Boundary Review Meetings

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t explain why they decided to not make a decision. Halley still has an attendance island. Are they too afraid to make a decision?

They got a lot of push back. I think for some areas they’re waiting and hoping the temperature drops? I don’t see that happening but whatever.

I think they really wanted them at Gunston, but due to the efforts of the Mason Neck Citizens Group, and probably also the physical state of Gunston ES, that’s not going to be feasible without big renovations to the school. So now it’s a big hot potato of do they move kids out of Gunston to I guess Island Creek to make room at Gunston? (That’s a long bus ride). Do they add Hagel to Lorton Station and then try to make moves to get LSES as a SC feeder? Not really possible right now without overcrowding South County MS and HS though. Do they add it to Lorton Station/Hayfield and then wash their hands of the whole thing? Do they try to add it to Laurel Hill which makes a nice border on paper but still ends up with a long bus ride? (And another overcrowded school at Laurel Hill as well). Are they ok with potentially taking LSES, which is a big feeder school, out of Hayfield and leaving Hayfield under-enrolled, assuming they’ll need the capacity at Hayfield to relieve Edison? But if Edison needs relief, the first places to look should be under-enrolled Lewis and over-expanded West Potomac.

I really think to solve the South County overcrowding, they should send kids from Springfield to Lewis. Anyways that bus ride for them is about 10-15 minutes so they might as well go to Lewis and let Lorton Students stay in Lorton.

Lorton station elementary students are closest to South County while some Springfield students go to south county. Not right. They should be at Lewis and they’ve got plenty of capacity

The only Springfield kids at SC are in Newington Forest, in which case they’d be bussed the whole way down the parkway to Key and Lewis, past the attendance areas for both Hunt Valley and Rolling Valley, which both go to West Springfield. That would be a gigantic border gerrymander. And at that point people would rightly wonder why it wasn’t at least part of Hunt Valley at Lewis and we’re suddenly back on that nonsense again. South County is fine as is and doesn’t need to lose any students. It’s just if they want it to gain a few hundred from Lorton Station that’s where the problem comes in.

Isn't Newington Forest in Lorton?

Thet would also go past Daventry and West Springfield Elementary.

Daventry is the neighborhood you should be focused on. They were recently zoned to Lewis, and are part of the Franconia magesterial district, not the Springfield district. Daventry and Keene Mill elementary are the closest West Springfield areas to Lewis by a long shot.

Whoever is saying that Newington should attend Lewis is not looking at maps.

There are no Springfield kids at South County. OP is confused. It’s entirely Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fairfax Station.

Technically Newington Forest elementary and the neighborhood has a Springfield 22153 address, same as Hunt Valley. But South County is definitely our closest school. Even West Springfield is a bit of a hike from here but is still closer than Lewis.

Newington Forrest is so close to SC middle and high schools. It would make no sense at all to change those neighborhoods to Lewis, LBSS or WSHS. At least if you care about proximity to the school and transportation times.

So is Lorton Station Elementary but it’s zoned for Hayfield. Lorton station is 5 minutes from south county. Yet, Newington Forest gets to be zoned for South County. We have to drop our children off at Hayfield which is a 15 minute drive. Why don’t Newington Forest go to lewis. Anyways, they are a Springfield school. Lorton should be with Lorton and Springfield with Springfield. Obviously there is no room at west Springfield and Lewis is way under capacity.

Lewis is seemingly getting Bren Mar Park at the 5 year review or possibly earlier, and something is going to go on with Lorton Station too. Since you apparently go there now, you would know that FCPS held a special secret meeting for you guys and laid out the scenarios. No one from along the parkway and west of Rolling is getting bussed to Lewis at this point. Just give it up already.

So those people are too good for Lewis? That is how that sounds.

DP, with no dog in this fight.

Families don’t want their kids moved from the pyramid that they chose when they bought their house. This has been overwhelmingly communicated to the school board, individual members, and FCPS staff throughout the last two years of public engagement.

No matter what words you try to put into people’s mouths, it won’t change the fundamental fact that families don’t want their kids to be moved. And the school board would be wise to revert to just making necessary boundary changes, not comprehensive ones.

That would garner a lot more goodwill among key constituencies as the county deals with a declining membership, declining funding, and the increased threat of vouchers. Frankly, the school board just can’t afford to alienate families, they need all the support they can get.

Did you ask this question to all Fairfax County parents? I am sure many would love to be switched out of a poor performing school to a better one. Also, there are many renters in the county as well. UMC families are only a percentage of FCPS. Sounds a bit entitled to speak for everybody in Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t explain why they decided to not make a decision. Halley still has an attendance island. Are they too afraid to make a decision?

They got a lot of push back. I think for some areas they’re waiting and hoping the temperature drops? I don’t see that happening but whatever.

I think they really wanted them at Gunston, but due to the efforts of the Mason Neck Citizens Group, and probably also the physical state of Gunston ES, that’s not going to be feasible without big renovations to the school. So now it’s a big hot potato of do they move kids out of Gunston to I guess Island Creek to make room at Gunston? (That’s a long bus ride). Do they add Hagel to Lorton Station and then try to make moves to get LSES as a SC feeder? Not really possible right now without overcrowding South County MS and HS though. Do they add it to Lorton Station/Hayfield and then wash their hands of the whole thing? Do they try to add it to Laurel Hill which makes a nice border on paper but still ends up with a long bus ride? (And another overcrowded school at Laurel Hill as well). Are they ok with potentially taking LSES, which is a big feeder school, out of Hayfield and leaving Hayfield under-enrolled, assuming they’ll need the capacity at Hayfield to relieve Edison? But if Edison needs relief, the first places to look should be under-enrolled Lewis and over-expanded West Potomac.

I really think to solve the South County overcrowding, they should send kids from Springfield to Lewis. Anyways that bus ride for them is about 10-15 minutes so they might as well go to Lewis and let Lorton Students stay in Lorton.

Lorton station elementary students are closest to South County while some Springfield students go to south county. Not right. They should be at Lewis and they’ve got plenty of capacity

The only Springfield kids at SC are in Newington Forest, in which case they’d be bussed the whole way down the parkway to Key and Lewis, past the attendance areas for both Hunt Valley and Rolling Valley, which both go to West Springfield. That would be a gigantic border gerrymander. And at that point people would rightly wonder why it wasn’t at least part of Hunt Valley at Lewis and we’re suddenly back on that nonsense again. South County is fine as is and doesn’t need to lose any students. It’s just if they want it to gain a few hundred from Lorton Station that’s where the problem comes in.

Isn't Newington Forest in Lorton?

Thet would also go past Daventry and West Springfield Elementary.

Daventry is the neighborhood you should be focused on. They were recently zoned to Lewis, and are part of the Franconia magesterial district, not the Springfield district. Daventry and Keene Mill elementary are the closest West Springfield areas to Lewis by a long shot.

Whoever is saying that Newington should attend Lewis is not looking at maps.

There are no Springfield kids at South County. OP is confused. It’s entirely Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fairfax Station.

Technically Newington Forest elementary and the neighborhood has a Springfield 22153 address, same as Hunt Valley. But South County is definitely our closest school. Even West Springfield is a bit of a hike from here but is still closer than Lewis.

Newington Forrest is so close to SC middle and high schools. It would make no sense at all to change those neighborhoods to Lewis, LBSS or WSHS. At least if you care about proximity to the school and transportation times.

