The demise of McKinley ES (APS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
We’re not smug. We’re resigned. You will be too eventually. You’ll move if you can (to a smaller crappier house) or just accept the “fine” schools.


One of my favorite bizarely untrue argument that keeps popping up is this crazy idea that all of us in South Arlington are rolling in these huge luxurious family homes and aren't moving to North Arlington because we don't want to sacrifice housing space yet are somehow being unreasonable for demanding schools that serve our kids.

Its so strange. The non-apartment family housing stock between North and South is exactly the same. There are McMansions, small single family homes (cape cods, colonials, some ranch houses, split levels and bungalows) some of which have additions, townhouses, and those tiny brick duplexes. In the most cases its the same exact floor plan across the county. THe only difference is there are way more new builds and nice townhouses in North Arlington and way more duplexes in South Arlington. From what I've seen in my years of house hunting the NA houses usually have nicer, bigger additions as well. The average NA house is much bigger and nicer with a larger lot than most SA houses.

The only difference is price. It seems like you all are mad at the 10 people who paid 1.2 for a SA new build instead of paying 1.2 for a small NA expanded colonial. But the majority of SA people spent half that for a small crappy house south of 50 cause they couldn't afford to spend an extra 100K for the same exact small crappy house north of 50.


Then do what we did when we couldn’t buy in NA. We bought in FFX. houses are cheaper, schools are good. We prioritized schools over our comfortable commutes.

Move out of Arlington MC Poors! If you aren't super rich or poor enough to be grateful we don't want you here.

That’s how it is in most urban places.

And let’s get real. The true MC is not in SA — houses are still $800k. The MC left a long time ago.

Not all homes there’s plenty 600k and below and some under 500k especially n the Fairlington neighborhood which is all townhouses and condos under 500k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
We’re not smug. We’re resigned. You will be too eventually. You’ll move if you can (to a smaller crappier house) or just accept the “fine” schools.


One of my favorite bizarely untrue argument that keeps popping up is this crazy idea that all of us in South Arlington are rolling in these huge luxurious family homes and aren't moving to North Arlington because we don't want to sacrifice housing space yet are somehow being unreasonable for demanding schools that serve our kids.

Its so strange. The non-apartment family housing stock between North and South is exactly the same. There are McMansions, small single family homes (cape cods, colonials, some ranch houses, split levels and bungalows) some of which have additions, townhouses, and those tiny brick duplexes. In the most cases its the same exact floor plan across the county. THe only difference is there are way more new builds and nice townhouses in North Arlington and way more duplexes in South Arlington. From what I've seen in my years of house hunting the NA houses usually have nicer, bigger additions as well. The average NA house is much bigger and nicer with a larger lot than most SA houses.

The only difference is price. It seems like you all are mad at the 10 people who paid 1.2 for a SA new build instead of paying 1.2 for a small NA expanded colonial. But the majority of SA people spent half that for a small crappy house south of 50 cause they couldn't afford to spend an extra 100K for the same exact small crappy house north of 50.


Then do what we did when we couldn’t buy in NA. We bought in FFX. houses are cheaper, schools are good. We prioritized schools over our comfortable commutes.

Move out of Arlington MC Poors! If you aren't super rich or poor enough to be grateful we don't want you here.

That’s how it is in most urban places.

And let’s get real. The true MC is not in SA — houses are still $800k. The MC left a long time ago.

Not all homes there’s plenty 600k and below and some under 500k especially n the Fairlington neighborhood which is all townhouses and condos under 500k.

Yeah, I bought my half of the duplex 8 years ago and can’t afford anything bigger, not in Arlington. I bought while I could, at the bottom of the market, knowing the window was closing, fast, and I’d be priced out before long. I haven’t left yet. What is the “true” middle class? You mean in like, Indiana? Well, I could move back there and take a 50 percent pay cut (prob more) and I’d be middle class for sure there, at that income, so why am I not here? If I’m upper middle class, then or just rich, what do you call people who can afford to buy a house in either NA or SA right now? 1 percenters?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

We’re not smug. We’re resigned. You will be too eventually. You’ll move if you can (to a smaller crappier house) or just accept the “fine” schools.

One of my favorite bizarely untrue argument that keeps popping up is this crazy idea that all of us in South Arlington are rolling in these huge luxurious family homes and aren't moving to North Arlington because we don't want to sacrifice housing space yet are somehow being unreasonable for demanding schools that serve our kids. 

