Support the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) from Budget Cuts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

+1 It was too bad for those families that really needed the MVA for medical reasons that they got lumped in with the parents who were quoted in the news media as needing the MVA because their kids would be too distracted by fashion if they went to in-person schools. Those students with real medical issues saw a big improvement in their educational experience over what the county traditionally provided (IIS) but I think they were lost in the noise of the families who were pushing the MVA because their kids were shy, didn't like social interaction, etc.

My hope is that those families with the severe medical issues get some type of state assistance so they are children can continue with an education. The boy with the disabilities in the wheelchair comes to mind. I don’t want those kids to be forgotten in all of this nonsense.

They are forgotten. There is mo magical lifeline for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t tune into the meeting yesterday-did MCPS announce the replacement virtual program like someone on here was claiming?

The replacement. No replacement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

In person is far more expensive. Can we say your reasons are baloney for choosing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t tune into the meeting yesterday-did MCPS announce the replacement virtual program like someone on here was claiming?

They lied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t tune into the meeting yesterday-did MCPS announce the replacement virtual program like someone on here was claiming?

No one claimed anything was a replacement.

I apologize for the misquote- this was said a few pages back: “They are buying a virtual education program tomorrow. ”

Was there an announce t that they are doing this and have they selected the program? Sorry, I was at doctors appointments and could not listen to the meeting myself. Thank you in advance.

No - not that I heard. There was testimony about keeping the virtual accelerated math program that allows kids in schools that don't have enough accelerated kids to justify a dedicated class/teacher to take accelerated math online. Seemed like a really good idea, but not sure how that shook out in the budget ultimately.

Those kids lose out too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

+1 It was too bad for those families that really needed the MVA for medical reasons that they got lumped in with the parents who were quoted in the news media as needing the MVA because their kids would be too distracted by fashion if they went to in-person schools. Those students with real medical issues saw a big improvement in their educational experience over what the county traditionally provided (IIS) but I think they were lost in the noise of the families who were pushing the MVA because their kids were shy, didn't like social interaction, etc.

My hope is that those families with the severe medical issues get some type of state assistance so they are children can continue with an education. The boy with the disabilities in the wheelchair comes to mind. I don’t want those kids to be forgotten in all of this nonsense.

Your hope. You advocated for its closure and got it without thinking of the consequences. The state is not stepping in. These children are not going to get an education thanks to people like you who have a distorted view and it’s all about your lack of empathy. Be grateful no one just destroyed your child’s education like you did theirs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

+1 It was too bad for those families that really needed the MVA for medical reasons that they got lumped in with the parents who were quoted in the news media as needing the MVA because their kids would be too distracted by fashion if they went to in-person schools. Those students with real medical issues saw a big improvement in their educational experience over what the county traditionally provided (IIS) but I think they were lost in the noise of the families who were pushing the MVA because their kids were shy, didn't like social interaction, etc.

My hope is that those families with the severe medical issues get some type of state assistance so they are children can continue with an education. The boy with the disabilities in the wheelchair comes to mind. I don’t want those kids to be forgotten in all of this nonsense.

Your hope. You advocated for its closure and got it without thinking of the consequences. The state is not stepping in. These children are not going to get an education thanks to people like you who have a distorted view and it’s all about your lack of empathy. Be grateful no one just destroyed your child’s education like you did theirs.

Who advocated for its closure to the BOE? I didn't see any testimony at all in favor of closing the MVA, nor did I see any written comments to the BOE advocating for its closure or any op-eds or opinion pieces in the media. Are you implying that the debate here on an anonymous internet message board somehow swayed the BOE's decision?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

+1 It was too bad for those families that really needed the MVA for medical reasons that they got lumped in with the parents who were quoted in the news media as needing the MVA because their kids would be too distracted by fashion if they went to in-person schools. Those students with real medical issues saw a big improvement in their educational experience over what the county traditionally provided (IIS) but I think they were lost in the noise of the families who were pushing the MVA because their kids were shy, didn't like social interaction, etc.

My hope is that those families with the severe medical issues get some type of state assistance so they are children can continue with an education. The boy with the disabilities in the wheelchair comes to mind. I don’t want those kids to be forgotten in all of this nonsense.

