South Arlington and North Arlington Schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The housing master plan will have an impact on our schools on up through high school. Currently the most concerned parents seem to be in South Arlington but North Arlington parents should be equally concerned.

While the current housing plan will concentrate new affordable housing for low income families in the current Wakefield and W-L high school zones, and the Kenmore Middle School zone, all high school boundaries are likely to change with the new Stratford middle school. So all Arlington parents, including those currently zoned to Yorktown, need to study the housing issue and the potential effects on the schools.

This issue is too important to ignore.

wrong. not happening.

Keep telling yourself that. Houses currently zoned W-l will most certainly be zoned Wakefield down the line. Count on it.

Isn't there a plan for a new high school too?

[Anonymous]

Cristol is a clone of Mary Hynes. I heard Mary tapped Cristol to write the questions the county board asked of the school board relating to affordable housing.

I worked for the Obama campaign and I am voting Mc Menamen, don't even know how to spell his name. He is the only one with any sense.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I would have considered leaving the second space blank on the ballot after Mcmenamin. That was suggested up thread, to send a message. I'm too concerned that the second slot would go to Cristol. She just seems so out of touch with what is happening in the schools and the concerns of parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, it looks like the W-L PTA raised $20K and spent $23K on programs for its kids in 2013-14. http://www.apsva.us/cms/lib2/VA01000586/Centricity/Domain/2422/Treasurer.s%20Report%20%2004.7.14.pdf

Yorktown's PTA raised $37K and spent $37K in the same period. http://www.yhspta.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Yorktown-High-School-PTA-budget-2013-2014-revsd-8-25.pdf

PTAs are not irrelevant at the high school level -- they raise money that is used on scholarships and teacher project donations. Yorktown gets more monetary support from its PTA, probably because its kids have higher SES. So I think it's important for high SES parents zoned for W-L not to be frightened away by talk like other posters on this board, because W-L needs those folks to stay. And they should -- as the test and college admissions results show, their kids do great at W-L.

Yorktown PTA knows how to balance a budget!
Where can I find Wakefield's?
I'd love to see the middle school budgets, too.
Are these all public docs? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP talking about the STEM high school. I am basing it on the repeated comments from members of the school board and individuals who are in the process of planning the high school and not wanting to put a new south arlington elementary school there because they want it for a new STEM high school that will give first dibs to WL to relieve overcrowding. It is going to be the new 4th high school for arlington county, to relieve over crowding. At no point in time have these people said it would be a technical school. The staff that plan schools are already on it. I hope it is hogwash because for a county that just simply needs another high school I think a specialized school like that is a terrible idea.

New poster here, but I've heard this STEM idea since that location was picked. The PPs are not making this up. I hope as well, that they are wrong, but it's an easy way for them to not re-draw boundaries.

They have already started presenting on the model and have a principal. They will start recruiting their first freshman class next year from among the eighth graders and will add a class each year until they have 900 students. It is not going to be like TJ. It's more like technical classes (robotics etc) for kids who are on the college prep track.

Where is this going?

PP - where do you have your information from?? (The site is the current career center/Patrick Henry site - Walter Reed, a few Blocks South of Route 50, not that far from TJ)
I've been very unsure of whether they are planning a STEM type college prep high school or a vocational/tech non college bound high school at this site.
Each time they publish something it is one, then the other description. But never have I heard anything about the W-L zone having anything to do with the school (as far as dibs), nor have I heard WHO they envision attending there at all. I have a feeling that they won't tell, as they don't want any neighborhood opposition again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP who first mentioned the new high school. I said that WL families would have priority, others would then lottery and test in. We all know how it goes with a specific area getting preference, it eventually becomes primarily for that geographic area because so few spots are available for other kids in other areas. So yes, it is in S. Arlington, but priority for N. Arlington kids. What the county needs is a new general high school, not a choice school with preferences. This enables the county to take just enough kids away from over crowded high schools to avoid a whole new high school.

I don't even know what to say about this. I find it hard to believe that this is really happening - building a school in South Arlington that will give priority to North Arlington students. Hahaha! So all the neighbors can look in envy at the new school while they sit in traffic caused by the new school? I bet they haven't included Arlington Heights and Penrose in those closed door discussions.

Ditto! If this turns out to be true, it would be unbelievable - no words !!!
The school board - I don't know what to say anymore about them!
First hand witnessed:
-Murphy tells a mom who introduced herself in front of a huge audience "you are clearly too old to have a first grader!"
(Granted, somewhat off topic, but I can't forget)
-Murphy tells Henry parents that their neighborhood has the least children of any neighborhood in Arlington, and he expects less kids in this zone with each coming year. One year later, Henry gets their first trailers. Two years later Henry sets a new record for Kindergarten enrollment.
I can't believe anything the school board announces or promises anymore. I'm very skepical of their motivations, intentions, and plans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:S.Arlington--

Vote for McMenamin. Just read arlnow.com latest board article.

