APS: Wow, the SB meeting was a DOOZY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Randolph and Reed are going to be choice IB schools. Get off your high horse.

The demand for IB in elementary is pretty weak. Why don't they make Randolph another immersion school? They have the Spanish-speaking population there already. They could increase diversity by attracting English-speaking students. And the kids would actually be in the same classrooms as opposed to a "magnet"-type program.

What am I missing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Randolph and Reed are going to be choice IB schools. Get off your high horse.

The demand for IB in elementary is pretty weak. Why don't they make Randolph another immersion school? They have the Spanish-speaking population there already. They could increase diversity by attracting English-speaking students. And the kids would actually be in the same classrooms as opposed to a "magnet"-type program.

What am I missing?

While there is a very large Spanish-speaking contingent in the school there are actually something like 30 languages spoken there. Also when the last principal was removed and they did surveys about community satisfaction and I believe that the IB program was something that came up that the community (i.e. parents, community members and staff) wanted to keep. Also, there are already two large immersion programs in the county. Once they fix the team school thing it will be much better. Everyone I know who wanted a K spot at Claremont this year has been offered one by now.

IB includes a focus on community service, building community and teaching students to ask good questions and be curious and engaged learners. A lot of people just don't understand the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Randolph and Reed are going to be choice IB schools. Get off your high horse.

The demand for IB in elementary is pretty weak. Why don't they make Randolph another immersion school? They have the Spanish-speaking population there already. They could increase diversity by attracting English-speaking students. And the kids would actually be in the same classrooms as opposed to a "magnet"-type program.

What am I missing?

While there is a very large Spanish-speaking contingent in the school there are actually something like 30 languages spoken there. Also when the last principal was removed and they did surveys about community satisfaction and I believe that the IB program was something that came up that the community (i.e. parents, community members and staff) wanted to keep. Also, there are already two large immersion programs in the county. Once they fix the team school thing it will be much better. Everyone I know who wanted a K spot at Claremont this year has been offered one by now.

IB includes a focus on community service, building community and teaching students to ask good questions and be curious and engaged learners. A lot of people just don't understand the program.

As a S Arlington parent, I would rather have an IB choice school or some type of magnet program over Spanish immersion. Especially since we don't seem to have a plan for other language immersion. I would consider Spanish immersion, but it not the top of our list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:. Once they fix the team school thing it will be much better. Everyone I know who wanted a K spot at Claremont this year has been offered one by now.

You think that b/c everyone you personally know who wanted into Claremont got in, that it means there is no demand????? I'm curious how many people you personally know who applied.
There are over 60 kids at Key who have been boxed out of Claremont. The Claremont admissions are so tight that the kids who could most benefit from immersion are completely boxed out b/c they don't have the resources or the pushiness to get into Key instead. (I'm speaking there of native Spanish speakers who speak only Spanish at home.)
There is definitely demand for a 3rd immersion school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Randolph and Reed are going to be choice IB schools. Get off your high horse.

The demand for IB in elementary is pretty weak. Why don't they make Randolph another immersion school? They have the Spanish-speaking population there already. They could increase diversity by attracting English-speaking students. And the kids would actually be in the same classrooms as opposed to a "magnet"-type program.

What am I missing?

While there is a very large Spanish-speaking contingent in the school there are actually something like 30 languages spoken there. Also when the last principal was removed and they did surveys about community satisfaction and I believe that the IB program was something that came up that the community (i.e. parents, community members and staff) wanted to keep. Also, there are already two large immersion programs in the county. Once they fix the team school thing it will be much better. Everyone I know who wanted a K spot at Claremont this year has been offered one by now.

IB includes a focus on community service, building community and teaching students to ask good questions and be curious and engaged learners. A lot of people just don't understand the program.

As a S Arlington parent, I would rather have an IB choice school or some type of magnet program over Spanish immersion. Especially since we don't seem to have a plan for other language immersion. I would consider Spanish immersion, but it not the top of our list.

Thanks, I appreciate these responses (I'm the pp who asked the question). Thirty languages? Wow.

[Anonymous]

People trying to get into Key and Claremont this year still had to deal with the team school issue. When that is gone it will be easier. I didn't realize that the waitlist was that long at Key this year but I do know 3 families with rising kindergartners (not siblings) who live outside of the team area who will be attending Key this year. I also know of about 8 incoming students to Claremont including one who very recently got off the waiting list. I'm not arguing that there's not demand for immersion. However, I don't think it should be the only choice option for the County. I think IB is a great elementary school choice.

[Anonymous]

I think IB elementary is ridiculous. There is no demand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think IB elementary is ridiculous. There is no demand.

I think there is a demand for almost anything choice in S Arlington. The chance to avoid a school that is perceived as failing or catering only to non-native English speakers is strong. I don't think it is accurate to say it would not appeal, if you are basing it just on your circle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Randolph and Reed are going to be choice IB schools. Get off your high horse.

