Anonymous
05/11/2023 21:11
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
Anonymous wrote:The best teachers at ACHS will flock to Wakefield in the next 1-2 years. Those that haven’t already, that is.
Good point. Somewhat depends on the new ACHS Principal.
Anonymous
05/11/2023 20:59
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
The best teachers at ACHS will flock to Wakefield in the next 1-2 years. Those that haven’t already, that is.
Anonymous
05/11/2023 20:58
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
Anonymous wrote:Good riddance.
“I Urge you to cast your vote for one high school,” Balas, a former social studies teacher at the school, said in an impassioned plea during the public comment portion of the meeting. “T.C. is the heart of the city.
“I strongly encourage you to support our diversity as one of our greatest strengths,” he continued. “Our Titans experience diversity greater than anywhere else in this country. Two high schools lead us down a path of divisive battles [with] inequity between the two schools and leaving certain groups facing increasing disenfranchisement. These inequities will become deeper over time. Separation may be in our school’s name, but you can oppose it by voting to keep us together.”
I wonder if his opinion has changed now that Balas served as principal of that very large, unwieldy single high school.
Frankly, I think the vote against a second high school was the biggest mistake—and there have been many—ACPS has made in the past 10 years.
Anonymous
05/11/2023 20:57
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
Anonymous wrote:There is a pretty active flow of teachers, admins and district people between the two school systems.
I only know 2 people who have left APS for ACPS, many more the other way around
Anonymous
05/11/2023 20:53
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
There is a pretty active flow of teachers, admins and district people between the two school systems.
Anonymous
05/11/2023 20:49
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
Anonymous wrote:I'm an admin in Arlington - trust me, principals do NOT run schools. All top down.
+1
Anonymous
05/11/2023 20:36
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
Anonymous wrote:Good riddance.
“I Urge you to cast your vote for one high school,” Balas, a former social studies teacher at the school, said in an impassioned plea during the public comment portion of the meeting. “T.C. is the heart of the city.
“I strongly encourage you to support our diversity as one of our greatest strengths,” he continued. “Our Titans experience diversity greater than anywhere else in this country. Two high schools lead us down a path of divisive battles [with] inequity between the two schools and leaving certain groups facing increasing disenfranchisement. These inequities will become deeper over time. Separation may be in our school’s name, but you can oppose it by voting to keep us together.”
Arlington has three high schools and two mid-size high school programs so his past statement is not entirely relevant to APS. Wakefield should be a very good fit, with less stress.
Interestingly, Wakefield manages open campus lunch much better than in Alexandria, despite similar demographics. Wakefield is a much smaller school than ACHS, which might have something to do with it. I think Alexandria could really benefit from two high schools with all the growth.
Anonymous
05/11/2023 20:28
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
I imagine it will be difficult to find a replacement for ACHS
Anonymous
05/11/2023 20:26
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
Good riddance.
“I Urge you to cast your vote for one high school,” Balas, a former social studies teacher at the school, said in an impassioned plea during the public comment portion of the meeting. “T.C. is the heart of the city.
“I strongly encourage you to support our diversity as one of our greatest strengths,” he continued. “Our Titans experience diversity greater than anywhere else in this country. Two high schools lead us down a path of divisive battles [with] inequity between the two schools and leaving certain groups facing increasing disenfranchisement. These inequities will become deeper over time. Separation may be in our school’s name, but you can oppose it by voting to keep us together.”
“I Urge you to cast your vote for one high school,” Balas, a former social studies teacher at the school, said in an impassioned plea during the public comment portion of the meeting. “T.C. is the heart of the city.
“I strongly encourage you to support our diversity as one of our greatest strengths,” he continued. “Our Titans experience diversity greater than anywhere else in this country. Two high schools lead us down a path of divisive battles [with] inequity between the two schools and leaving certain groups facing increasing disenfranchisement. These inequities will become deeper over time. Separation may be in our school’s name, but you can oppose it by voting to keep us together.”
Anonymous
05/11/2023 20:19
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
Anonymous wrote:Very interesting that he's moving just down the road to another highschool. Could this be dueto Arlington giving principals more authority to run the school where it seems like in Alexandria it's the superintendent running the show. It's surprising that principals at ACPS don't even have that names on the school websites.
Balas getting out while the getting good. He was a king in that school, but it’s an impossible job and why do it if can get paid more and less stress at Wakefiel.
Anonymous
05/11/2023 20:14
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
Anonymous wrote:Very interesting that he's moving just down the road to another highschool. Could this be dueto Arlington giving principals more authority to run the school where it seems like in Alexandria it's the superintendent running the show. It's surprising that principals at ACPS don't even have that names on the school websites.
Huh? His name is on the website
Anonymous
05/11/2023 20:12
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
I'm an admin in Arlington - trust me, principals do NOT run schools. All top down.
Anonymous
05/11/2023 20:02
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
Very interesting that he's moving just down the road to another highschool. Could this be dueto Arlington giving principals more authority to run the school where it seems like in Alexandria it's the superintendent running the show. It's surprising that principals at ACPS don't even have that names on the school websites.
Anonymous
05/11/2023 19:55
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
Anonymous wrote:Someone with lots of experience. Good choice.
I’m sure this the result not getting the ACPS superintendent job. He’s not perfect but would have been the better choice. Good for him.
Anonymous
05/11/2023 19:47
Subject: Balas appointed as new principal at Wakefield
Someone with lots of experience. Good choice.