Question about re zoning elementary schools in S. Arlington

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The panicked threads will grow when the actual proposals are on the table instead of just the example maps. The ASFS thread is crazy because they actually said the swap is happening. I agree that there is likely lots of quiet lobbying happening right now.


--S. Arlington parent

The ASFS thread is crazy because the parents there are crazy. Their crazy didn't start when the swap was announced, it's been going full steam all summer even when there was nothing to discuss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, I’m voting for the diversity map!
Anyone else?

I like the diversity and the alignment map. I know a common complaint in our area is that with people attending so many option schools, its hard to have friends in the same neighborhood. Hopefully, the alignment map would alleviate that. The diversity map would balance the schools.

Also, I note Barcroft is involved in both boundary rounds, so that is telling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I’m voting for the diversity map!
Anyone else?

I like the diversity and the alignment map. I know a common complaint in our area is that with people attending so many option schools, its hard to have friends in the same neighborhood. Hopefully, the alignment map would alleviate that. The diversity map would balance the schools.

Also, I note Barcroft is involved in both boundary rounds, so that is telling.

It's telling of nothing. Every school that shares a boundary with one of the five schools being fully redrawn this fall is on the list for both rounds. Barcroft, like Abingdon, isn't getting fully redrawn this time because of actual/potential policy changes that could affect enrollment and the desire to see how that shakes out before making final decisions for those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So they put the maps up and this thread just died.
Really interesting. So... I’m guessing most posters aren’t actually living or know much first hand about south Arlington.
The asfs thread is ridiculous, but you can’t say they aren’t engaged.

Guess we really are more chill than NA parents after all. On the other hand, I'll bet a lot of parents who are zoned to Henry or Oakridge now, or want to be, are furiously lobbying the school board about it as we speak. There's some shameful sh1t on the table. Sending Alcova to Fleet? The Berkeley Apts
to Drew? Those kids can see Oakridge out their window. It's literally across the street.

Part of Alcova can see Fleet, too. But you think it's shit to send them to Fleet?
Conversely, part of Alcova can walk to Patrick Henry in 5 minutes but gets a bus to Barcroft. Same as Berkeley would get to Drew.
I disagree with your premise; but I agree that taking a more affluent PU from Barcroft to Fleet and a very large low-income development away from Oakridge to Drew are bad ideas. However, keep in mind that Alcova will have 172 units of affordable housing opening the year Fleet opens. That, along with the fact that a lot of current Alcova kids opt out and don't attend Barcroft now anyway, moving them to Fleet won't have a very negative impact demographically - especially the first several years while current kids finish at their current option schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So they put the maps up and this thread just died.
Really interesting. So... I’m guessing most posters aren’t actually living or know much first hand about south Arlington.
The asfs thread is ridiculous, but you can’t say they aren’t engaged.

Guess we really are more chill than NA parents after all. On the other hand, I'll bet a lot of parents who are zoned to Henry or Oakridge now, or want to be, are furiously lobbying the school board about it as we speak. There's some shameful sh1t on the table. Sending Alcova to Fleet? The Berkeley Apts
to Drew? Those kids can see Oakridge out their window. It's literally across the street.

Yes, the factions have been lobbying staff. SA just does it more quietly, apparently. But it is definitely happening -- preparing rather than attacking upfront.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So they put the maps up and this thread just died.
Really interesting. So... I’m guessing most posters aren’t actually living or know much first hand about south Arlington.
The asfs thread is ridiculous, but you can’t say they aren’t engaged.

Guess we really are more chill than NA parents after all. On the other hand, I'll bet a lot of parents who are zoned to Henry or Oakridge now, or want to be, are furiously lobbying the school board about it as we speak. There's some shameful sh1t on the table. Sending Alcova to Fleet? The Berkeley Apts
to Drew? Those kids can see Oakridge out their window. It's literally across the street.

