What is going to happen to CAP & VAC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that CAP is currently a regional program, why wouldn’t they at the very least keep it for region 1?

It’s listed as a criteria-based regional program in the latest slide. They haven’t said how big it will be, though. At the last BoE meeting they said RMIB will only accept about 60 kids per year (down from over 100) so I’m sure they’ll cut CAP and SMCS at Blair, too.

Also, the communications programs in other regions are listed as interest based, not criteria based. MCPS hasn’t given details for those but they probably won’t be as robust as CAP.

This will depend on the boundaries, too. 3 out of the 4 options leave Blair at 100% utilization, so I don't know how they'd have a meaningful cohort for 2 magnet programs if Options A, C, or D are chosen.

What do people think of the idea of moving CAP to Northwood to create space for more seats at SMCS?

There is 0 chance Blair people are going to give up CAP. CAP and SMCS are their sacred cows that can't be moved. We could have moved CAP and SMCS to Kennedy years ago to help alleviate overcrowding.

I was under the impression that SMCS was the really prized shining star.

Regardless, for people who care about keeping even 1 strong program at Blair, they should advocate for the Boundary Option B so that there's room for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that CAP is currently a regional program, why wouldn’t they at the very least keep it for region 1?

It’s listed as a criteria-based regional program in the latest slide. They haven’t said how big it will be, though. At the last BoE meeting they said RMIB will only accept about 60 kids per year (down from over 100) so I’m sure they’ll cut CAP and SMCS at Blair, too.

Also, the communications programs in other regions are listed as interest based, not criteria based. MCPS hasn’t given details for those but they probably won’t be as robust as CAP.

This will depend on the boundaries, too. 3 out of the 4 options leave Blair at 100% utilization, so I don't know how they'd have a meaningful cohort for 2 magnet programs if Options A, C, or D are chosen.

What do people think of the idea of moving CAP to Northwood to create space for more seats at SMCS?

There is 0 chance Blair people are going to give up CAP. CAP and SMCS are their sacred cows that can't be moved. We could have moved CAP and SMCS to Kennedy years ago to help alleviate overcrowding.

I was under the impression that SMCS was the really prized shining star.

Regardless, for people who care about keeping even 1 strong program at Blair, they should advocate for the Boundary Option B so that there's room for it.

They don't need to leave a ton of extra space for the magnets-- the magnets are getting smaller and the idea is that it will cancel itself out as some kids leave Blair for regional programs and others come to Blair for regional programs. Even if that is untrue, MCPS is going to insist it will be true and put the programs where it wants to put them regardless of what boundary options are chosen. If they needed more space for SMCS and CAP at Blair which they're saying they're keeping, they would have asked for that in the boundary study options.

And anyway the current set of options are rigged-- there's no reason any DCC school has to be that close to capacity while there are 1000 empty spaces at WJ and Woodward. Folks shouldn't be focusing on which of the options to vote for but on changing the choices entirely: https://form.jotform.com/252966011384155

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that CAP is currently a regional program, why wouldn’t they at the very least keep it for region 1?

It’s listed as a criteria-based regional program in the latest slide. They haven’t said how big it will be, though. At the last BoE meeting they said RMIB will only accept about 60 kids per year (down from over 100) so I’m sure they’ll cut CAP and SMCS at Blair, too.

Also, the communications programs in other regions are listed as interest based, not criteria based. MCPS hasn’t given details for those but they probably won’t be as robust as CAP.

This will depend on the boundaries, too. 3 out of the 4 options leave Blair at 100% utilization, so I don't know how they'd have a meaningful cohort for 2 magnet programs if Options A, C, or D are chosen.

What do people think of the idea of moving CAP to Northwood to create space for more seats at SMCS?

There is 0 chance Blair people are going to give up CAP. CAP and SMCS are their sacred cows that can't be moved. We could have moved CAP and SMCS to Kennedy years ago to help alleviate overcrowding.

