Reply to HB Woodlawn slots

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I don’t have an issue with the whiteness of HB.  I have zero idea how white it is.  This was a huge problem in the past for HB, which is one of the primary reasons for the double blind lottery system.  It used to be very driven by parent/teacher demand—that is, a lot of dyslexia and ADHD kids who “could not handle” a normal school day but were considered “smart” got sent there.  It was very white.  And it served as a great safety valve before all this IEP/504 world, and was discriminatory in the sense that it wasn’t for problem kids in the really bad sense ... just kids who needed a different structure.   Then it was deemed racist and they revised the lottery.

Now, I have a problem with HB because its mission is completely opaque.  It doesn’t mean anything for kids to be “independent” and “self-directed”.   That’s just a load of education jargon; it’s not like Spanish immersion where kids are taught in Spanish.

And it does have a HUGE benefit—or at least what most people in our community consider one—its size.  Most of us want a smaller HS experience for our children.  Given, not every single person, but most of us.  And, you get to send your kid there to learn absolutely the same things as every other general public school.  Nonsense.  [/quote]

I have one kid at HB and another at a regular APS school. Trust me, the independent self directed program is very real, and very different from regular schools. Just because you don't know what it is doesn't mean it's not real.[/quote]

Literally the opposite of what they say at information night.

Can you give a concrete example of what it means, I think you are just defending your turf like all HB “Fight Club” Parents[/quote]

Exactly!  What specific differences can you describe between the educational pedagogy of the two programs?

When I’ve asked this question before, moreover, I get responses that described differences endemic to a smaller HS but that don’t actually evidence a distinct educational program that the public should be funding. [/quote]

That the public should be funding? The public is paying for these kids to go to high school no matter which one they go to or what they study. It pays for IEPs, after school sports, band, counseling, busing...all kinds of things that the comprehensive high schools offer to thousands of kids, some of which are also available at H-B and many of which are not. And if you're talking about the capital costs of the building; again, all three comprehensive high schools were rebuilt since 2000 and we took out enormous bonds to pay for them.[/quote]

The cost per student at HB is higher, and they still participate in school sports and have whole county busing.

Moreover, they don’t allowed overcrowding like at other high schools which places a burden on neighboring schools. [/quote]

No the cost per student at HB is literally not higher. I have looked it up. Clearly you have not, you just spout fake news. [/quote]

HB doesn't get any more teachers or other positions per student than any other school. And the kids don't have a lot of amenities that other high schools do. [/quote]

There are advantages and disadvantages to HB compared to the regular high schools. Some things are better, some things are worse. The parents who complain about not getting into HB would probably complain if their kids were at HB once they realized all the things their snowflakes miss out on.

[/quote]

I think HB is a colossal waste and I would never send my children there, and I totally agree with you there are some pluses and minuses.  A big one for a lot of people is the having to be bussed to sports.  But, look, you aren’t acknowledging that for most families in Arlington, they want smaller than a 2,000+ high school experience for their kid.  THAT is the primary draw for most people to HB and it’s a huge desirable thing for many — not every — family in Arlington.   The fact that you have a lottery for this relatively tiny program means you better be able to justify the heck out of it since your premise is EXCLUDING most families.  And no one can do so with HB because its only thing is small.  It defines itself by its size.  Nothing else.  [/quote]

So I see you're sticking to your false claim that the only unique thing about HB is its size. I guess you didn't read the website huh? Well, that's your loss, can't do much for willful ignorance. 
[/quote]

You can’t even quote what is unique about it, just pretending the website as anything but weasel words. I’ve been to information night and read everything, and all I see is that it’s an open campus for all high schoolers. [/quote]

I can't help you if you can't read. [/quote]

Thanks for admitting it says nothing [/quote]

HB would not be the right fit for you. It's a school full of nice kids. Nice kids usually come from nice parents. You wouldn't know much about that.

[/quote]

I am honestly amazed that you continue with the ad Harmon attacks rather than simply posting what the philosophy that makes HB unique is, which you say is readily available on the website?

Also, very interested that you consider yourself nice. I’ve simply asked you to post something that I can’t find on the website, maybe I’m just a bad web browser. You instead just start attacking me.[/quote]

Your efforts will never bear fruit because there is absolutely nothing that makes HB’s educational experience unique or difference beyond the fact that it’s small.  It’s all nonsense.[/quote]

H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program is built upon four foundational pillars:

1.	Caring Community: The school fosters an environment where individual differences are respected and valued, establishing a foundation of trust. This trust empowers students to make choices, take responsibility, and contribute positively to the community. Mutual respect between teachers and students is emphasized, with practices like active listening, collaboration, and restorative justice being integral components.
	2.	Equity: H-B Woodlawn is committed to providing each student with the tools and opportunities necessary for academic, social, and emotional success. Recognizing the uniqueness of each student’s path, the school strives to create an environment where all students feel seen and heard. This includes incorporating culturally responsive curricula, differentiating instruction based on student needs, and implementing equitable grading and assessment practices.
	3.	Self-Directed Learning: Students are encouraged to take ownership of their educational journey, developing independence and self-motivation. The school provides opportunities for students to make choices about their learning, fostering personal responsibility and intrinsic motivation.
	4.	Self-Governance: Through structures like weekly Town Meetings, where each student, teacher, and parent in attendance has an equal voice, the community collaboratively makes decisions, reflecting a commitment to shared responsibility and democratic principles.  [/quote]

Can someone give concrete examples of how 3 & 4 are implemented. They still have to use APS curriculum so it’s unclear to me how much happens?

1&2 are just feel good “let’s be nice and fair” statements. [/quote]

A lot happens, but I have neither the time or inclination to explain HB to the HB haters. And there are places to get info. Go to an info session next time they hold one. [/quote]

Ffs I went to the website and wrote a summary of the pillars, posted them here and opened a discussion about it, and you still refuse to give me even one example of how it is different. What the actual F, you really don’t have anything to say. It really is just a private school, I was trying to give you a hand to better understand and  you dump on me. [/quote]

It's funny that you think you're owed this. [/quote]

Then you can accept our skepticism of HB being just a small private school which we will campaign to change to something of actual value to all of APS [/quote]

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