Specifically on-topic contributors to the Drew boundary issue only please -

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:True, and I’m not even saying some of those planning units shouldn’t have to leave Henry. But Henry did agree to move and it agreed under a promise. That’s all. Things have changed and I get it. Henry isn’t “special.” But also Henry isn’t racist. If you’ve been there, if you knew the people, you would know how untrue and offensive that is. That’s all. It bothers me a lot that people are acting like it is. I also think it’s unfair to assume the desire to keep Henry’s most diverse planning units reeks of white privilege. Henry wants the 50 percent FARM to keep diversity. Drew wants them to reduce it.

First, there was no promise. Second, no, Henry parents aren't racist but how "woke" do you think the person who built your 700k house was, 70 years ago? Probably not very, and you are benefitting from that years later. Is your goldilocks level of diversity worth the creation of a school with an 85% poverty rate? You tell me. You cannot argue for one without recognizing the other as the consequence. That's life. You don't get to wash your hands of it. You lobbied the SB, and Drew's predicament is the result of catering to your loud, UMC voices. And by the way ... no one at the Henry "community" has said boo over the last ten years as the farms rate went from 60 to 30. It was only when UMC kids might get sent to Drew that this diversity argument got raised. So pardon me if I call BS.

Actually, I commented to APS that I think they shouldn't create an 85% FARMs school at Drew. But I don't know that the best and only way to solve that is by picking off part of Henry. I would like to see more options. And have more numbers.

You don't know crap about the Henry community, though. People there have been very upset watching this number drop. A lot of us are worried it will drop to 20% 10 years from now. That's why we care about trying to keep what we have. If Drew gets these PPUs, what is Fleet getting instead? The planning units in Alcova Heights aren't as diverse as the ones south of the Pike. And then that also takes wealth away from Barcroft, etc. All of this cascades. So to have a real conversation, we all need more data.

I understand that schools work best if the FARMs rate is around 30-40%. So you can sneer and say Goldilocks, but the fact is that Henry is a diverse school that works really well right now. It's not ridiculous that people want to protect that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:True, and I’m not even saying some of those planning units shouldn’t have to leave Henry. But Henry did agree to move and it agreed under a promise. That’s all. Things have changed and I get it. Henry isn’t “special.” But also Henry isn’t racist. If you’ve been there, if you knew the people, you would know how untrue and offensive that is. That’s all. It bothers me a lot that people are acting like it is. I also think it’s unfair to assume the desire to keep Henry’s most diverse planning units reeks of white privilege. Henry wants the 50 percent FARM to keep diversity. Drew wants them to reduce it.

First, there was no promise. Second, no, Henry parents aren't racist but how "woke" do you think the person who built your 700k house was, 70 years ago? Probably not very, and you are benefitting from that years later. Is your goldilocks level of diversity worth the creation of a school with an 85% poverty rate? You tell me. You cannot argue for one without recognizing the other as the consequence. That's life. You don't get to wash your hands of it. You lobbied the SB, and Drew's predicament is the result of catering to your loud, UMC voices. And by the way ... no one at the Henry "community" has said boo over the last ten years as the farms rate went from 60 to 30. It was only when UMC kids might get sent to Drew that this diversity argument got raised. So pardon me if I call BS.

Actually, I commented to APS that I think they shouldn't create an 85% FARMs school at Drew. But I don't know that the best and only way to solve that is by picking off part of Henry. I would like to see more options. And have more numbers.

You don't know crap about the Henry community, though. People there have been very upset watching this number drop. A lot of us are worried it will drop to 20% 10 years from now. That's why we care about trying to keep what we have. If Drew gets these PPUs, what is Fleet getting instead? The planning units in Alcova Heights aren't as diverse as the ones south of the Pike. And then that also takes wealth away from Barcroft, etc. All of this cascades. So to have a real conversation, we all need more data.

I understand that schools work best if the FARMs rate is around 30-40%. So you can sneer and say Goldilocks, but the fact is that Henry is a diverse school that works really well right now. It's not ridiculous that people want to protect that.

