Herndon high - what’s going on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS parents should be pushing hard to get access to their school's "School Profile" to see what is being sent to colleges. And get it back to school-specific School Profiles. This is what college admissions officers look at to compare kids within a school.

At our school, the "School Profile" that is sent is no longer school specific. It shows all of FCPS data (GPA/SAT averages)-- and that's it. This is different from pre-COVID.

If it were school specific, it would show average GPA across the school. So if your child had a lower GPA that year but was still top 10%, the colleges would see it.

Frankly, we should stop hiding rankings too. But even a school specific GPA range would help kids in the Herndon/Madison/SPG grade situation.

Does anyone know if this is happening at Madison and Herndon? Posters have dismissed concerns that SBG leads to worse college outcomes because they say colleges will evaluate students according to their school profile, not that of FCPS. I wonder now if this is just flat out false.

[Anonymous]

Has the principal attended any afterschool events? Sports? Clubs? Plays? I was with a bunch of HHS families the other day and a parent mentioned Dr. Noto, and the kids said, who’s that? Anecdotally, she seems very disconnected with the student body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has the principal attended any afterschool events? Sports? Clubs? Plays? I was with a bunch of HHS families the other day and a parent mentioned Dr. Noto, and the kids said, who’s that? Anecdotally, she seems very disconnected with the student body.

Sadly typical of the "let them eat cake" leftist mindset. Enjoy working the factory this weekend, comrades, I'll be at my dacha.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP and the stupid equity lens is myopic! Woe to the average, native language speaker without a 504. You know who gets left behind? The “unlabeled” quiet, well-mannered, respectful DC with equally polite and engaged parents.

These are the students who get no additional support, guidance or almighty, nebulous “resources” or even attention. These kids fall through the cracks.

Why? The teachers, admins, counselors, social workers, front office admins, SROs are all in crisis mode and there’s literally no time for your bright DC (not bright enough for AAP though) who needs help with …anything. As I’ve been told, “average is absolutely fine” or, “DC is doing just fine and doesn’t need anything else - she’ll pick it up eventually” or “let’s wait until next year - sometimes boys mature later” or “no conference needed - no issues.”

You as the parent, however, will do kitchen-table teaching and tutoring all throughout ES. You’ll teach your own DC how to read, administer spelling tests, teach geography, make vocabulary and math facts flash cards.

You’ll also need to hire a professional tutor for higher level math and science around freshman year. Plan to do intensive SAT prep to include test-taking strategies and DC will likely learn more from SAT prep than from class subjects.

Mom of 2 FCPS graduates: one college graduate and one rising college senior.

Don't try and pin this on Special Needs kids. You don't know just how lucky you are to get to deal with "average" without complications. And the result is a college graduate--and I assume another going to college? Big old middle finger to that attitude.

Put down your middle finger. I was directly criticizing the carefully orchestrate 504 plans that savvy parents know to get and game the system. Same for gaining admission to AAP (go to the right child psychologist, go to the correct tutoring center, join the THHSST study group). My “expert” relative did extensive research to get her neurotypical DC a 504 that allows for additional testing time and some very specific supports.

When every other student has a 504, you can understand how this gamesmanship ends up undermining those students who have a genuine and legal right and need. We’ve gummed up the system.

An entire generation of FCPS parents arrive to register their DC in Head Start or peek with their hands out and ready to avail themselves of all resources.

A pregnant teen FCPS student gets showered with “resources” and all the help and services you can imagine - ok, great, nice but ask for some help with the very basics or if your kid slips behind-no worries. Average is just fine.

See also thread re: FCPS graduations. Everyone graduates.

Nope, leaving it up. A kid who got into college and graduated was prepared. I don’t think anyone considers that falling through the cracks. Seems solidly average or above. Where were you shortchanged? How do you know the detailed medical histories of all these 504 moochers? And IQs of AAP kids? Yes, average is just fine, why all the animosity towards those who researched and were able to use a resource?

lol. 50% of Navy elementary is AAP. You really think 50% of those kids have a 130 IQ or higher?

+1
It’s absurd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP and the stupid equity lens is myopic! Woe to the average, native language speaker without a 504. You know who gets left behind? The “unlabeled” quiet, well-mannered, respectful DC with equally polite and engaged parents.

These are the students who get no additional support, guidance or almighty, nebulous “resources” or even attention. These kids fall through the cracks.

Why? The teachers, admins, counselors, social workers, front office admins, SROs are all in crisis mode and there’s literally no time for your bright DC (not bright enough for AAP though) who needs help with …anything. As I’ve been told, “average is absolutely fine” or, “DC is doing just fine and doesn’t need anything else - she’ll pick it up eventually” or “let’s wait until next year - sometimes boys mature later” or “no conference needed - no issues.”

