ACPS Cancels All Foreign Exchange Programs

[Anonymous]

The superintendent said in the March 21 School Board meeting that ACPS exchange programs have not been cancelled. The most recent exchange requests for Germany and France were received in January but the paperwork was not completed so these requests have not gone through the approval process. School Board policy requires that information be provided about the host family process, how families were selected and steps taken to ensure the safety of students. These details have not yet been submitted in order for the approval process to begin.

[Anonymous]

It’s too bad they couldn’t come up with another solution, such as a scholarship program for kids who can’t afford to participate. I’ve heard some students have started a GoFundMe for that purpose, in the hopes that the exchange programs might be restored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The superintendent said in the March 21 School Board meeting that ACPS exchange programs have not been cancelled. The most recent exchange requests for Germany and France were received in January but the paperwork was not completed so these requests have not gone through the approval process. School Board policy requires that information be provided about the host family process, how families were selected and steps taken to ensure the safety of students. These details have not yet been submitted in order for the approval process to begin.

Yay… the ACPS PR machine is here. Heyyyy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s too bad they couldn’t come up with another solution, such as a scholarship program for kids who can’t afford to participate. I’ve heard some students have started a GoFundMe for that purpose, in the hopes that the exchange programs might be restored.

There are funds to cover kids who need financial assistance. The German teacher has been running it for 25 years-she knows what she’s doing.

My kid is supposed to go. Based on the emails sent to parents it looks like it will be resolved. Typical poor communication from central office that went around and around in circles until there was an outcry and then suddenly they started blaming the teachers, saying they didn’t submit information that they had never been asked to provide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s too bad they couldn’t come up with another solution, such as a scholarship program for kids who can’t afford to participate. I’ve heard some students have started a GoFundMe for that purpose, in the hopes that the exchange programs might be restored.

There are funds to cover kids who need financial assistance. The German teacher has been running it for 25 years-she knows what she’s doing.

My kid is supposed to go. Based on the emails sent to parents it looks like it will be resolved. Typical poor communication from central office that went around and around in circles until there was an outcry and then suddenly they started blaming the teachers, saying they didn’t submit information that they had never been asked to provide.

$2 million invested in a communications team personnel costs each year just does not go very far these days (insert eye roll emoji).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s too bad they couldn’t come up with another solution, such as a scholarship program for kids who can’t afford to participate. I’ve heard some students have started a GoFundMe for that purpose, in the hopes that the exchange programs might be restored.

There are funds to cover kids who need financial assistance. The German teacher has been running it for 25 years-she knows what she’s doing.

My kid is supposed to go. Based on the emails sent to parents it looks like it will be resolved. Typical poor communication from central office that went around and around in circles until there was an outcry and then suddenly they started blaming the teachers, saying they didn’t submit information that they had never been asked to provide.

$2 million invested in a communications team personnel costs each year just does not go very far these days (insert eye roll emoji).

Weird, right?? And even the pricey conferences don’t seem to be helping. We probably need to add more people to that office!

[Anonymous]

Huh. My daughter got cut from the varsity soccer team. I guess they only care about ‘equity’ when it’s a student that looks different than her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Huh. My daughter got cut from the varsity soccer team. I guess they only care about ‘equity’ when it’s a student that looks different than her.

Sorry, how does that relate to Foreign Exchange programs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Huh. My daughter got cut from the varsity soccer team. I guess they only care about ‘equity’ when it’s a student that looks different than her.

Sorry, how does that relate to Foreign Exchange programs?

Equity. Are you dense?

[Anonymous]

Wow, no need to be so unkind about it; that PP was just asking. But I guess that's typical for someone hiding behind anonymity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, no need to be so unkind about it; that PP was just asking. But I guess that's typical for someone hiding behind anonymity.

Perhaps you're right, but I thought the question was not asked in good faith. The idea of equity is stupid. Human beings are not fungible. It's just a dumb, unworkable idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, no need to be so unkind about it; that PP was just asking. But I guess that's typical for someone hiding behind anonymity.

So no one in ACPS gets to go on the Foreign exchange program because not everyone can. Of course, not everyone can make the varsity soccer or basketball team. Are we going to cancel those too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, no need to be so unkind about it; that PP was just asking. But I guess that's typical for someone hiding behind anonymity.

Perhaps you're right, but I thought the question was not asked in good faith. The idea of equity is stupid. Human beings are not fungible. It's just a dumb, unworkable idea.

I am the PP you are quoting, and from my perspective it had no hostility or aggression tied to it. Can we all try to be kinder, or at least not assume the worst?

Going back to the original topic, I totally agree with you: equity is a dumb idea. Unfortunately though, "equity" has pervaded our culture so much so that most companies now have some sort of "equity" division or office.

[Anonymous]

As someone who has worked in both education and exchange programs, my sense is that you are not being given the real story. It is possible that something happened that has been settled out of court with an NDA -- someone may have been sexually assaulted on an exchange program, there may have been an accident where someone was injured, someone committed a crime, etc. You are being told that the exchanges are being cancelled because of equity concerns but it's likely they can't get insurance or were removed from an agreement because of safety concerns, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, no need to be so unkind about it; that PP was just asking. But I guess that's typical for someone hiding behind anonymity.

So no one in ACPS gets to go on the Foreign exchange program because not everyone can. Of course, not everyone can make the varsity soccer or basketball team. Are we going to cancel those too?

it's a public school. No part of the curriculum should be restricted based on ability to pay