He's the only one with over-crowded schools as his platform ...and how we've lost so much commercial real estate---Marriott the latest to leave.

The other 3 dummies are still running On The tired platform of 'affordable housing' which will just make school problem even worse!!!

Can you link the article you are referring to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

First hand witnessed:
-Murphy tells a mom who introduced herself in front of a huge audience "you are clearly too old to have a first grader!"
(Granted, somewhat off topic, but I can't forget)

O.M.G.

Are you serious!?!?? I never would give him any prizes for people skills, but that is beyond the pale. When did that happen? (Was it recent?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP who first mentioned the new high school. I said that WL families would have priority, others would then lottery and test in. We all know how it goes with a specific area getting preference, it eventually becomes primarily for that geographic area because so few spots are available for other kids in other areas. So yes, it is in S. Arlington, but priority for N. Arlington kids. What the county needs is a new general high school, not a choice school with preferences. This enables the county to take just enough kids away from over crowded high schools to avoid a whole new high school.

I don't even know what to say about this. I find it hard to believe that this is really happening - building a school in South Arlington that will give priority to North Arlington students. Hahaha! So all the neighbors can look in envy at the new school while they sit in traffic caused by the new school? I bet they haven't included Arlington Heights and Penrose in those closed door discussions.

Ditto! If this turns out to be true, it would be unbelievable - no words !!!
The school board - I don't know what to say anymore about them!
First hand witnessed:
-Murphy tells a mom who introduced herself in front of a huge audience "you are clearly too old to have a first grader!"
(Granted, somewhat off topic, but I can't forget)
-Murphy tells Henry parents that their neighborhood has the least children of any neighborhood in Arlington, and he expects less kids in this zone with each coming year. One year later, Henry gets their first trailers. Two years later Henry sets a new record for Kindergarten enrollment.
I can't believe anything the school board announces or promises anymore. I'm very skepical of their motivations, intentions, and plans.

He's such a joke. Should have stuck with PE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

First hand witnessed:
-Murphy tells a mom who introduced herself in front of a huge audience "you are clearly too old to have a first grader!"
(Granted, somewhat off topic, but I can't forget)

O.M.G.

Are you serious!?!?? I never would give him any prizes for people skills, but that is beyond the pale. When did that happen? (Was it recent?)

Yes, I swear. No, not recent. More than a year ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:S.Arlington--

Vote for McMenamin. Just read arlnow.com latest board article.

He's the only one with over-crowded schools as his platform ...and how we've lost so much commercial real estate---Marriott the latest to leave.

The other 3 dummies are still running On The tired platform of 'affordable housing' which will just make school problem even worse!!!

Can you link the article you are referring to?

Here is go!



https://www.arlnow.com/2015/09/09/county-board-candidates-spar-over-affordable-housing/

[Anonymous]

The big meeting is this Saturday.
This is the last chance to heard before they vote of the new AH master plan.

The whole thing is really maddening. I can't believe they are so content with the status quo - the expectations for quality of life and education in south Arlington... It's unbelievable.
It's like - oh well... We've made a place for a bunch of poor kids. Our job is done!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The big meeting is this Saturday.
This is the last chance to heard before they vote of the new AH master plan.

The whole thing is really maddening. I can't believe they are so content with the status quo - the expectations for quality of life and education in south Arlington... It's unbelievable.
It's like - oh well... We've made a place for a bunch of poor kids. Our job is done!

That's America for ya!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The big meeting is this Saturday.
This is the last chance to heard before they vote of the new AH master plan.

The whole thing is really maddening. I can't believe they are so content with the status quo - the expectations for quality of life and education in south Arlington... It's unbelievable.
It's like - oh well... We've made a place for a bunch of poor kids. Our job is done!

I would take is as a sign to move to the north or somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The big meeting is this Saturday.
This is the last chance to heard before they vote of the new AH master plan.

The whole thing is really maddening. I can't believe they are so content with the status quo - the expectations for quality of life and education in south Arlington... It's unbelievable.
It's like - oh well... We've made a place for a bunch of poor kids. Our job is done!

I would take is as a sign to move to the north or somewhere else.

Don't you think we would have bought north of 50 if we could have? I know there is some really bitter feelings about people buying nice new construction in the south side at a ( slight )discount...
However it's mainly younger families who have bought, small, older homes, in a price range ( probably a stretch for them) just under what would get them further north. South Arlington is the last place you can maybe find a starter home. Although, those days are really numbered. My friends and colleagues are priced out of south Arlington now as well.
There is a big difference between 550 and 750 in this county when it comes to location.
Doesn't excuse the bullshit the county board is trying to pull.
Pushing schools to 80% poverty rates? That's crazy. And if I lived north I'd be annoyed also. If property taxes dip around the pike- who do you think is picking up the slack? All the odd zip codes. They are addicted to the revenue. Once they've made s. Arl an unfriendly place to younger middle class families due to poorly rated schools - they'll just bleed you guys dry.
Whatever - there is always private school. Bright side is if my house value declines it will free up some money toward that.