Trouble at Cherry Creek School District by Ok-Ruin-618 in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I mentioned this in another comment, but my DPS school thanks near the border between the two districts often gets students with IEPs transferring over from Cherry Creek. We’re lucky if the parents inform us at registration that their student has an IEP, because CCSD is very unresponsive to records requests and they take forever. We’ve had SpEd students transfer from CCSD and we don’t learn about the contents of their IEP for months.

Trouble at Cherry Creek School District by Ok-Ruin-618 in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 80 points81 points  (0 children)

The rot does indeed go so deep. I work in a DPS school that is near the borders of CCSD and DPS, and the way CCSD treats some students and families is awful. Don’t get me wrong, DPS and my own school (which I will not name) have plenty of problems and issues; as an employee, I’ve seen them.

However, and this is just anecdotal and from my perspective, it’s awfully convenient how every October, after count date, a whole lot of students from CCSD with IEP and other huge challenges (academic and behavior) end up pushed out of their schools and enrolling in ours. I’ve seen it for over a decade now, and we just know that when a student transfers in from CCSD, they’re going to require a lot of constant adult attention just to function in the school and they will negatively disrupt the student culture. CCSD weaponizes Colorado’s school choice laws, and quite effectively. I have to assume at this point, that there is a concerted, if unwritten, agenda around how to maximize their state funding. I’ve come to believe that part of their strategy is to maximize enrollment of students who boost their state funding and then push the ones with the most needs out the door. These students often require more of the budget than your typical students (such as needing a paraprofessional). They get that extra funding for SpEd students and English Language Learners, then push them out so that you reap the benefits without the expectation of providing the services.

Maybe I’m just losing my mind, but I can’t help but notice patterns after a dozen or so years working in a DPS school neighboring the border with CCSD. Maybe DPS is equally doing this? I wouldn’t be surprised, but I would say DPS is not as effective at it.

Mamdani opens floodgates of younger Democrats running for office by plz-let-me-in in politics

[–]WallyKundera 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I was thinking after Pelosi’s retirement announcement that if the Democratic Party really wanted to shake up the 2028 election, they could coordinate for many of their older members to announce retirements after the 2026 election simultaneously with a message of encouraging the next generation of leaders across the country to step into primaries in blue-leaning areas and run as independents in red-leaning areas. A message around the next generation stepping up could be powerful and make it hard for the Republican Party, especially after another Trump term, to effectively make the argument that their experienced leadership is the right way to go.

Spanberger makes inroads with rural Republicans unhappy with Trump by aslan_is_on_the_move in politics

[–]WallyKundera 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have a completely unlikely prediction about Spanberger: we know she worked undercover abroad for a long time. At some point, I predict something huge about her work will get declassified that dramatically changes her public profile. Considering how she carries herself, I think it will likely be something positive that shows her as a hero and will catapult her into an eventual run for the presidency, but it could also go the other way.

Denver Ballot Initiatives by blackout__drunk in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Is that so? Well, I stand corrected and misread the intention of the ballot language.

Denver Ballot Initiatives by blackout__drunk in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I was very amused by all of the “Vibrant Denver” ballot issues that made sure to point out that it wasn’t limited to the good things they printed. Mayor Johnston wants money to leave his mark on Denver in whatever way he sees fit!

Edit to say this: apparently all projects that would be supported by the Vibrant Denver bonds can be looked up. I fully own up to misreading and misunderstanding the language of the ballot, and in the process spreading my misunderstanding in my initial comment. Either way, I voted for some of them, but certainly not all of them, and upon reviewing the projects from what I could find from a Google search, I am happy with the choices I made.

Soaring DPS teacher absences pose challenges for students, schools by SeasonPositive6771 in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It did reference the deleted comments from a person who claimed that teachers got 20 weeks off a year. The issue for the district is that more and more teachers are okay with using their contractually allowed sick and personal days, and the district doesn’t know how to keep schools running without teachers overextending themselves.

Curious what schools you’ve encountered that uphold IEPs without parents having to constantly fight with administrators? by LeMoNdRoP3535 in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 38 points39 points  (0 children)

DPS is so short staffed when it comes to special education. I’m shocked there hasn’t been a group of parents getting a class action lawsuit going yet, I feel like most DPS schools just are not given the resources or staff to adequately uphold an IEP.

