Barcroft in APS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue with the calendar is that it prevents many people from even considering moving to the area. It is only a property values question for those who already live here.

That's a bunch of BS. The calendar hasn't impacted property values. A lot of people aren't even aware of the calendar, including a lot of students who show up for the first day a month after school has started. FRL% and test scores - that's the cause. People opted out before the calendar, during the calendar, and they'll opt out after the calendar.

This. If the test scores didn't blow, we'd all be talking about how the year round model should be more widely adopted. Instead they suck, the intersessions make he school cost more. My guess is the original motivation for the calendar was ESL andto attract UMC to the school by giving it a special identity (like immersion in 1986 and steam in 2019). Time to admit the UMC is going to choice out or move.

I agree. Attack the program because you don’t want your child surrounded by those who may be economically disadvantaged or learning English. This is what is wrong with this area. We have had great experiences at the school and hate that this program could be discontinued.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue with the calendar is that it prevents many people from even considering moving to the area. It is only a property values question for those who already live here.

That's a bunch of BS. The calendar hasn't impacted property values. A lot of people aren't even aware of the calendar, including a lot of students who show up for the first day a month after school has started. FRL% and test scores - that's the cause. People opted out before the calendar, during the calendar, and they'll opt out after the calendar.

This. If the test scores didn't blow, we'd all be talking about how the year round model should be more widely adopted. Instead they suck, the intersessions make he school cost more. My guess is the original motivation for the calendar was ESL andto attract UMC to the school by giving it a special identity (like immersion in 1986 and steam in 2019). Time to admit the UMC is going to choice out or move.

Or maybe admit that the calendar isn't really helping with summer regression (test scores are not going up), nor is this calendar attractive to the majority of UMC families who live in the boundary, because these families do have the means and prefer the extended time in summer for camps and vacations in a large traditional block, to be aligned with all the camps and activities everyone else they know is doing. If anyone wants this school to attract more UMC families to make it more diverse, I think it either needs to be an option school, which UMC families also like, or move to a regular calendar and hope this principal can draw those families back in.

And to the PP who claimed that it's hurting property values, no it's not. But the calendar is also not a surprise to any family who has the means to buy an $800,000 SFH. It's not those kids who show up in September.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue with the calendar is that it prevents many people from even considering moving to the area. It is only a property values question for those who already live here.

That's a bunch of BS. The calendar hasn't impacted property values. A lot of people aren't even aware of the calendar, including a lot of students who show up for the first day a month after school has started. FRL% and test scores - that's the cause. People opted out before the calendar, during the calendar, and they'll opt out after the calendar.

This. If the test scores didn't blow, we'd all be talking about how the year round model should be more widely adopted. Instead they suck, the intersessions make he school cost more. My guess is the original motivation for the calendar was ESL andto attract UMC to the school by giving it a special identity (like immersion in 1986 and steam in 2019). Time to admit the UMC is going to choice out or move.

The year-round calendar wasn't a lure for the UMC families. The principal and UMC families already at the school pushed for it and got the 80% or whatever % of the school community was needed to make it happen.

The "special identity" was the Leonardo DaVinci program. Like all the other exemplary programs at all the other schools that had/have them. Those were all meant to attract UMC families and entice them to stay in their neighborhood schools. Unfortunately, that program at Barcroft disappeared under the "leadership" of the last principal. Instead of reinvigorating it, current leadership is taking its own approach - whatever that is, it isn't a specific exemplary program.

The main reason the intersessions cost so much is because APS requires every course to be taught by "highly qualified teachers" and pays each teacher whatever their most recent hourly salary is/was. What highly qualified teachers are available during October and the spring when school is in session? Retired teachers whose pay is at the top of their earnings. Some of the school's teachers will teach an intersession; but a lot of them want their vacation breaks, too. In the past, less costly instructors could conduct a class and could also offer a broader variety of subjects. Nevertheless, over 300 students are now participating in these opportunities. So there clearly is interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue with the calendar is that it prevents many people from even considering moving to the area. It is only a property values question for those who already live here.

