The Gap Between Three APS High Schools

[Anonymous]

Was on full display tonight at the band show case. It's my first time at this event and I totally enjoyed it, but the disparity between YT/WL and WF in terms of resources was just so large, it's almost hard to watch. I know nothing's going to change and the gaps in all aspects of learning will continued to grow bigger, but are we really one county one community, or are we not even going to pretend anymore?

[Anonymous]

Care to elaborate for those who weren't there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was on full display tonight at the band show case. It's my first time at this event and I totally enjoyed it, but the disparity between YT/WL and WF in terms of resources was just so large, it's almost hard to watch. I know nothing's going to change and the gaps in all aspects of learning will continued to grow bigger, but are we really one county one community, or are we not even going to pretend anymore?

Not even bothering to pretend. Its only going to get worse. Imagine if FCPS only had TJ, Langley, McLean, and Stuart. All 2 miles apart. That's where we are.

[Anonymous]

FCPS, DCPS. and just about every moderately large to large school system in the country have the same "issue." Since funding is the same across the three schools, the only government "solution" is mixing kids through bussing. The 70s called: they want their social engineering policies back.

[Anonymous]

Are you saying that WF gets less County money or worse teachers? Didn't think so. What's the "disparity" you're speaking of?

[Anonymous]

It was the same way last year. Yorktown had a strong and large band with a elaborate show. W-L also had a strong showing. Wakefield had a smaller band and less elaborate show.

Hard to say if this is a resources thing or a personality thing. The Yorktown band director is really good and the feeder at Williamsburg with Mr. Woodson is excellent. And the elementary schools in north Arlington all have robust music programs. That said, I have worked in South Arlington schools and they all have music/elementary school programs too. So, I don't know what to tell you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was the same way last year. Yorktown had a strong and large band with a elaborate show. W-L also had a strong showing. Wakefield had a smaller band and less elaborate show.

Hard to say if this is a resources thing or a personality thing. The Yorktown band director is really good and the feeder at Williamsburg with Mr. Woodson is excellent. And the elementary schools in north Arlington all have robust music programs. That said, I have worked in South Arlington schools and they all have music/elementary school programs too. So, I don't know what to tell you.

If it is a resources thing, is it a school resources thing or a home resources thing? Is APS actually giving more to Yorktown and W-L, or is the more likely difference that more affluent parents are more likely to be able to afford instrument rentals so their kids don't have to quit over the expense, and to be able to afford private lessons to supplement school instruction? Are the kids likely to have more time for practicing because they have less pressure to get an after school job and fewer chores at home because their parents outsource more? Is the school zone likely to donate more during the door-to-door community fundraisers at those schools so the band can afford nicer uniforms? These aren't thing APS has control over.

[Anonymous]

School vouchers is the only possible solution coz re zoning and bussing ain't happening

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was the same way last year. Yorktown had a strong and large band with a elaborate show. W-L also had a strong showing. Wakefield had a smaller band and less elaborate show.

Hard to say if this is a resources thing or a personality thing. The Yorktown band director is really good and the feeder at Williamsburg with Mr. Woodson is excellent. And the elementary schools in north Arlington all have robust music programs. That said, I have worked in South Arlington schools and they all have music/elementary school programs too. So, I don't know what to tell you.

If it is a resources thing, is it a school resources thing or a home resources thing? Is APS actually giving more to Yorktown and W-L, or is the more likely difference that more affluent parents are more likely to be able to afford instrument rentals so their kids don't have to quit over the expense, and to be able to afford private lessons to supplement school instruction? Are the kids likely to have more time for practicing because they have less pressure to get an after school job and fewer chores at home because their parents outsource more? Is the school zone likely to donate more during the door-to-door community fundraisers at those schools so the band can afford nicer uniforms? These aren't thing APS has control over.

They can control that one. And we need not return to the 70's. Literally the current staff and school board are undoing policy/boundaries that have been in place since as recent as last year. They are UNDOING policies that promoted school diversity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:School vouchers is the only possible solution coz re zoning and bussing ain't happening

How is that going to work when all schools are at capacity and no transfers allowed?

[Anonymous]

Tell the wealthy white folk of n Arlington to care more and stop acting like everything in life is a zero sum game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell the wealthy white folk of n Arlington to care more and stop acting like everything in life is a zero sum game.

Opportunity hoarding at its finest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell the wealthy white folk of n Arlington to care more and stop acting like everything in life is a zero sum game.

Opportunity hoarding at its finest.

Live right, vote left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was the same way last year. Yorktown had a strong and large band with a elaborate show. W-L also had a strong showing. Wakefield had a smaller band and less elaborate show.

Hard to say if this is a resources thing or a personality thing. The Yorktown band director is really good and the feeder at Williamsburg with Mr. Woodson is excellent. And the elementary schools in north Arlington all have robust music programs. That said, I have worked in South Arlington schools and they all have music/elementary school programs too. So, I don't know what to tell you.

I actually enjoyed WL's more last night. It's probably not as elaborate as YT's but I think the execution was better, and story more crowd pleasing I guess (Spain theme vs France).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was the same way last year. Yorktown had a strong and large band with a elaborate show. W-L also had a strong showing. Wakefield had a smaller band and less elaborate show.

Hard to say if this is a resources thing or a personality thing. The Yorktown band director is really good and the feeder at Williamsburg with Mr. Woodson is excellent. And the elementary schools in north Arlington all have robust music programs. That said, I have worked in South Arlington schools and they all have music/elementary school programs too. So, I don't know what to tell you.

If it is a resources thing, is it a school resources thing or a home resources thing? Is APS actually giving more to Yorktown and W-L, or is the more likely difference that more affluent parents are more likely to be able to afford instrument rentals so their kids don't have to quit over the expense, and to be able to afford private lessons to supplement school instruction? Are the kids likely to have more time for practicing because they have less pressure to get an after school job and fewer chores at home because their parents outsource more? Is the school zone likely to donate more during the door-to-door community fundraisers at those schools so the band can afford nicer uniforms? These aren't thing APS has control over.

They can control that one. And we need not return to the 70's. Literally the current staff and school board are undoing policy/boundaries that have been in place since as recent as last year. They are UNDOING policies that promoted school diversity.

How? Through busing that no one supports except for the handful of people who think it will mean they will stay in their neighborhood school while a bunch of rich kids get bused in and poor kids get bused out?