Its so strange. The non-apartment family housing stock between North and South is exactly the same. There are McMansions, small single family homes (cape cods, colonials, some ranch houses, split levels and bungalows) some of which have additions, townhouses, and those tiny brick duplexes. In the most cases its the same exact floor plan across the county.  THe only difference is there are way more new builds and nice townhouses in North Arlington and way more duplexes in South Arlington. From what I've seen in my years of house hunting the NA houses usually have nicer, bigger additions as well. The average NA house is much bigger and nicer with a larger lot than most SA houses.

The only difference is price. It seems like you all are mad at the 10 people who paid 1.2 for a SA new build instead of paying 1.2 for a small NA expanded colonial. But the majority of SA people spent half that for a small crappy house south of 50 cause they couldn't afford to spend an extra 100K for the same exact small crappy house north of 50. 

Bingo. Lots of posters took out enormous mortgages in Ana to avoid frl schools and seem to think that as posters are living in 4 bath 5 bedroom houses and “cheating” by sending their kids to option schools. We’re living in duplexes and unrenovated ramblers, and the only thing we’re trying to avoid is a three hour commute from Fairfax or Loudoun that keeps us from ever seeing our children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
We’re not smug. We’re resigned. You will be too eventually. You’ll move if you can (to a smaller crappier house) or just accept the “fine” schools.


One of my favorite bizarely untrue argument that keeps popping up is this crazy idea that all of us in South Arlington are rolling in these huge luxurious family homes and aren't moving to North Arlington because we don't want to sacrifice housing space yet are somehow being unreasonable for demanding schools that serve our kids.

Its so strange. The non-apartment family housing stock between North and South is exactly the same. There are McMansions, small single family homes (cape cods, colonials, some ranch houses, split levels and bungalows) some of which have additions, townhouses, and those tiny brick duplexes. In the most cases its the same exact floor plan across the county. THe only difference is there are way more new builds and nice townhouses in North Arlington and way more duplexes in South Arlington. From what I've seen in my years of house hunting the NA houses usually have nicer, bigger additions as well. The average NA house is much bigger and nicer with a larger lot than most SA houses.

The only difference is price. It seems like you all are mad at the 10 people who paid 1.2 for a SA new build instead of paying 1.2 for a small NA expanded colonial. But the majority of SA people spent half that for a small crappy house south of 50 cause they couldn't afford to spend an extra 100K for the same exact small crappy house north of 50.


Then do what we did when we couldn’t buy in NA. We bought in FFX. houses are cheaper, schools are good. We prioritized schools over our comfortable commutes.

Move out of Arlington MC Poors! If you aren't super rich or poor enough to be grateful we don't want you here.

As Homer Simpson once said, “it’s funny because it’s true.”

[Anonymous]

I wish the saveMcK people would think about what they are saying. I spoke to one of them at extended day pickup last night b/c they were trying to get me on board. One argument was that the buses won't fit, but no school can fit the buses all at once. We already for 8 this year (according to a teacher) and they wait on Ohio Drive. That's not a problem and it seems like what other schools would do if they are on bigger roads. They also said that their kids won't be healthy b/c APS is going to prevent them from walking and put them on a bus. I asked what that meant for the over 500 kids at McK now who aren't walkers and why everyone shouldn't then be able to walk to their closest school and I didn't get an answer. I guess the only ones who should benefit from walking are those who are close now, forget the rest of us. Obviously, that didn't sit well and didn't help earn an ally. Then their was the talk of how McK was built for art, but I've seen the plans for the new school and there isn't much that is unique to McK. If the argument is that McK needs to remain an neighborhood school, they need to show the data that supports the area from Wilson north needs that many seats for neighborhood kids. I always thought McK would lose a lot to Reed and then pick up some Ashlawn. It's obvious APS isn't really good at balancing enrollment b/c they have several schools with low numbers and several at or around 100 when they are all clustered together. SaveMcK people, show APS how they need all the neighborhood seats. McK isn't any more special that any other school, so cut that out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish the saveMcK people would think about what they are saying. I spoke to one of them at extended day pickup last night b/c they were trying to get me on board. One argument was that the buses won't fit, but no school can fit the buses all at once. We already for 8 this year (according to a teacher) and they wait on Ohio Drive. That's not a problem and it seems like what other schools would do if they are on bigger roads. They also said that their kids won't be healthy b/c APS is going to prevent them from walking and put them on a bus. I asked what that meant for the over 500 kids at McK now who aren't walkers and why everyone shouldn't then be able to walk to their closest school and I didn't get an answer. I guess the only ones who should benefit from walking are those who are close now, forget the rest of us. Obviously, that didn't sit well and didn't help earn an ally. Then their was the talk of how McK was built for art, but I've seen the plans for the new school and there isn't much that is unique to McK. If the argument is that McK needs to remain an neighborhood school, they need to show the data that supports the area from Wilson north needs that many seats for neighborhood kids. I always thought McK would lose a lot to Reed and then pick up some Ashlawn. It's obvious APS isn't really good at balancing enrollment b/c they have several schools with low numbers and several at or around 100 when they are all clustered together. SaveMcK people, show APS how they need all the neighborhood seats. McK isn't any more special that any other school, so cut that out.