That's a bunch of BS. The calendar hasn't impacted property values. A lot of people aren't even aware of the calendar, including a lot of students who show up for the first day a month after school has started. FRL% and test scores - that's the cause. People opted out before the calendar, during the calendar, and they'll opt out after the calendar.

This. If the test scores didn't blow, we'd all be talking about how the year round model should be more widely adopted. Instead they suck, the intersessions make he school cost more. My guess is the original motivation for the calendar was ESL andto attract UMC to the school by giving it a special identity (like immersion in 1986 and steam in 2019). Time to admit the UMC is going to choice out or move.

The year-round calendar wasn't a lure for the UMC families. The principal and UMC families already at the school pushed for it and got the 80% or whatever % of the school community was needed to make it happen.

The "special identity" was the Leonardo DaVinci program. Like all the other exemplary programs at all the other schools that had/have them. Those were all meant to attract UMC families and entice them to stay in their neighborhood schools. Unfortunately, that program at Barcroft disappeared under the "leadership" of the last principal. Instead of reinvigorating it, current leadership is taking its own approach - whatever that is, it isn't a specific exemplary program.

The main reason the intersessions cost so much is because APS requires every course to be taught by "highly qualified teachers" and pays each teacher whatever their most recent hourly salary is/was. What highly qualified teachers are available during October and the spring when school is in session? Retired teachers whose pay is at the top of their earnings. Some of the school's teachers will teach an intersession; but a lot of them want their vacation breaks, too. In the past, less costly instructors could conduct a class and could also offer a broader variety of subjects. Nevertheless, over 300 students are now participating in these opportunities. So there clearly is interest.

For free babysitting? Color me surprised.

But seriously, are you actually saying that you don't think all teachers at a Title 1 school should be highly qualified? If they're not, then it really was babysitting and I am glad that at least it's actually a year-round school now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue with the calendar is that it prevents many people from even considering moving to the area. It is only a property values question for those who already live here.

That's a bunch of BS. The calendar hasn't impacted property values. A lot of people aren't even aware of the calendar, including a lot of students who show up for the first day a month after school has started. FRL% and test scores - that's the cause. People opted out before the calendar, during the calendar, and they'll opt out after the calendar.

This. If the test scores didn't blow, we'd all be talking about how the year round model should be more widely adopted. Instead they suck, the intersessions make he school cost more. My guess is the original motivation for the calendar was ESL andto attract UMC to the school by giving it a special identity (like immersion in 1986 and steam in 2019). Time to admit the UMC is going to choice out or move.

Or maybe admit that the calendar isn't really helping with summer regression (test scores are not going up), nor is this calendar attractive to the majority of UMC families who live in the boundary, because these families do have the means and prefer the extended time in summer for camps and vacations in a large traditional block, to be aligned with all the camps and activities everyone else they know is doing. If anyone wants this school to attract more UMC families to make it more diverse, I think it either needs to be an option school, which UMC families also like, or move to a regular calendar and hope this principal can draw those families back in.

And to the PP who claimed that it's hurting property values, no it's not. But the calendar is also not a surprise to any family who has the means to buy an $800,000 SFH. It's not those kids who show up in September.

That's mostly true; but I have known some families coming in from overseas assignments who bought and were unaware that school was starting the first week in August. I've known some who found out by taking a walk and passing the sign in front of the school with the message "First day of school Aug 1." But, yes, it is mostly other families, whether new or just coming back from their extended summer vacation back in their native country and knowingly missing the beginning of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue with the calendar is that it prevents many people from even considering moving to the area. It is only a property values question for those who already live here.

That's a bunch of BS. The calendar hasn't impacted property values. A lot of people aren't even aware of the calendar, including a lot of students who show up for the first day a month after school has started. FRL% and test scores - that's the cause. People opted out before the calendar, during the calendar, and they'll opt out after the calendar.

This. If the test scores didn't blow, we'd all be talking about how the year round model should be more widely adopted. Instead they suck, the intersessions make he school cost more. My guess is the original motivation for the calendar was ESL andto attract UMC to the school by giving it a special identity (like immersion in 1986 and steam in 2019). Time to admit the UMC is going to choice out or move.

