APS More Seats for More Students - Community Forum on Capacity

[Anonymous]

Did anyone attend Wednesday night's community forum at Washington-Lee? Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend and I'm curious to know what was discussed regarding elementary school capacity...If anyone can give the rundown that would be great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone attend Wednesday night's community forum at Washington-Lee? Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend and I'm curious to know what was discussed regarding elementary school capacity...If anyone can give the rundown that would be great!

I didn't attend, but my guess is that 99% of speakers insisted that the School Board come up with a solution that preserves whatever the speaker is specifically interested in, at the expense of everyone else in the county, and will later complain that the process is "not democratic" when the SB proposes a plan that tries to resolve the competing priorities.

[Anonymous]

I didn't attend, either. But I can promise you that whatever solution they come up with will solve elementary crowding at the expense of crowding in the upper grades (which will be the exact same kids struggling with crowding now since kids get older every year), and take so long that the bubble will have moved on from elementary.

I know, I am not being helpful, but snarky. At least I didn't make a dig at the perennial north v south Arlington debate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone attend Wednesday night's community forum at Washington-Lee? Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend and I'm curious to know what was discussed regarding elementary school capacity...If anyone can give the rundown that would be great!

I didn't attend, but my guess is that 99% of speakers insisted that the School Board come up with a solution that preserves whatever the speaker is specifically interested in, at the expense of everyone else in the county, and will later complain that the process is "not democratic" when the SB proposes a plan that tries to resolve the competing priorities.

Ha! That's pretty likely.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully APS will follow closely what is happening in MCPS, where they really dropped the ball when it comes to addressing capacity issues at all grade levels. Dealing with capacity problems after they've overwhelmed the system is a perfect way to turn a great school system into a chaotic mess. Hopefully APS will find a way to dedicate adequate funds and make hard choices now, rather than letting the process drag on until things get worse. The chart I saw in advance of the forum has just about every option on the table. Anyone attend? Any impressions about which way the wind is blowing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't attend, either. But I can promise you that whatever solution they come up with will solve elementary crowding at the expense of crowding in the upper grades (which will be the exact same kids struggling with crowding now since kids get older every year), and take so long that the bubble will have moved on from elementary.

I know, I am not being helpful, but snarky. At least I didn't make a dig at the perennial north v south Arlington debate.

Actually, this forum has moved on to the MIDDLE school level. That is what the Board is now concentrating on. They even have thrown out the idea of building a new middle school at W-L where the APS administrative buildings are...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't attend, either. But I can promise you that whatever solution they come up with will solve elementary crowding at the expense of crowding in the upper grades (which will be the exact same kids struggling with crowding now since kids get older every year), and take so long that the bubble will have moved on from elementary.

I know, I am not being helpful, but snarky. At least I didn't make a dig at the perennial north v south Arlington debate.

Actually, this forum has moved on to the MIDDLE school level. That is what the Board is now concentrating on. They even have thrown out the idea of building a new middle school at W-L where the APS administrative buildings are...

Did you attend the forum? If what you say is true, and the focus is on the middle school level, it seems that APS will focus on non-capital options to address elementary school overcrowding. The list of non-capital options to address capacity are all over the place - more relocatables, creating team-schools, increasing class size, moving programs, year-round schools, changing admissions/transfer policies. I know that Claremont's Montessori program will be transferred to Hoffman-Boston which is an under-enrolled school starting next fall and those families are devastated. I live in southeast Arlington and have a child who will start K in 2015. We would love to have the guaranteed Claremont Immersion option that my current neighborhood school has now but who knows? I hate this uncertainty but I guess I'll find out soon enough...
http://www.apsva.us/cms/lib2/VA01000586/Centricity/Domain/110/F-1%20CIP%20Framework_01_23_14.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't attend, either. But I can promise you that whatever solution they come up with will solve elementary crowding at the expense of crowding in the upper grades (which will be the exact same kids struggling with crowding now since kids get older every year), and take so long that the bubble will have moved on from elementary.

I know, I am not being helpful, but snarky. At least I didn't make a dig at the perennial north v south Arlington debate.

Actually, this forum has moved on to the MIDDLE school level. That is what the Board is now concentrating on. They even have thrown out the idea of building a new middle school at W-L where the APS administrative buildings are...

