APS: Think the "no move" campaign is going to work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The community center at Aurora Hills is connected to the library and is a very small part of VA Highlands Park. Any school project at VA Highlands is going to face stiff community resistance. I would guess they try to site a school over the baseball fields and take on the sportsball lobby. The Library/Community center is tucked in a corner between the fire station and private property, so I think it would stay.

+1 Look what happened at TJ. The reason Fleet was squeezed into the tiny space they have is because of the huge outcry from the non-parent community about any encroachment on the huge parcel of land that is the park next to TJ.

And we ended up with an efficient use of space. Two schools, community center, sports center, theater, fields, etc. Very well utilized.

Not 100% successful - playground is tiny, parking is lacking, and apparently they really screwed up on building access for people with disabilities. (new AEM discussion today)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Late buses are offered at Title I schools. Or at least it was offered at our Title I school. Which is funny because it was a majority walker school. But our non Title I elementary that is minority walkers doesn’t offer it.

I thought they stopped offering the late buses at elementary schools like 8-10 years ago. Campbell is an option school, title I, higher FRL and doesn't offer one anymore.

I know they used to at one point and then stopped but this year I think they started up again at some schools at least. The forms and flyers I see for enrichment programs do have information about late buses at two of the title one schools I get information on.

Is there a special fee for the late bus? Does the PTA pick it up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The community center at Aurora Hills is connected to the library and is a very small part of VA Highlands Park. Any school project at VA Highlands is going to face stiff community resistance. I would guess they try to site a school over the baseball fields and take on the sportsball lobby. The Library/Community center is tucked in a corner between the fire station and private property, so I think it would stay.

+1 Look what happened at TJ. The reason Fleet was squeezed into the tiny space they have is because of the huge outcry from the non-parent community about any encroachment on the huge parcel of land that is the park next to TJ.

And we ended up with an efficient use of space. Two schools, community center, sports center, theater, fields, etc. Very well utilized.

Not 100% successful - playground is tiny, parking is lacking, and apparently they really screwed up on building access for people with disabilities. (new AEM discussion today)

Limited parking & small playgrounds are an unfortunate, but common problem for many APS schools.


The ADA issues are 100% unacceptable though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The community center at Aurora Hills is connected to the library and is a very small part of VA Highlands Park. Any school project at VA Highlands is going to face stiff community resistance. I would guess they try to site a school over the baseball fields and take on the sportsball lobby. The Library/Community center is tucked in a corner between the fire station and private property, so I think it would stay.

+1 Look what happened at TJ. The reason Fleet was squeezed into the tiny space they have is because of the huge outcry from the non-parent community about any encroachment on the huge parcel of land that is the park next to TJ.

And we ended up with an efficient use of space. Two schools, community center, sports center, theater, fields, etc. Very well utilized.

Not 100% successful - playground is tiny, parking is lacking, and apparently they really screwed up on building access for people with disabilities. (new AEM discussion today)

The original proposal called for clear-cutting and paving over a significant portion of the park, and didn't add significantly more parking. In other words, it would have suffered from the exact same shortfalls you're describing (with the possible exception of handicap access, which they probably would have screwed up anyway because it's a result of ignorance rather than design trade-offs).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is plenty of room to add an extension to Escuela de Key at its current site.

hahahhahaha. tehehehehe. This is a ridiculous idea based on absolutely nothing. I love how the Keep Key on Key advocates insist that APS has to come up with irrefutable data to show that moving is a good idea, but find it appropriate to toss out ridiculous statements such as this one with no data or even grounding in reality to back it up.

I'm not one of the Key loudmouths; but this has been cited as a possibility via JFAC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is plenty of room to add an extension to Escuela de Key at its current site.

hahahhahaha. tehehehehe. This is a ridiculous idea based on absolutely nothing. I love how the Keep Key on Key advocates insist that APS has to come up with irrefutable data to show that moving is a good idea, but find it appropriate to toss out ridiculous statements such as this one with no data or even grounding in reality to back it up.

