Third round options on Woodward Boundary study

[Anonymous]

I am confused about Option F -- it actually splits kids from Sligo Creek Elementary between Eastern and TPES (not Eastern and Sligo, as originally announced). Wondering again what this would mean for kids in immersion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:zoned for WJ or Woodward, depending on model, current WJ

It seems like F does a good job, compared to others, of balancing capacity, FARMS and EML. I also like that it keeps GPES together. For my neighborhood proximity is also fine. So overall leaning towards F being my top pick.

My question regarding proximity: how do Wheaton Woods families feel about the longer drive to Woodward vs current drive to Wheaton?

Also, overall what do people think of F?

Who cares about GPES being kept together. Us at SSIM are being shut out…they’re closing our school. Say no to F. It deserves an F grade.

Your neighboring KPES isn’t being kept together and you don’t see them nagging as much as GPES

ok, ok
that is why I asked what others think

It is hard to see the nuances and impacts on all schools and easiest to see impact on one's own neighborhood

also it is valid to care about split articulation even if you weigh other factors and impacts higher. no need to be hostile

Zero. You like to project your feelings on others too much. I want my school to stay open. Your split articulations issues is meaningless to education quality.

I think you are misunderstanding my original post. I listed the things I like about F, one of which is a split articulation issue. I wanted to hear about the
impact of F on other school communitues so I genuinely asked. I didn't really process the middle school effects so having that pointed out is helpful. I don't fully understand the SSIMS issue but I definitely do not want a school to close if the families who attend are opposed to closure. Of course that is a huge impact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to see the popularity of option F. This (along with B) is the big change option for my neighborhood — ESS, currently zoned for Blair and could move to Northwood. I’m not foaming at the mouth about it but I’d prefer to stay Blair.

Yeah I'm an ESS family and agree with you. I think Northwood will be a fine school but I hate the idea of middle college. It feels like it kind of destroys both the high school and the college experience. I hope with the larger school there will be enough advanced kids not doing MC that my kids can do normal high school and still have advanced classes. So I hope we stay Blair, but we'll make the best of Northwood. I was upset about the possibility of being sent to SSIMS and then having it be closed and have to be bussed for middle school so I'm glad that seems like it won't happen.

+1 I am a potential Woodward family. (It's extremely likely I will be Woodward after the latest options. Only a fleeting hope remains of WJ). Reason why I am opposed to Woodward is that it has a arts program and that Middle College/ MC program. You articulate the point correctly. It feels like it destroys both high school and college experience. They should just offer a standard high school with some advanced classes for kids who need it, and music or painting elective for kids who want those.

I'm at the point where I need to focus on fighting the regional model very strongly. All attention goes to that.

Very few do middle college. How is an arts program bad?

You make my point. Very few do MC. But that is the option provided for advanced learners at Woodward.

Arts is a waste of time. It’s a mere hobby that they are allocating towards six high schools. They should focus on reading, writing and math proficiency in MCPS generally, not arts.

You know plenty of students do both arts and core subjects. Arts is not just a hobby and can lead to lots of careers. Every school needs a vibrant music, visual, and performing arts program.

Disagree. The only career it could lead to is painting houses if you’re lucky.

Wow. What did the arts do to you? If you don't appreciate them, don't go to that high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok, I'm looking at these maps but I have no idea what to take away from them. Can someone provide some analysis on the pros and cons of each of the new options?

Did anyone attend the Zoom webinar where they might have explained it?

Anyone able to break down the analysis of the new options in layman's terms with pros and cons for each?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to see the popularity of option F. This (along with B) is the big change option for my neighborhood — ESS, currently zoned for Blair and could move to Northwood. I’m not foaming at the mouth about it but I’d prefer to stay Blair.

Yeah I'm an ESS family and agree with you. I think Northwood will be a fine school but I hate the idea of middle college. It feels like it kind of destroys both the high school and the college experience. I hope with the larger school there will be enough advanced kids not doing MC that my kids can do normal high school and still have advanced classes. So I hope we stay Blair, but we'll make the best of Northwood. I was upset about the possibility of being sent to SSIMS and then having it be closed and have to be bussed for middle school so I'm glad that seems like it won't happen.

+1 I am a potential Woodward family. (It's extremely likely I will be Woodward after the latest options. Only a fleeting hope remains of WJ). Reason why I am opposed to Woodward is that it has a arts program and that Middle College/ MC program. You articulate the point correctly. It feels like it destroys both high school and college experience. They should just offer a standard high school with some advanced classes for kids who need it, and music or painting elective for kids who want those.

