FCPS High School Poverty and Enrollment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Lewis soccer teams, both boys and girls, are terrible. It's also weird (and slightly racist) to assume the population of kids there would find that to be a draw.

The fact is that the boundaries were drawn as they were with the intention to funnel poor kids to Lewis. That was by design. FCPS and the school board both know that adding programs, AP, and whatever other nonsense they throw at the wall will neither entice middle-UMC students there nor will those programs help poor students in any way. The UMC households in the Lewis pyramid will continue to avoid that school like the plague.

Someone posted earlier that their soccer team was successful. And, anyone who calls it "racist" to acknowledge that South American and Central Americans are drawn to soccer is clueless.

Just like Texans are drawn to American football. Look at the popularity of soccer in the countries south of the border. Do you ever watch to see who is playing on the soccer fields in the evenings after youth sports?

Wake up and smell the coffee. You have to meet the students where they are. These are poor kids--many of them working or helping with younger siblings. Some may even be unaccompanied minors.
I think that it is a shame that the border is such a mess, but the kids are here and we must educate them--for their sakes and for ours.

You are not going to educate them by pouring in wealthier students.

Fairfax County had its own study that students start to suffer when a school is above 30% F/R lunch and basically above 40% a school faces a herculean task. There is a positive impact exposing poorer students, including recent immigrants, to children and families with strong education backgrounds. It does not help to isolate them in particular schools. Some cold-hearted people on this site.

This "cold hearted" person spent years teaching kids that were way below the poverty level. Here is a little secret--they do not learn by "osmosis." They learn by good, solid instruction. It take very hard work and effort, but it can be done. Will they be prepared for college? Some will, most likely will not unless things change in the household.

Do you really think sending in wealthy kdis will change that? 30% of FCPS is on free lunch. And, going up. How do you plan to adjust that across the county without sending kids far away from their communities?

It is very difficult to get parents in to the schools and include them if they do not live near the school.

Do you really think that people will not find other options for their kids?

Back in the day, the protocol was to determine the baseline for a child and work from there to bring him up to level--while, at the same time presenting enriching activities to challenge him. It can be done.

Shifting kids only covers up the problem. It is not "cold hearted" to acknowledge that. What is "cold hearted?" To expect someone else's children to fix the problem.

Well then, certainly moving some of the wealthier students from overcrowded West Springfield to Lewis would not hurt those poorer students (and I do believe it would have a positive impact). And it would allow the school to offer more advanced classes and instances of those classes. Not to mention potentially field teams in all sports. I mean, why protest boundary changes so much if students (of all backgrounds) will learn just as well at any of the FCPS schools? Certainly, if your claims of poorer students not being influenced or otherwise impacted by wealthier students is true, then surely the opposite is true and the poorer students will not impact the wealthier students. So boundary changes should be no issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Lewis soccer teams, both boys and girls, are terrible. It's also weird (and slightly racist) to assume the population of kids there would find that to be a draw.

The fact is that the boundaries were drawn as they were with the intention to funnel poor kids to Lewis. That was by design. FCPS and the school board both know that adding programs, AP, and whatever other nonsense they throw at the wall will neither entice middle-UMC students there nor will those programs help poor students in any way. The UMC households in the Lewis pyramid will continue to avoid that school like the plague.

Someone posted earlier that their soccer team was successful. And, anyone who calls it "racist" to acknowledge that South American and Central Americans are drawn to soccer is clueless.

Just like Texans are drawn to American football. Look at the popularity of soccer in the countries south of the border. Do you ever watch to see who is playing on the soccer fields in the evenings after youth sports?

Wake up and smell the coffee. You have to meet the students where they are. These are poor kids--many of them working or helping with younger siblings. Some may even be unaccompanied minors.
I think that it is a shame that the border is such a mess, but the kids are here and we must educate them--for their sakes and for ours.

You are not going to educate them by pouring in wealthier students.

