June 11 BOE meeting in progress

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smondrowski is asking about requesting a supplemental budget increase in July from the County Council to fund the MVA once the budget process closed. Good news but bad news is that I’m not sure MCPS or the MVA would benefit from the scrutiny that the Council would bring on such a one-off, specific request.

Mva scores are good. They would no share them because then they could not justify the shut down.

What a strange conspiracy theory. Why do you think MCPS and the BoE are out to get you?

What is strange about wanting a public school system funded with public tax dollars to be transparent in their actions?

Would you prefer a King who makes pronouncements from a throne?

I certainly agree with the call for transparency, but you're accusing MCPS of suppressing data on MVA for the express purpose of terminating MVA under false pretenses. Why would you think that? What do you think their motives are?

Yes, they suppressed data. Did you see or hear of any data from last year or this year? Have you ever heard there was a waitlist?

There was a waitlist, yet there were 36 kids spread across 3 first grade teachers?

They refused to let more students in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did kids with all these medical issues and therefore couldn't attend school do before the pandemic/virtual academy? And why can't we go back to that?

Move forward, not back. Read more, folks. Things are not "going back". Move all of society forward not pull back. Allow those who use MVA because of medical reasons to continue doing so (they will have medical docs to show you). For others, a hybrid program. Too many needs not "enough" money.

They could have done that, but it would have required effort 2-3 years ago. There simply aren't enough kids with medical issues requiring virtual instruction to operate MVA at a county level. Supporters could have spent the last two years lobbying for a state-level program, but many were actively hostile to the idea. What happened today was the inevitable result.

MCPS PR enters the chat. Rule #1: Always blame parents for incompetent MCPS administrators.

MVA supporters have been told for years that MVA wasn't likely to survive the end of ESSER funds.

But back in Feb, they were told mVa would stay. So they removed MVA because money was lost researching a failed bus tracking app? Please don't answer that question!!!

Back when they passed a budget proposal knowing that would need significant, additional cuts? What did you think they were going to cut?

In any event, it was too late to save virtual at that point. Why weren't you approaching your state delegates and senators years ago with the same level of energy you displayed over the last week?

The MVA wasn't notified till recently of the cuts. Parents did get into action and go to state delegates and senators who pledged support. In March, they promised to fund it so parents and staff counted on them to honor their promise.

Where were you two years ago when the legislature could have funded MSDE to establish a state-wide program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smondrowski is asking about requesting a supplemental budget increase in July from the County Council to fund the MVA once the budget process closed. Good news but bad news is that I’m not sure MCPS or the MVA would benefit from the scrutiny that the Council would bring on such a one-off, specific request.

Mva scores are good. They would no share them because then they could not justify the shut down.

What a strange conspiracy theory. Why do you think MCPS and the BoE are out to get you?

What is strange about wanting a public school system funded with public tax dollars to be transparent in their actions?

Would you prefer a King who makes pronouncements from a throne?

I certainly agree with the call for transparency, but you're accusing MCPS of suppressing data on MVA for the express purpose of terminating MVA under false pretenses. Why would you think that? What do you think their motives are?

Yes, they suppressed data. Did you see or hear of any data from last year or this year? Have you ever heard there was a waitlist?

There was a waitlist, yet there were 36 kids spread across 3 first grade teachers?

They refused to let more students in.

That doesn't speak highly for the MVA program or teachers if they think they can only handle classes of 12 kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A virtual program was already in the works before the pandemic moved everyone to online learning four years ago. Not sure what the long range plan was for the pre-covid virtual program and if it would have lasted this long or would have been as large (approx 800 students in MVA now, with many on a wait list? - if I heard that last part correctly at the meeting today).

Virtual programs had been discussed as a possibility in the past, but it is an overstatement to say one was "in the works."

Different models have been attempted. Outside of MCPS, my high school tried doing classes over video conferencing between schools to provide additional courses, but it didn't work well and was abandoned after a few years.

One already existed.

https://silverchips.mbhs.edu/content/why-online-school-31145/

MCPS still has IIS.

