Tuckahoe by the numbers - how can it stay a neighborhood school?

[Anonymous]

I think the only problem with the math is that it is clear ATS would be the school moving (if it happens) and it needs 650 seats. Several ATS parents have posted on AEM that they received notices that they're adding one grade per level and county 2021 projections echo that. Tuckahoe is trailered out, not more land for more so is capped way under that needed seats number. If ATS moves it needs more room than that very old school/land. Sure if the County Board were to eliminate the fields next to the school or remodel. But neither one is likely, one costs money, actually I guess both would cost money. So if one of these choice programs moves (read we all know it would be ATS) then it would have to be to a spot with more space for trailers or ATS size would need to be cut which I think we all know would never happen. So which of the schools has space for said 650 students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have just decided I am going to make it my mission to turn Tuckahoe into an option school.

They are disgusting. Such selfish behavior. Beyond that, their survey is beyond alarmist and is spreading lies. APS never said the school with the fewest walkers will automatically become option. Some preschool parents may be really sorry when in a few years, they have a very dangerous walk to school because today’s Tuckahoe PTA decided to go all out to pull as many walkers into their zone at the cost of other schools.

Give it a rest already. They're not doing anything that all the rest of you haven't done, too. Such hysteria.

I hope after all this tumult just to make every school "walkable" staff does a study and finds out how many "walkers" are really driven to school everyday and we can dispense with this myth once and for all. Buses are better for traffic and the environment than individual drivers dropping their kids off everyday. If they want to lessen both busing and individual driving, they should move all the ES start times up so that parents don't need before care, and cut yellow buses at the MS and HS levels to force kids onto our network of public transportation.

The point of the expanding walk zones is that APS (and written to the County Managers budget comments) is the strong desire to greatly reduce APS busing. I think they've had a driver shortage and don't space for more buses. So we all know more kids are coming in the next decade so they need to service more kids with the number of buses we have now, hence they whole lets rush to expand walk zones. I don't disagree that a bus rider is better than a parent driving a kid, but APS is saying for them financially and logistically anything is better for them than a bus rider when avoidable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the only problem with the math is that it is clear ATS would be the school moving (if it happens) and it needs 650 seats. Several ATS parents have posted on AEM that they received notices that they're adding one grade per level and county 2021 projections echo that. Tuckahoe is trailered out, not more land for more so is capped way under that needed seats number. If ATS moves it needs more room than that very old school/land. Sure if the County Board were to eliminate the fields next to the school or remodel. But neither one is likely, one costs money, actually I guess both would cost money. So if one of these choice programs moves (read we all know it would be ATS) then it would have to be to a spot with more space for trailers or ATS size would need to be cut which I think we all know would never happen. So which of the schools has space for said 650 students?

The issue that's been stated before is that we really don't know what the demand is for the ATS program itself vs demand for the current ATS location. You can infer from the school transfer reports that many people applied because of location (biggest #s came from neighborhoods surrounding schools). If they move ATS, there's a very good likelihood that demand could drop for that program. We just don't know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, Tuckahoe will either be turned into an option school b/c there are too many seats or will still be overcrowded when Reed opens as a neighborhood school b/c there will be so many more students.

Which is it, kids?

I guess it could be either. I mean there are all these how can we expand walk zone idea surveys and every survey, which are written by that schools parents, include adding a bunch of planning units from neighboring schools. ALL OF THEM, they are all trying to steal each others kids. The only difference is Tuckahoe's PTA stuff is on public view?!? So until we see what Reed looks like it's hard to say who will actually be under capacity. Could be any of them as the Reed survey has soooooo many units listed as their potential walkers. So who knows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the only problem with the math is that it is clear ATS would be the school moving (if it happens) and it needs 650 seats. Several ATS parents have posted on AEM that they received notices that they're adding one grade per level and county 2021 projections echo that. Tuckahoe is trailered out, not more land for more so is capped way under that needed seats number. If ATS moves it needs more room than that very old school/land. Sure if the County Board were to eliminate the fields next to the school or remodel. But neither one is likely, one costs money, actually I guess both would cost money. So if one of these choice programs moves (read we all know it would be ATS) then it would have to be to a spot with more space for trailers or ATS size would need to be cut which I think we all know would never happen. So which of the schools has space for said 650 students?

It looks like Tuckahoe can be optimized and easily hold 641-750 students. So this isn't really an issue.

