APS Overcrowding Solved — Thanks Pandemic

[Anonymous]

It wasn't all moves to private school. I know several families who moved out of the area altogether to live in less expensive parts of the country or move closer to family. They can do this now that they can telework. Those families are not coming back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS is doing a MUCH better job in early elementary than APS- also they offer more electives in high school because they are bigger and can. APS has decided to go with a "blended learning model" in early elementary which means kids are on iPads a ton just when they should be reconnecting with peers in real life, not virtually. FCPS has stuck with real life teaching and not gone to the iPad model so it is now winning in the early grades as well as high school. For years, I wanted to live in Arlington for the schools, I am now so grateful that we live in Fairfax so my kids aren't relegated to 30+ minutes of iPad time a time and are receiving instruction and group work with real live people.

My 4th grader has never had more than 20 Minutes during literacy or math centers(outside of virtual learning). They aren't on the Ipad at times when they would have been doing collaborative work or connecting with peers. Does FCPS do Dreambox/Lexia or something similar? We've been at one neighborhood school and one option school FWIW

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS is doing a MUCH better job in early elementary than APS- also they offer more electives in high school because they are bigger and can. APS has decided to go with a "blended learning model" in early elementary which means kids are on iPads a ton just when they should be reconnecting with peers in real life, not virtually. FCPS has stuck with real life teaching and not gone to the iPad model so it is now winning in the early grades as well as high school. For years, I wanted to live in Arlington for the schools, I am now so grateful that we live in Fairfax so my kids aren't relegated to 30+ minutes of iPad time a time and are receiving instruction and group work with real live people.

My 4th grader has never had more than 20 Minutes during literacy or math centers(outside of virtual learning). They aren't on the Ipad at times when they would have been doing collaborative work or connecting with peers. Does FCPS do Dreambox/Lexia or something similar? We've been at one neighborhood school and one option school FWIW

Nope they don't do dream box/lexia in FCPS. My 5th grader has it as choice activity after all work is done, and my 2nd grader isn't online at all. 20 minutes during centers twice a day is absolutely in place of peer interactions/collaborative work- that is what centers used to be, partner based work.

You may like having screen time at school, that is fine.Especially if you are worried your child may be dyslexic. My kids, like most kids, aren't Both of those programs (lexia and dream box) run on a system of levels, certificates and rewards that feeds the dopamine reward system in brains like a video game does, and I'm grateful not to have it in FCPS especially. My child's FCPS teacher actually pointed this out to us at Back to School night- he switched from APS to FCPS because he enjoyed the FCPS way better. Can't say I disagree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS is doing a MUCH better job in early elementary than APS- also they offer more electives in high school because they are bigger and can. APS has decided to go with a "blended learning model" in early elementary which means kids are on iPads a ton just when they should be reconnecting with peers in real life, not virtually. FCPS has stuck with real life teaching and not gone to the iPad model so it is now winning in the early grades as well as high school. For years, I wanted to live in Arlington for the schools, I am now so grateful that we live in Fairfax so my kids aren't relegated to 30+ minutes of iPad time a time and are receiving instruction and group work with real live people.

My 4th grader has never had more than 20 Minutes during literacy or math centers(outside of virtual learning). They aren't on the Ipad at times when they would have been doing collaborative work or connecting with peers. Does FCPS do Dreambox/Lexia or something similar? We've been at one neighborhood school and one option school FWIW

Nope they don't do dream box/lexia in FCPS. My 5th grader has it as choice activity after all work is done, and my 2nd grader isn't online at all. 20 minutes during centers twice a day is absolutely in place of peer interactions/collaborative work- that is what centers used to be, partner based work.

You may like having screen time at school, that is fine.Especially if you are worried your child may be dyslexic. My kids, like most kids, aren't Both of those programs (lexia and dream box) run on a system of levels, certificates and rewards that feeds the dopamine reward system in brains like a video game does, and I'm grateful not to have it in FCPS especially. My child's FCPS teacher actually pointed this out to us at Back to School night- he switched from APS to FCPS because he enjoyed the FCPS way better. Can't say I disagree.

They still do daily games and group work, especially in math. When they do the programs it is part of a center rotation that would be independent work.
I wasn't aware that FCPS doesn't do any electronics in elementary, that would have been a plus for me, though I don't feel that it is excessive (it's not 20 minutes twice a day, it's 2-3 times per week for each.) I'm not necessarily defending their use, my kid doesn't even like them, but I do feel that people love to exaggerate APS faults.

