Any other Alexandrians heartbroken about ACPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an Old Town resident and lover of our vibrant city of Alexandria, I am so heartbroken by our public school system. We love and support our schools but wow it's like our school board refuses to make anything better and we all suffer as a result. Staying isn't safe and kids are segregated in our upper schools. Only the blind dispute this. It's just frustrating to know we need to move from this otherwise amazing place.

I'm sure there will be plenty of posters chiming in, finding ways to make fun of this and pick me apart. But, I think many others actually living and witnessing this know it's very much real.

OP There is another thread about ACPS and how 900 senior graduated and according to their SOL testing only 1/3 should have. Also video's were linked showing some students had a ton of absences and were still graduated. Have you seen this thread? It's the same sentiment. I actually think that since this is accoring and parents are allowing it to this problem will increase since nothing is being done about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is what Alexandrians voted for. This is what the city wants.

I don't understand the problem.

Exactly, and no elections have even been close. Everything is great except for a few people on these forums.

Yup. This is what your all voted for over years and years. Why are you complaining now?

I hear you PPs but this is an oversimplification. Did "we" (Democrats) of Alexandria technically vote for "this?" I guess so yes, in that we voted D. But what was the alternative? Vote R and end up with a government that cares even less about public schools? Many liberals are mad as hell at our city government and school board. We want safety and accountability, too, you know.

School board elections are non-partisan. There is no primary. The school board has changed over many times since I moved here and nothing really changes. I just don't think an independent school board made up of volunteers (it is an unpaid position that requires enormous time commitment) is a successful model. There are never enough candidates, so really the voters don't have any choice.

For background, I have a 6th grader at GWMS. She has enjoyed her year there, but almost every day there is a fight in the cafeteria. She and a couple of her friends are afraid to go into the bathrooms because older kids will frequently skip class to hang out there. There has been a student she knows beaten up at least three times over the course of the year.

Previously, she had been at JH, where there were class disruptions every single day. Her teachers spent a majority of time trying to rein in the students; very little learning was going on. When there was an outcry regarding these disruptions one year, Hutchings did nothing. There was a lot of lip service from the school board, but essentially, nothing happened. Parents I knew either moved out of the neighborhood or requested transfers out.

Any alternative is better than continuing to vote 'D' and seeing nothing change and the complaints growing louder. And hearing your excuse that voting 'R' would be worse is infuriating. Nothing is worse than what we have now.

There are no R candidates in our area generally, right? Only independents. But the party does not matter to me anyways as a parent in these local elections - I am putting safety and accountability first with my votes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is what Alexandrians voted for. This is what the city wants.

I don't understand the problem.

Exactly, and no elections have even been close. Everything is great except for a few people on these forums.

Yup. This is what your all voted for over years and years. Why are you complaining now?

I hear you PPs but this is an oversimplification. Did "we" (Democrats) of Alexandria technically vote for "this?" I guess so yes, in that we voted D. But what was the alternative? Vote R and end up with a government that cares even less about public schools? Many liberals are mad as hell at our city government and school board. We want safety and accountability, too, you know.

School board elections are non-partisan. There is no primary. The school board has changed over many times since I moved here and nothing really changes. I just don't think an independent school board made up of volunteers (it is an unpaid position that requires enormous time commitment) is a successful model. There are never enough candidates, so really the voters don't have any choice.

For background, I have a 6th grader at GWMS. She has enjoyed her year there, but almost every day there is a fight in the cafeteria. She and a couple of her friends are afraid to go into the bathrooms because older kids will frequently skip class to hang out there. There has been a student she knows beaten up at least three times over the course of the year.

Previously, she had been at JH, where there were class disruptions every single day. Her teachers spent a majority of time trying to rein in the students; very little learning was going on. When there was an outcry regarding these disruptions one year, Hutchings did nothing. There was a lot of lip service from the school board, but essentially, nothing happened. Parents I knew either moved out of the neighborhood or requested transfers out.

Any alternative is better than continuing to vote 'D' and seeing nothing change and the complaints growing louder. And hearing your excuse that voting 'R' would be worse is infuriating. Nothing is worse than what we have now.

There are no R candidates in our area generally, right? Only independents. But the party does not matter to me anyways as a parent in these local elections - I am putting safety and accountability first with my votes.

Annetta Catchings ran for mayor last time she was a republican.

https://www.alxnow.com/2022/07/11/former-mayoral-candidate-annetta-catchings-elected-chair-of-alexandria-republican-party

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is what Alexandrians voted for. This is what the city wants.

I don't understand the problem.

Exactly, and no elections have even been close. Everything is great except for a few people on these forums.

Yup. This is what your all voted for over years and years. Why are you complaining now?