Did you attend the forum? If what you say is true, and the focus is on the middle school level, it seems that APS will focus on non-capital options to address elementary school overcrowding. The list of non-capital options to address capacity are all over the place - more relocatables, creating team-schools, increasing class size, moving programs, year-round schools, changing admissions/transfer policies. I know that Claremont's Montessori program will be transferred to Hoffman-Boston which is an under-enrolled school starting next fall and those families are devastated. I live in southeast Arlington and have a child who will start K in 2015. We would love to have the guaranteed Claremont Immersion option that my current neighborhood school has now but who knows? I hate this uncertainty but I guess I'll find out soon enough...
http://www.apsva.us/cms/lib2/VA01000586/Centricity/Domain/110/F-1%20CIP%20Framework_01_23_14.pdf

NO. I didn't attend. Plan to find out from a friend who did attend. Arlnow.com awhile back had discussion on these topics. They were all related to middle school. Also- once again-- suggested relocation HB-Woodlawn and using that facility as a new 'regular' middle school. All just options along with new middle at W-L.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't attend, either. But I can promise you that whatever solution they come up with will solve elementary crowding at the expense of crowding in the upper grades (which will be the exact same kids struggling with crowding now since kids get older every year), and take so long that the bubble will have moved on from elementary.

I know, I am not being helpful, but snarky. At least I didn't make a dig at the perennial north v south Arlington debate.

Actually, this forum has moved on to the MIDDLE school level. That is what the Board is now concentrating on. They even have thrown out the idea of building a new middle school at W-L where the APS administrative buildings are...

Did you attend the forum? If what you say is true, and the focus is on the middle school level, it seems that APS will focus on non-capital options to address elementary school overcrowding. The list of non-capital options to address capacity are all over the place - more relocatables, creating team-schools, increasing class size, moving programs, year-round schools, changing admissions/transfer policies. I know that Claremont's Montessori program will be transferred to Hoffman-Boston which is an under-enrolled school starting next fall and those families are devastated. I live in southeast Arlington and have a child who will start K in 2015. We would love to have the guaranteed Claremont Immersion option that my current neighborhood school has now but who knows? I hate this uncertainty but I guess I'll find out soon enough...
http://www.apsva.us/cms/lib2/VA01000586/Centricity/Domain/110/F-1%20CIP%20Framework_01_23_14.pdf

Honestly, if they can address the elementary capacity issues through these mechanisms (relocatables, schedule changes, choice programs) that would be better than building a new school. Arlington has very limited land to build on, so we should save it for the facilities we really need (which may be a middle school or a high school), and making each elementary school bigger might be more cost-effective--it would certainly be more cost effective to add 100 kids to five schools (which would require additional classroom teachers but no additional administrators or anything) than to add a new 500-student school (with full complement of administrative staff, specials teachers, lunchroom workers and custodians, etc.). Adding on to existing school buildings would also help more kids attend a school in their neighborhood, without shifting a bunch of boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Adding onto an existing school is so much more than just adding classrooms. Common use spaces must be upgraded, as well. You can't add 100 children to a school and leave the cafeteria the same way unless you are okay with kids eating lunch at 10 in the morning. When an elementary school gets too big, it just doesn't function well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't attend, either. But I can promise you that whatever solution they come up with will solve elementary crowding at the expense of crowding in the upper grades (which will be the exact same kids struggling with crowding now since kids get older every year), and take so long that the bubble will have moved on from elementary.

I know, I am not being helpful, but snarky. At least I didn't make a dig at the perennial north v south Arlington debate.

Actually, this forum has moved on to the MIDDLE school level. That is what the Board is now concentrating on. They even have thrown out the idea of building a new middle school at W-L where the APS administrative buildings are...

Did you attend the forum? If what you say is true, and the focus is on the middle school level, it seems that APS will focus on non-capital options to address elementary school overcrowding. The list of non-capital options to address capacity are all over the place - more relocatables, creating team-schools, increasing class size, moving programs, year-round schools, changing admissions/transfer policies. I know that Claremont's Montessori program will be transferred to Hoffman-Boston which is an under-enrolled school starting next fall and those families are devastated. I live in southeast Arlington and have a child who will start K in 2015. We would love to have the guaranteed Claremont Immersion option that my current neighborhood school has now but who knows? I hate this uncertainty but I guess I'll find out soon enough...
http://www.apsva.us/cms/lib2/VA01000586/Centricity/Domain/110/F-1%20CIP%20Framework_01_23_14.pdf

Honestly, if they can address the elementary capacity issues through these mechanisms (relocatables, schedule changes, choice programs) that would be better than building a new school. Arlington has very limited land to build on, so we should save it for the facilities we really need (which may be a middle school or a high school), and making each elementary school bigger might be more cost-effective--it would certainly be more cost effective to add 100 kids to five schools (which would require additional classroom teachers but no additional administrators or anything) than to add a new 500-student school (with full complement of administrative staff, specials teachers, lunchroom workers and custodians, etc.). Adding on to existing school buildings would also help more kids attend a school in their neighborhood, without shifting a bunch of boundaries.

