Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
True. But note that if Rosemary Hills were not mixed with the Chevy Chase and North Chevy Chase elementary schools, it would be a Focus school and have smaller class sizes. As you say, those extra resources are extremely valuable. Isn’t it worth exploring decoupling Chevy Chase, North Chevy Chase and Rosemary Hills for that reason?

Says a disinterested poster (who lives in Chevy Chase).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Very interesting. Why is Piney Branch in Takoma Park, which is 31% FARMS, a Title I school, but Viers Mill, which is 61% FARMS, not? There are several other examples of schools with more low income students than Piney Branch also not being Title I schools. Is it because Piney Branch is in Takoma Park and that part of the county is more politically connected? Heck, even Rosemary Hills is 26% FARMS (higher than at least one school on the list) - why isn't it a Focus School? Is it because it's in Chevy Chase?

Piney Branch is not a Title I school.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/title1/schools.aspx

The Title I schools are Arcola, Bel Pre, Brookhaven, Burnt Mills, Clopper Mill, Cresthaven, Capt. James Daly, Gaithersburg, Georgian Forest, Harmony Hills, Highland, Joann Leleck at Broad Acres, Kemp Mill, New Hampshire Estates, Roscoe Nix, Oak View, Rolling Terrace, Sargent Shriver, South Lake, Strathmore, Summit Hall, Twinbrook, Washington Grove, Watkins Mill, Weller Road, Wheaton Woods, and Whetstone - all elementary schools.

Thanks for clarifying this. I think that a lot of posters assume that Title I designations are tied only to the percentage of FARMS; there are many other factors such as capacity calculations (how many kids and families are using the school now and projections for the near future), needs for special supports, etc. I'm peeved by posters who associate participation in State and Federally funded school resource programs as the kiss of death but who would gladly have the same supports and resources for their school (and frequently do--they just pay out of pocket; don't get me started on the Chevy Chase ES Foundation) so long as those supports don't come with a label. We are talking about families who are seeking the same educational opportunities as you are. Being a person of color, or an immigrant, or multi--lingual is not a crime. It seems that most of the objections to Einstein, Northwood, etc. are simply hate mongering tactics--they're all criminals! they don't act like our nice white kids! And we should avoid the elementary schools because we know they are all criminals from the cradle. I bet that many of the posters screeching about the dangers of families in FARMS schools or at Einstein employ nannies and housecleaners who live in these very neighborhoods and whom they happily leave to supervise their precious children. If these families are good enough to take care of your homes and families, why aren't they good enough to be your neighbors and your children's playmates?

I am sorry for the folks who believe that MoCo schools are going to hell in a handbasket. Best sell your house now and get out before it's too late. Maybe the OP can take it off of your hands.

Oh, and Rosemary Hills is in Silver Spring, not Chevy Chase. I lived down the street from the school for 8 years and sent 4 kids there. It was tiring to listen to the Chevy Chase moms complain about having to send their child to school not in Chevy Chase and moan that their precious darling was attending school with kids who wouldn't be going to Chevy Chase ES. I never had the heart to tell them about school mixing at Westland and B-CC...

True. But note that if Rosemary Hills were not mixed with the Chevy Chase and North Chevy Chase elementary schools, it would be a Focus school and have smaller class sizes. As you say, those extra resources are extremely valuable. Isn’t it worth exploring decoupling Chevy Chase, North Chevy Chase and Rosemary Hills for that reason?

Anonymous wrote:
True. But note that if Rosemary Hills were not mixed with the Chevy Chase and North Chevy Chase elementary schools, it would be a Focus school and have smaller class sizes. As you say, those extra resources are extremely valuable. Isn’t it worth exploring decoupling Chevy Chase, North Chevy Chase and Rosemary Hills for that reason?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Very interesting. Why is Piney Branch in Takoma Park, which is 31% FARMS, a Title I school, but Viers Mill, which is 61% FARMS, not? There are several other examples of schools with more low income students than Piney Branch also not being Title I schools. Is it because Piney Branch is in Takoma Park and that part of the county is more politically connected? Heck, even Rosemary Hills is 26% FARMS (higher than at least one school on the list) - why isn't it a Focus School? Is it because it's in Chevy Chase?

Piney Branch is not a Title I school.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/title1/schools.aspx

The Title I schools are Arcola, Bel Pre, Brookhaven, Burnt Mills, Clopper Mill, Cresthaven, Capt. James Daly, Gaithersburg, Georgian Forest, Harmony Hills, Highland, Joann Leleck at Broad Acres, Kemp Mill, New Hampshire Estates, Roscoe Nix, Oak View, Rolling Terrace, Sargent Shriver, South Lake, Strathmore, Summit Hall, Twinbrook, Washington Grove, Watkins Mill, Weller Road, Wheaton Woods, and Whetstone - all elementary schools.