Your hope. You advocated for its closure and got it without thinking of the consequences. The state is not stepping in. These children are not going to get an education thanks to people like you who have a distorted view and it’s all about your lack of empathy. Be grateful no one just destroyed your child’s education like you did theirs.

Nice try but I didn’t advocate for its closure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

+1 It was too bad for those families that really needed the MVA for medical reasons that they got lumped in with the parents who were quoted in the news media as needing the MVA because their kids would be too distracted by fashion if they went to in-person schools. Those students with real medical issues saw a big improvement in their educational experience over what the county traditionally provided (IIS) but I think they were lost in the noise of the families who were pushing the MVA because their kids were shy, didn't like social interaction, etc.

My hope is that those families with the severe medical issues get some type of state assistance so they are children can continue with an education. The boy with the disabilities in the wheelchair comes to mind. I don’t want those kids to be forgotten in all of this nonsense.

Your hope. You advocated for its closure and got it without thinking of the consequences. The state is not stepping in. These children are not going to get an education thanks to people like you who have a distorted view and it’s all about your lack of empathy. Be grateful no one just destroyed your child’s education like you did theirs.

Who advocated for its closure to the BOE? I didn't see any testimony at all in favor of closing the MVA, nor did I see any written comments to the BOE advocating for its closure or any op-eds or opinion pieces in the media. Are you implying that the debate here on an anonymous internet message board somehow swayed the BOE's decision?

This. I think people like the PP are bitter that non-MVA families didn’t rally to support the MVA. But in fairness even the MVA families didn’t really rally to support the most medically needy kids- as seen in the articles and testimony they all had their different reasons for choosing MVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

+1 It was too bad for those families that really needed the MVA for medical reasons that they got lumped in with the parents who were quoted in the news media as needing the MVA because their kids would be too distracted by fashion if they went to in-person schools. Those students with real medical issues saw a big improvement in their educational experience over what the county traditionally provided (IIS) but I think they were lost in the noise of the families who were pushing the MVA because their kids were shy, didn't like social interaction, etc.

My hope is that those families with the severe medical issues get some type of state assistance so they are children can continue with an education. The boy with the disabilities in the wheelchair comes to mind. I don’t want those kids to be forgotten in all of this nonsense.

Your hope. You advocated for its closure and got it without thinking of the consequences. The state is not stepping in. These children are not going to get an education thanks to people like you who have a distorted view and it’s all about your lack of empathy. Be grateful no one just destroyed your child’s education like you did theirs.

Who advocated for its closure to the BOE? I didn't see any testimony at all in favor of closing the MVA, nor did I see any written comments to the BOE advocating for its closure or any op-eds or opinion pieces in the media. Are you implying that the debate here on an anonymous internet message board somehow swayed the BOE's decision?

There are a few people, several including a Phd and the NAACP did at the previous board meeting. None did this time but it's also just who the BOE selected for testimony. I think the BOE was swayed by people being upset over what happened in covid and it was more about an election year than what's best for the kids as the cost is minimal. People are still hanging on to the virtual years ago which is very different from what the MVA is today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

+1 It was too bad for those families that really needed the MVA for medical reasons that they got lumped in with the parents who were quoted in the news media as needing the MVA because their kids would be too distracted by fashion if they went to in-person schools. Those students with real medical issues saw a big improvement in their educational experience over what the county traditionally provided (IIS) but I think they were lost in the noise of the families who were pushing the MVA because their kids were shy, didn't like social interaction, etc.

My hope is that those families with the severe medical issues get some type of state assistance so they are children can continue with an education. The boy with the disabilities in the wheelchair comes to mind. I don’t want those kids to be forgotten in all of this nonsense.

Your hope. You advocated for its closure and got it without thinking of the consequences. The state is not stepping in. These children are not going to get an education thanks to people like you who have a distorted view and it’s all about your lack of empathy. Be grateful no one just destroyed your child’s education like you did theirs.

