FCPS Boundary Review Updates

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People considering to pay $2500 extra a month just to send their kids to Langley, do not sound like peasants to me.

Middle class can swing it. They did it for daycare for years. Not ideal, but would be a good antidote to the $hit that the school board is trying to ram down our throats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UPDATED: The 4/11 presentation alone contemplates at least 52 shifts:

Kings Park/Kings Glen ES to Ravensworth ES
Halley ES to Lorton Station ES
Hayfield SS to South County MS
Groveton ES to Hollin Meadows ES
Fort Hunt ES to Hybla Valley ES
Bull Run ES to Centre Ridge ES
Deer Park ES to London Towne ES
Navy ES to Oak Hill ES
Olde Creek ES to Laurel Ridge ES
Daniels Run ES to Providence ES
Sangster ES to Newington Forest ES
Lake Braddock SS to South County MS
Westbriar ES to Wolftrap ES
Willow Springs ES to Fairfax Villa ES
Willow Springs ES to Eagle View ES
Johnson MS to Frost MS
Keene Mill ES to White Oaks ES
Keene Mill ES to Cardinal Forest ES
Cardinal Forest ES to Keene Mill ES
Flint Hill ES to Oakton ES
Oakton ES to Flint Hill ES
Pine Spring ES to Westlawn ES
Johnson MS to Frost MS
Frost MS to Johnson MS
Fairfax HS to Woodson HS
Woodson HS to Frost MS
Lake Braddock SS to South County HS
Longfellow MS to Cooper MS
Longellow MS to Kilmer MS
Kilmer MS to Longfellow MS
McLean HS to Langley HS
Marshall HS to McLean HS
Graham Road ES to Timber Lane ES
Pine Spring ES to Timber Lane ES
Timber Lane ES to Graham Road ES
Timber Lane ES to Shrevewood ES
Jackson MS to Longfellow MS
Kilmer MS to Thoreau MS
Sleepy Hollow ES to Bailey's/Bailey's Upper ES
Sleepy Hollow ES to Glen Forest ES
Sleepy Hollow ES to Beech Tree ES
Glen Forest ES to Parklawn ES
Mason Crest ES to Sleepy Hollow ES
Bailey's/Bailey's Upper ES to Sleepy Hollow ES
Columbia ES to Annandale Terrace ES
Columbia ES to Weyanoke ES
Weyanoke ES to Bren Mar Park ES
Parklawn ES to Columbia ES
Parklawn ES to Weyanoke ES
Bren Mar Park ES to North Springfield ES
Sandburg MS to Whitman MS
West Potomac HS to Mount Vernon HS

Phenomenal work. And the school board and thru really suck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it so brazen and telling that they don’t even pretend to care about minimizing disruption to students. At least include it among other priorities and/or as some sort of guiding principle. Instead, it’s buried in the community feedback. It’s a priority for the community but not the board. I find that incredibly disappointing.

+1. Incredibly disappointing.
- FCPS teacher and parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone chime in and play devil’s advocate, from the school board’s perspective, how is this boundary shift supposed to benefit the students?

They believe that by reducing split feeders and attendance islands, that school attendance will improve. Especially in lower income areas. If a kid in a low income apartment complex misses the bus, they might not have another way to get to school. But if they lived close enough, they could at least walk. And that parent participation/involvement/sense of community will increase if all the kids are attending their closest schools. Again, this is more an issue in the lower SES areas.

If you study the 4/11 proposals, there is at least one situation where they are proposing to require kids from low-income apartments to travel twice the distance to a new school and to create a new split feeder in the process.

[Anonymous]

If you've followed these threads, these boundary changes have been described at times as the "Great Reset."

I think that is what Reid and the School Board want. They want to make so many changes that anyone who objects will just be part of the noise (thereby canceling each other out); they want to change the demographics at some schools so much that the historic reputations of some schools will be rendered meaningless; and they want to make grandfathering impossible, so that kids will be shell-shocked and families will be sent the clear message that their preferences count for nothing and that Reid and the School Board are in charge. "If you don't like it, you can leave (see PP today), but don't expect us to let you get in our way."