Part of Alcova can see Fleet, too. But you think it's shit to send them to Fleet?
Conversely, part of Alcova can walk to Patrick Henry in 5 minutes but gets a bus to Barcroft. Same as Berkeley would get to Drew.
I disagree with your premise; but I agree that taking a more affluent PU from Barcroft to Fleet and a very large low-income development away from Oakridge to Drew are bad ideas. However, keep in mind that Alcova will have 172 units of affordable housing opening the year Fleet opens. That, along with the fact that a lot of current Alcova kids opt out and don't attend Barcroft now anyway, moving them to Fleet won't have a very negative impact demographically - especially the first several years while current kids finish at their current option schools.

It wasn’t apparent from any of the scenarios that Alcova was going to be moved to Fleet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So they put the maps up and this thread just died.
Really interesting. So... I’m guessing most posters aren’t actually living or know much first hand about south Arlington.
The asfs thread is ridiculous, but you can’t say they aren’t engaged.

Guess we really are more chill than NA parents after all. On the other hand, I'll bet a lot of parents who are zoned to Henry or Oakridge now, or want to be, are furiously lobbying the school board about it as we speak. There's some shameful sh1t on the table. Sending Alcova to Fleet? The Berkeley Apts
to Drew? Those kids can see Oakridge out their window. It's literally across the street.

Part of Alcova can see Fleet, too. But you think it's shit to send them to Fleet?
Conversely, part of Alcova can walk to Patrick Henry in 5 minutes but gets a bus to Barcroft. Same as Berkeley would get to Drew.
I disagree with your premise; but I agree that taking a more affluent PU from Barcroft to Fleet and a very large low-income development away from Oakridge to Drew are bad ideas. However, keep in mind that Alcova will have 172 units of affordable housing opening the year Fleet opens. That, along with the fact that a lot of current Alcova kids opt out and don't attend Barcroft now anyway, moving them to Fleet won't have a very negative impact demographically - especially the first several years while current kids finish at their current option schools.

What's my premise with which you disagree? Sounds like we are on the same page. The part of alcova that isn't connected to the rest and is nearest Fleet? Ok. Send them to Fleet. It's what, 20 students. Gilliam Place? You make a good point, there. My underlying premise is that I find UMC neighborhoods efforts to dump their AH into a select few school zones completely reprehensible.

[Anonymous]

The above comment is why I like the diversity plan. It balances the schools in terms of income.

And why is Alcova always the focus? Because it could get rezoned?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The above comment is why I like the diversity plan. It balances the schools in terms of income.

And why is Alcova always the focus? Because it could get rezoned?

Yes, it is smack in the middle of Barcroft, Fleet, and Randolph. Technically walkable to all three schools - but the practicality of walking depends on which side of the neighborhood you are on and which school you're talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So they put the maps up and this thread just died.
Really interesting. So... I’m guessing most posters aren’t actually living or know much first hand about south Arlington.
The asfs thread is ridiculous, but you can’t say they aren’t engaged.

Guess we really are more chill than NA parents after all. On the other hand, I'll bet a lot of parents who are zoned to Henry or Oakridge now, or want to be, are furiously lobbying the school board about it as we speak. There's some shameful sh1t on the table. Sending Alcova to Fleet? The Berkeley Apts
to Drew? Those kids can see Oakridge out their window. It's literally across the street.

Part of Alcova can see Fleet, too. But you think it's shit to send them to Fleet?
Conversely, part of Alcova can walk to Patrick Henry in 5 minutes but gets a bus to Barcroft. Same as Berkeley would get to Drew.
I disagree with your premise; but I agree that taking a more affluent PU from Barcroft to Fleet and a very large low-income development away from Oakridge to Drew are bad ideas. However, keep in mind that Alcova will have 172 units of affordable housing opening the year Fleet opens. That, along with the fact that a lot of current Alcova kids opt out and don't attend Barcroft now anyway, moving them to Fleet won't have a very negative impact demographically - especially the first several years while current kids finish at their current option schools.

What's my premise with which you disagree? Sounds like we are on the same page. The part of alcova that isn't connected to the rest and is nearest Fleet? Ok. Send them to Fleet. It's what, 20 students. Gilliam Place? You make a good point, there. My underlying premise is that I find UMC neighborhoods efforts to dump their AH into a select few school zones completely reprehensible.