So is Lorton Station Elementary but it’s zoned for Hayfield. Lorton station is 5 minutes from south county. Yet, Newington Forest gets to be zoned for South County. We have to drop our children off at Hayfield which is a 15 minute drive. Why don’t Newington Forest go to lewis. Anyways, they are a Springfield school. Lorton should be with Lorton and Springfield with Springfield. Obviously there is no room at west Springfield and Lewis is way under capacity.

Lewis is seemingly getting Bren Mar Park at the 5 year review or possibly earlier, and something is going to go on with Lorton Station too. Since you apparently go there now, you would know that FCPS held a special secret meeting for you guys and laid out the scenarios. No one from along the parkway and west of Rolling is getting bussed to Lewis at this point. Just give it up already.

So those people are too good for Lewis? That is how that sounds.

DP, with no dog in this fight.

Families don’t want their kids moved from the pyramid that they chose when they bought their house. This has been overwhelmingly communicated to the school board, individual members, and FCPS staff throughout the last two years of public engagement.

No matter what words you try to put into people’s mouths, it won’t change the fundamental fact that families don’t want their kids to be moved. And the school board would be wise to revert to just making necessary boundary changes, not comprehensive ones.

That would garner a lot more goodwill among key constituencies as the county deals with a declining membership, declining funding, and the increased threat of vouchers. Frankly, the school board just can’t afford to alienate families, they need all the support they can get.

The school board's job is to maintain an effective and efficient school system. What some families want based off where they bought their house should not be on their list of considerations. Boundaries change over time as different parts of the county grow and shrink at different rates. Factoring in what a bunch of loud, entitled people want instead of making necessary adjustments over time is how you end up with the crazy boundary lines we have today.

The school board’s job is to represent constituents. It’s an elected board not an autocratic one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, great falls still stay in Langley.

For now.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t explain why they decided to not make a decision. Halley still has an attendance island. Are they too afraid to make a decision?

They got a lot of push back. I think for some areas they’re waiting and hoping the temperature drops? I don’t see that happening but whatever.

I think they really wanted them at Gunston, but due to the efforts of the Mason Neck Citizens Group, and probably also the physical state of Gunston ES, that’s not going to be feasible without big renovations to the school. So now it’s a big hot potato of do they move kids out of Gunston to I guess Island Creek to make room at Gunston? (That’s a long bus ride). Do they add Hagel to Lorton Station and then try to make moves to get LSES as a SC feeder? Not really possible right now without overcrowding South County MS and HS though. Do they add it to Lorton Station/Hayfield and then wash their hands of the whole thing? Do they try to add it to Laurel Hill which makes a nice border on paper but still ends up with a long bus ride? (And another overcrowded school at Laurel Hill as well). Are they ok with potentially taking LSES, which is a big feeder school, out of Hayfield and leaving Hayfield under-enrolled, assuming they’ll need the capacity at Hayfield to relieve Edison? But if Edison needs relief, the first places to look should be under-enrolled Lewis and over-expanded West Potomac.

I really think to solve the South County overcrowding, they should send kids from Springfield to Lewis. Anyways that bus ride for them is about 10-15 minutes so they might as well go to Lewis and let Lorton Students stay in Lorton.

Lorton station elementary students are closest to South County while some Springfield students go to south county. Not right. They should be at Lewis and they’ve got plenty of capacity

The only Springfield kids at SC are in Newington Forest, in which case they’d be bussed the whole way down the parkway to Key and Lewis, past the attendance areas for both Hunt Valley and Rolling Valley, which both go to West Springfield. That would be a gigantic border gerrymander. And at that point people would rightly wonder why it wasn’t at least part of Hunt Valley at Lewis and we’re suddenly back on that nonsense again. South County is fine as is and doesn’t need to lose any students. It’s just if they want it to gain a few hundred from Lorton Station that’s where the problem comes in.

Isn't Newington Forest in Lorton?

Thet would also go past Daventry and West Springfield Elementary.

Daventry is the neighborhood you should be focused on. They were recently zoned to Lewis, and are part of the Franconia magesterial district, not the Springfield district. Daventry and Keene Mill elementary are the closest West Springfield areas to Lewis by a long shot.

Whoever is saying that Newington should attend Lewis is not looking at maps.

There are no Springfield kids at South County. OP is confused. It’s entirely Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fairfax Station.

Technically Newington Forest elementary and the neighborhood has a Springfield 22153 address, same as Hunt Valley. But South County is definitely our closest school. Even West Springfield is a bit of a hike from here but is still closer than Lewis.

Newington Forrest is so close to SC middle and high schools. It would make no sense at all to change those neighborhoods to Lewis, LBSS or WSHS. At least if you care about proximity to the school and transportation times.

So is Lorton Station Elementary but it’s zoned for Hayfield. Lorton station is 5 minutes from south county. Yet, Newington Forest gets to be zoned for South County. We have to drop our children off at Hayfield which is a 15 minute drive. Why don’t Newington Forest go to lewis. Anyways, they are a Springfield school. Lorton should be with Lorton and Springfield with Springfield. Obviously there is no room at west Springfield and Lewis is way under capacity.

Lewis is seemingly getting Bren Mar Park at the 5 year review or possibly earlier, and something is going to go on with Lorton Station too. Since you apparently go there now, you would know that FCPS held a special secret meeting for you guys and laid out the scenarios. No one from along the parkway and west of Rolling is getting bussed to Lewis at this point. Just give it up already.

So those people are too good for Lewis? That is how that sounds.

DP, with no dog in this fight.

Families don’t want their kids moved from the pyramid that they chose when they bought their house. This has been overwhelmingly communicated to the school board, individual members, and FCPS staff throughout the last two years of public engagement.

No matter what words you try to put into people’s mouths, it won’t change the fundamental fact that families don’t want their kids to be moved. And the school board would be wise to revert to just making necessary boundary changes, not comprehensive ones.

That would garner a lot more goodwill among key constituencies as the county deals with a declining membership, declining funding, and the increased threat of vouchers. Frankly, the school board just can’t afford to alienate families, they need all the support they can get.

Did you ask this question to all Fairfax County parents? I am sure many would love to be switched out of a poor performing school to a better one. Also, there are many renters in the county as well. UMC families are only a percentage of FCPS. Sounds a bit entitled to speak for everybody in Fairfax.

Ah, the “silent majority” argument. Yeah, we’ve heard that tall tale from you before, Sandy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, great falls still stay in Langley.

For now.

Great Falls is relatively large. Where else would it go? Or are you talking about a subset of Great Falls that is south of 7?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t explain why they decided to not make a decision. Halley still has an attendance island. Are they too afraid to make a decision?

They got a lot of push back. I think for some areas they’re waiting and hoping the temperature drops? I don’t see that happening but whatever.

I think they really wanted them at Gunston, but due to the efforts of the Mason Neck Citizens Group, and probably also the physical state of Gunston ES, that’s not going to be feasible without big renovations to the school. So now it’s a big hot potato of do they move kids out of Gunston to I guess Island Creek to make room at Gunston? (That’s a long bus ride). Do they add Hagel to Lorton Station and then try to make moves to get LSES as a SC feeder? Not really possible right now without overcrowding South County MS and HS though. Do they add it to Lorton Station/Hayfield and then wash their hands of the whole thing? Do they try to add it to Laurel Hill which makes a nice border on paper but still ends up with a long bus ride? (And another overcrowded school at Laurel Hill as well). Are they ok with potentially taking LSES, which is a big feeder school, out of Hayfield and leaving Hayfield under-enrolled, assuming they’ll need the capacity at Hayfield to relieve Edison? But if Edison needs relief, the first places to look should be under-enrolled Lewis and over-expanded West Potomac.