Fairfax County had its own study that students start to suffer when a school is above 30% F/R lunch and basically above 40% a school faces a herculean task. There is a positive impact exposing poorer students, including recent immigrants, to children and families with strong education backgrounds. It does not help to isolate them in particular schools. Some cold-hearted people on this site.

This "cold hearted" person spent years teaching kids that were way below the poverty level. Here is a little secret--they do not learn by "osmosis." They learn by good, solid instruction. It take very hard work and effort, but it can be done. Will they be prepared for college? Some will, most likely will not unless things change in the household.

Do you really think sending in wealthy kdis will change that? 30% of FCPS is on free lunch. And, going up. How do you plan to adjust that across the county without sending kids far away from their communities?

It is very difficult to get parents in to the schools and include them if they do not live near the school.

Do you really think that people will not find other options for their kids?

Back in the day, the protocol was to determine the baseline for a child and work from there to bring him up to level--while, at the same time presenting enriching activities to challenge him. It can be done.

Shifting kids only covers up the problem. It is not "cold hearted" to acknowledge that. What is "cold hearted?" To expect someone else's children to fix the problem.

Well then, certainly moving some of the wealthier students from overcrowded West Springfield to Lewis would not hurt those poorer students (and I do believe it would have a positive impact). And it would allow the school to offer more advanced classes and instances of those classes. Not to mention potentially field teams in all sports. I mean, why protest boundary changes so much if students (of all backgrounds) will learn just as well at any of the FCPS schools? Certainly, if your claims of poorer students not being influenced or otherwise impacted by wealthier students is true, then surely the opposite is true and the poorer students will not impact the wealthier students. So boundary changes should be no issue.

Better question for you: Why do you want wealthier students at Lewis so badly? I mean why advocate for boundary changes so much- what is in it for you? What do YOU want and why do you think you are any better than other parents who are advocating to not have that happen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Lewis soccer teams, both boys and girls, are terrible. It's also weird (and slightly racist) to assume the population of kids there would find that to be a draw.

The fact is that the boundaries were drawn as they were with the intention to funnel poor kids to Lewis. That was by design. FCPS and the school board both know that adding programs, AP, and whatever other nonsense they throw at the wall will neither entice middle-UMC students there nor will those programs help poor students in any way. The UMC households in the Lewis pyramid will continue to avoid that school like the plague.

Someone posted earlier that their soccer team was successful. And, anyone who calls it "racist" to acknowledge that South American and Central Americans are drawn to soccer is clueless.

Just like Texans are drawn to American football. Look at the popularity of soccer in the countries south of the border. Do you ever watch to see who is playing on the soccer fields in the evenings after youth sports?

Wake up and smell the coffee. You have to meet the students where they are. These are poor kids--many of them working or helping with younger siblings. Some may even be unaccompanied minors.
I think that it is a shame that the border is such a mess, but the kids are here and we must educate them--for their sakes and for ours.

You are not going to educate them by pouring in wealthier students.

Fairfax County had its own study that students start to suffer when a school is above 30% F/R lunch and basically above 40% a school faces a herculean task. There is a positive impact exposing poorer students, including recent immigrants, to children and families with strong education backgrounds. It does not help to isolate them in particular schools. Some cold-hearted people on this site.

This "cold hearted" person spent years teaching kids that were way below the poverty level. Here is a little secret--they do not learn by "osmosis." They learn by good, solid instruction. It take very hard work and effort, but it can be done. Will they be prepared for college? Some will, most likely will not unless things change in the household.

Do you really think sending in wealthy kdis will change that? 30% of FCPS is on free lunch. And, going up. How do you plan to adjust that across the county without sending kids far away from their communities?

It is very difficult to get parents in to the schools and include them if they do not live near the school.

Do you really think that people will not find other options for their kids?

Back in the day, the protocol was to determine the baseline for a child and work from there to bring him up to level--while, at the same time presenting enriching activities to challenge him. It can be done.

Shifting kids only covers up the problem. It is not "cold hearted" to acknowledge that. What is "cold hearted?" To expect someone else's children to fix the problem.

