Anonymous wrote:Why would you opt in to a school if you want your child to be in a traditional high school--but don't know if you will be in boundary with their friends?
On the other hand, it leaves those staying at their base school uncertain if that will be their school the following year.

This is nuts.
And, the name reflects it.

It's like a big ** to the community because they just want a traditional high school--like every other high school in Fairfax county.

Is this why she dropped "Oak Hill" as a name? Sounds like it.

If Seema is interested in taking care of her constituents, she will not propose "Skyview," but "Oak Hill." We are NOT the airport or the museum. Seema lives in Centreville, maybe she is not aware.

Centreville reflects its location. Chantilly does, as well (although technically it is in Springfield district), Herndon, South Lakes, and Westfield are all geographic names.

Only Justice and the schools named after people are not.

Most of my kids friends opted in like he did. He will be at HS with a lot of his friends. It is a bit of a bummer that he will not be there with his entire ES class but his good friends are part of the group opting in. The SLHS PTA was told 40-45 SLHS opted in to Western, if you don't think that many of those kids are going with a group of friends then you are crazy. There was a lot of conversation between families about who was opting in and who was not because kids wanted to be with friends. Plus the kids are likely going with kids they met in MS and who they are now friends with. It is one of the pros for the kids from Fox Mill for going to Western, they can move with ES and MS friends instead of leaving the kids they were in clubs with for the last two years because such a small group of kids went to SLHS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would you opt in to a school if you want your child to be in a traditional high school--but don't know if you will be in boundary with their friends?
On the other hand, it leaves those staying at their base school uncertain if that will be their school the following year.

This is nuts.
And, the name reflects it.

It's like a big ** to the community because they just want a traditional high school--like every other high school in Fairfax county.

Is this why she dropped "Oak Hill" as a name? Sounds like it.

If Seema is interested in taking care of her constituents, she will not propose "Skyview," but "Oak Hill." We are NOT the airport or the museum. Seema lives in Centreville, maybe she is not aware.

Centreville reflects its location. Chantilly does, as well (although technically it is in Springfield district), Herndon, South Lakes, and Westfield are all geographic names.

Only Justice and the schools named after people are not.

Seema Dixit does not give a flying F about anyone in Oak Hill. She cares only about Centreville.

+1

Anonymous wrote:Why would you opt in to a school if you want your child to be in a traditional high school--but don't know if you will be in boundary with their friends?
On the other hand, it leaves those staying at their base school uncertain if that will be their school the following year.

This is nuts.
And, the name reflects it.

It's like a big ** to the community because they just want a traditional high school--like every other high school in Fairfax county.

Is this why she dropped "Oak Hill" as a name? Sounds like it.

If Seema is interested in taking care of her constituents, she will not propose "Skyview," but "Oak Hill." We are NOT the airport or the museum. Seema lives in Centreville, maybe she is not aware.

Centreville reflects its location. Chantilly does, as well (although technically it is in Springfield district), Herndon, South Lakes, and Westfield are all geographic names.

Only Justice and the schools named after people are not.

Seema Dixit does not give a flying F about anyone in Oak Hill. She cares only about Centreville.

It is one year of opting in. This is not a permanent thing. It is one year.

Should they have set the boundaries as a part of the redistricting? Yes. They didn't and that is stupid. They set this year up as opt-in for the kids who are in the impacted schools that are interested in attending. Next year, 2027-2028, will be opt-out. The kids will have to opt out of attending Western if they are in the boundaries. In two years, 2028-2029 there is no opting out. Western is your high school, that is where you go.

We have no clue how many kids from Chantilly opted in to Western for next year, it could be that there are 40 or so students which would negate the kids being moved into Chantilly. Everyone expects Oak Hill to be moved and I would guess a good number of those kids will attend Western in 2027-2028.

It is not like it is new to have a traditional HS with a specialized program, Chantilly and other HS have their own "pathways."

Anonymous wrote:Why would you opt in to a school if you want your child to be in a traditional high school--but don't know if you will be in boundary with their friends?
On the other hand, it leaves those staying at their base school uncertain if that will be their school the following year.

This is nuts.
And, the name reflects it.

It's like a big ** to the community because they just want a traditional high school--like every other high school in Fairfax county.

Is this why she dropped "Oak Hill" as a name? Sounds like it.