I hear you PPs but this is an oversimplification. Did "we" (Democrats) of Alexandria technically vote for "this?" I guess so yes, in that we voted D. But what was the alternative? Vote R and end up with a government that cares even less about public schools? Many liberals are mad as hell at our city government and school board. We want safety and accountability, too, you know.

School board elections are non-partisan. There is no primary. The school board has changed over many times since I moved here and nothing really changes. I just don't think an independent school board made up of volunteers (it is an unpaid position that requires enormous time commitment) is a successful model. There are never enough candidates, so really the voters don't have any choice.

For background, I have a 6th grader at GWMS. She has enjoyed her year there, but almost every day there is a fight in the cafeteria. She and a couple of her friends are afraid to go into the bathrooms because older kids will frequently skip class to hang out there. There has been a student she knows beaten up at least three times over the course of the year.

Previously, she had been at JH, where there were class disruptions every single day. Her teachers spent a majority of time trying to rein in the students; very little learning was going on. When there was an outcry regarding these disruptions one year, Hutchings did nothing. There was a lot of lip service from the school board, but essentially, nothing happened. Parents I knew either moved out of the neighborhood or requested transfers out.

Any alternative is better than continuing to vote 'D' and seeing nothing change and the complaints growing louder. And hearing your excuse that voting 'R' would be worse is infuriating. Nothing is worse than what we have now.

There are no R candidates in our area generally, right? Only independents. But the party does not matter to me anyways as a parent in these local elections - I am putting safety and accountability first with my votes.

I'm the PP you quoted.

Same -- the party does not matter to me; I want everyone and anyone in office who will promote school safety/accountability. I only mentioned it because of the previous poster who said this: "Vote R and end up with a government that cares even less about public schools?"

That kind of thinking, that one should only vote 'D' because voting 'R' is automatically worse, is what pisses me off. That previous poster wants school safety, however, VOTES IN THE SAME PEOPLE to the school board only because they're 'D' affiliated. And these same people on the school board essentially do nothing, or next to nothing, to promote school safety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is what Alexandrians voted for. This is what the city wants.

I don't understand the problem.

Exactly, and no elections have even been close. Everything is great except for a few people on these forums.

Yup. This is what your all voted for over years and years. Why are you complaining now?

I hear you PPs but this is an oversimplification. Did "we" (Democrats) of Alexandria technically vote for "this?" I guess so yes, in that we voted D. But what was the alternative? Vote R and end up with a government that cares even less about public schools? Many liberals are mad as hell at our city government and school board. We want safety and accountability, too, you know.

School board elections are non-partisan. There is no primary. The school board has changed over many times since I moved here and nothing really changes. I just don't think an independent school board made up of volunteers (it is an unpaid position that requires enormous time commitment) is a successful model. There are never enough candidates, so really the voters don't have any choice.

For background, I have a 6th grader at GWMS. She has enjoyed her year there, but almost every day there is a fight in the cafeteria. She and a couple of her friends are afraid to go into the bathrooms because older kids will frequently skip class to hang out there. There has been a student she knows beaten up at least three times over the course of the year.

Previously, she had been at JH, where there were class disruptions every single day. Her teachers spent a majority of time trying to rein in the students; very little learning was going on. When there was an outcry regarding these disruptions one year, Hutchings did nothing. There was a lot of lip service from the school board, but essentially, nothing happened. Parents I knew either moved out of the neighborhood or requested transfers out.

Any alternative is better than continuing to vote 'D' and seeing nothing change and the complaints growing louder. And hearing your excuse that voting 'R' would be worse is infuriating. Nothing is worse than what we have now.

There are no R candidates in our area generally, right? Only independents. But the party does not matter to me anyways as a parent in these local elections - I am putting safety and accountability first with my votes.

I'm the PP you quoted.

Same -- the party does not matter to me; I want everyone and anyone in office who will promote school safety/accountability. I only mentioned it because of the previous poster who said this: "Vote R and end up with a government that cares even less about public schools?"

That kind of thinking, that one should only vote 'D' because voting 'R' is automatically worse, is what pisses me off. That previous poster wants school safety, however, VOTES IN THE SAME PEOPLE to the school board only because they're 'D' affiliated. And these same people on the school board essentially do nothing, or next to nothing, to promote school safety.

1000% correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Time to grow up and move out of Old Town and Del Ray. You won’t miss it nearly as much as you think you will.

"Grow up?" What a spiteful recommendation. You may not share the values of people who live here including walkability and sense of community. It's a rare thing in this area.

It's not spiteful. I lived in Alexandria. And now I don't. There are other places where you can find people that share your values, including prioritizing a safe and decent public education. And yes also including walkability and a strong sense of community. You really think Alexandria is the only place that has that? I have experience with the ACPS crowd. You all brainwash yourself that you're living some kind of special life that can't be replicated anywhere else. It's really not true. That's the grow up part.

[Anonymous]

OP There is another thread about ACPS and how 900 senior graduated and according to their SOL testing only 1/3 should have.

