Blair vs Sherwood in terms of no magnet

[Anonymous]

I was shopping out that way last week-end and stumbled upon their Halloween Festival at the shopping center. It kind of reminded me of parts of New Jersey (the people), and I'm not talking about the more upscale parts that are close to NYC (more like Jackson-Freehold). We were considering a move to Olney-Brookeville, but I have to say I was not very impressed. I am willing to give it another chance and will go back-Perhaps my veiws were tainted by a young "jock" like dad wearing blue mirried sunglasses-completely oblivious that his son (3-4 years old?) was going aroung punching other kids-he smacked my 2 year old DD in the chest hard and caused her to cry-he then proceeded to hit 3 other kids when I approached his dad (after searching for his parent) and told him what his DS was doing (I was calm and pleasant)-he basically smirked, said nothing to me or his kid and proceeded to laugh with his (I assume) wife and another couple. He seemed like a complete unsophisticated ass. I guess I should not let him paint my veiws of an entire town-My DS went to SSFS summer camp and all the Sherwood and Blair teen counselors seemed smart, well mannered and lovely in general. The thought of an Olney to DC commute terrifies me though.

[Anonymous]

Mirrored sunglasses-typo-oops

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally (if given the option) would pick Sherwood. It truly does have a great community and every time our school (not Blair) plays them I am envious. I think Sherwood and Quince Orchard seem to have the best communities overall.

in the system
in a low-performing high school with many discipline problems

moved from SS to an area around Olney, with Sherwood as our home school

little economic diversity
can't say I care

I'd rather have my kids in an environment where I don't have to worry about fights and teachers too tired to give a crap. I can always supplement if necessary, and being familiar with the system gives me an advantage. I realize that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was shopping out that way last week-end and stumbled upon their Halloween Festival at the shopping center. It kind of reminded me of parts of New Jersey (the people), and I'm not talking about the more upscale parts that are close to NYC (more like Jackson-Freehold). We were considering a move to Olney-Brookeville, but I have to say I was not very impressed. I am willing to give it another chance and will go back-Perhaps my veiws were tainted by a young "jock" like dad wearing blue mirried sunglasses-completely oblivious that his son (3-4 years old?) was going aroung punching other kids-he smacked my 2 year old DD in the chest hard and caused her to cry-he then proceeded to hit 3 other kids when I approached his dad (after searching for his parent) and told him what his DS was doing (I was calm and pleasant)-he basically smirked, said nothing to me or his kid and proceeded to laugh with his (I assume) wife and another couple. He seemed like a complete unsophisticated ass. I guess I should not let him paint my veiws of an entire town-My DS went to SSFS summer camp and all the Sherwood and Blair teen counselors seemed smart, well mannered and lovely in general. The thought of an Olney to DC commute terrifies me though.

There are clearly entitled assholes in this area. no doubt

However, as an adult, you can avoid them. In terms of children, I keep lines of communication open with my kids. They know not to succumb to any pressure. so far so good! Unfortunately, MCPS now has the extremes. What were once solid, middle class schools are now suffering miserably b/c there are simply not enough resources to address the mental health and language barriers plaguing many students.

Having said that, I would rather have my kids in a higher performing school where there is parental support (albeit too much at times). You can't teach in an environment that's not safe. Safety first . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blair is the best public school in the county. They have the most options for classes, even if you are not in the magnet programs you can still take magnet classes. It is extremely diverse, people that go their come from all over the county. It is very well balanced in terms of races, as they are selective so they can maintain the optimum levels of diversity. All kinds of economic backgrounds, etc. Solid athletic and learning programs, etc. The building, facilities, teachers, etc are all top notch. Very caring community, etc nothin really bad to say about it.

Sherwood on the other hand, is just a small boring school, like a majority of the other high schools in montgomery county. There's nothing really that sets sherwood apart, but it's really up to what your child prefers. Whether they want a big school/small school feel changes the entire experience.

Sherwood is a much better school. Around 2011 a new principal took the helm at Blair. As the poster says she opened the magnet to everyone. It has resulted in a magnet program that has the same level of instruction as the rest of the school. And, the level of instruction at Blair is pretty much the middle school level in the wealthier part of the county. Blair is majority Latino with blacks making up the second largest group. I think it is like the Langley Park-Silver Spring area.

There is no selectivity at Blair and there is nothing called an optimum level of diversity.

There was also a big deal about Blair being among some of the lowest performing schools according to some report.

Don't take my word for it. Visit the school. Observe the school for sometime before making up your mind.

[Anonymous]

There are no towns here. Therefore there is no "home town" feel.

There is no there, there. This describes MoCo perfectly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are no towns here. Therefore there is no "home town" feel.

There is no there, there. This describes MoCo perfectly.

Ok Dr. Suess...would you mind elaborating?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blair is the best public school in the county. They have the most options for classes, even if you are not in the magnet programs you can still take magnet classes. It is extremely diverse, people that go their come from all over the county. It is very well balanced in terms of races, as they are selective so they can maintain the optimum levels of diversity. All kinds of economic backgrounds, etc. Solid athletic and learning programs, etc. The building, facilities, teachers, etc are all top notch. Very caring community, etc nothin really bad to say about it.