I really think to solve the South County overcrowding, they should send kids from Springfield to Lewis. Anyways that bus ride for them is about 10-15 minutes so they might as well go to Lewis and let Lorton Students stay in Lorton.

Lorton station elementary students are closest to South County while some Springfield students go to south county. Not right. They should be at Lewis and they’ve got plenty of capacity

The only Springfield kids at SC are in Newington Forest, in which case they’d be bussed the whole way down the parkway to Key and Lewis, past the attendance areas for both Hunt Valley and Rolling Valley, which both go to West Springfield. That would be a gigantic border gerrymander. And at that point people would rightly wonder why it wasn’t at least part of Hunt Valley at Lewis and we’re suddenly back on that nonsense again. South County is fine as is and doesn’t need to lose any students. It’s just if they want it to gain a few hundred from Lorton Station that’s where the problem comes in.

Isn't Newington Forest in Lorton?

Thet would also go past Daventry and West Springfield Elementary.

Daventry is the neighborhood you should be focused on. They were recently zoned to Lewis, and are part of the Franconia magesterial district, not the Springfield district. Daventry and Keene Mill elementary are the closest West Springfield areas to Lewis by a long shot.

Whoever is saying that Newington should attend Lewis is not looking at maps.

There are no Springfield kids at South County. OP is confused. It’s entirely Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fairfax Station.

Technically Newington Forest elementary and the neighborhood has a Springfield 22153 address, same as Hunt Valley. But South County is definitely our closest school. Even West Springfield is a bit of a hike from here but is still closer than Lewis.

Newington Forrest is so close to SC middle and high schools. It would make no sense at all to change those neighborhoods to Lewis, LBSS or WSHS. At least if you care about proximity to the school and transportation times.

So is Lorton Station Elementary but it’s zoned for Hayfield. Lorton station is 5 minutes from south county. Yet, Newington Forest gets to be zoned for South County. We have to drop our children off at Hayfield which is a 15 minute drive. Why don’t Newington Forest go to lewis. Anyways, they are a Springfield school. Lorton should be with Lorton and Springfield with Springfield. Obviously there is no room at west Springfield and Lewis is way under capacity.

Lewis is seemingly getting Bren Mar Park at the 5 year review or possibly earlier, and something is going to go on with Lorton Station too. Since you apparently go there now, you would know that FCPS held a special secret meeting for you guys and laid out the scenarios. No one from along the parkway and west of Rolling is getting bussed to Lewis at this point. Just give it up already.

So those people are too good for Lewis? That is how that sounds.

DP, with no dog in this fight.

Families don’t want their kids moved from the pyramid that they chose when they bought their house. This has been overwhelmingly communicated to the school board, individual members, and FCPS staff throughout the last two years of public engagement.

No matter what words you try to put into people’s mouths, it won’t change the fundamental fact that families don’t want their kids to be moved. And the school board would be wise to revert to just making necessary boundary changes, not comprehensive ones.

That would garner a lot more goodwill among key constituencies as the county deals with a declining membership, declining funding, and the increased threat of vouchers. Frankly, the school board just can’t afford to alienate families, they need all the support they can get.

Did you ask this question to all Fairfax County parents? I am sure many would love to be switched out of a poor performing school to a better one. Also, there are many renters in the county as well. UMC families are only a percentage of FCPS. Sounds a bit entitled to speak for everybody in Fairfax.

Ah, the “silent majority” argument. Yeah, we’ve heard that tall tale from you before, Sandy.

I am the PP. Sandy who? I am just a busy parent who sometimes reads this thread. Again, this is a diverse area, and nobody can/should make generalizations about what EVERYBODY wants in the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, great falls still stay in Langley.

For now.

Great Falls is relatively large. Where else would it go? Or are you talking about a subset of Great Falls that is south of 7?

Possibly, and just a reminder, that area south of 7 is not part of Great Falls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t explain why they decided to not make a decision. Halley still has an attendance island. Are they too afraid to make a decision?

They got a lot of push back. I think for some areas they’re waiting and hoping the temperature drops? I don’t see that happening but whatever.

I think they really wanted them at Gunston, but due to the efforts of the Mason Neck Citizens Group, and probably also the physical state of Gunston ES, that’s not going to be feasible without big renovations to the school. So now it’s a big hot potato of do they move kids out of Gunston to I guess Island Creek to make room at Gunston? (That’s a long bus ride). Do they add Hagel to Lorton Station and then try to make moves to get LSES as a SC feeder? Not really possible right now without overcrowding South County MS and HS though. Do they add it to Lorton Station/Hayfield and then wash their hands of the whole thing? Do they try to add it to Laurel Hill which makes a nice border on paper but still ends up with a long bus ride? (And another overcrowded school at Laurel Hill as well). Are they ok with potentially taking LSES, which is a big feeder school, out of Hayfield and leaving Hayfield under-enrolled, assuming they’ll need the capacity at Hayfield to relieve Edison? But if Edison needs relief, the first places to look should be under-enrolled Lewis and over-expanded West Potomac.

I really think to solve the South County overcrowding, they should send kids from Springfield to Lewis. Anyways that bus ride for them is about 10-15 minutes so they might as well go to Lewis and let Lorton Students stay in Lorton.

Lorton station elementary students are closest to South County while some Springfield students go to south county. Not right. They should be at Lewis and they’ve got plenty of capacity

The only Springfield kids at SC are in Newington Forest, in which case they’d be bussed the whole way down the parkway to Key and Lewis, past the attendance areas for both Hunt Valley and Rolling Valley, which both go to West Springfield. That would be a gigantic border gerrymander. And at that point people would rightly wonder why it wasn’t at least part of Hunt Valley at Lewis and we’re suddenly back on that nonsense again. South County is fine as is and doesn’t need to lose any students. It’s just if they want it to gain a few hundred from Lorton Station that’s where the problem comes in.

Isn't Newington Forest in Lorton?

Thet would also go past Daventry and West Springfield Elementary.

Daventry is the neighborhood you should be focused on. They were recently zoned to Lewis, and are part of the Franconia magesterial district, not the Springfield district. Daventry and Keene Mill elementary are the closest West Springfield areas to Lewis by a long shot.

Whoever is saying that Newington should attend Lewis is not looking at maps.

There are no Springfield kids at South County. OP is confused. It’s entirely Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fairfax Station.

Technically Newington Forest elementary and the neighborhood has a Springfield 22153 address, same as Hunt Valley. But South County is definitely our closest school. Even West Springfield is a bit of a hike from here but is still closer than Lewis.

Newington Forrest is so close to SC middle and high schools. It would make no sense at all to change those neighborhoods to Lewis, LBSS or WSHS. At least if you care about proximity to the school and transportation times.

So is Lorton Station Elementary but it’s zoned for Hayfield. Lorton station is 5 minutes from south county. Yet, Newington Forest gets to be zoned for South County. We have to drop our children off at Hayfield which is a 15 minute drive. Why don’t Newington Forest go to lewis. Anyways, they are a Springfield school. Lorton should be with Lorton and Springfield with Springfield. Obviously there is no room at west Springfield and Lewis is way under capacity.

Lewis is seemingly getting Bren Mar Park at the 5 year review or possibly earlier, and something is going to go on with Lorton Station too. Since you apparently go there now, you would know that FCPS held a special secret meeting for you guys and laid out the scenarios. No one from along the parkway and west of Rolling is getting bussed to Lewis at this point. Just give it up already.

So those people are too good for Lewis? That is how that sounds.

DP, with no dog in this fight.