They didn't get an education and now will not again. IIS is not comparable. Its a few hours of tutoring a week.

Which is enough to keep a student from getting too far behind until they're able to return to class.

No, it's not enough. That is the problem. Are you even familiar with the program?

I am. Over the few months when/where it's needed, the IIS staff and parents can provide sufficient support to allow the student to be able to return to class.

It was never intended to accommodate families waiting for covid to "go away."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A virtual program was already in the works before the pandemic moved everyone to online learning four years ago. Not sure what the long range plan was for the pre-covid virtual program and if it would have lasted this long or would have been as large (approx 800 students in MVA now, with many on a wait list? - if I heard that last part correctly at the meeting today).

Virtual programs had been discussed as a possibility in the past, but it is an overstatement to say one was "in the works."

Different models have been attempted. Outside of MCPS, my high school tried doing classes over video conferencing between schools to provide additional courses, but it didn't work well and was abandoned after a few years.

One already existed.

https://silverchips.mbhs.edu/content/why-online-school-31145/

MCPS still has IIS.

They didn't get an education and now will not again. IIS is not comparable. Its a few hours of tutoring a week.

Which is enough to keep a student from getting too far behind until they're able to return to class.

No, it's not enough. That is the problem. Are you even familiar with the program?

I am. Over the few months when/where it's needed, the IIS staff and parents can provide sufficient support to allow the student to be able to return to class.

It was never intended to accommodate families waiting for covid to "go away."

And it’s not sufficient support in any way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this meeting now over? What were the key takeaways from today's meeting?

Courtney and Sterling are crying.

There are kids with serious health and mental health issues in the MVA. It may be a joke to you but your jokes are not funny, and downright cruel and disrespectful to those kids.

Completely seriously, I do feel sorry for the small number of kids on MVA that truly benefited from it. That being said, more kids will benefit from its closure than benefited from its operation.

Separately, given their horrible behaviors over the past couple of years, it's pretty great to see the couple mentioned above, and other MVA supporters on DCUM, losing their minds over this entirely predictable outcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A virtual program was already in the works before the pandemic moved everyone to online learning four years ago. Not sure what the long range plan was for the pre-covid virtual program and if it would have lasted this long or would have been as large (approx 800 students in MVA now, with many on a wait list? - if I heard that last part correctly at the meeting today).

Virtual programs had been discussed as a possibility in the past, but it is an overstatement to say one was "in the works."

Different models have been attempted. Outside of MCPS, my high school tried doing classes over video conferencing between schools to provide additional courses, but it didn't work well and was abandoned after a few years.

One already existed.

https://silverchips.mbhs.edu/content/why-online-school-31145/

MCPS still has IIS.

They didn't get an education and now will not again. IIS is not comparable. Its a few hours of tutoring a week.

Which is enough to keep a student from getting too far behind until they're able to return to class.

No, it's not enough. That is the problem. Are you even familiar with the program?

I am. Over the few months when/where it's needed, the IIS staff and parents can provide sufficient support to allow the student to be able to return to class.

It was never intended to accommodate families waiting for covid to "go away."

And it’s not sufficient support in any way.

Why? You're not willing to support your kids' education for a couple months when they're working through a serious medical condition?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A virtual program was already in the works before the pandemic moved everyone to online learning four years ago. Not sure what the long range plan was for the pre-covid virtual program and if it would have lasted this long or would have been as large (approx 800 students in MVA now, with many on a wait list? - if I heard that last part correctly at the meeting today).

Virtual programs had been discussed as a possibility in the past, but it is an overstatement to say one was "in the works."

Different models have been attempted. Outside of MCPS, my high school tried doing classes over video conferencing between schools to provide additional courses, but it didn't work well and was abandoned after a few years.

One already existed.

https://silverchips.mbhs.edu/content/why-online-school-31145/

MCPS still has IIS.

They didn't get an education and now will not again. IIS is not comparable. Its a few hours of tutoring a week.

Which is enough to keep a student from getting too far behind until they're able to return to class.

No, it's not enough. That is the problem. Are you even familiar with the program?

