Do the recommendations re: BCC boundary study come out today?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: And yes, we feel badly served by an administration that imposes busing on our young elementary kids - but insists that all others in the BCC zone are entitled to the most convenient school options. This is a double standard, and if the other elementaries think it's so wonderful, why not substitute BE and Somerset K-2 students for ours at RHPS?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: And yes, we feel badly served by an administration that imposes busing on our young elementary kids - but insists that all others in the BCC zone are entitled to the most convenient school options. This is a double standard, and if the other elementaries think it's so wonderful, why not substitute BE and Somerset K-2 students for ours at RHPS?

+1

Huh? At BES probably 80% or more of the kids arrive on the bus. Know a family at Bradley Hills and the same is true there too. More kids take the bus at other ESs than you imagine.

If you would like to stop going to RH, I wouldn't blame you. But what I would suggest is to build momentum through a community campaign. If you live in the Town of Chevy Chase, go and talk to the mayor. Talk to your BOE member, your neighbors, the PTA. Try to understand how the politics of this works, whether you have leverage or not, whether a potential legal challenge would follow or not. Draft a petition or resolution and get signatures. The reality is that if you get enough support and you make people who are in positions of power to decide miserable enough and if the downsides are not too severe, then you should be able to get what you want. You just have to work for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an NCC parent, not CCES, and I know many families who are unhappy with Option 7. We strongly preferred Option 1, and we're really concerned about already being at capacity when the new middle school opens. There was a big debate in the discussions on siting the new middle school that focused around equivalence of the programming. Based on the capacity and demographic differences (which will require greater support at the new middle school as compared with post-split Westland), many of us are very skeptical that our children will be getting an equivalent education at the new middle school versus Westland.

And yes, we feel badly served by an administration that imposes busing on our young elementary kids - but insists that all others in the BCC zone are entitled to the most convenient school options. This is a double standard, and if the other elementaries think it's so wonderful, why not substitute BE and Somerset K-2 students for ours at RHPS?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't agree with some people here that want to end the articulation that exists between NCC and RHES. I also don't necessarily have a problem with the demographic result from Option 7. My concern is that the superintendent says the east school would be at maximum capacity in five years, and Westland will be at a little over 80% capacity. Maybe that's because the east school is just smaller. But, from a facility standpoint, that seems unbalanced and unfair.

I don't understand why Option 1 must be dismissed. Under that option, there's breathing room for the smaller school, and Westland can grow. The smaller school will probably get new students from Chevy Chase Lake. If some of the people here are right, Westland is going to have to grow anyway to handle the students from all the new development around it.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Honestly, it's just hard to have much sympathy for the CC parents on this issue (especially when presented with such dramatics). These same parents would probably say that their schools are better than the vast majority of the other schools in the county, and assuming that is true, you're doing pretty darn well.

CCES parent here. I would agree that the Triad is better than the vast majority of schools in the county. However, just because its seen by many as better does not make it an acceptable reason to screw over kids. Is it so wrong that I am not satisfied with being above average or even better than "the vast majority" of the county as PP put it, or that I want the absolute best for my children? I don't care what the county-wide FARMS rate, or racial makeup is, or capacity. I care about the school my kids go to. And if they're getting screwed over, as I believe option 7 is doing, then why would I not voice my concerns?

Ultimately, I think its a fair point being made by many PP - localization matters or diversity matters. With option 7 the super is talking out of both sides of his mouth. If they want to keep things local, readjust the ass-backward districting at RHES / CC / NCC and stop the bussing from CC to SS and vice versa. If they want to keep diversity, then move RCF to Westland.

Its not voicing your opinion that's the problem. Its the fact that A) your outrage/reaction is overblown B) you don't seem to get that there are other opinions and/or others who would be "screwed over" if things went a different way. C) you also don't seem to get that the BCC MS#2 boundary study is a separate issue from the Triad set up. Further, we could've discussed breaking up the Triad prior to this decision as many people pointed out but its only after things didn't go your way that you are considering it.