Families don’t want their kids moved from the pyramid that they chose when they bought their house. This has been overwhelmingly communicated to the school board, individual members, and FCPS staff throughout the last two years of public engagement.

No matter what words you try to put into people’s mouths, it won’t change the fundamental fact that families don’t want their kids to be moved. And the school board would be wise to revert to just making necessary boundary changes, not comprehensive ones.

That would garner a lot more goodwill among key constituencies as the county deals with a declining membership, declining funding, and the increased threat of vouchers. Frankly, the school board just can’t afford to alienate families, they need all the support they can get.

Did you ask this question to all Fairfax County parents? I am sure many would love to be switched out of a poor performing school to a better one. Also, there are many renters in the county as well. UMC families are only a percentage of FCPS. Sounds a bit entitled to speak for everybody in Fairfax.

You would be surprised. There are parents who are happy with the education their kids are getting at schools many people on this board would hate to move to. Their kids have a solid cohort in AP or IB classes, even if it is small. There tends to be less intense competition, which can be good for a kids mental health. There is less competition for things like drama, music, and academic teams. Their kids stand out in college applications because there is less intense competition at the school and it is easier to hit the most rigorous standards for college. And the kids get a good education, which is what we are all after any way. Outside looking in, parents assume that the schools are war zones but that really isn't the case. I know people who teach at Lewis and Mount Vernon and kids attending Herndon. Their parents are happy with the school and my friends enjoy teaching at their schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t explain why they decided to not make a decision. Halley still has an attendance island. Are they too afraid to make a decision?

They got a lot of push back. I think for some areas they’re waiting and hoping the temperature drops? I don’t see that happening but whatever.

I think they really wanted them at Gunston, but due to the efforts of the Mason Neck Citizens Group, and probably also the physical state of Gunston ES, that’s not going to be feasible without big renovations to the school. So now it’s a big hot potato of do they move kids out of Gunston to I guess Island Creek to make room at Gunston? (That’s a long bus ride). Do they add Hagel to Lorton Station and then try to make moves to get LSES as a SC feeder? Not really possible right now without overcrowding South County MS and HS though. Do they add it to Lorton Station/Hayfield and then wash their hands of the whole thing? Do they try to add it to Laurel Hill which makes a nice border on paper but still ends up with a long bus ride? (And another overcrowded school at Laurel Hill as well). Are they ok with potentially taking LSES, which is a big feeder school, out of Hayfield and leaving Hayfield under-enrolled, assuming they’ll need the capacity at Hayfield to relieve Edison? But if Edison needs relief, the first places to look should be under-enrolled Lewis and over-expanded West Potomac.

I really think to solve the South County overcrowding, they should send kids from Springfield to Lewis. Anyways that bus ride for them is about 10-15 minutes so they might as well go to Lewis and let Lorton Students stay in Lorton.

Lorton station elementary students are closest to South County while some Springfield students go to south county. Not right. They should be at Lewis and they’ve got plenty of capacity

The only Springfield kids at SC are in Newington Forest, in which case they’d be bussed the whole way down the parkway to Key and Lewis, past the attendance areas for both Hunt Valley and Rolling Valley, which both go to West Springfield. That would be a gigantic border gerrymander. And at that point people would rightly wonder why it wasn’t at least part of Hunt Valley at Lewis and we’re suddenly back on that nonsense again. South County is fine as is and doesn’t need to lose any students. It’s just if they want it to gain a few hundred from Lorton Station that’s where the problem comes in.

Isn't Newington Forest in Lorton?

Thet would also go past Daventry and West Springfield Elementary.

Daventry is the neighborhood you should be focused on. They were recently zoned to Lewis, and are part of the Franconia magesterial district, not the Springfield district. Daventry and Keene Mill elementary are the closest West Springfield areas to Lewis by a long shot.

Whoever is saying that Newington should attend Lewis is not looking at maps.

There are no Springfield kids at South County. OP is confused. It’s entirely Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fairfax Station.

Technically Newington Forest elementary and the neighborhood has a Springfield 22153 address, same as Hunt Valley. But South County is definitely our closest school. Even West Springfield is a bit of a hike from here but is still closer than Lewis.

Newington Forrest is so close to SC middle and high schools. It would make no sense at all to change those neighborhoods to Lewis, LBSS or WSHS. At least if you care about proximity to the school and transportation times.

So is Lorton Station Elementary but it’s zoned for Hayfield. Lorton station is 5 minutes from south county. Yet, Newington Forest gets to be zoned for South County. We have to drop our children off at Hayfield which is a 15 minute drive. Why don’t Newington Forest go to lewis. Anyways, they are a Springfield school. Lorton should be with Lorton and Springfield with Springfield. Obviously there is no room at west Springfield and Lewis is way under capacity.

Lewis is seemingly getting Bren Mar Park at the 5 year review or possibly earlier, and something is going to go on with Lorton Station too. Since you apparently go there now, you would know that FCPS held a special secret meeting for you guys and laid out the scenarios. No one from along the parkway and west of Rolling is getting bussed to Lewis at this point. Just give it up already.

So those people are too good for Lewis? That is how that sounds.

DP, with no dog in this fight.

Families don’t want their kids moved from the pyramid that they chose when they bought their house. This has been overwhelmingly communicated to the school board, individual members, and FCPS staff throughout the last two years of public engagement.

No matter what words you try to put into people’s mouths, it won’t change the fundamental fact that families don’t want their kids to be moved. And the school board would be wise to revert to just making necessary boundary changes, not comprehensive ones.

That would garner a lot more goodwill among key constituencies as the county deals with a declining membership, declining funding, and the increased threat of vouchers. Frankly, the school board just can’t afford to alienate families, they need all the support they can get.

Did you ask this question to all Fairfax County parents? I am sure many would love to be switched out of a poor performing school to a better one. Also, there are many renters in the county as well. UMC families are only a percentage of FCPS. Sounds a bit entitled to speak for everybody in Fairfax.

You would be surprised. There are parents who are happy with the education their kids are getting at schools many people on this board would hate to move to. Their kids have a solid cohort in AP or IB classes, even if it is small. There tends to be less intense competition, which can be good for a kids mental health. There is less competition for things like drama, music, and academic teams. Their kids stand out in college applications because there is less intense competition at the school and it is easier to hit the most rigorous standards for college. And the kids get a good education, which is what we are all after any way. Outside looking in, parents assume that the schools are war zones but that really isn't the case. I know people who teach at Lewis and Mount Vernon and kids attending Herndon. Their parents are happy with the school and my friends enjoy teaching at their schools.

I 100% agree with you on this. My kids attend one of those schools, and have been quite successful.

However, there are hundreds (thousands?) of parents who legally (also illegally) have pupil placed or moved their kids out of those “failing” schools. So, I was just pointing out that it was an overreach to assume everybody chose the school pyramids they bought into, and do not want to me moved. The transfer numbers do not add up.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t explain why they decided to not make a decision. Halley still has an attendance island. Are they too afraid to make a decision?

They got a lot of push back. I think for some areas they’re waiting and hoping the temperature drops? I don’t see that happening but whatever.

I think they really wanted them at Gunston, but due to the efforts of the Mason Neck Citizens Group, and probably also the physical state of Gunston ES, that’s not going to be feasible without big renovations to the school. So now it’s a big hot potato of do they move kids out of Gunston to I guess Island Creek to make room at Gunston? (That’s a long bus ride). Do they add Hagel to Lorton Station and then try to make moves to get LSES as a SC feeder? Not really possible right now without overcrowding South County MS and HS though. Do they add it to Lorton Station/Hayfield and then wash their hands of the whole thing? Do they try to add it to Laurel Hill which makes a nice border on paper but still ends up with a long bus ride? (And another overcrowded school at Laurel Hill as well). Are they ok with potentially taking LSES, which is a big feeder school, out of Hayfield and leaving Hayfield under-enrolled, assuming they’ll need the capacity at Hayfield to relieve Edison? But if Edison needs relief, the first places to look should be under-enrolled Lewis and over-expanded West Potomac.

