Reid’s new email

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Year round school might actually help the kids who are struggling by keeping them in school more consistently and decreasing the academic loss. And it would help provide 5 day school weeks, which would help the kids who are struggling.

So would a rational traditional calendar. Maybe let’s start there. The lack of five days school weeks is a choice and FCPS can choose differently.

+1 But kids do need breaks because the brain isn’t a computer that is purely input out put. Humans assimilate and consolidate information while on “break’ and while sleeping. Having all 5 day school weeks year round isn’t what your kid, or a failing kid needs.

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/study-shows-how-taking-short-breaks-may-help-our-brains-learn-new-skills

The old occasional 3 day weekend was just fine, the new calendar is too disjointed and provides little to no continuity, which is what kids who are struggling need. Other countries kids are fine and they are in school for more days, and longer days, than our kids. Most adults are working a 5 day work week, some are working 6 or 7 days. Kids should be in school 5 days a week.

If we want to make an effort to improve the outcomes of the kids who are struggling, then we need to address the only area that we have left to address, how often are the kids in school and how is that broken up. How do we handle the schedule so that teachers get the same amount of time off, 12 weeks plus the fed holidays I think, and keep the kids in school consistently to prevent academic slide.

The old calendar at least had the kids in school regularly which allowed time for reinforcement of learning in the classroom, especially important to kids whose parents are no treading to them or playing games with them that involve reading and math and the like. A calendar with three two week breaks and a shorter 6 week summer break would help as well. Remove the middle of the week teacher work day or professional development day. It would give all the families that want to travel more time for that travel without pulling kids from school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Year round school might actually help the kids who are struggling by keeping them in school more consistently and decreasing the academic loss. And it would help provide 5 day school weeks, which would help the kids who are struggling.

So would a rational traditional calendar. Maybe let’s start there. The lack of five days school weeks is a choice and FCPS can choose differently.

+1 But kids do need breaks because the brain isn’t a computer that is purely input out put. Humans assimilate and consolidate information while on “break’ and while sleeping. Having all 5 day school weeks year round isn’t what your kid, or a failing kid needs.

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/study-shows-how-taking-short-breaks-may-help-our-brains-learn-new-skills

I agree with you that not all breaks are bad. Disjointed breaks that keep young kids from having routine and repetition are bad. A calendar that places significant financial burdens on low-income parents is bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of “off track” and “needs intensive support” at the elementary level.

And what exactly will be the result of this designation? Are they actually going to GET the "intensive support" that they need? Or is this rating just another way to dump on our poorest schools?

It shouldn't come as any surprise that the most vulnerable populations need "intensive support" to keep up with their peers. If this designation puts them in line for additional resources, I'm all for it. If it's just another label so that the more well-to-do families can avoid them, well....

Fwiw, I'm a relatively high earner but kept my kids in our local Title 1 elementary school, which is labeled Off Track in this report, because we love the community and the school. The admin and teachers are top notch, but of course there is a large segment of the school population that needs real help. Labeling the school to scare people off doesn't help, but some additional resources really would.

They already get extra support. There are smaller class sizes. There are extra reading and math specialists. There are outreach attempts. I am not sure what the schools can do more than what they are doing.

The issue, that the schools cannot solve, is that the population needing the support needs the support at home but doesn’t have it. Many are not read to as babies or toddlers. Many don’t have the supports to deal with school work sent home. Many are hungry and can’t focus at school. And the schools can’t do anything about that. Society can’t fix homes that don’t value education.

Maybe we need to start holding kids back who are not on grade level in early ES, that seems to be working in Mississippi. But it is not like the schools have not been trying to help the kids out, they have been.

These are the kids most impacted by this crazy calendar where their parents are scrambling for childcare for them every week and they're not getting the routine and repetition they need at the early grades.

I expect Reid to take no responsibility.

+1

Everyone loves to be magnanimous about equity but they also love all their days off and snow days and early release and this sh*t box of a calendar without any consideration that the people it is hurting the most are students who will never enjoy a trip to the zoo or hot cocoa and sledding and a trip to see grandma in London or whatever else the rich folks like to do with all the time off.

Some of us have been arguing for year-round school so that kids are in school more consistently and there is less academic slide but then people freak out about swim schedules and needing a long summer and how most of the country doesn't do year-round school.

Have a 2 week break after each quarter. The Teachers would have one week of work, for finishing grades, planning, and professional development. Summer vacation is 6 weeks long. Better consistency, kids in school with shorter breaks, cheaper travel for the families that can/want to travel.