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Facilities-Optimization-Study.pdf

[Anonymous]

Well That's going to be a while. Have you seen the Reed thread? They are back to the drawing board on their building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the only problem with the math is that it is clear ATS would be the school moving (if it happens) and it needs 650 seats. Several ATS parents have posted on AEM that they received notices that they're adding one grade per level and county 2021 projections echo that. Tuckahoe is trailered out, not more land for more so is capped way under that needed seats number. If ATS moves it needs more room than that very old school/land. Sure if the County Board were to eliminate the fields next to the school or remodel. But neither one is likely, one costs money, actually I guess both would cost money. So if one of these choice programs moves (read we all know it would be ATS) then it would have to be to a spot with more space for trailers or ATS size would need to be cut which I think we all know would never happen. So which of the schools has space for said 650 students?

It looks like Tuckahoe can be optimized and easily hold 641-750 students. So this isn't really an issue.

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Facilities-Optimization-Study.pdf

I think that is with remodeling and severe classroom sizes. Honestly have the front of the school is trailers. I am guessing that plan costs money. Dropping trailers is cheaper. APS will go with trailers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the only problem with the math is that it is clear ATS would be the school moving (if it happens) and it needs 650 seats. Several ATS parents have posted on AEM that they received notices that they're adding one grade per level and county 2021 projections echo that. Tuckahoe is trailered out, not more land for more so is capped way under that needed seats number. If ATS moves it needs more room than that very old school/land. Sure if the County Board were to eliminate the fields next to the school or remodel. But neither one is likely, one costs money, actually I guess both would cost money. So if one of these choice programs moves (read we all know it would be ATS) then it would have to be to a spot with more space for trailers or ATS size would need to be cut which I think we all know would never happen. So which of the schools has space for said 650 students?

ATS is currently at 538, and Tuckahoe has 545 seats without trailers. If they decide to move ATS, they can always revisit the issue of how many classes ATS has (I tried to find the AEM posts you referenced but couldn't so I don't know exactly what the notices said).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the only problem with the math is that it is clear ATS would be the school moving (if it happens) and it needs 650 seats. Several ATS parents have posted on AEM that they received notices that they're adding one grade per level and county 2021 projections echo that. Tuckahoe is trailered out, not more land for more so is capped way under that needed seats number. If ATS moves it needs more room than that very old school/land. Sure if the County Board were to eliminate the fields next to the school or remodel. But neither one is likely, one costs money, actually I guess both would cost money. So if one of these choice programs moves (read we all know it would be ATS) then it would have to be to a spot with more space for trailers or ATS size would need to be cut which I think we all know would never happen. So which of the schools has space for said 650 students?

The issue that's been stated before is that we really don't know what the demand is for the ATS program itself vs demand for the current ATS location. You can infer from the school transfer reports that many people applied because of location (biggest #s came from neighborhoods surrounding schools). If they move ATS, there's a very good likelihood that demand could drop for that program. We just don't know.

I think that may be true of some of the programs but you hear young parents talk about ATS as if it's the promise land. And it's not that far at all from any of the schools mentioned so bus times wouldn't be increased that much if it were to be moved North. If you were talking about Campbell I'd think there would be real reason to think this but most these schools being mentioned as new sites are also easily accessed off of George Mason. But I can't imagine their parents not throwing a fit to be moved to the oldest existing APS elementary school that has a ton of classes already in trailers. I get the impression their PTA is pretty on it in terms of ATS defense. I mean who knows what the school choice survey results will be but I have heard from parents at my preschool their parents with the other choice schools have been flooding the SB with hell no weren't moving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the only problem with the math is that it is clear ATS would be the school moving (if it happens) and it needs 650 seats. Several ATS parents have posted on AEM that they received notices that they're adding one grade per level and county 2021 projections echo that. Tuckahoe is trailered out, not more land for more so is capped way under that needed seats number. If ATS moves it needs more room than that very old school/land. Sure if the County Board were to eliminate the fields next to the school or remodel. But neither one is likely, one costs money, actually I guess both would cost money. So if one of these choice programs moves (read we all know it would be ATS) then it would have to be to a spot with more space for trailers or ATS size would need to be cut which I think we all know would never happen. So which of the schools has space for said 650 students?

ATS is currently at 538, and Tuckahoe has 545 seats without trailers. If they decide to move ATS, they can always revisit the issue of how many classes ATS has (I tried to find the AEM posts you referenced but couldn't so I don't know exactly what the notices said).

SOmething like 120 of that 545 is in trailers. They are just considered perm seats now. APS has all the trailer data on their website, you can see which schools have trailers as perm seats ect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the only problem with the math is that it is clear ATS would be the school moving (if it happens) and it needs 650 seats. Several ATS parents have posted on AEM that they received notices that they're adding one grade per level and county 2021 projections echo that. Tuckahoe is trailered out, not more land for more so is capped way under that needed seats number. If ATS moves it needs more room than that very old school/land. Sure if the County Board were to eliminate the fields next to the school or remodel. But neither one is likely, one costs money, actually I guess both would cost money. So if one of these choice programs moves (read we all know it would be ATS) then it would have to be to a spot with more space for trailers or ATS size would need to be cut which I think we all know would never happen. So which of the schools has space for said 650 students?