There are multiple CCES parents posting here. And we are outraged and have every right to be. It's only overblown in your eyes because it isn't your community, your kids aren't getting screwed. We wanted to discuss breaking up the Triad prior because it made sense and we were told NO by the head of the boundary committee that they would not visit the boundary issue and the Triad issue at the same time. So we fought to keep the kids together rather than letting the Rosemary Hills neighborhood families get bused off and used as tokens to diversify Westland in a sea of strangers. In hindsight, it seems fighting to keep those kids with us was a mistake and created to unequal institutions, a return to Segregation in Westland's case. So you can just take a hike. I'll take my resources and go private with the other familes because I can.

Under the option selected, RCF is being split up (despite the success the school has had with integrating the two programs). Under the option you want, the RCF families would "get bused off and used as tokens to diversity Westland in a sea of strangers."

Doesn't RCF go to Westland now? I don't understand the "bussed off" and "sea of strangers" comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: And yes, we feel badly served by an administration that imposes busing on our young elementary kids - but insists that all others in the BCC zone are entitled to the most convenient school options. This is a double standard, and if the other elementaries think it's so wonderful, why not substitute BE and Somerset K-2 students for ours at RHPS?

+1

Huh? At BES probably 80% or more of the kids arrive on the bus. Know a family at Bradley Hills and the same is true there too. More kids take the bus at other ESs than you imagine.

If you would like to stop going to RH, I wouldn't blame you. But what I would suggest is to build momentum through a community campaign. If you live in the Town of Chevy Chase, go and talk to the mayor. Talk to your BOE member, your neighbors, the PTA. Try to understand how the politics of this works, whether you have leverage or not, whether a potential legal challenge would follow or not. Draft a petition or resolution and get signatures. The reality is that if you get enough support and you make people who are in positions of power to decide miserable enough and if the downsides are not too severe, then you should be able to get what you want. You just have to work for it.

This is all so annoying. It is obvious that the recommendation is to cater to one school community at the expense of others. Now we have two problems. The new school will hit capacity, and Westland will be under capacity, which might signal that resources will be withdrawn. Here's a thought: If we really are held hostage to one community, and we can't go for Option 1, let's just carve up the others. Think about it. The Triad has to jump back and forth between schools. Let Somerset, BE, and Westbrook take a turn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No dog in this fight, as my kids go to Wood Acres/Pyle, but I opened the thread bc I wanted to see what the Super is recommending and what posters reactions are. From what I've skimmed, the main purported reason why posters are upset at the rec is bc the new middle school will be at 99% capacity from day 1. News flash - that happens all the time in mcps school construction, bc the plans are put in place several years in advance and often the right hand (mcps construction) and the left hand (moco planning) do not communicate well about anticipated growth. My outsider view is that this divide makes the most geographic sense (written from my house that practically overlooks Westland while my kids take the bus to Pyle).

News flash - under option 3 it would be at 83% capacity and able to absorb development in its surrounding neighborhoods. Westland could grow also. The people who opposed putting the new school on this site smelled this coming. They can't build anywhere else on the site to address the influx of students anticipated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all so crazy. Both schools are going to be great and successful and majority wealthy (and white). The vast majority of the county would love to go to either one. It's stunning that people think they're somehow burdened by having something like 15% poor kids. Grow up and see how fortunate you all are.

Exactly.

Amen (from a CC parent)

Wait until the flight begins. You are taking it for granted these parents won't go private. It is already beginning. I know of several parents, involved PTA members who have been instrumental in RHPS's successful PTA are already touring private schools since the decision came down. Hope RCF is ready to pick up the slack. I know it is going to make some people mad to hear this, especially those who want everyone to see everything their way but parents who have the means will look out for their own children first.

The good news is this is a solid case to break up the RHPS Triad. If equity and diversity doesn't matter and proximity does, then that should be the rule everywhere and the children of Chevy Chase should not be unfairly burdened when no one else in the county has this arrangement. I am already encouraging parents with babies and small children in my neighborhood to start sowing the seeds and campaign to end RHPS busing and revert to neighborhood schools since this ruling came down. MCPS shouldn't be able to have it both ways at the expense of small children.

RHPS Parent

Oh the drama!! If people are leaving for private then great...less crowded! Maybe that was all part of the evil plan.... But I love the hyperbole here, and in many other posts on this thread, like "if equity and diversity doesn't matter and proximity does..." - people, it is a balancing act! Everyone puts slightly different weight on the various considerations. It doesn't mean other factors don't matter. And honestly the two schools won't be all that different, really, in the scheme of things.

