Western High School Renovations/Construction.

[Anonymous]

LOLOLOLOL. Oak Hill? In the not so distant past that area was called, wait for it, HERNDON.

It has been Oak Hill since LONG before the students at the new high school were born. I think more than 25 years. Before that, we had to slog to the tiny Herndon post office and stand in line to pick up mail--even though the Chantilly post office was much closer.
The Oak Hill Post Office was built in 1999.

Sorry that upsets you. I happen to like Herndon, though I don't go over there often. But, if getting kids from the Herndon zip is so important to you, there are a number of them off route 7 who could fill those seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

LOLOLOLOL. Oak Hill? In the not so distant past that area was called, wait for it, HERNDON.

It has been Oak Hill since LONG before the students at the new high school were born. I think more than 25 years. Before that, we had to slog to the tiny Herndon post office and stand in line to pick up mail--even though the Chantilly post office was much closer.
The Oak Hill Post Office was built in 1999.

Sorry that upsets you. I happen to like Herndon, though I don't go over there often. But, if getting kids from the Herndon zip is so important to you, there are a number of them off route 7 who could fill those seats.

Good Point.

This is why 20171 needs its own exclusive high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids go to school during construction all the time. DS was at Fox Mill while it was under construction, it wasn’t a big deal.

Same with Crossfield. RIO mommies trying to make big deal out of our kids being in a school that was under construction but it was less than two years and the trailers were really nice, even the bathrooms were nice. The only thing I heard kids complain about was the playbground which won’t be an issue in high school.

What was wrong with the playground?

Like, don’t the new library and new art rooms make them feel good!

While it was under construction, the playground was tiny. They have since added some new equipment and it's much nicer.

And the new library is fantastic!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids go to school during construction all the time. DS was at Fox Mill while it was under construction, it wasn’t a big deal.

Same with Crossfield. RIO mommies trying to make big deal out of our kids being in a school that was under construction but it was less than two years and the trailers were really nice, even the bathrooms were nice. The only thing I heard kids complain about was the playbground which won’t be an issue in high school.

What was wrong with the playground?

Like, don’t the new library and new art rooms make them feel good!

While it was under construction, the playground was tiny. They have since added some new equipment and it's much nicer.

And the new library is fantastic!

I went to Crossfield the year it opened (1988-1989). We didn't even have a playground AT ALL the first year. The RIO people need to get a grip.

[Anonymous]

Oak Hill kids also had a very big renovation. Do they get to stay at Chantilly? According to RIO, it sounds like they should.
What a joke!

[Anonymous]

20:33 & 20:59 - you are the one who needs to get a grip. The RIO mamas have said nothing about the things you've mentioned. You're going on and on in response to something I said. The playground comment was just me commenting on how the Crossfield construction was actually not particularly disruptive, the only thing my kids ever complained about was the playground.

[Anonymous]

The common theme I’m seeing in all of these forums about Western is that RIO moms are not prioritizing the safety and mental health of their kids by sending them to a school far from home; having them wake up incredibly early; having them drive down winding roads (essentially having them get from their a$$ to their elbow) and making them drive that way; encouraging stress and burnout through forcing them into rigorous coursework; imitating Langley moms when they are light years away from each other; and putting reputation above reason and common sense.

The obvious choice for me in sending my kids is to send them to the closest school to our family home.

Comparably, you don’t see Westfield parents putting up a fight, because I guarantee they don’t want their kids getting on 28 or driving down 657 (Centreville and Walney) to turn onto a 25mph corporate road a long ways away from their home, before that becomes 40, and alas making it to Westfield.

But god forbid these Oakton parents want to jeopardise their DK’s lives by having them navigate dangerous terrain or The Parkway, West Ox, and 66 during the morning and afternoon rush hours (times involving high amounts of judgment and reasoning) just to get them to and from school, because Oakton is Athletically and Academically strong.

Keep making your excuses RIO moms, because you will run out not long before Western is all modified and has capacity for your kids, and a boundary is fully finalized then.

[Anonymous]

RIO parents are A MINORITY. I just want y'all to know that. Vocal minority. Literally everyone I have talked to at Crossfield is either excited about Western or ambivalent, but we all have younger kids. It's the parents of older kids or the sports parents that care a lot. That's it. Not most parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:RIO parents are A MINORITY. I just want y'all to know that. Vocal minority. Literally everyone I have talked to at Crossfield is either excited about Western or ambivalent, but we all have younger kids. It's the parents of older kids or the sports parents that care a lot. That's it. Not most parents.

Then it should be easy to get a petition together and prove it. If you want the school board to know this, you should show them that what you say is true. A counter petition would be very persuasive.

[Anonymous]

To use as is or with minimal renovation they will need to turn it into a magnet school. The plan from day one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To use as is or with minimal renovation they will need to turn it into a magnet school. The plan from day one.

Nice try. Not happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RIO parents are A MINORITY. I just want y'all to know that. Vocal minority. Literally everyone I have talked to at Crossfield is either excited about Western or ambivalent, but we all have younger kids. It's the parents of older kids or the sports parents that care a lot. That's it. Not most parents.