I'm not one of the Key loudmouths; but this has been cited as a possibility via JFAC

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/DRAFT-Sites-in-Areas-of-Growth-to-Review-for-2021-30-CIP_191022.pdf

Are you talking about this one that also suggests that we find private land in Rosslyn/Courthouse (number 11) or National Landing (number 8) to build a new school? There's a wide range of feasibility on this list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is plenty of room to add an extension to Escuela de Key at its current site.

hahahhahaha. tehehehehe. This is a ridiculous idea based on absolutely nothing. I love how the Keep Key on Key advocates insist that APS has to come up with irrefutable data to show that moving is a good idea, but find it appropriate to toss out ridiculous statements such as this one with no data or even grounding in reality to back it up.

I'm not one of the Key loudmouths; but this has been cited as a possibility via JFAC

really? Where? As a Key parent I can't imagine how this is remotely feasible. I would be very curious to see an actual study or even theoretical idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The community center at Aurora Hills is connected to the library and is a very small part of VA Highlands Park. Any school project at VA Highlands is going to face stiff community resistance. I would guess they try to site a school over the baseball fields and take on the sportsball lobby. The Library/Community center is tucked in a corner between the fire station and private property, so I think it would stay.

+1 Look what happened at TJ. The reason Fleet was squeezed into the tiny space they have is because of the huge outcry from the non-parent community about any encroachment on the huge parcel of land that is the park next to TJ.

And we ended up with an efficient use of space. Two schools, community center, sports center, theater, fields, etc. Very well utilized.

Not 100% successful - playground is tiny, parking is lacking, and apparently they really screwed up on building access for people with disabilities. (new AEM discussion today)

Limited parking & small playgrounds are an unfortunate, but common problem for many APS schools.


The ADA issues are 100% unacceptable though.

What is the issue exactly? I drive by it all the time. My understanding of ADA is that you have universal features that give access to all. It's not about having a short walk to the front door anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Limited parking & small playgrounds are an unfortunate, but common problem for many APS schools.


The ADA issues are 100% unacceptable though.

What is the issue exactly? I drive by it all the time. My understanding of ADA is that you have universal features that give access to all. It's not about having a short walk to the front door anything.

As described on AEM by the parent of a child at Fleet who uses a wheelchair:

No handicapped parking spaces near the entrance
insufficient curb cuts to enable wheel chair users to enter and exit Fleet
Only easily accessible entrance and exit for a wheel chair is through the garage. The garage elevator is locked and requires a staff member with a key card to unlock it. If nobody is around the unlock the elevator, only access is via the steep ramp out of the garage
This elevator is not covered by the building’s backup generator. In case of a power outage or if that elevator is broken it would be very difficult for a mobility-impaired person to enter and exit the building let alone access their car.
Rooms for a special needs program and the only wheelchair accessible bathroom is on an upper level of the school
Playground surfaces and every piece of equipment are inaccessible to child in wheelchair

It's really mind blowing that they could screw it up so badly in a brand new building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Limited parking & small playgrounds are an unfortunate, but common problem for many APS schools.


The ADA issues are 100% unacceptable though.

What is the issue exactly? I drive by it all the time. My understanding of ADA is that you have universal features that give access to all. It's not about having a short walk to the front door anything.

As described on AEM by the parent of a child at Fleet who uses a wheelchair:

No handicapped parking spaces near the entrance
insufficient curb cuts to enable wheel chair users to enter and exit Fleet
Only easily accessible entrance and exit for a wheel chair is through the garage. The garage elevator is locked and requires a staff member with a key card to unlock it. If nobody is around the unlock the elevator, only access is via the steep ramp out of the garage
This elevator is not covered by the building’s backup generator. In case of a power outage or if that elevator is broken it would be very difficult for a mobility-impaired person to enter and exit the building let alone access their car.
Rooms for a special needs program and the only wheelchair accessible bathroom is on an upper level of the school
Playground surfaces and every piece of equipment are inaccessible to child in wheelchair

It's really mind blowing that they could screw it up so badly in a brand new building.

