Western High School Boundary Map options (A/B/C/D)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, if it turns out to be a traditional neighborhood high school with all the traditions and sports like football, dance team, homecoming, musical production, etc., but with a unique program focus in AI, Aviation, Aerospace, Robotocs, and STEM, I think most people would be happy. The specialized program would only be open to students in the school's attendance zone, and a limited number of transfers who provide their own transportation. We already have AP focused schools, IB oriented schools, so now we'll have an aviation/aerospace/ai/robotics/stem focused school.

The superintendent will get her unique program to boost her CV, and the neighborhood will get their long awaited western high school.

So much for equitable programming, I guess.

There is no equitable programing, plenty of schools have specialty programs. . The equity is supposed to come from kids being allowed to pupil place to gain access. Is there a reason your upset this school might have a specialty program? Heck, they are inviting people to opt-in to the school, equity.

If the specialized program is only for in-boundary students, then that isn’t equitable. Ie, no pupil planning exists for out of boundary schools.

I’m not even arguing for it to be equitable, but the school board should revisit policy 8130 since equitable programming isn’t actually a goal of theirs.

Tell that to all the parents who are already annoyed with Academy programs and IB and the like. There is no equitable programming in FCPS. This whole equitable programming schtick is only popular with the no boundary change crowd because they somehow think that it makes some type of a point. It doesn't.

Programmatic equity is one of the big four factors in policy 8130 to be considered for the comprehensive review. So that “schtick” is popular with the pro-boundary review school board, not the anti.

If your point is that the school board members are hypocrites, well then we agree.

[Anonymous]

A new school without sports teams won't feel like a new school. Sporting events are usually the largest event a high school hosts and the thing that ties the community together. I think the new school won't have many athletes attend until the sports are up and running at a level comparable to other HSs. Will be an interesting mix of students at the new school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A new school without sports teams won't feel like a new school. Sporting events are usually the largest event a high school hosts and the thing that ties the community together. I think the new school won't have many athletes attend until the sports are up and running at a level comparable to other HSs. Will be an interesting mix of students at the new school.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A new school without sports teams won't feel like a new school. Sporting events are usually the largest event a high school hosts and the thing that ties the community together. I think the new school won't have many athletes attend until the sports are up and running at a level comparable to other HSs. Will be an interesting mix of students at the new school.

Schools start somewhere and that normally means without varsity sports. There will be sports, they will be new and will develop their own identity.

It is a small subset of the population that is focused on sports and more sports. It doesn't tie together the community; it ties together the people who thinks that sports are all important. I get that the people in that subset think the rest of the community are nerds or unpopular or lack some sense of community spirit but really, we are focused on other things.

Feel free to opt out so you can attend football games or basketball games or whatever you want to do. But most of the kids attending HS are not going to the games or care that much about sports. But yes, I suspect the hard core "Sports = Community" group will opt out and will pupil place out for a bunch of years.

You have a choice for the first few years. After that, you can pupil place to a different HS, Oakton can aim for AP/Japanese. Have at it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A new school without sports teams won't feel like a new school. Sporting events are usually the largest event a high school hosts and the thing that ties the community together. I think the new school won't have many athletes attend until the sports are up and running at a level comparable to other HSs. Will be an interesting mix of students at the new school.

You do need to have enough students attend the school in order to get enough kids for a sports team. This phasing opt in opt out garbage only serves to delay it.

[Anonymous]

We have a kid very involved in high level sports who is also in AP and interested in tech/AI/engineering. I hope they figure this whole thing out quickly so we don't have to choose one or the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, if it turns out to be a traditional neighborhood high school with all the traditions and sports like football, dance team, homecoming, musical production, etc., but with a unique program focus in AI, Aviation, Aerospace, Robotocs, and STEM, I think most people would be happy. The specialized program would only be open to students in the school's attendance zone, and a limited number of transfers who provide their own transportation. We already have AP focused schools, IB oriented schools, so now we'll have an aviation/aerospace/ai/robotics/stem focused school.

The superintendent will get her unique program to boost her CV, and the neighborhood will get their long awaited western high school.

So much for equitable programming, I guess.

There is no equitable programing, plenty of schools have specialty programs. . The equity is supposed to come from kids being allowed to pupil place to gain access. Is there a reason your upset this school might have a specialty program? Heck, they are inviting people to opt-in to the school, equity.

If the specialized program is only for in-boundary students, then that isn’t equitable. Ie, no pupil planning exists for out of boundary schools.

I’m not even arguing for it to be equitable, but the school board should revisit policy 8130 since equitable programming isn’t actually a goal of theirs.

At least for the first two years, those programs will be available to “everyone”. But likely no transportation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A new school without sports teams won't feel like a new school. Sporting events are usually the largest event a high school hosts and the thing that ties the community together. I think the new school won't have many athletes attend until the sports are up and running at a level comparable to other HSs. Will be an interesting mix of students at the new school.

Schools start somewhere and that normally means without varsity sports. There will be sports, they will be new and will develop their own identity.

It is a small subset of the population that is focused on sports and more sports. It doesn't tie together the community; it ties together the people who thinks that sports are all important. I get that the people in that subset think the rest of the community are nerds or unpopular or lack some sense of community spirit but really, we are focused on other things.

Feel free to opt out so you can attend football games or basketball games or whatever you want to do. But most of the kids attending HS are not going to the games or care that much about sports. But yes, I suspect the hard core "Sports = Community" group will opt out and will pupil place out for a bunch of years.