Every school needs to start realizing it isn't any more special than any other school. And certainly no more entitled - regardless of test scores or waitlists.
This isn't about any one school or program - it's about Arlington Public Schools and its ability to remain a reputable quality public education system in the next ten - twenty years as enrollment continues to grow. I'm not willing to sacrifice multiple schools for the salvation of one or two self-deemed superior ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish the saveMcK people would think about what they are saying. I spoke to one of them at extended day pickup last night b/c they were trying to get me on board. One argument was that the buses won't fit, but no school can fit the buses all at once. We already for 8 this year (according to a teacher) and they wait on Ohio Drive. That's not a problem and it seems like what other schools would do if they are on bigger roads. They also said that their kids won't be healthy b/c APS is going to prevent them from walking and put them on a bus. I asked what that meant for the over 500 kids at McK now who aren't walkers and why everyone shouldn't then be able to walk to their closest school and I didn't get an answer. I guess the only ones who should benefit from walking are those who are close now, forget the rest of us. Obviously, that didn't sit well and didn't help earn an ally. Then their was the talk of how McK was built for art, but I've seen the plans for the new school and there isn't much that is unique to McK. If the argument is that McK needs to remain an neighborhood school, they need to show the data that supports the area from Wilson north needs that many seats for neighborhood kids. I always thought McK would lose a lot to Reed and then pick up some Ashlawn. It's obvious APS isn't really good at balancing enrollment b/c they have several schools with low numbers and several at or around 100 when they are all clustered together. SaveMcK people, show APS how they need all the neighborhood seats. McK isn't any more special that any other school, so cut that out.

Every school needs to start realizing it isn't any more special than any other school. And certainly no more entitled - regardless of test scores or waitlists.
This isn't about any one school or program - it's about Arlington Public Schools and its ability to remain a reputable quality public education system in the next ten - twenty years as enrollment continues to grow. I'm not willing to sacrifice multiple schools for the salvation of one or two self-deemed superior ones.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish the saveMcK people would think about what they are saying. I spoke to one of them at extended day pickup last night b/c they were trying to get me on board. One argument was that the buses won't fit, but no school can fit the buses all at once. We already for 8 this year (according to a teacher) and they wait on Ohio Drive. That's not a problem and it seems like what other schools would do if they are on bigger roads. They also said that their kids won't be healthy b/c APS is going to prevent them from walking and put them on a bus. I asked what that meant for the over 500 kids at McK now who aren't walkers and why everyone shouldn't then be able to walk to their closest school and I didn't get an answer. I guess the only ones who should benefit from walking are those who are close now, forget the rest of us. Obviously, that didn't sit well and didn't help earn an ally. Then their was the talk of how McK was built for art, but I've seen the plans for the new school and there isn't much that is unique to McK. If the argument is that McK needs to remain an neighborhood school, they need to show the data that supports the area from Wilson north needs that many seats for neighborhood kids. I always thought McK would lose a lot to Reed and then pick up some Ashlawn. It's obvious APS isn't really good at balancing enrollment b/c they have several schools with low numbers and several at or around 100 when they are all clustered together. SaveMcK people, show APS how they need all the neighborhood seats. McK isn't any more special that any other school, so cut that out.

Every school needs to start realizing it isn't any more special than any other school. And certainly no more entitled - regardless of test scores or waitlists.
This isn't about any one school or program - it's about Arlington Public Schools and its ability to remain a reputable quality public education system in the next ten - twenty years as enrollment continues to grow. I'm not willing to sacrifice multiple schools for the salvation of one or two self-deemed superior ones.

