schools

Dear PoPville – “What would you have done? Verbally Harassed by an Elementary School Aged Child!”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Vileinist

“Dear PoP,

I live in East Capitol Hill, by the Potomac Ave Metro. Twice daily for almost 2 years, I pass in front of the Friendship Public Charter School across from the Harris Teeter on my way to and from the metro. I actually have always enjoyed having the school there because let’s face it – kids are cute, and I it was always nostalgic to see these high-energy kids heading to school or hanging out front waiting for their parents to pick them up. It was a nice reminder that we all used to be that age, and had that level of boundless energy.

Well I had quite a different experience yesterday. As I was passing by the front of the school, there was a group of 5-6 African American kids, roughly around 10-12 years old, in the middle of the sidewalk. I had my headphones on, with the volume relatively low so that I was not oblivious to my surrounding and traffic, etc. As I approached this group of kids and was just at them, I said “excuse me”, so that they would move out of my way as they were taking up the whole sidewalk. A young girl was staring at me as I was passing, said “hi”, I said “hi” and smiled in return, and she sort of attempted to put her arm on my shoulder. I t was then that the kids burst out laughing, all of them speaking at once so I couldn’t really understand what each were saying, but it was clearly at my expense. I was puzzled and a few feet away already when one of the male kids shouted out “ha, you stupid white cracker!” (FWIW, I am a 30 something white female).

I was really jarred, and being a completely non-confrontational person, pretended I did not hear due to the earphones, and kept going. I was really disturbed by this though, and wondered as I walked home if I should have said something to the kid? Gone inside to get a teacher to reprimand them? Anything else? After I calmed down and stopped going through the what-ifs, all I ended up feeling was sad. How on earth could this child say something like that to another person? What made them think that was OK? I know kids say and do awful, hurtful things (didn’t we all?) that they regret when older, but this was just – ugly. The racial component is obviously what disturbs me the most, and I ask in advance that the commentariat not be d-bags in your responses to this. I want honest suggestions.

So I still wonder – Should I have told someone or confronted them? What would you have done?”

For me and I think many others there are probably three answers – what you would like to have done, what emotionally you wanted to do, and finally what you would do. And as some will surely note this is also a situation where you won’t necessarily know how you’ll react unless you experience it for real. So it’d be very interesting to hear if others have experienced this or a very similar situation – what did you do/how did you react?

Personally, I’d like to think I would have spoken to/found a teacher and explained the situation in hopes the teacher would not only reprimand the student but explain why it was wrong. Unfortunately when kids are in groups they behave differently (as do adults). If the child was not in a group I’d like to thing I would have spoken to him/her and explained directly that it hurt my feelings and explained why.

Emotionally, I would like to approach the kids and strongly/loudly say, “do we have a problem? You think it’s ok to insult people? You realize cracker is a very insulting word don’t you? Don’t you!”. I’m certainly not saying that is the smartest/most effective reaction but, to be honest, emotionally I think initially I would have felt that way.

In reality, I’m sad to say I think I would probably just shake my head and walk away without saying a word.

Anyone ever been in this situation for real? If not how do you think you would react? What do you think is the most appropriate/beneficial (to the kids) way to react? For those that have children – how would you explain to your kids that this is wrong? Do you think there is any hope in correcting this behavior in 10-12 year olds?

Friday Question of the Day – What’s the best Advice You’ve Ever Received?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user christopher.poole

At the end of the day on Thurs. commenter bloom wrote a very thoughtful note in response to the post by Danny Harris titled, ‘Erica on How School Really Is’. The post seemed to hit a nerve with some commenters and after 120 comments bloom wrote:

Dear Erica,

You are an open and honest young woman, very sweet and interesting too. I’m glad your family is so strong.

My one wish for you is to stay with school/classes even when its boring. It is true school feels boring sometimes. Really you have no choice about attending school when you’re a kid/young person so at times, it feels not only boring but like prison. Yes, I remember that too, and I am very different from you, but in that regard, we’re the same… and I was normally the type of student who loved school.

Sometimes when you have a job, there are moments like that too. The trick is to try to find a job where you experience that “boring/prison” feeling as little as possible!

Nowadays, things even more boring, more often sometimes because we want to be online, on phones, etc.

Here are some ideas for being less bored.
#1, Know it’s the middle of the year — this is a hard time for everyone. Just keep going to class and stay with it. The end will come very soon. Keep focused on the conversation.

#2, There is nothing more boring than a class where the teacher does all the talking. Contribute to your classes. If you have opinions and you share them, you will model for others to do this. Classes where students share opinions (thoughtful ones on the subject) are great. I have a hard time believing your history or government classes are that boring, truly? In this city?