If your community cares about diversity, why not ask the SB to zone Gilliam Place to Fleet? It's closer than the PUs north of the pike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:True, and I’m not even saying some of those planning units shouldn’t have to leave Henry. But Henry did agree to move and it agreed under a promise. That’s all. Things have changed and I get it. Henry isn’t “special.” But also Henry isn’t racist. If you’ve been there, if you knew the people, you would know how untrue and offensive that is. That’s all. It bothers me a lot that people are acting like it is. I also think it’s unfair to assume the desire to keep Henry’s most diverse planning units reeks of white privilege. Henry wants the 50 percent FARM to keep diversity. Drew wants them to reduce it.

First, there was no promise. Second, no, Henry parents aren't racist but how "woke" do you think the person who built your 700k house was, 70 years ago? Probably not very, and you are benefitting from that years later. Is your goldilocks level of diversity worth the creation of a school with an 85% poverty rate? You tell me. You cannot argue for one without recognizing the other as the consequence. That's life. You don't get to wash your hands of it. You lobbied the SB, and Drew's predicament is the result of catering to your loud, UMC voices. And by the way ... no one at the Henry "community" has said boo over the last ten years as the farms rate went from 60 to 30. It was only when UMC kids might get sent to Drew that this diversity argument got raised. So pardon me if I call BS.

Actually, I commented to APS that I think they shouldn't create an 85% FARMs school at Drew. But I don't know that the best and only way to solve that is by picking off part of Henry. I would like to see more options. And have more numbers.

You don't know crap about the Henry community, though. People there have been very upset watching this number drop. A lot of us are worried it will drop to 20% 10 years from now. That's why we care about trying to keep what we have. If Drew gets these PPUs, what is Fleet getting instead? The planning units in Alcova Heights aren't as diverse as the ones south of the Pike. And then that also takes wealth away from Barcroft, etc. All of this cascades. So to have a real conversation, we all need more data.

I understand that schools work best if the FARMs rate is around 30-40%. So you can sneer and say Goldilocks, but the fact is that Henry is a diverse school that works really well right now. It's not ridiculous that people want to protect that.

If your community cares about diversity, why not ask the SB to zone Gilliam Place to Fleet? It's closer than the PUs north of the pike.

It'd Ben quite easy to create a new planning unit for Gilliam. Not only are they completely arbitrary, that building will likely double the k-5 population rhebexisitnnf planning unit., which is now about 60.

[Anonymous]

Sure, I'm open to that. In general, I want to see APS draw more maps that prioritize demographics but that are more realistic than the one option they did. What's actually possible? I think we should talk about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure, I'm open to that. In general, I want to see APS draw more maps that prioritize demographics but that are more realistic than the one option they did. What's actually possible? I think we should talk about that.

Anything is possible. Humans dare these boundaries and they are artificial and based on their priorities. Don't wait for aps to tell you what's possible. If you want aps to entertain the idea, write the board and say, "I want to see a map that creates a new planning unit for Gilliam place and zones it to Fleet."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:True, and I’m not even saying some of those planning units shouldn’t have to leave Henry. But Henry did agree to move and it agreed under a promise. That’s all. Things have changed and I get it. Henry isn’t “special.” But also Henry isn’t racist. If you’ve been there, if you knew the people, you would know how untrue and offensive that is. That’s all. It bothers me a lot that people are acting like it is. I also think it’s unfair to assume the desire to keep Henry’s most diverse planning units reeks of white privilege. Henry wants the 50 percent FARM to keep diversity. Drew wants them to reduce it.

First, there was no promise. Second, no, Henry parents aren't racist but how "woke" do you think the person who built your 700k house was, 70 years ago? Probably not very, and you are benefitting from that years later. Is your goldilocks level of diversity worth the creation of a school with an 85% poverty rate? You tell me. You cannot argue for one without recognizing the other as the consequence. That's life. You don't get to wash your hands of it. You lobbied the SB, and Drew's predicament is the result of catering to your loud, UMC voices. And by the way ... no one at the Henry "community" has said boo over the last ten years as the farms rate went from 60 to 30. It was only when UMC kids might get sent to Drew that this diversity argument got raised. So pardon me if I call BS.