I was under the impression that SMCS was the really prized shining star.

Regardless, for people who care about keeping even 1 strong program at Blair, they should advocate for the Boundary Option B so that there's room for it.

They don't need to leave a ton of extra space for the magnets-- the magnets are getting smaller and the idea is that it will cancel itself out as some kids leave Blair for regional programs and others come to Blair for regional programs. Even if that is untrue, MCPS is going to insist it will be true and put the programs where it wants to put them regardless of what boundary options are chosen. If they needed more space for SMCS and CAP at Blair which they're saying they're keeping, they would have asked for that in the boundary study options.

And anyway the current set of options are rigged-- there's no reason any DCC school has to be that close to capacity while there are 1000 empty spaces at WJ and Woodward. Folks shouldn't be focusing on which of the options to vote for but on changing the choices entirely: https://form.jotform.com/252966011384155

No, I think MCPS understands that the programs are different sizes and that all schools aren't going to export the same number of students that they import. This is the reason they say they have to do this at the same time as the boundary changes.

Boundary Options A, C, & D leave Blair at 100.6% utilization, so they would either have to limit the size of their programs to the number of students leaving Blair for the programs at the other 4 schools, or be over-crowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that CAP is currently a regional program, why wouldn’t they at the very least keep it for region 1?

It’s listed as a criteria-based regional program in the latest slide. They haven’t said how big it will be, though. At the last BoE meeting they said RMIB will only accept about 60 kids per year (down from over 100) so I’m sure they’ll cut CAP and SMCS at Blair, too.

Also, the communications programs in other regions are listed as interest based, not criteria based. MCPS hasn’t given details for those but they probably won’t be as robust as CAP.

This will depend on the boundaries, too. 3 out of the 4 options leave Blair at 100% utilization, so I don't know how they'd have a meaningful cohort for 2 magnet programs if Options A, C, or D are chosen.

What do people think of the idea of moving CAP to Northwood to create space for more seats at SMCS?

There is 0 chance Blair people are going to give up CAP. CAP and SMCS are their sacred cows that can't be moved. We could have moved CAP and SMCS to Kennedy years ago to help alleviate overcrowding.

I was under the impression that SMCS was the really prized shining star.

Regardless, for people who care about keeping even 1 strong program at Blair, they should advocate for the Boundary Option B so that there's room for it.

They don't need to leave a ton of extra space for the magnets-- the magnets are getting smaller and the idea is that it will cancel itself out as some kids leave Blair for regional programs and others come to Blair for regional programs. Even if that is untrue, MCPS is going to insist it will be true and put the programs where it wants to put them regardless of what boundary options are chosen. If they needed more space for SMCS and CAP at Blair which they're saying they're keeping, they would have asked for that in the boundary study options.

And anyway the current set of options are rigged-- there's no reason any DCC school has to be that close to capacity while there are 1000 empty spaces at WJ and Woodward. Folks shouldn't be focusing on which of the options to vote for but on changing the choices entirely: https://form.jotform.com/252966011384155

I assume you are a DCC parent. I am too. Inbounds for Einstein. With all kindness, you are delusional that the vast majority of MCPS families care about these program changes at all. The only people these changes impact are folks who want their children to have access to competitive county-wide magnets, and higher and middle income DCC families who aren't happy with their inbound schools. This is not a lot of people even within the DCC, let alone, when considered as a percentage of the entire county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of confusion. VAC is a longstanding, countywide pre-professional VISUAL arts magnet that students must prepare a portfolio for to be admitted. It has always been at Einstein and will remain at Einstein in its current form.

Einstein will continue to offer performing arts classes to its student body as it has always done. "VAPA", Einstein's performing arts "academy" was never more than a way to organize students. It isn't different than performing arts classes at other schools. In fact, many MCPS schools offer more performing arts classes than Einstein.