Agreed. Change is hard for the parents going through it, but the kids will be fine. The decisions being made now are for the benefit of the system as a whole. If moves and changes were always delayed because they are unpopular with current parents, then no necessary changes would EVER be made in our rapidly growing system.

Get a grip, McKinley, ATS, and Key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish the saveMcK people would think about what they are saying. I spoke to one of them at extended day pickup last night b/c they were trying to get me on board. One argument was that the buses won't fit, but no school can fit the buses all at once. We already for 8 this year (according to a teacher) and they wait on Ohio Drive. That's not a problem and it seems like what other schools would do if they are on bigger roads. They also said that their kids won't be healthy b/c APS is going to prevent them from walking and put them on a bus. I asked what that meant for the over 500 kids at McK now who aren't walkers and why everyone shouldn't then be able to walk to their closest school and I didn't get an answer. I guess the only ones who should benefit from walking are those who are close now, forget the rest of us. Obviously, that didn't sit well and didn't help earn an ally. Then their was the talk of how McK was built for art, but I've seen the plans for the new school and there isn't much that is unique to McK. If the argument is that McK needs to remain an neighborhood school, they need to show the data that supports the area from Wilson north needs that many seats for neighborhood kids. I always thought McK would lose a lot to Reed and then pick up some Ashlawn. It's obvious APS isn't really good at balancing enrollment b/c they have several schools with low numbers and several at or around 100 when they are all clustered together. SaveMcK people, show APS how they need all the neighborhood seats. McK isn't any more special that any other school, so cut that out.

Agree 100%!
Fellow McKinley parent who will try to have your back at extended Day pickup (and thanks for your bravery in disagreeing openly with a person who clearly had strong feelings on the issue!)

[Anonymous]

I'm a current McK parent (future Ashlawn parent I suppose) who had the nerve to disagree, for various reasons, with "proposals" to bus kids to Tuckahoe or Nottingham instead. Now I get the cold shoulder treatment.

As long as APS supports or prioritizes ATS, over neighborhood schools, we have no choice but to leave our school. APS has backed itself into a corner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a current McK parent (future Ashlawn parent I suppose) who had the nerve to disagree, for various reasons, with "proposals" to bus kids to Tuckahoe or Nottingham instead. Now I get the cold shoulder treatment.

As long as APS supports or prioritizes ATS, over neighborhood schools, we have no choice but to leave our school. APS has backed itself into a corner.

What did you disagree with? Moving ATS to McKinley? Going to Nottingham over Ashlawn? I’m confused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a current McK parent (future Ashlawn parent I suppose) who had the nerve to disagree, for various reasons, with "proposals" to bus kids to Tuckahoe or Nottingham instead. Now I get the cold shoulder treatment.

As long as APS supports or prioritizes ATS, over neighborhood schools, we have no choice but to leave our school. APS has backed itself into a corner.

What did you disagree with? Moving ATS to McKinley? Going to Nottingham over Ashlawn? I’m confused.

PP seems to disagree with the world not revolving around McKinley and her/his personal wants, best I can tell...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Agreed. Change is hard for the parents going through it, but the kids will be fine. The decisions being made now are for the benefit of the system as a whole. If moves and changes were always delayed because they are unpopular with current parents, then no necessary changes would EVER be made in our rapidly growing system.

Get a grip, McKinley, ATS, and Key.

And ASFS.

Though none of them seem particularly strong at the getting of grips.

[Anonymous]

I'm at ATS and there is very little resistence to the move (although the extra 10 minutes each way on the bus will be a drawback for many). The concern is the school not being in the IPP. I don't think it's unhinged to ask for a straight-forward explanation of what that means for the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm at ATS and there is very little resistence to the move (although the extra 10 minutes each way on the bus will be a drawback for many). The concern is the school not being in the IPP. I don't think it's unhinged to ask for a straight-forward explanation of what that means for the program.

I'm actually thinking leaving ATS out of the IPP was a brilliant move on the part of the staff. Rather than being focussed on the move, or the program growth, ATS is focused on the extensional threat to its existence- the fact that it appears earmarked for elimination or transition in the IPP. The rallying cry is save ATS, and we are okay with moving and growing.

The Board can look like heros- agree to amend the IPP to include ATS, and move its location with minimal opposition.