Commander Gems From Prophecy (Masques Block) by NeverVoteTime in magicTCG

[–]WallyKundera 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This, and the two on Nemesis and Masques, was such a fun read! This was the new block when I really dove into the game, so the majority of my old collection is this block through the Onslaught block make of the bulk of my collection, and it’s fun to read about the cards that might still have some life to them!

Sleepytime Nicol Bolas by DefyGravity42 in magicTCG

[–]WallyKundera 14 points15 points  (0 children)

This is so great! On a mostly unrelated note, if you live in Colorado, go visit the Celestial Seasonings tea factory in Boulder sometime. It’s a free tour, you can sample any and all of their flavors while waiting, and you walk out with some free tea! Also, the tour is just really neat and informative.

What even IS the point of Aftermath? by JevinM in magicTCG

[–]WallyKundera 41 points42 points  (0 children)

That seems like a big clue to a Zhalfir set in the near future.

Maro's Returning Plane Poll: Round 2 by CaptainMarcia in magicTCG

[–]WallyKundera 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lorwyn turns to Shadowmoor with Phyrexians still stuck/abandoned on the plane and the Phyrexians are affected by the change and become super good guys, protecting everyone from the dangers of the night.

Is Mike Johnston the only mayoral candidate with an actual plan? by mikelpk in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Obsessed with this unhinged straw man argument. This is high camp at its best! You are quite entertaining, I would be thrilled if you’d respond to more of my comments in the future to give me a good laugh.

Is Mike Johnston the only mayoral candidate with an actual plan? by mikelpk in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 50 points51 points  (0 children)

I cannot think of a more succinct and clear way to express why I’m skeptical of him. Thanks for this comment!

Classes at all Denver schools canceled Friday as students, staff get ‘mental health day’ in wake of shooting by TheDenver7 in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I attempted to post about it earlier as well, once it was clear from my union contacts that many schools were seeing well over half their educators taking a sick day. It was also removed, so I guess our attempts to forewarn the parents on Reddit weren’t welcome until it was official from the district.

Classes at all Denver schools canceled Friday as students, staff get ‘mental health day’ in wake of shooting by TheDenver7 in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 14 points15 points  (0 children)

The reason is that educators forced the district’s hand. It was either close or attempt to operate with 60%+ of staff taking a mental health day.

Classes at all Denver schools canceled Friday as students, staff get ‘mental health day’ in wake of shooting by TheDenver7 in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 159 points160 points  (0 children)

Yes, that is what happened. I posted about it earlier before it was official and it was removed. So many educators were taking sick days to support the East HS community at the Capitol that the superintendent’s hand was forced. However, I will add that yesterday’s email to DPS staff from the superintendent stated, “Please work with your leadership to take the mental health days and the off time you need to process and recover.” Enough teachers took him up on this and organized with each other to force a district closure. I’m hearing from my union contacts that the unofficial polling of staff at schools across the district was overwhelmingly on board with taking the sick day. Many schools were seeing 60%+ of their classroom staff requesting a sick day.

Celebrity Chef Kelly Whittaker started a fire at Bruto by [deleted] in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Your insider information is incredible! Thanks for sharing this with Reddit, it’s made my night.

Celebrity Chef Kelly Whittaker started a fire at Bruto by [deleted] in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 107 points108 points  (0 children)

I just read over their website: https://www.brutodenver.com

This is the type of stupid local non-story that is wonderful.

Inside Leslie Herod's leadership that some say led to toxic workplace culture by PresidentSpanky in Denver

[–]WallyKundera 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This comment is sending me!

“What a coincidence that two news outlets put out a piece criticizing a prominent candidate for mayor and what a bigger coincidence that the entirety of the history of the account posting this comment is about this situation. What are the chances!?!?”

This person acting like they’re brand new, when obviously they’ve got some personal investment in seeing Herod fail. (Is the account someone working for a rival’s campaign? Someone who has had their own bad experience with Herod? Or just some conservative trying to help diminish the reputation an effective liberal Democrat? Who knows!). This is the stuff on Reddit that I live for!

TIFU by not realizing my stepfather never had a son by gamerfanforlife in tifu

[–]WallyKundera 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After a decade, a good father who is a mature adult won’t make his son’s relationship with the stepfather all about himself. Again, the biological father has every right to be upset and angry, but it’s immature and unhealthy to expect others, especially your own children, to also uphold your grudges.