If people leave for the private schools and are paying for them, they are less likely to support budget increases that may be needed to maintain existing public schools. I know that MoCo has done an excellent job at insulating itself from the will of the people, but once people check out, they aren't limited by school boundaries when they form alliances to oppose things, like funding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what is the best way to express concern about the superintendent's decision?

Can someone address this question? thanks

Send an email to the individual Board Members, or [e-mail]. Conveniently for the Board, their vote on this issue is after the November 8th election so don't have to hear backlash at the polls in two weeks.

It's funny how they do that to avoid accountability. The council vote on the Subdivision Staging Policy is exactly one week after the election and they won't even have scheduled meetings (although I am sure they are meeting in private) on the downtown Bethesda Sector Plan until at least mid to late November, just in case anything leaks.

Considering that neither the BOE nor the council want people to know what they are going to do before the election, it is a strong indicator that they are not going to be making decisions favorable to communities. Therefore it is probably best to vote for Question B.

Because they are pigs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Honestly, it's just hard to have much sympathy for the CC parents on this issue (especially when presented with such dramatics). These same parents would probably say that their schools are better than the vast majority of the other schools in the county, and assuming that is true, you're doing pretty darn well.

CCES parent here. I would agree that the Triad is better than the vast majority of schools in the county. However, just because its seen by many as better does not make it an acceptable reason to screw over kids. Is it so wrong that I am not satisfied with being above average or even better than "the vast majority" of the county as PP put it, or that I want the absolute best for my children? I don't care what the county-wide FARMS rate, or racial makeup is, or capacity. I care about the school my kids go to. And if they're getting screwed over, as I believe option 7 is doing, then why would I not voice my concerns?

Ultimately, I think its a fair point being made by many PP - localization matters or diversity matters. With option 7 the super is talking out of both sides of his mouth. If they want to keep things local, readjust the ass-backward districting at RHES / CC / NCC and stop the bussing from CC to SS and vice versa. If they want to keep diversity, then move RCF to Westland.

Its not voicing your opinion that's the problem. Its the fact that A) your outrage/reaction is overblown B) you don't seem to get that there are other opinions and/or others who would be "screwed over" if things went a different way. C) you also don't seem to get that the BCC MS#2 boundary study is a separate issue from the Triad set up. Further, we could've discussed breaking up the Triad prior to this decision as many people pointed out but its only after things didn't go your way that you are considering it.

There are multiple CCES parents posting here. And we are outraged and have every right to be. It's only overblown in your eyes because it isn't your community, your kids aren't getting screwed. We wanted to discuss breaking up the Triad prior because it made sense and we were told NO by the head of the boundary committee that they would not visit the boundary issue and the Triad issue at the same time. So we fought to keep the kids together rather than letting the Rosemary Hills neighborhood families get bused off and used as tokens to diversify Westland in a sea of strangers. In hindsight, it seems fighting to keep those kids with us was a mistake and created to unequal institutions, a return to Segregation in Westland's case. So you can just take a hike. I'll take my resources and go private with the other familes because I can.

Under the option selected, RCF is being split up (despite the success the school has had with integrating the two programs). Under the option you want, the RCF families would "get bused off and used as tokens to diversity Westland in a sea of strangers."

Doesn't RCF go to Westland now? I don't understand the "bussed off" and "sea of strangers" comments.

Just quoting the above CCES poster who said these things about the RHES kids (who also currently go to Westland). If you read all the quotes above in order, it should make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Honestly, it's just hard to have much sympathy for the CC parents on this issue (especially when presented with such dramatics). These same parents would probably say that their schools are better than the vast majority of the other schools in the county, and assuming that is true, you're doing pretty darn well.

CCES parent here. I would agree that the Triad is better than the vast majority of schools in the county. However, just because its seen by many as better does not make it an acceptable reason to screw over kids. Is it so wrong that I am not satisfied with being above average or even better than "the vast majority" of the county as PP put it, or that I want the absolute best for my children? I don't care what the county-wide FARMS rate, or racial makeup is, or capacity. I care about the school my kids go to. And if they're getting screwed over, as I believe option 7 is doing, then why would I not voice my concerns?