Sherwood on the other hand, is just a small boring school, like a majority of the other high schools in montgomery county. There's nothing really that sets sherwood apart, but it's really up to what your child prefers. Whether they want a big school/small school feel changes the entire experience.

Can anyone take magnet classes? I asked this on another thread and got a snarky response. Please give me a honest response.

Can my DS take any magnet class? Can he take any CAP class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair is the best public school in the county. They have the most options for classes, even if you are not in the magnet programs you can still take magnet classes. It is extremely diverse, people that go their come from all over the county. It is very well balanced in terms of races, as they are selective so they can maintain the optimum levels of diversity. All kinds of economic backgrounds, etc. Solid athletic and learning programs, etc. The building, facilities, teachers, etc are all top notch. Very caring community, etc nothin really bad to say about it.

Sherwood on the other hand, is just a small boring school, like a majority of the other high schools in montgomery county. There's nothing really that sets sherwood apart, but it's really up to what your child prefers. Whether they want a big school/small school feel changes the entire experience.

Can anyone take magnet classes? I asked this on another thread and got a snarky response. Please give me a honest response.

Can my DS take any magnet class? Can he take any CAP class?[/quote]

No, he can't. Maybe his counselor could make a case for him if it seemed merited, but typically, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There are clearly entitled assholes in this area. no doubt

However, as an adult, you can avoid them. In terms of children, I keep lines of communication open with my kids. They know not to succumb to any pressure. so far so good! Unfortunately, MCPS now has the extremes. What were once solid, middle class schools are now suffering miserably b/c there are simply not enough resources to address the mental health and language barriers plaguing many students.

Having said that, I would rather have my kids in a higher performing school where there is parental support (albeit too much at times). You can't teach in an environment that's not safe. Safety first . . .

There's a Blair hater on DCUM who keeps writing as though the MS-13 gang is checking kids' tats at the door every morning. You should ignore that poster, she's certifiable. My kids have been perfectly safe at Blair.

To the PP asking whether non-magnet kids can take magnet classes, I answered your question on the thread you started. My kids have both taken some magnet classes, although there are limits to how open magnet classes are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are no towns here. Therefore there is no "home town" feel.

There is no there, there. This describes MoCo perfectly.

Of course there are towns here. Barnesville, Brookeville, Chevy Chase, Chevy Chase View, Garrett Park, Glen Echo, Kensington, Laytonsville, Poolesville, Somerset, Washington Grove.

http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/36loc/mo/html/momu.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There are clearly entitled assholes in this area. no doubt

However, as an adult, you can avoid them. In terms of children, I keep lines of communication open with my kids. They know not to succumb to any pressure. so far so good! Unfortunately, MCPS now has the extremes. What were once solid, middle class schools are now suffering miserably b/c there are simply not enough resources to address the mental health and language barriers plaguing many students.

Having said that, I would rather have my kids in a higher performing school where there is parental support (albeit too much at times). You can't teach in an environment that's not safe. Safety first . . .

There's a Blair hater on DCUM who keeps writing as though the MS-13 gang is checking kids' tats at the door every morning. You should ignore that poster, she's certifiable. My kids have been perfectly safe at Blair.

To the PP asking whether non-magnet kids can take magnet classes, I answered your question on the thread you started. My kids have both taken some magnet classes, although there are limits to how open magnet classes are.

Allowing non-magnet to take a few magnet courses waters down the program. Not everyone is brilliant. I blame parents who fool themselves into thinking their kids are geniuses and schools for caving. Furthermore, I firmly believe that these parents are all about themselves and not their children.

There is gang activity in many NEC and DCC schools. Don't fool yourself into thinking it only affects "those in the family." Most of the fights occur off campus, but that's not always the case.

There were four fights in one day at my school last week. The kids who care are starting to protest, as there's this strange trend toward protecting the ones who cause harm.

Blair is no different.

Again, I'd rather deal with arrogant assholes than have to worry about my kid getting caught in the middle of some violent fight.

Unless you see it and experience it on a daily basis, you live in La La Land.

But if you're OK with that, who am I to argue?

Enjoy your bubble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There are clearly entitled assholes in this area. no doubt

However, as an adult, you can avoid them. In terms of children, I keep lines of communication open with my kids. They know not to succumb to any pressure. so far so good! Unfortunately, MCPS now has the extremes. What were once solid, middle class schools are now suffering miserably b/c there are simply not enough resources to address the mental health and language barriers plaguing many students.

Having said that, I would rather have my kids in a higher performing school where there is parental support (albeit too much at times). You can't teach in an environment that's not safe. Safety first . . .

There's a Blair hater on DCUM who keeps writing as though the MS-13 gang is checking kids' tats at the door every morning. You should ignore that poster, she's certifiable. My kids have been perfectly safe at Blair.

