On the chopping block: AAP Centers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes, lines change and admission standards change (magnets and immersion). But, that's not really what we're talking about here.

When there is an overcrowding situation at a center school, something has to give. And most likely, that is going to be the center admission/feeder patterns rather than kids who live right next door to the school hosting students from outside its general boundaries.

Yes, it is ultimately up to the school board to decide on who goes where. That I do not argue. But the absolute outrage people had over being moved back to the school that is the base school for their neighborhood is just ridiculous. They were still getting the program they desired, just at a different location. A location that is NOT severely overcrowded.

Absolutely agree. I can't get too overwrought about sending kids back to their own base schools. Especially when that's the only option given to my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes, lines change and admission standards change (magnets and immersion). But, that's not really what we're talking about here.

When there is an overcrowding situation at a center school, something has to give. And most likely, that is going to be the center admission/feeder patterns rather than kids who live right next door to the school hosting students from outside its general boundaries.

Yes, it is ultimately up to the school board to decide on who goes where. That I do not argue. But the absolute outrage people had over being moved back to the school that is the base school for their neighborhood is just ridiculous. They were still getting the program they desired, just at a different location. A location that is NOT severely overcrowded.

Sorry, I will not relent on this. The base school students are not "hosting" the center students.

it's not the students personally hosting - it is the center school itself.

This is the nature of the program - students from outside the boundary of the school coming in for a special program. I'm sorry you don't like the way it is phrased, but this is factual. There are feeder schools for the AAP Center, but the center school is receiving students that wouldn't be attending the school were it NOT for the Center.

I have no horse in this race, but once a child is admitted to AAP and elects the center option, that center school is not "hosting" the child. The child has just as much right to be there as the base school kids. The center school "hosts" students who are pupil placed with principal approval. The principal can't just decide to kick the center kids out. Just as with the base school kids, AAP kids are subject to being rezoned. AAP realignment is more likely to happen that base school rezoning in the event of overcrowding, but that's also the case for kids living far from the school versus those living close. That doesn't mean the school is hosting those who live far away but in bounds just because they might be first to be rezoned. Maybe you shouldn't buy a house zoned for a center school if you don't want to deal with all the issues at a center school.

And therein lies the problem. FCPS needs to stop giving AAP kids the "option" to attend another school if they can receive said services at their own base school. Just like with AP/IB in high school. If your base school doesn't offer your preferred program, you may elect to transfer schools. So if LLIV were simply implemented within all base schools, there should be no need to give anyone the option to switch schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can we all just agree that we hate having AAP Centers?

I can certainly agree with this. They create far too many issues, resentment, and divisiveness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes, lines change and admission standards change (magnets and immersion). But, that's not really what we're talking about here.

When there is an overcrowding situation at a center school, something has to give. And most likely, that is going to be the center admission/feeder patterns rather than kids who live right next door to the school hosting students from outside its general boundaries.

Yes, it is ultimately up to the school board to decide on who goes where. That I do not argue. But the absolute outrage people had over being moved back to the school that is the base school for their neighborhood is just ridiculous. They were still getting the program they desired, just at a different location. A location that is NOT severely overcrowded.

Sorry, I will not relent on this. The base school students are not "hosting" the center students.

it's not the students personally hosting - it is the center school itself.

This is the nature of the program - students from outside the boundary of the school coming in for a special program. I'm sorry you don't like the way it is phrased, but this is factual. There are feeder schools for the AAP Center, but the center school is receiving students that wouldn't be attending the school were it NOT for the Center.

I have no horse in this race, but once a child is admitted to AAP and elects the center option, that center school is not "hosting" the child. The child has just as much right to be there as the base school kids. The center school "hosts" students who are pupil placed with principal approval. The principal can't just decide to kick the center kids out. Just as with the base school kids, AAP kids are subject to being rezoned. AAP realignment is more likely to happen that base school rezoning in the event of overcrowding, but that's also the case for kids living far from the school versus those living close. That doesn't mean the school is hosting those who live far away but in bounds just because they might be first to be rezoned. Maybe you shouldn't buy a house zoned for a center school if you don't want to deal with all the issues at a center school.

And therein lies the problem. FCPS needs to stop giving AAP kids the "option" to attend another school if they can receive said services at their own base school. Just like with AP/IB in high school. If your base school doesn't offer your preferred program, you may elect to transfer schools. So if LLIV were simply implemented within all base schools, there should be no need to give anyone the option to switch schools.

If the Local Level IV program has critical mass at the base school, a Center-eligible student should not have transportation provided to the Center. They can be provided the choice, but parents need to provide transportation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we all just agree that we hate having AAP Centers?

I can certainly agree with this. They create far too many issues, resentment, and divisiveness.

I can certainly disagree with this as my student does not have a peer group at the base school. (He was subjected to frequent bullying, among other things.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes, lines change and admission standards change (magnets and immersion). But, that's not really what we're talking about here.

When there is an overcrowding situation at a center school, something has to give. And most likely, that is going to be the center admission/feeder patterns rather than kids who live right next door to the school hosting students from outside its general boundaries.