No one, especially teachers, want year round school. They’ve made this very clear. We just want breaks that make sense built in.

+1. The choice isn't between this awful, disjointed calendar and year round school. There is a lot that can be done to fix this Calendar that's middle ground. Stop digging in your heels on this, folks! Fix the Calendar. Speak up to your Reps.

This. The fix is easy, addresses a whole bunch or self-created problems, and even helps children learn which in theory is something FCPS cares about.

Omg, get over the calendar. Feel free to look for other options if it’s that impactful.

Or engage elected officials?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of “off track” and “needs intensive support” at the elementary level.

And what exactly will be the result of this designation? Are they actually going to GET the "intensive support" that they need? Or is this rating just another way to dump on our poorest schools?

It shouldn't come as any surprise that the most vulnerable populations need "intensive support" to keep up with their peers. If this designation puts them in line for additional resources, I'm all for it. If it's just another label so that the more well-to-do families can avoid them, well....

Fwiw, I'm a relatively high earner but kept my kids in our local Title 1 elementary school, which is labeled Off Track in this report, because we love the community and the school. The admin and teachers are top notch, but of course there is a large segment of the school population that needs real help. Labeling the school to scare people off doesn't help, but some additional resources really would.

They already get extra support. There are smaller class sizes. There are extra reading and math specialists. There are outreach attempts. I am not sure what the schools can do more than what they are doing.

The issue, that the schools cannot solve, is that the population needing the support needs the support at home but doesn’t have it. Many are not read to as babies or toddlers. Many don’t have the supports to deal with school work sent home. Many are hungry and can’t focus at school. And the schools can’t do anything about that. Society can’t fix homes that don’t value education.

Maybe we need to start holding kids back who are not on grade level in early ES, that seems to be working in Mississippi. But it is not like the schools have not been trying to help the kids out, they have been.

These are the kids most impacted by this crazy calendar where their parents are scrambling for childcare for them every week and they're not getting the routine and repetition they need at the early grades.

I expect Reid to take no responsibility.

+1

Everyone loves to be magnanimous about equity but they also love all their days off and snow days and early release and this sh*t box of a calendar without any consideration that the people it is hurting the most are students who will never enjoy a trip to the zoo or hot cocoa and sledding and a trip to see grandma in London or whatever else the rich folks like to do with all the time off.

Some of us have been arguing for year-round school so that kids are in school more consistently and there is less academic slide but then people freak out about swim schedules and needing a long summer and how most of the country doesn't do year-round school.

Have a 2 week break after each quarter. The Teachers would have one week of work, for finishing grades, planning, and professional development. Summer vacation is 6 weeks long. Better consistency, kids in school with shorter breaks, cheaper travel for the families that can/want to travel.

No one, especially teachers, want year round school. They’ve made this very clear. We just want breaks that make sense built in.

+1. The choice isn't between this awful, disjointed calendar and year round school. There is a lot that can be done to fix this Calendar that's middle ground. Stop digging in your heels on this, folks! Fix the Calendar. Speak up to your Reps.

This. The fix is easy, addresses a whole bunch or self-created problems, and even helps children learn which in theory is something FCPS cares about.

Omg, get over the calendar. Feel free to look for other options if it’s that impactful.

Or engage elected officials?

People do engage elected officials and answer surveys and they are ignored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of “off track” and “needs intensive support” at the elementary level.

And what exactly will be the result of this designation? Are they actually going to GET the "intensive support" that they need? Or is this rating just another way to dump on our poorest schools?

It shouldn't come as any surprise that the most vulnerable populations need "intensive support" to keep up with their peers. If this designation puts them in line for additional resources, I'm all for it. If it's just another label so that the more well-to-do families can avoid them, well....

Fwiw, I'm a relatively high earner but kept my kids in our local Title 1 elementary school, which is labeled Off Track in this report, because we love the community and the school. The admin and teachers are top notch, but of course there is a large segment of the school population that needs real help. Labeling the school to scare people off doesn't help, but some additional resources really would.

They already get extra support. There are smaller class sizes. There are extra reading and math specialists. There are outreach attempts. I am not sure what the schools can do more than what they are doing.

The issue, that the schools cannot solve, is that the population needing the support needs the support at home but doesn’t have it. Many are not read to as babies or toddlers. Many don’t have the supports to deal with school work sent home. Many are hungry and can’t focus at school. And the schools can’t do anything about that. Society can’t fix homes that don’t value education.