You as the parent, however, will do kitchen-table teaching and tutoring all throughout ES. You’ll teach your own DC how to read, administer spelling tests, teach geography, make vocabulary and math facts flash cards.

You’ll also need to hire a professional tutor for higher level math and science around freshman year. Plan to do intensive SAT prep to include test-taking strategies and DC will likely learn more from SAT prep than from class subjects.

Mom of 2 FCPS graduates: one college graduate and one rising college senior.

Don't try and pin this on Special Needs kids. You don't know just how lucky you are to get to deal with "average" without complications. And the result is a college graduate--and I assume another going to college? Big old middle finger to that attitude.

Put down your middle finger. I was directly criticizing the carefully orchestrate 504 plans that savvy parents know to get and game the system. Same for gaining admission to AAP (go to the right child psychologist, go to the correct tutoring center, join the THHSST study group). My “expert” relative did extensive research to get her neurotypical DC a 504 that allows for additional testing time and some very specific supports.

When every other student has a 504, you can understand how this gamesmanship ends up undermining those students who have a genuine and legal right and need. We’ve gummed up the system.

An entire generation of FCPS parents arrive to register their DC in Head Start or peek with their hands out and ready to avail themselves of all resources.

A pregnant teen FCPS student gets showered with “resources” and all the help and services you can imagine - ok, great, nice but ask for some help with the very basics or if your kid slips behind-no worries. Average is just fine.

See also thread re: FCPS graduations. Everyone graduates.

Nope, leaving it up. A kid who got into college and graduated was prepared. I don’t think anyone considers that falling through the cracks. Seems solidly average or above. Where were you shortchanged? How do you know the detailed medical histories of all these 504 moochers? And IQs of AAP kids? Yes, average is just fine, why all the animosity towards those who researched and were able to use a resource?

lol. 50% of Navy elementary is AAP. You really think 50% of those kids have a 130 IQ or higher?

AAP isn't the same thing as gifted right? I don't see why hard working kids should be denied classes just because they weren't 130+ IQ. If they can make the A's, shouldn't they be allowed in the class?

DP. Sure - but then, ALL students should be able to try AAP. If it doesn’t work out, they could simply drop back to GE. But most kids are NOT advanced across the board and most kids ARE advanced in certain areas but not all. Segregation of very similar students is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP and the stupid equity lens is myopic! Woe to the average, native language speaker without a 504. You know who gets left behind? The “unlabeled” quiet, well-mannered, respectful DC with equally polite and engaged parents.

These are the students who get no additional support, guidance or almighty, nebulous “resources” or even attention. These kids fall through the cracks.

Why? The teachers, admins, counselors, social workers, front office admins, SROs are all in crisis mode and there’s literally no time for your bright DC (not bright enough for AAP though) who needs help with …anything. As I’ve been told, “average is absolutely fine” or, “DC is doing just fine and doesn’t need anything else - she’ll pick it up eventually” or “let’s wait until next year - sometimes boys mature later” or “no conference needed - no issues.”

You as the parent, however, will do kitchen-table teaching and tutoring all throughout ES. You’ll teach your own DC how to read, administer spelling tests, teach geography, make vocabulary and math facts flash cards.

You’ll also need to hire a professional tutor for higher level math and science around freshman year. Plan to do intensive SAT prep to include test-taking strategies and DC will likely learn more from SAT prep than from class subjects.

Mom of 2 FCPS graduates: one college graduate and one rising college senior.

Don't try and pin this on Special Needs kids. You don't know just how lucky you are to get to deal with "average" without complications. And the result is a college graduate--and I assume another going to college? Big old middle finger to that attitude.

Put down your middle finger. I was directly criticizing the carefully orchestrate 504 plans that savvy parents know to get and game the system. Same for gaining admission to AAP (go to the right child psychologist, go to the correct tutoring center, join the THHSST study group). My “expert” relative did extensive research to get her neurotypical DC a 504 that allows for additional testing time and some very specific supports.

When every other student has a 504, you can understand how this gamesmanship ends up undermining those students who have a genuine and legal right and need. We’ve gummed up the system.

An entire generation of FCPS parents arrive to register their DC in Head Start or peek with their hands out and ready to avail themselves of all resources.

A pregnant teen FCPS student gets showered with “resources” and all the help and services you can imagine - ok, great, nice but ask for some help with the very basics or if your kid slips behind-no worries. Average is just fine.

See also thread re: FCPS graduations. Everyone graduates.

