Initial boundary options for Crown/Damascus study

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kentlands and Lakelands should NOT assume they are staying in QO. The only way they will stay is if walkability trumps all other factors. Otherwise, City of Gaithersburg people will go to City of Gaithersburg school.

Looking at the boundary changes in the past few years, did MCPS not prioritize proximity in terms of walk zones? Did they make a walk zone neighborhood into a bused neighborhood... in the past few years. Not talking about HH to RM that happened in the 80s.

I don't know if they made any changes or if it was always like that. But look up Taunton Drive in Gaithersburg Maryland.

This street is literally right across the street from the parking lot of Shady Grove Middle School. But the last time I looked the kids on that street get bussed to Gaithersburg Middle School.

btw, the homes on that street were a lot bigger and more expensive than the rest of the homes in that neighborhood before the new townhome community was built close by.

Or actually I just looked again. The big homes were actually on Taunton Court, which are off of Taunton Drive. The homes in Taunton Drive aren't that much different then most of the homes in the neighborhood.

But Shady Grove Middle School feeds into Magruder HS, which isn't included as part of this boundary study.

If they wanted to alleviate overcrowding at Gaithersburg HS and emphasize walking zones, they could've shifted parts of this neighborhood to Shady Grove Middle School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kentlands and Lakelands should NOT assume they are staying in QO. The only way they will stay is if walkability trumps all other factors. Otherwise, City of Gaithersburg people will go to City of Gaithersburg school.

Looking at the boundary changes in the past few years, did MCPS not prioritize proximity in terms of walk zones? Did they make a walk zone neighborhood into a bused neighborhood... in the past few years. Not talking about HH to RM that happened in the 80s.

I don't know if they made any changes or if it was always like that. But look up Taunton Drive in Gaithersburg Maryland.

This street is literally right across the street from the parking lot of Shady Grove Middle School. But the last time I looked the kids on that street get bussed to Gaithersburg Middle School.

That won't be changed as a result of this study because Shady Grove MS is not in scope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kentlands and Lakelands should NOT assume they are staying in QO. The only way they will stay is if walkability trumps all other factors. Otherwise, City of Gaithersburg people will go to City of Gaithersburg school.

Looking at the boundary changes in the past few years, did MCPS not prioritize proximity in terms of walk zones? Did they make a walk zone neighborhood into a bused neighborhood... in the past few years. Not talking about HH to RM that happened in the 80s.

I don't know if they made any changes or if it was always like that. But look up Taunton Drive in Gaithersburg Maryland.

This street is literally right across the street from the parking lot of Shady Grove Middle School. But the last time I looked the kids on that street get bussed to Gaithersburg Middle School.

That won't be changed as a result of this study because Shady Grove MS is not in scope.

Right but that shows the issues with how this boundary study was done and if MCPS really is focusing on walkability.

To do this properly they need to look at the school system as a whole.

Part of the issue is Churchill is overcrowded right? Well they cut off the boundaries around Churchill taking out Walter Johnson, Woodward and Whitman as options to consider to help alleviate overcrowding at Churchill. I don't think Churchill families would be resistant to being rezoned to Whitman.

[Anonymous]

This whole process was started and directed by Monifa right? Including the decisions to not include elementary schools in the study?

I think she was proven to be unqualified and ineffective. So they should throw out any decisions she made and start over from scratch. Instead of working with those directives which is resulting in this mess of articulations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't there a petition seeking justice for current 7th graders who will be entering 10th grade when all the changes take effect and forced to change high schools? I think we can all agree that these kids are poorly situated in all this. I wonder if it would really be that hard to at least give these kids the option to finish high school where they started.

my goodness. They will be ok. Lots of kids have gone through boundary changes in the middle of their school years. The kids are alright. It's not like your kid will be the only one moving. Sheesh.

I agree kids have done it before and they will survive, but why not try to minimize harm and disruption? Letting kids finish the high schools they started seems like a pretty easy way to do that.

Because then there will be a brand HS that is sitting mostly empty for a couple of years. Would you build a house, and then let it sit there for a couple of years because you don't want to disrupt your kids HS sophomore year?