You have a choice for the first few years. After that, you can pupil place to a different HS, Oakton can aim for AP/Japanese. Have at it.

+1 Most kids aren't sports kids. Will the new program have other extracurriculars? It has a gorgeous theater, so I imagine the theatre program will be one of the first ones to start up. My kid is super interested in theater tech and and this might be a great opportunity for an underclassman to take on leadership role. I think y'all are missing all the resume building that is going to happen at this new school. Being in a leadership role starting in 9th is great for college apps. Far more important than sports, frankly.

[Anonymous]

Schools start somewhere and that normally means without varsity sports. There will be sports, they will be new and will develop their own identity.

Pretty sure that Westfield opened with varsity sports--and were winning championships soon afterwards.

For one thing, they hired an excellent football coach. Probably, because the principal understood the importance of a strong sports program.

Strong sports programs don't require championship teams--but they do require a motivating coach and a support system from the school.

I knew a principal in another system who started a new high school. She hated football, but said it was one of the most important things for a high school to succeed.

Even TJ has a football team and the kid I know who played there enjoyed it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, if it turns out to be a traditional neighborhood high school with all the traditions and sports like football, dance team, homecoming, musical production, etc., but with a unique program focus in AI, Aviation, Aerospace, Robotocs, and STEM, I think most people would be happy. The specialized program would only be open to students in the school's attendance zone, and a limited number of transfers who provide their own transportation. We already have AP focused schools, IB oriented schools, so now we'll have an aviation/aerospace/ai/robotics/stem focused school.

The superintendent will get her unique program to boost her CV, and the neighborhood will get their long awaited western high school.

+1 I am a Crossfield parent and I'm angry that these women claim to represent all of Crossfield. Just because they are loud and have a website (that changes day by day) doesn't mean they represent more than their group of friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Schools start somewhere and that normally means without varsity sports. There will be sports, they will be new and will develop their own identity.

Pretty sure that Westfield opened with varsity sports--and were winning championships soon afterwards.

For one thing, they hired an excellent football coach. Probably, because the principal understood the importance of a strong sports program.

Strong sports programs don't require championship teams--but they do require a motivating coach and a support system from the school.

I knew a principal in another system who started a new high school. She hated football, but said it was one of the most important things for a high school to succeed.

Even TJ has a football team and the kid I know who played there enjoyed it.

You sound confused, sweetie. This school WILL have sports. It just won't have them the first year. Stop making up this false narrative that this school won't have sports. It just won't have varsity sports the first year, maybe the first two years. But it WILL have sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A new school without sports teams won't feel like a new school. Sporting events are usually the largest event a high school hosts and the thing that ties the community together. I think the new school won't have many athletes attend until the sports are up and running at a level comparable to other HSs. Will be an interesting mix of students at the new school.

Schools start somewhere and that normally means without varsity sports. There will be sports, they will be new and will develop their own identity.

It is a small subset of the population that is focused on sports and more sports. It doesn't tie together the community; it ties together the people who thinks that sports are all important. I get that the people in that subset think the rest of the community are nerds or unpopular or lack some sense of community spirit but really, we are focused on other things.

Feel free to opt out so you can attend football games or basketball games or whatever you want to do. But most of the kids attending HS are not going to the games or care that much about sports. But yes, I suspect the hard core "Sports = Community" group will opt out and will pupil place out for a bunch of years.

You have a choice for the first few years. After that, you can pupil place to a different HS, Oakton can aim for AP/Japanese. Have at it.

+1 Most kids aren't sports kids. Will the new program have other extracurriculars? It has a gorgeous theater, so I imagine the theatre program will be one of the first ones to start up. My kid is super interested in theater tech and and this might be a great opportunity for an underclassman to take on leadership role. I think y'all are missing all the resume building that is going to happen at this new school. Being in a leadership role starting in 9th is great for college apps. Far more important than sports, frankly.

They said the goal is to have a full HS experience for students at the meeting I attended. I would guess that means making sure that the teachers they hire are willing to run clubs and extracurricular activities. They know that kids want more then just classes at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You sound confused, sweetie. This school WILL have sports. It just won't have them the first year. Stop making up this false narrative that this school won't have sports. It just won't have varsity sports the first year, maybe the first two years. But it WILL have sports.

1) Nothing worse than this condescending douche calling everyone "sweetie."

2) I'd love to see how they plan to add an athletic complex like other high schools. They don't have enough land to build it IMO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You sound confused, sweetie. This school WILL have sports. It just won't have them the first year. Stop making up this false narrative that this school won't have sports. It just won't have varsity sports the first year, maybe the first two years. But it WILL have sports.

1) Nothing worse than this condescending douche calling everyone "sweetie."

2) I'd love to see how they plan to add an athletic complex like other high schools. They don't have enough land to build it IMO

They will share with Carson, just like SLHS and Hughes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You sound confused, sweetie. This school WILL have sports. It just won't have them the first year. Stop making up this false narrative that this school won't have sports. It just won't have varsity sports the first year, maybe the first two years. But it WILL have sports.

1) Nothing worse than this condescending douche calling everyone "sweetie."

2) I'd love to see how they plan to add an athletic complex like other high schools. They don't have enough land to build it IMO

They will share with Carson, just like SLHS and Hughes.

Good grief. They already have several soccer fields. How many fields do you need? Carson has a baseball field. They do need a stadium. But, that can wait and they can use one from other schools for a while.
There are also park fields nearby.

Do you have any idea how little space Chantilly has?