I really think to solve the South County overcrowding, they should send kids from Springfield to Lewis. Anyways that bus ride for them is about 10-15 minutes so they might as well go to Lewis and let Lorton Students stay in Lorton.

Lorton station elementary students are closest to South County while some Springfield students go to south county. Not right. They should be at Lewis and they’ve got plenty of capacity

The only Springfield kids at SC are in Newington Forest, in which case they’d be bussed the whole way down the parkway to Key and Lewis, past the attendance areas for both Hunt Valley and Rolling Valley, which both go to West Springfield. That would be a gigantic border gerrymander. And at that point people would rightly wonder why it wasn’t at least part of Hunt Valley at Lewis and we’re suddenly back on that nonsense again. South County is fine as is and doesn’t need to lose any students. It’s just if they want it to gain a few hundred from Lorton Station that’s where the problem comes in.

Isn't Newington Forest in Lorton?

Thet would also go past Daventry and West Springfield Elementary.

Daventry is the neighborhood you should be focused on. They were recently zoned to Lewis, and are part of the Franconia magesterial district, not the Springfield district. Daventry and Keene Mill elementary are the closest West Springfield areas to Lewis by a long shot.

Whoever is saying that Newington should attend Lewis is not looking at maps.

There are no Springfield kids at South County. OP is confused. It’s entirely Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fairfax Station.

Technically Newington Forest elementary and the neighborhood has a Springfield 22153 address, same as Hunt Valley. But South County is definitely our closest school. Even West Springfield is a bit of a hike from here but is still closer than Lewis.

Newington Forrest is so close to SC middle and high schools. It would make no sense at all to change those neighborhoods to Lewis, LBSS or WSHS. At least if you care about proximity to the school and transportation times.

So is Lorton Station Elementary but it’s zoned for Hayfield. Lorton station is 5 minutes from south county. Yet, Newington Forest gets to be zoned for South County. We have to drop our children off at Hayfield which is a 15 minute drive. Why don’t Newington Forest go to lewis. Anyways, they are a Springfield school. Lorton should be with Lorton and Springfield with Springfield. Obviously there is no room at west Springfield and Lewis is way under capacity.

Lewis is seemingly getting Bren Mar Park at the 5 year review or possibly earlier, and something is going to go on with Lorton Station too. Since you apparently go there now, you would know that FCPS held a special secret meeting for you guys and laid out the scenarios. No one from along the parkway and west of Rolling is getting bussed to Lewis at this point. Just give it up already.

So those people are too good for Lewis? That is how that sounds.

DP, with no dog in this fight.

Families don’t want their kids moved from the pyramid that they chose when they bought their house. This has been overwhelmingly communicated to the school board, individual members, and FCPS staff throughout the last two years of public engagement.

No matter what words you try to put into people’s mouths, it won’t change the fundamental fact that families don’t want their kids to be moved. And the school board would be wise to revert to just making necessary boundary changes, not comprehensive ones.

That would garner a lot more goodwill among key constituencies as the county deals with a declining membership, declining funding, and the increased threat of vouchers. Frankly, the school board just can’t afford to alienate families, they need all the support they can get.

Did you ask this question to all Fairfax County parents? I am sure many would love to be switched out of a poor performing school to a better one. Also, there are many renters in the county as well. UMC families are only a percentage of FCPS. Sounds a bit entitled to speak for everybody in Fairfax.

That’s “bussing” and it’s a relic of the 70s and 80s. The research now supports community schools for better attendance, shorter commutes, better sense of community/more community and family involvement, attending school with your neighbors, and so on.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t explain why they decided to not make a decision. Halley still has an attendance island. Are they too afraid to make a decision?

They got a lot of push back. I think for some areas they’re waiting and hoping the temperature drops? I don’t see that happening but whatever.

I think they really wanted them at Gunston, but due to the efforts of the Mason Neck Citizens Group, and probably also the physical state of Gunston ES, that’s not going to be feasible without big renovations to the school. So now it’s a big hot potato of do they move kids out of Gunston to I guess Island Creek to make room at Gunston? (That’s a long bus ride). Do they add Hagel to Lorton Station and then try to make moves to get LSES as a SC feeder? Not really possible right now without overcrowding South County MS and HS though. Do they add it to Lorton Station/Hayfield and then wash their hands of the whole thing? Do they try to add it to Laurel Hill which makes a nice border on paper but still ends up with a long bus ride? (And another overcrowded school at Laurel Hill as well). Are they ok with potentially taking LSES, which is a big feeder school, out of Hayfield and leaving Hayfield under-enrolled, assuming they’ll need the capacity at Hayfield to relieve Edison? But if Edison needs relief, the first places to look should be under-enrolled Lewis and over-expanded West Potomac.

I really think to solve the South County overcrowding, they should send kids from Springfield to Lewis. Anyways that bus ride for them is about 10-15 minutes so they might as well go to Lewis and let Lorton Students stay in Lorton.

Lorton station elementary students are closest to South County while some Springfield students go to south county. Not right. They should be at Lewis and they’ve got plenty of capacity

The only Springfield kids at SC are in Newington Forest, in which case they’d be bussed the whole way down the parkway to Key and Lewis, past the attendance areas for both Hunt Valley and Rolling Valley, which both go to West Springfield. That would be a gigantic border gerrymander. And at that point people would rightly wonder why it wasn’t at least part of Hunt Valley at Lewis and we’re suddenly back on that nonsense again. South County is fine as is and doesn’t need to lose any students. It’s just if they want it to gain a few hundred from Lorton Station that’s where the problem comes in.

Isn't Newington Forest in Lorton?

Thet would also go past Daventry and West Springfield Elementary.

Daventry is the neighborhood you should be focused on. They were recently zoned to Lewis, and are part of the Franconia magesterial district, not the Springfield district. Daventry and Keene Mill elementary are the closest West Springfield areas to Lewis by a long shot.

Whoever is saying that Newington should attend Lewis is not looking at maps.

There are no Springfield kids at South County. OP is confused. It’s entirely Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fairfax Station.

Technically Newington Forest elementary and the neighborhood has a Springfield 22153 address, same as Hunt Valley. But South County is definitely our closest school. Even West Springfield is a bit of a hike from here but is still closer than Lewis.

Newington Forrest is so close to SC middle and high schools. It would make no sense at all to change those neighborhoods to Lewis, LBSS or WSHS. At least if you care about proximity to the school and transportation times.

So is Lorton Station Elementary but it’s zoned for Hayfield. Lorton station is 5 minutes from south county. Yet, Newington Forest gets to be zoned for South County. We have to drop our children off at Hayfield which is a 15 minute drive. Why don’t Newington Forest go to lewis. Anyways, they are a Springfield school. Lorton should be with Lorton and Springfield with Springfield. Obviously there is no room at west Springfield and Lewis is way under capacity.

Lewis is seemingly getting Bren Mar Park at the 5 year review or possibly earlier, and something is going to go on with Lorton Station too. Since you apparently go there now, you would know that FCPS held a special secret meeting for you guys and laid out the scenarios. No one from along the parkway and west of Rolling is getting bussed to Lewis at this point. Just give it up already.