I'm at the point where I need to focus on fighting the regional model very strongly. All attention goes to that.

Very few do middle college. How is an arts program bad?

You make my point. Very few do MC. But that is the option provided for advanced learners at Woodward.

Arts is a waste of time. It’s a mere hobby that they are allocating towards six high schools. They should focus on reading, writing and math proficiency in MCPS generally, not arts.

You know plenty of students do both arts and core subjects. Arts is not just a hobby and can lead to lots of careers. Every school needs a vibrant music, visual, and performing arts program.

Disagree. The only career it could lead to is painting houses if you’re lucky.

Wow. What did the arts do to you? If you don't appreciate them, don't go to that high school.

This is the coloring book person- ignore

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, I'm looking at these maps but I have no idea what to take away from them. Can someone provide some analysis on the pros and cons of each of the new options?

Did anyone attend the Zoom webinar where they might have explained it?

Anyone able to break down the analysis of the new options in layman's terms with pros and cons for each?

You want us to be your chat GPT. Wait for the Bethesda magazine article. Or try thinking and analyzing for yourself rather than relying on anonymous grumpy people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to see the popularity of option F. This (along with B) is the big change option for my neighborhood — ESS, currently zoned for Blair and could move to Northwood. I’m not foaming at the mouth about it but I’d prefer to stay Blair.

Yeah I'm an ESS family and agree with you. I think Northwood will be a fine school but I hate the idea of middle college. It feels like it kind of destroys both the high school and the college experience. I hope with the larger school there will be enough advanced kids not doing MC that my kids can do normal high school and still have advanced classes. So I hope we stay Blair, but we'll make the best of Northwood. I was upset about the possibility of being sent to SSIMS and then having it be closed and have to be bussed for middle school so I'm glad that seems like it won't happen.

+1 I am a potential Woodward family. (It's extremely likely I will be Woodward after the latest options. Only a fleeting hope remains of WJ). Reason why I am opposed to Woodward is that it has a arts program and that Middle College/ MC program. You articulate the point correctly. It feels like it destroys both high school and college experience. They should just offer a standard high school with some advanced classes for kids who need it, and music or painting elective for kids who want those.

I'm at the point where I need to focus on fighting the regional model very strongly. All attention goes to that.

Very few do middle college. How is an arts program bad?

You make my point. Very few do MC. But that is the option provided for advanced learners at Woodward.

Arts is a waste of time. It’s a mere hobby that they are allocating towards six high schools. They should focus on reading, writing and math proficiency in MCPS generally, not arts.

You know plenty of students do both arts and core subjects. Arts is not just a hobby and can lead to lots of careers. Every school needs a vibrant music, visual, and performing arts program.

Disagree. The only career it could lead to is painting houses if you’re lucky.

Wow. What did the arts do to you? If you don't appreciate them, don't go to that high school.

DP

You really think you’re preparing your child for the modern economy with horn tooting and painting? Look at all the baristas that program will produce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to see the popularity of option F. This (along with B) is the big change option for my neighborhood — ESS, currently zoned for Blair and could move to Northwood. I’m not foaming at the mouth about it but I’d prefer to stay Blair.

Yeah I'm an ESS family and agree with you. I think Northwood will be a fine school but I hate the idea of middle college. It feels like it kind of destroys both the high school and the college experience. I hope with the larger school there will be enough advanced kids not doing MC that my kids can do normal high school and still have advanced classes. So I hope we stay Blair, but we'll make the best of Northwood. I was upset about the possibility of being sent to SSIMS and then having it be closed and have to be bussed for middle school so I'm glad that seems like it won't happen.

+1 I am a potential Woodward family. (It's extremely likely I will be Woodward after the latest options. Only a fleeting hope remains of WJ). Reason why I am opposed to Woodward is that it has a arts program and that Middle College/ MC program. You articulate the point correctly. It feels like it destroys both high school and college experience. They should just offer a standard high school with some advanced classes for kids who need it, and music or painting elective for kids who want those.

I'm at the point where I need to focus on fighting the regional model very strongly. All attention goes to that.

Very few do middle college. How is an arts program bad?

You make my point. Very few do MC. But that is the option provided for advanced learners at Woodward.

Arts is a waste of time. It’s a mere hobby that they are allocating towards six high schools. They should focus on reading, writing and math proficiency in MCPS generally, not arts.

You know plenty of students do both arts and core subjects. Arts is not just a hobby and can lead to lots of careers. Every school needs a vibrant music, visual, and performing arts program.