Who advocated for its closure to the BOE? I didn't see any testimony at all in favor of closing the MVA, nor did I see any written comments to the BOE advocating for its closure or any op-eds or opinion pieces in the media. Are you implying that the debate here on an anonymous internet message board somehow swayed the BOE's decision?

This. I think people like the PP are bitter that non-MVA families didn’t rally to support the MVA. But in fairness even the MVA families didn’t really rally to support the most medically needy kids- as seen in the articles and testimony they all had their different reasons for choosing MVA.

Yes, they did. It depended on what news you read. There was a huge mix. Clearly you didn't pay attention. I am bitter they closed the school that will hurt so many kids. The reasons why parents choose it is not important. The important thing is it works for the kids. There is a reason why the BOE refused to provide data and waitlist information. If they did, they'd show the program was thriving and the reason for the number decline is they refused to let new kids in. Some of us care about all the kids, not just the medically fragile kids in the MVA. They didn't deserve this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

+1 It was too bad for those families that really needed the MVA for medical reasons that they got lumped in with the parents who were quoted in the news media as needing the MVA because their kids would be too distracted by fashion if they went to in-person schools. Those students with real medical issues saw a big improvement in their educational experience over what the county traditionally provided (IIS) but I think they were lost in the noise of the families who were pushing the MVA because their kids were shy, didn't like social interaction, etc.

My hope is that those families with the severe medical issues get some type of state assistance so they are children can continue with an education. The boy with the disabilities in the wheelchair comes to mind. I don’t want those kids to be forgotten in all of this nonsense.

Your hope. You advocated for its closure and got it without thinking of the consequences. The state is not stepping in. These children are not going to get an education thanks to people like you who have a distorted view and it’s all about your lack of empathy. Be grateful no one just destroyed your child’s education like you did theirs.

Who advocated for its closure to the BOE? I didn't see any testimony at all in favor of closing the MVA, nor did I see any written comments to the BOE advocating for its closure or any op-eds or opinion pieces in the media. Are you implying that the debate here on an anonymous internet message board somehow swayed the BOE's decision?

This. I think people like the PP are bitter that non-MVA families didn’t rally to support the MVA. But in fairness even the MVA families didn’t really rally to support the most medically needy kids- as seen in the articles and testimony they all had their different reasons for choosing MVA.

Yes, they did. It depended on what news you read. There was a huge mix. Clearly you didn't pay attention. I am bitter they closed the school that will hurt so many kids. The reasons why parents choose it is not important. The important thing is it works for the kids. There is a reason why the BOE refused to provide data and waitlist information. If they did, they'd show the program was thriving and the reason for the number decline is they refused to let new kids in. Some of us care about all the kids, not just the medically fragile kids in the MVA. They didn't deserve this.

Wait, what? The reason the program lost more than two-thirds of its participants is because MCPS refused to let new kids in? The reason the program lost more than 40% of its participants each year for two years in a row is because MCPS wouldn’t let more in? Please explain how that works. 40% of the program each year was made up of graduating seniors or something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

+1 It was too bad for those families that really needed the MVA for medical reasons that they got lumped in with the parents who were quoted in the news media as needing the MVA because their kids would be too distracted by fashion if they went to in-person schools. Those students with real medical issues saw a big improvement in their educational experience over what the county traditionally provided (IIS) but I think they were lost in the noise of the families who were pushing the MVA because their kids were shy, didn't like social interaction, etc.

My hope is that those families with the severe medical issues get some type of state assistance so they are children can continue with an education. The boy with the disabilities in the wheelchair comes to mind. I don’t want those kids to be forgotten in all of this nonsense.

Your hope. You advocated for its closure and got it without thinking of the consequences. The state is not stepping in. These children are not going to get an education thanks to people like you who have a distorted view and it’s all about your lack of empathy. Be grateful no one just destroyed your child’s education like you did theirs.

Who advocated for its closure to the BOE? I didn't see any testimony at all in favor of closing the MVA, nor did I see any written comments to the BOE advocating for its closure or any op-eds or opinion pieces in the media. Are you implying that the debate here on an anonymous internet message board somehow swayed the BOE's decision?

