LAST APS meeting on new high school and countywide rezoning (4/4, 7 pm Yorktown)

[Anonymous]

Survey is open until April 13. They confirmed the decision will be by mid June. There was a young APS staffer taking photos of the sticky notes with his phone. He told me that they have an app that will read the notes for them so they don't have to type them up. My heart sank - my guess is many of the notes will essentially be lost in this manner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Survey is open until April 13. They confirmed the decision will be by mid June. There was a young APS staffer taking photos of the sticky notes with his phone. He told me that they have an app that will read the notes for them so they don't have to type them up. My heart sank - my guess is many of the notes will essentially be lost in this manner.

Survey is basically the exact same as the notes, so definitely fill that in to help provide feedback.

I wonder if just the number of stickies for "challenges" vs "strengths" will help communicate folks dissatisfaction with the Ed Center option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately tomorrow is my bday so I can't make the meeting. Just studied slide deck. Does this mean if you don't go to an immersion ES just your neighborhood ES which i guess is now a STEAM school and you were originally zoned for Williamsburg you would now go to Kenmore? How are thry going to handle all these applications!? APS couldn't even handle the stupid extended care sign up!

No. You would go to your neighborhood middle school but you would have the option to apply to a lottery to attend the STEAM school in your zone instead. And, there would be some immersion kids at your neighborhood middle school, same as how Gunston works right now.

This is incorrect. Under the proposal all neighborhood school are STEAM schools. You don't have to lottery in.

All neighborhood elementary schools would be STEAM. PP is talking here about middle school -- each zone would have a "STEAM" option for middle school. I gather it would be like IB in that it's a whole-school program in a neighborhood school that can also accommodate some transfers.

I really didn't pay attention at first about the enrollment/transfer policy portion since we are in great ES, MS and HS zones, plus my oldest is only 5 so haven't given transfer etc. much thought. And although my oldest is only 5, I can't believe the SB will be voting in June and possibly dooming DC and other kids who are this young by jamming 1300 students on WL campus. But after looking at the slide deck (never mind that I don't trust APS officials or SB to handle such an ambitious plan in a competent manner), I have calmed down.

Regardless of North/South or East/West, none of this will truly address the extreme concentration of poverty in the western end of Columbia Pike etc. If you are in a highly rated North Arlington School, do you think that that many would choose to have their kids bus across town and go to Randolph IB (whatever IB can mean at ES) or Claremont Immersion? I think that the SB hasn't adequately addressed the overcrowding in many of the neighborhood schools (e.g., McKinley --note not in that zone). Do they really think there will be that much room for transfers then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there an update from anyone who went to the meeting? I sent an email voting for option B- a neighborhood high school at Kenmore. I just hope they don't expand W-L. What a nightmare that would be for all involved.

I didn't catch WHEN this will be decided, can someone post that?

They said this will be decided by June.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like it was a huge waste of my time. Next time, I'll just answer a survey b/c I'm pretty sure that gets as much attention as the notes I wrote on the boards.

Yep. I can't figure out what motivates the SB -- it does nothing to push APS administration to make better decisions, and admin can make crappy decisions all on its own.

And look, I know there are going to be decisions I don't like. But there ought to be some clear logic behind them, but the only thing that seems to move them is matching t-shirts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like it was a huge waste of my time. Next time, I'll just answer a survey b/c I'm pretty sure that gets as much attention as the notes I wrote on the boards.

Yep. I can't figure out what motivates the SB -- it does nothing to push APS administration to make better decisions, and admin can make crappy decisions all on its own.

And look, I know there are going to be decisions I don't like. But there ought to be some clear logic behind them, but the only thing that seems to move them is matching t-shirts.

Do we have any insight into which board members champion which proposals. What the Tshirt demonstrate is an ability to organize and a willingness to spend money. I want to cut out the show and directly contribute to the board members campaign that is supporting proposals that benefit my students interests and most likely all of Arlington Public Schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like it was a huge waste of my time. Next time, I'll just answer a survey b/c I'm pretty sure that gets as much attention as the notes I wrote on the boards.

Yep. I can't figure out what motivates the SB -- it does nothing to push APS administration to make better decisions, and admin can make crappy decisions all on its own.

And look, I know there are going to be decisions I don't like. But there ought to be some clear logic behind them, but the only thing that seems to move them is matching t-shirts.

Do we have any insight into which board members champion which proposals. What the Tshirt demonstrate is an ability to organize and a willingness to spend money. I want to cut out the show and directly contribute to the board members campaign that is supporting proposals that benefit my students interests and most likely all of Arlington Public Schools.