Looking for clarification on this - they will be moving the entire Claremont student body to Hoffman-Boston starting next September? (I know I am restating exactly what you have said, but I live in a guarantee neighborhood, and haven't heard anything about it.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't attend, either. But I can promise you that whatever solution they come up with will solve elementary crowding at the expense of crowding in the upper grades (which will be the exact same kids struggling with crowding now since kids get older every year), and take so long that the bubble will have moved on from elementary.

I know, I am not being helpful, but snarky. At least I didn't make a dig at the perennial north v south Arlington debate.

Actually, this forum has moved on to the MIDDLE school level. That is what the Board is now concentrating on. They even have thrown out the idea of building a new middle school at W-L where the APS administrative buildings are...

Did you attend the forum? If what you say is true, and the focus is on the middle school level, it seems that APS will focus on non-capital options to address elementary school overcrowding. The list of non-capital options to address capacity are all over the place - more relocatables, creating team-schools, increasing class size, moving programs, year-round schools, changing admissions/transfer policies. I know that Claremont's Montessori program will be transferred to Hoffman-Boston which is an under-enrolled school starting next fall and those families are devastated. I live in southeast Arlington and have a child who will start K in 2015. We would love to have the guaranteed Claremont Immersion option that my current neighborhood school has now but who knows? I hate this uncertainty but I guess I'll find out soon enough...
http://www.apsva.us/cms/lib2/VA01000586/Centricity/Domain/110/F-1%20CIP%20Framework_01_23_14.pdf

Honestly, if they can address the elementary capacity issues through these mechanisms (relocatables, schedule changes, choice programs) that would be better than building a new school. Arlington has very limited land to build on, so we should save it for the facilities we really need (which may be a middle school or a high school), and making each elementary school bigger might be more cost-effective--it would certainly be more cost effective to add 100 kids to five schools (which would require additional classroom teachers but no additional administrators or anything) than to add a new 500-student school (with full complement of administrative staff, specials teachers, lunchroom workers and custodians, etc.). Adding on to existing school buildings would also help more kids attend a school in their neighborhood, without shifting a bunch of boundaries.

Looking for clarification on this - they will be moving the entire Claremont student body to Hoffman-Boston starting next September? (I know I am restating exactly what you have said, but I live in a guarantee neighborhood, and haven't heard anything about it.)

NP. I was at the K info session at Claremont this week. They are moving the Pre-K Montessori classes to Hoffman-Boston in the fall. The rest of the school is staying put. There was no mention of the whole school moving at some point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't attend, either. But I can promise you that whatever solution they come up with will solve elementary crowding at the expense of crowding in the upper grades (which will be the exact same kids struggling with crowding now since kids get older every year), and take so long that the bubble will have moved on from elementary.

I know, I am not being helpful, but snarky. At least I didn't make a dig at the perennial north v south Arlington debate.

Actually, this forum has moved on to the MIDDLE school level. That is what the Board is now concentrating on. They even have thrown out the idea of building a new middle school at W-L where the APS administrative buildings are...

Did you attend the forum? If what you say is true, and the focus is on the middle school level, it seems that APS will focus on non-capital options to address elementary school overcrowding. The list of non-capital options to address capacity are all over the place - more relocatables, creating team-schools, increasing class size, moving programs, year-round schools, changing admissions/transfer policies. I know that Claremont's Montessori program will be transferred to Hoffman-Boston which is an under-enrolled school starting next fall and those families are devastated. I live in southeast Arlington and have a child who will start K in 2015. We would love to have the guaranteed Claremont Immersion option that my current neighborhood school has now but who knows? I hate this uncertainty but I guess I'll find out soon enough...
http://www.apsva.us/cms/lib2/VA01000586/Centricity/Domain/110/F-1%20CIP%20Framework_01_23_14.pdf

