Initial boundary options for Woodward study area are up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read all 43 pages of this thread and am pretty disheartened. I have not seen one comment in favor of the more disruptive (to the current status quo) options say a single thing about the prospective quality of education improvement that the potential new Whitman and BCC students would receive. Instead, it’s all about sending Whitman and BCC bus loads of poor kids to somehow stick it to them? If those poor kids have to spend 45 minutes on a bus to (somehow?) upset the rich kids, great!

The kids being bussed from poor communities? Those are kids, not props in your vendetta fantasies. The rich kids you’re sticking it to? Also, just kids. The “foolish” communities that want to stay together? Communities of people (that just want to stay together).

Let’s make every school better and every kid’s life better. Let’s not use them as props against each other.

+10000000000000000000000

Kids, they are all kids worthy of respect and kindness

Huh? The neighborhood of kids you’re referring to already goes to BCC

Huh? All the kids in MCPS go to BCC?

The specific conversation around new Whitman students was about a neighborhood already zoned for BCC. Clearly the PP who felt disheartened didn’t realize the students were already at one of the two schools she mentioned as having a new higher quality of education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So after we vote what is the next step? And when will be see a final map?

More maps in September, then possibly more in October-November. Final map recommended to the board, and they vote to approve in March.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone tell me why MoCo has split articulation? I can see a definition on MCPS but it seems like a practice that leads to a pretty awkward middle school experience. Kids do not bother making friends with other kids who they know are going off to a different high school. It was difficult recruiting parents to invest their time in PTA and volunteer efforts because no one was invested in the school. It cast a shadow over the whole experience for us.

This is not true. I worked at an MCPS MS with a split articulation and the kids are close during and after MS if they have the same interests. Many kids are involved in activities outside of school such as club sports and still stay connected. They bring each other as dates to prom, etc. plus, so many kids leave for a different school anyway for IB or magnets.

I found both of your comments on the split articulation to be spot on. I knew kids (and parents) who didn’t even bother making friends with kids they wouldn’t move on to HS with and parents who wouldn’t volunteer because they weren’t invested in such a messy non neighborhood school so the PTA struggled. But also many kids do stay connected. My kid is in private and gone to two Proms with two MCPS kids and a huge chunk of the best friends are MCPS kids. Same for my other kid. That’s why it’s important to keep split articulation kids together as long as possible and not split them over and over again. Communities matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone tell me why MoCo has split articulation? I can see a definition on MCPS but it seems like a practice that leads to a pretty awkward middle school experience. Kids do not bother making friends with other kids who they know are going off to a different high school. It was difficult recruiting parents to invest their time in PTA and volunteer efforts because no one was invested in the school. It cast a shadow over the whole experience for us.

This is not true. I worked at an MCPS MS with a split articulation and the kids are close during and after MS if they have the same interests. Many kids are involved in activities outside of school such as club sports and still stay connected. They bring each other as dates to prom, etc. plus, so many kids leave for a different school anyway for IB or magnets.

I found both of your comments on the split articulation to be spot on. I knew kids (and parents) who didn’t even bother making friends with kids they wouldn’t move on to HS with and parents who wouldn’t volunteer because they weren’t invested in such a messy non neighborhood school so the PTA struggled. But also many kids do stay connected. My kid is in private and gone to two Proms with two MCPS kids and a huge chunk of the best friends are MCPS kids. Same for my other kid. That’s why it’s important to keep split articulation kids together as long as possible and not split them over and over again. Communities matter.

With the dcc, kids in some middle schools and high schools get split. It’s no big deal and can be good for some kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read all 43 pages of this thread and am pretty disheartened. I have not seen one comment in favor of the more disruptive (to the current status quo) options say a single thing about the prospective quality of education improvement that the potential new Whitman and BCC students would receive. Instead, it’s all about sending Whitman and BCC bus loads of poor kids to somehow stick it to them? If those poor kids have to spend 45 minutes on a bus to (somehow?) upset the rich kids, great!

The kids being bussed from poor communities? Those are kids, not props in your vendetta fantasies. The rich kids you’re sticking it to? Also, just kids. The “foolish” communities that want to stay together? Communities of people (that just want to stay together).