I am. Over the few months when/where it's needed, the IIS staff and parents can provide sufficient support to allow the student to be able to return to class.

It was never intended to accommodate families waiting for covid to "go away."

Your obsession with covid needs to end. It's not just about covid for many parents. Lots of kids can't just do a few months of IIS and transition back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A virtual program was already in the works before the pandemic moved everyone to online learning four years ago. Not sure what the long range plan was for the pre-covid virtual program and if it would have lasted this long or would have been as large (approx 800 students in MVA now, with many on a wait list? - if I heard that last part correctly at the meeting today).

Virtual programs had been discussed as a possibility in the past, but it is an overstatement to say one was "in the works."

Different models have been attempted. Outside of MCPS, my high school tried doing classes over video conferencing between schools to provide additional courses, but it didn't work well and was abandoned after a few years.

One already existed.

https://silverchips.mbhs.edu/content/why-online-school-31145/

MCPS still has IIS.

They didn't get an education and now will not again. IIS is not comparable. Its a few hours of tutoring a week.

Which is enough to keep a student from getting too far behind until they're able to return to class.

No, it's not enough. That is the problem. Are you even familiar with the program?

I am. Over the few months when/where it's needed, the IIS staff and parents can provide sufficient support to allow the student to be able to return to class.

It was never intended to accommodate families waiting for covid to "go away."

And it’s not sufficient support in any way.

Why? You're not willing to support your kids' education for a couple months when they're working through a serious medical condition?

There is a huge difference between a ES student and a HS student. I can do ES but not high school. Not all parents can teach their kids in any grade. I can't do multivariable calculus, biology, chem, or physics. Great if you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this meeting now over? What were the key takeaways from today's meeting?

Courtney and Sterling are crying.

There are kids with serious health and mental health issues in the MVA. It may be a joke to you but your jokes are not funny, and downright cruel and disrespectful to those kids.

Completely seriously, I do feel sorry for the small number of kids on MVA that truly benefited from it. That being said, more kids will benefit from its closure than benefited from its operation.

Separately, given their horrible behaviors over the past couple of years, it's pretty great to see the couple mentioned above, and other MVA supporters on DCUM, losing their minds over this entirely predictable outcome.

No one will benefit from its closure. No one. You'd lose your mind if MCPS shut down your child's school with no notice or options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A virtual program was already in the works before the pandemic moved everyone to online learning four years ago. Not sure what the long range plan was for the pre-covid virtual program and if it would have lasted this long or would have been as large (approx 800 students in MVA now, with many on a wait list? - if I heard that last part correctly at the meeting today).

Virtual programs had been discussed as a possibility in the past, but it is an overstatement to say one was "in the works."

Different models have been attempted. Outside of MCPS, my high school tried doing classes over video conferencing between schools to provide additional courses, but it didn't work well and was abandoned after a few years.

One already existed.

https://silverchips.mbhs.edu/content/why-online-school-31145/

MCPS still has IIS.

They didn't get an education and now will not again. IIS is not comparable. Its a few hours of tutoring a week.

Which is enough to keep a student from getting too far behind until they're able to return to class.

No, it's not enough. That is the problem. Are you even familiar with the program?

I am. Over the few months when/where it's needed, the IIS staff and parents can provide sufficient support to allow the student to be able to return to class.

It was never intended to accommodate families waiting for covid to "go away."

Your obsession with covid needs to end. It's not just about covid for many parents. Lots of kids can't just do a few months of IIS and transition back.

The vast majority don't need IIS or special placements at all-- they can just return to their home schools and stay there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this meeting now over? What were the key takeaways from today's meeting?

Courtney and Sterling are crying.

There are kids with serious health and mental health issues in the MVA. It may be a joke to you but your jokes are not funny, and downright cruel and disrespectful to those kids.

Completely seriously, I do feel sorry for the small number of kids on MVA that truly benefited from it. That being said, more kids will benefit from its closure than benefited from its operation.

Separately, given their horrible behaviors over the past couple of years, it's pretty great to see the couple mentioned above, and other MVA supporters on DCUM, losing their minds over this entirely predictable outcome.