Keep reading and studying so you can speak up (as you did so nicely here) and continue to share.

#3, Know it’s okay to be bored from time to time.

If it’s extremely boring try reading a book in class. The teacher will get the picture, and you can’t be accused of anything!

#4, Find one friend, even if just for one class who you can rely on. Be helpful to each other with the class. A friend can make a class much less boring too. Study together.

#5, Know some teachers really do care about you, even though it isn’t always obvious. Notice how many students they work with and the jobs that they have. When you see a crappy teacher, see what you can learn on your own anyway. Those teachers exist. They don’t have the right to take away a subject from you.

#6, Try to find one class or just one subject that interests you especially, and enjoy pursuing it a little more. It will help you take your mind off of other things when you’re upset.

#7 H.S. is extremely social. All your social relationships will come and go. They are fun. If you learn anything, it will stay with you and be useful. Don’t sell yourself short and let your days be ruined by social crap.

#8, Work. (job) Start to go after what you want right away. You will see how the school stuff will apply and some of it will become more meaningful. You will see what you can and can’t get without education.

#9 It’s going to be over really soon. All of it.

But still you’ve got time.

You’ve got a lot of friends who care on here. They want the best for you too. Don’t worry too much about the grammar right now. You will probably have to work on that, and it doesn’t have to be too hard. Right now, just focus on making it through school, each day, finding some days to enjoy.

I thought this was very good advice – and it made me think it could be a fun FQotD: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received in general?

Some of the best advice I’ve ever received is very simple – read at least a book a month. Doesn’t have to be literature, can be any book at all, fiction or nonfiction.

Dear PoP – Schools in PoPville?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo of ‘Gage-Eckington Elementary School (1976), 2025 Third Street, NW. Demolished September 2009’ by PoPville flickr user rockcreek

“Dear PoP,

PoP, being childless (that we know of), you might not be aware that school application deadlines are approaching. The out-of-boundary applications are due in just a few weeks.

Can we have a conversation about where the little PoPers go? Who’s happy with their in-boundary school? How about the charters in the area?

The DCPS OOB lottery application is here: https://lottery.dcps.dc.gov/

This is a terrific resource to read about all the options– public, charter and private: http://www.focusdc.org/images/schdir2.pdf”

For those who have kids – where do you send them? How hard was it to get them into your chosen school?

Dear PoP – What Type of Education Reform Would People Like to See?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user BrennaLM

“Dear PoP,

I’m wondering if you could throw up a question some time this week asking residents for their thoughts on substantive education reform. I’m not looking for people’s responses to Michelle Rhee or Kaya Henderson, I’m wondering exactly what sorts of changes they’re looking for in District schools. I’m out and talking with people, but your site offers the unique opportunity to observe people talking openly and honestly with one another.”

The following question was sent by a candidate for Ward 4 Member of the DC State Board of Education. It’s been a while since we’ve spoken about education reform. It’s an interesting question for me, because I’m far from an expert on education reform (or anything really except tropical fish and the Drive by Truckers) and all I hear is that many of the public schools leave a lot to be desired, to put it nicely. Obviously Michelle Rhee was a controversial figure but I understand she took some difficult (if not politically sensitive) moves. I don’t think it’s possible to answer this question without weighing in on Michelle Rhee’s decisions but power to you if you can.

So what type of education reform would you like to see in the coming years?

The 5pm Post – Terrible Fire at the Takoma Education Campus

By Prince Of Petworth


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From CM Bowser:

“There was a major fire this morning at the Takoma Education Campus in Ward 4. School was out of session due to winter break, so no children were present and thankfully all staff that were in the building were evacuated safely. I do understand from Chief Rubin, however, that some Fire/EMS workers may have received minor injuries. I am on the scene at the school with Principal Rikki Taylor, other school staff and neighbors.

Having spoken with Mayor Fenty, Mayor-Elect Gray’s office, Allen Lew and Interim Chancellor Kaya Henderson, our top priority is ensuring that the children have a place to return to after winter break. I am grateful for the quick response of our Fire/EMS and MPD personnel.”

President Obama in Columbia Heights This Morning!

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo of ‘Tubman Elementary School field’ by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up about the President’s visit this morning to Harriet Tubman School at 3101 13th Street NW in Columbia Heights:

On Monday, December 13, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver remarks and the President will sign into law the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 at Harriet Tubman Elementary School located in Washington, D.C. The President and the First Lady will be joined by Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Congress, and advocacy group leaders who worked diligently to promote and ultimately pass the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Teachers, students, and parents from Harriet Tubman Elementary School and from local schools will also participate in the event.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 will improve the quality of school breakfasts, lunches and other foods sold in schools while also strengthening nutrition programs that serve young children, including WIC and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The bill is an important advancement of the Obama Administration’s goal of solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation, which First Lady Michelle Obama has championed through the Let’s Move! Initiative.

