Anonymous wrote:

Frankly, I would have preferred larger class sizes, since there's not correlation between class size and achievement. But, I can live with the trailers. They don't bug me.

What makes you believe that? Some research? Or is it just your feeling?

Extensive empirical research.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're at Nottingham and we have a bunch of trailers. They are really actually kind of nice. It sucks that we lose some field space, but it is what it is. Personally, I'd rather have the trailers and smaller classes than the field and bigger classes.

The real issue, imho, is the cafeteria. It's only so big and there's no trailer for that so some of the kids are eating crazy early and some super late to be able to accomodate all the classes.

OP here:

You know, the cafeteria's the only thing that concerns me too.

Frankly, I would have preferred larger class sizes, since there's not correlation between class size and achievement. But, I can live with the trailers. They don't bug me.

It's like the Jamestown parents are looking for an excuse to take up arms. It's hilarious.

You are way in the minority on that. Most parents would rather have their kids get that much extra attention, even if there is supposedly no correlation to "achievement."

Frankly, I would have preferred larger class sizes, since there's not correlation between class size and achievement. But, I can live with the trailers. They don't bug me.

What makes you believe that? Some research? Or is it just your feeling?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're at Nottingham and we have a bunch of trailers. They are really actually kind of nice. It sucks that we lose some field space, but it is what it is. Personally, I'd rather have the trailers and smaller classes than the field and bigger classes.

The real issue, imho, is the cafeteria. It's only so big and there's no trailer for that so some of the kids are eating crazy early and some super late to be able to accomodate all the classes.

OP here:

You know, the cafeteria's the only thing that concerns me too.

Frankly, I would have preferred larger class sizes, since there's not correlation between class size and achievement. But, I can live with the trailers. They don't bug me.

It's like the Jamestown parents are looking for an excuse to take up arms. It's hilarious.

Fellow Jamestown parent here - oh, yes, it is hilarious. I've been a parent at Jamestown for so long that I remember the last time the school had trailers...but I don't remember anyone having such a fit about them. I just don't get it....problems pf the 1% I suppose.

Anonymous wrote:We're at Nottingham and we have a bunch of trailers. They are really actually kind of nice. It sucks that we lose some field space, but it is what it is. Personally, I'd rather have the trailers and smaller classes than the field and bigger classes.

The real issue, imho, is the cafeteria. It's only so big and there's no trailer for that so some of the kids are eating crazy early and some super late to be able to accomodate all the classes.

OP here:

You know, the cafeteria's the only thing that concerns me too.

Frankly, I would have preferred larger class sizes, since there's not correlation between class size and achievement. But, I can live with the trailers. They don't bug me.

It's like the Jamestown parents are looking for an excuse to take up arms. It's hilarious.

We're at Nottingham and we have a bunch of trailers. They are really actually kind of nice. It sucks that we lose some field space, but it is what it is. Personally, I'd rather have the trailers and smaller classes than the field and bigger classes.

The real issue, imho, is the cafeteria. It's only so big and there's no trailer for that so some of the kids are eating crazy early and some super late to be able to accomodate all the classes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reminds me of people who don't want sprawl and don't want density.

We're at Taylor, which also got some trailers. My kids are rapt.

1) Did they just arrive?
2) Are the parents/PTA apoplectic?

I swear, the outrage in the Jamestown district is making me laugh my ass off.

They arrived a week ago. I haven't talked to anyone who's apoplectic, but maybe I just haven't crossed paths with the Outraged Illogical Righteous. I hope I can keep it that way.

Anonymous wrote:The reminds me of people who don't want sprawl and don't want density.

We're at Taylor, which also got some trailers. My kids are rapt.

1) Did they just arrive?
2) Are the parents/PTA apoplectic?

I swear, the outrage in the Jamestown district is making me laugh my ass off.

The reminds me of people who don't want sprawl and don't want density.

We're at Taylor, which also got some trailers. My kids are rapt.

Well... if you have more kids and a limit to class size, those additional kids have to go somewhere.

Anonymous wrote:Wait -- that parents are going to have to go to school in the trailers?!?!?!

Kids don't care. Teachers tend to like them.

OP here: You're missing the point. The parents thought they had *won* on the class size/crowding issue. Now they're indignant b/c they really didn't think things through.

Personally, I think they should probably move the trailers to conserve more of the field, but, I digress.

PTA president will be at dismissal today. I kind of hope someone videotapes those interactions. I wonder how long it will be before someone makes a connection between her "KEEP CLASS SIZES SMALL" campaign and the outcome (the trailers).

Anonymous wrote:Curious Arlingtonian at non trailer (so far) school...do they put general classrooms in them, or are they for art, music, computer lab etc?

Word from the principal (subject to change I think) is they'll move the 5th Grade into them next year.

Curious Arlingtonian at non trailer (so far) school...do they put general classrooms in them, or are they for art, music, computer lab etc?

Wait -- that parents are going to have to go to school in the trailers?!?!?!

Kids don't care. Teachers tend to like them.

Three trailers (er, sorry, "Relocatables" in the PC parlance) were dropped off at Jamestown Elementary School on Friday and the parents are going batshit crazy.

Many are the same parents who were crowing just two months ago when they persuaded the School Board to oppose the superintendent's proposal to increase class size.

I'm betting the two incidents are directly related.

My kid is in Jamestown. I don't see the problem with the trailers. Most are nicer than the classrooms. But, you know, my fellow N. Arlington neighbors never miss an opportunity to be indignant.