It's a sunk cost. They are paying for the new school regardless of what they do with rising 10th graders. Letting it sit mostly empty isn't costing them more. If I were in a similar situation and had two houses (an old house and a new house), and staying in the old house for a couple of years - or more - would allow my kids to maintain school stability then yes, I would absolutely stay in the old house and keep the new house empty for those years.

I understand that they would have to figure out bussing for these kids, but they are already doing it for rising 11th and 12th graders. Adding in one more grade doesn't seem that difficult.

No, it's not a sunk cost. And no, you would not let a brand new house just sit there for a few years if your current house was way too small for your family. That is ridiculous.

Your snowflakes will be fine. I promise.

It’s not a few years. It’s just one year. Would you let your half renovated house sit a year when your high schooler finishes the last year of school? Yes totally. Whoever goes to crown the first year has to also endure the construction of the school. It’s not even fully built.

Any chance they will just push it back a year? Why send kids if it's still under construction?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This whole process was started and directed by Monifa right? Including the decisions to not include elementary schools in the study?

I think she was proven to be unqualified and ineffective. So they should throw out any decisions she made and start over from scratch. Instead of working with those directives which is resulting in this mess of articulations.

Yes, though technically the Crown/Damascus study scope was approved under Dr. Felder, a month into her interim appointment:

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D44PC763ECDA/$file/ADOPTED%20Boundary%20Study%20Scope%20Service%20Area%20Crown%20HS%20Expansion%20Damascus%20HS%20240319.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole process was started and directed by Monifa right? Including the decisions to not include elementary schools in the study?

I think she was proven to be unqualified and ineffective. So they should throw out any decisions she made and start over from scratch. Instead of working with those directives which is resulting in this mess of articulations.

Yes, though technically the Crown/Damascus study scope was approved under Dr. Felder, a month into her interim appointment:

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D44PC763ECDA/$file/ADOPTED%20Boundary%20Study%20Scope%20Service%20Area%20Crown%20HS%20Expansion%20Damascus%20HS%20240319.pdf

You can see at the bottom of that memo the administrators who signed off on the scope recommendation: "MTF:MBH:SPA:ALK." These are the initials of Felder, Brian Hull, Seth Adams, and Adrienne Karamihas, all four of whom have since left MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't there a petition seeking justice for current 7th graders who will be entering 10th grade when all the changes take effect and forced to change high schools? I think we can all agree that these kids are poorly situated in all this. I wonder if it would really be that hard to at least give these kids the option to finish high school where they started.

my goodness. They will be ok. Lots of kids have gone through boundary changes in the middle of their school years. The kids are alright. It's not like your kid will be the only one moving. Sheesh.

I agree kids have done it before and they will survive, but why not try to minimize harm and disruption? Letting kids finish the high schools they started seems like a pretty easy way to do that.

Because then there will be a brand HS that is sitting mostly empty for a couple of years. Would you build a house, and then let it sit there for a couple of years because you don't want to disrupt your kids HS sophomore year?

It's a sunk cost. They are paying for the new school regardless of what they do with rising 10th graders. Letting it sit mostly empty isn't costing them more. If I were in a similar situation and had two houses (an old house and a new house), and staying in the old house for a couple of years - or more - would allow my kids to maintain school stability then yes, I would absolutely stay in the old house and keep the new house empty for those years.

I understand that they would have to figure out bussing for these kids, but they are already doing it for rising 11th and 12th graders. Adding in one more grade doesn't seem that difficult.

No, it's not a sunk cost. And no, you would not let a brand new house just sit there for a few years if your current house was way too small for your family. That is ridiculous.

Your snowflakes will be fine. I promise.

It’s not a few years. It’s just one year. Would you let your half renovated house sit a year when your high schooler finishes the last year of school? Yes totally. Whoever goes to crown the first year has to also endure the construction of the school. It’s not even fully built.

No, it's 3 years. You said rising 10th grader staying at their home school. 10th to 12th - that's 3 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't there a petition seeking justice for current 7th graders who will be entering 10th grade when all the changes take effect and forced to change high schools? I think we can all agree that these kids are poorly situated in all this. I wonder if it would really be that hard to at least give these kids the option to finish high school where they started.

my goodness. They will be ok. Lots of kids have gone through boundary changes in the middle of their school years. The kids are alright. It's not like your kid will be the only one moving. Sheesh.

I agree kids have done it before and they will survive, but why not try to minimize harm and disruption? Letting kids finish the high schools they started seems like a pretty easy way to do that.

Because then there will be a brand HS that is sitting mostly empty for a couple of years. Would you build a house, and then let it sit there for a couple of years because you don't want to disrupt your kids HS sophomore year?

It's a sunk cost. They are paying for the new school regardless of what they do with rising 10th graders. Letting it sit mostly empty isn't costing them more. If I were in a similar situation and had two houses (an old house and a new house), and staying in the old house for a couple of years - or more - would allow my kids to maintain school stability then yes, I would absolutely stay in the old house and keep the new house empty for those years.

I understand that they would have to figure out bussing for these kids, but they are already doing it for rising 11th and 12th graders. Adding in one more grade doesn't seem that difficult.

No, it's not a sunk cost. And no, you would not let a brand new house just sit there for a few years if your current house was way too small for your family. That is ridiculous.

Your snowflakes will be fine. I promise.

It’s not a few years. It’s just one year. Would you let your half renovated house sit a year when your high schooler finishes the last year of school? Yes totally. Whoever goes to crown the first year has to also endure the construction of the school. It’s not even fully built.

No, it's 3 years. You said rising 10th grader staying at their home school. 10th to 12th - that's 3 years.

Then why don’t they let rising 11th and 12th grade leave? It fits your snowflake theory too. They’ll be fine anyway. Just let the school be full then. They’re wasting two years anyway. Why not just do less harm for kids who already enter a high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't there a petition seeking justice for current 7th graders who will be entering 10th grade when all the changes take effect and forced to change high schools? I think we can all agree that these kids are poorly situated in all this. I wonder if it would really be that hard to at least give these kids the option to finish high school where they started.

my goodness. They will be ok. Lots of kids have gone through boundary changes in the middle of their school years. The kids are alright. It's not like your kid will be the only one moving. Sheesh.

I agree kids have done it before and they will survive, but why not try to minimize harm and disruption? Letting kids finish the high schools they started seems like a pretty easy way to do that.

Because then there will be a brand HS that is sitting mostly empty for a couple of years. Would you build a house, and then let it sit there for a couple of years because you don't want to disrupt your kids HS sophomore year?

It's a sunk cost. They are paying for the new school regardless of what they do with rising 10th graders. Letting it sit mostly empty isn't costing them more. If I were in a similar situation and had two houses (an old house and a new house), and staying in the old house for a couple of years - or more - would allow my kids to maintain school stability then yes, I would absolutely stay in the old house and keep the new house empty for those years.

I understand that they would have to figure out bussing for these kids, but they are already doing it for rising 11th and 12th graders. Adding in one more grade doesn't seem that difficult.

No, it's not a sunk cost. And no, you would not let a brand new house just sit there for a few years if your current house was way too small for your family. That is ridiculous.

Your snowflakes will be fine. I promise.

It’s not a few years. It’s just one year. Would you let your half renovated house sit a year when your high schooler finishes the last year of school? Yes totally. Whoever goes to crown the first year has to also endure the construction of the school. It’s not even fully built.

No, it's 3 years. You said rising 10th grader staying at their home school. 10th to 12th - that's 3 years.

Then why don’t they let rising 11th and 12th grade leave? It fits your snowflake theory too. They’ll be fine anyway. Just let the school be full then. They’re wasting two years anyway. Why not just do less harm for kids who already enter a high school?

It's one/two years vs 3. Cutoff has to be somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't there a petition seeking justice for current 7th graders who will be entering 10th grade when all the changes take effect and forced to change high schools? I think we can all agree that these kids are poorly situated in all this. I wonder if it would really be that hard to at least give these kids the option to finish high school where they started.

my goodness. They will be ok. Lots of kids have gone through boundary changes in the middle of their school years. The kids are alright. It's not like your kid will be the only one moving. Sheesh.

I agree kids have done it before and they will survive, but why not try to minimize harm and disruption? Letting kids finish the high schools they started seems like a pretty easy way to do that.

Because then there will be a brand HS that is sitting mostly empty for a couple of years. Would you build a house, and then let it sit there for a couple of years because you don't want to disrupt your kids HS sophomore year?

It's a sunk cost. They are paying for the new school regardless of what they do with rising 10th graders. Letting it sit mostly empty isn't costing them more. If I were in a similar situation and had two houses (an old house and a new house), and staying in the old house for a couple of years - or more - would allow my kids to maintain school stability then yes, I would absolutely stay in the old house and keep the new house empty for those years.

I understand that they would have to figure out bussing for these kids, but they are already doing it for rising 11th and 12th graders. Adding in one more grade doesn't seem that difficult.

No, it's not a sunk cost. And no, you would not let a brand new house just sit there for a few years if your current house was way too small for your family. That is ridiculous.

Your snowflakes will be fine. I promise.

It’s not a few years. It’s just one year. Would you let your half renovated house sit a year when your high schooler finishes the last year of school? Yes totally. Whoever goes to crown the first year has to also endure the construction of the school. It’s not even fully built.

No, it's 3 years. You said rising 10th grader staying at their home school. 10th to 12th - that's 3 years.

Then why don’t they let rising 11th and 12th grade leave? It fits your snowflake theory too. They’ll be fine anyway. Just let the school be full then. They’re wasting two years anyway. Why not just do less harm for kids who already enter a high school?

It's always been rising 9th/10th go first. Get over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't there a petition seeking justice for current 7th graders who will be entering 10th grade when all the changes take effect and forced to change high schools? I think we can all agree that these kids are poorly situated in all this. I wonder if it would really be that hard to at least give these kids the option to finish high school where they started.

my goodness. They will be ok. Lots of kids have gone through boundary changes in the middle of their school years. The kids are alright. It's not like your kid will be the only one moving. Sheesh.

I agree kids have done it before and they will survive, but why not try to minimize harm and disruption? Letting kids finish the high schools they started seems like a pretty easy way to do that.

Because then there will be a brand HS that is sitting mostly empty for a couple of years. Would you build a house, and then let it sit there for a couple of years because you don't want to disrupt your kids HS sophomore year?

It's a sunk cost. They are paying for the new school regardless of what they do with rising 10th graders. Letting it sit mostly empty isn't costing them more. If I were in a similar situation and had two houses (an old house and a new house), and staying in the old house for a couple of years - or more - would allow my kids to maintain school stability then yes, I would absolutely stay in the old house and keep the new house empty for those years.

I understand that they would have to figure out bussing for these kids, but they are already doing it for rising 11th and 12th graders. Adding in one more grade doesn't seem that difficult.

No, it's not a sunk cost. And no, you would not let a brand new house just sit there for a few years if your current house was way too small for your family. That is ridiculous.

Your snowflakes will be fine. I promise.

It’s not a few years. It’s just one year. Would you let your half renovated house sit a year when your high schooler finishes the last year of school? Yes totally. Whoever goes to crown the first year has to also endure the construction of the school. It’s not even fully built.

Any chance they will just push it back a year? Why send kids if it's still under construction?

I don’t know. I hope parents will petition to change that. It’s unfair to force the students who already enter a well established high school to attend a half done brand new high school without adequate infrastructure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't there a petition seeking justice for current 7th graders who will be entering 10th grade when all the changes take effect and forced to change high schools? I think we can all agree that these kids are poorly situated in all this. I wonder if it would really be that hard to at least give these kids the option to finish high school where they started.

my goodness. They will be ok. Lots of kids have gone through boundary changes in the middle of their school years. The kids are alright. It's not like your kid will be the only one moving. Sheesh.

I agree kids have done it before and they will survive, but why not try to minimize harm and disruption? Letting kids finish the high schools they started seems like a pretty easy way to do that.

Because then there will be a brand HS that is sitting mostly empty for a couple of years. Would you build a house, and then let it sit there for a couple of years because you don't want to disrupt your kids HS sophomore year?