The year-round calendar wasn't a lure for the UMC families. The principal and UMC families already at the school pushed for it and got the 80% or whatever % of the school community was needed to make it happen.

The "special identity" was the Leonardo DaVinci program. Like all the other exemplary programs at all the other schools that had/have them. Those were all meant to attract UMC families and entice them to stay in their neighborhood schools. Unfortunately, that program at Barcroft disappeared under the "leadership" of the last principal. Instead of reinvigorating it, current leadership is taking its own approach - whatever that is, it isn't a specific exemplary program.

The main reason the intersessions cost so much is because APS requires every course to be taught by "highly qualified teachers" and pays each teacher whatever their most recent hourly salary is/was. What highly qualified teachers are available during October and the spring when school is in session? Retired teachers whose pay is at the top of their earnings. Some of the school's teachers will teach an intersession; but a lot of them want their vacation breaks, too. In the past, less costly instructors could conduct a class and could also offer a broader variety of subjects. Nevertheless, over 300 students are now participating in these opportunities. So there clearly is interest.

For free babysitting? Color me surprised.

But seriously, are you actually saying that you don't think all teachers at a Title 1 school should be highly qualified? If they're not, then it really was babysitting and I am glad that at least it's actually a year-round school now.

It's not free, though it is quite affordable and a heckuva lot less than 4 weeks of summer camps.

Yes, the teachers on staff at every school, Title I or otherwise, should be highly qualified. But intersession classes do not need to have highly qualified (which is defined by academic degrees). Intersessions originally were intended to offer a variety of enrichment experiences, not just push more reading and math and science. There used to be more offerings for opportunities and experiences the kids don't normally get in school, and they were taught by very capable individuals who were passionate about their topic/craft and created quality experiences for the kids. My kids enjoyed the intersessions a lot more before the "highly qualified" and "must align with SOLs" requirements came into effect, when there was more variety to choose from and different things to try out.

[Anonymous]

The modified calendar is not improving test scores. It has had a good long time to work. It started to work a bit under its long-time principal. But then it feel apart and it is doing more harm than good to the school now. Time to dismantle it.

[Anonymous]

I am the PP who said it is hurting property values. I agree that the primary thing hurting property values is the mow test scores. However, I have talked to too many realtors in this area with clients who back out of even seeing a home in Barcroft's zone because they have multiple children and they don't want the calendar. And, these are home buyers who have already gotten past the idea of a title I school with low test scores. I also know several people with rentals in the zone and when they have vacancies, there are always a considerable number of families who decide not to rent once they find out about the calendar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the PP who said it is hurting property values. I agree that the primary thing hurting property values is the low test scores. However, I have talked to too many realtors in this area with clients who back out of even seeing a home in Barcroft's zone because they have multiple children and they don't want the calendar. And, these are home buyers who have already gotten past the idea of a title I school with low test scores. I also know several people with rentals in the zone and when they have vacancies, there are always a considerable number of families who decide not to rent once they find out about the calendar.

I imagine it is worse now that they have dismantled sibling preference.

[Anonymous]

huh, where has sibling preference been dismantled?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the PP who said it is hurting property values. I agree that the primary thing hurting property values is the low test scores. However, I have talked to too many realtors in this area with clients who back out of even seeing a home in Barcroft's zone because they have multiple children and they don't want the calendar. And, these are home buyers who have already gotten past the idea of a title I school with low test scores. I also know several people with rentals in the zone and when they have vacancies, there are always a considerable number of families who decide not to rent once they find out about the calendar.

I imagine it is worse now that they have dismantled sibling preference.

This is not true. They have done no such thing at the option schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue with the calendar is that it prevents many people from even considering moving to the area. It is only a property values question for those who already live here.

That's a bunch of BS. The calendar hasn't impacted property values. A lot of people aren't even aware of the calendar, including a lot of students who show up for the first day a month after school has started. FRL% and test scores - that's the cause. People opted out before the calendar, during the calendar, and they'll opt out after the calendar.

