Anonymous wrote:I think it's pretty settled that Reid is creating the boundaries based on who did and did not opt in, right? This is her way of choosing the boundaries without controversy.

How is that going to work if it’s pockets of kids from a bunch of different areas? I know the website says some BS about geographically based boundaries as though there is an alternative. They have to provide transportation once boundaries are drawn. So they’re either going to have to draw a traditional boundary or draw an extremely tiny boundary and let people opt in with zero transportation provided for those outside the tiny boundary.

Anonymous wrote:I think it's pretty settled that Reid is creating the boundaries based on who did and did not opt in, right? This is her way of choosing the boundaries without controversy.

That has been speculated on but no one knows

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if there will be a way for me to opt my former Crossfield kid in - like a language not offered at Oakton or something like that when they create the boundaries based on something a handful of current 8th graders do or do not choose.

Language transfers are a no go because people used it to get out of undesirable schools

I think it's pretty settled that Reid is creating the boundaries based on who did and did not opt in, right? This is her way of choosing the boundaries without controversy.

I wonder if there will be a way for me to opt my former Crossfield kid in - like a language not offered at Oakton or something like that when they create the boundaries based on something a handful of current 8th graders do or do not choose.

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.