Focus on Woodward - Looks like the Magnet Arts option is coming into focus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19:36 you sound very clueless. How old are you?

The VAC is only as strong as its students and teachers. If the students and teachers move to Woodward the connections and talent end up at Woodward. The program's identity has nothing to do with physically being in the Einstein school. Woodward is not far away.

The BOE and MCPS expect any current students and parents to object to moves. I also think that you would be very surprised at how many people in VAC would not object to a move into Woodward if the facilities were nicer. I agree with another poster that non VAC parents at Einstein would really prefer to see more STEM courses. The VAC program does nothing for their kids if their kids don't take art electives. There will be some Einstein parents who fear losing something that makes Einstein unique but this isn't a very good argument for keeping it small and in the older building.

If this is all speculation then what’s the point of this thread? What’s the point of arguing?

[Anonymous]

19:36 you certainly aren’t clueless. And yes this is all speculation. But I for one have enjoyed learning more about the VAC. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

In my experience once MCPS floats out an idea in the media and then forms an exploratory committee it means this is something that they have already decided to go do whether its a good or idea or not. There will be a dog and pony show for gathering input but that input doesn't amount to much unless the people are well connected or capable of making a huge stink for reasons that make MCPS look very bad. I don't see either of those possibilities with the Einstein crowd especially as there will be just as many Einstein parents willing to swap it for something else.

Plus its not just a rumor as the Bethesda magazine didn't just make it up. They called up MCPS and this is the information that MCPS gave them. The superintendent is even quoted pitching the idea of an arts magnet at Woodward and saying that there is no arts magnet in the county now. So much for the fame and prestige of the Einstein program, the Superintendent doesn't even know its there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience once MCPS floats out an idea in the media and then forms an exploratory committee it means this is something that they have already decided to go do whether its a good or idea or not. There will be a dog and pony show for gathering input but that input doesn't amount to much unless the people are well connected or capable of making a huge stink for reasons that make MCPS look very bad. I don't see either of those possibilities with the Einstein crowd especially as there will be just as many Einstein parents willing to swap it for something else.

Plus its not just a rumor as the Bethesda magazine didn't just make it up. They called up MCPS and this is the information that MCPS gave them. The superintendent is even quoted pitching the idea of an arts magnet at Woodward and saying that there is no arts magnet in the county now. So much for the fame and prestige of the Einstein program, the Superintendent doesn't even know its there.

I believe 19:36 has a point. It’s just an idea. I find it hard to believe that the superintendent hasn’t heard of the MCPS Visual Art Center.

[Anonymous]

Everyone thinks its performing arts because at the Board meeting that discussed Northwood going to Woodward, MCPS staff said it would be built in phases, that Northwood would not have an auditorium while they were at Woodward. When asked why, the MCPS staff person said something to the effect of, we have to work with the designers and with Strathmore to build the performing arts space/auditorium.

[Anonymous]

Quotes from the superintendent in the article below. No acknowledgement that an arts magnet exists at Einstein.


“As we think about new schools and new locations one of the areas we think about is arts programming,” Smith said. “How do we expand and grow that so it’s geographically close to all students and available?”

The school system has a middle school arts magnet program at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School in Silver Spring, but there is no equivalent at the high school level.

Smith said the school system will convene an “exploratory committee” to determine what the program at Woodward might look like and how it would be best implemented."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quotes from the superintendent in the article below. No acknowledgement that an arts magnet exists at Einstein.


“As we think about new schools and new locations one of the areas we think about is arts programming,” Smith said. “How do we expand and grow that so it’s geographically close to all students and available?”

The school system has a middle school arts magnet program at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School in Silver Spring, but there is no equivalent at the high school level.

Smith said the school system will convene an “exploratory committee” to determine what the program at Woodward might look like and how it would be best implemented."

Loiderman is a performing arts magnet. As the superintendent said. There is no high school equivalent. VAC program currently housed at Einstein is visual arts (drawing, painting, etc.) only.