Let’s make every school better and every kid’s life better. Let’s not use them as props against each other.

As a poor family. I sorry you don’t want our kids. Actually some of us aren’t that poor, we make different life choices. The best solution would be to open up another hs lower dcc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read all 43 pages of this thread and am pretty disheartened. I have not seen one comment in favor of the more disruptive (to the current status quo) options say a single thing about the prospective quality of education improvement that the potential new Whitman and BCC students would receive. Instead, it’s all about sending Whitman and BCC bus loads of poor kids to somehow stick it to them? If those poor kids have to spend 45 minutes on a bus to (somehow?) upset the rich kids, great!

The kids being bussed from poor communities? Those are kids, not props in your vendetta fantasies. The rich kids you’re sticking it to? Also, just kids. The “foolish” communities that want to stay together? Communities of people (that just want to stay together).

Let’s make every school better and every kid’s life better. Let’s not use them as props against each other.

As a poor family. I sorry you don’t want our kids. Actually some of us aren’t that poor, we make different life choices. The best solution would be to open up another hs lower dcc.

Want to give you a big hug. Your kids are wanted. All kids are wanted. To be fair, from what I have read, I think everyone here welcomes diversity of income, culture and race. The problem is that no one of any income level wants to be bused away from their neighborhoods and rightfully so. Every school needs to be stronger and some underperforming schools need more money, support and staff. Whatever it takes, they should get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read all 43 pages of this thread and am pretty disheartened. I have not seen one comment in favor of the more disruptive (to the current status quo) options say a single thing about the prospective quality of education improvement that the potential new Whitman and BCC students would receive. Instead, it’s all about sending Whitman and BCC bus loads of poor kids to somehow stick it to them? If those poor kids have to spend 45 minutes on a bus to (somehow?) upset the rich kids, great!

The kids being bussed from poor communities? Those are kids, not props in your vendetta fantasies. The rich kids you’re sticking it to? Also, just kids. The “foolish” communities that want to stay together? Communities of people (that just want to stay together).

Let’s make every school better and every kid’s life better. Let’s not use them as props against each other.

As a poor family. I sorry you don’t want our kids. Actually some of us aren’t that poor, we make different life choices. The best solution would be to open up another hs lower dcc.

Want to give you a big hug. Your kids are wanted. All kids are wanted. To be fair, from what I have read, I think everyone here welcomes diversity of income, culture and race. The problem is that no one of any income level wants to be bused away from their neighborhoods and rightfully so. Every school needs to be stronger and some underperforming schools need more money, support and staff. Whatever it takes, they should get it.

We are wanted as long as we are not in your schools or competition for your kids. No one wants their kids bussed but maybe this will give those kids opportunities they don’t have to get ahead. Our kids don’t have the same opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read all 43 pages of this thread and am pretty disheartened. I have not seen one comment in favor of the more disruptive (to the current status quo) options say a single thing about the prospective quality of education improvement that the potential new Whitman and BCC students would receive. Instead, it’s all about sending Whitman and BCC bus loads of poor kids to somehow stick it to them? If those poor kids have to spend 45 minutes on a bus to (somehow?) upset the rich kids, great!

The kids being bussed from poor communities? Those are kids, not props in your vendetta fantasies. The rich kids you’re sticking it to? Also, just kids. The “foolish” communities that want to stay together? Communities of people (that just want to stay together).

Let’s make every school better and every kid’s life better. Let’s not use them as props against each other.

As a poor family. I sorry you don’t want our kids. Actually some of us aren’t that poor, we make different life choices. The best solution would be to open up another hs lower dcc.

Want to give you a big hug. Your kids are wanted. All kids are wanted. To be fair, from what I have read, I think everyone here welcomes diversity of income, culture and race. The problem is that no one of any income level wants to be bused away from their neighborhoods and rightfully so. Every school needs to be stronger and some underperforming schools need more money, support and staff. Whatever it takes, they should get it.

We are wanted as long as we are not in your schools or competition for your kids. No one wants their kids bussed but maybe this will give those kids opportunities they don’t have to get ahead. Our kids don’t have the same opportunities.