If Seema is interested in taking care of her constituents, she will not propose "Skyview," but "Oak Hill." We are NOT the airport or the museum. Seema lives in Centreville, maybe she is not aware.

Centreville reflects its location. Chantilly does, as well (although technically it is in Springfield district), Herndon, South Lakes, and Westfield are all geographic names.

Only Justice and the schools named after people are not.

It’s not just an ** to the local community. It’s an insult to everyone in the county who was told the need for this school was so compelling due to overcrowding that they should set aside the existing CIP and continue to ignore other schools in need to purchase KAA, only to pursue an opt-in model that could leave some of the overcrowded schools overcrowded for years. With the boundary change to move part of Fairfax to Chantilly, the overcrowding at Chantilly could be even worse for quite a while - and we were fed lies about how Westfield was overcrowded when it wasn’t.

This is all because opening a new, traditional high school doesn’t get Reid excited. The county-wide boundary study that she went around saying would be “transformational” was anything but, but by God she’s going to make Western/Skyview into the special little “pathways” school that her heart desires. All on our dime.

Why would you opt in to a school if you want your child to be in a traditional high school--but don't know if you will be in boundary with their friends?
On the other hand, it leaves those staying at their base school uncertain if that will be their school the following year.

This is nuts.
And, the name reflects it.

It's like a big ** to the community because they just want a traditional high school--like every other high school in Fairfax county.

Is this why she dropped "Oak Hill" as a name? Sounds like it.

If Seema is interested in taking care of her constituents, she will not propose "Skyview," but "Oak Hill." We are NOT the airport or the museum. Seema lives in Centreville, maybe she is not aware.

Centreville reflects its location. Chantilly does, as well (although technically it is in Springfield district), Herndon, South Lakes, and Westfield are all geographic names.

Only Justice and the schools named after people are not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My student is going to Western. They did not fill all the seats and are accepting apps from outside the 5 until they fill. There is a meeting for the future parents/students on the 24th so I guess that is where the great unveiling of who is going will occur. I’m not thrilled that my neighborhood is now essentially split but I’m super excited about the energy and potential at the new school. I can’t believe people are fighting to not be zoned to it.

I suspect that if the boundaries had already been set, the seats would all be filled. That is just reality.

100%

They are going to fill it with opt ins and next years opt in will be even more once those nervous about the unknown see its not the abyss (and they get sports). Then they will restrict the opt ins to the five schools and this is how it will be. It’s not really suited to be a traditional school if you have been to the campus but it will pull from the overcrowded schools. If they don’t get enough from Chantilly I expect they will move some Chantilly to Westfields. The traditional boundary would have to be tiny given the promise they are making to these opt ins to educate them for 4 years. I predict with sports in 2027 there will be a waiting list and maybe ultimately an entrance exam. Setting a boundary in June would serve no purpose and I suspect they won’t and they will send the bus to the local elementary to pick up the western kids.

The second year is supposed to be opt out only. the students that are in boundary are expected to go but can choose to opt out if they want. I would guess that they will not have to worry too much about a large number of people opting out.

I think opt in was a problem because there are people who ignored the emails and the information sent home and the default was for them to atend their base. I am seeing posts from people asking when they need to decide about going to the new school or not. I also wouldn’t be surprised if there are people who ask to join Western if they are in boundary in June.

100% they should have set the boundaries then had a lottery for the opt in (all the while offering bussing to all base schools). They would have been happily surprised.

Anonymous wrote:Wait, you mean that this is all turning out to be an overly complicated sh*t show, just like folks here have been predicting for months after Reid began to publicize her convoluted plans for Western? Shocking.

FCPS was already operationally incompetent before Reid was hired, and she has just made things even worse. The waste and stupidity is off the charts.

Exactly as predicted. I will say that the Principal has been amazing. He has been energetic and upbeat whenever I have seen him present. He has said that he knows the process has been less than ideal and he understands why some families are concerned about attending. He has been talking to the 5 schools that Western is pulling from. He has been communicating with the parents and students who are attending Western and is setting up times to meet and listen to the kids. He responds to emails and has called parents who had questions.

So yeah, the process has been poor but that is not his fault. He seems focused on putting together a team and getting the kids ideas on what to have at the school next year. He wants to make it their home from day 1. At least, that is my take away from when I have seen him and the message he is sending.

