Reply to Can we spreadload FRL% across APS? Arlington / Education Newbie here

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Reply to "Can we spreadload FRL% across APS? Arlington / Education Newbie here"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
So glad you agree!   :lol:  :roll:   This is what people who just don't want anything to ever change do - they shoot down every single suggestion, find any reason to criticize it and deem it infeasible, then ask for solutions.  Just because you don't like the solution doesn't mean it isn't a solution or wouldn't be an improvement or part of an overall solution.

I'm not even sure what your point about middle school late buses is.  Parents generally pickup their kids from extended day at the same time each day. If parents still want to pick them up before a late bus would leave, they could do so.  Or, instead of having to drive so far out of their way, they could just let the late bus bring their kids closer to home and meet them there at that time.  The parents would be meeting elementary kids at the bus stop; so I don't see the relevance of your DST point at all.  [/quote]
I am all for change, you just need to realize that what you are proposing is logistically difficult at best, and potentially unsafe for many parents.  I am simply pointing out what is wrong with your solution -- everyone says "add late buses for extended day" but in reality, this is not feasible or desirable for most people.
Take an actual look at your schools late bus for middle or high school.  My MS kids' late bus only goes to about 1/3 of the bus stops -- the stops are like "hub stops" for the option schools.  For some kids, the nearest late bus stop is over half a mile away.  Imagine that for an elementary school kid -- you would have a late bus that drops off at 6 or later that not a short walk from your house.  You will be walking with a young child for a long distance, in the dark for most of the winter, very close to when they go to bed.  That in itself would be undesirable for most parents (similar to the argument that the bus is not feasible for most parents picking up from extended day).  Add the fact that if there isn't an adult to meet the child, they can't let the child be unattended if they are under the age of 8.  If a parent is running late, the kid will either be left there (if over the age of 8) in the dark far from home, or will have to be transported back to a central location where they wait to get picked up.  The transportation back to a central location would be after most school administers leave, so something would have to be figured out there.  The "a parent must meet a young child" rule is the reason why this idea is not feasible.  
It would be more feasible to have extended day be considered completely independent of where your kid goes to school (allow enrollment and transportation to the nearest school for extended day).  That would add costs though, so you would really have to justify it.
There are alternatives to bussing.  I've talked on this board multiple times the idea of moving to a more upper and lower school idea to stop the extreme levels of FRL rates.  You can create larger zones really easily, and they would probably be much less controversial in some cases.
For example:
Fleet and Randolph or Barcroft
Barrett and Long Branch
Abingdon and Drew
Carlin Springs and Ashlawn
Glebe and Barrett
ASFS and Innovation
Hoffman Boston and Oakridge
You can solve the extended day issue by having a single bus that takes kids from one extended day to the other (parents can sign up for the school closer to them).  You solve the walkzone impact by having a single bus or a shuttle that picks up from one school and goes to the other (you have a single bus instead of having to create multiple bus stops).  You solve the parent involvement issue by having a single pta across the upper/lower schools and having that pta do events at each school.  Keep parent teacher conferences virtual.  This seems more plausible than a pure lottery system.[/quote]

I'm fine with alternative solutions and appreciate that you've actually detailed a thoughtful alternative.  It's when people just point out what's wrong with someone's suggestion and leaves it at "it's not feasible.  can't do it." conclusion that irks me, and that's what your previous reply seemed to do.  I've actually suggested similar in past discussions with people about busing from extended day to places closer to home - apartment buildings, a closer school.

Also, whenever these issues come up, the conversation seems to operate on the assumption that all people live within walking distance of their school. Everybody has to have a neighborhood school rather than lottery across the area or across the county because they want to be close and be able to walk to school.  But not everyone lives within walking distance to a school. And many who do will still drive to the school to drop off or pick up their kids on their way to and from work, or to avoid the rain, or because it's faster or whatever.

I understand different people have different means and needs.  But it's not possible to make it perfect for everyone and most people are going to need to compromise a little and make a little sacrifice once in a while.[/quote]

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