What do you mean "according to their SOL testing?" That they didn't pass the minimum number required to get a standard diploma (which is not that high. For example, you need to take 3 years of math but only pass a single SOL)?

[Anonymous]

I'm shocked that Alexandria Now actually used the word "gang" to describe what happened. It will be edited shortly no doubt. The reporter is part of the Alexandria establishment and Canek will be awfully upset with him.

https://www.alxnow.com/2023/06/06/breaking-17-year-old-found-guilty-of-murder-at-bradlee-shopping-center/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ&fbclid=IwAR1pB6rIL47w3FFFPJZd2Vl6LLuTiI9BL5NTs_UyObUY3mpWu56i3fHTlk4


"The stabbing occurred during a brawl between two rival gangs of Alexandria City High School teenagers on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 — a week before graduation. The fight was over within one minute, and Mejia Hernandez was fatally stabbed in the heart. An autopsy showed that he also had abrasions to his neck, chin, the back of his hands, abdomen and knees, according to the medical examiner who testified that the cause of death was a 7/8-inch stab wound to the chest."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OP There is another thread about ACPS and how 900 senior graduated and according to their SOL testing only 1/3 should have.

What do you mean "according to their SOL testing?" That they didn't pass the minimum number required to get a standard diploma (which is not that high. For example, you need to take 3 years of math but only pass a single SOL)?

SOLs have more to do with accreditation. Students must pass the minimum number of classes to graduate with the Standard Diploma. For the covered Advanced Diploma there are additional requirements. And isn’t Virginia phasing out the Advanced Diploma due to equity concerns? I could be wrong about that but I thought I read it somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Those few of us who grew up poor and went to bad schools could tell that ACPS wasn't an option. I also knew the playground moms claiming they were going to "make it work" through elementary were going to leave in a few years. Old Town is a beautiful place to live if you are just married before kids or retired but I needed better for my kids and having grown up poor I wasn't confident I would have access to the UMC pipeline that shields your kid through ACPS MS/HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mort Sherman, former ACPS superintendent, famously said, “private school is a good option for some” when challenged to do more for high-achieving students in the system.

Was he the one who sent his kid to private school in-person during Covid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an Old Town resident and lover of our vibrant city of Alexandria, I am so heartbroken by our public school system. We love and support our schools but wow it's like our school board refuses to make anything better and we all suffer as a result. Staying isn't safe and kids are segregated in our upper schools. Only the blind dispute this. It's just frustrating to know we need to move from this otherwise amazing place.

I'm sure there will be plenty of posters chiming in, finding ways to make fun of this and pick me apart. But, I think many others actually living and witnessing this know it's very much real.

What do you mean by segregated?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an Old Town resident and lover of our vibrant city of Alexandria, I am so heartbroken by our public school system. We love and support our schools but wow it's like our school board refuses to make anything better and we all suffer as a result. Staying isn't safe and kids are segregated in our upper schools. Only the blind dispute this. It's just frustrating to know we need to move from this otherwise amazing place.

I'm sure there will be plenty of posters chiming in, finding ways to make fun of this and pick me apart. But, I think many others actually living and witnessing this know it's very much real.

What do you mean by segregated?

“My kid is doing/did very well at ACHS/GW/Hammond, is in honors classes and is thriving! He/she never sees any fights. We love ACPS!”

[Anonymous]

What do you mean "according to their SOL testing?" That they didn't pass the minimum number required to get a standard diploma (which is not that high. For example, you need to take 3 years of math but only pass a single SOL)?


SOLs have more to do with accreditation. Students must pass the minimum number of classes to graduate with the Standard Diploma.

Yes, all correct. However, you can pass a class and not pass the SOL, and still graduate, as long as you have passed the minimum number of SOLs for that subject to graduate. My son has a learning disability that affects math, and wanted to graduate with a standard diploma. He took and passed the required number of math classes, but did not pass all of the SOLs, just the minimum number required. He is still graduating, and has still met all of the requirements to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mort Sherman, former ACPS superintendent, famously said, “private school is a good option for some” when challenged to do more for high-achieving students in the system.

Was he the one who sent his kid to private school in-person during Covid?

Nah that was Hutchings. The very funny part to that story was that he had just told parents on a PTAC zoom that if they kept their kids in ACPS but set up learning pods that they were privileged and would be fully responsible for the learning gap (Naturally, the PTAC Prez at the time, Bill Pfister, who was moderating the zoom didn't defend the parents). School Board members jumped to his defense, one outright attacked parents and PTAC "wrote" a glowing op-ed about ACPS.

And a Washington Post education reporter Hannah something or other had just published a total puff piece on him after shadowing him for months. She was scooped on the story of him sending his kid to an open private by two high school reporters.

He did say in a school board meeting that his kid had found "all the loopholes" on virtual learning and was getting Ds.