Thursday Nov 20 BOE Discussion on Boundaries and Regional Program Model

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was just added--sample pathways doc.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLRYN704ACA/$file/WORKING%20DRAFT%20Sample%20Regional%20Programs%20Pathways%20251120.pdf

Wow, they are really leaning into putting the most rigorous academic programs at White Wealthy schools..what a message to send. Damn.

Look, I get your point but just a reminder that BCC is majority non white and 45% non white/Asian. And there is a quarter of the population who can't afford school lunch. There is a robust food pantry at BCC that was decimated when SNAP was cut off. I get that it's not the same as the DCC, and I don't oppose moving academic programs to DCC schools, but please don't lose sight of the facts.

It's ok, the foundation has plenty of money to replenish the pantry and give gift cards to families. Isn't that the point of a food pantry? BCC has some lower income but not nearly as much as other schools, which is the point. 1/4 is very different than 1/2 or 3/4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking at the pathways closer and it’s even more embarrassing g what they are calling a criteria based music program. Why would you take AP music theory in 11th grade? At best a college would give your credit for the fall semester of theory so you would have 18 months between finishing AP theory and resuming college level music core classes.

Compared to real performing arts programs, MCPS kids would have little opportunities. Kids at the run of the mill public school in the south or northeast will take multiple music ensembles during the school day.

This is all smoke and mirrors to get kids to take the CTE marketing class. Gross!

If you are playing upper-level music, of course, you take Music theory as its an important part of music. They take multiple ensembles as that's all that is offered; if more were offered, they'd take it. It sucks to have the same music class four years in a row with no upward mobility. Not everything is about getting college credit, its about their love of music and playing better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI - the original link posted in the OP is broken. There is a revised PPT and new document on budget and transportation posted in the BOE agenda for today which can be accessed here: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DJMGHC43C32B

Yet they still have the creepy AI images of the students of color who have warped faces when you zoom in.

Here is the link to the presentation: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLJE34CC316/$file/Boundary%20Studies%20Program%20Analysis%20Update%20251120%20PPT%20REV.pdf

And to the budget: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLJXC4F4A19/$file/Regional%20Program%20Model%20FY2027-2031%20Budget%20251120.pdf

Save them now before they take them down.

The transportation stuff at the end of the budget doc makes no sense. There will only be 3 new program buses per school in year 1, even in 5-school regions? But actually it's only 1 additional net bus per school because exactly 78% of kids at every single school used to be a local bus rider and so every local school can cut two local bus routes? And then the transportation costs only increase a little more above that in future years and then by year 5 it becomes cost savings?

It makes sense as the busses will stop at multiple schools and they are only letting maybe 20 kids from each school go to other schools.

Nope, they're expecting like 500 kids per school go go to other schools, 100+ per grade.

This is crazy as more kids in the DCC go to different schools when what they are proposing from the regional model. 100 per grade is spread out over all the schools in the region.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Taylor is such an idiot. He mentioned a 200 person “full size” orchestra or band. Then he bragged about how “instrument construction” might even be a part of a criteria based instrumental music program.

It’s clear MCPS hasn’t looked at any of the nationally known Perfirming Arts High Schools such as Duje Ellington, LaGuardia, or even the Virginia Governor’s School for the arts. You don’t break these kids up! Theatre kids need good instrumentalists to play in the pit of their musicals and real dancers on stage. You need good visual artists working on set design. Splitting these concentrations will limit the number of authentic experiences kids will have in MCPS.

Also, Taylor was incorrect when the said MCPS didn’t currently have any criteria based instrumental music strike music programs. Almost every MS and HS has at least one audition only instrumental ensemble such as a wind ensemble, jazz band, etc.

Is MCPS ready to start providing audition workshops and all the other outreach necessary for true criteria based music programs that can be successful?

He doesn't know anything about music. The private orchestra groups are around 100, maybe slightly more students, never 200. You couldn't even get 200 on a stage. Instrument construction - what does that even mean? They don't have metal or woodworking shops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was just added--sample pathways doc.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLRYN704ACA/$file/WORKING%20DRAFT%20Sample%20Regional%20Programs%20Pathways%20251120.pdf

Wow, they are really leaning into putting the most rigorous academic programs at White Wealthy schools..what a message to send. Damn.