No one will benefit from its closure. No one. You'd lose your mind if MCPS shut down your child's school with no notice or options.

But that isn't what's happening. They're just stopping the temporary program and having kids return to their usual schools.

Before 2020, what were you planning to do for school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did kids with all these medical issues and therefore couldn't attend school do before the pandemic/virtual academy? And why can't we go back to that?

Move forward, not back. Read more, folks. Things are not "going back". Move all of society forward not pull back. Allow those who use MVA because of medical reasons to continue doing so (they will have medical docs to show you). For others, a hybrid program. Too many needs not "enough" money.

They could have done that, but it would have required effort 2-3 years ago. There simply aren't enough kids with medical issues requiring virtual instruction to operate MVA at a county level. Supporters could have spent the last two years lobbying for a state-level program, but many were actively hostile to the idea. What happened today was the inevitable result.

MCPS PR enters the chat. Rule #1: Always blame parents for incompetent MCPS administrators.

MVA supporters have been told for years that MVA wasn't likely to survive the end of ESSER funds.

But back in Feb, they were told mVa would stay. So they removed MVA because money was lost researching a failed bus tracking app? Please don't answer that question!!!

Back when they passed a budget proposal knowing that would need significant, additional cuts? What did you think they were going to cut?

In any event, it was too late to save virtual at that point. Why weren't you approaching your state delegates and senators years ago with the same level of energy you displayed over the last week?

Hi Lynne Harris. Or is it another MCPS lawyer lurking in this forum. Creep.

Don't you have kids to abuse? Or did you already chain them to their beds for the night?

Stop talking about what YOU are doing for the night

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A virtual program was already in the works before the pandemic moved everyone to online learning four years ago. Not sure what the long range plan was for the pre-covid virtual program and if it would have lasted this long or would have been as large (approx 800 students in MVA now, with many on a wait list? - if I heard that last part correctly at the meeting today).

Virtual programs had been discussed as a possibility in the past, but it is an overstatement to say one was "in the works."

Different models have been attempted. Outside of MCPS, my high school tried doing classes over video conferencing between schools to provide additional courses, but it didn't work well and was abandoned after a few years.

One already existed.

https://silverchips.mbhs.edu/content/why-online-school-31145/

MCPS still has IIS.

They didn't get an education and now will not again. IIS is not comparable. Its a few hours of tutoring a week.

Which is enough to keep a student from getting too far behind until they're able to return to class.

No, it's not enough. That is the problem. Are you even familiar with the program?

I am. Over the few months when/where it's needed, the IIS staff and parents can provide sufficient support to allow the student to be able to return to class.

It was never intended to accommodate families waiting for covid to "go away."

And it’s not sufficient support in any way.

Why? You're not willing to support your kids' education for a couple months when they're working through a serious medical condition?

There is a huge difference between a ES student and a HS student. I can do ES but not high school. Not all parents can teach their kids in any grade. I can't do multivariable calculus, biology, chem, or physics. Great if you can.

I know not everyone takes those AP classes in high school, but didn't you go to college?

Regardless, if you're unwilling or unable to help, then you may need to spend money on a tutor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this meeting now over? What were the key takeaways from today's meeting?

Courtney and Sterling are crying.

There are kids with serious health and mental health issues in the MVA. It may be a joke to you but your jokes are not funny, and downright cruel and disrespectful to those kids.

Completely seriously, I do feel sorry for the small number of kids on MVA that truly benefited from it. That being said, more kids will benefit from its closure than benefited from its operation.

Separately, given their horrible behaviors over the past couple of years, it's pretty great to see the couple mentioned above, and other MVA supporters on DCUM, losing their minds over this entirely predictable outcome.

No one will benefit from its closure. No one. You'd lose your mind if MCPS shut down your child's school with no notice or options.

But that isn't what's happening. They're just stopping the temporary program and having kids return to their usual schools.

Before 2020, what were you planning to do for school?

Exactly. All these students' home schools are still open. What WAS the plan if the MVA program wasn't created?