Well then, certainly moving some of the wealthier students from overcrowded West Springfield to Lewis would not hurt those poorer students (and I do believe it would have a positive impact). And it would allow the school to offer more advanced classes and instances of those classes. Not to mention potentially field teams in all sports. I mean, why protest boundary changes so much if students (of all backgrounds) will learn just as well at any of the FCPS schools? Certainly, if your claims of poorer students not being influenced or otherwise impacted by wealthier students is true, then surely the opposite is true and the poorer students will not impact the wealthier students. So boundary changes should be no issue.

Better question for you: Why do you want wealthier students at Lewis so badly? I mean why advocate for boundary changes so much- what is in it for you? What do YOU want and why do you think you are any better than other parents who are advocating to not have that happen?

The funny part is on this thread, the advocates that want UMC households to move their kids from West Springfield to Lewis are Karens living in McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Lewis soccer teams, both boys and girls, are terrible. It's also weird (and slightly racist) to assume the population of kids there would find that to be a draw.

The fact is that the boundaries were drawn as they were with the intention to funnel poor kids to Lewis. That was by design. FCPS and the school board both know that adding programs, AP, and whatever other nonsense they throw at the wall will neither entice middle-UMC students there nor will those programs help poor students in any way. The UMC households in the Lewis pyramid will continue to avoid that school like the plague.

Someone posted earlier that their soccer team was successful. And, anyone who calls it "racist" to acknowledge that South American and Central Americans are drawn to soccer is clueless.

Just like Texans are drawn to American football. Look at the popularity of soccer in the countries south of the border. Do you ever watch to see who is playing on the soccer fields in the evenings after youth sports?

Wake up and smell the coffee. You have to meet the students where they are. These are poor kids--many of them working or helping with younger siblings. Some may even be unaccompanied minors.
I think that it is a shame that the border is such a mess, but the kids are here and we must educate them--for their sakes and for ours.

You are not going to educate them by pouring in wealthier students.

Fairfax County had its own study that students start to suffer when a school is above 30% F/R lunch and basically above 40% a school faces a herculean task. There is a positive impact exposing poorer students, including recent immigrants, to children and families with strong education backgrounds. It does not help to isolate them in particular schools. Some cold-hearted people on this site.

This "cold hearted" person spent years teaching kids that were way below the poverty level. Here is a little secret--they do not learn by "osmosis." They learn by good, solid instruction. It take very hard work and effort, but it can be done. Will they be prepared for college? Some will, most likely will not unless things change in the household.

Do you really think sending in wealthy kdis will change that? 30% of FCPS is on free lunch. And, going up. How do you plan to adjust that across the county without sending kids far away from their communities?

It is very difficult to get parents in to the schools and include them if they do not live near the school.

Do you really think that people will not find other options for their kids?

Back in the day, the protocol was to determine the baseline for a child and work from there to bring him up to level--while, at the same time presenting enriching activities to challenge him. It can be done.

Shifting kids only covers up the problem. It is not "cold hearted" to acknowledge that. What is "cold hearted?" To expect someone else's children to fix the problem.

Well then, certainly moving some of the wealthier students from overcrowded West Springfield to Lewis would not hurt those poorer students (and I do believe it would have a positive impact). And it would allow the school to offer more advanced classes and instances of those classes. Not to mention potentially field teams in all sports. I mean, why protest boundary changes so much if students (of all backgrounds) will learn just as well at any of the FCPS schools? Certainly, if your claims of poorer students not being influenced or otherwise impacted by wealthier students is true, then surely the opposite is true and the poorer students will not impact the wealthier students. So boundary changes should be no issue.

Better question for you: Why do you want wealthier students at Lewis so badly? I mean why advocate for boundary changes so much- what is in it for you? What do YOU want and why do you think you are any better than other parents who are advocating to not have that happen?

Turns out that the additional resources required for equitable outcomes arr other people’s families.

This can also be seen in some of the VMPI discussions.