So those people are too good for Lewis? That is how that sounds.

DP, with no dog in this fight.

Families don’t want their kids moved from the pyramid that they chose when they bought their house. This has been overwhelmingly communicated to the school board, individual members, and FCPS staff throughout the last two years of public engagement.

No matter what words you try to put into people’s mouths, it won’t change the fundamental fact that families don’t want their kids to be moved. And the school board would be wise to revert to just making necessary boundary changes, not comprehensive ones.

That would garner a lot more goodwill among key constituencies as the county deals with a declining membership, declining funding, and the increased threat of vouchers. Frankly, the school board just can’t afford to alienate families, they need all the support they can get.

Did you ask this question to all Fairfax County parents? I am sure many would love to be switched out of a poor performing school to a better one. Also, there are many renters in the county as well. UMC families are only a percentage of FCPS. Sounds a bit entitled to speak for everybody in Fairfax.

Ah, the “silent majority” argument. Yeah, we’ve heard that tall tale from you before, Sandy.

I am the PP. Sandy who? I am just a busy parent who sometimes reads this thread. Again, this is a diverse area, and nobody can/should make generalizations about what EVERYBODY wants in the county.

Go back and read the post. I didn’t say EVERYBODY.

But it is clear from the public feedback from thousands of people who cared enough to make the feedback sessions, that the overwhelming sentiment was to be able to stay in the pyramid they chose for their kids.

As for the previous post about UMC. Really at this point, one of the only things holding public schools together is UMC families supporting them. The school board goes after these families at risk of losing critical support for public schools.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t explain why they decided to not make a decision. Halley still has an attendance island. Are they too afraid to make a decision?

They got a lot of push back. I think for some areas they’re waiting and hoping the temperature drops? I don’t see that happening but whatever.

I think they really wanted them at Gunston, but due to the efforts of the Mason Neck Citizens Group, and probably also the physical state of Gunston ES, that’s not going to be feasible without big renovations to the school. So now it’s a big hot potato of do they move kids out of Gunston to I guess Island Creek to make room at Gunston? (That’s a long bus ride). Do they add Hagel to Lorton Station and then try to make moves to get LSES as a SC feeder? Not really possible right now without overcrowding South County MS and HS though. Do they add it to Lorton Station/Hayfield and then wash their hands of the whole thing? Do they try to add it to Laurel Hill which makes a nice border on paper but still ends up with a long bus ride? (And another overcrowded school at Laurel Hill as well). Are they ok with potentially taking LSES, which is a big feeder school, out of Hayfield and leaving Hayfield under-enrolled, assuming they’ll need the capacity at Hayfield to relieve Edison? But if Edison needs relief, the first places to look should be under-enrolled Lewis and over-expanded West Potomac.

I really think to solve the South County overcrowding, they should send kids from Springfield to Lewis. Anyways that bus ride for them is about 10-15 minutes so they might as well go to Lewis and let Lorton Students stay in Lorton.

Lorton station elementary students are closest to South County while some Springfield students go to south county. Not right. They should be at Lewis and they’ve got plenty of capacity

The only Springfield kids at SC are in Newington Forest, in which case they’d be bussed the whole way down the parkway to Key and Lewis, past the attendance areas for both Hunt Valley and Rolling Valley, which both go to West Springfield. That would be a gigantic border gerrymander. And at that point people would rightly wonder why it wasn’t at least part of Hunt Valley at Lewis and we’re suddenly back on that nonsense again. South County is fine as is and doesn’t need to lose any students. It’s just if they want it to gain a few hundred from Lorton Station that’s where the problem comes in.

Isn't Newington Forest in Lorton?

Thet would also go past Daventry and West Springfield Elementary.

Daventry is the neighborhood you should be focused on. They were recently zoned to Lewis, and are part of the Franconia magesterial district, not the Springfield district. Daventry and Keene Mill elementary are the closest West Springfield areas to Lewis by a long shot.

Whoever is saying that Newington should attend Lewis is not looking at maps.

There are no Springfield kids at South County. OP is confused. It’s entirely Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fairfax Station.

Technically Newington Forest elementary and the neighborhood has a Springfield 22153 address, same as Hunt Valley. But South County is definitely our closest school. Even West Springfield is a bit of a hike from here but is still closer than Lewis.

Newington Forrest is so close to SC middle and high schools. It would make no sense at all to change those neighborhoods to Lewis, LBSS or WSHS. At least if you care about proximity to the school and transportation times.

So is Lorton Station Elementary but it’s zoned for Hayfield. Lorton station is 5 minutes from south county. Yet, Newington Forest gets to be zoned for South County. We have to drop our children off at Hayfield which is a 15 minute drive. Why don’t Newington Forest go to lewis. Anyways, they are a Springfield school. Lorton should be with Lorton and Springfield with Springfield. Obviously there is no room at west Springfield and Lewis is way under capacity.

Lewis is seemingly getting Bren Mar Park at the 5 year review or possibly earlier, and something is going to go on with Lorton Station too. Since you apparently go there now, you would know that FCPS held a special secret meeting for you guys and laid out the scenarios. No one from along the parkway and west of Rolling is getting bussed to Lewis at this point. Just give it up already.

So those people are too good for Lewis? That is how that sounds.

DP, with no dog in this fight.

Families don’t want their kids moved from the pyramid that they chose when they bought their house. This has been overwhelmingly communicated to the school board, individual members, and FCPS staff throughout the last two years of public engagement.

No matter what words you try to put into people’s mouths, it won’t change the fundamental fact that families don’t want their kids to be moved. And the school board would be wise to revert to just making necessary boundary changes, not comprehensive ones.

That would garner a lot more goodwill among key constituencies as the county deals with a declining membership, declining funding, and the increased threat of vouchers. Frankly, the school board just can’t afford to alienate families, they need all the support they can get.

Did you ask this question to all Fairfax County parents? I am sure many would love to be switched out of a poor performing school to a better one. Also, there are many renters in the county as well. UMC families are only a percentage of FCPS. Sounds a bit entitled to speak for everybody in Fairfax.

That’s “bussing” and it’s a relic of the 70s and 80s. The research now supports community schools for better attendance, shorter commutes, better sense of community/more community and family involvement, attending school with your neighbors, and so on.

Hm, yet lots of Herndon parents are desperate to stay at their non-community school

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t explain why they decided to not make a decision. Halley still has an attendance island. Are they too afraid to make a decision?

They got a lot of push back. I think for some areas they’re waiting and hoping the temperature drops? I don’t see that happening but whatever.

I think they really wanted them at Gunston, but due to the efforts of the Mason Neck Citizens Group, and probably also the physical state of Gunston ES, that’s not going to be feasible without big renovations to the school. So now it’s a big hot potato of do they move kids out of Gunston to I guess Island Creek to make room at Gunston? (That’s a long bus ride). Do they add Hagel to Lorton Station and then try to make moves to get LSES as a SC feeder? Not really possible right now without overcrowding South County MS and HS though. Do they add it to Lorton Station/Hayfield and then wash their hands of the whole thing? Do they try to add it to Laurel Hill which makes a nice border on paper but still ends up with a long bus ride? (And another overcrowded school at Laurel Hill as well). Are they ok with potentially taking LSES, which is a big feeder school, out of Hayfield and leaving Hayfield under-enrolled, assuming they’ll need the capacity at Hayfield to relieve Edison? But if Edison needs relief, the first places to look should be under-enrolled Lewis and over-expanded West Potomac.