ATS is currently at 538, and Tuckahoe has 545 seats without trailers. If they decide to move ATS, they can always revisit the issue of how many classes ATS has (I tried to find the AEM posts you referenced but couldn't so I don't know exactly what the notices said).

Their entire 5th grade is in trailers along with some specials. I think at some schools the trailers are perm seats now so it can be hard to see. APS has one projection that also shows trailers on location, if I can find it again I will post it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the only problem with the math is that it is clear ATS would be the school moving (if it happens) and it needs 650 seats. Several ATS parents have posted on AEM that they received notices that they're adding one grade per level and county 2021 projections echo that. Tuckahoe is trailered out, not more land for more so is capped way under that needed seats number. If ATS moves it needs more room than that very old school/land. Sure if the County Board were to eliminate the fields next to the school or remodel. But neither one is likely, one costs money, actually I guess both would cost money. So if one of these choice programs moves (read we all know it would be ATS) then it would have to be to a spot with more space for trailers or ATS size would need to be cut which I think we all know would never happen. So which of the schools has space for said 650 students?

It looks like Tuckahoe can be optimized and easily hold 641-750 students. So this isn't really an issue.

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Facilities-Optimization-Study.pdf

I think that is with remodeling and severe classroom sizes. Honestly have the front of the school is trailers. I am guessing that plan costs money. Dropping trailers is cheaper. APS will go with trailers.

Sigh...this is very similar to what would need to be done at the current ATS location :

Capacity : 465
Preferred Max : 753/780 like the Tuckahoe Preferred Max 641/750

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the only problem with the math is that it is clear ATS would be the school moving (if it happens) and it needs 650 seats. Several ATS parents have posted on AEM that they received notices that they're adding one grade per level and county 2021 projections echo that. Tuckahoe is trailered out, not more land for more so is capped way under that needed seats number. If ATS moves it needs more room than that very old school/land. Sure if the County Board were to eliminate the fields next to the school or remodel. But neither one is likely, one costs money, actually I guess both would cost money. So if one of these choice programs moves (read we all know it would be ATS) then it would have to be to a spot with more space for trailers or ATS size would need to be cut which I think we all know would never happen. So which of the schools has space for said 650 students?

It looks like Tuckahoe can be optimized and easily hold 641-750 students. So this isn't really an issue.

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Facilities-Optimization-Study.pdf

I think that is with remodeling and severe classroom sizes. Honestly have the front of the school is trailers. I am guessing that plan costs money. Dropping trailers is cheaper. APS will go with trailers.

Sigh...this is very similar to what would need to be done at the current ATS location :

Capacity : 465
Preferred Max : 753/780 like the Tuckahoe Preferred Max 641/750

Yup, it can be misleading. Without the trailers that is exactly Tuckahoe. They have trailers infornt of and behind the school leading up the neighbors on all sides. So, it is an operation in who fits where! Hard to see whats best but I would be pissed to be moved into a school that clearly can't fit current families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the only problem with the math is that it is clear ATS would be the school moving (if it happens) and it needs 650 seats. Several ATS parents have posted on AEM that they received notices that they're adding one grade per level and county 2021 projections echo that. Tuckahoe is trailered out, not more land for more so is capped way under that needed seats number. If ATS moves it needs more room than that very old school/land. Sure if the County Board were to eliminate the fields next to the school or remodel. But neither one is likely, one costs money, actually I guess both would cost money. So if one of these choice programs moves (read we all know it would be ATS) then it would have to be to a spot with more space for trailers or ATS size would need to be cut which I think we all know would never happen. So which of the schools has space for said 650 students?

It looks like Tuckahoe can be optimized and easily hold 641-750 students. So this isn't really an issue.

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Facilities-Optimization-Study.pdf

I think that is with remodeling and severe classroom sizes. Honestly have the front of the school is trailers. I am guessing that plan costs money. Dropping trailers is cheaper. APS will go with trailers.

Sigh...this is very similar to what would need to be done at the current ATS location :

Capacity : 465
Preferred Max : 753/780 like the Tuckahoe Preferred Max 641/750

Yup, it can be misleading. Without the trailers that is exactly Tuckahoe. They have trailers infornt of and behind the school leading up the neighbors on all sides. So, it is an operation in who fits where! Hard to see whats best but I would be pissed to be moved into a school that clearly can't fit current families.

To get that max number they show at Tuckahoe, they would have to defy physics to put more trailers in or stackithem on top of one another.

[Anonymous]

Wow. Glad I don't live in N. Arlington. The LOGICAL thing to do would be to stop clawing your neighbors eyes out and work together to convince APS to keep everything where it is.