Thanks for clarifying this. I think that a lot of posters assume that Title I designations are tied only to the percentage of FARMS; there are many other factors such as capacity calculations (how many kids and families are using the school now and projections for the near future), needs for special supports, etc. I'm peeved by posters who associate participation in State and Federally funded school resource programs as the kiss of death but who would gladly have the same supports and resources for their school (and frequently do--they just pay out of pocket; don't get me started on the Chevy Chase ES Foundation) so long as those supports don't come with a label. We are talking about families who are seeking the same educational opportunities as you are. Being a person of color, or an immigrant, or multi--lingual is not a crime. It seems that most of the objections to Einstein, Northwood, etc. are simply hate mongering tactics--they're all criminals! they don't act like our nice white kids! And we should avoid the elementary schools because we know they are all criminals from the cradle. I bet that many of the posters screeching about the dangers of families in FARMS schools or at Einstein employ nannies and housecleaners who live in these very neighborhoods and whom they happily leave to supervise their precious children. If these families are good enough to take care of your homes and families, why aren't they good enough to be your neighbors and your children's playmates?

I am sorry for the folks who believe that MoCo schools are going to hell in a handbasket. Best sell your house now and get out before it's too late. Maybe the OP can take it off of your hands.

Oh, and Rosemary Hills is in Silver Spring, not Chevy Chase. I lived down the street from the school for 8 years and sent 4 kids there. It was tiring to listen to the Chevy Chase moms complain about having to send their child to school not in Chevy Chase and moan that their precious darling was attending school with kids who wouldn't be going to Chevy Chase ES. I never had the heart to tell them about school mixing at Westland and B-CC...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Very interesting. Why is Piney Branch in Takoma Park, which is 31% FARMS, a Title I school, but Viers Mill, which is 61% FARMS, not? There are several other examples of schools with more low income students than Piney Branch also not being Title I schools. Is it because Piney Branch is in Takoma Park and that part of the county is more politically connected? Heck, even Rosemary Hills is 26% FARMS (higher than at least one school on the list) - why isn't it a Focus School? Is it because it's in Chevy Chase?

Piney Branch is not a Title I school.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/title1/schools.aspx

The Title I schools are Arcola, Bel Pre, Brookhaven, Burnt Mills, Clopper Mill, Cresthaven, Capt. James Daly, Gaithersburg, Georgian Forest, Harmony Hills, Highland, Joann Leleck at Broad Acres, Kemp Mill, New Hampshire Estates, Roscoe Nix, Oak View, Rolling Terrace, Sargent Shriver, South Lake, Strathmore, Summit Hall, Twinbrook, Washington Grove, Watkins Mill, Weller Road, Wheaton Woods, and Whetstone - all elementary schools.

Thanks for clarifying this. I think that a lot of posters assume that Title I designations are tied only to the percentage of FARMS; there are many other factors such as capacity calculations (how many kids and families are using the school now and projections for the near future), needs for special supports, etc. I'm peeved by posters who associate participation in State and Federally funded school resource programs as the kiss of death but who would gladly have the same supports and resources for their school (and frequently do--they just pay out of pocket; don't get me started on the Chevy Chase ES Foundation) so long as those supports don't come with a label. We are talking about families who are seeking the same educational opportunities as you are. Being a person of color, or an immigrant, or multi--lingual is not a crime. It seems that most of the objections to Einstein, Northwood, etc. are simply hate mongering tactics--they're all criminals! they don't act like our nice white kids! And we should avoid the elementary schools because we know they are all criminals from the cradle. I bet that many of the posters screeching about the dangers of families in FARMS schools or at Einstein employ nannies and housecleaners who live in these very neighborhoods and whom they happily leave to supervise their precious children. If these families are good enough to take care of your homes and families, why aren't they good enough to be your neighbors and your children's playmates?

I am sorry for the folks who believe that MoCo schools are going to hell in a handbasket. Best sell your house now and get out before it's too late. Maybe the OP can take it off of your hands.

Oh, and Rosemary Hills is in Silver Spring, not Chevy Chase. I lived down the street from the school for 8 years and sent 4 kids there. It was tiring to listen to the Chevy Chase moms complain about having to send their child to school not in Chevy Chase and moan that their precious darling was attending school with kids who wouldn't be going to Chevy Chase ES. I never had the heart to tell them about school mixing at Westland and B-CC...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Very interesting. Why is Piney Branch in Takoma Park, which is 31% FARMS, a Title I school, but Viers Mill, which is 61% FARMS, not? There are several other examples of schools with more low income students than Piney Branch also not being Title I schools. Is it because Piney Branch is in Takoma Park and that part of the county is more politically connected? Heck, even Rosemary Hills is 26% FARMS (higher than at least one school on the list) - why isn't it a Focus School? Is it because it's in Chevy Chase?