[Anonymous]

Well, there are around 180 schools- and it is supposed to be comprehensive across the county- I would expect nearly every or all HS and MS and many ES to be affected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you've followed these threads, these boundary changes have been described at times as the "Great Reset."

I think that is what Reid and the School Board want. They want to make so many changes that anyone who objects will just be part of the noise (thereby canceling each other out); they want to change the demographics at some schools so much that the historic reputations of some schools will be rendered meaningless; and they want to make grandfathering impossible, so that kids will be shell-shocked and families will be sent the clear message that their preferences count for nothing and that Reid and the School Board are in charge. "If you don't like it, you can leave (see PP today), but don't expect us to let you get in our way."

What is the meaning of "historic reputation" in the context of FCPS's public schools? It's not like there is any selectivity for students to be allowed attend. Only TJHSST and private schools have a claim to a reputation of selective standards that makes any real sense. The rest only amounts to chitchat amongst neighbors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you've followed these threads, these boundary changes have been described at times as the "Great Reset."

I think that is what Reid and the School Board want. They want to make so many changes that anyone who objects will just be part of the noise (thereby canceling each other out); they want to change the demographics at some schools so much that the historic reputations of some schools will be rendered meaningless; and they want to make grandfathering impossible, so that kids will be shell-shocked and families will be sent the clear message that their preferences count for nothing and that Reid and the School Board are in charge. "If you don't like it, you can leave (see PP today), but don't expect us to let you get in our way."

Yep, I’ve been around DCUM long enough to recall SB shills barking that they aren’t going to make more than a couple of changes and just generally trying to downplay the changes. I look forward to the raw anger that comes from all corners of the county when these maps are released. It was plainly clear from the regional meetings that the community doesn’t want this.

But let’s give the school board the benefit of the doubt, maybe they were too busy in New Orleans on a taxpayer funded strip club junket with an alleged embezzler to hear the overwhelming opposition to these unnecessary changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you've followed these threads, these boundary changes have been described at times as the "Great Reset."

I think that is what Reid and the School Board want. They want to make so many changes that anyone who objects will just be part of the noise (thereby canceling each other out); they want to change the demographics at some schools so much that the historic reputations of some schools will be rendered meaningless; and they want to make grandfathering impossible, so that kids will be shell-shocked and families will be sent the clear message that their preferences count for nothing and that Reid and the School Board are in charge. "If you don't like it, you can leave (see PP today), but don't expect us to let you get in our way."

What is the meaning of "historic reputation" in the context of FCPS's public schools? It's not like there is any selectivity for students to be allowed attend. Only TJHSST and private schools have a claim to a reputation of selective standards that makes any real sense. The rest only amounts to chitchat amongst neighbors.[/quote]

"Chitchat amongst neighbors" who like their schools and want their children--and their siblings to stay there. People who purchased homes in neighborhoods because of the schools and supported the schools in many ways--financially and with volunteering in the school activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you've followed these threads, these boundary changes have been described at times as the "Great Reset."

I think that is what Reid and the School Board want. They want to make so many changes that anyone who objects will just be part of the noise (thereby canceling each other out); they want to change the demographics at some schools so much that the historic reputations of some schools will be rendered meaningless; and they want to make grandfathering impossible, so that kids will be shell-shocked and families will be sent the clear message that their preferences count for nothing and that Reid and the School Board are in charge. "If you don't like it, you can leave (see PP today), but don't expect us to let you get in our way."

What is the meaning of "historic reputation" in the context of FCPS's public schools? It's not like there is any selectivity for students to be allowed attend. Only TJHSST and private schools have a claim to a reputation of selective standards that makes any real sense. The rest only amounts to chitchat amongst neighbors.

DP. we get it, you don’t like the USNews or great schools rankings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you've followed these threads, these boundary changes have been described at times as the "Great Reset."

