DTLA Families - Latest Comments

Re: Parent’s POV: Dorris Place Elementary

Nancy Mink DeWitt — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:29:35 -0000

This article brought tears to my eyes! The principal "Sue" as I call her was my best friend throughout high school. She was instrumental back then for bringing underprivaliged kids to our school every Christmas Season where we the students bought gifts for every child. Back then we were even the ones who went and picked these kids up and brought them to our school to see Santa and recieve their gifts. To this day, "her kids" are vital to her day to day life and she makes many sacrifices for them, things the kids and parents will never know about. I know she has many sleepless nights and spends many tedious hours going way above and beyond what other principals do for the students she loves so much. I do pray one day she will retire and be blessed knowing she gave so many students that great start in the early years when it is often times not appreciated. You deserve a huge recoginition my dear friend, this is one awesome way for others to know what really goes on at Doris Elementary School and bring to light the team work between you and your wonderful staff.

Re: You Know You’re a DTLA Parent When…

Ginny Brideau — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 02:22:54 -0000

Your kid thinks you are going on a big looooong trip if you take the car and not the bus, train, or walk.

While on vacation, they see car commercials and say "look mommy...that's my street on tv"

They know to wait for the crosswalk light, rather than step into the street

They are better behaved than those suburban kids who never get to eat out

They think everyone has Disney hall in their neighborhood

Grass is for the park, and they don't know what a back yard is

Re: You Know You’re a DTLA Parent When…

DTLAFamilies — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:35:59 -0000

And we know the difference between the Red and Purple becase, well you only make that mistake once coming home.

Ha!! Been there, done that.

Re: You Know You’re a DTLA Parent When…

Angel Zobel-Rodriguez — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:05:23 -0000

Does it count if you live in the Valley, and we do several of those things, too? We always know Staples' schedule for the Carvery or even Phillippe's. And we know the difference between the Red and Purple becase, well you only make that mistake once coming home.

Re: Where Will Your Kid Go to School in September?

Alexandra Infante — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:44:51 -0000

Paulina Quintana use to be CWC founding parent and she mentioned that school at a meeting and her involvement. The open enrollment sounds great. She said it was established while she worked there.

Re: Where Will Your Kid Go to School in September?

DTLAFamilies — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:40:54 -0000

Thanks Alexandra! I don't know much about Elysian Heights but I just looked them up and they have an API of 825, so good addition to the list.

Re: Where Will Your Kid Go to School in September?

Alexandra Infante — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:36:11 -0000

You haven't talked about Elysian Heights elementary which is open enrollment to anyone in LA pushed by kids' clothing designer and former Elysian Heights Elementary School teacher Paulina Quintana so if you're close rad but if you're not in the zip you can go. That was done to raise the API and create a more diverse school. They are at a high 800 now I believe. There is a metro bus that goes there and it's 10-15 min away.

Re: Creating a Diverse School in DTLA

Angel — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:20:19 -0000

I'm sure the families believe they want diversity. And I hope they work toward true diversity, but understand there will be bumps. Depending on where the school is located, parents will walk a couple miles to get their students there. Parents will sacrifice to get their kids the best education. And careful thought has to be put into school fundraisers (and every school event can not be a fundraiser).

Don't be frustrated when things don't go as smoothly as expected. Embrace the diversity and find ways to have every family participate--on weekends, evenings, and even before school. It might not be about how much they can donate, but they can support in many ways.

Re: Creating a Diverse School in DTLA

mikemcgalliard — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:49:38 -0000

Thank you for the thoughtful blog. Transportation to Metro Charter may indeed be a problem for some families, though the second challenge you indicate, the academic one, I believe is very fixable. We understand that children will be coming to Metro "ready" for school at varying levels, and we want a curriculum and staff that engages all levels. Highly individualized attention, a super nurturing environment, and a host of supports can ensure all children discover their passions and succeed at learning. The real threat to diversity is self-selection - we need to get the world out to all families who live and work in downtown. We will face many challenges to realize the vision of Metro; and we'll need the help of concerned families to make it come true.

Re: Spotlight On South Park

DTLAFamilies — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 12:09:13 -0000

Hi, I just updated the post with replies to your question. Thanks again for commenting--the answers I got were very informative!

Re: Spotlight On South Park

Molly Park — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:47:38 -0000

There are also a lot of children in Grand Lofts, so something must be working over there.