Piney Branch is not a Title I school.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/title1/schools.aspx

The Title I schools are Arcola, Bel Pre, Brookhaven, Burnt Mills, Clopper Mill, Cresthaven, Capt. James Daly, Gaithersburg, Georgian Forest, Harmony Hills, Highland, Joann Leleck at Broad Acres, Kemp Mill, New Hampshire Estates, Roscoe Nix, Oak View, Rolling Terrace, Sargent Shriver, South Lake, Strathmore, Summit Hall, Twinbrook, Washington Grove, Watkins Mill, Weller Road, Wheaton Woods, and Whetstone - all elementary schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Very interesting. Why is Piney Branch in Takoma Park, which is 31% FARMS, a Title I school, but Viers Mill, which is 61% FARMS, not? There are several other examples of schools with more low income students than Piney Branch also not being Title I schools. Is it because Piney Branch is in Takoma Park and that part of the county is more politically connected? Heck, even Rosemary Hills is 26% FARMS (higher than at least one school on the list) - why isn't it a Focus School? Is it because it's in Chevy Chase?

Piney Branch is not a Title I school.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/title1/schools.aspx

The Title I schools are Arcola, Bel Pre, Brookhaven, Burnt Mills, Clopper Mill, Cresthaven, Capt. James Daly, Gaithersburg, Georgian Forest, Harmony Hills, Highland, Joann Leleck at Broad Acres, Kemp Mill, New Hampshire Estates, Roscoe Nix, Oak View, Rolling Terrace, Sargent Shriver, South Lake, Strathmore, Summit Hall, Twinbrook, Washington Grove, Watkins Mill, Weller Road, Wheaton Woods, and Whetstone - all elementary schools.

PP said the bolded schools were title I schools and it was bolded in that document. Maybe it was in a prior year, or maybe it was a typo.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Very interesting. Why is Piney Branch in Takoma Park, which is 31% FARMS, a Title I school, but Viers Mill, which is 61% FARMS, not? There are several other examples of schools with more low income students than Piney Branch also not being Title I schools. Is it because Piney Branch is in Takoma Park and that part of the county is more politically connected? Heck, even Rosemary Hills is 26% FARMS (higher than at least one school on the list) - why isn't it a Focus School? Is it because it's in Chevy Chase?

Piney Branch is not a Title I school.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/title1/schools.aspx

The Title I schools are Arcola, Bel Pre, Brookhaven, Burnt Mills, Clopper Mill, Cresthaven, Capt. James Daly, Gaithersburg, Georgian Forest, Harmony Hills, Highland, Joann Leleck at Broad Acres, Kemp Mill, New Hampshire Estates, Roscoe Nix, Oak View, Rolling Terrace, Sargent Shriver, South Lake, Strathmore, Summit Hall, Twinbrook, Washington Grove, Watkins Mill, Weller Road, Wheaton Woods, and Whetstone - all elementary schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Very interesting. Why is Piney Branch in Takoma Park, which is 31% FARMS, a Title I school, but Viers Mill, which is 61% FARMS, not? There are several other examples of schools with more low income students than Piney Branch also not being Title I schools. Is it because Piney Branch is in Takoma Park and that part of the county is more politically connected? Heck, even Rosemary Hills is 26% FARMS (higher than at least one school on the list) - why isn't it a Focus School? Is it because it's in Chevy Chase?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So true. OP, if you want to keep up with the Parkwood or Town of Kensington side of town, do you have money for a country club membership and all the other trappings of UMC life? Your kids will be the poorer ones on the block and they will notice. [/quote

What? Have you ever been to Parkwood or Town of Kensington?

Yep. I live in Kensington Heights and the Ktown and Parkwood people can be really insufferable. They have to somehow convince themselves they are better because they spent $200k more on a house to send kids to Parkwood ES with massive overcrowding. I’ve noticed that the white UMC kids from einsten are headed to similar colleges as the ones on the WJ side.

Huh? Kensington-Parkwood is not overcrowded. (Neither are Rock View or Oakland Terrace.)

The average kindergarten class size at KP is 22 and it is 16 at Rock View and 15 at Oakland Terrace. Same number of teachers in K classrooms. KP is definitely a school that feels bursting at the seams to me.