[Anonymous]

It's interesting that people seem to think that arts is arts, all arts, all of them the same.

A distinction between performing arts and visual arts sure makes sense to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that people seem to think that arts is arts, all arts, all of them the same.

A distinction between performing arts and visual arts sure makes sense to me.

Agreed, Churchill also has a signature “Creative and performing arts program. I live in this district and I don’t see how this will reduce overcrowding. If it’s audition base then that wouldn’t help much and if it’s just another Loiederman then what’s the point? I much rather see a STEM school, I think that would attract more students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that people seem to think that arts is arts, all arts, all of them the same.

A distinction between performing arts and visual arts sure makes sense to me.

Agreed, Churchill also has a signature “Creative and performing arts program. I live in this district and I don’t see how this will reduce overcrowding. If it’s audition base then that wouldn’t help much and if it’s just another Loiederman then what’s the point? I much rather see a STEM school, I think that would attract more students.

That is a high school's signature program. It's not a magnet.

MCPS already has 2 high school STEM magnet programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that people seem to think that arts is arts, all arts, all of them the same.

A distinction between performing arts and visual arts sure makes sense to me.

Agreed, Churchill also has a signature “Creative and performing arts program. I live in this district and I don’t see how this will reduce overcrowding. If it’s audition base then that wouldn’t help much and if it’s just another Loiederman then what’s the point? I much rather see a STEM school, I think that would attract more students.

That is a high school's signature program. It's not a magnet.

MCPS already has 2 high school STEM magnet programs.

Why do we need a performing arts magnet? The Visyal Art Center is one of the smallest programs in mcps due to lack of interest. I don’t think its necessary. How many kids in that are in that are interested in becoming low paying actors, dancers, and musicians? I think a media arts program would be better but more STEM is never a bad thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that people seem to think that arts is arts, all arts, all of them the same.

A distinction between performing arts and visual arts sure makes sense to me.

Agreed, Churchill also has a signature “Creative and performing arts program. I live in this district and I don’t see how this will reduce overcrowding. If it’s audition base then that wouldn’t help much and if it’s just another Loiederman then what’s the point? I much rather see a STEM school, I think that would attract more students.

That is a high school's signature program. It's not a magnet.

MCPS already has 2 high school STEM magnet programs.

Why do we need a performing arts magnet? The Visyal Art Center is one of the smallest programs in mcps due to lack of interest. I don’t think its necessary. How many kids in that are in that are interested in becoming low paying actors, dancers, and musicians? I think a media arts program would be better but more STEM is never a bad thing.

The kids are presumably interested in becoming highly-paid actors, dancers, and musicians.

[Anonymous]

There are high paid jobs out there in theater tech, film, media arts etc too. But why slam kids who want to go into the performing arts? This will be a wonderful addition to MCPS. VAC is likely small because they (the teachers) wanted to keep it small.

[Anonymous]

A performing arts magnet would be a lovely addition to the MCPS pantheon of selective programs. Right now, kids are split between schools, or attend privates with high quality arts programs, or pay to attend Duke Ellington.

I'm sorry this won't be ready in time for my theater-loving son, but pleased that it seems to be on the table for the next generation of actors, musicians, and dancers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quotes from the superintendent in the article below. No acknowledgement that an arts magnet exists at Einstein.


“As we think about new schools and new locations one of the areas we think about is arts programming,” Smith said. “How do we expand and grow that so it’s geographically close to all students and available?”

The school system has a middle school arts magnet program at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School in Silver Spring, but there is no equivalent at the high school level.

Smith said the school system will convene an “exploratory committee” to determine what the program at Woodward might look like and how it would be best implemented."

Loiderman is a performing arts magnet. As the superintendent said. There is no high school equivalent. VAC program currently housed at Einstein is visual arts (drawing, painting, etc.) only.

No, it is a creative AND performing arts magnet. Many Loiederman students go on to the VAC at Einstein.