Einstein is the only school into county with two for-credit jazz ensembles and one of only 5 with a for-credit symphonic ensemble. We also have two dance companies, two vocal ensembles, IB theatre classes, and an annual musical with a live pit orchestra.

Three Einstein kids just got picked for All County Senior Jazz Ensemble.

It’s a pretty great program.

Different schools call their music different things. Some have three levels with one called Phil and have other more specialized classes.

The teacher runs the all county jazz ensemble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of confusion. VAC is a longstanding, countywide pre-professional VISUAL arts magnet that students must prepare a portfolio for to be admitted. It has always been at Einstein and will remain at Einstein in its current form.

Einstein will continue to offer performing arts classes to its student body as it has always done. "VAPA", Einstein's performing arts "academy" was never more than a way to organize students. It isn't different than performing arts classes at other schools. In fact, many MCPS schools offer more performing arts classes than Einstein.

Einstein is the only school into county with two for-credit jazz ensembles and one of only 5 with a for-credit symphonic ensemble. We also have two dance companies, two vocal ensembles, IB theatre classes, and an annual musical with a live pit orchestra.

Three Einstein kids just got picked for All County Senior Jazz Ensemble.

It’s a pretty great program.

Different schools call their music different things. Some have three levels with one called Phil and have other more specialized classes.

The teacher runs the all county jazz ensemble.

Well that was unfair. The auditions for all-county ensembles are blind, and the local teachers are not judges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that CAP is currently a regional program, why wouldn’t they at the very least keep it for region 1?

It’s listed as a criteria-based regional program in the latest slide. They haven’t said how big it will be, though. At the last BoE meeting they said RMIB will only accept about 60 kids per year (down from over 100) so I’m sure they’ll cut CAP and SMCS at Blair, too.

Also, the communications programs in other regions are listed as interest based, not criteria based. MCPS hasn’t given details for those but they probably won’t be as robust as CAP.

This will depend on the boundaries, too. 3 out of the 4 options leave Blair at 100% utilization, so I don't know how they'd have a meaningful cohort for 2 magnet programs if Options A, C, or D are chosen.

What do people think of the idea of moving CAP to Northwood to create space for more seats at SMCS?

There is 0 chance Blair people are going to give up CAP. CAP and SMCS are their sacred cows that can't be moved. We could have moved CAP and SMCS to Kennedy years ago to help alleviate overcrowding.

I was under the impression that SMCS was the really prized shining star.

Regardless, for people who care about keeping even 1 strong program at Blair, they should advocate for the Boundary Option B so that there's room for it.

I agree with you that SMCS is really what the folks who want a prestigious magnet option care about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that CAP is currently a regional program, why wouldn’t they at the very least keep it for region 1?

It’s listed as a criteria-based regional program in the latest slide. They haven’t said how big it will be, though. At the last BoE meeting they said RMIB will only accept about 60 kids per year (down from over 100) so I’m sure they’ll cut CAP and SMCS at Blair, too.

Also, the communications programs in other regions are listed as interest based, not criteria based. MCPS hasn’t given details for those but they probably won’t be as robust as CAP.

This will depend on the boundaries, too. 3 out of the 4 options leave Blair at 100% utilization, so I don't know how they'd have a meaningful cohort for 2 magnet programs if Options A, C, or D are chosen.

What do people think of the idea of moving CAP to Northwood to create space for more seats at SMCS?

There is 0 chance Blair people are going to give up CAP. CAP and SMCS are their sacred cows that can't be moved. We could have moved CAP and SMCS to Kennedy years ago to help alleviate overcrowding.

I was under the impression that SMCS was the really prized shining star.

Regardless, for people who care about keeping even 1 strong program at Blair, they should advocate for the Boundary Option B so that there's room for it.

They don't need to leave a ton of extra space for the magnets-- the magnets are getting smaller and the idea is that it will cancel itself out as some kids leave Blair for regional programs and others come to Blair for regional programs. Even if that is untrue, MCPS is going to insist it will be true and put the programs where it wants to put them regardless of what boundary options are chosen. If they needed more space for SMCS and CAP at Blair which they're saying they're keeping, they would have asked for that in the boundary study options.