Disagree. The only career it could lead to is painting houses if you’re lucky.

Wow. What did the arts do to you? If you don't appreciate them, don't go to that high school.

Or try to stop the program. Like PTA and Teachers Union wants to do. Good idea

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to see the popularity of option F. This (along with B) is the big change option for my neighborhood — ESS, currently zoned for Blair and could move to Northwood. I’m not foaming at the mouth about it but I’d prefer to stay Blair.

Yeah I'm an ESS family and agree with you. I think Northwood will be a fine school but I hate the idea of middle college. It feels like it kind of destroys both the high school and the college experience. I hope with the larger school there will be enough advanced kids not doing MC that my kids can do normal high school and still have advanced classes. So I hope we stay Blair, but we'll make the best of Northwood. I was upset about the possibility of being sent to SSIMS and then having it be closed and have to be bussed for middle school so I'm glad that seems like it won't happen.

+1 I am a potential Woodward family. (It's extremely likely I will be Woodward after the latest options. Only a fleeting hope remains of WJ). Reason why I am opposed to Woodward is that it has a arts program and that Middle College/ MC program. You articulate the point correctly. It feels like it destroys both high school and college experience. They should just offer a standard high school with some advanced classes for kids who need it, and music or painting elective for kids who want those.

I'm at the point where I need to focus on fighting the regional model very strongly. All attention goes to that.

Very few do middle college. How is an arts program bad?

You make my point. Very few do MC. But that is the option provided for advanced learners at Woodward.

Arts is a waste of time. It’s a mere hobby that they are allocating towards six high schools. They should focus on reading, writing and math proficiency in MCPS generally, not arts.

You know plenty of students do both arts and core subjects. Arts is not just a hobby and can lead to lots of careers. Every school needs a vibrant music, visual, and performing arts program.

DP

It should be an after school program like athletics. Not an all day thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to see the popularity of option F. This (along with B) is the big change option for my neighborhood — ESS, currently zoned for Blair and could move to Northwood. I’m not foaming at the mouth about it but I’d prefer to stay Blair.

Yeah I'm an ESS family and agree with you. I think Northwood will be a fine school but I hate the idea of middle college. It feels like it kind of destroys both the high school and the college experience. I hope with the larger school there will be enough advanced kids not doing MC that my kids can do normal high school and still have advanced classes. So I hope we stay Blair, but we'll make the best of Northwood. I was upset about the possibility of being sent to SSIMS and then having it be closed and have to be bussed for middle school so I'm glad that seems like it won't happen.

+1 I am a potential Woodward family. (It's extremely likely I will be Woodward after the latest options. Only a fleeting hope remains of WJ). Reason why I am opposed to Woodward is that it has a arts program and that Middle College/ MC program. You articulate the point correctly. It feels like it destroys both high school and college experience. They should just offer a standard high school with some advanced classes for kids who need it, and music or painting elective for kids who want those.

I'm at the point where I need to focus on fighting the regional model very strongly. All attention goes to that.

Very few do middle college. How is an arts program bad?

You make my point. Very few do MC. But that is the option provided for advanced learners at Woodward.

Arts is a waste of time. It’s a mere hobby that they are allocating towards six high schools. They should focus on reading, writing and math proficiency in MCPS generally, not arts.

You know plenty of students do both arts and core subjects. Arts is not just a hobby and can lead to lots of careers. Every school needs a vibrant music, visual, and performing arts program.

DP

It should be an after school program like athletics. Not an all day thing.

DP. What are you even talking about? It's not an "all day thing." If you don't want to take arts classes, fine. You just need one to graduate and then you can be done with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS is saying there is a high demand for Middle College. Ok so let's assume for the sake of argument that this is true. Where is the demand concentrated in region 3? Is Woodward the optimal place for this?

MCPS, in collusion with Montgomery College, is exerting an incredible amount of energy and pressure to funnel kids into dual enrollment programs like Middle College to help fill seats that would otherwise go unfilled. Board member Karla Silvestre works for MC. But more importantly, they're funded by the same budget so it's all One Montgomery County, and that's how the County Council likes it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to see the popularity of option F. This (along with B) is the big change option for my neighborhood — ESS, currently zoned for Blair and could move to Northwood. I’m not foaming at the mouth about it but I’d prefer to stay Blair.