Unfortunately it’s a zero sum game and we don’t get do overs with our kids’ education. I’d support funding more opportunities for your kids through modestly higher property taxes but not at the expense of my own kids’ opportunities or busing them across town. Everyone wants the best opportunities for their children (which is why most of us moved to the best place we could afford) and are looking to preserve that as much as possible in an increasingly uncertain world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read all 43 pages of this thread and am pretty disheartened. I have not seen one comment in favor of the more disruptive (to the current status quo) options say a single thing about the prospective quality of education improvement that the potential new Whitman and BCC students would receive. Instead, it’s all about sending Whitman and BCC bus loads of poor kids to somehow stick it to them? If those poor kids have to spend 45 minutes on a bus to (somehow?) upset the rich kids, great!

The kids being bussed from poor communities? Those are kids, not props in your vendetta fantasies. The rich kids you’re sticking it to? Also, just kids. The “foolish” communities that want to stay together? Communities of people (that just want to stay together).

Let’s make every school better and every kid’s life better. Let’s not use them as props against each other.

As a poor family. I sorry you don’t want our kids. Actually some of us aren’t that poor, we make different life choices. The best solution would be to open up another hs lower dcc.

Want to give you a big hug. Your kids are wanted. All kids are wanted. To be fair, from what I have read, I think everyone here welcomes diversity of income, culture and race. The problem is that no one of any income level wants to be bused away from their neighborhoods and rightfully so. Every school needs to be stronger and some underperforming schools need more money, support and staff. Whatever it takes, they should get it.

We are wanted as long as we are not in your schools or competition for your kids. No one wants their kids bussed but maybe this will give those kids opportunities they don’t have to get ahead. Our kids don’t have the same opportunities.

Unfortunately it’s a zero sum game and we don’t get do overs with our kids’ education. I’d support funding more opportunities for your kids through modestly higher property taxes but not at the expense of my own kids’ opportunities or busing them across town. Everyone wants the best opportunities for their children (which is why most of us moved to the best place we could afford) and are looking to preserve that as much as possible in an increasingly uncertain world.

I don’t support tax increases as the BOE and central office waste it. They got more money for next year. They are one of the highest funded school systems. There is no excuse for any of the poor school conditions, lack of class offerings, safety, textbooks and books, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read all 43 pages of this thread and am pretty disheartened. I have not seen one comment in favor of the more disruptive (to the current status quo) options say a single thing about the prospective quality of education improvement that the potential new Whitman and BCC students would receive. Instead, it’s all about sending Whitman and BCC bus loads of poor kids to somehow stick it to them? If those poor kids have to spend 45 minutes on a bus to (somehow?) upset the rich kids, great!

The kids being bussed from poor communities? Those are kids, not props in your vendetta fantasies. The rich kids you’re sticking it to? Also, just kids. The “foolish” communities that want to stay together? Communities of people (that just want to stay together).

Let’s make every school better and every kid’s life better. Let’s not use them as props against each other.

As a poor family. I sorry you don’t want our kids. Actually some of us aren’t that poor, we make different life choices. The best solution would be to open up another hs lower dcc.

Want to give you a big hug. Your kids are wanted. All kids are wanted. To be fair, from what I have read, I think everyone here welcomes diversity of income, culture and race. The problem is that no one of any income level wants to be bused away from their neighborhoods and rightfully so. Every school needs to be stronger and some underperforming schools need more money, support and staff. Whatever it takes, they should get it.

We are wanted as long as we are not in your schools or competition for your kids. No one wants their kids bussed but maybe this will give those kids opportunities they don’t have to get ahead. Our kids don’t have the same opportunities.

Unfortunately it’s a zero sum game and we don’t get do overs with our kids’ education. I’d support funding more opportunities for your kids through modestly higher property taxes but not at the expense of my own kids’ opportunities or busing them across town. Everyone wants the best opportunities for their children (which is why most of us moved to the best place we could afford) and are looking to preserve that as much as possible in an increasingly uncertain world.

And, the best place is subjective. We could move and afford more but I’d rather spend the money on tutoring and activities and save for college. There is no true best place as it really matters what teacher you get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it for sure that the current 7th & 4th graders will have to change at 10th and 7th grades? That seems so brutal.