Actually, I commented to APS that I think they shouldn't create an 85% FARMs school at Drew. But I don't know that the best and only way to solve that is by picking off part of Henry. I would like to see more options. And have more numbers.

You don't know crap about the Henry community, though. People there have been very upset watching this number drop. A lot of us are worried it will drop to 20% 10 years from now. That's why we care about trying to keep what we have. If Drew gets these PPUs, what is Fleet getting instead? The planning units in Alcova Heights aren't as diverse as the ones south of the Pike. And then that also takes wealth away from Barcroft, etc. All of this cascades. So to have a real conversation, we all need more data.

I understand that schools work best if the FARMs rate is around 30-40%. So you can sneer and say Goldilocks, but the fact is that Henry is a diverse school that works really well right now. It's not ridiculous that people want to protect that.

The PUs S of the Pike are gentrifying and will further, especially if they are spend to Fleet and if they do build a 4th neighborhood HS with a similar demographic. You don't want to go below 20%, then you need at least one CAF in your boundary. Either lobby for one to be built or ask for the Gilliam Place PU from Alcova to be carved out into your boundary. Leave the other Alcova PU at Barcroft.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:True, and I’m not even saying some of those planning units shouldn’t have to leave Henry. But Henry did agree to move and it agreed under a promise. That’s all. Things have changed and I get it. Henry isn’t “special.” But also Henry isn’t racist. If you’ve been there, if you knew the people, you would know how untrue and offensive that is. That’s all. It bothers me a lot that people are acting like it is. I also think it’s unfair to assume the desire to keep Henry’s most diverse planning units reeks of white privilege. Henry wants the 50 percent FARM to keep diversity. Drew wants them to reduce it.

Delusion. Henry continues to hold the belief that the decision was up to them and contingent upon their "agreement." Siting a new school and determining who/what goes in it is not a business negotiation. APS solicits input and feedback. It does not sign contracts with "the community." APS was not going to look for a different solution if Henry didn't sign-off on it. You got your larger, new school. You didn't get it where you wanted it. But you were griping about being overcrowded, losing your green space, and aging facilities; and you wanted a renovation/addition/new building large enough to accommodate your enrollment. You got that - I'm glad you "agreed" to it.

I'm not Henry; but I also don't believe Henry is racist at all and I agree with you on that point. Others are indeed just playing that card because it's the only card to play in Arlington when these "discussions" come up and people pushback to change affecting them. People indeed are not getting that Henry has been advocating to RETAIN, not get rid of or to not let anyone in particular in.

Nevertheless, Henry does not have a 50% FRL rate and hasn't for a number of years. It isn't even Title I anymore and, while Henry may want to RETAIN its current diversity, you have not been advocating for boundary changes so that your FRL% increases. You are merely advocating to keep the boundaries you have and "welcome" more. But that's really somewhat superficial and easy when we all know taking more will ultimately overcrowd the school and defeat the whole purpose of this entire production.

If Henry is truly concerned about FRL rates and believes in economic diversity, then Henry should be advocating for FRL rates and diversity - offer up some of your wealthier PUs and exchange them for the low-income PUs being sent to Drew. Tell the SB and Staff that what they're currently proposing is unacceptable for Drew and tell them to fix it, and make Henry part of the solution if they need to. That's not what Henry has been advocating - everyone has heard and seen Henry's advocacy: "keep Henry together" and "do the best you can for the rest with everything else even though it's a shame you can't do better than 80%," but "leave us be."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The School Board makes all sorts of promises. They are not to be believed. I remember years ago told Barcroft that they were not going to put on an addition and then turned around over the summer and tried to do exactly that. That's actually what lead to Fleet being built to begin with. The School Board had to answer for the way it tried to pull a fast one on the Hispanic community at Barcroft and Randolph--no community input, no translation. Sort of like what they are doing to Drew. First, they cut your school in half, so virtually no one has a stake in who attends, and then they will justify ignoring you because you can't wage an Arlington Forest type T shirt battle with both hands tied behind your back.

