Capitol Hill Public Schools Parent Organization
Capitol Hill Montessori @ Logan
215 G Street, NE
January 17, 2012
6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
This meeting marked the 7th anniversary of CHPSPO!!! Congratulations!
1) Brent’s Middle School Series, Jason Townsend
Discussion:
Jefferson – not all things that the Brent folks thought would be done were done.
– Why was the Brent Middle School group started?
- Recognize success of elementary school is contingent on success of middle school
- Trying to get younger parents involved to revive MS group/discussion
– What does this group do?
- Coordinate Open Houses for middle schools and invites
-
- Principal of Jefferson Academy has attended Brent PTA (1 parent attended)
- KIPP prez (2dozen attended)
- BASIS prez (3 dozen attended)
- Help parents get educated around options in younger grades and bring new parents in
- Will continue to invite DCPS and charters to give presentations
– Issues with the current DCPS middle school approach:
- 2 feeders for Brent a little divisive
- Resources promised (high tech/high touch) not delivered
– Group is excited, but it’s going to take something more radical and group energy/foundation
2) No Child Left Behind Waiver Application Process, Jeralyn Cave, OSSE, + 2 other representatives
Background: DC+40 other states are applying for waivers around requirements
– FAQs are on OSSE’s website
– OSSE Press Release on waivers
– One of Fed Reqs of presenting application for waiver = rigorous public engagement
– NOTE: Charters are very active in this space in making sure their voices are at the table w/ Sec Duncan
– Consensus is the $ that is spent on Title 1 does not actually help kids.
– Principles:
- College- and Career-Ready Expectations for All Students
- State-Developed Differentiated Recognition, Accountability, and Support
- Supporting Effective Instruction and Leadership
- Reduction of administrative burden
– Q: Will this make schools less accountable? A: OSSE’s largest concern is continuing to keep schools accountable.
– Q: What impact will waiver have on IMPACT evaluation? A: Very little.
– Q: What happens after waiver is implemented/applied? A: confident that assessments will stay in place going forward.
– Q: Does state office have ability to track children as they move around DCPS/Charter, etc? To determine that as children move, they are w/in same framework so parents can track? A: Yes, OSSE is able to track students as they move from grade to grade at DCPS and Charter schools.
– Q: Does application address school success criteria beyond testing/AYP ? A: Application proposes to measure: Growth (in school population), Academic growth, Graduation from HS
– Q: What are Charter School advocates trying to put into waiver? A: Focus is not to have themselves subject to same measures and accountabilities that DCPS are subject to. (ex: trying to exclude re-enrollments from application)
Next Steps: OSSE has published a public draft version: http://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/page_content/attachments/OSSE_ESEA%20Flexibility%20Application%20Draft_01-18%2012_0.pdf
– Comment via Osse.comments@dc.gov
– Encourage comments on this. Will submit final application on Feb 21, after feedback has been incorporated.
– Encourage Instructional Superintendent to press DCPS leadership to make sure principals’ voices are heard. Only 25 out of all schools public and charter made AYP.
OSSE offered to come back w/ full presentation of entire waiver, go over section by section at a future date.
Call to action: ANYONE INTERESTED IN SERVING AS POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS?
Follow up: meeting to discuss waiver. Joe W. to send a note to CHPSPO once the waiver is posted
3) DCPS Lottery Information Session, Laura Marks
- Monday, Jan 23, 6-7:30 PM @ Payne Elementary School
- All principals invited, focused on DCPS schools on the Hill. Recommend following up with your principal to ensure your school will have a presence.
4) Brainstorm 2012 CHPSPO Priorities, All
| Idea | Seconds | Comments |
| Middle schools, including reaching more consensus as a community on middle schools | 10 | Vision is fractured, need to come back to a consensus |
| After school | 2 | Sharing resources with Hill Center |
| Sharing lessons learned, e.g., fundraising | 1 | |
| Encouraging more collegiality between schools, positive comments supportive of our schools | 1 | |
| Create “community” schools | 1 | Use schools more as community resources, activities for adults |
| Hill-wide events where schools come together for activities, e.g., art, sports | 1 | Event collaboration around education |
| Expand sport opportunities | 1 | Collaboration around sports; girls on the run |
| Keep tabs on Eastern | 1 | |
| Schoolyard greening | 1 | |
| Safe biking/walking routes | ||
| Number of school choices and resulting fragmentation within our community | ||
| Keep an eye on Hine property development, and advocate for educational benefit | ||
| Explore establishing Montgomery County-like facilitated discussions | Facilitated discussions within schools, e.g., on race | |
| Testify at hearings dealing with education issues | Advocacy to elected leadership | |
| Summer camp opportunities | ||
| Better connect neighborhoods with their schools and get community members involved in the schools | ||
| Encourage more interaction between schools |
Next meeting at JO Wilson
Next CHPSPO Meeting: February 21, 2012
Upcoming Events:
January 19 Stuart Hobson Modernization Community Meeting, Stuart Hobson, 6:30 – 8 pm
January 23 DCPS Lottery Information Session, Payne Elementary, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Check the CHPSPO Calendar for upcoming open houses: http://chpspo.org/calendar/
Visit CHPSPO on the web at http://chpspo.org
Ward 6 Public School Parents Organization 
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it,
you are a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back very soon.
I want to encourage you continue your great writing, have a
nice afternoon!