This is true. My husband attended the in person meeting at Kennedy this evening and this was reiterated. It was also explained that the “Program Study” is concurrent with the boundary study for staffing. Don’t expect consortiums to exist after both of these are finished. Unsure if these regional programs will end up as a lottery or application based. It’s also unclear what happens to kids who are currently in an immersion or other special program outside of their home school when these changes take affect.

I watched the most recent BoE meeting where they discussed the program study. The issue of current program students was brought up by one of the BoE members and Taylor responded saying that they would likely be allowed to finish up their existing program concurrently with the new programs enrolling younger students.

That can’t happen in reality due to staffing. You can’t staff the current model AND the new model at the same time. Not enough $$ or staff for that. So when it changes, it will be for all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it for sure that the current 7th & 4th graders will have to change at 10th and 7th grades? That seems so brutal.

This is true. My husband attended the in person meeting at Kennedy this evening and this was reiterated. It was also explained that the “Program Study” is concurrent with the boundary study for staffing. Don’t expect consortiums to exist after both of these are finished. Unsure if these regional programs will end up as a lottery or application based. It’s also unclear what happens to kids who are currently in an immersion or other special program outside of their home school when these changes take affect.

I watched the most recent BoE meeting where they discussed the program study. The issue of current program students was brought up by one of the BoE members and Taylor responded saying that they would likely be allowed to finish up their existing program concurrently with the new programs enrolling younger students.

That can’t happen in reality due to staffing. You can’t staff the current model AND the new model at the same time. Not enough $$ or staff for that. So when it changes, it will be for all.

That may be, but it also will be difficult to establish the new programs all at once all over the county. There may well be a hybrid period.

[Anonymous]

Maybe what makes the most sense is to create more low income housing in the west part of the county then the farms rates at those schools will increase and it will be balanced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve read all 43 pages of this thread and am pretty disheartened. I have not seen one comment in favor of the more disruptive (to the current status quo) options say a single thing about the prospective quality of education improvement that the potential new Whitman and BCC students would receive. Instead, it’s all about sending Whitman and BCC bus loads of poor kids to somehow stick it to them? If those poor kids have to spend 45 minutes on a bus to (somehow?) upset the rich kids, great!

The kids being bussed from poor communities? Those are kids, not props in your vendetta fantasies. The rich kids you’re sticking it to? Also, just kids. The “foolish” communities that want to stay together? Communities of people (that just want to stay together).

Let’s make every school better and every kid’s life better. Let’s not use them as props against each other.

As a poor family. I sorry you don’t want our kids. Actually some of us aren’t that poor, we make different life choices. The best solution would be to open up another hs lower dcc.

Want to give you a big hug. Your kids are wanted. All kids are wanted. To be fair, from what I have read, I think everyone here welcomes diversity of income, culture and race. The problem is that no one of any income level wants to be bused away from their neighborhoods and rightfully so. Every school needs to be stronger and some underperforming schools need more money, support and staff. Whatever it takes, they should get it.

We are wanted as long as we are not in your schools or competition for your kids. No one wants their kids bussed but maybe this will give those kids opportunities they don’t have to get ahead. Our kids don’t have the same opportunities.

Can you explain more about what opportunities are lacking? Which school are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it for sure that the current 7th & 4th graders will have to change at 10th and 7th grades? That seems so brutal.

This is true. My husband attended the in person meeting at Kennedy this evening and this was reiterated. It was also explained that the “Program Study” is concurrent with the boundary study for staffing. Don’t expect consortiums to exist after both of these are finished. Unsure if these regional programs will end up as a lottery or application based. It’s also unclear what happens to kids who are currently in an immersion or other special program outside of their home school when these changes take affect.

I watched the most recent BoE meeting where they discussed the program study. The issue of current program students was brought up by one of the BoE members and Taylor responded saying that they would likely be allowed to finish up their existing program concurrently with the new programs enrolling younger students.

That can’t happen in reality due to staffing. You can’t staff the current model AND the new model at the same time. Not enough $$ or staff for that. So when it changes, it will be for all.

That may be, but it also will be difficult to establish the new programs all at once all over the county. There may well be a hybrid period.

+1. Things will be phased in and phased out over time.