And anyway the current set of options are rigged-- there's no reason any DCC school has to be that close to capacity while there are 1000 empty spaces at WJ and Woodward. Folks shouldn't be focusing on which of the options to vote for but on changing the choices entirely: https://form.jotform.com/252966011384155

I assume you are a DCC parent. I am too. Inbounds for Einstein. With all kindness, you are delusional that the vast majority of MCPS families care about these program changes at all. The only people these changes impact are folks who want their children to have access to competitive county-wide magnets, and higher and middle income DCC families who aren't happy with their inbound schools. This is not a lot of people even within the DCC, let alone, when considered as a percentage of the entire county.

+1000 Thank you that someone else gets it. Many families do not care about these changes at all. In fact the idea that the programs will be in greater numbers and spread throughout the county is a positive. It is especially a positive for people who have felt ignored regarding resources for a very long time.

Yes, you can make the case that this doesn't necessarily come with more resources. But they will feel that it does and at the least gives them better reason and data to advocate for more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that CAP is currently a regional program, why wouldn’t they at the very least keep it for region 1?

It’s listed as a criteria-based regional program in the latest slide. They haven’t said how big it will be, though. At the last BoE meeting they said RMIB will only accept about 60 kids per year (down from over 100) so I’m sure they’ll cut CAP and SMCS at Blair, too.

Also, the communications programs in other regions are listed as interest based, not criteria based. MCPS hasn’t given details for those but they probably won’t be as robust as CAP.

This will depend on the boundaries, too. 3 out of the 4 options leave Blair at 100% utilization, so I don't know how they'd have a meaningful cohort for 2 magnet programs if Options A, C, or D are chosen.

What do people think of the idea of moving CAP to Northwood to create space for more seats at SMCS?

There is 0 chance Blair people are going to give up CAP. CAP and SMCS are their sacred cows that can't be moved. We could have moved CAP and SMCS to Kennedy years ago to help alleviate overcrowding.

I was under the impression that SMCS was the really prized shining star.

Regardless, for people who care about keeping even 1 strong program at Blair, they should advocate for the Boundary Option B so that there's room for it.

They don't need to leave a ton of extra space for the magnets-- the magnets are getting smaller and the idea is that it will cancel itself out as some kids leave Blair for regional programs and others come to Blair for regional programs. Even if that is untrue, MCPS is going to insist it will be true and put the programs where it wants to put them regardless of what boundary options are chosen. If they needed more space for SMCS and CAP at Blair which they're saying they're keeping, they would have asked for that in the boundary study options.

And anyway the current set of options are rigged-- there's no reason any DCC school has to be that close to capacity while there are 1000 empty spaces at WJ and Woodward. Folks shouldn't be focusing on which of the options to vote for but on changing the choices entirely: https://form.jotform.com/252966011384155

I assume you are a DCC parent. I am too. Inbounds for Einstein. With all kindness, you are delusional that the vast majority of MCPS families care about these program changes at all. The only people these changes impact are folks who want their children to have access to competitive county-wide magnets, and higher and middle income DCC families who aren't happy with their inbound schools. This is not a lot of people even within the DCC, let alone, when considered as a percentage of the entire county.

+1000 Thank you that someone else gets it. Many families do not care about these changes at all. In fact the idea that the programs will be in greater numbers and spread throughout the county is a positive. It is especially a positive for people who have felt ignored regarding resources for a very long time.

Yes, you can make the case that this doesn't necessarily come with more resources. But they will feel that it does and at the least gives them better reason and data to advocate for more.

+100000
I support the regional model. It doesn't have to be perfect, the current system is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that CAP is currently a regional program, why wouldn’t they at the very least keep it for region 1?