I think that is what Reid and the School Board want. They want to make so many changes that anyone who objects will just be part of the noise (thereby canceling each other out); they want to change the demographics at some schools so much that the historic reputations of some schools will be rendered meaningless; and they want to make grandfathering impossible, so that kids will be shell-shocked and families will be sent the clear message that their preferences count for nothing and that Reid and the School Board are in charge. "If you don't like it, you can leave (see PP today), but don't expect us to let you get in our way."

What is the meaning of "historic reputation" in the context of FCPS's public schools? It's not like there is any selectivity for students to be allowed attend. Only TJHSST and private schools have a claim to a reputation of selective standards that makes any real sense. The rest only amounts to chitchat amongst neighbors.

Many schools besides TJ have a well earned reputation for excellence, built over years, and others do not. You can pretend, as Reid and most on the School Board wish to do, that schools (apart from TJ) are completely fungible, but all they’ll end up doing is further diminishing the FCPS brand.

You’ll keep cheering them on, because you’re hoping for a possible upgrade at someone else’s expense, but they’re shrinking the FCPS pie just as rapidly as Trump is destroying the American economy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone chime in and play devil’s advocate, from the school board’s perspective, how is this boundary shift supposed to benefit the students?

They believe that by reducing split feeders and attendance islands, that school attendance will improve. Especially in lower income areas. If a kid in a low income apartment complex misses the bus, they might not have another way to get to school. But if they lived close enough, they could at least walk. And that parent participation/involvement/sense of community will increase if all the kids are attending their closest schools. Again, this is more an issue in the lower SES areas.

Agree that is important. Please tell me which low income areas do not go to the closest schools. I've seen equity supporters on here suggest busing low income areas to schools that are further away in the name of "equity."

It’s more an issue in the eastern part of the county. There are two attendance islands in low income areas that I can think of off the top of my head - Hagel Cir. In Lorton is currently bused across 95 to attend Halley and another complex on Rt. 1 is currently bussed past numerous other schools and across Rt. 1 to attend Fort Hunt. The initial round of proposals fixed both of these islands. There may be others, I don’t know off hand.

I see the value of kids attending their closest schools, but I don’t think these moves are going to be as impactful as the board was thinking/hoping. It does remove a transportation barrier but ultimately, cultural barriers are also at play.

This supports reasoning I’ve heard directly from FCPS staff during the virtual meetings and a town hall to create more “natural boundaries” with our many major roads

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UPDATED: The 4/11 presentation alone contemplates at least 52 shifts:

Kings Park/Kings Glen ES to Ravensworth ES
Halley ES to Lorton Station ES
Hayfield SS to South County MS
Groveton ES to Hollin Meadows ES
Fort Hunt ES to Hybla Valley ES
Bull Run ES to Centre Ridge ES
Deer Park ES to London Towne ES
Navy ES to Oak Hill ES
Olde Creek ES to Laurel Ridge ES
Daniels Run ES to Providence ES
Sangster ES to Newington Forest ES
Lake Braddock SS to South County MS
Westbriar ES to Wolftrap ES
Willow Springs ES to Fairfax Villa ES
Willow Springs ES to Eagle View ES
Johnson MS to Frost MS
Keene Mill ES to White Oaks ES
Keene Mill ES to Cardinal Forest ES
Cardinal Forest ES to Keene Mill ES
Flint Hill ES to Oakton ES
Oakton ES to Flint Hill ES
Pine Spring ES to Westlawn ES
Johnson MS to Frost MS
Frost MS to Johnson MS
Fairfax HS to Woodson HS
Woodson HS to Frost MS
Lake Braddock SS to South County HS
Longfellow MS to Cooper MS
Longellow MS to Kilmer MS
Kilmer MS to Longfellow MS
McLean HS to Langley HS
Marshall HS to McLean HS
Graham Road ES to Timber Lane ES
Pine Spring ES to Timber Lane ES
Timber Lane ES to Graham Road ES
Timber Lane ES to Shrevewood ES
Jackson MS to Longfellow MS
Kilmer MS to Thoreau MS
Sleepy Hollow ES to Bailey's/Bailey's Upper ES
Sleepy Hollow ES to Glen Forest ES
Sleepy Hollow ES to Beech Tree ES
Glen Forest ES to Parklawn ES
Mason Crest ES to Sleepy Hollow ES
Bailey's/Bailey's Upper ES to Sleepy Hollow ES
Columbia ES to Annandale Terrace ES
Columbia ES to Weyanoke ES
Weyanoke ES to Bren Mar Park ES
Parklawn ES to Columbia ES
Parklawn ES to Weyanoke ES
Bren Mar Park ES to North Springfield ES
Sandburg MS to Whitman MS
West Potomac HS to Mount Vernon HS

