AEM shutting down

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can some one give a primer on AEM vs APE, I thought AEM was a result of COVID? APE a reaction AEM? Which is more aligned with MAGA?

AEM started a long time ago, probably around a decade (I'm not sure). In the beginning, there were a lot of posts about helping people navigate the system, ideas to support the classroom and other school-adjacent topics like summer camp and conference day classes. At some point, more and more posts were about complaints that solutions. Times changed and more posters were jaded. A lot of people stopped posting and you would see the same dozen names on everything. APE came out of COVID. They felt they knew best and that APS wasn't handing the pandemic challenges well. Things got heated and most APEs left AEM, but not all. APE is more MAGA, by a lot. Probably, the moderators never thought the group would grow as large and it got a lot more to handle over the years. It's wise to shut it down and let something new start fresh.

This is a good explanation. I'll add that AEM is a Facebook group, nothing more. Anyone can join and talk about anything in APS. All views are represented and welcome. APE is really different. It's a lobbying group. They started with OPEN SCHOOLS NOW during Covid, then moved on to whatever issue triggers them. They kick out people who don't agree with them. Most of the APE leaders are MAGA- right wing types and APE won't disclose its funding. That's pretty shady, so most people assume they are MAGA funded/associated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't want something I created on FB that took on a life of its own, like AEM, that routinely has a position assigned to it far greater than what it actually is, handed off to a new moderator who could then reverse or change that position. People, rightly or wrongly, associate AEM with being the opposite of APE, for example. I wouldn't want to be Kelly, think I found a new moderator, and really what I found was someone who uses AEM to advance a new agenda, different from my own or in opposition to something I would advance. I wouldn't want to hand it off to someone who is going to use the membership list for their own purposes. And, if I really was taking a principled stance against META, I just wouldn't want to hand it over to anyone. I'd mothball it. I also wouldn't want to hand hold the new moderators. And no matter what people are posting on AEM today, it's a PITA to switch moderators in FB. But, also, the page is the moderator's baby, not anyone else's. Other people can create their own page, easy peasy.

+1
Absolutely.
It's anyone's perogative to start a new group. They have until Friday to announce it on AEM so anyone who wants to can join their new page.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been a useful resource of school news and public discussion. I've liked seeing viewpoints that are different from my sometimes knee jerk reaction and the discussion that comes from those.

I also wish she would just hand over the reins with a big disclaimer and warning that the initial vision is over and now it's just a Facebook page of Arlington school parents. I do hope a few of the more active members will step up to create a new space.

I also wish they'd hand over the reins to someone new. It's a shame to lose an information source with such a widespread following. They could even update the name of the group to be something like AEM v2.0 to make clear it has new leadership.

This is probably why she’s done. Everyone had an opinion of how she’s doing it wrong, without lifting a finger to do any work. Why don’t you step up?

Many people have. She’s a control freak and is shutting it down instead.

You're name calling a person who volunteered her time and mental energy all these years? Wow, you're special... and probably of the reasons she's done! I wouldn't want my name associated with it either. APE really ruined AEM, especially all of their cut and paste and online bullying members. I wish she'd post the messages in her inbox! People can be terrible.

Yes! APE should be outed for their abuse. Bullying, harassment, doxxing, stalking, all of it. They have driven good people away from engaging.

+1

They ruined a good parent resource.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been a useful resource of school news and public discussion. I've liked seeing viewpoints that are different from my sometimes knee jerk reaction and the discussion that comes from those.

I also wish she would just hand over the reins with a big disclaimer and warning that the initial vision is over and now it's just a Facebook page of Arlington school parents. I do hope a few of the more active members will step up to create a new space.

I also wish they'd hand over the reins to someone new. It's a shame to lose an information source with such a widespread following. They could even update the name of the group to be something like AEM v2.0 to make clear it has new leadership.

This is probably why she’s done. Everyone had an opinion of how she’s doing it wrong, without lifting a finger to do any work. Why don’t you step up?

Many people have. She’s a control freak and is shutting it down instead.

You're name calling a person who volunteered her time and mental energy all these years? Wow, you're special... and probably of the reasons she's done! I wouldn't want my name associated with it either. APE really ruined AEM, especially all of their cut and paste and online bullying members. I wish she'd post the messages in her inbox! People can be terrible.

Yes! APE should be outed for their abuse. Bullying, harassment, doxxing, stalking, all of it. They have driven good people away from engaging.

+1

They ruined a good parent resource.

The liberal extremists did their part to ruin it, too, by attacking moderate liberals even when they generally agreed with them but took the liberty of even the slightest nuance of a questioning or different thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been a useful resource of school news and public discussion. I've liked seeing viewpoints that are different from my sometimes knee jerk reaction and the discussion that comes from those.