Nope, leaving it up. A kid who got into college and graduated was prepared. I don’t think anyone considers that falling through the cracks. Seems solidly average or above. Where were you shortchanged? How do you know the detailed medical histories of all these 504 moochers? And IQs of AAP kids? Yes, average is just fine, why all the animosity towards those who researched and were able to use a resource?

lol. 50% of Navy elementary is AAP. You really think 50% of those kids have a 130 IQ or higher?

+1
It’s absurd.

PP. I was clumsily illustrating the point that the parent with the average child can't judge another child's intelligence and whether or not they deserve to be in AAP and get additional opportunities. And also that you can't blame your child's situation on another parent who takes action based on what they want for their child.

But you are so right about the AAP program. Those kids are above average in the speed at which they can learn elementary content. It's turned into large scale tracking at this point. So why all the angst about admissions and the absurd waste of time bussing them around to centers. Just admit that the county uses tracking and go back to the classic low/middle/high model at the base school. Call it something else if it seems offensive. Make it flexible so kids can get AAP in the subjects appropriate for them or extra support in weaker areas.

And for the love of god, enforce a single grading policy...all kids in the county should be held to the same standard. Something like SBG could have been an opt in pilot, where kids got graded using both methods (not all foisted on the classroom teacher of course, with support) and studied how if affected grading as a whole.

[Anonymous]

I work in an alternative school with many, many students from Herndon HS.
My takes: lots of gang activity between students somewhat new to the country.
Lots of fight (see gang activity)
Drug use (honestly, it’s at every HS).
Admin/counselors who try to push kids out for non-attendance or just bothersome behavior.
Same admins/counselors not wanting to take kids back that have fulfilled their conditions at the alternative school.

[Anonymous]

Herndon parents- ideas about what will be announced at the June 11 parent coffee?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Herndon parents- ideas about what will be announced at the June 11 parent coffee?

I thought it was about SBG again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Herndon parents- ideas about what will be announced at the June 11 parent coffee?

More deceit is my guess.

[Anonymous]

What does Noto have against putting up murals?

[Anonymous]

Kind of funny that I came across this thread because I logged on to complain about hhs. Everything mentioned is true. It used to be a solid high school until the principal tried to make a name for herself this year and really ruined things. I’m glad I’m not the only one complaining. I don’t know what can be done at this point if none of the other things parents already tried didn’t work. Which really sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in an alternative school with many, many students from Herndon HS.
My takes: lots of gang activity between students somewhat new to the country.
Lots of fight (see gang activity)
Drug use (honestly, it’s at every HS).
Admin/counselors who try to push kids out for non-attendance or just bothersome behavior.
Same admins/counselors not wanting to take kids back that have fulfilled their conditions at the alternative school.

If I get the gist of this thread it’s that the threat to Herndon High kids is the SBG equity push and not the gang situation?

I’m really fascinated by those sentiments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in an alternative school with many, many students from Herndon HS.
My takes: lots of gang activity between students somewhat new to the country.
Lots of fight (see gang activity)
Drug use (honestly, it’s at every HS).
Admin/counselors who try to push kids out for non-attendance or just bothersome behavior.
Same admins/counselors not wanting to take kids back that have fulfilled their conditions at the alternative school.

If I get the gist of this thread it’s that the threat to Herndon High kids is the SBG equity push and not the gang situation?

I’m really fascinated by those sentiments.

DP. The threat to the college-bound kids is SBG. The threat to the kids who are new to the country and might have a shot is not kicking out the kids who are fighting and disruptive in class (true at every school but especially at schools where some of the kids have never had formal education and are vulnerable) . The threat to both groups is bad administration and proliferation of fentanyl although drugs are at every high school including the wealthy ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in an alternative school with many, many students from Herndon HS.
My takes: lots of gang activity between students somewhat new to the country.
Lots of fight (see gang activity)
Drug use (honestly, it’s at every HS).
Admin/counselors who try to push kids out for non-attendance or just bothersome behavior.
Same admins/counselors not wanting to take kids back that have fulfilled their conditions at the alternative school.

If I get the gist of this thread it’s that the threat to Herndon High kids is the SBG equity push and not the gang situation?

I’m really fascinated by those sentiments.

DP. The threat to the college-bound kids is SBG. The threat to the kids who are new to the country and might have a shot is not kicking out the kids who are fighting and disruptive in class (true at every school but especially at schools where some of the kids have never had formal education and are vulnerable) . The threat to both groups is bad administration and proliferation of fentanyl although drugs are at every high school including the wealthy ones.

This is very accurate.

The current administration has ruined things and somehow believes she is championing the underprivileged. I can tell you first hand that parents in both groups are dissatisfied. The community is strong, so if there is an admin change soon, it will come out OK.