[Anonymous]

Let's be honest. No one thinks that their high performing kid will be directly academically impacted by poor students. The issue is the social interaction and influence. Some Middle class kids like to play pretend with problems they don't actually have and/or socioeconomic class they are not a part of. Obviously this can get them in all sorts of trouble that could derail them in life.

[Anonymous]

Well then, certainly moving some of the wealthier students from overcrowded West Springfield to Lewis would not hurt those poorer students (and I do believe it would have a positive impact). And it would allow the school to offer more advanced classes and instances of those classes. Not to mention potentially field teams in all sports. I mean, why protest boundary changes so much if students (of all backgrounds) will learn just as well at any of the FCPS schools? Certainly, if your claims of poorer students not being influenced or otherwise impacted by wealthier students is true, then surely the opposite is true and the poorer students will not impact the wealthier students. So boundary changes should be no issue.

Is West Springfield complaining about being overcrowded?

Are you willing to eliminate IB at Lewis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Lewis soccer teams, both boys and girls, are terrible. It's also weird (and slightly racist) to assume the population of kids there would find that to be a draw.

The fact is that the boundaries were drawn as they were with the intention to funnel poor kids to Lewis. That was by design. FCPS and the school board both know that adding programs, AP, and whatever other nonsense they throw at the wall will neither entice middle-UMC students there nor will those programs help poor students in any way. The UMC households in the Lewis pyramid will continue to avoid that school like the plague.

The boys went to the state finals. That is not "terrible." It is something to build on with school spirit and pride.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Lewis soccer teams, both boys and girls, are terrible. It's also weird (and slightly racist) to assume the population of kids there would find that to be a draw.

The fact is that the boundaries were drawn as they were with the intention to funnel poor kids to Lewis. That was by design. FCPS and the school board both know that adding programs, AP, and whatever other nonsense they throw at the wall will neither entice middle-UMC students there nor will those programs help poor students in any way. The UMC households in the Lewis pyramid will continue to avoid that school like the plague.

Someone posted earlier that their soccer team was successful. And, anyone who calls it "racist" to acknowledge that South American and Central Americans are drawn to soccer is clueless.

Just like Texans are drawn to American football. Look at the popularity of soccer in the countries south of the border. Do you ever watch to see who is playing on the soccer fields in the evenings after youth sports?

Wake up and smell the coffee. You have to meet the students where they are. These are poor kids--many of them working or helping with younger siblings. Some may even be unaccompanied minors.
I think that it is a shame that the border is such a mess, but the kids are here and we must educate them--for their sakes and for ours.

You are not going to educate them by pouring in wealthier students.

Fairfax County had its own study that students start to suffer when a school is above 30% F/R lunch and basically above 40% a school faces a herculean task. There is a positive impact exposing poorer students, including recent immigrants, to children and families with strong education backgrounds. It does not help to isolate them in particular schools. Some cold-hearted people on this site.

This "cold hearted" person spent years teaching kids that were way below the poverty level. Here is a little secret--they do not learn by "osmosis." They learn by good, solid instruction. It take very hard work and effort, but it can be done. Will they be prepared for college? Some will, most likely will not unless things change in the household.

Do you really think sending in wealthy kdis will change that? 30% of FCPS is on free lunch. And, going up. How do you plan to adjust that across the county without sending kids far away from their communities?

It is very difficult to get parents in to the schools and include them if they do not live near the school.

Do you really think that people will not find other options for their kids?

Back in the day, the protocol was to determine the baseline for a child and work from there to bring him up to level--while, at the same time presenting enriching activities to challenge him. It can be done.

Shifting kids only covers up the problem. It is not "cold hearted" to acknowledge that. What is "cold hearted?" To expect someone else's children to fix the problem.

Well then, certainly moving some of the wealthier students from overcrowded West Springfield to Lewis would not hurt those poorer students (and I do believe it would have a positive impact). And it would allow the school to offer more advanced classes and instances of those classes. Not to mention potentially field teams in all sports. I mean, why protest boundary changes so much if students (of all backgrounds) will learn just as well at any of the FCPS schools? Certainly, if your claims of poorer students not being influenced or otherwise impacted by wealthier students is true, then surely the opposite is true and the poorer students will not impact the wealthier students. So boundary changes should be no issue.