I really think to solve the South County overcrowding, they should send kids from Springfield to Lewis. Anyways that bus ride for them is about 10-15 minutes so they might as well go to Lewis and let Lorton Students stay in Lorton.

Lorton station elementary students are closest to South County while some Springfield students go to south county. Not right. They should be at Lewis and they’ve got plenty of capacity

The only Springfield kids at SC are in Newington Forest, in which case they’d be bussed the whole way down the parkway to Key and Lewis, past the attendance areas for both Hunt Valley and Rolling Valley, which both go to West Springfield. That would be a gigantic border gerrymander. And at that point people would rightly wonder why it wasn’t at least part of Hunt Valley at Lewis and we’re suddenly back on that nonsense again. South County is fine as is and doesn’t need to lose any students. It’s just if they want it to gain a few hundred from Lorton Station that’s where the problem comes in.

Isn't Newington Forest in Lorton?

Thet would also go past Daventry and West Springfield Elementary.

Daventry is the neighborhood you should be focused on. They were recently zoned to Lewis, and are part of the Franconia magesterial district, not the Springfield district. Daventry and Keene Mill elementary are the closest West Springfield areas to Lewis by a long shot.

Whoever is saying that Newington should attend Lewis is not looking at maps.

There are no Springfield kids at South County. OP is confused. It’s entirely Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fairfax Station.

Technically Newington Forest elementary and the neighborhood has a Springfield 22153 address, same as Hunt Valley. But South County is definitely our closest school. Even West Springfield is a bit of a hike from here but is still closer than Lewis.

Newington Forrest is so close to SC middle and high schools. It would make no sense at all to change those neighborhoods to Lewis, LBSS or WSHS. At least if you care about proximity to the school and transportation times.

So is Lorton Station Elementary but it’s zoned for Hayfield. Lorton station is 5 minutes from south county. Yet, Newington Forest gets to be zoned for South County. We have to drop our children off at Hayfield which is a 15 minute drive. Why don’t Newington Forest go to lewis. Anyways, they are a Springfield school. Lorton should be with Lorton and Springfield with Springfield. Obviously there is no room at west Springfield and Lewis is way under capacity.

Lewis is seemingly getting Bren Mar Park at the 5 year review or possibly earlier, and something is going to go on with Lorton Station too. Since you apparently go there now, you would know that FCPS held a special secret meeting for you guys and laid out the scenarios. No one from along the parkway and west of Rolling is getting bussed to Lewis at this point. Just give it up already.

So those people are too good for Lewis? That is how that sounds.

DP, with no dog in this fight.

Families don’t want their kids moved from the pyramid that they chose when they bought their house. This has been overwhelmingly communicated to the school board, individual members, and FCPS staff throughout the last two years of public engagement.

No matter what words you try to put into people’s mouths, it won’t change the fundamental fact that families don’t want their kids to be moved. And the school board would be wise to revert to just making necessary boundary changes, not comprehensive ones.

That would garner a lot more goodwill among key constituencies as the county deals with a declining membership, declining funding, and the increased threat of vouchers. Frankly, the school board just can’t afford to alienate families, they need all the support they can get.

Did you ask this question to all Fairfax County parents? I am sure many would love to be switched out of a poor performing school to a better one. Also, there are many renters in the county as well. UMC families are only a percentage of FCPS. Sounds a bit entitled to speak for everybody in Fairfax.

That’s “bussing” and it’s a relic of the 70s and 80s. The research now supports community schools for better attendance, shorter commutes, better sense of community/more community and family involvement, attending school with your neighbors, and so on.

I agree that Bussing can be problematic. I was referring to UMC families that are “stuck” in lower performing schools that know how to work within the system to pupil place their kids to “better schools”. As in out of IB schools to AP ones (and vice-versa), to Langley for Russian, etc….

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t explain why they decided to not make a decision. Halley still has an attendance island. Are they too afraid to make a decision?

They got a lot of push back. I think for some areas they’re waiting and hoping the temperature drops? I don’t see that happening but whatever.

I think they really wanted them at Gunston, but due to the efforts of the Mason Neck Citizens Group, and probably also the physical state of Gunston ES, that’s not going to be feasible without big renovations to the school. So now it’s a big hot potato of do they move kids out of Gunston to I guess Island Creek to make room at Gunston? (That’s a long bus ride). Do they add Hagel to Lorton Station and then try to make moves to get LSES as a SC feeder? Not really possible right now without overcrowding South County MS and HS though. Do they add it to Lorton Station/Hayfield and then wash their hands of the whole thing? Do they try to add it to Laurel Hill which makes a nice border on paper but still ends up with a long bus ride? (And another overcrowded school at Laurel Hill as well). Are they ok with potentially taking LSES, which is a big feeder school, out of Hayfield and leaving Hayfield under-enrolled, assuming they’ll need the capacity at Hayfield to relieve Edison? But if Edison needs relief, the first places to look should be under-enrolled Lewis and over-expanded West Potomac.

I really think to solve the South County overcrowding, they should send kids from Springfield to Lewis. Anyways that bus ride for them is about 10-15 minutes so they might as well go to Lewis and let Lorton Students stay in Lorton.

Lorton station elementary students are closest to South County while some Springfield students go to south county. Not right. They should be at Lewis and they’ve got plenty of capacity

The only Springfield kids at SC are in Newington Forest, in which case they’d be bussed the whole way down the parkway to Key and Lewis, past the attendance areas for both Hunt Valley and Rolling Valley, which both go to West Springfield. That would be a gigantic border gerrymander. And at that point people would rightly wonder why it wasn’t at least part of Hunt Valley at Lewis and we’re suddenly back on that nonsense again. South County is fine as is and doesn’t need to lose any students. It’s just if they want it to gain a few hundred from Lorton Station that’s where the problem comes in.

Isn't Newington Forest in Lorton?

Thet would also go past Daventry and West Springfield Elementary.

Daventry is the neighborhood you should be focused on. They were recently zoned to Lewis, and are part of the Franconia magesterial district, not the Springfield district. Daventry and Keene Mill elementary are the closest West Springfield areas to Lewis by a long shot.

Whoever is saying that Newington should attend Lewis is not looking at maps.

There are no Springfield kids at South County. OP is confused. It’s entirely Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fairfax Station.

Technically Newington Forest elementary and the neighborhood has a Springfield 22153 address, same as Hunt Valley. But South County is definitely our closest school. Even West Springfield is a bit of a hike from here but is still closer than Lewis.

Newington Forrest is so close to SC middle and high schools. It would make no sense at all to change those neighborhoods to Lewis, LBSS or WSHS. At least if you care about proximity to the school and transportation times.

So is Lorton Station Elementary but it’s zoned for Hayfield. Lorton station is 5 minutes from south county. Yet, Newington Forest gets to be zoned for South County. We have to drop our children off at Hayfield which is a 15 minute drive. Why don’t Newington Forest go to lewis. Anyways, they are a Springfield school. Lorton should be with Lorton and Springfield with Springfield. Obviously there is no room at west Springfield and Lewis is way under capacity.

Lewis is seemingly getting Bren Mar Park at the 5 year review or possibly earlier, and something is going to go on with Lorton Station too. Since you apparently go there now, you would know that FCPS held a special secret meeting for you guys and laid out the scenarios. No one from along the parkway and west of Rolling is getting bussed to Lewis at this point. Just give it up already.

So those people are too good for Lewis? That is how that sounds.

DP, with no dog in this fight.

Families don’t want their kids moved from the pyramid that they chose when they bought their house. This has been overwhelmingly communicated to the school board, individual members, and FCPS staff throughout the last two years of public engagement.