Ultimately, I think its a fair point being made by many PP - localization matters or diversity matters. With option 7 the super is talking out of both sides of his mouth. If they want to keep things local, readjust the ass-backward districting at RHES / CC / NCC and stop the bussing from CC to SS and vice versa. If they want to keep diversity, then move RCF to Westland.

Its not voicing your opinion that's the problem. Its the fact that A) your outrage/reaction is overblown B) you don't seem to get that there are other opinions and/or others who would be "screwed over" if things went a different way. C) you also don't seem to get that the BCC MS#2 boundary study is a separate issue from the Triad set up. Further, we could've discussed breaking up the Triad prior to this decision as many people pointed out but its only after things didn't go your way that you are considering it.

There are multiple CCES parents posting here. And we are outraged and have every right to be. It's only overblown in your eyes because it isn't your community, your kids aren't getting screwed. We wanted to discuss breaking up the Triad prior because it made sense and we were told NO by the head of the boundary committee that they would not visit the boundary issue and the Triad issue at the same time. So we fought to keep the kids together rather than letting the Rosemary Hills neighborhood families get bused off and used as tokens to diversify Westland in a sea of strangers. In hindsight, it seems fighting to keep those kids with us was a mistake and created to unequal institutions, a return to Segregation in Westland's case. So you can just take a hike. I'll take my resources and go private with the other familes because I can.

Under the option selected, RCF is being split up (despite the success the school has had with integrating the two programs). Under the option you want, the RCF families would "get bused off and used as tokens to diversity Westland in a sea of strangers."

Doesn't RCF go to Westland now? I don't understand the "bussed off" and "sea of strangers" comments.

What's not to understand... Yes RCF goes to Westland with all the surrounding schools, not as the only school on its side of the cluster.

[Anonymous]

I know there are people who don't like the RHPS/NCC/CCES pairing, but there are also people who do like it, myself included.

IME, people hate the idea of it but most people who go through it (not all obviously) grow to like having a k-2 school and 3-5/6 school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Honestly, it's just hard to have much sympathy for the CC parents on this issue (especially when presented with such dramatics). These same parents would probably say that their schools are better than the vast majority of the other schools in the county, and assuming that is true, you're doing pretty darn well.

CCES parent here. I would agree that the Triad is better than the vast majority of schools in the county. However, just because its seen by many as better does not make it an acceptable reason to screw over kids. Is it so wrong that I am not satisfied with being above average or even better than "the vast majority" of the county as PP put it, or that I want the absolute best for my children? I don't care what the county-wide FARMS rate, or racial makeup is, or capacity. I care about the school my kids go to. And if they're getting screwed over, as I believe option 7 is doing, then why would I not voice my concerns?

Ultimately, I think its a fair point being made by many PP - localization matters or diversity matters. With option 7 the super is talking out of both sides of his mouth. If they want to keep things local, readjust the ass-backward districting at RHES / CC / NCC and stop the bussing from CC to SS and vice versa. If they want to keep diversity, then move RCF to Westland.

Its not voicing your opinion that's the problem. Its the fact that A) your outrage/reaction is overblown B) you don't seem to get that there are other opinions and/or others who would be "screwed over" if things went a different way. C) you also don't seem to get that the BCC MS#2 boundary study is a separate issue from the Triad set up. Further, we could've discussed breaking up the Triad prior to this decision as many people pointed out but its only after things didn't go your way that you are considering it.

There are multiple CCES parents posting here. And we are outraged and have every right to be. It's only overblown in your eyes because it isn't your community, your kids aren't getting screwed. We wanted to discuss breaking up the Triad prior because it made sense and we were told NO by the head of the boundary committee that they would not visit the boundary issue and the Triad issue at the same time. So we fought to keep the kids together rather than letting the Rosemary Hills neighborhood families get bused off and used as tokens to diversify Westland in a sea of strangers. In hindsight, it seems fighting to keep those kids with us was a mistake and created to unequal institutions, a return to Segregation in Westland's case. So you can just take a hike. I'll take my resources and go private with the other familes because I can.

Under the option selected, RCF is being split up (despite the success the school has had with integrating the two programs). Under the option you want, the RCF families would "get bused off and used as tokens to diversity Westland in a sea of strangers."

Doesn't RCF go to Westland now? I don't understand the "bussed off" and "sea of strangers" comments.

What's not to understand... Yes RCF goes to Westland with all the surrounding schools, not as the only school on its side of the cluster.