The demand for IB in elementary is pretty weak. Why don't they make Randolph another immersion school? They have the Spanish-speaking population there already. They could increase diversity by attracting English-speaking students. And the kids would actually be in the same classrooms as opposed to a "magnet"-type program.

What am I missing?

While there is a very large Spanish-speaking contingent in the school there are actually something like 30 languages spoken there. Also when the last principal was removed and they did surveys about community satisfaction and I believe that the IB program was something that came up that the community (i.e. parents, community members and staff) wanted to keep. Also, there are already two large immersion programs in the county. Once they fix the team school thing it will be much better. Everyone I know who wanted a K spot at Claremont this year has been offered one by now.

IB includes a focus on community service, building community and teaching students to ask good questions and be curious and engaged learners. A lot of people just don't understand the program.

IB is just a set of buzzwords to entice people to keep their kids at lower performing schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Randolph and Reed are going to be choice IB schools. Get off your high horse.

The demand for IB in elementary is pretty weak. Why don't they make Randolph another immersion school? They have the Spanish-speaking population there already. They could increase diversity by attracting English-speaking students. And the kids would actually be in the same classrooms as opposed to a "magnet"-type program.

What am I missing?

While there is a very large Spanish-speaking contingent in the school there are actually something like 30 languages spoken there. Also when the last principal was removed and they did surveys about community satisfaction and I believe that the IB program was something that came up that the community (i.e. parents, community members and staff) wanted to keep. Also, there are already two large immersion programs in the county. Once they fix the team school thing it will be much better. Everyone I know who wanted a K spot at Claremont this year has been offered one by now.

IB includes a focus on community service, building community and teaching students to ask good questions and be curious and engaged learners. A lot of people just don't understand the program.

IB is just a set of buzzwords to entice people to keep their kids at lower performing schools.

Some of us are able to judge a school on factors other than SOL rating or Great Schools score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Randolph and Reed are going to be choice IB schools. Get off your high horse.

The demand for IB in elementary is pretty weak. Why don't they make Randolph another immersion school? They have the Spanish-speaking population there already. They could increase diversity by attracting English-speaking students. And the kids would actually be in the same classrooms as opposed to a "magnet"-type program.

What am I missing?

While there is a very large Spanish-speaking contingent in the school there are actually something like 30 languages spoken there. Also when the last principal was removed and they did surveys about community satisfaction and I believe that the IB program was something that came up that the community (i.e. parents, community members and staff) wanted to keep. Also, there are already two large immersion programs in the county. Once they fix the team school thing it will be much better. Everyone I know who wanted a K spot at Claremont this year has been offered one by now.

IB includes a focus on community service, building community and teaching students to ask good questions and be curious and engaged learners. A lot of people just don't understand the program.

IB is just a set of buzzwords to entice people to keep their kids at lower performing schools.

that must be why people pay $$$$$ to attend Falls Church City schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Randolph and Reed are going to be choice IB schools. Get off your high horse.

The demand for IB in elementary is pretty weak. Why don't they make Randolph another immersion school? They have the Spanish-speaking population there already. They could increase diversity by attracting English-speaking students. And the kids would actually be in the same classrooms as opposed to a "magnet"-type program.

What am I missing?

While there is a very large Spanish-speaking contingent in the school there are actually something like 30 languages spoken there. Also when the last principal was removed and they did surveys about community satisfaction and I believe that the IB program was something that came up that the community (i.e. parents, community members and staff) wanted to keep. Also, there are already two large immersion programs in the county. Once they fix the team school thing it will be much better. Everyone I know who wanted a K spot at Claremont this year has been offered one by now.

IB includes a focus on community service, building community and teaching students to ask good questions and be curious and engaged learners. A lot of people just don't understand the program.

IB is just a set of buzzwords to entice people to keep their kids at lower performing schools.

that must be why people pay $$$$$ to attend Falls Church City schools.

No FCC schools would be high performing b/c of demographics, IB is a distraction for their physical capacity problem(see my Daniel kerfufle)

[Anonymous]

30 languages. What a clusterfuck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:30 languages. What a clusterfuck.

PP here. I was wrong--actually it's 20 languages, not 30. And it makes it even more appropriate to have an IB program with such a global community. Also--do you think children who speak languages other than English should not go to school? Do you think we should segregate students by language? I don't think I understand all you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:30 languages. What a clusterfuck.

PP here. I was wrong--actually it's 20 languages, not 30. And it makes it even more appropriate to have an IB program with such a global community. Also--do you think children who speak languages other than English should not go to school? Do you think we should segregate students by language? I don't think I understand all you.

Quit projecting. That would be a good first step to understanding others.
Ok, 20 languages...
Do you not see what a chaotic tower of babble that could be for a classroom? Is it workable? Sure, but I can't imagine the resources it demands. The test scores reflect the challenges.
Lots of lululemon clad Mommies singing Kumbaya about these schools, but not many willing to send their own children.