Re: Spotlight On South Park

Molly Park — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:38:54 -0000

Thought I'd report from my experience. We live in Flower Street Lofts (11th and Flower). While some things (like the detached parking garage and smokers walking about on the 1st floor during the day) are not EASY about loft living here, I will say that our neighbors have NEVER heard our 18 month old cry - since day 1. It blows my mind that this is the case, when we have been through terrible teething and sleep training where we were sure she was waking up the whole floor. We are on the 3rd floor, part of the original construction, which may make the difference. There are probably a dozen babies and young children in the building now, which has 92 units -- a higher-than-expected ratio, in my opinion. If you happen to look here, keep that in mind! :)

Re: Spotlight On South Park

Alisa Rivera — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:46:17 -0000

Thanks for reading! That is a terrific question. I'm going to ask a few South Park folks I know and get back to you. I know that Market Lofts (the building that houses Ralphs) is pretty family friendly. I'll see if I can get you some more leads.

Re: Spotlight On South Park

Considering DTLA — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:56:40 -0000

Informative article! I'm considering moving to South Park from the 'burbs and wanted to get an idea on specific buildings that are "baby-friendly" in the area. i.e. Buildings that don't have loud music and parties all the time where the hallways smell like weed, where the walls aren't so thin that a crying baby will disturb every neighbor in the vicinity, and where I won't be the only resident walking around with kids. Do you have any advice on which buildings to avoid or which to put at the top of my list? Thanks!

Re: Fear, Guns and Kids

Jason Li — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 15:17:27 -0000

According to statistics, the biggest cause of children deaths is car accidents, which in in the thousands per year. If we simply reduce the time our kids have to ride in the car, that will do significantly more than all the security and officers at the school.

Re: Fear, Guns and Kids

DTLAFamilies — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:14:36 -0000

Lisa, you make a great point about people not willing to fund education but who want to throw huge amounts of money on cops and jails. I don't get it.

Re: Fear, Guns and Kids

Lisa Ragsdale — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:36:54 -0000

could not agree more. and where will this end? Are we going to hire armed guards at the ymca daycare, sunday school, public parks, library story hours? Anywhere there are groups of children? and since I'm guessing this will all be paid for by taxpayers ( many of whom don't want to fund education and pay "exorbitant" wages to the teachers who educate their kids) these guards will be underpaid and we will have poorer quality of teachers AND security. That all of this seems like a better solution to some people than making automatic weapons illegal to purchase is just mind-boggling to me.

Re: Why we live in DTLA

Joaquin Cornejo — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:29:12 -0000

Great piece. I have two kids and one on the way. I have been downtown for 10 years and pretty much feel the same way as Ginny. Cheers.

Re: DTLA Grocery Guide

Alexandra Infante — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 11:09:17 -0000

Awesomeness. Local and green I'm hoping.

Re: DTLA Grocery Guide

DTLAFamilies — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:46:55 -0000

Aw, thanks! I agree we need more local stores. We've come so far already and I think even better things are coming soon!

Re: DTLA Grocery Guide

Alexandra Infante — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:45:42 -0000

The awesomeness of living downtown is the great secret workout you get from green livin'; the schlep from the gold and red line is the best and our best adjacent communities. Our local grocers are our life blood if we let them be. We can really help our community by adding to these guys and letting them know what we need. I don't mind having to do the red line to Hollywood. It's nothing compared to the smell of our own streets we stroll down on Broadway etc. and Trader Joes is a bit greener then Ralph's. I agree Walmart is not going to be in DT proper. If we want a school we can walk to why wouldn't we want to walk to get our food, definitely not drive. Isn't that why we live down here? Thanks for all these gold mines of info though! I just think if we want something closer to what Echo Park or Silver Lake has or Brooklyn we need to stay on foot and give love to people who want to build our community. This blog included. Xoxo

Re: DTLA Grocery Guide

Alexandra Infante — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:35:08 -0000

Red Line!

Re: DTLA Grocery Guide

Alexandra Infante — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:34:44 -0000

Don't forget Two Bits and Main street Old Bank District Market. We are also blessed with some great little food markets all around including the one at The Rosalyn Hotel. It would be great to do a fair review on those little guys, Mom and Pops need love too. :)

Re: DTLA Grocery Guide

Mark — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 18:52:43 -0000

round trip travel time from downtown to Trader Joes at Hollywood/Vine is only 30 minutes (15 minutes each way)

Re: DTLA Grocery Guide

Anon — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 12:49:14 -0000

Please note: Walmart is opening in Chinatown, not DTLA.
You're description of the Hollywood/ Vine Red Line station is an exaggeration. I use that stop all the time.