Maybe we need to start holding kids back who are not on grade level in early ES, that seems to be working in Mississippi. But it is not like the schools have not been trying to help the kids out, they have been.

These are the kids most impacted by this crazy calendar where their parents are scrambling for childcare for them every week and they're not getting the routine and repetition they need at the early grades.

I expect Reid to take no responsibility.

+1

Everyone loves to be magnanimous about equity but they also love all their days off and snow days and early release and this sh*t box of a calendar without any consideration that the people it is hurting the most are students who will never enjoy a trip to the zoo or hot cocoa and sledding and a trip to see grandma in London or whatever else the rich folks like to do with all the time off.

Some of us have been arguing for year-round school so that kids are in school more consistently and there is less academic slide but then people freak out about swim schedules and needing a long summer and how most of the country doesn't do year-round school.

Have a 2 week break after each quarter. The Teachers would have one week of work, for finishing grades, planning, and professional development. Summer vacation is 6 weeks long. Better consistency, kids in school with shorter breaks, cheaper travel for the families that can/want to travel.

No one, especially teachers, want year round school. They’ve made this very clear. We just want breaks that make sense built in.

+1. The choice isn't between this awful, disjointed calendar and year round school. There is a lot that can be done to fix this Calendar that's middle ground. Stop digging in your heels on this, folks! Fix the Calendar. Speak up to your Reps.

This. The fix is easy, addresses a whole bunch or self-created problems, and even helps children learn which in theory is something FCPS cares about.

Omg, get over the calendar. Feel free to look for other options if it’s that impactful.

Or engage elected officials?

People do engage elected officials and answer surveys and they are ignored.

Have they released the results of the surveys? Because there are many many people who aren't upset about the calendar. Also, I mean, by 2nd grade, most kids should be able to handle a change in schedule. We aren't talking about an infant in daycare who is confused and can't differentiate one day from the next.

I would love year-round school. I guess it wouldn't work without lots of additional money, and it would be a huge transition for teachers, but that would be really great. Kids do not need 10 weeks off from school every summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of “off track” and “needs intensive support” at the elementary level.

And what exactly will be the result of this designation? Are they actually going to GET the "intensive support" that they need? Or is this rating just another way to dump on our poorest schools?

It shouldn't come as any surprise that the most vulnerable populations need "intensive support" to keep up with their peers. If this designation puts them in line for additional resources, I'm all for it. If it's just another label so that the more well-to-do families can avoid them, well....

Fwiw, I'm a relatively high earner but kept my kids in our local Title 1 elementary school, which is labeled Off Track in this report, because we love the community and the school. The admin and teachers are top notch, but of course there is a large segment of the school population that needs real help. Labeling the school to scare people off doesn't help, but some additional resources really would.

They already get extra support. There are smaller class sizes. There are extra reading and math specialists. There are outreach attempts. I am not sure what the schools can do more than what they are doing.

The issue, that the schools cannot solve, is that the population needing the support needs the support at home but doesn’t have it. Many are not read to as babies or toddlers. Many don’t have the supports to deal with school work sent home. Many are hungry and can’t focus at school. And the schools can’t do anything about that. Society can’t fix homes that don’t value education.

Maybe we need to start holding kids back who are not on grade level in early ES, that seems to be working in Mississippi. But it is not like the schools have not been trying to help the kids out, they have been.

These are the kids most impacted by this crazy calendar where their parents are scrambling for childcare for them every week and they're not getting the routine and repetition they need at the early grades.

I expect Reid to take no responsibility.

+1

Everyone loves to be magnanimous about equity but they also love all their days off and snow days and early release and this sh*t box of a calendar without any consideration that the people it is hurting the most are students who will never enjoy a trip to the zoo or hot cocoa and sledding and a trip to see grandma in London or whatever else the rich folks like to do with all the time off.

Some of us have been arguing for year-round school so that kids are in school more consistently and there is less academic slide but then people freak out about swim schedules and needing a long summer and how most of the country doesn't do year-round school.

Have a 2 week break after each quarter. The Teachers would have one week of work, for finishing grades, planning, and professional development. Summer vacation is 6 weeks long. Better consistency, kids in school with shorter breaks, cheaper travel for the families that can/want to travel.

No one, especially teachers, want year round school. They’ve made this very clear. We just want breaks that make sense built in.