This. If the test scores didn't blow, we'd all be talking about how the year round model should be more widely adopted. Instead they suck, the intersessions make he school cost more. My guess is the original motivation for the calendar was ESL andto attract UMC to the school by giving it a special identity (like immersion in 1986 and steam in 2019). Time to admit the UMC is going to choice out or move.

The year-round calendar wasn't a lure for the UMC families. The principal and UMC families already at the school pushed for it and got the 80% or whatever % of the school community was needed to make it happen.

The "special identity" was the Leonardo DaVinci program. Like all the other exemplary programs at all the other schools that had/have them. Those were all meant to attract UMC families and entice them to stay in their neighborhood schools. Unfortunately, that program at Barcroft disappeared under the "leadership" of the last principal. Instead of reinvigorating it, current leadership is taking its own approach - whatever that is, it isn't a specific exemplary program.

The main reason the intersessions cost so much is because APS requires every course to be taught by "highly qualified teachers" and pays each teacher whatever their most recent hourly salary is/was. What highly qualified teachers are available during October and the spring when school is in session? Retired teachers whose pay is at the top of their earnings. Some of the school's teachers will teach an intersession; but a lot of them want their vacation breaks, too. In the past, less costly instructors could conduct a class and could also offer a broader variety of subjects. Nevertheless, over 300 students are now participating in these opportunities. So there clearly is interest.

For free babysitting? Color me surprised.

But seriously, are you actually saying that you don't think all teachers at a Title 1 school should be highly qualified? If they're not, then it really was babysitting and I am glad that at least it's actually a year-round school now.

It's not free, though it is quite affordable and a heckuva lot less than 4 weeks of summer camps.

Yes, the teachers on staff at every school, Title I or otherwise, should be highly qualified. But intersession classes do not need to have highly qualified (which is defined by academic degrees). Intersessions originally were intended to offer a variety of enrichment experiences, not just push more reading and math and science. There used to be more offerings for opportunities and experiences the kids don't normally get in school, and they were taught by very capable individuals who were passionate about their topic/craft and created quality experiences for the kids. My kids enjoyed the intersessions a lot more before the "highly qualified" and "must align with SOLs" requirements came into effect, when there was more variety to choose from and different things to try out.

Can Americorps just fill the teaching slots?

[Anonymous]

There was talk of ending the year-round calendar at Barcroft. Is that happening?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the PP who said it is hurting property values. I agree that the primary thing hurting property values is the low test scores. However, I have talked to too many realtors in this area with clients who back out of even seeing a home in Barcroft's zone because they have multiple children and they don't want the calendar. And, these are home buyers who have already gotten past the idea of a title I school with low test scores. I also know several people with rentals in the zone and when they have vacancies, there are always a considerable number of families who decide not to rent once they find out about the calendar.

I imagine it is worse now that they have dismantled sibling preference.

This is not true. They have done no such thing at the option schools.

Oh wait. Was it just HB? Not choice elementary schools?
Now I’m getting confused. Wasn’t the Montessori community upset about losing sibling preference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the PP who said it is hurting property values. I agree that the primary thing hurting property values is the low test scores. However, I have talked to too many realtors in this area with clients who back out of even seeing a home in Barcroft's zone because they have multiple children and they don't want the calendar. And, these are home buyers who have already gotten past the idea of a title I school with low test scores. I also know several people with rentals in the zone and when they have vacancies, there are always a considerable number of families who decide not to rent once they find out about the calendar.

I imagine it is worse now that they have dismantled sibling preference.

This is not true. They have done no such thing at the option schools.

Oh wait. Was it just HB? Not choice elementary schools?
Now I’m getting confused. Wasn’t the Montessori community upset about losing sibling preference?

APS did eliminate sibling preference for Montesorri, but claim to have simply "clarified" the policy. It was done by fiat without public input. Essentially the matter is that demand for montesorri now exceeds supply such that there is only enough room to guarantee admission to Henry/Drew to children in APS preschool montessori. The "lottery" is apparently for about a half dozen available slots. My impression is that if sibling preference was allowed, those seats would be filled and the "lottery" would be a total joke. Someone will correct me if I've got the basic outline wrong here.