At the open house in January, his message was that it was great if you come here but I fully get why you wouldn’t. He listed the reasons why people would be hesitant. I don’t expect perfection but he seems like someone who is working really hard to smooth out the bumps that he can and absorb the ones he can’t.

So I am focusing on his energy and vibe and excitement. Because he is the face that my kid will see regularly. Not Reid or Meren or any of the School Board folks.

Wait, you mean that this is all turning out to be an overly complicated sh*t show, just like folks here have been predicting for months after Reid began to publicize her convoluted plans for Western? Shocking.

FCPS was already operationally incompetent before Reid was hired, and she has just made things even worse. The waste and stupidity is off the charts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My student is going to Western. They did not fill all the seats and are accepting apps from outside the 5 until they fill. There is a meeting for the future parents/students on the 24th so I guess that is where the great unveiling of who is going will occur. I’m not thrilled that my neighborhood is now essentially split but I’m super excited about the energy and potential at the new school. I can’t believe people are fighting to not be zoned to it.

I suspect that if the boundaries had already been set, the seats would all be filled. That is just reality.

100%

They are going to fill it with opt ins and next years opt in will be even more once those nervous about the unknown see its not the abyss (and they get sports). Then they will restrict the opt ins to the five schools and this is how it will be. It’s not really suited to be a traditional school if you have been to the campus but it will pull from the overcrowded schools. If they don’t get enough from Chantilly I expect they will move some Chantilly to Westfields. The traditional boundary would have to be tiny given the promise they are making to these opt ins to educate them for 4 years. I predict with sports in 2027 there will be a waiting list and maybe ultimately an entrance exam. Setting a boundary in June would serve no purpose and I suspect they won’t and they will send the bus to the local elementary to pick up the western kids.

The second year is supposed to be opt out only. the students that are in boundary are expected to go but can choose to opt out if they want. I would guess that they will not have to worry too much about a large number of people opting out.

I think opt in was a problem because there are people who ignored the emails and the information sent home and the default was for them to atend their base. I am seeing posts from people asking when they need to decide about going to the new school or not. I also wouldn’t be surprised if there are people who ask to join Western if they are in boundary in June.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My student is going to Western. They did not fill all the seats and are accepting apps from outside the 5 until they fill. There is a meeting for the future parents/students on the 24th so I guess that is where the great unveiling of who is going will occur. I’m not thrilled that my neighborhood is now essentially split but I’m super excited about the energy and potential at the new school. I can’t believe people are fighting to not be zoned to it.

I suspect that if the boundaries had already been set, the seats would all be filled. That is just reality.

100%

They are going to fill it with opt ins and next years opt in will be even more once those nervous about the unknown see its not the abyss (and they get sports). Then they will restrict the opt ins to the five schools and this is how it will be. It’s not really suited to be a traditional school if you have been to the campus but it will pull from the overcrowded schools. If they don’t get enough from Chantilly I expect they will move some Chantilly to Westfields. The traditional boundary would have to be tiny given the promise they are making to these opt ins to educate them for 4 years. I predict with sports in 2027 there will be a waiting list and maybe ultimately an entrance exam. Setting a boundary in June would serve no purpose and I suspect they won’t and they will send the bus to the local elementary to pick up the western kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, no one can know yet what they'll do. They will release a revised proposal or proposals, and then they'll make a decision based on (1) who yells the loudest and (2) what individual School Board members want.

Logic would suggest that Coates, Floris, McNair, and Oak Hill are shoe-ins to be assigned to Western/Skyview. As between Fox Mill and Crossfield, who knows. Fox Mill is closer, but Meren seems to want to protect South Lakes. Crossfield has the longer commute currently to Oakton, but the RIO folks who want to stay there are more vocal than anyone else potentially redistricted. And then you have the wild card of Reid possibly wanting to leave a lot of open seats at Western/Skyview so students from other areas can take the special "pathways" courses.

Fox Mill and Crossfield are both quite close to Western. However, Fox Mill is also close to South Lakes which is its current school. It is pretty much halfway--close to both.
Crossfield, on the other hand, is quite far from Oakton which is its current school.

Crossfield makes more sense.

What makes sense to you doesn't matter.