I also wish she would just hand over the reins with a big disclaimer and warning that the initial vision is over and now it's just a Facebook page of Arlington school parents. I do hope a few of the more active members will step up to create a new space.

I also wish they'd hand over the reins to someone new. It's a shame to lose an information source with such a widespread following. They could even update the name of the group to be something like AEM v2.0 to make clear it has new leadership.

This is probably why she’s done. Everyone had an opinion of how she’s doing it wrong, without lifting a finger to do any work. Why don’t you step up?

Many people have. She’s a control freak and is shutting it down instead.

It's HER creation! She can do whatever she wants with it!
If you don't like how she controlled things, start your own and control it your way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been a useful resource of school news and public discussion. I've liked seeing viewpoints that are different from my sometimes knee jerk reaction and the discussion that comes from those.

I also wish she would just hand over the reins with a big disclaimer and warning that the initial vision is over and now it's just a Facebook page of Arlington school parents. I do hope a few of the more active members will step up to create a new space.

I also wish they'd hand over the reins to someone new. It's a shame to lose an information source with such a widespread following. They could even update the name of the group to be something like AEM v2.0 to make clear it has new leadership.

This is probably why she’s done. Everyone had an opinion of how she’s doing it wrong, without lifting a finger to do any work. Why don’t you step up?

Many people have. She’s a control freak and is shutting it down instead.

You're name calling a person who volunteered her time and mental energy all these years? Wow, you're special... and probably of the reasons she's done! I wouldn't want my name associated with it either. APE really ruined AEM, especially all of their cut and paste and online bullying members. I wish she'd post the messages in her inbox! People can be terrible.

Yes! APE should be outed for their abuse. Bullying, harassment, doxxing, stalking, all of it. They have driven good people away from engaging.

Half of AEM and more than half of DCUM threads IS outing APE.
It's the outing of APE that's turned many away. Some of us non-APEs are sick of every single thing being turned into an anti-APE rant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been a useful resource of school news and public discussion. I've liked seeing viewpoints that are different from my sometimes knee jerk reaction and the discussion that comes from those.

I also wish she would just hand over the reins with a big disclaimer and warning that the initial vision is over and now it's just a Facebook page of Arlington school parents. I do hope a few of the more active members will step up to create a new space.

I also wish they'd hand over the reins to someone new. It's a shame to lose an information source with such a widespread following. They could even update the name of the group to be something like AEM v2.0 to make clear it has new leadership.

This is probably why she’s done. Everyone had an opinion of how she’s doing it wrong, without lifting a finger to do any work. Why don’t you step up?

Many people have. She’s a control freak and is shutting it down instead.

You're name calling a person who volunteered her time and mental energy all these years? Wow, you're special... and probably of the reasons she's done! I wouldn't want my name associated with it either. APE really ruined AEM, especially all of their cut and paste and online bullying members. I wish she'd post the messages in her inbox! People can be terrible.

She part of the echo chamber that AEm had become. I have some other names but I don’t want to get banned here. Yeah, she’s a control freak.

AEM isn't an echo chamber. It's a facebook group that allows open discussion of APS issues. It's probably uncomfortable for you to interact with others who don't agree with you. That's what was so valuable about it. Are you more comfortable in your little APE echo chamber with your MAGA friends?

DP. I have no connection to APE and don't follow them. AEM is absolutely an echo chamber. Anyone who disagrees with the most liberally possible stance is criticized, accused of being APE, called racist, or has their ignorance chastised. Many people - including moderates and moderate liberals - stopped contributing entirely because of that. Me included.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been a useful resource of school news and public discussion. I've liked seeing viewpoints that are different from my sometimes knee jerk reaction and the discussion that comes from those.

I also wish she would just hand over the reins with a big disclaimer and warning that the initial vision is over and now it's just a Facebook page of Arlington school parents. I do hope a few of the more active members will step up to create a new space.

I also wish they'd hand over the reins to someone new. It's a shame to lose an information source with such a widespread following. They could even update the name of the group to be something like AEM v2.0 to make clear it has new leadership.

This is probably why she’s done. Everyone had an opinion of how she’s doing it wrong, without lifting a finger to do any work. Why don’t you step up?

Many people have. She’s a control freak and is shutting it down instead.

You're name calling a person who volunteered her time and mental energy all these years? Wow, you're special... and probably of the reasons she's done! I wouldn't want my name associated with it either. APE really ruined AEM, especially all of their cut and paste and online bullying members. I wish she'd post the messages in her inbox! People can be terrible.

She part of the echo chamber that AEm had become. I have some other names but I don’t want to get banned here. Yeah, she’s a control freak.

AEM isn't an echo chamber. It's a facebook group that allows open discussion of APS issues. It's probably uncomfortable for you to interact with others who don't agree with you. That's what was so valuable about it. Are you more comfortable in your little APE echo chamber with your MAGA friends?

