December 13 parent/teacher meeting notes
Howard Partner
of us:
Dec 13 DSA Parent Meeting
Parents met to discuss future parent considerations regarding the DPS
magnet plan.
Parents felt that it was prudent to remain alert since the proposal
for DSA might come back in some shape or form as yet unknown. We can
not assume this is over!!
We will keep using DSA-Talk list serve to keep parents informed.
Possible DSA clone: Use of Chewning for a 6-12 magnet unlikely since
it only holds about 800 students. Also it will be expensive to
transport magnet students to Chewning for the next 20 years. DPS may
look at a different larger facility for a 6-12 school. If a 2nd DSA
is created, it must be done right. It has been tried before and was
not successful.
Things we might think about pushing for:
Community survey to see what parents want -for middle school
especially (any magnet focus?)
Special Survey at DSA to see what parents/students/staff feel make DSA
special.
Work with Dr. A from Duke (school choice researcher) and look at
achievement of kids that come to DSA in 6th and 9th and compare them
to achievement of kids that applied but did not get in. Is there
improvement at DSA that may be fostered elsewhere?
Ideas on what makes DSA special:
People want to be here
There is a focus on learning and creativity-core mission
Leadership and teachers are good
School climate supports learning and teaching--positive environment
What do parents at DSA support?
Need to keep lottery equitable for all families in Durham.
Need to continue dialog with Board members to keep abreast of any
happenings.
Need to keep our community of diverse parents informed and engaged.
Parents can help the community know more about DSA such as: It is a
benefit to the community to have high achieving school (in Newsweek
top 500 schools) including economic benefit,
Currently DSA lottery gives equity to everybody,
Current enrollment is 41% African-American, 34% white, 14% Hispanic,
5% Asian.
There are about 10,000 (?) children in Durham that do not attend
Durham Public Schools.
School board seemed to appreciate comments from DSA parents at input
meetings- they were polite, respectful, passionate and specific.
Parents should continue dialog with school board.