[Anonymous]

The high density housing that’s already been approved, along with future projects yet to be approved, will more than make up for any families who left APS. The affordable housing units in particular generate more students than any other housing type. The school overcrowding issue is far from fixed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS is doing a MUCH better job in early elementary than APS- also they offer more electives in high school because they are bigger and can. APS has decided to go with a "blended learning model" in early elementary which means kids are on iPads a ton just when they should be reconnecting with peers in real life, not virtually. FCPS has stuck with real life teaching and not gone to the iPad model so it is now winning in the early grades as well as high school. For years, I wanted to live in Arlington for the schools, I am now so grateful that we live in Fairfax so my kids aren't relegated to 30+ minutes of iPad time a time and are receiving instruction and group work with real live people.

My 4th grader has never had more than 20 Minutes during literacy or math centers(outside of virtual learning). They aren't on the Ipad at times when they would have been doing collaborative work or connecting with peers. Does FCPS do Dreambox/Lexia or something similar? We've been at one neighborhood school and one option school FWIW

Nope they don't do dream box/lexia in FCPS. My 5th grader has it as choice activity after all work is done, and my 2nd grader isn't online at all. 20 minutes during centers twice a day is absolutely in place of peer interactions/collaborative work- that is what centers used to be, partner based work.

You may like having screen time at school, that is fine.Especially if you are worried your child may be dyslexic. My kids, like most kids, aren't Both of those programs (lexia and dream box) run on a system of levels, certificates and rewards that feeds the dopamine reward system in brains like a video game does, and I'm grateful not to have it in FCPS especially. My child's FCPS teacher actually pointed this out to us at Back to School night- he switched from APS to FCPS because he enjoyed the FCPS way better. Can't say I disagree.

They still do daily games and group work, especially in math. When they do the programs it is part of a center rotation that would be independent work.
I wasn't aware that FCPS doesn't do any electronics in elementary, that would have been a plus for me, though I don't feel that it is excessive (it's not 20 minutes twice a day, it's 2-3 times per week for each.) I'm not necessarily defending their use, my kid doesn't even like them, but I do feel that people love to exaggerate APS faults.

Fairfax doesn’t do electronics in elementary? Is this true? We are in APS and I cannot stand Dreambox and Lexia and that they are still using them even after last year being all online basically. Like literally it would be enough to convince me to move from Arlington to Fairfax if this is true. Can someone confirm? Is it a district policy?

[Anonymous]

Fairfax county elementary absolutely uses lexia, dream box (previously), tumblebooks, myon, and ST math!!! If that posters teachers arent using those programs they are the outlier!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS is doing a MUCH better job in early elementary than APS- also they offer more electives in high school because they are bigger and can. APS has decided to go with a "blended learning model" in early elementary which means kids are on iPads a ton just when they should be reconnecting with peers in real life, not virtually. FCPS has stuck with real life teaching and not gone to the iPad model so it is now winning in the early grades as well as high school. For years, I wanted to live in Arlington for the schools, I am now so grateful that we live in Fairfax so my kids aren't relegated to 30+ minutes of iPad time a time and are receiving instruction and group work with real live people.

My 4th grader has never had more than 20 Minutes during literacy or math centers(outside of virtual learning). They aren't on the Ipad at times when they would have been doing collaborative work or connecting with peers. Does FCPS do Dreambox/Lexia or something similar? We've been at one neighborhood school and one option school FWIW

Nope they don't do dream box/lexia in FCPS. My 5th grader has it as choice activity after all work is done, and my 2nd grader isn't online at all. 20 minutes during centers twice a day is absolutely in place of peer interactions/collaborative work- that is what centers used to be, partner based work.

You may like having screen time at school, that is fine.Especially if you are worried your child may be dyslexic. My kids, like most kids, aren't Both of those programs (lexia and dream box) run on a system of levels, certificates and rewards that feeds the dopamine reward system in brains like a video game does, and I'm grateful not to have it in FCPS especially. My child's FCPS teacher actually pointed this out to us at Back to School night- he switched from APS to FCPS because he enjoyed the FCPS way better. Can't say I disagree.