You may want to pay attention to the upcoming caucuses for James Lander's seat then. I believe there are two candidates running against him. One is Maura McMahon, who I've met in person and wasn't super impressed by, but am planning to caucus for (pending seeing the other candidate and liking her better) just to send a message that current SOP isn't working anymore.

I've heard Reid Goldstein (sp?) is a sensible board member who listens to parents. I may have tunnel vision from reading this board too much, but I just don't get who has the ears of the others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like it was a huge waste of my time. Next time, I'll just answer a survey b/c I'm pretty sure that gets as much attention as the notes I wrote on the boards.

Yep. I can't figure out what motivates the SB -- it does nothing to push APS administration to make better decisions, and admin can make crappy decisions all on its own.

And look, I know there are going to be decisions I don't like. But there ought to be some clear logic behind them, but the only thing that seems to move them is matching t-shirts.

Do we have any insight into which board members champion which proposals. What the Tshirt demonstrate is an ability to organize and a willingness to spend money. I want to cut out the show and directly contribute to the board members campaign that is supporting proposals that benefit my students interests and most likely all of Arlington Public Schools.

You may want to pay attention to the upcoming caucuses for James Lander's seat then. I believe there are two candidates running against him. One is Maura McMahon, who I've met in person and wasn't super impressed by, but am planning to caucus for (pending seeing the other candidate and liking her better) just to send a message that current SOP isn't working anymore.

I've heard Reid Goldstein (sp?) is a sensible board member who listens to parents. I may have tunnel vision from reading this board too much, but I just don't get who has the ears of the others.

PP, if you can read the websites and go to some sort of candidate forum. I really want Lander out, but I see a big difference between the positions of the two other candidates, at the fundamental level of opinions on choice schools versus neighborhood and/or comprehensive HS. Depending on where you fall, that could be a big point of decision for you. Personally, I think APS is spending so much time and energy thinking about all the super cool choice schools they could have, and dividing the county in half, rather than ensuring they have enough seats at the neighborhood level (ES, MS, and HS) to meet the community's needs without bussing kids every which way to IB, immersion, montessori, etc...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like it was a huge waste of my time. Next time, I'll just answer a survey b/c I'm pretty sure that gets as much attention as the notes I wrote on the boards.

Yep. I can't figure out what motivates the SB -- it does nothing to push APS administration to make better decisions, and admin can make crappy decisions all on its own.

And look, I know there are going to be decisions I don't like. But there ought to be some clear logic behind them, but the only thing that seems to move them is matching t-shirts.

Do we have any insight into which board members champion which proposals. What the Tshirt demonstrate is an ability to organize and a willingness to spend money. I want to cut out the show and directly contribute to the board members campaign that is supporting proposals that benefit my students interests and most likely all of Arlington Public Schools.

You may want to pay attention to the upcoming caucuses for James Lander's seat then. I believe there are two candidates running against him. One is Maura McMahon, who I've met in person and wasn't super impressed by, but am planning to caucus for (pending seeing the other candidate and liking her better) just to send a message that current SOP isn't working anymore.

I've heard Reid Goldstein (sp?) is a sensible board member who listens to parents. I may have tunnel vision from reading this board too much, but I just don't get who has the ears of the others.

PP, if you can read the websites and go to some sort of candidate forum. I really want Lander out, but I see a big difference between the positions of the two other candidates, at the fundamental level of opinions on choice schools versus neighborhood and/or comprehensive HS. Depending on where you fall, that could be a big point of decision for you. Personally, I think APS is spending so much time and energy thinking about all the super cool choice schools they could have, and dividing the county in half, rather than ensuring they have enough seats at the neighborhood level (ES, MS, and HS) to meet the community's needs without bussing kids every which way to IB, immersion, montessori, etc...

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Also, have they really gotten strong interest for these additional programs or are they just trying to make it seem like everyone will have all these options? Unless they can show us the actual numbers (enrollment numbers/capacity) which would show how many people would actually be able to move around, I feel like this is an EXTREME waste of time and effort that they should be dedicating to ensuring everyone gets enough seats. I would like them to show us what the enrollment numbers/capacity was at each of these ES schools and then show us how many people signed up or requested transfers/enrollment in these special programs and were denied. Otherwise, this all seems like pure conjecture. ("Build it and they'll come.")

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like it was a huge waste of my time. Next time, I'll just answer a survey b/c I'm pretty sure that gets as much attention as the notes I wrote on the boards.

Yep. I can't figure out what motivates the SB -- it does nothing to push APS administration to make better decisions, and admin can make crappy decisions all on its own.