The premise that the Berkeley apartment kids can see Oakridge out their window and therefore they shouldn't be sent to Drew. And, following, that sending Alcova kids to a school they can see from across the street is part of the "shit" you indicate is going on. The part of Alcova closest to Fleet is not the wealthiest part of Alcova. And you've taken my point about Gilliam place. But the eastern part of Alcova, not just the disconnected part north of the fire station, is walkable to Henry now and Fleet. Alcova currently walks to Jefferson for middle school. The western side of Alcova is a closer walk to Barcroft/Randolph. And it isn't just UMC neighborhoods doing the dumping - the SB ultimately makes the decisions. And you have SB members fighting hard to preserver the segregation.

Yes, we are on the same page regarding socioeconomic diversity. Alcova is in the crossfire and it's ironic that it also is a rather mixed neighborhood. But overall, I think the # of low-income families Alcova will contribute to Barcroft is more harmful to the goal than sending it to Henry. Fewer MC families will likely opt out if Alcova is sent to Fleet; but those kids will be pretty well balanced by the kids in Gilliam and the lower-income kids already attending Barcroft. Many of Alcova's MC kids opt out of Barcroft now; so how much "affluence" does Alcova actually bring to Barcroft currently? Not enough to compensate for the addition of 172 committed affordable units.

Henry can use some more low-income students -- they've lost a lot with east-Pike gentrification. Whether they come from Alcova or somewhere else, doesn't really matter.

[Anonymous]

DP- Get bent. 172 ah units is nothing. Douglas park has 1,000’s. Also GP has a high percentage of units reserved for seniors.
Quit trying to make Alcova seem like it’s mostly lower class. It’s not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So they put the maps up and this thread just died.
Really interesting. So... I’m guessing most posters aren’t actually living or know much first hand about south Arlington.
The asfs thread is ridiculous, but you can’t say they aren’t engaged.

Guess we really are more chill than NA parents after all. On the other hand, I'll bet a lot of parents who are zoned to Henry or Oakridge now, or want to be, are furiously lobbying the school board about it as we speak. There's some shameful sh1t on the table. Sending Alcova to Fleet? The Berkeley Apts
to Drew? Those kids can see Oakridge out their window. It's literally across the street.

Part of Alcova can see Fleet, too. But you think it's shit to send them to Fleet?
Conversely, part of Alcova can walk to Patrick Henry in 5 minutes but gets a bus to Barcroft. Same as Berkeley would get to Drew.
I disagree with your premise; but I agree that taking a more affluent PU from Barcroft to Fleet and a very large low-income development away from Oakridge to Drew are bad ideas. However, keep in mind that Alcova will have 172 units of affordable housing opening the year Fleet opens. That, along with the fact that a lot of current Alcova kids opt out and don't attend Barcroft now anyway, moving them to Fleet won't have a very negative impact demographically - especially the first several years while current kids finish at their current option schools.

What's my premise with which you disagree? Sounds like we are on the same page. The part of alcova that isn't connected to the rest and is nearest Fleet? Ok. Send them to Fleet. It's what, 20 students. Gilliam Place? You make a good point, there. My underlying premise is that I find UMC neighborhoods efforts to dump their AH into a select few school zones completely reprehensible.

The premise that the Berkeley apartment kids can see Oakridge out their window and therefore they shouldn't be sent to Drew. And, following, that sending Alcova kids to a school they can see from across the street is part of the "shit" you indicate is going on. The part of Alcova closest to Fleet is not the wealthiest part of Alcova. And you've taken my point about Gilliam place. But the eastern part of Alcova, not just the disconnected part north of the fire station, is walkable to Henry now and Fleet. Alcova currently walks to Jefferson for middle school. The western side of Alcova is a closer walk to Barcroft/Randolph. And it isn't just UMC neighborhoods doing the dumping - the SB ultimately makes the decisions. And you have SB members fighting hard to preserver the segregation.

