What’s the latest with proposed later middle school start time?

[Anonymous]

And if FCPS had the funds to buy a LOT more buses and pay a lot more drivers, it would be a stupid way to use those funds when there are pressing academic needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ain't happenin' fam.

Waste of money paying these consultants. If there was a workable solution, someone would have figured it out by now. There isn't. No one in this thread has suggested anything feasible.

Yep, the only solution is to buy a LOT more buses. FCPS can barely hire enough drivers now, how would they be able to staff a massive expansion? They can't.

Yes, that is what everyone whose been around FCPS awhile said when Reid hired consultants AGAIN for this. They went thru this last time and this was the only conclusion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get rid of the AAP centers. DD had the choice of staying at her base or AAP center; I kept her at the base where she thrived. Only kids who are at failing schools need to receive enrichment outside of the classroom. There is no need to move kids from one elementary school in McLean to another. It’s completely absurd. If people think they need it that much make them responsible for their own transportation. Why should everyone else suffer?

This. One of the things that annoys me as a teacher. Even more so since every kid is doing the same LA curriculum regardless of AAP. So basically they are going to a different school for SS/Science.

AAP doesn't have anything to do with "failing schools" since there aren't any.

Also, getting rid of AAP would ultimately have more of a negative effect on the budget than the few thousand saved by a two or three fewer bus runs.

PP did not propose getting rid of AAP altogether, she proposed getting rid of the Center schools. I agree. I think they should treat AAP Centers the same way they treat other choice schools. If kids don't get bussed to language immersion or the other choice schools (Bailey's, Hunter Woods, etc.), then they should not get bussed to AAP Centers if their base school offers an LLIV option.

Totally agree. I am an AAP teacher at a LL4. It drives me insane even more so since everyone is getting the same LA curriculum. So basically they are going to a center for SS/Science. Such a waste of resources.

I don't think non AAP kids get Latin stems or Caesars English. Those LA programs are exclusively taught at L4 center programs.

Not anymore. I teach AAP. Everyone is getting the new basal. It is required. I would be shocked if anyone had time to fit in Caesar’s English as there is barely enough time to get through the basal program.

That is a shame.

It's not though. If you look on a different thread there are AAP teachers saying that even AAP students are not reading and writing as well as average students did 20 years ago. The new reading program is very rigorous and is really good for all children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Reid did a Q&A tonight at RRMS.

She said she had received five scenarios, which the board will be presented next week. December 3 is the working session/discussion.

She indicated some of the proposals are unaffordable and others simply didn't make sense for the county. IF anything is selected by the board, it could be for fall 2025 or they MIGHT elect to push in to fall 2026.

Frankly, I didn't get the feeling from Reid that anything was going to happen at all. I'm sure she doesn't want to set expectations, but her outlook for change sounded dire.

I know a few middle school teachers and they've been told IF there are changes, it will not be next year. Really sad. I have a child in a 9:30am school and the shift from having the bus come at 9:00am to 6:45am is going to be ROUGH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Reid did a Q&A tonight at RRMS.

She said she had received five scenarios, which the board will be presented next week. December 3 is the working session/discussion.

She indicated some of the proposals are unaffordable and others simply didn't make sense for the county. IF anything is selected by the board, it could be for fall 2025 or they MIGHT elect to push in to fall 2026.

Frankly, I didn't get the feeling from Reid that anything was going to happen at all. I'm sure she doesn't want to set expectations, but her outlook for change sounded dire.

I know a few middle school teachers and they've been told IF there are changes, it will not be next year. Really sad. I have a child in a 9:30am school and the shift from having the bus come at 9:00am to 6:45am is going to be ROUGH.

You have plenty of time to prepare. Suck it up and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Reid did a Q&A tonight at RRMS.

She said she had received five scenarios, which the board will be presented next week. December 3 is the working session/discussion.

She indicated some of the proposals are unaffordable and others simply didn't make sense for the county. IF anything is selected by the board, it could be for fall 2025 or they MIGHT elect to push in to fall 2026.

Frankly, I didn't get the feeling from Reid that anything was going to happen at all. I'm sure she doesn't want to set expectations, but her outlook for change sounded dire.

I know a few middle school teachers and they've been told IF there are changes, it will not be next year. Really sad. I have a child in a 9:30am school and the shift from having the bus come at 9:00am to 6:45am is going to be ROUGH.

You'll survive for two years. Many MS kids have the bus coming at 6:20 so it sounds like you are lucky with the bus schedule.

[Anonymous]

suck it up buttercup

[Anonymous]

agree, 6:45 is a GREAT pickup time for Middle School bus. You really lucked out!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Reid did a Q&A tonight at RRMS.

She said she had received five scenarios, which the board will be presented next week. December 3 is the working session/discussion.

She indicated some of the proposals are unaffordable and others simply didn't make sense for the county. IF anything is selected by the board, it could be for fall 2025 or they MIGHT elect to push in to fall 2026.

Frankly, I didn't get the feeling from Reid that anything was going to happen at all. I'm sure she doesn't want to set expectations, but her outlook for change sounded dire.

Did she walk through what all 5 options were or what else did she talk about as otherwise wouldn’t the meeting be done after 5 minutes of really informative info or 30 minutes of “we don’t know yet” on repeat?

She did not, presumably because the board has not yet received them. I would say overall, she did not give a rosie outlook toward possible change.

[Anonymous]

Now that DC is at MS we have adjusted to the early time. It’s fine for 2 years. In fact, it’s wonderful to get done so early and to have a long afternoon. It’s not as bad as we were fearing and we are not morning people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And if FCPS had the funds to buy a LOT more buses and pay a lot more drivers, it would be a stupid way to use those funds when there are pressing academic needs.

They just spent $$$ on Benchmark and next year are revamping the social studies curriculum. They ARE spending money on curriculum PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:agree, 6:45 is a GREAT pickup time for Middle School bus. You really lucked out!

What? No, that's horrible. What time does your child's bus come?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:agree, 6:45 is a GREAT pickup time for Middle School bus. You really lucked out!

What? No, that's horrible. What time does your child's bus come?

6:10, so she starts walking to her bus stop at 6:00-6:03.

[Anonymous]

Our bus arrival is 6:19 and the stop is 3/4th of a mile away so I drive him.

6:45 pickup is fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our bus arrival is 6:19 and the stop is 3/4th of a mile away so I drive him.

6:45 pickup is fantastic.

All buses arrive at our middle school by 7:10, so 6:45 is near the end of later pickup times.