Aren't those schools (Oakland Terrace and Rock View) title one schools? If so, does that explain the different in class size?

Neither are title one. Oakland Terrace is a Focus school so it gets more funding than most but less then a Title One. Not sure about Rock View but they are not a title one as Title one schools are listed on the MCPS website. It does explain the class size. Focus schools and Title one have small class sizes.

Yes, both Oakland Terrace and Rock View are focus schools, with smaller class sizes. You can see a list of all class-size reduction schools here, on page 3-3. Title I schools (which have the highest percentages of students receiving FARMS) are bolded.

http://gis.mcpsmd.org/cipmasterpdfs/MP20_Chapter3.pdf

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So true. OP, if you want to keep up with the Parkwood or Town of Kensington side of town, do you have money for a country club membership and all the other trappings of UMC life? Your kids will be the poorer ones on the block and they will notice. [/quote

What? Have you ever been to Parkwood or Town of Kensington?

Yep. I live in Kensington Heights and the Ktown and Parkwood people can be really insufferable. They have to somehow convince themselves they are better because they spent $200k more on a house to send kids to Parkwood ES with massive overcrowding. I’ve noticed that the white UMC kids from einsten are headed to similar colleges as the ones on the WJ side.

Huh? Kensington-Parkwood is not overcrowded. (Neither are Rock View or Oakland Terrace.)

Double huh to the "really insufferable" comment. I have found that the area is fully of really pleasant, wonderful, down to earth people. yes, lots of folks have a pool membership but that's not exactly rolling in the dough.

DP, but I have seen firsthand how many of these "really pleasant, wonderful, down to earth people" react when I say my kids go to a local public that's not KP. Pursed lips, looks of disgust, eye rolls, etc. It's gross behavior from people who seem to pride themselves on being "down to earth" and yet would never deign to send their kids to a school with significant SES diversity. They're pleasant to *each other*. Not to everyone and definitely not to many of us who made different choices for our kids' education.

This is my experience with Parkwood and ToK families. I run into them frequently at the park and pool and they absolutely look down upon those who do not live in the town or Parkwood. I have one friend who moved from Town to Kensington Heights because she sends kids to independent schools and decided not to continue paying the WJ premium for schools she's not been using for 8 years and the comments she gets are out of this world.

They are nice to their other neighbors in Parkwood/ToK and if you are the undesirables who live in Kensington Heights or North Kensington, what they say behind your back is "They don't really live IN Kensington, they may as well be in Wheaton." Which is doubly rude because they are also putting down another community with some very nice (but browner) residents.

I live in the BCC side of Kensington (is that better? worse?) and I have never heard this. Though I have heard DCC parents complain about feeling like they are on the "wrong side of the tracks.". Their words.

I'm sure there are snobs in this world but there are also plenty of people with chips on their shoulders.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So true. OP, if you want to keep up with the Parkwood or Town of Kensington side of town, do you have money for a country club membership and all the other trappings of UMC life? Your kids will be the poorer ones on the block and they will notice. [/quote

What? Have you ever been to Parkwood or Town of Kensington?

Yep. I live in Kensington Heights and the Ktown and Parkwood people can be really insufferable. They have to somehow convince themselves they are better because they spent $200k more on a house to send kids to Parkwood ES with massive overcrowding. I’ve noticed that the white UMC kids from einsten are headed to similar colleges as the ones on the WJ side.

Huh? Kensington-Parkwood is not overcrowded. (Neither are Rock View or Oakland Terrace.)

The average kindergarten class size at KP is 22 and it is 16 at Rock View and 15 at Oakland Terrace. Same number of teachers in K classrooms. KP is definitely a school that feels bursting at the seams to me.

Aren't those schools (Oakland Terrace and Rock View) title one schools? If so, does that explain the different in class size?

Neither are title one. Oakland Terrace is a Focus school so it gets more funding than most but less then a Title One. Not sure about Rock View but they are not a title one as Title one schools are listed on the MCPS website. It does explain the class size. Focus schools and Title one have small class sizes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, remind me to never look for buying a new home in Kensington. Apparently it is a toxic dump of personalities. No wonder the DMV has such a bad reputation for being filled with people with horrible personalities. Sure sounds like the Kensinton neighborhood is filled with nasty people on either side.

This is DCUM, not real life.

I live in Kensington and have met only the loveliest, most genuine people. Some are zoned for KP, some for OT, some Rock View. The attitudes on this board are crazy to me as, in real life, it's one of the most welcoming areas I've encountered in the DC area.

+1. I grew up in hoity-toity Chevy Chase, but I love living in Kensington now. So great for kids.

And we love our RAV-4, too!