This. I think people like the PP are bitter that non-MVA families didn’t rally to support the MVA. But in fairness even the MVA families didn’t really rally to support the most medically needy kids- as seen in the articles and testimony they all had their different reasons for choosing MVA.

Yes, they did. It depended on what news you read. There was a huge mix. Clearly you didn't pay attention. I am bitter they closed the school that will hurt so many kids. The reasons why parents choose it is not important. The important thing is it works for the kids. There is a reason why the BOE refused to provide data and waitlist information. If they did, they'd show the program was thriving and the reason for the number decline is they refused to let new kids in. Some of us care about all the kids, not just the medically fragile kids in the MVA. They didn't deserve this.

Wait, what? The reason the program lost more than two-thirds of its participants is because MCPS refused to let new kids in? The reason the program lost more than 40% of its participants each year for two years in a row is because MCPS wouldn’t let more in? Please explain how that works. 40% of the program each year was made up of graduating seniors or something?

Yup there was a long waitlist. The data MCPS released was very selective, they did not talk to most families and if they did they’d gave realized how well it was working. Shame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

+1 It was too bad for those families that really needed the MVA for medical reasons that they got lumped in with the parents who were quoted in the news media as needing the MVA because their kids would be too distracted by fashion if they went to in-person schools. Those students with real medical issues saw a big improvement in their educational experience over what the county traditionally provided (IIS) but I think they were lost in the noise of the families who were pushing the MVA because their kids were shy, didn't like social interaction, etc.

My hope is that those families with the severe medical issues get some type of state assistance so they are children can continue with an education. The boy with the disabilities in the wheelchair comes to mind. I don’t want those kids to be forgotten in all of this nonsense.

Your hope. You advocated for its closure and got it without thinking of the consequences. The state is not stepping in. These children are not going to get an education thanks to people like you who have a distorted view and it’s all about your lack of empathy. Be grateful no one just destroyed your child’s education like you did theirs.

Who advocated for its closure to the BOE? I didn't see any testimony at all in favor of closing the MVA, nor did I see any written comments to the BOE advocating for its closure or any op-eds or opinion pieces in the media. Are you implying that the debate here on an anonymous internet message board somehow swayed the BOE's decision?

This. I think people like the PP are bitter that non-MVA families didn’t rally to support the MVA. But in fairness even the MVA families didn’t really rally to support the most medically needy kids- as seen in the articles and testimony they all had their different reasons for choosing MVA.

Yes, they did. It depended on what news you read. There was a huge mix. Clearly you didn't pay attention. I am bitter they closed the school that will hurt so many kids. The reasons why parents choose it is not important. The important thing is it works for the kids. There is a reason why the BOE refused to provide data and waitlist information. If they did, they'd show the program was thriving and the reason for the number decline is they refused to let new kids in. Some of us care about all the kids, not just the medically fragile kids in the MVA. They didn't deserve this.

Wait, what? The reason the program lost more than two-thirds of its participants is because MCPS refused to let new kids in? The reason the program lost more than 40% of its participants each year for two years in a row is because MCPS wouldn’t let more in? Please explain how that works. 40% of the program each year was made up of graduating seniors or something?

Yup there was a long waitlist. The data MCPS released was very selective, they did not talk to most families and if they did they’d gave realized how well it was working. Shame.

This is not a grand conspiracy. The data they releases was the data they had collected, and it was not great for the MVA. Now, you can argue that they should have conducted yet another round of focus groups and analysis for the 23/24 school year, but it's not common to do these sorts of things every year. With limited staff time, and lots of initiatives, another set of focus groups and the dedicated time to analyze scores/attitudes was probably not highest priority.

As to the ostensible waitlist, I don't think we know one way or another whether that ever existed. Someone on this thread (a MVA advocate) was going on and on the other day about how MCPS was about buy some sort of virtual technology, and that turned out to be disinformation, so I'm not sure what we can and cannot believe.

[Anonymous]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0bUaE2WCFHiF4t1u873Ykf5ZnjAunTYFY67Vv4jwvF82nMX86xrXqkh5VrHrHeEn4l&id=100063712594468
State reps wrote to Dr.F requesting she reconsider, closing The program.