Reply to APS: New High School forum tonight 7-9 pm at Yorktown

Forum Index » Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)

Reply to "APS: New High School forum tonight 7-9 pm at Yorktown"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I wrote the super long comment- promise I’m not a gramps (yet).  My kids will be in high school from 2027-2033.

Future WL parents, I feel for you.  I would not send my kids to a 4000-kid school either.  We are zoned for Yorktown, but I am sure that by the time my kids are of high school age, a lot will have changed.

I generally support use of the Kenmore site now, and growing it later.  And I would gladly pay increased taxes, in the form of a special assessment or otherwise, to fund schools.  I know not everyone has that luxury of saying that.

I have volunteered with my civic association board, and so have some experience in listening to my older neighbors comment (complain?) about the state of things.  Re their home equity, I think they would say, so what.  Say they bought in the 80’s for $150k.  Now their house is worth $800k, and they pay ever increasing property taxes out of their not increasing pension or social security.  If Arlington becomes a bit less desirable to affluent young families, and property values go down to, say, $500k, what do they care?  They don’t want to sell, they do want to pay less in taxes, and having their neighborhood stay the same is worth more than paper profits.  Again, I’m not saying it’s right.  And, ironically, if property values go down it’s families like mine – who bought within the last 7 years or so – who won’t be able to afford to leave.

Here’s where I talk smack- less than the baby boomers, who I find unspeakably selfish are individuals who have current or recently graduated high school students, but yet feel that it’s acceptable to inform those of us with younger kids that a mega-W-L with no field space is ok.  One of the Glen Carlyn speakers last night fell into that category- mom of a recent HB graduate and current senior.  Because her kids are “indoorsy.”  Complain about Carlin Springs traffic if you want, but please don’t tell me that (1) you thought it was necessary for your kid to attend a special 700-kid program but (2) it’s appropriate for other kids to attend a four THOUSAND kid campus.  Come on.
[/quote]

I am PP who complimented your thoughtful long comment.  I initially had precisely the same reaction to her comment and told her so in person, in a nicer way than I'm doing here, and we went on to have a long conversation.  I told her about my elementary schooler and how we didn't win the lottery, so we are instead crowded into one of the largest elementaries in Arlington which truth be told my kid is not really equipped for.  Maybe read the comment directly above your last one about how Carlin Springs has been screwed over by the county time and time again, and look at the quality of education their kids are receiving in comparison to what yours is if you live in the north, and maybe think about recalibrating.  [/quote]

I’m not sure what to recalibrate.  Of course I did not speak to the woman that way, and I did not have time to stay after the meeting to chat.

I’m not at all bitter that someone had the chance to send her kids to HB.  I don't think we should abolish or restrict the program.  I’m glad that she found something that worked for her family.  I have no problem with listening to her points about the burdens an increased population at Kenmore would cause her neighborhood.  I think it's ok to say no to Kenmore, for perfectly valid reasons, including the County's history of dealing with Glen Carlyn.

I do have an issue with her stating – as have several HB parents on AEM – that we just don’t need schools with fields, or sports, because their kids didn’t use them.  Or that very large high schools are ok, because they went to one.  I think it’s ok to say no to Kenmore, for many valid reasons.  Opposing Kenmore is quite different than affirmatively stating, in effect, that it's ok to curtail the activities, programs, and facilities for future students (from any part of the county) because my child is done with school and I now know that they wouldn't have used it.  That, to me, is extremely myopic.  I'm glad you went on to have a productive conversation with her.
[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics