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

[Anonymous]

Yes, my theater kid is really disappointed she will graduate before this happens. But these talented kids laid the groundwork for those that will follow. The WJ performing artists should be really proud of themselves, as should VAC kids at Einstein. They make us proud!

[Anonymous]

How about focusing on relieving the overcrowding at WJ, Einstein and Blair. Northwood has an upcoming expansion or I would have included them.

Move many adjacent WJ neighborhoods to Woodward, Move the SMACS and CAPs program from Blair to Woodward, move adjacent Einstein neighborhoods to Woodward and a few to Blair Einstein is still overcrowded and Woodward is full.

Capacity addressed at WJ, Einstein and Blair. Woodward filled. Expedite the Northwood expansion.

Done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about focusing on relieving the overcrowding at WJ, Einstein and Blair. Northwood has an upcoming expansion or I would have included them.

Move many adjacent WJ neighborhoods to Woodward, Move the SMACS and CAPs program from Blair to Woodward, move adjacent Einstein neighborhoods to Woodward and a few to Blair Einstein is still overcrowded and Woodward is full.

Capacity addressed at WJ, Einstein and Blair. Woodward filled. Expedite the Northwood expansion.

Done.

1+

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I disagree that it's "just an idea." Forming an exploratory committee headed by the former head of Strathmore is not "just an idea." They may keep VAC at Einstein and make it performing arts at Woodward, but I agree with PP that MCPS has decided to do this and the "community input" going forward will be a dog and pony show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about focusing on relieving the overcrowding at WJ, Einstein and Blair. Northwood has an upcoming expansion or I would have included them.

Move many adjacent WJ neighborhoods to Woodward, Move the SMACS and CAPs program from Blair to Woodward, move adjacent Einstein neighborhoods to Woodward and a few to Blair Einstein is still overcrowded and Woodward is full.

Capacity addressed at WJ, Einstein and Blair. Woodward filled. Expedite the Northwood expansion.

Done.

Wow, math is so easy when you don't use numbers!

[Anonymous]

Do not underestimate what music and the arts can do for a kid or a community.

[Anonymous]

" I agree with PP that MCPS has decided to do this and the "community input" going forward will be a dog and pony show."

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:" I agree with PP that MCPS has decided to do this and the "community input" going forward will be a dog and pony show."

+1000

MCPS doesn't ask for community input, DCUM responds: "MCPS didn't ask for community input!"

MCPS asks for community input, DCUM responds: "This is a dog and pony show! The fix is in!"

[Anonymous]

Ummm they’ve been getting community input on the performing arts magnet for awhile now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ummm they’ve been getting community input on the performing arts magnet for awhile now.

+1 I personally put in feedback on this option at least 18 months ago, when they sent around a survey about what to do with Woodward.

I also wrote it into another survey about school choices and magnets.

[Anonymous]

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ummm they’ve been getting community input on the performing arts magnet for awhile now.

+1 I personally put in feedback on this option at least 18 months ago, when they sent around a survey about what to do with Woodward.

I also wrote it into another survey about school choices and magnets.

Yep. Me too. And I specifically asked for a performing arts magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ummm they’ve been getting community input on the performing arts magnet for awhile now.

+1 I personally put in feedback on this option at least 18 months ago, when they sent around a survey about what to do with Woodward.

I also wrote it into another survey about school choices and magnets.

Yep. Me too. And I specifically asked for a performing arts magnet.

This is true. They did solicit feedback a couple years ago, and I did provide comments. But they never presented any summary or conclusion from the comments (I'm not sure they ever actually released the "working group" results, but a "decision" on programming certainly didn't seem to be part of it. Now it does seem that MCPS has made a decision. So I acknowledge there was input, but it was quite a while ago and it didn't seem to result in any conclusion being reached by MCPS until now, when many parents have forgotten it happened or weren't in the schools then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ummm they’ve been getting community input on the performing arts magnet for awhile now.

+1 I personally put in feedback on this option at least 18 months ago, when they sent around a survey about what to do with Woodward.

I also wrote it into another survey about school choices and magnets.

Yep. Me too. And I specifically asked for a performing arts magnet.

This is true. They did solicit feedback a couple years ago, and I did provide comments. But they never presented any summary or conclusion from the comments (I'm not sure they ever actually released the "working group" results, but a "decision" on programming certainly didn't seem to be part of it. Now it does seem that MCPS has made a decision. So I acknowledge there was input, but it was quite a while ago and it didn't seem to result in any conclusion being reached by MCPS until now, when many parents have forgotten it happened or weren't in the schools then.

Agreed, I smell a possible troll or instigator. I’m more focused on relieving crowding than this nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ummm they’ve been getting community input on the performing arts magnet for awhile now.

+1 I personally put in feedback on this option at least 18 months ago, when they sent around a survey about what to do with Woodward.

I also wrote it into another survey about school choices and magnets.

Yep. Me too. And I specifically asked for a performing arts magnet.

This is true. They did solicit feedback a couple years ago, and I did provide comments. But they never presented any summary or conclusion from the comments (I'm not sure they ever actually released the "working group" results, but a "decision" on programming certainly didn't seem to be part of it. Now it does seem that MCPS has made a decision. So I acknowledge there was input, but it was quite a while ago and it didn't seem to result in any conclusion being reached by MCPS until now, when many parents have forgotten it happened or weren't in the schools then.

I know DCUM skews young and UMC, but the survey was only two years ago. Maybe less. Not THAT many parents who are interested in high school programs were not yet in the system two years ago.

I remember the survey pretty clearly because the options were intriguing. I personally supported a performing arts magnet because I have artsy kids but there was also a girls-only STEM program being pitched, which also sounded really fascinating.