It’s listed as a criteria-based regional program in the latest slide. They haven’t said how big it will be, though. At the last BoE meeting they said RMIB will only accept about 60 kids per year (down from over 100) so I’m sure they’ll cut CAP and SMCS at Blair, too.

Also, the communications programs in other regions are listed as interest based, not criteria based. MCPS hasn’t given details for those but they probably won’t be as robust as CAP.

This will depend on the boundaries, too. 3 out of the 4 options leave Blair at 100% utilization, so I don't know how they'd have a meaningful cohort for 2 magnet programs if Options A, C, or D are chosen.

What do people think of the idea of moving CAP to Northwood to create space for more seats at SMCS?

There is 0 chance Blair people are going to give up CAP. CAP and SMCS are their sacred cows that can't be moved. We could have moved CAP and SMCS to Kennedy years ago to help alleviate overcrowding.

I was under the impression that SMCS was the really prized shining star.

Regardless, for people who care about keeping even 1 strong program at Blair, they should advocate for the Boundary Option B so that there's room for it.

They don't need to leave a ton of extra space for the magnets-- the magnets are getting smaller and the idea is that it will cancel itself out as some kids leave Blair for regional programs and others come to Blair for regional programs. Even if that is untrue, MCPS is going to insist it will be true and put the programs where it wants to put them regardless of what boundary options are chosen. If they needed more space for SMCS and CAP at Blair which they're saying they're keeping, they would have asked for that in the boundary study options.

And anyway the current set of options are rigged-- there's no reason any DCC school has to be that close to capacity while there are 1000 empty spaces at WJ and Woodward. Folks shouldn't be focusing on which of the options to vote for but on changing the choices entirely: https://form.jotform.com/252966011384155

I assume you are a DCC parent. I am too. Inbounds for Einstein. With all kindness, you are delusional that the vast majority of MCPS families care about these program changes at all. The only people these changes impact are folks who want their children to have access to competitive county-wide magnets, and higher and middle income DCC families who aren't happy with their inbound schools. This is not a lot of people even within the DCC, let alone, when considered as a percentage of the entire county.

+1000 Thank you that someone else gets it. Many families do not care about these changes at all. In fact the idea that the programs will be in greater numbers and spread throughout the county is a positive. It is especially a positive for people who have felt ignored regarding resources for a very long time.

Yes, you can make the case that this doesn't necessarily come with more resources. But they will feel that it does and at the least gives them better reason and data to advocate for more.

I don't understand your point-- you sound like you're arguing against something but what are you arguing against and why? It doesn't seem related to what other people have been saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that CAP is currently a regional program, why wouldn’t they at the very least keep it for region 1?

It’s listed as a criteria-based regional program in the latest slide. They haven’t said how big it will be, though. At the last BoE meeting they said RMIB will only accept about 60 kids per year (down from over 100) so I’m sure they’ll cut CAP and SMCS at Blair, too.

Also, the communications programs in other regions are listed as interest based, not criteria based. MCPS hasn’t given details for those but they probably won’t be as robust as CAP.

This will depend on the boundaries, too. 3 out of the 4 options leave Blair at 100% utilization, so I don't know how they'd have a meaningful cohort for 2 magnet programs if Options A, C, or D are chosen.

What do people think of the idea of moving CAP to Northwood to create space for more seats at SMCS?

There is 0 chance Blair people are going to give up CAP. CAP and SMCS are their sacred cows that can't be moved. We could have moved CAP and SMCS to Kennedy years ago to help alleviate overcrowding.

I was under the impression that SMCS was the really prized shining star.

Regardless, for people who care about keeping even 1 strong program at Blair, they should advocate for the Boundary Option B so that there's room for it.

They don't need to leave a ton of extra space for the magnets-- the magnets are getting smaller and the idea is that it will cancel itself out as some kids leave Blair for regional programs and others come to Blair for regional programs. Even if that is untrue, MCPS is going to insist it will be true and put the programs where it wants to put them regardless of what boundary options are chosen. If they needed more space for SMCS and CAP at Blair which they're saying they're keeping, they would have asked for that in the boundary study options.

