It also applies to the kids from Stenwood, Westbriar and Freedom Hill because the new Westbriar Center that their rising 3rd graders will go to will only have 3rd grade, not the older grades at the Center. The older grades are grandfathered into LA, but the new AAP 4th,5th, and 6th graders are apparently being sent to Colvin Run. |
| This is correct. LA is closed to any new 4,5,6th graders. It is the same for Haycock and Hunters Woods. These 3 schools were closed last year to new students - hence the big boundary/new aap centers created. I guess they are still remaining closed except to 3rd graders. |
| If that is true, then the AAP department lied. The new center was to create a center school in the Marshall pyramid. Louise archer was supposed to be the center school for the Madison pyramid. Now, they are moving kids out of their pyramid. How ca n they do that without a school board vote and/or notice or comment period?? |
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This is really sneaky, underhanded, and offensive. It is also academically and socially worrisome, as it effectively dismantles the AAP center at Louise Archer which has been so beneficial for many children, including mine.
I don't even know where the heck Colvin Run is, and to claim that parents must provide transport is also very back-door. The board tried to discontinue busing to AAP centers a couple of years ago and were forced by public outcry to keep it. I would clarify the situation at the central office, and then start writing to *all* the board members immediately after that. Get all your friends to do it, too, and organize. Vocally. |
+1 You may also want to get the media involved. I know the Patch covered some of the AAP proposal options late last year. Maybe reach out to them? http://mclean.patch.com/articles/parents-to-weigh-in-on-advanced-academic-shifts http://centreville.patch.com/articles/parents-demand-answers-at-advanced-academic-meeting |
| I thought that they would re-open the schools to entering 4th, 5th and 6th graders once they had re-routed the rising 3rd graders (and 4th and 5th in the case of Haycock). Now that I think about it, though, they never specifically said that. I think everyone just assumed it. It's not that many kids, so I'm kind of surprised they would send them to other centers without transportation, although it would be a slap in the face to the rising 4th and 5th graders at haycock if they kicked them out and then let other kids take their place, so I could see if they'd keep Haycock closed, but the others grandfathered kids so apparently their problems were not as severe. |
The reporter who covered for the Patch was Erica Hendry. Taylor Schwartz also covered for the Post. |
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The problem is Louise Archer is full. And the Town of Vienna did not approve the keeping of the trailer classrooms starting in 2014. The school has no place for specials. The basketball court has a trailer in it.
Louise Archer can not add another 4th, 5th or sixth grade AAP class if required, as there is no space. It is just not possible. It is our base school. But it is busting at the seams. With that said, I think they could wait list the rising 4th, 5th and 6th grader, to see what the AAP enrollment is: if there are slots in the classes, add them? But, LA can not just keep adding more students. And, the current crop of 5th grade teachers are awful. |
| Why don't you volunteer to send your chikd to colvin run and have to drive them over there every day. Then maybe you will understand the kevel of anger and surprise. |
| Because LA is our base school. My DD can walk there. I sympathize with the plight. But LA can not just add another class. There is not room. |
| Why wouldn't the children from Stenwood, Westbriar, or Freedom Hill then go to Lemon Road then? Those children go onto Kilmer. It doesn't make much sense to drive out to Colvin Run. Lemon Road is closer to Stenwood and Freedom Hill anyway. |
The decision was made last year to grandfather those children because they were already at the school. I'm sure their parents would wonder why they should leave a school where they are already settled to make room for your child as a new student. Also, the rising 3rd graders are going to Westbriar, not LR. It wouldn't make sense to send the older kids to LR. |
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Problem is Lemon Road does not have a 4th-6th grade AAP. And there are probably not enough students for a stand alone class.
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When Colvin Run opened as a new school it had a GT / AAP center with grades 3 through 5 or 3 through 6. Everyone lived. Parents adjusted. Lemon Road [newly renovated] should have been the same scenario then there might not be the problem at Louise Archer with Colvin Run as a stop gap measure because they have no where else to put these children. These children left Haycock and Forest Edge and Louise Archer. |
| and it is ridiculous for FCPS to run a rat maze of busses through the same neighborhoods. |