No matter what words you try to put into people’s mouths, it won’t change the fundamental fact that families don’t want their kids to be moved. And the school board would be wise to revert to just making necessary boundary changes, not comprehensive ones.

That would garner a lot more goodwill among key constituencies as the county deals with a declining membership, declining funding, and the increased threat of vouchers. Frankly, the school board just can’t afford to alienate families, they need all the support they can get.

Did you ask this question to all Fairfax County parents? I am sure many would love to be switched out of a poor performing school to a better one. Also, there are many renters in the county as well. UMC families are only a percentage of FCPS. Sounds a bit entitled to speak for everybody in Fairfax.

You would be surprised. There are parents who are happy with the education their kids are getting at schools many people on this board would hate to move to. Their kids have a solid cohort in AP or IB classes, even if it is small. There tends to be less intense competition, which can be good for a kids mental health. There is less competition for things like drama, music, and academic teams. Their kids stand out in college applications because there is less intense competition at the school and it is easier to hit the most rigorous standards for college. And the kids get a good education, which is what we are all after any way. Outside looking in, parents assume that the schools are war zones but that really isn't the case. I know people who teach at Lewis and Mount Vernon and kids attending Herndon. Their parents are happy with the school and my friends enjoy teaching at their schools.

I 100% agree with you on this. My kids attend one of those schools, and have been quite successful.

However, there are hundreds (thousands?) of parents who legally (also illegally) have pupil placed or moved their kids out of those “failing” schools. So, I was just pointing out that it was an overreach to assume everybody chose the school pyramids they bought into, and do not want to me moved. The transfer numbers do not add up.

Agreed. Pupil placement is used to leave the high FARMs schools. I think in part because parents are worried about safety but also because parents want their kids with a larger cohort of motivated kids or kids with parents who are motivating their kids to be motivated. I can see both sides of the argument.

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t explain why they decided to not make a decision. Halley still has an attendance island. Are they too afraid to make a decision?

They got a lot of push back. I think for some areas they’re waiting and hoping the temperature drops? I don’t see that happening but whatever.

I think they really wanted them at Gunston, but due to the efforts of the Mason Neck Citizens Group, and probably also the physical state of Gunston ES, that’s not going to be feasible without big renovations to the school. So now it’s a big hot potato of do they move kids out of Gunston to I guess Island Creek to make room at Gunston? (That’s a long bus ride). Do they add Hagel to Lorton Station and then try to make moves to get LSES as a SC feeder? Not really possible right now without overcrowding South County MS and HS though. Do they add it to Lorton Station/Hayfield and then wash their hands of the whole thing? Do they try to add it to Laurel Hill which makes a nice border on paper but still ends up with a long bus ride? (And another overcrowded school at Laurel Hill as well). Are they ok with potentially taking LSES, which is a big feeder school, out of Hayfield and leaving Hayfield under-enrolled, assuming they’ll need the capacity at Hayfield to relieve Edison? But if Edison needs relief, the first places to look should be under-enrolled Lewis and over-expanded West Potomac.

I really think to solve the South County overcrowding, they should send kids from Springfield to Lewis. Anyways that bus ride for them is about 10-15 minutes so they might as well go to Lewis and let Lorton Students stay in Lorton.

Lorton station elementary students are closest to South County while some Springfield students go to south county. Not right. They should be at Lewis and they’ve got plenty of capacity

The only Springfield kids at SC are in Newington Forest, in which case they’d be bussed the whole way down the parkway to Key and Lewis, past the attendance areas for both Hunt Valley and Rolling Valley, which both go to West Springfield. That would be a gigantic border gerrymander. And at that point people would rightly wonder why it wasn’t at least part of Hunt Valley at Lewis and we’re suddenly back on that nonsense again. South County is fine as is and doesn’t need to lose any students. It’s just if they want it to gain a few hundred from Lorton Station that’s where the problem comes in.

Isn't Newington Forest in Lorton?

Thet would also go past Daventry and West Springfield Elementary.

Daventry is the neighborhood you should be focused on. They were recently zoned to Lewis, and are part of the Franconia magesterial district, not the Springfield district. Daventry and Keene Mill elementary are the closest West Springfield areas to Lewis by a long shot.

Whoever is saying that Newington should attend Lewis is not looking at maps.

There are no Springfield kids at South County. OP is confused. It’s entirely Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fairfax Station.

Technically Newington Forest elementary and the neighborhood has a Springfield 22153 address, same as Hunt Valley. But South County is definitely our closest school. Even West Springfield is a bit of a hike from here but is still closer than Lewis.

Newington Forrest is so close to SC middle and high schools. It would make no sense at all to change those neighborhoods to Lewis, LBSS or WSHS. At least if you care about proximity to the school and transportation times.

So is Lorton Station Elementary but it’s zoned for Hayfield. Lorton station is 5 minutes from south county. Yet, Newington Forest gets to be zoned for South County. We have to drop our children off at Hayfield which is a 15 minute drive. Why don’t Newington Forest go to lewis. Anyways, they are a Springfield school. Lorton should be with Lorton and Springfield with Springfield. Obviously there is no room at west Springfield and Lewis is way under capacity.

Lewis is seemingly getting Bren Mar Park at the 5 year review or possibly earlier, and something is going to go on with Lorton Station too. Since you apparently go there now, you would know that FCPS held a special secret meeting for you guys and laid out the scenarios. No one from along the parkway and west of Rolling is getting bussed to Lewis at this point. Just give it up already.

So those people are too good for Lewis? That is how that sounds.

DP, with no dog in this fight.

Families don’t want their kids moved from the pyramid that they chose when they bought their house. This has been overwhelmingly communicated to the school board, individual members, and FCPS staff throughout the last two years of public engagement.

No matter what words you try to put into people’s mouths, it won’t change the fundamental fact that families don’t want their kids to be moved. And the school board would be wise to revert to just making necessary boundary changes, not comprehensive ones.

That would garner a lot more goodwill among key constituencies as the county deals with a declining membership, declining funding, and the increased threat of vouchers. Frankly, the school board just can’t afford to alienate families, they need all the support they can get.

Did you ask this question to all Fairfax County parents? I am sure many would love to be switched out of a poor performing school to a better one. Also, there are many renters in the county as well. UMC families are only a percentage of FCPS. Sounds a bit entitled to speak for everybody in Fairfax.

You would be surprised. There are parents who are happy with the education their kids are getting at schools many people on this board would hate to move to. Their kids have a solid cohort in AP or IB classes, even if it is small. There tends to be less intense competition, which can be good for a kids mental health. There is less competition for things like drama, music, and academic teams. Their kids stand out in college applications because there is less intense competition at the school and it is easier to hit the most rigorous standards for college. And the kids get a good education, which is what we are all after any way. Outside looking in, parents assume that the schools are war zones but that really isn't the case. I know people who teach at Lewis and Mount Vernon and kids attending Herndon. Their parents are happy with the school and my friends enjoy teaching at their schools.

I 100% agree with you on this. My kids attend one of those schools, and have been quite successful.

However, there are hundreds (thousands?) of parents who legally (also illegally) have pupil placed or moved their kids out of those “failing” schools. So, I was just pointing out that it was an overreach to assume everybody chose the school pyramids they bought into, and do not want to me moved. The transfer numbers do not add up.

Agreed. Pupil placement is used to leave the high FARMs schools. I think in part because parents are worried about safety but also because parents want their kids with a larger cohort of motivated kids or kids with parents who are motivating their kids to be motivated. I can see both sides of the argument.

The perpetual boundary change unintended casualty will be pupil placing.