Friday, 15 March 2013

[WardFive] Re: [ward5] Ward5 discusses proposed middle school at Turkey Thicket in Brookland: Standalone vs. Co-location with Recreation Center

Not doubting all that. Let's not be confused -- I am not taking anything away from those (including Rae - which this was to be a legacy stepping stone / some politics to being a CM) who worked towards getting back what was RIGHTFULLY ours to begin with that some CM's allowed taken in the first place -- maybe including Kwame - especially when the school focus was Ward 3. In addition, had there not been a DCPS need to set forth this segregation movement along with the Charter School push, we would not be geting any schools. Our kids in this side has not historically been a priority and last I checked, no marketing effort has ever been done to keep our DCPS schools "enrolled".

Again my questions of Rae not being surprised or shell shocked and apalled like the rest of us is a valid "wonder" like she already knew - telling statement to me. If that's the case, that's Sad. I also wonder why as a lawyer, she is willing to accept "let's build it as a CO-Share with the rec center and iron out the details of use afterwards.  That usage agreement should be done first (trust me - I have made that stupid mistake many times of trusting folks) so that our seniors, our concerned playgrounders (who mostly could care less about a school if it affects them) don't get clobbered!!

Like I said - we need a state of the art Rec. Center and this location would be best since so much development is coming close to here. There are many other sites for schools but that is my 1 of 75,000 persons opinion.

Rob Ramson

On Mar 15, 2013 4:00 PM, "KPW" <WKPW3@aol.com> wrote:
 

The Ward 5 Council on Education, School Board Rep, and others did a fantastic job against the odds getting commitments for a middle school in Ward 5.  I believe former Council Chair Kwame Brown also helped champion the middle school initiative.  The people should be applauded for all their work.  It seems that most were surprised by the co-location, but I doubt anybody is ready to throw the baby out with the bath water.


Brookland conceptually is an ideal location.  It is in a convenient place in Upper Northeast.  Two other middle schools will serve other areas in the ward.

I would prefer that it be a traditional middle school and perhaps have an arts program within the school--a school within a school.

My kids told me they were going to Jefferson Junior High because their peers were going to Jefferson and Deal after Bunker Hill.  While we kept Backus open, we never got the resources or leadership to turn it into the school it should have become and then it was closed instead of putting the resources into the school and making it work.  My son went to Wilson High.  The Metro is near the school.

KPW


-----Original Message-----
From: Rob <indianrob@gmail.com>
To: ward5 <ward5@yahoogroups.com>; Ward 5 Google Groups <wardfive@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Mar 15, 2013 11:09 am
Subject: Re: [ward5] Ward5 discusses proposed middle school at Turkey Thicket in Brookland: Standalone vs. Co-location with Recreation Center