And look, I know there are going to be decisions I don't like. But there ought to be some clear logic behind them, but the only thing that seems to move them is matching t-shirts.

Do we have any insight into which board members champion which proposals. What the Tshirt demonstrate is an ability to organize and a willingness to spend money. I want to cut out the show and directly contribute to the board members campaign that is supporting proposals that benefit my students interests and most likely all of Arlington Public Schools.

You may want to pay attention to the upcoming caucuses for James Lander's seat then. I believe there are two candidates running against him. One is Maura McMahon, who I've met in person and wasn't super impressed by, but am planning to caucus for (pending seeing the other candidate and liking her better) just to send a message that current SOP isn't working anymore.

I've heard Reid Goldstein (sp?) is a sensible board member who listens to parents. I may have tunnel vision from reading this board too much, but I just don't get who has the ears of the others.

PP, if you can read the websites and go to some sort of candidate forum. I really want Lander out, but I see a big difference between the positions of the two other candidates, at the fundamental level of opinions on choice schools versus neighborhood and/or comprehensive HS. Depending on where you fall, that could be a big point of decision for you. Personally, I think APS is spending so much time and energy thinking about all the super cool choice schools they could have, and dividing the county in half, rather than ensuring they have enough seats at the neighborhood level (ES, MS, and HS) to meet the community's needs without bussing kids every which way to IB, immersion, montessori, etc...

I believe the special programs are a way to dynamically allocate students to schools which have capacity, and theee special programs may make an underperforming school more attractive to a broader swath. But I share your core sentiment to focus on basic capacity at neighborhood level.

I can't make board meetings - working parents and all. It sucks. Can some one give a quick summary of their perspective on each board members constituent focus and stance on current policy proposals ? And what about county board? Who is blocking VHC pastel from going to schools? Any CB members that are advocating nonsense like night shift classes or virtual learning?

[Anonymous]

^^^ Can someone spell out the candidates' differences? Would help me and probably some other posters. Like I said, I met McMahon at one of her events and wasn't super impressed. I have the sense she isn't necessarily for a 4th comprehensive high school, which is one of the reasons I wasn't that excited about her. Am I right on that, is the other candidate (whose name I can't remember) different on that issue?

My sense is that McMahon is focused on diversity. I question whether some of these South Arlington parents and candidates actually care about "diversity" or are just looking to make sure their own schools aren't overrun with poors. Not that that latter isn't a legit concern, because it is. I just happen to be comfortable with Wakefield and the other schools we are zoned for more or less as is, and I don't love NIMBY-ism even where disguised as altruism.

[Anonymous]

My take: Lander will be what he has always been, which is an empty suit. (Full disclosure: I don't like anyone on the SB because I think they're more interested in backing each other up and showing unity than in admitting past mistakes and figuring out how to do better.)

O'Grady: I am bugged by her exhortations to parents to get involved and speak up for what they want. That's happening. How do we make our voices matter? How do we get people who aren't being heard from heard?

McMahon: Maybe I'm just incapable of being excited by a candidate. I do like that she seems to want the SB to get back to basics and to build an actual comprehensive HS. And I like that she mentions the need to establish and follow up on measures to assess the effectiveness of programs.

[Anonymous]

I met Maura MacMahon and thought she was the one candidate who was really for a fourth high school. Monique O'Grady is a Montessori advocate from S. Arlington who seems to generally believe that choice programs are the answer for capacity issues. Lander is more of a politician than the other two. He seems like he just wants to get to higher office--like when he ran for County Board and lost spectacularly last year.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the perspective, PPs. I asked McMahon about the 4th high school and didn't feel like she was firmly pro or con, but rather she would look at all options, make a reasonable decision, etc. Not that this is a bad approach! I just didn't hear clear support coming from her. Also probably colored by the fact that the decision is going to be made before the election even occurs.

Maybe someone should get Mitch McConnell in here to advocate for status quo since, after all, it is an election year...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^ Can someone spell out the candidates' differences? Would help me and probably some other posters. Like I said, I met McMahon at one of her events and wasn't super impressed. I have the sense she isn't necessarily for a 4th comprehensive high school, which is one of the reasons I wasn't that excited about her. Am I right on that, is the other candidate (whose name I can't remember) different on that issue?

My sense is that McMahon is focused on diversity. I question whether some of these South Arlington parents and candidates actually care about "diversity" or are just looking to make sure their own schools aren't overrun with poors. Not that that latter isn't a legit concern, because it is. I just happen to be comfortable with Wakefield and the other schools we are zoned for more or less as is, and I don't love NIMBY-ism even where disguised as altruism.

She's for a fourth high school and south Arlington is already overrun in some schools.