They still do daily games and group work, especially in math. When they do the programs it is part of a center rotation that would be independent work.
I wasn't aware that FCPS doesn't do any electronics in elementary, that would have been a plus for me, though I don't feel that it is excessive (it's not 20 minutes twice a day, it's 2-3 times per week for each.) I'm not necessarily defending their use, my kid doesn't even like them, but I do feel that people love to exaggerate APS faults.

Fairfax doesn’t do electronics in elementary? Is this true? We are in APS and I cannot stand Dreambox and Lexia and that they are still using them even after last year being all online basically. Like literally it would be enough to convince me to move from Arlington to Fairfax if this is true. Can someone confirm? Is it a district policy?

This thread would indicate otherwise
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/998737.page

[Anonymous]

For some, DL probably led to some wtf moments and made them get off the fence and go prívate. Maybe this occurred in some households where one parent wanted to bail but the other wanted to stay. Kind of like all those NYC families who finally got off the fence and said bye, bye, we’re moving to the suburbs. Many folks are probably thrilled to be out of APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS is doing a MUCH better job in early elementary than APS- also they offer more electives in high school because they are bigger and can. APS has decided to go with a "blended learning model" in early elementary which means kids are on iPads a ton just when they should be reconnecting with peers in real life, not virtually. FCPS has stuck with real life teaching and not gone to the iPad model so it is now winning in the early grades as well as high school. For years, I wanted to live in Arlington for the schools, I am now so grateful that we live in Fairfax so my kids aren't relegated to 30+ minutes of iPad time a time and are receiving instruction and group work with real live people.

My 4th grader has never had more than 20 Minutes during literacy or math centers(outside of virtual learning). They aren't on the Ipad at times when they would have been doing collaborative work or connecting with peers. Does FCPS do Dreambox/Lexia or something similar? We've been at one neighborhood school and one option school FWIW

Nope they don't do dream box/lexia in FCPS. My 5th grader has it as choice activity after all work is done, and my 2nd grader isn't online at all. 20 minutes during centers twice a day is absolutely in place of peer interactions/collaborative work- that is what centers used to be, partner based work.

You may like having screen time at school, that is fine.Especially if you are worried your child may be dyslexic. My kids, like most kids, aren't Both of those programs (lexia and dream box) run on a system of levels, certificates and rewards that feeds the dopamine reward system in brains like a video game does, and I'm grateful not to have it in FCPS especially. My child's FCPS teacher actually pointed this out to us at Back to School night- he switched from APS to FCPS because he enjoyed the FCPS way better. Can't say I disagree.

They still do daily games and group work, especially in math. When they do the programs it is part of a center rotation that would be independent work.
I wasn't aware that FCPS doesn't do any electronics in elementary, that would have been a plus for me, though I don't feel that it is excessive (it's not 20 minutes twice a day, it's 2-3 times per week for each.) I'm not necessarily defending their use, my kid doesn't even like them, but I do feel that people love to exaggerate APS faults.

Fairfax doesn’t do electronics in elementary? Is this true? We are in APS and I cannot stand Dreambox and Lexia and that they are still using them even after last year being all online basically. Like literally it would be enough to convince me to move from Arlington to Fairfax if this is true. Can someone confirm? Is it a district policy?

This thread would indicate otherwise
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/998737.page

PP here. I can only say that at my children's 2 different elementary schools in FCPS, neither one has mandatory dream box/lexia/ST math time. Unless my kids are not telling the truth?! I have no idea about district policy, but my 2nd grader carries no electronics to/from school and my 5th grader just uses google slides so far. He does have ST math as an option when he is finished all other work. I am very, very happy about that. I can only assume there is no district mandate for electronics as neither school is employing them regularly. Again, only anecdotal experience here from us in FCPS and some family friends in APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS is doing a MUCH better job in early elementary than APS- also they offer more electives in high school because they are bigger and can. APS has decided to go with a "blended learning model" in early elementary which means kids are on iPads a ton just when they should be reconnecting with peers in real life, not virtually. FCPS has stuck with real life teaching and not gone to the iPad model so it is now winning in the early grades as well as high school. For years, I wanted to live in Arlington for the schools, I am now so grateful that we live in Fairfax so my kids aren't relegated to 30+ minutes of iPad time a time and are receiving instruction and group work with real live people.