To the PP asking whether non-magnet kids can take magnet classes, I answered your question on the thread you started. My kids have both taken some magnet classes, although there are limits to how open magnet classes are.

Allowing non-magnet to take a few magnet courses waters down the program. Not everyone is brilliant. I blame parents who fool themselves into thinking their kids are geniuses and schools for caving. Furthermore, I firmly believe that these parents are all about themselves and not their children.

There is gang activity in many NEC and DCC schools. Don't fool yourself into thinking it only affects "those in the family." Most of the fights occur off campus, but that's not always the case.

There were four fights in one day at my school last week. The kids who care are starting to protest, as there's this strange trend toward protecting the ones who cause harm.

Blair is no different.

Again, I'd rather deal with arrogant assholes than have to worry about my kid getting caught in the middle of some violent fight.

Unless you see it and experience it on a daily basis, you live in La La Land.

But if you're OK with that, who am I to argue?

Enjoy your bubble.

Why don't you do something about the decline of Balir and the destruction of the magnet. Start speaking up publicly. Expressing your opinion on these threads is worthless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There are clearly entitled assholes in this area. no doubt

However, as an adult, you can avoid them. In terms of children, I keep lines of communication open with my kids. They know not to succumb to any pressure. so far so good! Unfortunately, MCPS now has the extremes. What were once solid, middle class schools are now suffering miserably b/c there are simply not enough resources to address the mental health and language barriers plaguing many students.

Having said that, I would rather have my kids in a higher performing school where there is parental support (albeit too much at times). You can't teach in an environment that's not safe. Safety first . . .

There's a Blair hater on DCUM who keeps writing as though the MS-13 gang is checking kids' tats at the door every morning. You should ignore that poster, she's certifiable. My kids have been perfectly safe at Blair.

To the PP asking whether non-magnet kids can take magnet classes, I answered your question on the thread you started. My kids have both taken some magnet classes, although there are limits to how open magnet classes are.

Allowing non-magnet to take a few magnet courses waters down the program. Not everyone is brilliant. I blame parents who fool themselves into thinking their kids are geniuses and schools for caving. Furthermore, I firmly believe that these parents are all about themselves and not their children.

There is gang activity in many NEC and DCC schools. Don't fool yourself into thinking it only affects "those in the family." Most of the fights occur off campus, but that's not always the case.

There were four fights in one day at my school last week. The kids who care are starting to protest, as there's this strange trend toward protecting the ones who cause harm.

Blair is no different.

Again, I'd rather deal with arrogant assholes than have to worry about my kid getting caught in the middle of some violent fight.

Unless you see it and experience it on a daily basis, you live in La La Land.

But if you're OK with that, who am I to argue?

Enjoy your bubble.

Why don't you do something about the decline of Balir and the destruction of the magnet. Start speaking up publicly. Expressing your opinion on these threads is worthless.

Because she doesn't have a kid at Blair (see bolded part) and neither do you. The two of you carping about the decline of Blair and its magnet is something to behold. Especially, as often happens, when you get facts completely wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There are clearly entitled assholes in this area. no doubt

However, as an adult, you can avoid them. In terms of children, I keep lines of communication open with my kids. They know not to succumb to any pressure. so far so good! Unfortunately, MCPS now has the extremes. What were once solid, middle class schools are now suffering miserably b/c there are simply not enough resources to address the mental health and language barriers plaguing many students.

Having said that, I would rather have my kids in a higher performing school where there is parental support (albeit too much at times). You can't teach in an environment that's not safe. Safety first . . .

There's a Blair hater on DCUM who keeps writing as though the MS-13 gang is checking kids' tats at the door every morning. You should ignore that poster, she's certifiable. My kids have been perfectly safe at Blair.

To the PP asking whether non-magnet kids can take magnet classes, I answered your question on the thread you started. My kids have both taken some magnet classes, although there are limits to how open magnet classes are.

Allowing non-magnet to take a few magnet courses waters down the program. Not everyone is brilliant. I blame parents who fool themselves into thinking their kids are geniuses and schools for caving. Furthermore, I firmly believe that these parents are all about themselves and not their children.

There is gang activity in many NEC and DCC schools. Don't fool yourself into thinking it only affects "those in the family." Most of the fights occur off campus, but that's not always the case.

There were four fights in one day at my school last week. The kids who care are starting to protest, as there's this strange trend toward protecting the ones who cause harm.

Blair is no different.

Again, I'd rather deal with arrogant assholes than have to worry about my kid getting caught in the middle of some violent fight.

Unless you see it and experience it on a daily basis, you live in La La Land.

But if you're OK with that, who am I to argue?

Enjoy your bubble.

Why don't you do something about the decline of Balir and the destruction of the magnet. Start speaking up publicly. Expressing your opinion on these threads is worthless.

Because she doesn't have a kid at Blair (see bolded part) and neither do you. The two of you carping about the decline of Blair and its magnet is something to behold. Especially, as often happens, when you get facts completely wrong.

Nothing shows the decline at Blair, the DCC and teh NEC like dumb comments like yours.