 
Few more details about last night,
Last night was a second community meeting regarding the Ward 5 Arts Middle School that is being planned with the intent of demolishing the current Brookland Elementary (Michigan/12th) and somehow building a New Middle School to combine that Site and building upon Turkey Thicket's Site.
Let's list some points that were covered,
1. From the attempts being made, the architect and DCPS has basically concluded that the Existing Brookland Elementary site is Way too Small to put a Middle School. So, if we all remember Middle School, that age group demands a lot of outdoor space to recreate.
2. Backing up a bit -- the previous W5COE administration demanded a few Middle Schools in Ward 5. Amazing that a School System had an entire Ward without a Middle School -- the Largest populated Ward. Amazing -- isn't it. Makes you wonder about the angles that were put into place.
3. W5COE of past made the decision with DCPS that this existing Brookland Elementary School site was a "perfect" location for a Middle School because of proximity to Rec. Center, to Metro, and that it is Centrally Located in Ward 5. So far, So good. But at the same time, a STEM Middle School is placed at McKinley -- which has all the academic and recreational bells and Whistles for Science, Technology, Engineering, Math capable students -- and rightfully so because it feeds right into to McKinley Tech -- both of these schools at this location designed for top performing kids.
4. Back to the Proposed Brookland Middle -- An "ARTS" school designed for kids -- Feeder more than likely Bunker Hill. Somehow this school is overwhelmingly attaching itself to Turkey Thicket Rec Center and its grounds.
5. At no point over the 3 years of prior negotiations/discussions did the Previous W5COE or DCPS inform the community that building a Middle School at the current Brookland Elementary Site would incorporate CO - Sharing the Turkey Thicket Facility and Grounds. Not sure if W5COE knew of this possibility or not or they were just grabbing a location because they were happy to get a Stand Alone Middle School for our Kids -- a Basic Right that was taken away by closing Backus and Taft -- the latter which was given away to a Charter Middle School -- What Gives?
6. Now that the concepts/plans are being designed -- Turkey Thicket Rec. Center has now become over taken with facilitating a Middle School on it's site thus reducing its Green Space and causing various scheduling conflicts from multi use of space.
7. A selling point is that this approach would enhance the property, create some extra spacial use after school hours and during summer of parts of the New School. Not a bad perspective if that is the only location that we as a community have to work with for our KIDS Middle School. I believe that there are options but it is not being explored properly or with the intent to make it happen.
8. Seems like some of our Community think that we stand to "lose" if we don't accept this Middle School Turkey Thicket Space. Very Similar to if we don't give into the 901 Monroe development team disregarding the Community/SAP and exceeding agreed upon parameters, we would end up with nothing.
8. The Tactic that has usually worked in the past -- divide and conquer and get enough people saying yes to the "Plan" that they can just say -- well we know that we can't satisfy everyone but enough support was reached, so we went ahead with it. Of course, in this scenario, this is not happening -- whether it is the seniors, the playground enthusiasts, the rec. staff bad experiences with similar situations elsewhere, those interested in the School, our Green Team, etc. --- too many different entities have issues with the Plans to CO-Use the space.
9. Here we are.
a. So, I believe the RFP to identify a developer went out last July -- I wonder who won the "bid" or was this arranged. I believe that they have already everything in place -- looks like a project manager and team is present.
b. A SIT team was chosen to help DCPS identify/create a curriculum to provide as well as have input on "design".
c. Seems like even though they had their input -- two weeks ago, they were blindsided with "let's see if we can show something to the community that we have been told to create" and see if we can override the SIT team's input.
d. Two weeks later (last night) -- at the second presentation, not much changed after the community communicated that CO-USE of the facility was not what was wanted. 3 of the four Concepts were still heavily focused on a CO-USED facility -- with a sales point that the Rec. Center would benefit from extra space when school was not using some of its' building that could be shared with the Rec. Center.
e A lady identified that there are only 3 showers in Womem Locker Room -- can't imagine enough space for Girls to utilize Pool. Sure it would be same for boys.
****** I must share that Rae Zapata felt strongly that swimming is not going to be part of the Middle School Curriculum because the kids will be too busy with other things to include this as part of their activity ******* In my opinion and seemingly from many others -- we strongly disagree with this. Seems to me that when you make statements like this, there are some things left to be questioned ******** From what I understand, if a principal wants swimming to be part of a curriculum, then that pool gets utilized -- that's why the focus on attaching the buildings.
f. 250 Plus Signatures were collected (and more to come) by Brookland Bridge Blog manager (Shani) that identified the 4 issues that the community have -- previously posted on Brookland and Ward 5 Yahoo List Serv.
*****Wish this petition was picked up and circulated by our Council Office to all other List Servs. in the Ward as this Middle School is not just a Brookland Issue ******
**** A Must Know - Ward 5 Council Member Kenyan McDuffie was very passionate as he adamantly demanded that DCPS, DGS, Etc. all listen to the fact that majority of the community is demanding a NON - SHARED site and to create a design that reflected that. Also, he demanded that these offices communicate better with the community -- I must say -- Great JOB. He spoke with adamant concern for the lack of respect that the community is being given and the representing departments continued failure to implement the concerns of the community. Shows Much Growth!!
***** My Passionate Frustration with their lack of respect brought a loud exclamation -- WHY DOES A CM have to tell heads of Depts. to "COMMUNICATE" with the community!! At what point do we stop babysitting GROWN FOLKS in a manner that we have to DEMAND the most BASIC of their JOB DESCRIPTION!! What sucks is that this is a habitual conversation with no repercussions to people who continue to abuse the community **** I will never understand why "communication" is such an issue on every project.
g. Seniors complain that this would inhibit their use of Turkey Thicket
h. Current and Future users of playground concerned about the money being lost that would be used for the playground that is scheduled to be installed and that it wouldn't be accessible.
i. Three of the Concepts added buildings to the current Turkey Thicket Building that would allow for Co-Use of Space. Very few of those who attended are for this and most everyone wants totally separate facilities.
j. There was one "concept" plan that did looked like a "State of the Art" Middle School should look with a Field (Soccer/Football/Track -- which is a plus). Not much was said about it at all but from a sales perspective, it seems like that is what the carrot is meant to do. It places the new Middle School at the Southern End of Turkey Thicket (close to the Exxon) with much of the School along Michigan and Otis and part of 10th (a horseshoe shape) and separated from Turkey Thicket by allowing the now disjointed Quincy to connect from 10th to Michigan to allow for buses, drop-off.
*** doesn't make sense to me as;
1. It looses too much space to a Street that buses will have tough time making turns onto and maneuvering around each other.
2. It creates a Wall as you drive North coming over the Michigan Ave Bridge between the Condo Building on right and that Concept design for a New Middle School
3. *** from a common sense approach -- it would make sense to place a building along the 10th Street side and have a circular drive way coming off of Michigan Ave and running behind parking for the school facing Michigan ave -- with the exit from the school onto Otis adjacent to the Exxon.
Now that is if that was just another identification that even the Architects are not paying attention to utility of space. This site design does swaps/re-allocate land use from Park and Recs to DCPS and allow for a Real Track and Field atmosphere
a. draw back -- the field is artificial surface which looses our green space -- what everyone is fighting for.
b. draw back -- we loose our baseball field.
c. draw back -- we loose event space that is sometimes held on the Baseball field area
I keep suggesting that they utilize Luke C. Moore as it will allow for more attend
*****An option that they haven't spoken about -- buying the three houses on the southern part of 1000 Blk. of Shepherd Street N.E. behind the current Brookland Elementary School and incorporating that into the Design for the school to provide additional space for underground parking, above that -- Track and field (soccer and football) and allowing more space for their gym and an entire street for buses and to drop off****** (I am sure for the right money, they would sell)
 