It's a sunk cost. They are paying for the new school regardless of what they do with rising 10th graders. Letting it sit mostly empty isn't costing them more. If I were in a similar situation and had two houses (an old house and a new house), and staying in the old house for a couple of years - or more - would allow my kids to maintain school stability then yes, I would absolutely stay in the old house and keep the new house empty for those years.

I understand that they would have to figure out bussing for these kids, but they are already doing it for rising 11th and 12th graders. Adding in one more grade doesn't seem that difficult.

No, it's not a sunk cost. And no, you would not let a brand new house just sit there for a few years if your current house was way too small for your family. That is ridiculous.

Your snowflakes will be fine. I promise.

It’s not a few years. It’s just one year. Would you let your half renovated house sit a year when your high schooler finishes the last year of school? Yes totally. Whoever goes to crown the first year has to also endure the construction of the school. It’s not even fully built.

No, it's 3 years. You said rising 10th grader staying at their home school. 10th to 12th - that's 3 years.

Then why don’t they let rising 11th and 12th grade leave? It fits your snowflake theory too. They’ll be fine anyway. Just let the school be full then. They’re wasting two years anyway. Why not just do less harm for kids who already enter a high school?

It's always been rising 9th/10th go first. Get over it.

No, not always. Northwood had only rising 9th graders and Northwest had three grades filled with only seniors left out. It’s negotiable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't there a petition seeking justice for current 7th graders who will be entering 10th grade when all the changes take effect and forced to change high schools? I think we can all agree that these kids are poorly situated in all this. I wonder if it would really be that hard to at least give these kids the option to finish high school where they started.

my goodness. They will be ok. Lots of kids have gone through boundary changes in the middle of their school years. The kids are alright. It's not like your kid will be the only one moving. Sheesh.

I agree kids have done it before and they will survive, but why not try to minimize harm and disruption? Letting kids finish the high schools they started seems like a pretty easy way to do that.

Because then there will be a brand HS that is sitting mostly empty for a couple of years. Would you build a house, and then let it sit there for a couple of years because you don't want to disrupt your kids HS sophomore year?

It's a sunk cost. They are paying for the new school regardless of what they do with rising 10th graders. Letting it sit mostly empty isn't costing them more. If I were in a similar situation and had two houses (an old house and a new house), and staying in the old house for a couple of years - or more - would allow my kids to maintain school stability then yes, I would absolutely stay in the old house and keep the new house empty for those years.

I understand that they would have to figure out bussing for these kids, but they are already doing it for rising 11th and 12th graders. Adding in one more grade doesn't seem that difficult.

No, it's not a sunk cost. And no, you would not let a brand new house just sit there for a few years if your current house was way too small for your family. That is ridiculous.

Your snowflakes will be fine. I promise.

It’s not a few years. It’s just one year. Would you let your half renovated house sit a year when your high schooler finishes the last year of school? Yes totally. Whoever goes to crown the first year has to also endure the construction of the school. It’s not even fully built.

No, it's 3 years. You said rising 10th grader staying at their home school. 10th to 12th - that's 3 years.

Then why don’t they let rising 11th and 12th grade leave? It fits your snowflake theory too. They’ll be fine anyway. Just let the school be full then. They’re wasting two years anyway. Why not just do less harm for kids who already enter a high school?

It's one/two years vs 3. Cutoff has to be somewhere.

It does have to be somewhere, and I think letting kids who have started the school finish at the same school is the least disruptive place to have the cutoff.

[Anonymous]

Geez. I remember when upcounty redistricting happened we asked lower county families to get involved and help us fight because whatever happened to us would eventually happen to you when Crown opened. No support given. Well, our ES is now split articulated AND our MS is split articulated. Kids have to adjust friend groups twice. We got sent from Rocky Hill MS (back then an outstanding school) and Clarksburg HS (good enough) to Neelsville (the old building called “the prison on the hill”) which no one wanted their kid in and Seneca Valley HS (the new building at least which is beautiful but is definitely not as good a school as Clarksburg - at least back then). And the first year fights were happening in the halls of SV on the daily. It was ridiculous. Your time has come. We have survived, our kids are doing well, yours will too. Are some people really complaining about moving from fabulous Churchill to fabulous Wooten? Please 🙄