My 4th grader has never had more than 20 Minutes during literacy or math centers(outside of virtual learning). They aren't on the Ipad at times when they would have been doing collaborative work or connecting with peers. Does FCPS do Dreambox/Lexia or something similar? We've been at one neighborhood school and one option school FWIW

Nope they don't do dream box/lexia in FCPS. My 5th grader has it as choice activity after all work is done, and my 2nd grader isn't online at all. 20 minutes during centers twice a day is absolutely in place of peer interactions/collaborative work- that is what centers used to be, partner based work.

You may like having screen time at school, that is fine.Especially if you are worried your child may be dyslexic. My kids, like most kids, aren't Both of those programs (lexia and dream box) run on a system of levels, certificates and rewards that feeds the dopamine reward system in brains like a video game does, and I'm grateful not to have it in FCPS especially. My child's FCPS teacher actually pointed this out to us at Back to School night- he switched from APS to FCPS because he enjoyed the FCPS way better. Can't say I disagree.

They still do daily games and group work, especially in math. When they do the programs it is part of a center rotation that would be independent work.
I wasn't aware that FCPS doesn't do any electronics in elementary, that would have been a plus for me, though I don't feel that it is excessive (it's not 20 minutes twice a day, it's 2-3 times per week for each.) I'm not necessarily defending their use, my kid doesn't even like them, but I do feel that people love to exaggerate APS faults.

Fairfax doesn’t do electronics in elementary? Is this true? We are in APS and I cannot stand Dreambox and Lexia and that they are still using them even after last year being all online basically. Like literally it would be enough to convince me to move from Arlington to Fairfax if this is true. Can someone confirm? Is it a district policy?

This thread would indicate otherwise
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/998737.page

PP here. I can only say that at my children's 2 different elementary schools in FCPS, neither one has mandatory dream box/lexia/ST math time. Unless my kids are not telling the truth?! I have no idea about district policy, but my 2nd grader carries no electronics to/from school and my 5th grader just uses google slides so far. He does have ST math as an option when he is finished all other work. I am very, very happy about that. I can only assume there is no district mandate for electronics as neither school is employing them regularly. Again, only anecdotal experience here from us in FCPS and some family friends in APS.

It sounds like maybe you don't have the full picture but I'm glad you're happy with your kid's education. In our years in APS some teachers have used tech more than others (we were at a technology focused school) I hated the idea but the reality has been fine. I was an anti-ipad person in my personal life because I have seen how addictive they can be but my kid could take it or leave it now. His school day has plenty of collaboration, paper/pencil work and he reads lots of paper books, even at school.

[Anonymous]

I have two kids in APS. My 1st grader rarely uses the ipad (it stays at around 100% all week without charging ). My 4th grader uses it more than I would like because it seems like they do a lot of science on the ipad. I don't really understand the need for this, he just made an entire presentation on PowerPoint.

I dont mind dreambox that much because it is adaptive so he can work on higher level math. Also he uses pen/paper with dreambox because he needs somewhere to work through the equations.

But anyway , he still does a lot of pen and paper.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the poster who says FCPS doesn’t use screens a lot is at a small school? Our fcps elementary school is crowded, the classrooms are usually 30 kids. During Small group instruction if your small group is not with a teacher you are doing learning games on computer. So yes not taking them home and doing them at home this year but they’re absolutely using them to occupy students in the classroom as they work with students in need. I’ve found my above average reader kid often gets no reading group and is just told to go do myon - why it can’t be a real book beats me.

[Anonymous]

APS does not use the iPads much in younger grades in my experience. My 2nd grader uses Reflex in class for math facts same as my older kid did. Guess what, it is an amazing way for them to learn math facts and really works. Math facts are really just rote memorization and it motivates them to do it. But sure get out your flash cards.

Technology always gets such a knee jerk reaction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two kids in APS. My 1st grader rarely uses the ipad (it stays at around 100% all week without charging ). My 4th grader uses it more than I would like because it seems like they do a lot of science on the ipad. I don't really understand the need for this, he just made an entire presentation on PowerPoint.

I dont mind dreambox that much because it is adaptive so he can work on higher level math. Also he uses pen/paper with dreambox because he needs somewhere to work through the equations.

But anyway , he still does a lot of pen and paper.

For my kid’s 4th grade science project, it was a group project with a lot of physical components the kids built and a PowerPoint presentation to go with it. All good skills to learn. When is the last time you showed up with a poster board at a work meeting? My opinion is it’s perfectly reasonable to weave the digital skills in with everything else. It doesn’t have to be either/or.