+1. The choice isn't between this awful, disjointed calendar and year round school. There is a lot that can be done to fix this Calendar that's middle ground. Stop digging in your heels on this, folks! Fix the Calendar. Speak up to your Reps.

This. The fix is easy, addresses a whole bunch or self-created problems, and even helps children learn which in theory is something FCPS cares about.

Omg, get over the calendar. Feel free to look for other options if it’s that impactful.

Or engage elected officials?

People do engage elected officials and answer surveys and they are ignored.

Have they released the results of the surveys? Because there are many many people who aren't upset about the calendar. Also, I mean, by 2nd grade, most kids should be able to handle a change in schedule. We aren't talking about an infant in daycare who is confused and can't differentiate one day from the next.

I would love year-round school. I guess it wouldn't work without lots of additional money, and it would be a huge transition for teachers, but that would be really great. Kids do not need 10 weeks off from school every summer.

Maybe “most” kids. But kids who are struggling need repetition and routine to succeed.

And the kids who need their parents involvement, the most are, the kids who are struggling— and now their parents have to struggle for childcare— they’re definitely not spending thousands of dollars in October alone to put their kids in intensive enrichment during days off. It’s lose-lose at the lowest end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious about something: A lot (not all) of the Distinguished ES are AAP center schools. I'm assuming the schools are taken as a whole, not breaking out AAP kids from GenEd. For parents who have kids at centers that also happen to be their base school, what's your sense of how the school would look without the center kids there? Enough difference to drop to On Track?

Not exactly related, but I wonder if Shrevewood had kept their Local Level IV program the way it was rather than switching to the cluster model, would the school still be Off Track.

The other end of the Special Ed spectrum at Shrevewood is such a disaster, I don't know if keeping the Level IV program would have helped. They'll have to unwind all of the crappy DeSmyter influence, not just the Level IV decision, before things can get better. Getting a new, effective Special Ed department chair would be a great start.

[Anonymous]

So basically you want to buy in a school zone that is distinguished the rest look like garbage schools and community

[Anonymous]

Let me guess they don't speak English very well if at all at these other schools and the parents have questionable immigration status

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Intensive support (only elementary schools and alternative schools, all the middle and high schools got at least Off Track)

Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences
Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences
Braddock Elementary
Brookfield Elementary
Cameron Elementary
Coates Elementary
Crestwood Elementary
Dogwood Elementary
Forestdale Elementary
Glen Forest Elementary
Graham Road Elementary
Groveton Elementary
Hutchison Elementary
Hybla Valley Elementary
Lynbrook Elementary
Parklawn Elementary
Weyanoke Elementary
Woodburn Elementary
Woodlawn Elementary
Bryant High
Fairfax County Adult High
Mountain View High

Off track:

Annandale Terrace Elementary
Beech Tree Elementary
Belle View Elementary
Bren Mar Park Elementary
Centre Ridge Elementary
Dranesville Elementary
Forest Edge Elementary
Halley Elementary
Herndon Elementary
Hollin Meadows Elementary
Lake Anne Elementary
London Towne Elementary
Lorton Station Elementary
McNair Elementary
McNair Upper Elementary
Mount Vernon Woods Elementary
Riverside Elementary
Rolling Valley Elementary
Shrevewood Elementary
Washington Mill Elementary
Westlawn Elementary
Glasgow Middle
Key Middle
Poe Middle

So does Reid share what kind of change this is? Would last year have been only say 10 schools making an off track or lower chart? Or is her point the off tracks are no different from last year and the need support schools should be ignored and considered passing since last year would have been considered passing. Anyone know?

Yes. Orangeman bad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No public funds should ever go to private schools, and doubly so to anything related to religion.

Why not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me guess they don't speak English very well if at all at these other schools and the parents have questionable immigration status

Schools with high FARMs rates and specialized SPED programs are the ones off track and needing intervention. Most of the needs intervention schools actually would be in the on-track category if you looked at the raw scores.

Simplified version: Poverty tends to lead to kids not prepared for school and doing poorly in school. Schools with high poverty don't do as well on tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No public funds should ever go to private schools, and doubly so to anything related to religion.

Why not

separation of church and state

[Anonymous]

if they deport the illegals will these schools get better or will they need to be shutdown because of low attendance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if they deport the illegals will these schools get better or will they need to be shutdown because of low attendance

There are poor citizens and poor kids here legally. Plenty of poverty in the area.