This. I have, in writing, a promise from a SB member that if our option school became neighborhood, all current students would be allowed to stay. Patently untrue, as it is against policy. SB members need to stop writing checks they can't cash. Especially when they make those promises behind the backs of other SB members, and may no longer be in office when their promises come due.

Sounds like you knew the "promise" or "guarantee" wasn't worth the paper it was printed on. So, how can you continue to so staunchly defend your position that "we were promised" and now we're being shafted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The School Board makes all sorts of promises. They are not to be believed. I remember years ago told Barcroft that they were not going to put on an addition and then turned around over the summer and tried to do exactly that. That's actually what lead to Fleet being built to begin with. The School Board had to answer for the way it tried to pull a fast one on the Hispanic community at Barcroft and Randolph--no community input, no translation. Sort of like what they are doing to Drew. First, they cut your school in half, so virtually no one has a stake in who attends, and then they will justify ignoring you because you can't wage an Arlington Forest type T shirt battle with both hands tied behind your back.

This. I have, in writing, a promise from a SB member that if our option school became neighborhood, all current students would be allowed to stay. Patently untrue, as it is against policy. SB members need to stop writing checks they can't cash. Especially when they make those promises behind the backs of other SB members, and may no longer be in office when their promises come due.

Which school board member promised this about which option school, and when did they say it?

Let me guess: James Lander, Claremont, in the past 2 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The School Board makes all sorts of promises. They are not to be believed. I remember years ago told Barcroft that they were not going to put on an addition and then turned around over the summer and tried to do exactly that. That's actually what lead to Fleet being built to begin with. The School Board had to answer for the way it tried to pull a fast one on the Hispanic community at Barcroft and Randolph--no community input, no translation. Sort of like what they are doing to Drew. First, they cut your school in half, so virtually no one has a stake in who attends, and then they will justify ignoring you because you can't wage an Arlington Forest type T shirt battle with both hands tied behind your back.

This. I have, in writing, a promise from a SB member that if our option school became neighborhood, all current students would be allowed to stay. Patently untrue, as it is against policy. SB members need to stop writing checks they can't cash. Especially when they make those promises behind the backs of other SB members, and may no longer be in office when their promises come due.

Sounds like you knew the "promise" or "guarantee" wasn't worth the paper it was printed on. So, how can you continue to so staunchly defend your position that "we were promised" and now we're being shafted?

SP - sorry, I misread...you're a different school, not Henry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think unless you also live in Columbia Heights and see how we are being used as pawns by both sides it is hard to understand why a lot of us are frustrated. Besides the other talking points Henry, understandably, wants to keep our PUs because we provide a lot of their diversity. Yet we are needed by Drew to provide a different type of diversity.

Btw, the worst thing I saw anyone say on those two AEM threads is “Don’t use my children as your social engineering experiment.” Would I have said it, no. That poster definitely shouldn’t have been so defensive but this is a tough situation for all of us who will potentially be moved (not just Henry parents).

But not many people from CH are speaking up. all I've seen is one poster on here who said that would rather move than send their kids to drew, the social Engineering comment on AEM. The poster on AEM who when asked by someone why they didn't want to send their kid to Drew replied with "I'd rather stay with Henry" and the matching tee shirts at the meeting at Kenmore. It doesn't make you all look good.

Abingdon students had to go to school during renovations. They had gym in a trailer. I get the point that henry parents are making regarding the new schools but Abingdon parents have a similar argument.

I mean, what are we supposed to say? I have nothing to do with the t-shirt crowd, but of course I have a preference. I’m sure everyone in this process has a preference. Mine is for the school that yes, I chose when I bought my house. Drew was never on my radar. It’s an unknown, and like someone said has faced a number of leadership issues. I’m sure it’ll be completely different once this is all said and done, though, and the new principal sounds fantastic. It could be the next Henry or Hoffman-Boston for all we know.