Then it should be easy to get a petition together and prove it. If you want the school board to know this, you should show them that what you say is true. A counter petition would be very persuasive.

Yes, why has the pro-Western Crossfield crowd not done this? If they really have the support, it would be a knockout punch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:RIO parents are A MINORITY. I just want y'all to know that. Vocal minority. Literally everyone I have talked to at Crossfield is either excited about Western or ambivalent, but we all have younger kids. It's the parents of older kids or the sports parents that care a lot. That's it. Not most parents.

What about patents with rising 8th and 9th graders.

I understand why parents with rising 10th graders want to stay.

When boundary changes occur at the middle school level, 8th graders never move, but 7th graders do.

I understand grandfathering exists (to allow students to remain in their previous base school post boundary change, keeping them with their buddies in that school), and I believe - now correct me if I’m wrong - that FCPS typically does this when a new school of any type (besides 3-5/6 elementary) opens.

So why wouldn’t only rising 9th graders attend the new high school, and why wouldn’t they adapt to the lack of a football stadium, baseball/softball diamonds, and tennis courts by offering Wrestling, Dance, Swim, Cheer, Basketball, and Soccer, while getting the design and build permits to establish a Football Stadium, Tennis Courts, and Baseball diamonds?

Also why is the opening logic so bad compared to other schools when it comes to Western?

I apologize for the wordiness, but I’m just confused by FCPS’ logic and game plan behind opening this new high school, and in part, understand the RIO minority with kids who should be grandfathered into Oakton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RIO parents are A MINORITY. I just want y'all to know that. Vocal minority. Literally everyone I have talked to at Crossfield is either excited about Western or ambivalent, but we all have younger kids. It's the parents of older kids or the sports parents that care a lot. That's it. Not most parents.

What about patents with rising 8th and 9th graders.

I understand why parents with rising 10th graders want to stay.

When boundary changes occur at the middle school level, 8th graders never move, but 7th graders do.

I understand grandfathering exists (to allow students to remain in their previous base school post boundary change, keeping them with their buddies in that school), and I believe - now correct me if I’m wrong - that FCPS typically does this when a new school of any type (besides 3-5/6 elementary) opens.

So why wouldn’t only rising 9th graders attend the new high school, and why wouldn’t they adapt to the lack of a football stadium, baseball/softball diamonds, and tennis courts by offering Wrestling, Dance, Swim, Cheer, Basketball, and Soccer, while getting the design and build permits to establish a Football Stadium, Tennis Courts, and Baseball diamonds?

Also why is the opening logic so bad compared to other schools when it comes to Western?

I apologize for the wordiness, but I’m just confused by FCPS’ logic and game plan behind opening this new high school, and in part, understand the RIO minority with kids who should be grandfathered into Oakton.

You folks are insufferable. You’re getting a very attractive new school with certain features phased in over a few years. And other school renovations clearly are being deferred to pay for it - just look at the schedules in the draft CIP and compare them to those in the prior CIP.

Get a little bit of perspective before the rest of the county rises up against you and demands Western be turned into another magnet that serves the entire county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RIO parents are A MINORITY. I just want y'all to know that. Vocal minority. Literally everyone I have talked to at Crossfield is either excited about Western or ambivalent, but we all have younger kids. It's the parents of older kids or the sports parents that care a lot. That's it. Not most parents.

What about patents with rising 8th and 9th graders.

I understand why parents with rising 10th graders want to stay.

When boundary changes occur at the middle school level, 8th graders never move, but 7th graders do.

I understand grandfathering exists (to allow students to remain in their previous base school post boundary change, keeping them with their buddies in that school), and I believe - now correct me if I’m wrong - that FCPS typically does this when a new school of any type (besides 3-5/6 elementary) opens.

So why wouldn’t only rising 9th graders attend the new high school, and why wouldn’t they adapt to the lack of a football stadium, baseball/softball diamonds, and tennis courts by offering Wrestling, Dance, Swim, Cheer, Basketball, and Soccer, while getting the design and build permits to establish a Football Stadium, Tennis Courts, and Baseball diamonds?

Also why is the opening logic so bad compared to other schools when it comes to Western?

I apologize for the wordiness, but I’m just confused by FCPS’ logic and game plan behind opening this new high school, and in part, understand the RIO minority with kids who should be grandfathered into Oakton.

You folks are insufferable. You’re getting a very attractive new school with certain features phased in over a few years. And other school renovations clearly are being deferred to pay for it - just look at the schedules in the draft CIP and compare them to those in the prior CIP.

Get a little bit of perspective before the rest of the county rises up against you and demands Western be turned into another magnet that serves the entire county.

We don’t want a magnet school.

I was asking questions and sharing my points in an attempt to gain perspective.

I am a Westfield parent in the area expected to move and was grappling with trying to understand what is happening with this new high school.

I am sorry to hear that other renovations are being deferred.

Nobody wants a magnet high school.

You missed my context completely