So basically they put an elevator in the parking garage — that part seem reasonable. But then you can’t access the building in a wheelchair other than through the garage? How is that even remotely okay?

As for the playground, aren’t all school playgrounds mulch. It seems that’s what the issue is with the playground. As for the elevator, ours is only accessible with a key card but there are exits to the outside on both levels — the main level and a lower level. I will say this is why the no turf crazies need to take a seat, listen and relax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is plenty of room to add an extension to Escuela de Key at its current site.

hahahhahaha. tehehehehe. This is a ridiculous idea based on absolutely nothing. I love how the Keep Key on Key advocates insist that APS has to come up with irrefutable data to show that moving is a good idea, but find it appropriate to toss out ridiculous statements such as this one with no data or even grounding in reality to back it up.

What data do you seek? Walk by the escuela. Look at the field. Envision how easily an extension could fit. Are you spatially challenged? Did you score below 120 on the NNAT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is plenty of room to add an extension to Escuela de Key at its current site.

hahahhahaha. tehehehehe. This is a ridiculous idea based on absolutely nothing. I love how the Keep Key on Key advocates insist that APS has to come up with irrefutable data to show that moving is a good idea, but find it appropriate to toss out ridiculous statements such as this one with no data or even grounding in reality to back it up.

I'm not one of the Key loudmouths; but this has been cited as a possibility via JFAC

really? Where? As a Key parent I can't imagine how this is remotely feasible. I would be very curious to see an actual study or even theoretical idea.

Picture a field .... now picture it reduced in size ....

[Anonymous]

Bezos Elementary over by there have ben nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is plenty of room to add an extension to Escuela de Key at its current site.

hahahhahaha. tehehehehe. This is a ridiculous idea based on absolutely nothing. I love how the Keep Key on Key advocates insist that APS has to come up with irrefutable data to show that moving is a good idea, but find it appropriate to toss out ridiculous statements such as this one with no data or even grounding in reality to back it up.

What data do you seek? Walk by the escuela. Look at the field. Envision how easily an extension could fit. Are you spatially challenged? Did you score below 120 on the NNAT?

okay- so you are willing to completely take out the field. Picture the current 13 plus buses that stretch all the way through the parking lot and up the street- now picture where another 7-8 buses would go? answer: no room. Picture the parking lot and recognize that every single space is designated to a specific teacher- where would you provide teacher staff parking for another school? Picture the current cluster*** that is car rider pickup on Key blvd- where would doubling those cars go? Picture the playground, and how totally full it is with the current kids, then think about the fact that you have wiped out the field- the only remaining green space-- where would you have this additional school go for both recess and PE?

This is an insane, delusional idea. It is only been put forward as a way to hope for a delay. Attempting to build a second elementary school on this site would be grossly unfair and inequitable for the future students of that school, as well as the future students of Key immersion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is plenty of room to add an extension to Escuela de Key at its current site.

hahahhahaha. tehehehehe. This is a ridiculous idea based on absolutely nothing. I love how the Keep Key on Key advocates insist that APS has to come up with irrefutable data to show that moving is a good idea, but find it appropriate to toss out ridiculous statements such as this one with no data or even grounding in reality to back it up.

What data do you seek? Walk by the escuela. Look at the field. Envision how easily an extension could fit. Are you spatially challenged? Did you score below 120 on the NNAT?

okay- so you are willing to completely take out the field. Picture the current 13 plus buses that stretch all the way through the parking lot and up the street- now picture where another 7-8 buses would go? answer: no room. Picture the parking lot and recognize that every single space is designated to a specific teacher- where would you provide teacher staff parking for another school? Picture the current cluster*** that is car rider pickup on Key blvd- where would doubling those cars go? Picture the playground, and how totally full it is with the current kids, then think about the fact that you have wiped out the field- the only remaining green space-- where would you have this additional school go for both recess and PE?

This is an insane, delusional idea. It is only been put forward as a way to hope for a delay. Attempting to build a second elementary school on this site would be grossly unfair and inequitable for the future students of that school, as well as the future students of Key immersion.

Plenty of room. But ... deep breaths ... it ain’t happening.