Yes, it is ultimately up to the school board to decide on who goes where. That I do not argue. But the absolute outrage people had over being moved back to the school that is the base school for their neighborhood is just ridiculous. They were still getting the program they desired, just at a different location. A location that is NOT severely overcrowded.

Sorry, I will not relent on this. The base school students are not "hosting" the center students.

it's not the students personally hosting - it is the center school itself.

This is the nature of the program - students from outside the boundary of the school coming in for a special program. I'm sorry you don't like the way it is phrased, but this is factual. There are feeder schools for the AAP Center, but the center school is receiving students that wouldn't be attending the school were it NOT for the Center.

I have no horse in this race, but once a child is admitted to AAP and elects the center option, that center school is not "hosting" the child. The child has just as much right to be there as the base school kids. The center school "hosts" students who are pupil placed with principal approval. The principal can't just decide to kick the center kids out. Just as with the base school kids, AAP kids are subject to being rezoned. AAP realignment is more likely to happen that base school rezoning in the event of overcrowding, but that's also the case for kids living far from the school versus those living close. That doesn't mean the school is hosting those who live far away but in bounds just because they might be first to be rezoned. Maybe you shouldn't buy a house zoned for a center school if you don't want to deal with all the issues at a center school.

And therein lies the problem. FCPS needs to stop giving AAP kids the "option" to attend another school if they can receive said services at their own base school. Just like with AP/IB in high school. If your base school doesn't offer your preferred program, you may elect to transfer schools. So if LLIV were simply implemented within all base schools, there should be no need to give anyone the option to switch schools.

If the Local Level IV program has critical mass at the base school, a Center-eligible student should not have transportation provided to the Center. They can be provided the choice, but parents need to provide transportation.

Why should they be provided the choice at all? It's completely redundant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes, lines change and admission standards change (magnets and immersion). But, that's not really what we're talking about here.

When there is an overcrowding situation at a center school, something has to give. And most likely, that is going to be the center admission/feeder patterns rather than kids who live right next door to the school hosting students from outside its general boundaries.

Yes, it is ultimately up to the school board to decide on who goes where. That I do not argue. But the absolute outrage people had over being moved back to the school that is the base school for their neighborhood is just ridiculous. They were still getting the program they desired, just at a different location. A location that is NOT severely overcrowded.

Sorry, I will not relent on this. The base school students are not "hosting" the center students.

it's not the students personally hosting - it is the center school itself.

This is the nature of the program - students from outside the boundary of the school coming in for a special program. I'm sorry you don't like the way it is phrased, but this is factual. There are feeder schools for the AAP Center, but the center school is receiving students that wouldn't be attending the school were it NOT for the Center.

I have no horse in this race, but once a child is admitted to AAP and elects the center option, that center school is not "hosting" the child. The child has just as much right to be there as the base school kids. The center school "hosts" students who are pupil placed with principal approval. The principal can't just decide to kick the center kids out. Just as with the base school kids, AAP kids are subject to being rezoned. AAP realignment is more likely to happen that base school rezoning in the event of overcrowding, but that's also the case for kids living far from the school versus those living close. That doesn't mean the school is hosting those who live far away but in bounds just because they might be first to be rezoned. Maybe you shouldn't buy a house zoned for a center school if you don't want to deal with all the issues at a center school.

And therein lies the problem. FCPS needs to stop giving AAP kids the "option" to attend another school if they can receive said services at their own base school. Just like with AP/IB in high school. If your base school doesn't offer your preferred program, you may elect to transfer schools. So if LLIV were simply implemented within all base schools, there should be no need to give anyone the option to switch schools.

If the Local Level IV program has critical mass at the base school, a Center-eligible student should not have transportation provided to the Center. They can be provided the choice, but parents need to provide transportation.

Why should they be provided the choice at all? It's completely redundant.

Because there is no increase in cost to FCPS for the student to attend the Center vs. the LLIV program. (Theoretically, there may be a reduction in cost if the student would need transportation to the base school.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we all just agree that we hate having AAP Centers?

I can certainly agree with this. They create far too many issues, resentment, and divisiveness.

I can certainly disagree with this as my student does not have a peer group at the base school. (He was subjected to frequent bullying, among other things.)

When my (Gen Ed) child was being bullied, I tried to have him transferred to another school, and these were the requirements I had to meet:

FCPS considers transfer requests for very specific reasons as outlined in Regulation 2230. They are:

Family Relocation* Attach a lease or deed for primary residence in requested school's boundaries.
Child care hardship (elementary only)* Attach affidavit for Student Transfer Child Care Requests.
Medical, emotional, or social adjustment* Attach current independent, detailed professional documentation.
FCPS parent employee working 20 or more hours per week* Provide work location.
High school curricular program* Attached appropriate Letter of Understanding.
Sibling* Name of sibling and grade at requested school.
Senior* rising 6th (5th grade for Poe, Holmes, and Glasgow feeder schools), 8th, 12th.
* Applicants must provide required documentation to support the transfer request.