DP. I have no connection to APE and don't follow them. AEM is absolutely an echo chamber. Anyone who disagrees with the most liberally possible stance is criticized, accused of being APE, called racist, or has their ignorance chastised. Many people - including moderates and moderate liberals - stopped contributing entirely because of that. Me included.

Another +1. I’m talking to you, SW.

The loudest voices totally drowned out nuanced discussion and grappling with issues. Support SROs you must be racist. Struggle with how to handle trans girls in supports and you must be anti-lgbt.

There was lots of great information sharing years ago. Kudos to Kelly for deciding it’s time to do something new with her life since she has devoted so much to aem

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been a useful resource of school news and public discussion. I've liked seeing viewpoints that are different from my sometimes knee jerk reaction and the discussion that comes from those.

I also wish she would just hand over the reins with a big disclaimer and warning that the initial vision is over and now it's just a Facebook page of Arlington school parents. I do hope a few of the more active members will step up to create a new space.

I also wish they'd hand over the reins to someone new. It's a shame to lose an information source with such a widespread following. They could even update the name of the group to be something like AEM v2.0 to make clear it has new leadership.

This is probably why she’s done. Everyone had an opinion of how she’s doing it wrong, without lifting a finger to do any work. Why don’t you step up?

Many people have. She’s a control freak and is shutting it down instead.

You're name calling a person who volunteered her time and mental energy all these years? Wow, you're special... and probably of the reasons she's done! I wouldn't want my name associated with it either. APE really ruined AEM, especially all of their cut and paste and online bullying members. I wish she'd post the messages in her inbox! People can be terrible.

She part of the echo chamber that AEm had become. I have some other names but I don’t want to get banned here. Yeah, she’s a control freak.

AEM isn't an echo chamber. It's a facebook group that allows open discussion of APS issues. It's probably uncomfortable for you to interact with others who don't agree with you. That's what was so valuable about it. Are you more comfortable in your little APE echo chamber with your MAGA friends?

DP. I have no connection to APE and don't follow them. AEM is absolutely an echo chamber. Anyone who disagrees with the most liberally possible stance is criticized, accused of being APE, called racist, or has their ignorance chastised. Many people - including moderates and moderate liberals - stopped contributing entirely because of that. Me included.

+1,000. This is exactly right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been a useful resource of school news and public discussion. I've liked seeing viewpoints that are different from my sometimes knee jerk reaction and the discussion that comes from those.

I also wish she would just hand over the reins with a big disclaimer and warning that the initial vision is over and now it's just a Facebook page of Arlington school parents. I do hope a few of the more active members will step up to create a new space.

I also wish they'd hand over the reins to someone new. It's a shame to lose an information source with such a widespread following. They could even update the name of the group to be something like AEM v2.0 to make clear it has new leadership.

This is probably why she’s done. Everyone had an opinion of how she’s doing it wrong, without lifting a finger to do any work. Why don’t you step up?

Many people have. She’s a control freak and is shutting it down instead.

You're name calling a person who volunteered her time and mental energy all these years? Wow, you're special... and probably of the reasons she's done! I wouldn't want my name associated with it either. APE really ruined AEM, especially all of their cut and paste and online bullying members. I wish she'd post the messages in her inbox! People can be terrible.

She part of the echo chamber that AEm had become. I have some other names but I don’t want to get banned here. Yeah, she’s a control freak.

AEM isn't an echo chamber. It's a facebook group that allows open discussion of APS issues. It's probably uncomfortable for you to interact with others who don't agree with you. That's what was so valuable about it. Are you more comfortable in your little APE echo chamber with your MAGA friends?

DP. I have no connection to APE and don't follow them. AEM is absolutely an echo chamber. Anyone who disagrees with the most liberally possible stance is criticized, accused of being APE, called racist, or has their ignorance chastised. Many people - including moderates and moderate liberals - stopped contributing entirely because of that. Me included.

The division started with APE. I stopped posting there when they started crapping on teachers, administrators, and other parents. They had some extremely nasty posters.

[Anonymous]

Say what you will, AEM is a Facebook discussion group that anyone can join and express their views (Whether or not some people are LOUDer than others). APE is a political action group that has 501c(4) status. Huge huge huge difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been a useful resource of school news and public discussion. I've liked seeing viewpoints that are different from my sometimes knee jerk reaction and the discussion that comes from those.

I also wish she would just hand over the reins with a big disclaimer and warning that the initial vision is over and now it's just a Facebook page of Arlington school parents. I do hope a few of the more active members will step up to create a new space.

I also wish they'd hand over the reins to someone new. It's a shame to lose an information source with such a widespread following. They could even update the name of the group to be something like AEM v2.0 to make clear it has new leadership.

This is probably why she’s done. Everyone had an opinion of how she’s doing it wrong, without lifting a finger to do any work. Why don’t you step up?

