Nancy Van Doren just went off the deep end

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reasons you count twins as one is not because of "the biological connection" but because of the logistics, even at the secondary level.

There's a reason APS can't figure things out logically, and it appears to be the board.

That argument holds water at the elementary level, where parents have to be much more involved in getting kids dressed, fed, etc & ensuring a safe trip to the bus stop or school. You'll have a hard time convincing me there's serious "logistics" issues with a couple 15-year olds going to different schools. Especially in a county as small as Arlington, where the next high school isn't more than 5 miles away.

[Anonymous]

This is a classic example of government at its worst. A member of the school board supports a policy because it affects her personally, instead of thinking of the county at large. I hope no kids were watching that because that's how it's supposed to be done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a classic example of government at its worst. A member of the school board supports a policy because it affects her personally, instead of thinking of the county at large. I hope no kids were watching that because that's how it's supposed to be done.

Precisely! OMG! Really sad that she is elected into this office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a classic example of government at its worst. A member of the school board supports a policy because it affects her personally, instead of thinking of the county at large. I hope no kids were watching that because that's how it's supposed to be done.

But that is how a lot of parents pick candidates: Does s/he agree with me on an issue that affects me directly? Decision made.

[Anonymous]

Whoa! Just watched the clip. Honestly, the comments on here don't do it justice. Holy cow- you have to watch it! She really comes across as mentally unstable. I think she also needs to educate herself on what it means to "discriminate"-- last time I checked, "twin-ness" isn't a protected class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whoa! Just watched the clip. Honestly, the comments on here don't do it justice. Holy cow- you have to watch it! She really comes across as mentally unstable. I think she also needs to educate herself on what it means to "discriminate"-- last time I checked, "twin-ness" isn't a protected class.

She's reasonably calm, asks for the proposal to keep twin preference for high schools, says she feels strongly about. Staff agrees to do this. Then without warning, she just goes off. It is very weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reasons you count twins as one is not because of "the biological connection" but because of the logistics, even at the secondary level.

There's a reason APS can't figure things out logically, and it appears to be the board.

That argument holds water at the elementary level, where parents have to be much more involved in getting kids dressed, fed, etc & ensuring a safe trip to the bus stop or school. You'll have a hard time convincing me there's serious "logistics" issues with a couple 15-year olds going to different schools. Especially in a county as small as Arlington, where the next high school isn't more than 5 miles away.

I don't disagree with you, but I also think this is just so NOT IMPORTANT. Have a twin policy or don't, whatever. Just as long as it doesn't deprive someone else of a seat, or mean they are advantaged in the lottery, which is I think what Goldstein was pressing on. This is not worth even 2 minutes of conversation. Van Doren got what she wanted and then wasted additional time throwing a tantrum. Not just time wasting but completely unprofessional.

This is the kind of micromanaging bullshit that drives me crazy. The school board should be setting broad policy and dealing with planning and big picture. Not dickering over fucking twin preference policies for teenagers.

[Anonymous]

Wow. That's just great.

Keep your personal sh!t at home, Nancy. And show a modicum of professionalism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I don't disagree with you, but I also think this is just so NOT IMPORTANT. Have a twin policy or don't, whatever. Just as long as it doesn't deprive someone else of a seat, or mean they are advantaged in the lottery, which is I think what Goldstein was pressing on. This is not worth even 2 minutes of conversation. Van Doren got what she wanted and then wasted additional time throwing a tantrum. Not just time wasting but completely unprofessional.

NVD is forever commenting on how they need to keep the meetings moving along. I guess so there'll be sufficient tantrum time? ("Hello, and welcome to Tantrum Time with Nancy Van Doren! What time is it, citizens?" "Tantrum Time!")

PS In addition to the bullshittery of secondary school students needing to be together, what's with the claim that twins have these needs that are mysterious to those not in the know? Don't all of us know at least one set of multiples?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

PS In addition to the bullshittery of secondary school students needing to be together, what's with the claim that twins have these needs that are mysterious to those not in the know? Don't all of us know at least one set of multiples?

Of course! Didn't you know that they are the most special, most fragile of all the snowflakes? They must be treated with utmost care, and special rules must be made just for them. Any good mother would fight for a position on the school board to ensure that their special psychological needs are met. I'm quite frankly offended that you didn't realize any of this. Have you learned nothing about triggers in the past few years?!

-NVD

ps The Career Center is my safe space.

[Anonymous]

Raise your hand if you are surprised she hasn't said anything about this?

*crickets*

Of course, Nancy knows Nancy can do no wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tonight's Work Session is covering the 1,300 seats at the HS level and the enrollment and transfer policy. One of the changes the APS staff is proposing is to eliminate the twin-as-one policy at the secondary level, i.e. at HB Woodlawn. The new policy would require each twin to enter the lottery and get in or not as an individual.

Nancy freaked out, essentially yelling at the staff that she "find[s] it offensive that people are willing to discriminate against the biological connection between twins. It can be very detrimental to separate them. I am really offended by that! It's a very special and psychological position they are in." She told them they couldn't "forcibly separate families." Never occurred to her that gee, maybe if the kids don't want to be separated then maybe they should just go to their neighborhood HS. She basically tried to force a Board vote on the issue. Tannia agreed with her, Reid didn't. Barbara said she didn't have a position, and James was silent. Major bitch mode.

Tell me again when she's up for re-election?

If my Irish twins (18 months) have to apply separately--so should all biological twins.

Do colleges admit biological twins as one? No. Even frickin' travel sport teams don't consider them one.

[Anonymous]

I have twins (biological - the special kind, according to NVD) and I do not agree with NVD statements AT ALL. She is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tonight's Work Session is covering the 1,300 seats at the HS level and the enrollment and transfer policy. One of the changes the APS staff is proposing is to eliminate the twin-as-one policy at the secondary level, i.e. at HB Woodlawn. The new policy would require each twin to enter the lottery and get in or not as an individual.

Nancy freaked out, essentially yelling at the staff that she "find[s] it offensive that people are willing to discriminate against the biological connection between twins. It can be very detrimental to separate them. I am really offended by that! It's a very special and psychological position they are in." She told them they couldn't "forcibly separate families." Never occurred to her that gee, maybe if the kids don't want to be separated then maybe they should just go to their neighborhood HS. She basically tried to force a Board vote on the issue. Tannia agreed with her, Reid didn't. Barbara said she didn't have a position, and James was silent. Major bitch mode.

Tell me again when she's up for re-election?

If my Irish twins (18 months) have to apply separately--so should all biological twins.

Do colleges admit biological twins as one? No. Even frickin' travel sport teams don't consider them one.

Pfff at your Irish twins, says my mom and uncle who are 11 months apart. Real Irish twins means out within a year!

Otherwise, I agree with your post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reasons you count twins as one is not because of "the biological connection" but because of the logistics, even at the secondary level.

There's a reason APS can't figure things out logically, and it appears to be the board.

That argument holds water at the elementary level, where parents have to be much more involved in getting kids dressed, fed, etc & ensuring a safe trip to the bus stop or school. You'll have a hard time convincing me there's serious "logistics" issues with a couple 15-year olds going to different schools. Especially in a county as small as Arlington, where the next high school isn't more than 5 miles away.

Again---WTF?? Anyone with more than one kid deal with that logistic. I know parents with 4 kids in different schools--elem., MS, HS, choice HS.

I mentioned Irish twins, 18 months apart. So if these were born the same day--they get special treatment. However, since they are 18 months apart they do not and I have to get them ready for 2 different schools at different times.

With all the old parents with IVF twins out there--it is an issue.