Look, I get your point but just a reminder that BCC is majority non white and 45% non white/Asian. And there is a quarter of the population who can't afford school lunch. There is a robust food pantry at BCC that was decimated when SNAP was cut off. I get that it's not the same as the DCC, and I don't oppose moving academic programs to DCC schools, but please don't lose sight of the facts.

It's ok, the foundation has plenty of money to replenish the pantry and give gift cards to families. Isn't that the point of a food pantry? BCC has some lower income but not nearly as much as other schools, which is the point. 1/4 is very different than 1/2 or 3/4.

Yeah, as I mentioned, not the same. Replenishment came from the community, just as it does in the DCC community when the need is there (yeah, I know that too). And yes, 1/4 is different from 47% (Einstein). Don't inflate numbers.

The foundation was not tapped to replenish the food pantry. And it can be replicated at DCC schools too. It is a nonprofit that can raise funds from the MC community just as others can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Taylor is such an idiot. He mentioned a 200 person “full size” orchestra or band. Then he bragged about how “instrument construction” might even be a part of a criteria based instrumental music program.

It’s clear MCPS hasn’t looked at any of the nationally known Perfirming Arts High Schools such as Duje Ellington, LaGuardia, or even the Virginia Governor’s School for the arts. You don’t break these kids up! Theatre kids need good instrumentalists to play in the pit of their musicals and real dancers on stage. You need good visual artists working on set design. Splitting these concentrations will limit the number of authentic experiences kids will have in MCPS.

Also, Taylor was incorrect when the said MCPS didn’t currently have any criteria based instrumental music strike music programs. Almost every MS and HS has at least one audition only instrumental ensemble such as a wind ensemble, jazz band, etc.

Is MCPS ready to start providing audition workshops and all the other outreach necessary for true criteria based music programs that can be successful?

He doesn't know anything about music. The private orchestra groups are around 100, maybe slightly more students, never 200. You couldn't even get 200 on a stage. Instrument construction - what does that even mean? They don't have metal or woodworking shops.

The dance program is very disappointing. I don’t see how it could adequately prepare a child for a future career in dance. Who made these arts pathways?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Slides 13 and 14 are just gross on so many levels. Besides being manipulative, it's messed-up to use AI art, they clearly told the AI to make basically all of the kids students of color, and the faces of many of the "kids" are grotesque if you look at them. Is no one on the team embarrassed by stooping to this kind of thing?

So creepy!

That was really bad!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Julie Yang seems like she's trying to be performatively '"tough" on MCPS but not really.

She's been among the best of the bunch. Sad to lose her on the BOE. She really does work hard for this $25k a year position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Julie Yang seems like she's trying to be performatively '"tough" on MCPS but not really.

She's been among the best of the bunch. Sad to lose her on the BOE. She really does work hard for this $25k a year position.

At what? She made promises she never kept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Julie Yang has good questions.

She did. I'll give her that.

But no one on the board is reflecting the concerns, frustrations and misgivings the community has expressed about the regional program model in the way that the County Council did when they interrogated MCPS about this proposal.

This. ☝️

Brenda Wolfe spoke about areas of the county where students don't have access to programs and how most of the demand to slow down is coming from areas that currently have programs.

There are programs in the NEC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Taylor is such an idiot. He mentioned a 200 person “full size” orchestra or band. Then he bragged about how “instrument construction” might even be a part of a criteria based instrumental music program.

It’s clear MCPS hasn’t looked at any of the nationally known Perfirming Arts High Schools such as Duje Ellington, LaGuardia, or even the Virginia Governor’s School for the arts. You don’t break these kids up! Theatre kids need good instrumentalists to play in the pit of their musicals and real dancers on stage. You need good visual artists working on set design. Splitting these concentrations will limit the number of authentic experiences kids will have in MCPS.

Also, Taylor was incorrect when the said MCPS didn’t currently have any criteria based instrumental music strike music programs. Almost every MS and HS has at least one audition only instrumental ensemble such as a wind ensemble, jazz band, etc.

Is MCPS ready to start providing audition workshops and all the other outreach necessary for true criteria based music programs that can be successful?

