Spanish Immersion at Baileys Crossroads

[Anonymous]

Anyone have any info on the Spanish Immersion program at Baileys? Is it decent? Also, anyone know likelihood of getting in off the lottery if I'm out of boundary for Baileys (I'm fairly certain I am since it's not my sending school-correct?)? This is just a curiosity question, we have some time, but I wanted to just get a feel. Thanks for any info!

[Anonymous]

I have no idea about their immersion program, but I do know that Bailey's is the most overcrowded school in the county. I think it is at 160% capacity. I imagine that will limit how many students they allow into the immersion program as well as the magnet program. I also imagine that this will affect class size, playground space, specials space,etc. Could be a fantastic program, but these things are important too. But again, I'm just speculating...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea about their immersion program, but I do know that Bailey's is the most overcrowded school in the county. I think it is at 160% capacity. I imagine that will limit how many students they allow into the immersion program as well as the magnet program. I also imagine that this will affect class size, playground space, specials space,etc. Could be a fantastic program, but these things are important too. But again, I'm just speculating...

The 160% is a projection for 2018. It is currently at 130% of capacity, still very crowded. FCPS wants to build another ES in the area.

Here is the information for the program at Bailey's:

http://www.fcps.edu/BaileysES/SpanishImmersion.html

[Anonymous]

In terms of enrollment, it is the largest elementary school in the state of Virginia.

[Anonymous]

I'm fully aware of the enrollment. I'm a teacher, I get those things. But the Immersion is incredibly important to us so I'm willing to weigh some negatives against that major positive. But as a teacher in an immersion school I know that not all programs are equal and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the program itself.

[Anonymous]

Isn't being in the Baileys Crossroads area itself immersion enough?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't being in the Baileys Crossroads area itself immersion enough?

Zing! Took the words away from my fingertips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't being in the Baileys Crossroads area itself immersion enough?

That's kind of putz-y. Some people want their kids to learn Spanish, and merely being an English speaker in an area with a large Hispanic population does not get you there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't being in the Baileys Crossroads area itself immersion enough?

That's kind of putz-y. Some people want their kids to learn Spanish, and merely being an English speaker in an area with a large Hispanic population does not get you there.

Oh Captain Obvious, let me help you out: I assume the poster was simply referring to the insane level of Hispanic saturation in the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't being in the Baileys Crossroads area itself immersion enough?

That's kind of putz-y. Some people want their kids to learn Spanish, and merely being an English speaker in an area with a large Hispanic population does not get you there.

Oh Captain Obvious, let me help you out: I assume the poster was simply referring to the insane level of Hispanic saturation in the area.

You are the one who needs the help.

[Anonymous]

Interesting article here on Bailey's that suggests Bailey's parents should be picketing the offices of the local supervisor, Penny Gross, for her lack of help and cooperation to date in finding a solution to the overcrowding at Bailey's:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/fairfax-schools-official-dean-tistadt-retires-with-one-regret/2013/01/06/e1b8c284-503f-11e2-839d-d54cc6e49b63_story.html?hpid=z4

I do not understand how officials like Gross support applications to rezone land near Bailey's for more houses, and seem to welcome all the immigrants, but then are MIA when the School Board asks for their help in finding places for the new schools that are inevitably needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting article here on Bailey's that suggests Bailey's parents should be picketing the offices of the local supervisor, Penny Gross, for her lack of help and cooperation to date in finding a solution to the overcrowding at Bailey's:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/fairfax-schools-official-dean-tistadt-retires-with-one-regret/2013/01/06/e1b8c284-503f-11e2-839d-d54cc6e49b63_story.html?hpid=z4

I do not understand how officials like Gross support applications to rezone land near Bailey's for more houses, and seem to welcome all the immigrants, but then are MIA when the School Board asks for their help in finding places for the new schools that are inevitably needed.

I just read that article as well. What is this woman thinking--someone will wave a magic wand and the school will be fine? I have been to Bailey's, but I doubt Penny Gross has or she would doing everything to help solve the overcrowding. For any county official to sit there and do nothing is unacceptable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is this woman thinking--someone will wave a magic wand and the school will be fine? I have been to Bailey's, but I doubt Penny Gross has or she would doing everything to help solve the overcrowding. For any county official to sit there and do nothing is unacceptable.

+10000

She wants to be Chair of the Board of Supervisors. Best to help out her own district first before seeking higher office.

[Anonymous]

The good news, I think, is that the local School Board rep, Sandy Evans, really is wonderful and I don't think she will be shy in using the media to her advantage. This article may be the first salvo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is this woman thinking--someone will wave a magic wand and the school will be fine? I have been to Bailey's, but I doubt Penny Gross has or she would doing everything to help solve the overcrowding. For any county official to sit there and do nothing is unacceptable.

+10000

She wants to be Chair of the Board of Supervisors. Best to help out her own district first before seeking higher office.

I could be wrong, but I don't think she's faced serious opposition in Mason in recent BOS elections. She is not well liked or respected, but has the benefit of incumbency.