Honestly, if they can address the elementary capacity issues through these mechanisms (relocatables, schedule changes, choice programs) that would be better than building a new school. Arlington has very limited land to build on, so we should save it for the facilities we really need (which may be a middle school or a high school), and making each elementary school bigger might be more cost-effective--it would certainly be more cost effective to add 100 kids to five schools (which would require additional classroom teachers but no additional administrators or anything) than to add a new 500-student school (with full complement of administrative staff, specials teachers, lunchroom workers and custodians, etc.). Adding on to existing school buildings would also help more kids attend a school in their neighborhood, without shifting a bunch of boundaries.

Looking for clarification on this - they will be moving the entire Claremont student body to Hoffman-Boston starting next September? (I know I am restating exactly what you have said, but I live in a guarantee neighborhood, and haven't heard anything about it.)

NP. I was at the K info session at Claremont this week. They are moving the Pre-K Montessori classes to Hoffman-Boston in the fall. The rest of the school is staying put. There was no mention of the whole school moving at some point.

THANK YOU! I read it wrong - I thought it was the immersion program that was moving. (Thank goodness, b/c we purchased in a priority neighborhood just for the immersion program.)

[Anonymous]

http://www.arlnow.com/2014/02/06/south-arlington-parents-sign-petition-for-new-elementary-school/?utm_source=ARLnow.com+Afternoon+Update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=00bbdb94c4-ARLnow.com+Afternoon+Update&utm_term=0_d7fd851ea7-00bbdb94c4-294582709

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't attend, either. But I can promise you that whatever solution they come up with will solve elementary crowding at the expense of crowding in the upper grades (which will be the exact same kids struggling with crowding now since kids get older every year), and take so long that the bubble will have moved on from elementary.

I know, I am not being helpful, but snarky. At least I didn't make a dig at the perennial north v south Arlington debate.

Actually, this forum has moved on to the MIDDLE school level. That is what the Board is now concentrating on. They even have thrown out the idea of building a new middle school at W-L where the APS administrative buildings are...

Did you attend the forum? If what you say is true, and the focus is on the middle school level, it seems that APS will focus on non-capital options to address elementary school overcrowding. The list of non-capital options to address capacity are all over the place - more relocatables, creating team-schools, increasing class size, moving programs, year-round schools, changing admissions/transfer policies. I know that Claremont's Montessori program will be transferred to Hoffman-Boston which is an under-enrolled school starting next fall and those families are devastated. I live in southeast Arlington and have a child who will start K in 2015. We would love to have the guaranteed Claremont Immersion option that my current neighborhood school has now but who knows? I hate this uncertainty but I guess I'll find out soon enough...
http://www.apsva.us/cms/lib2/VA01000586/Centricity/Domain/110/F-1%20CIP%20Framework_01_23_14.pdf

Honestly, if they can address the elementary capacity issues through these mechanisms (relocatables, schedule changes, choice programs) that would be better than building a new school. Arlington has very limited land to build on, so we should save it for the facilities we really need (which may be a middle school or a high school), and making each elementary school bigger might be more cost-effective--it would certainly be more cost effective to add 100 kids to five schools (which would require additional classroom teachers but no additional administrators or anything) than to add a new 500-student school (with full complement of administrative staff, specials teachers, lunchroom workers and custodians, etc.). Adding on to existing school buildings would also help more kids attend a school in their neighborhood, without shifting a bunch of boundaries.

Looking for clarification on this - they will be moving the entire Claremont student body to Hoffman-Boston starting next September? (I know I am restating exactly what you have said, but I live in a guarantee neighborhood, and haven't heard anything about it.)

NP. I was at the K info session at Claremont this week. They are moving the Pre-K Montessori classes to Hoffman-Boston in the fall. The rest of the school is staying put. There was no mention of the whole school moving at some point.

THANK YOU! I read it wrong - I thought it was the immersion program that was moving. (Thank goodness, b/c we purchased in a priority neighborhood just for the immersion program.)

I hate to say this but everything is on the table now to alleviate overcrowding including admissions policy changes and boundary changes (for ES) for county-wide schools. Claremont's school brochure even states this. Who knows if the priority neighborhoods will remain the same at the end of this process. I say this as someone else who lives in a priority neighborhood for Claremont and wants my child to go there. I'm hoping the guaranteed admission schools remain the same!