Better question for you: Why do you want wealthier students at Lewis so badly? I mean why advocate for boundary changes so much- what is in it for you? What do YOU want and why do you think you are any better than other parents who are advocating to not have that happen?

Turns out that the additional resources required for equitable outcomes arr other people’s families.

This can also be seen in some of the VMPI discussions.

So your kid didn’t get some electives they wanted because they were in high level classes and if more weathly students were there, they would have had that elective? Very progressive thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's be honest. No one thinks that their high performing kid will be directly academically impacted by poor students. The issue is the social interaction and influence. Some Middle class kids like to play pretend with problems they don't actually have and/or socioeconomic class they are not a part of. Obviously this can get them in all sorts of trouble that could derail them in life.

Obviously, you are white and naive to make such a statement. Look at minorities, from middle-class households, and even low-income ones, that face bullying for 'acting white.' The problem only worsens when school administrators don't implement discipline in the name of 'equity.'

Black and Brown high performers have to be able to 'throw down,' and they are not being told they are 'privileged' as a further disadvantage. This issue only worsens under the assumption that there aren't lower-income Asian households, who are considered white-adjacent. Do you think that a white child from an upper-middle-class neighborhood won't face challenges when the administration spoons to others the message that they are 'oppressors?'

Have you ever listened to the music or artistic expression of Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, or any successful comedian or rapper? How many would even think of sending their kids to the hoods they grew up in? None.

It's not a matter of race, but your point, yes, high-performing kids (from any background) can be directly impacted by poor students in environments where bad behavior is allowed to flourish.

[Anonymous]

The issue is who will be helped. Answer: no one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The issue is who will be helped. Answer: no one.

Helped by what? By boundary changes or by ignoring schools like Lewis?

It’s easy to be a cynic when you’re sitting pretty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Lewis soccer teams, both boys and girls, are terrible. It's also weird (and slightly racist) to assume the population of kids there would find that to be a draw.

The fact is that the boundaries were drawn as they were with the intention to funnel poor kids to Lewis. That was by design. FCPS and the school board both know that adding programs, AP, and whatever other nonsense they throw at the wall will neither entice middle-UMC students there nor will those programs help poor students in any way. The UMC households in the Lewis pyramid will continue to avoid that school like the plague.

Someone posted earlier that their soccer team was successful. And, anyone who calls it "racist" to acknowledge that South American and Central Americans are drawn to soccer is clueless.

Just like Texans are drawn to American football. Look at the popularity of soccer in the countries south of the border. Do you ever watch to see who is playing on the soccer fields in the evenings after youth sports?

Wake up and smell the coffee. You have to meet the students where they are. These are poor kids--many of them working or helping with younger siblings. Some may even be unaccompanied minors.
I think that it is a shame that the border is such a mess, but the kids are here and we must educate them--for their sakes and for ours.

You are not going to educate them by pouring in wealthier students.

Fairfax County had its own study that students start to suffer when a school is above 30% F/R lunch and basically above 40% a school faces a herculean task. There is a positive impact exposing poorer students, including recent immigrants, to children and families with strong education backgrounds. It does not help to isolate them in particular schools. Some cold-hearted people on this site.

This "cold hearted" person spent years teaching kids that were way below the poverty level. Here is a little secret--they do not learn by "osmosis." They learn by good, solid instruction. It take very hard work and effort, but it can be done. Will they be prepared for college? Some will, most likely will not unless things change in the household.

Do you really think sending in wealthy kdis will change that? 30% of FCPS is on free lunch. And, going up. How do you plan to adjust that across the county without sending kids far away from their communities?

It is very difficult to get parents in to the schools and include them if they do not live near the school.

Do you really think that people will not find other options for their kids?