How did you get to choose your school when you bought your house? You must have had some real estate agent to get that as part of your contract and deed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The School Board makes all sorts of promises. They are not to be believed. I remember years ago told Barcroft that they were not going to put on an addition and then turned around over the summer and tried to do exactly that. That's actually what lead to Fleet being built to begin with. The School Board had to answer for the way it tried to pull a fast one on the Hispanic community at Barcroft and Randolph--no community input, no translation. Sort of like what they are doing to Drew. First, they cut your school in half, so virtually no one has a stake in who attends, and then they will justify ignoring you because you can't wage an Arlington Forest type T shirt battle with both hands tied behind your back.

This. I have, in writing, a promise from a SB member that if our option school became neighborhood, all current students would be allowed to stay. Patently untrue, as it is against policy. SB members need to stop writing checks they can't cash. Especially when they make those promises behind the backs of other SB members, and may no longer be in office when their promises come due.

Sounds like you knew the "promise" or "guarantee" wasn't worth the paper it was printed on. So, how can you continue to so staunchly defend your position that "we were promised" and now we're being shafted?

No, I'm not defending. I'm pointing out that these "promises" are a dime a dozen and worth less than a dime. SB member shouldn't be promising anything, and communities shouldn't be asking them to. For the record, I did not ask for such a "promise" and never considered it to hold any weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know, maybe there’s a deal to be struck here. Drew agrees to stop fighting it’s lousy situation in this process and the consequences for its students as long as the people in the people in the Fleet area agree to stop fighting their lousy high school situation in the Career Center process and the consequences for their students. Drew kids get the short end of elementary school but get zoned to the better high school, Henry gets the better end of the elementary deal but has to take the lesser high school. Seems fair. Or at least fairer than what Henry has been demanding.

I have to agree, even though I don't really agree - if you know what I mean. I do believe the criticism of Henry is merely exacerbated by the fact that it's these same people who have been equally adamant and obnoxious about the high school at the Career Center proposal. Arlington Heights wants it all. Yeah, I get that these things are located in your neighborhood; but give us a break. You benefit from having all these things in your neighborhood whether your kid actually attends all the schools or not. Walkable elementary; walkable middle; potential future walkable high school; walkable library; walkable recreation facilities - you never have to leave your 10 square blocks! You get a community center and multiple fields and currently multiple baseball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball courts, the public library. What am I missing? Oh, yeah, multiple playgrounds in addition to nearby neighborhood parks. But you don't get a swimming pool; so your kids are facing discrimination and injustice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know, maybe there’s a deal to be struck here. Drew agrees to stop fighting it’s lousy situation in this process and the consequences for its students as long as the people in the people in the Fleet area agree to stop fighting their lousy high school situation in the Career Center process and the consequences for their students. Drew kids get the short end of elementary school but get zoned to the better high school, Henry gets the better end of the elementary deal but has to take the lesser high school. Seems fair. Or at least fairer than what Henry has been demanding.

Total BS. Arlington heights got APS to build them a brand new school to their liking, and next they're going to get APD to build them a brand new high school to their liking. Drew's gonna get screwed twice, once the Henry parents ally with Oakridge to create a 30% farms high school and a 90% percent one at Wakefield.

Ah, I had been wondering why all the hostility, now I understand. Personally, I think the FARMs problem is easier to solve at the HS level, and if they open a 4th HS, I hope they will draw boundaries to balance all 4. It's a worthwhile exercise to do now, though. I assume it's possible to draw good boundaries, none of which are above 50% FARMs. Someone should start that process now. If it can't be done, and it really would screw Wakefield, I would not support a 4th HS.

I don't think that's the secret agenda, though, and I think most people would be horrified to see that happen. Is that why some people in S Arlington want a 4th HS to suck? I guess that makes sense if that's the secret fear, because I confess I don't understand it.

If that's your hope, you are clearly new to the game. Let me just save you the horribly frustrating heart breakage you'll suffer if you live through this whole process with any hope whatsoever: That won't happen. If APS is going to cling to contiguous boundaries and alignment, Wakefield will be the casualty. Wakefield is a fabulous school now; but it's spirit and character and success will be a faint memory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Come on guys. We are better than this.

Repeat after me: we’re all on the same team.

Clearly we aren't. Even if we technically are, it's a team with the self-important superstars better and worthier than their teammates and looking out only for themselves.