Yes, we are on the same page regarding socioeconomic diversity. Alcova is in the crossfire and it's ironic that it also is a rather mixed neighborhood. But overall, I think the # of low-income families Alcova will contribute to Barcroft is more harmful to the goal than sending it to Henry. Fewer MC families will likely opt out if Alcova is sent to Fleet; but those kids will be pretty well balanced by the kids in Gilliam and the lower-income kids already attending Barcroft. Many of Alcova's MC kids opt out of Barcroft now; so how much "affluence" does Alcova actually bring to Barcroft currently? Not enough to compensate for the addition of 172 committed affordable units.

Henry can use some more low-income students -- they've lost a lot with east-Pike gentrification. Whether they come from Alcova or somewhere else, doesn't really matter.

Seems pretty clear to me that Gilliam should go to Fleet and Berkeley should go to Oakridge. without those buildings, neither will have a farms rate of even 20 percent. In the last ten years, the CB has allowed those school zones to gentrify while preserving a d building ever more AH in The other SA school zones. Their farms rates have dropped by over 40 points and their boundaries shouldn't be redrawn to lower it even more. We don't need a "Little NA" in SA, especially not one with its own high school on the career center site.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP- Get bent. 172 ah units is nothing. Douglas park has 1,000’s. Also GP has a high percentage of units reserved for seniors.
Quit trying to make Alcova seem like it’s mostly lower class. It’s not.

I'm not going to tell you that Alcova is lower class, and I don't think this person was either. There are both working class and middle class families in Alcova, even before Gillam gets build. Alcova Heights definitely has some $1M homes, but it also has apartments, condos, and duplexes, with people of all income levels. It's not any nicer than Arlington Heights or Penrose or Barcroft, all of which are rarely have a house under $500K these days. It's just that it has no school in its own zone and is within 1 mile of 5 other schools. Does that make it able to swing the demographics? Maybe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP- Get bent. 172 ah units is nothing. Douglas park has 1,000’s. Also GP has a high percentage of units reserved for seniors.
Quit trying to make Alcova seem like it’s mostly lower class. It’s not.

I'm not going to tell you that Alcova is lower class, and I don't think this person was either. There are both working class and middle class families in Alcova, even before Gillam gets build. Alcova Heights definitely has some $1M homes, but it also has apartments, condos, and duplexes, with people of all income levels. It's not any nicer than Arlington Heights or Penrose or Barcroft, all of which are rarely have a house under $500K these days. It's just that it has no school in its own zone and is within 1 mile of 5 other schools. Does that make it able to swing the demographics? Maybe.

If you take the entire neighborhood out of Barcroft, or even half, there aren't enough students zoned to Barcroft and too many zoned to Fleet. Where would Barcroft pull students from that wouldn't raise its fr/l rate more than just pulling in Gilliam Place (which has a limited number of family units)? The only adjacent areas outside of the Barcroft neighborhood itself are low income. Fleet can take the duplexes and apartments closest to them that are cut off from the rest of Alcova. The rest, which is mainly SFHs, should stay at Barcroft. That would be a balance/compromise between efficiency/proximity and diversity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP- Get bent. 172 ah units is nothing. Douglas park has 1,000’s. Also GP has a high percentage of units reserved for seniors.
Quit trying to make Alcova seem like it’s mostly lower class. It’s not.

I'm not going to tell you that Alcova is lower class, and I don't think this person was either. There are both working class and middle class families in Alcova, even before Gillam gets build. Alcova Heights definitely has some $1M homes, but it also has apartments, condos, and duplexes, with people of all income levels. It's not any nicer than Arlington Heights or Penrose or Barcroft, all of which are rarely have a house under $500K these days. It's just that it has no school in its own zone and is within 1 mile of 5 other schools. Does that make it able to swing the demographics? Maybe.

If you take the entire neighborhood out of Barcroft, or even half, there aren't enough students zoned to Barcroft and too many zoned to Fleet. Where would Barcroft pull students from that wouldn't raise its fr/l rate more than just pulling in Gilliam Place (which has a limited number of family units)? The only adjacent areas outside of the Barcroft neighborhood itself are low income. Fleet can take the duplexes and apartments closest to them that are cut off from the rest of Alcova. The rest, which is mainly SFHs, should stay at Barcroft. That would be a balance/compromise between efficiency/proximity and diversity.

This should be what happens.