It's more about which community lobbies harder and what makes sense to the board, which is almost always listening to the loudest voice.

In this case the community is a handful of Oakton moms that are abusing their positions at PTO presidents and Gatehouse employees. It's extremely unfair.

It is more then a few parents and you know it.

I am a Fox Mill parent excited by Western. I am aware that our neighborhood is split, some want to stay at SLHS and some want to move to Western. I would guess that Crossfield is the same and that there is large contingent that wants to stay at Oakton. It is not a loud fringe group.

I get wanting to move but if it is important to you then stop being afraid of the PTA parents and use your voice the way they have. Otherwise, you are letting them speak for you. The excuses for not speaking up are kind of lame.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My student is going to Western. They did not fill all the seats and are accepting apps from outside the 5 until they fill. There is a meeting for the future parents/students on the 24th so I guess that is where the great unveiling of who is going will occur. I’m not thrilled that my neighborhood is now essentially split but I’m super excited about the energy and potential at the new school. I can’t believe people are fighting to not be zoned to it.

I suspect that if the boundaries had already been set, the seats would all be filled. That is just reality.

100%

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, no one can know yet what they'll do. They will release a revised proposal or proposals, and then they'll make a decision based on (1) who yells the loudest and (2) what individual School Board members want.

Logic would suggest that Coates, Floris, McNair, and Oak Hill are shoe-ins to be assigned to Western/Skyview. As between Fox Mill and Crossfield, who knows. Fox Mill is closer, but Meren seems to want to protect South Lakes. Crossfield has the longer commute currently to Oakton, but the RIO folks who want to stay there are more vocal than anyone else potentially redistricted. And then you have the wild card of Reid possibly wanting to leave a lot of open seats at Western/Skyview so students from other areas can take the special "pathways" courses.

Fox Mill and Crossfield are both quite close to Western. However, Fox Mill is also close to South Lakes which is its current school. It is pretty much halfway--close to both.
Crossfield, on the other hand, is quite far from Oakton which is its current school.

Crossfield makes more sense.

What makes sense to you doesn't matter.

It's more about which community lobbies harder and what makes sense to the board, which is almost always listening to the loudest voice.

In this case the community is a handful of Oakton moms that are abusing their positions at PTO presidents and Gatehouse employees. It's extremely unfair.

It is more then a few parents and you know it.

I am a Fox Mill parent excited by Western. I am aware that our neighborhood is split, some want to stay at SLHS and some want to move to Western. I would guess that Crossfield is the same and that there is large contingent that wants to stay at Oakton. It is not a loud fringe group.

I get wanting to move but if it is important to you then stop being afraid of the PTA parents and use your voice the way they have. Otherwise, you are letting them speak for you. The excuses for not speaking up are kind of lame.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, no one can know yet what they'll do. They will release a revised proposal or proposals, and then they'll make a decision based on (1) who yells the loudest and (2) what individual School Board members want.

Logic would suggest that Coates, Floris, McNair, and Oak Hill are shoe-ins to be assigned to Western/Skyview. As between Fox Mill and Crossfield, who knows. Fox Mill is closer, but Meren seems to want to protect South Lakes. Crossfield has the longer commute currently to Oakton, but the RIO folks who want to stay there are more vocal than anyone else potentially redistricted. And then you have the wild card of Reid possibly wanting to leave a lot of open seats at Western/Skyview so students from other areas can take the special "pathways" courses.

Fox Mill and Crossfield are both quite close to Western. However, Fox Mill is also close to South Lakes which is its current school. It is pretty much halfway--close to both.
Crossfield, on the other hand, is quite far from Oakton which is its current school.

Crossfield makes more sense.

What makes sense to you doesn't matter.

It's more about which community lobbies harder and what makes sense to the board, which is almost always listening to the loudest voice.

In this case the community is a handful of Oakton moms that are abusing their positions at PTO presidents and Gatehouse employees. It's extremely unfair.

As someone who largely wants Crossfield at Carson/ Western (the lack of transparency has made me questions at points), I wouldn't give the moms you refer the credit or ego boost if our school stays at Oakton. The loudest voices at community meetings from the Western public meeting to regular board meetings have been from East Asian immigrant parents most of whom live West of West Ox rd and not in Franklin Farm.