Yeah I'm an ESS family and agree with you. I think Northwood will be a fine school but I hate the idea of middle college. It feels like it kind of destroys both the high school and the college experience. I hope with the larger school there will be enough advanced kids not doing MC that my kids can do normal high school and still have advanced classes. So I hope we stay Blair, but we'll make the best of Northwood. I was upset about the possibility of being sent to SSIMS and then having it be closed and have to be bussed for middle school so I'm glad that seems like it won't happen.

+1 I am a potential Woodward family. (It's extremely likely I will be Woodward after the latest options. Only a fleeting hope remains of WJ). Reason why I am opposed to Woodward is that it has a arts program and that Middle College/ MC program. You articulate the point correctly. It feels like it destroys both high school and college experience. They should just offer a standard high school with some advanced classes for kids who need it, and music or painting elective for kids who want those.

I'm at the point where I need to focus on fighting the regional model very strongly. All attention goes to that.

Very few do middle college. How is an arts program bad?

You make my point. Very few do MC. But that is the option provided for advanced learners at Woodward.

Arts is a waste of time. It’s a mere hobby that they are allocating towards six high schools. They should focus on reading, writing and math proficiency in MCPS generally, not arts.

You know plenty of students do both arts and core subjects. Arts is not just a hobby and can lead to lots of careers. Every school needs a vibrant music, visual, and performing arts program.

Disagree. The only career it could lead to is painting houses if you’re lucky.

You are ignorant. There's a wealth of academic research about the cognitive benefits of learning the arts.

For example: https://www.snexplores.org/article/why-creative-arts-good-for-your-brain

There's a reason why the most academically advanced kids also tend to be excellent in some form of art as well, such as instrumental music.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am confused about Option F -- it actually splits kids from Sligo Creek Elementary between Eastern and TPES (not Eastern and Sligo, as originally announced). Wondering again what this would mean for kids in immersion.

They said they’d divide Ssims between the two schools. I think close in SCES is closer to TPMS, so this is a geographically sensible pivot maybe responding to criticism that eastern and Sligo are becoming too large. I assume the immersion program would continue to Eastern, but could be wrong.

This could also have implications for rezoning that part of the SCES boundary as well. Close in SCES could be moved to ESS and the neighborhood would articulate to TPMS and Northwood together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to see the popularity of option F. This (along with B) is the big change option for my neighborhood — ESS, currently zoned for Blair and could move to Northwood. I’m not foaming at the mouth about it but I’d prefer to stay Blair.

Yeah I'm an ESS family and agree with you. I think Northwood will be a fine school but I hate the idea of middle college. It feels like it kind of destroys both the high school and the college experience. I hope with the larger school there will be enough advanced kids not doing MC that my kids can do normal high school and still have advanced classes. So I hope we stay Blair, but we'll make the best of Northwood. I was upset about the possibility of being sent to SSIMS and then having it be closed and have to be bussed for middle school so I'm glad that seems like it won't happen.

+1 I am a potential Woodward family. (It's extremely likely I will be Woodward after the latest options. Only a fleeting hope remains of WJ). Reason why I am opposed to Woodward is that it has a arts program and that Middle College/ MC program. You articulate the point correctly. It feels like it destroys both high school and college experience. They should just offer a standard high school with some advanced classes for kids who need it, and music or painting elective for kids who want those.

I'm at the point where I need to focus on fighting the regional model very strongly. All attention goes to that.

Very few do middle college. How is an arts program bad?

You make my point. Very few do MC. But that is the option provided for advanced learners at Woodward.

Arts is a waste of time. It’s a mere hobby that they are allocating towards six high schools. They should focus on reading, writing and math proficiency in MCPS generally, not arts.

You know plenty of students do both arts and core subjects. Arts is not just a hobby and can lead to lots of careers. Every school needs a vibrant music, visual, and performing arts program.

Disagree. The only career it could lead to is painting houses if you’re lucky.

You are ignorant. There's a wealth of academic research about the cognitive benefits of learning the arts.

For example: https://www.snexplores.org/article/why-creative-arts-good-for-your-brain

There's a reason why the most academically advanced kids also tend to be excellent in some form of art as well, such as instrumental music.

Your example is elementary and middle school kids and schools? For six arts high schools? With no data or science backing any of the assertions up. Way to win the room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Increasing FARMS at Whitman by 3% is funny though....it's like they had to try something...

Ridiculous to change two elementary school communities and move students out of walk zones for this very minimal increase that has no impact on the original focus of the boundary study. Option F does not make sense.

Option F won't happen.

They could easily do option F but switch the BCC and Whitman elementary schools back to where they are now, but still keep the east county benefits of option F. As someone from Silver Spring I'm fine with that if it's what the school communities involved want.