"Bused off" implies that RCF is being shipped someplace new or further. It is not. Yes, going to Westland under Option 1 would make it the only school going from this side of the crust, but it would suffer no increased burden over the burden it suffers now. Implementing Option 7 would impose a burden on all the student on this side of the cluster by placing them in an overcrowded school that can't be expanded because the morons on the BOE chose to build on a small site, rather than the 32-acre site off Jones Bridge Road. The new school site would have been better used for an elementary school.

I think a PP raised an interesting point. If the CC/NCC/RH families had a double switch of schools I the early years, why can the down county neighborhoods deal with a split articulation so the demographics and capacity between the two schools can be balanced?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Honestly, it's just hard to have much sympathy for the CC parents on this issue (especially when presented with such dramatics). These same parents would probably say that their schools are better than the vast majority of the other schools in the county, and assuming that is true, you're doing pretty darn well.

CCES parent here. I would agree that the Triad is better than the vast majority of schools in the county. However, just because its seen by many as better does not make it an acceptable reason to screw over kids. Is it so wrong that I am not satisfied with being above average or even better than "the vast majority" of the county as PP put it, or that I want the absolute best for my children? I don't care what the county-wide FARMS rate, or racial makeup is, or capacity. I care about the school my kids go to. And if they're getting screwed over, as I believe option 7 is doing, then why would I not voice my concerns?

Ultimately, I think its a fair point being made by many PP - localization matters or diversity matters. With option 7 the super is talking out of both sides of his mouth. If they want to keep things local, readjust the ass-backward districting at RHES / CC / NCC and stop the bussing from CC to SS and vice versa. If they want to keep diversity, then move RCF to Westland.

Its not voicing your opinion that's the problem. Its the fact that A) your outrage/reaction is overblown B) you don't seem to get that there are other opinions and/or others who would be "screwed over" if things went a different way. C) you also don't seem to get that the BCC MS#2 boundary study is a separate issue from the Triad set up. Further, we could've discussed breaking up the Triad prior to this decision as many people pointed out but its only after things didn't go your way that you are considering it.

There are multiple CCES parents posting here. And we are outraged and have every right to be. It's only overblown in your eyes because it isn't your community, your kids aren't getting screwed. We wanted to discuss breaking up the Triad prior because it made sense and we were told NO by the head of the boundary committee that they would not visit the boundary issue and the Triad issue at the same time. So we fought to keep the kids together rather than letting the Rosemary Hills neighborhood families get bused off and used as tokens to diversify Westland in a sea of strangers. In hindsight, it seems fighting to keep those kids with us was a mistake and created to unequal institutions, a return to Segregation in Westland's case. So you can just take a hike. I'll take my resources and go private with the other familes because I can.

Under the option selected, RCF is being split up (despite the success the school has had with integrating the two programs). Under the option you want, the RCF families would "get bused off and used as tokens to diversity Westland in a sea of strangers."

Doesn't RCF go to Westland now? I don't understand the "bussed off" and "sea of strangers" comments.

What's not to understand... Yes RCF goes to Westland with all the surrounding schools, not as the only school on its side of the cluster.

"Bused off" implies that RCF is being shipped someplace new or further. It is not. Yes, going to Westland under Option 1 would make it the only school going from this side of the crust, but it would suffer no increased burden over the burden it suffers now. Implementing Option 7 would impose a burden on all the student on this side of the cluster by placing them in an overcrowded school that can't be expanded because the morons on the BOE chose to build on a small site, rather than the 32-acre site off Jones Bridge Road. The new school site would have been better used for an elementary school.

I think a PP raised an interesting point. If the CC/NCC/RH families had a double switch of schools I the early years, why can the down county neighborhoods deal with a split articulation so the demographics and capacity between the two schools can be balanced?

Correction:

I think a PP raised an interesting point. If the CC/NCC/RH families had a double switch of schools in the early years, why can't the down county neighborhoods deal with a split articulation so the demographics and capacity between the two schools can be balanced?

Sorry, it's late.

[Anonymous]

Since RCF is such an outlier maybe it would be better to move the boundary closer to Silver Spring for middle and high school? If proximity and travel time truly are of tantamount importance.

If I recall correctly were they not previously zoned for a different high school?