Back in the day, the protocol was to determine the baseline for a child and work from there to bring him up to level--while, at the same time presenting enriching activities to challenge him. It can be done.

Shifting kids only covers up the problem. It is not "cold hearted" to acknowledge that. What is "cold hearted?" To expect someone else's children to fix the problem.

Well then, certainly moving some of the wealthier students from overcrowded West Springfield to Lewis would not hurt those poorer students (and I do believe it would have a positive impact). And it would allow the school to offer more advanced classes and instances of those classes. Not to mention potentially field teams in all sports. I mean, why protest boundary changes so much if students (of all backgrounds) will learn just as well at any of the FCPS schools? Certainly, if your claims of poorer students not being influenced or otherwise impacted by wealthier students is true, then surely the opposite is true and the poorer students will not impact the wealthier students. So boundary changes should be no issue.

DP. The FCPS study actually said that schools started to suffer at the 20% tipping point and that academic achievement really suffered by the 40% mark. It also said that all students at a school were impacted academically by high poverty rates--not just poor students. It also discussed "white flight" (which nowadays should be called UMC flight, since a lot of the UMC in this county is not white) when poverty levels reached between 20-30%.
I think the overall poverty rate in FCPS is well over 30% and increasing, so boundary changes might just result in pushing all schools above at least the first tipping point and more of them above both. You might want to be careful about what you wish for--forcing students whose parents paid a hefty premium for their house to not expose their child to academic environments with high poverty might just push those people out of the public school system and into privates and defeat the purpose of the boundary change.

https://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/9DG4KP71B0DB/$file/fcps_tipping-point.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue is who will be helped. Answer: no one.

Helped by what? By boundary changes or by ignoring schools like Lewis?

It’s easy to be a cynic when you’re sitting pretty.

Have you read any of the suggestions? No one is suggesting that Lewis be ignored. It sounds like you think throwing wealthier kids into Lewis will solve a problem.

Question: what problem are you trying to solve? Who are you trying to help?

[Anonymous]

So just to confirm, liberal Fairfax, Blue Fairfax (regularly voting 65 to 35, 70 to 30 for Dems), is for:

- No border enforcement, allowing children to flood into the country
- Welcoming those students to Fairfax County, but
--- Isolating those poor, non-English speaking students into separate schools (and certainly away from their own children)
--- Lax pupil placement that enables wealthier students to run from those schools
--- Unequal educational and extracurricular activities at Fairfax schools

Do I have this all correct? Because that is how this all reads.

See, I don't think the wider Fairfax County population will understand the impacts until they are personally impacted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So just to confirm, liberal Fairfax, Blue Fairfax (regularly voting 65 to 35, 70 to 30 for Dems), is for:

- No border enforcement, allowing children to flood into the country
- Welcoming those students to Fairfax County, but
--- Isolating those poor, non-English speaking students into separate schools (and certainly away from their own children)
--- Lax pupil placement that enables wealthier students to run from those schools
--- Unequal educational and extracurricular activities at Fairfax schools

Do I have this all correct? Because that is how this all reads.

See, I don't think the wider Fairfax County population will understand the impacts until they are personally impacted.

I am not part of Blue Fairfax. I am all for border enforcement--but, once the kids are here, I am firm in the belief that we should educate them. I do not believe they should be isolated and I do not believe they are. There are other kids at Lewis, you know.

I believe that eliminating IB would result in fewer pupli placements in and out of IB schools. Would it eliminate it? Unlikely, but it is an open door to anyone who does not like their in boundary school.

You will never have identical educational and extracurricular activities at all schools. There are many factors that go into that. Sports are a great example. Those programs are built through time and effort.
Lewis may not have baseball--but I suggest you examine some of the really large schools where far more kids do not make the team than do.
Some schools have great drama departments--some don't. A lot of that depends on the kids themselves.

Do you really think that there are no sorry teachers in the "better" schools? Do you believe there are no excellent teachers in the poor schools?

Do you have any clue how disruptive boundary adjustments are to kids, their families, and communities?

Who are you trying to help?