Why is it that my child must meet one of these very specific criteria, yet your child can simply elect the center school option because he doesn't have a "peer group" at his base school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Wouldn't that likely give AAP students exactly one small class of kids they spend 4 years with? How is that better?

Because then it would be the overprivileged AAP kids affected, not mine.

And the insults start flying.

Don't you see how ugly you portray yourself when you start insulting kids who are part of your school community?

It makes all your other arguments tainted.

There are quite a few other posters on this thread and you seem to be attributing all comments to one single person. Please realize, a lot of people share the opinion that centers - especially those previously listed - need to go.

I'm not the PP, but surely you can see how angry parents get when one group of kids is given a choice as to where to go to school, but the other kids aren't? It's completely inequitable.

Sure. And I get when they are angry at the school board. And angry at the school administrators. Maybe even resentful of parents send kids in (we of Often have no choice, but we're adults and can cope. I absolutely do not get directing anger toward and insulting 8 year olds -- even anonymously and online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we all just agree that we hate having AAP Centers?

I can certainly agree with this. They create far too many issues, resentment, and divisiveness.

I can certainly disagree with this as my student does not have a peer group at the base school. (He was subjected to frequent bullying, among other things.)

When my (Gen Ed) child was being bullied, I tried to have him transferred to another school, and these were the requirements I had to meet:

FCPS considers transfer requests for very specific reasons as outlined in Regulation 2230. They are:

Family Relocation* Attach a lease or deed for primary residence in requested school's boundaries.
Child care hardship (elementary only)* Attach affidavit for Student Transfer Child Care Requests.
Medical, emotional, or social adjustment* Attach current independent, detailed professional documentation.
FCPS parent employee working 20 or more hours per week* Provide work location.
High school curricular program* Attached appropriate Letter of Understanding.
Sibling* Name of sibling and grade at requested school.
Senior* rising 6th (5th grade for Poe, Holmes, and Glasgow feeder schools), 8th, 12th.
* Applicants must provide required documentation to support the transfer request.

Why is it that my child must meet one of these very specific criteria, yet your child can simply elect the center school option because he doesn't have a "peer group" at his base school?

NP. The pop's child wasn't moved because of a peer group issue. The pop's child was eligible and elected to be part of the AAP program. The county set up the option for her child to attend an AAP center school. She chose that option. The end.

[Anonymous]

pop=pp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes, lines change and admission standards change (magnets and immersion). But, that's not really what we're talking about here.

When there is an overcrowding situation at a center school, something has to give. And most likely, that is going to be the center admission/feeder patterns rather than kids who live right next door to the school hosting students from outside its general boundaries.

Yes, it is ultimately up to the school board to decide on who goes where. That I do not argue. But the absolute outrage people had over being moved back to the school that is the base school for their neighborhood is just ridiculous. They were still getting the program they desired, just at a different location. A location that is NOT severely overcrowded.

Sorry, I will not relent on this. The base school students are not "hosting" the center students.

it's not the students personally hosting - it is the center school itself.

This is the nature of the program - students from outside the boundary of the school coming in for a special program. I'm sorry you don't like the way it is phrased, but this is factual. There are feeder schools for the AAP Center, but the center school is receiving students that wouldn't be attending the school were it NOT for the Center.

I have no horse in this race, but once a child is admitted to AAP and elects the center option, that center school is not "hosting" the child. The child has just as much right to be there as the base school kids. The center school "hosts" students who are pupil placed with principal approval. The principal can't just decide to kick the center kids out. Just as with the base school kids, AAP kids are subject to being rezoned. AAP realignment is more likely to happen that base school rezoning in the event of overcrowding, but that's also the case for kids living far from the school versus those living close. That doesn't mean the school is hosting those who live far away but in bounds just because they might be first to be rezoned. Maybe you shouldn't buy a house zoned for a center school if you don't want to deal with all the issues at a center school.

And therein lies the problem. FCPS needs to stop giving AAP kids the "option" to attend another school if they can receive said services at their own base school. Just like with AP/IB in high school. If your base school doesn't offer your preferred program, you may elect to transfer schools. So if LLIV were simply implemented within all base schools, there should be no need to give anyone the option to switch schools.

If the Local Level IV program has critical mass at the base school, a Center-eligible student should not have transportation provided to the Center. They can be provided the choice, but parents need to provide transportation.

I could get behind that. I would drive my child to her center everyday if I had to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can we all just agree that we hate having AAP Centers?

No. Some Centers are fine, and even necessary. We may be able to agree that some Centers have big problems and large scalechanges are needed.

[Anonymous]

I am torn on the issue of transportation, as I have witnessed how horrific traffic can be when a center gets ridiculously overcrowded. Our neighborhood streets could not handle it. Our principal sent out emails basically begging for families to use the busses, yet they still continued to drive. It is a stressful and dangerous situation for all involved.

[Anonymous]

As an AAP parent, I would absolutely welcome a change that required kids who have LLIV programs at their base schools to go to the base school. I've seen no evidence whatsoever that my kid's academic experience was enhanced in any fashion by attending our center and certainly not when you consider the effect of transportation across town. Send 'em back, I say. No need for all this nonsense.