And anyway the current set of options are rigged-- there's no reason any DCC school has to be that close to capacity while there are 1000 empty spaces at WJ and Woodward. Folks shouldn't be focusing on which of the options to vote for but on changing the choices entirely: https://form.jotform.com/252966011384155

I assume you are a DCC parent. I am too. Inbounds for Einstein. With all kindness, you are delusional that the vast majority of MCPS families care about these program changes at all. The only people these changes impact are folks who want their children to have access to competitive county-wide magnets, and higher and middle income DCC families who aren't happy with their inbound schools. This is not a lot of people even within the DCC, let alone, when considered as a percentage of the entire county.

+1000 Thank you that someone else gets it. Many families do not care about these changes at all. In fact the idea that the programs will be in greater numbers and spread throughout the county is a positive. It is especially a positive for people who have felt ignored regarding resources for a very long time.

Yes, you can make the case that this doesn't necessarily come with more resources. But they will feel that it does and at the least gives them better reason and data to advocate for more.

+100000
I support the regional model. It doesn't have to be perfect, the current system is not.

Are you at a W school where your kids have tons of classes and opportunities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of confusion. VAC is a longstanding, countywide pre-professional VISUAL arts magnet that students must prepare a portfolio for to be admitted. It has always been at Einstein and will remain at Einstein in its current form.

Einstein will continue to offer performing arts classes to its student body as it has always done. "VAPA", Einstein's performing arts "academy" was never more than a way to organize students. It isn't different than performing arts classes at other schools. In fact, many MCPS schools offer more performing arts classes than Einstein.

What schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that CAP is currently a regional program, why wouldn’t they at the very least keep it for region 1?

It’s listed as a criteria-based regional program in the latest slide. They haven’t said how big it will be, though. At the last BoE meeting they said RMIB will only accept about 60 kids per year (down from over 100) so I’m sure they’ll cut CAP and SMCS at Blair, too.

Also, the communications programs in other regions are listed as interest based, not criteria based. MCPS hasn’t given details for those but they probably won’t be as robust as CAP.

This will depend on the boundaries, too. 3 out of the 4 options leave Blair at 100% utilization, so I don't know how they'd have a meaningful cohort for 2 magnet programs if Options A, C, or D are chosen.

What do people think of the idea of moving CAP to Northwood to create space for more seats at SMCS?

There is 0 chance Blair people are going to give up CAP. CAP and SMCS are their sacred cows that can't be moved. We could have moved CAP and SMCS to Kennedy years ago to help alleviate overcrowding.

I was under the impression that SMCS was the really prized shining star.

Regardless, for people who care about keeping even 1 strong program at Blair, they should advocate for the Boundary Option B so that there's room for it.

They don't need to leave a ton of extra space for the magnets-- the magnets are getting smaller and the idea is that it will cancel itself out as some kids leave Blair for regional programs and others come to Blair for regional programs. Even if that is untrue, MCPS is going to insist it will be true and put the programs where it wants to put them regardless of what boundary options are chosen. If they needed more space for SMCS and CAP at Blair which they're saying they're keeping, they would have asked for that in the boundary study options.

And anyway the current set of options are rigged-- there's no reason any DCC school has to be that close to capacity while there are 1000 empty spaces at WJ and Woodward. Folks shouldn't be focusing on which of the options to vote for but on changing the choices entirely: https://form.jotform.com/252966011384155

I assume you are a DCC parent. I am too. Inbounds for Einstein. With all kindness, you are delusional that the vast majority of MCPS families care about these program changes at all. The only people these changes impact are folks who want their children to have access to competitive county-wide magnets, and higher and middle income DCC families who aren't happy with their inbound schools. This is not a lot of people even within the DCC, let alone, when considered as a percentage of the entire county.