You can watch the event live here. It should start around 10:30am.

826DC Open House to the Community This Saturday

By Prince Of Petworth


The Museum of Unnatural History

When we first heard the scuttlebutt that an an organization called 826DC would be opening up in the old Score space in the Columbia Heights Plaza, I thought it sounded cool but after visiting them yesterday afternoon – I am blown away.

I chatted briefly with Joe Callahan, Deputy Director 826 DC, Mike Scalke, Program Manager and Erin Archuleta Development and Site Director from 826 National. The DC open house is this Saturday:

“On Saturday, October 23 from 12 to 4 PM, 826DC will be throwing open our doors for our community open house. We’re located at 3233 14th St. NW.

Come explore our fantastic storefront, The Museum of Unnatural History, and hear about our workshops, field trips, in-school, and after-school tutoring programs for kids. The event is open to the public, so please: stop by. Say hi.”

Their Mission Statement explains what they do:

“826DC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. Our services are structured around our understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

With this in mind we provide drop-in tutoring, field trips, after-school workshops, in-schools tutoring, help for English language learners, and assistance with student publications. All of our programs are challenging and enjoyable, and ultimately strengthen each student’s power to express ideas effectively, creatively, confidently, and in his or her individual voice.”

If you are interested in volunteering you can sign up at the open house or on their Web site (you can also donate here.)

All I’ll say is that the space is amazing (see tons of photos after the jump) and the people I met are filled with a contagious enthusiasm. And at the very least the store itself is worth checking out (from a press release):

“The newest chapter of the nationally renowned 826 writing centers – founded in San Francisco by bestselling author Dave Eggers and award-winning educator Nínive Calegari, and with eight centers across the country – officially opens its doors in Columbia Heights on Saturday. 826DC has operated workshops and provided assistance to teachers in DC Public Schools since fall 2008, reaching more than 1,000 students and publishing two books compiled from students’ writing. The opening of its own dedicated space will expand the nonprofit’s reach to thousands more District students.

To raise funds, inspire creativity, and advertise their programs to the local community, 826 centers also include a street-front retail store filled with unusual products, entertaining signage, and, of course, their books for sale. San Francisco’s Pirate Supply Store sells glass eyes and one-of-a-kind peg legs, 826NYC’s Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company offers custom-fit capes. Located on the heavily trafficked 14th Street in the hub of this vibrant neighborhood, 826DC will also house its own storefront, The Museum of Unnatural History, an homage to fictional scientists that will spark creativity and create a fun and safe atmosphere for field trips, after-school tutoring, and weekend workshops.”

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

Topics We Gotta Talk About This Morning

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Flickr user angela n.

Last night word finally came that Michelle Rhee had announced her resignation:

“D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee will announce Wednesday that she is resigning at the end of this month, bringing an abrupt end to a tenure that drew national acclaim but that also became a central issue in an election that sent her patron, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, to defeat.”


Photo by PoPville flickr user BrennaLM

And this is a disturbing story from the Washington Post:

“In a section that suggests ideas for attacks inside the United States, the publication says that using firearms to carry out “a random hit at a crowded restaurant in Washington D.C. at lunch hour for example might end up knocking out a few government employees” and attracting widespread news media attention.”

Dear PoP – Bed Bugs in Day Care

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

“Dear PoP,

My nephews were sent home from Day Care Monday because they may or may not have seen a bite on one of them last week. They will not be allowed back to day care until we get an exterminator out to check our home for bed bugs. The kids have no strange bites and we have not seen any bed bugs in the house. They also didn’t mention this last week when they may have seen the bite.

The exterminators we have called will not come out to the house until we can verify that we have bed bugs so that they can treat the problem. One of the companies mentioned that if the Day Care had no proof that one of the kids had a bite, they can not legally send them home or bar them from going back. They also said that the day care can’t request documentation that exterminators can not legally provide (letter of proof of no bed bugs).

Should I spend $500 for an exterminator to come and treat 1 room in order to have documentation that we have been treated?”

Wow, this sounds like hysteria. Not that I would minimize the fear of bed bugs [we spoke about their stigma and difficulty in exterminating here] but how could the Day Care even tell that the bite was a bed bug bite rather than say a mosquito? What do you guys think – is this absurd or is the day care just being cautious? What should the writer of this letter do?

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