Many people have. She’s a control freak and is shutting it down instead.

You're name calling a person who volunteered her time and mental energy all these years? Wow, you're special... and probably of the reasons she's done! I wouldn't want my name associated with it either. APE really ruined AEM, especially all of their cut and paste and online bullying members. I wish she'd post the messages in her inbox! People can be terrible.

She part of the echo chamber that AEm had become. I have some other names but I don’t want to get banned here. Yeah, she’s a control freak.

AEM isn't an echo chamber. It's a facebook group that allows open discussion of APS issues. It's probably uncomfortable for you to interact with others who don't agree with you. That's what was so valuable about it. Are you more comfortable in your little APE echo chamber with your MAGA friends?

DP. I have no connection to APE and don't follow them. AEM is absolutely an echo chamber. Anyone who disagrees with the most liberally possible stance is criticized, accused of being APE, called racist, or has their ignorance chastised. Many people - including moderates and moderate liberals - stopped contributing entirely because of that. Me included.

The division started with APE. I stopped posting there when they started crapping on teachers, administrators, and other parents. They had some extremely nasty posters.

That may have been the point for you. But APE wasn't the source of "if you don't 100% agree with this, you must be a racist" - which, once APE appeared on the scene, turned into "if you don't 100% agree with this, you are clearly part of APE."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been a useful resource of school news and public discussion. I've liked seeing viewpoints that are different from my sometimes knee jerk reaction and the discussion that comes from those.

I also wish she would just hand over the reins with a big disclaimer and warning that the initial vision is over and now it's just a Facebook page of Arlington school parents. I do hope a few of the more active members will step up to create a new space.

I also wish they'd hand over the reins to someone new. It's a shame to lose an information source with such a widespread following. They could even update the name of the group to be something like AEM v2.0 to make clear it has new leadership.

This is probably why she’s done. Everyone had an opinion of how she’s doing it wrong, without lifting a finger to do any work. Why don’t you step up?

Many people have. She’s a control freak and is shutting it down instead.

It's HER creation! She can do whatever she wants with it!
If you don't like how she controlled things, start your own and control it your way.

It can be her call, but that doesn't mean I don't wish she'd handed it off instead of shutting it down. I do see that several people on AEM have offered to take it on.

I like to be informed and follow AEM, ArlNow, SmartRestart, DCUM, and APE. We don't have a real local newspaper like my hometown did so I find it hard to get certain APS information. AEM was a place with a large following where important info was shared and issues were raised.

[Anonymous]

But where will that old guy post news articles that everyone already discussed two days prior?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its been a useful resource of school news and public discussion. I've liked seeing viewpoints that are different from my sometimes knee jerk reaction and the discussion that comes from those.

I also wish she would just hand over the reins with a big disclaimer and warning that the initial vision is over and now it's just a Facebook page of Arlington school parents. I do hope a few of the more active members will step up to create a new space.

I also wish they'd hand over the reins to someone new. It's a shame to lose an information source with such a widespread following. They could even update the name of the group to be something like AEM v2.0 to make clear it has new leadership.

This is probably why she’s done. Everyone had an opinion of how she’s doing it wrong, without lifting a finger to do any work. Why don’t you step up?

Many people have. She’s a control freak and is shutting it down instead.

You're name calling a person who volunteered her time and mental energy all these years? Wow, you're special... and probably of the reasons she's done! I wouldn't want my name associated with it either. APE really ruined AEM, especially all of their cut and paste and online bullying members. I wish she'd post the messages in her inbox! People can be terrible.

She part of the echo chamber that AEm had become. I have some other names but I don’t want to get banned here. Yeah, she’s a control freak.

AEM isn't an echo chamber. It's a facebook group that allows open discussion of APS issues. It's probably uncomfortable for you to interact with others who don't agree with you. That's what was so valuable about it. Are you more comfortable in your little APE echo chamber with your MAGA friends?

DP. I have no connection to APE and don't follow them. AEM is absolutely an echo chamber. Anyone who disagrees with the most liberally possible stance is criticized, accused of being APE, called racist, or has their ignorance chastised. Many people - including moderates and moderate liberals - stopped contributing entirely because of that. Me included.

Another +1. I’m talking to you, SW.

The loudest voices totally drowned out nuanced discussion and grappling with issues. Support SROs you must be racist. Struggle with how to handle trans girls in supports and you must be anti-lgbt.

There was lots of great information sharing years ago. Kudos to Kelly for deciding it’s time to do something new with her life since she has devoted so much to aem

Couldn't agree more. It was actually useful for a while in the beginning but don't you dare speak up with any slightly differing opinion. All of the sane posters left a long time ago. It's absolutely an echo chamber. It was amusing to go back occasionally and see the madness but not enough to follow the craziness wherever they end up. Good riddance.