This is just the start. And many are justifiable.

Split feeders will be another slightly sensible based on geography.

Capacity movement is going to be scary. Wondering how soon after BRAC reviews these on 5/5 we will see them. Also wonder if they will have multiple scenarios per school/pyramid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you've followed these threads, these boundary changes have been described at times as the "Great Reset."

I think that is what Reid and the School Board want. They want to make so many changes that anyone who objects will just be part of the noise (thereby canceling each other out); they want to change the demographics at some schools so much that the historic reputations of some schools will be rendered meaningless; and they want to make grandfathering impossible, so that kids will be shell-shocked and families will be sent the clear message that their preferences count for nothing and that Reid and the School Board are in charge. "If you don't like it, you can leave (see PP today), but don't expect us to let you get in our way."

What is the meaning of "historic reputation" in the context of FCPS's public schools? It's not like there is any selectivity for students to be allowed attend. Only TJHSST and private schools have a claim to a reputation of selective standards that makes any real sense. The rest only amounts to chitchat amongst neighbors.

DP. we get it, you don’t like the USNews or great schools rankings.

Does anyone actually pay attention to those rankings except new parents looking for houses who don't know better? You're an idiot if you think those actually reflect anything other than wealth in an area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone chime in and play devil’s advocate, from the school board’s perspective, how is this boundary shift supposed to benefit the students?

They believe that by reducing split feeders and attendance islands, that school attendance will improve. Especially in lower income areas. If a kid in a low income apartment complex misses the bus, they might not have another way to get to school. But if they lived close enough, they could at least walk. And that parent participation/involvement/sense of community will increase if all the kids are attending their closest schools. Again, this is more an issue in the lower SES areas.

Agree that is important. Please tell me which low income areas do not go to the closest schools. I've seen equity supporters on here suggest busing low income areas to schools that are further away in the name of "equity."

It’s more an issue in the eastern part of the county. There are two attendance islands in low income areas that I can think of off the top of my head - Hagel Cir. In Lorton is currently bused across 95 to attend Halley and another complex on Rt. 1 is currently bussed past numerous other schools and across Rt. 1 to attend Fort Hunt. The initial round of proposals fixed both of these islands. There may be others, I don’t know off hand.

I see the value of kids attending their closest schools, but I don’t think these moves are going to be as impactful as the board was thinking/hoping. It does remove a transportation barrier but ultimately, cultural barriers are also at play.

No, the proposal to move the Rt. 1 attendance island does not fix the island. The students who live in the apartment complex, Creekside, are currently bused across Rt. 1 to Ft. Hunt elementary, then Sandburg and then West Potomac. Those students live within walking distance to Mount Vernon Woods Elementary, which feeds into Whitman and Mount Vernon. Instead of moving the kids to MV Woods, Thru is proposing sending them to Hybla Valley and then Sandburg and West Potomac. It makes ZERO sense other than you are keeping the kids in the same pyramid they're currently attending. The students will have to be bused to middle school and high school either way - it's too far to walk to Whitman (Whitman is 100% bused to begin with) and it's too far to walk to MV. BUT they can walk to MV Woods.