Complaint from resident that no link to plans/concepts on internet and not getting responses.  DCPS seem to think that placing the various "concept" architectual plans on a website for the community to be able to view is too much to expect in this age of technology
RFP that went out last July for New Brookland Middle -- http://dc.gov/DC/DGS/Opportunities/RFP+for+Design+of+New+Brookland+Middle+School
 
On Fri, Mar 15, 2013 at 9:51 AM, <khenderson029@aol.com> wrote:
 
Thank you KPW for the update. Ward 5 residents continue to be bombarded with a myriad of issues that directly impact our quality of life. We are being challenged to continue to show up, speak out and divert efforts to derail what we want.

The residents of other wards show up, calmly discuss which options they prefer and said options are actualized without rancor or excuses. Ward 5 residents expecting the same process are continually met with resistance, delays and back pedaling. What happened to the "One City" framework?

Commissioner Kathy Henderson, 5D05
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
From: KPW <WKPW3@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2013 08:43:30 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [ward5] Ward5 discusses proposed middle school at Turkey Thicket in Brookland: Standalone vs. Co-location with Recreation Center

 
Ward 5 turned out Thursday, March 14th to discuss the proposed middle school to replace the closed Brookland School that is located next to Turkey Thicket Recreation Center.  Too bad the Mayor's School Budget Hearing was held Tuesday before the this meeting.  There was plenty for the mayor to hear about the concerns with the school.

There is excitement about getting a new middle school in Ward 5.  In the Upper Northeast Ward 5 area, Backus and Taft traditional schools have been closed leaving the area without a traditional middle school.  Many students leave the ward or public schools after elementary to attend a middle school.  When former Chancellor Rhee was in charge in the Fenty administration, she closed Ward 5 schools like there was no tomorrow.  The Brookland Elementary School was closed supposedly for a year to be rebuilt.  The Ward 5 Council on Education and others lobbied to get a middle school in Ward 5 and the decision was made to host it at Brookland. However, now the architects designing the school have proposed connecting the school with the recreation center.  

The community has many concerns with the school connecting with the recreation center.  Councilmember McDuffie attended the meeting as it drew to a close and insisted that plans be discussed about a school that is not connected to the recreation center.  The architects barely mentioned a standalone school even though this was clearly the preferred design for the meeting participants and others that attended the previous meeting.  Councilmember McDuffie called for a Saturday meeting so that people that cannot make an evening meeting can attend and so that there will be more time for the lengthy discussion.  The recreation center closes at 9:00.  McDuffie will make sure that more members of the Ward 5 community are notified and engaged.

Without a middle school in the area, the middle school is expected to serve at least these communities:  
  • Brookland
  • North Michigan Park
  • Michigan Park
  • Riggs Park
  • Ft. Totten
  • Queens Chapel
  • Woodridge
  • and more

Though there may be some schools that are kindergarten to eighth grade, some parents prefer to send their kids to a middle school after elementary.  Former Chancellor Rhee wanted to end the practice of middle/junior high schools.  Former Superintendent Frank Smith had moved D.C. from the junior high school concept to the middle school concept.

The closed Brown Middle School is supposed to reopen at some point.  There will be a middle school at McKinley Science and Technology High School in the fall.  Chancellor Kaya Henderson attended the meeting briefly and informed the group of the status with the McKinley middle school.

Stay tuned for more discussion on the middle school and the issue with connecting to the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center.  There are many new homes/apartments planned for and in progress in the Upper Northeast area.  Surely there will be an increase in the school population as well as people attending the multi-generational recreation center.  Community stakeholders beyond Brookland are encouraged to attend meetings as well to provide their input and support. 

A future meeting is expected to reach out to more of the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, civic associations, Community Development Corporations, business associations, Parent Teacher Associations, and area community stakeholders.

--KPW



--
R. Ramson
3744 12th Street, N.E.,
Washington D.C., 20017
202-438-5988

"We must become the change we want to see" - Mohandas Gandhi-
(Together, for a Brighter Tomorrow)




 

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