+1000 Thank you that someone else gets it. Many families do not care about these changes at all. In fact the idea that the programs will be in greater numbers and spread throughout the county is a positive. It is especially a positive for people who have felt ignored regarding resources for a very long time.

Yes, you can make the case that this doesn't necessarily come with more resources. But they will feel that it does and at the least gives them better reason and data to advocate for more.

+100000
I support the regional model. It doesn't have to be perfect, the current system is not.

Are you at a W school where your kids have tons of classes and opportunities?

There are more schools in MCPS than DCC and "W schools".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that CAP is currently a regional program, why wouldn’t they at the very least keep it for region 1?

It’s listed as a criteria-based regional program in the latest slide. They haven’t said how big it will be, though. At the last BoE meeting they said RMIB will only accept about 60 kids per year (down from over 100) so I’m sure they’ll cut CAP and SMCS at Blair, too.

Also, the communications programs in other regions are listed as interest based, not criteria based. MCPS hasn’t given details for those but they probably won’t be as robust as CAP.

This will depend on the boundaries, too. 3 out of the 4 options leave Blair at 100% utilization, so I don't know how they'd have a meaningful cohort for 2 magnet programs if Options A, C, or D are chosen.

What do people think of the idea of moving CAP to Northwood to create space for more seats at SMCS?

There is 0 chance Blair people are going to give up CAP. CAP and SMCS are their sacred cows that can't be moved. We could have moved CAP and SMCS to Kennedy years ago to help alleviate overcrowding.

I was under the impression that SMCS was the really prized shining star.

Regardless, for people who care about keeping even 1 strong program at Blair, they should advocate for the Boundary Option B so that there's room for it.

They don't need to leave a ton of extra space for the magnets-- the magnets are getting smaller and the idea is that it will cancel itself out as some kids leave Blair for regional programs and others come to Blair for regional programs. Even if that is untrue, MCPS is going to insist it will be true and put the programs where it wants to put them regardless of what boundary options are chosen. If they needed more space for SMCS and CAP at Blair which they're saying they're keeping, they would have asked for that in the boundary study options.

And anyway the current set of options are rigged-- there's no reason any DCC school has to be that close to capacity while there are 1000 empty spaces at WJ and Woodward. Folks shouldn't be focusing on which of the options to vote for but on changing the choices entirely: https://form.jotform.com/252966011384155

I assume you are a DCC parent. I am too. Inbounds for Einstein. With all kindness, you are delusional that the vast majority of MCPS families care about these program changes at all. The only people these changes impact are folks who want their children to have access to competitive county-wide magnets, and higher and middle income DCC families who aren't happy with their inbound schools. This is not a lot of people even within the DCC, let alone, when considered as a percentage of the entire county.

+1000 Thank you that someone else gets it. Many families do not care about these changes at all. In fact the idea that the programs will be in greater numbers and spread throughout the county is a positive. It is especially a positive for people who have felt ignored regarding resources for a very long time.

Yes, you can make the case that this doesn't necessarily come with more resources. But they will feel that it does and at the least gives them better reason and data to advocate for more.

+100000
I support the regional model. It doesn't have to be perfect, the current system is not.

Are you at a W school where your kids have tons of classes and opportunities?

There are more schools in MCPS than DCC and "W schools".

Thats great that your children's schools have the classes and opportunities that they need. Many others don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of confusion. VAC is a longstanding, countywide pre-professional VISUAL arts magnet that students must prepare a portfolio for to be admitted. It has always been at Einstein and will remain at Einstein in its current form.

Einstein will continue to offer performing arts classes to its student body as it has always done. "VAPA", Einstein's performing arts "academy" was never more than a way to organize students. It isn't different than performing arts classes at other schools. In fact, many MCPS schools offer more performing arts classes than Einstein.

What schools?

Go look at each school and their courses and you can see it. Einstein is very limited due to the lack fo teachers.