilitate all of the pre-school children in terms of schooling, then the city should help pay for their daycare. I live in a wonderful neighborhood, less than two blocks from my closest school (waitlisted), pay extremely high taxes, and now am told that there is not enough room in the school to accommodate my child. Nothing left to do but wait and continue with daycare, so as I see it, the city should help cover that expense.
What is unreasonable about that request? Seriously? Does anyone out there want to help me gather names and start a petition?

Before you get that credit, your child's name will be put on every waitlist at every DCPS or charter with PS3--in any ward, and no matter the school's focus or recent scores. If you turn down an open slot--any slot, anywhere--you lose all rights to that credit.

I see both sides of the argument. Yes, PS 3 and PS4 is an option and not mandatory. However, we all know people from Maryland and Virginia come and take up spots to take advantage of free daycare also- not paying a dime of DC real estate/personal property taxes. Where I came from, it was a matter of time before someone using Grandma's, Auntie's or Godparent's address got caught. I'm not sure of the enforcement here. So yes, though Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten isn't mandatory, it would be nice to get some type of financial compensation. The city already gives a subsidy for going to a state college or university. I believe asking for money for preschool is pushing the envelope.

delphia - Unfortunately it sounds like your child is so not the target of the original intent of the Universal PreK law in DC. The intent was to narrow the achievement gap by providing PS/PK programs in low performing schools/higher poverty neighborhoods with low income students who were often not getting the enrichment they needed at home or in lower quality day care situations. It was not intended to be an alternative to high quality childcare or private preschools which higher income families were using and which were preparing children to succeed in K and beyond. Welcome to income redistribution programs in the US!

That is unreasonable to me. Preschool is not required by law so really the city doesn't owe you anything. I didnt get anything either and it sounds like you at least have a school once K comes around.

Okay, so how do you suppose Mayor Gray and the Council would feel about providing a tax credit to parents of 3yo's that were not accepted into any public and/or charter schools? Makes perfect sense to me. If the city/DCPS cannot facilitate all of the pre-school children in terms of schooling, then the city should help pay for their daycare. I live in a wonderful neighborhood, less than two blocks from my closest school (waitlisted), pay extremely high taxes, and now am told that there is not enough room in the school to accommodate my child. Nothing left to do but wait and continue with daycare, so as I see it, the city should help cover that expense.
What is unreasonable about that request? Seriously? Does anyone out there want to help me gather names and start a petition?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP that's a great number for West. And you got into Takoma. That's Reggio Emilia-- I know someone there this year and it's been good for them (PS).

We did not get in anywhere for PK. But I know it's early in the process.

Yes, Takoma (and West) is definitely an option for PS and PK--after that I'm not so sure. Really hoping to secure some type of long term solution now and avoid switching schools. Really, really hoping for Capital City, but so much of a longshot....

Can I ask what makes you think West and/or Takoma are not good options past PS/PK? And what, if anything, would convince you that they are good options? Are you looking at test scores on DC CAS? FARMs Rates? Paced Interim Assessments? Aftercare? Sports? Clubs? Music/Art? Other enrichment/elective options? K-8 model and middle school options?

Well, unfortunately there are a lot of things. Test scores for sure but, mostly because I live a few blocks away from this school I have a pretty good idea of the type of child this school serves. They are from lower middle class/poor families and unfortunately that shows in behavior and lack of parental involvement. I'm not saying that these are not good hard working families, but the commitment to education is just not there. A lot of these kids are more than a little tough, the language I hear from 3rd and 4th graders as they walk home past my house leaves a lot to be desired. There is a lot of behavior that I don't want my child to model or think is acceptable. Believe me, I wish more than anything we could just walk right down the street and send my DD to our neighborhood school with all her little friends on our street. Takoma is, in my opinion at least 10 years away from being a truly desirable school. Even the boosters who sent their children there for PS, PK left afterwards. My neighborhood has such a wonderful mix of families, but no one is sending their kids there. On my block alone it is 3 families in charters and 2 in private school.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I'm surprised you'd give up Maury for anything if you got it.

As a PP mentioned, its guaranteed in K so nothing to stress about. DD is also flourishing in her current daycare which goes up to K.

I'm much more interested in a bilingual program and will commute if necessary.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP that's a great number for West. And you got into Takoma. That's Reggio Emilia-- I know someone there this year and it's been good for them (PS).

We did not get in anywhere for PK. But I know it's early in the process.

Yes, Takoma (and West) is definitely an option for PS and PK--after that I'm not so sure. Really hoping to secure some type of long term solution now and avoid switching schools. Really, really hoping for Capital City, but so much of a longshot....

Can I ask what makes you think West and/or Takoma are not good options past PS/PK? And what, if anything, would convince you that they are good options? Are you looking at test scores on DC CAS? FARMs Rates? Paced Interim Assessments? Aftercare? Sports? Clubs? Music/Art? Other enrichment/elective options? K-8 model and middle school options?

I believe Mann moved about 6 places 2 years ago. Not sure about last year.

We drew #5 at Lafayette for K. Any thoughts on chances getting in given historic wait list movement at the school?

We are in the top 5 for Mann and wondering the same thing...

We are in the top 10 for Mann waitlist... any chance? Does that list EVER move?