I can't listen to Taylor any more -he somehow thinks we should accept whatever drivel drops from his mouth. He'll be gone in 2 years, before his program changes collapse the system, the same as what happened in his last job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was just added--sample pathways doc.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLRYN704ACA/$file/WORKING%20DRAFT%20Sample%20Regional%20Programs%20Pathways%20251120.pdf

Wow, they are really leaning into putting the most rigorous academic programs at White Wealthy schools..what a message to send. Damn.

Look, I get your point but just a reminder that BCC is majority non white and 45% non white/Asian. And there is a quarter of the population who can't afford school lunch. There is a robust food pantry at BCC that was decimated when SNAP was cut off. I get that it's not the same as the DCC, and I don't oppose moving academic programs to DCC schools, but please don't lose sight of the facts.

It's ok, the foundation has plenty of money to replenish the pantry and give gift cards to families. Isn't that the point of a food pantry? BCC has some lower income but not nearly as much as other schools, which is the point. 1/4 is very different than 1/2 or 3/4.

Yeah, as I mentioned, not the same. Replenishment came from the community, just as it does in the DCC community when the need is there (yeah, I know that too). And yes, 1/4 is different from 47% (Einstein). Don't inflate numbers.

The foundation was not tapped to replenish the food pantry. And it can be replicated at DCC schools too. It is a nonprofit that can raise funds from the MC community just as others can.

Its very hard to raise money when parents down own businesses or have connections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Julie Yang seems like she's trying to be performatively '"tough" on MCPS but not really.

She's been among the best of the bunch. Sad to lose her on the BOE. She really does work hard for this $25k a year position.

And, how do you come to that conclusion when MCPS has had many issues under her BOE leadership? How can you excuse all the mismanagement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Taylor is such an idiot. He mentioned a 200 person “full size” orchestra or band. Then he bragged about how “instrument construction” might even be a part of a criteria based instrumental music program.

It’s clear MCPS hasn’t looked at any of the nationally known Perfirming Arts High Schools such as Duje Ellington, LaGuardia, or even the Virginia Governor’s School for the arts. You don’t break these kids up! Theatre kids need good instrumentalists to play in the pit of their musicals and real dancers on stage. You need good visual artists working on set design. Splitting these concentrations will limit the number of authentic experiences kids will have in MCPS.

Also, Taylor was incorrect when the said MCPS didn’t currently have any criteria based instrumental music strike music programs. Almost every MS and HS has at least one audition only instrumental ensemble such as a wind ensemble, jazz band, etc.

Is MCPS ready to start providing audition workshops and all the other outreach necessary for true criteria based music programs that can be successful?

He doesn't know anything about music. The private orchestra groups are around 100, maybe slightly more students, never 200. You couldn't even get 200 on a stage. Instrument construction - what does that even mean? They don't have metal or woodworking shops.

The dance program is very disappointing. I don’t see how it could adequately prepare a child for a future career in dance. Who made these arts pathways?

None of them can. If families want kids prepared, they have to do outside groups. Dance, music and theater are all very disappointing and you never hear anything much about choir. And, more importantly they aren't giving these schools the academics they need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was just added--sample pathways doc.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLRYN704ACA/$file/WORKING%20DRAFT%20Sample%20Regional%20Programs%20Pathways%20251120.pdf

Wow, they are really leaning into putting the most rigorous academic programs at White Wealthy schools..what a message to send. Damn.

Look, I get your point but just a reminder that BCC is majority non white and 45% non white/Asian. And there is a quarter of the population who can't afford school lunch. There is a robust food pantry at BCC that was decimated when SNAP was cut off. I get that it's not the same as the DCC, and I don't oppose moving academic programs to DCC schools, but please don't lose sight of the facts.

It's ok, the foundation has plenty of money to replenish the pantry and give gift cards to families. Isn't that the point of a food pantry? BCC has some lower income but not nearly as much as other schools, which is the point. 1/4 is very different than 1/2 or 3/4.

Yeah, as I mentioned, not the same. Replenishment came from the community, just as it does in the DCC community when the need is there (yeah, I know that too). And yes, 1/4 is different from 47% (Einstein). Don't inflate numbers.

The foundation was not tapped to replenish the food pantry. And it can be replicated at DCC schools too. It is a nonprofit that can raise funds from the MC community just as others can.

Why don't you help the others schools start foundations and fundraise if its that easy?