Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have zero problems with diversity as a N Arlington parent, in fact we applied to lottery schools in S Arlington but got wait listed. And, we moved to Arlington (vs Loudon county for diversity).

But I do not want to willingly send my kids to schools with known unaddressed problems (Kenmore) in the classroom, poorer performance than my walking-distance school (Swanson), AND that will make my tweens dependent on my transportation if I have to drop off or pick up due to before/after school activities (not to mention adding to commute time in the opposite direction, adding 30+ mins to my already too-long commute to the Dulles corridor)!!

Enough with calling us "racists" when we just seek the BEST and most convenient local education for our kids. Yes, we scrimped and saved to move to our neighborhood primarily BASED ON THE (zoned) SCHOOLS! All of you promoting diversity (north and south Arlington) are welcome to transfer your kids to Randolph, Kenmore, etc. And, taking diversity one step further, go live in a 3-bedroom apartment along Columbia pike (like we did) for a few years to fully immerse yourselves!!

Now you know how Trump voters feel. They honestly believe they are supporting the policies that will make the country safer and more prosperous, which is what it sounds like you want for your family. And they are called racists!

Anonymous wrote:How long before this whole process is going to repeat, anyway? The numbers show that many of the schools will ALREADY be over capacity in 2019. They will have to build another middle school. So this is just going to play out over and over again. Ugh.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I WANT to send my kids to a racially diverse school. The problem I have with Kenmore is all the studies showing poorer educational performance at schools at a poverty tipping point, usually around 40 to 45 percent. At 20, 30% percent, the other kids bring the poorer kids up with them, school has enough resources to deal. At 40% and higher levels of poverty in a school, school is just overwhelmed.

THAT, and the fact that Swanson is about a mile closer to us, is my objection to the move. But I'm not sure if I should object or let our family be used to help others in need.

The biggest problem with the county and APS is that it has put parents like you to this choice. Some parents don't value "diversity" (however defined) and some parents think their kids will do just fine regardless of demographics. The parents in the middle, who have to choose between their own kid's experience and what they may believe in as a broader community value, are faced with a really hard choice. And called racist when they struggle with it. This situation is depressing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a mess, the Board has been irresponsible and it’s coming home to roost. Reality is from a middle class perspective people are still moving into S Arlington and staying because cost of housing and commute times continue to rise. Enough to combat the poverty and illegal immigration? Who knows. Thankfully these proposals are just a starting point. Truthfully I don’t want my middle class down to earth child going to school with all wealthy children. I don’t want to be a parent exposed to the desperate parents that sacrificed so much to live in N Arlington and are so stressed out because they are so worried about keeping up with the Jones and haven’t had a dinner out or a vacation in years because they are so house poor. Some of the posts on this thread are disgusting.

You may go ahead and add your own comment to the list of "disgusting" posts. Your insecurity and bitterness are certainly contributing factors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I WANT to send my kids to a racially diverse school. The problem I have with Kenmore is all the studies showing poorer educational performance at schools at a poverty tipping point, usually around 40 to 45 percent. At 20, 30% percent, the other kids bring the poorer kids up with them, school has enough resources to deal. At 40% and higher levels of poverty in a school, school is just overwhelmed.

THAT, and the fact that Swanson is about a mile closer to us, is my objection to the move. But I'm not sure if I should object or let our family be used to help others in need.

The biggest problem with the county and APS is that it has put parents like you to this choice. Some parents don't value "diversity" (however defined) and some parents think their kids will do just fine regardless of demographics. The parents in the middle, who have to choose between their own kid's experience and what they may believe in as a broader community value, are faced with a really hard choice. And called racist when they struggle with it. This situation is depressing.

Anonymous wrote:It’s a mess, the Board has been irresponsible and it’s coming home to roost. Reality is from a middle class perspective people are still moving into S Arlington and staying because cost of housing and commute times continue to rise. Enough to combat the poverty and illegal immigration? Who knows. Thankfully these proposals are just a starting point. Truthfully I don’t want my middle class down to earth child going to school with all wealthy children. I don’t want to be a parent exposed to the desperate parents that sacrificed so much to live in N Arlington and are so stressed out because they are so worried about keeping up with the Jones and haven’t had a dinner out or a vacation in years because they are so house poor. Some of the posts on this thread are disgusting.

Anonymous wrote:I WANT to send my kids to a racially diverse school. The problem I have with Kenmore is all the studies showing poorer educational performance at schools at a poverty tipping point, usually around 40 to 45 percent. At 20, 30% percent, the other kids bring the poorer kids up with them, school has enough resources to deal. At 40% and higher levels of poverty in a school, school is just overwhelmed.

THAT, and the fact that Swanson is about a mile closer to us, is my objection to the move. But I'm not sure if I should object or let our family be used to help others in need.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have zero problems with diversity as a N Arlington parent, in fact we applied to lottery schools in S Arlington but got wait listed. And, we moved to Arlington (vs Loudon county for diversity).

But I do not want to willingly send my kids to schools with known unaddressed problems (Kenmore) in the classroom, poorer performance than my walking-distance school (Swanson), AND that will make my tweens dependent on my transportation if I have to drop off or pick up due to before/after school activities (not to mention adding to commute time in the opposite direction, adding 30+ mins to my already too-long commute to the Dulles corridor)!!

Enough with calling us "racists" when we just seek the BEST and most convenient local education for our kids. Yes, we scrimped and saved to move to our neighborhood primarily BASED ON THE (zoned) SCHOOLS! All of you promoting diversity (north and south Arlington) are welcome to transfer your kids to Randolph, Kenmore, etc. And, taking diversity one step further, go live in a 3-bedroom apartment along Columbia pike (like we did) for a few years to fully immerse yourselves!!

I am asking this seriously. If not race/SES, what is the difference between the schools?

Can someone point me to recent evidence of this? I've asked my DC who is a transfer about classroom issues, and was met with blank stares. Same for asking about rowdiness / fights in the lunchroom.

Anonymous wrote:I have zero problems with diversity as a N Arlington parent, in fact we applied to lottery schools in S Arlington but got wait listed. And, we moved to Arlington (vs Loudon county for diversity).

But I do not want to willingly send my kids to schools with known unaddressed problems (Kenmore) in the classroom, poorer performance than my walking-distance school (Swanson), AND that will make my tweens dependent on my transportation if I have to drop off or pick up due to before/after school activities (not to mention adding to commute time in the opposite direction, adding 30+ mins to my already too-long commute to the Dulles corridor)!!

Enough with calling us "racists" when we just seek the BEST and most convenient local education for our kids. Yes, we scrimped and saved to move to our neighborhood primarily BASED ON THE (zoned) SCHOOLS! All of you promoting diversity (north and south Arlington) are welcome to transfer your kids to Randolph, Kenmore, etc. And, taking diversity one step further, go live in a 3-bedroom apartment along Columbia pike (like we did) for a few years to fully immerse yourselves!!

Anonymous wrote:I have zero problems with diversity as a N Arlington parent, in fact we applied to lottery schools in S Arlington but got wait listed. And, we moved to Arlington (vs Loudon county for diversity).

But I do not want to willingly send my kids to schools with known unaddressed problems (Kenmore) in the classroom, poorer performance than my walking-distance school (Swanson), AND that will make my tweens dependent on my transportation if I have to drop off or pick up due to before/after school activities (not to mention adding to commute time in the opposite direction, adding 30+ mins to my already too-long commute to the Dulles corridor)!!

Enough with calling us "racists" when we just seek the BEST and most convenient local education for our kids. Yes, we scrimped and saved to move to our neighborhood primarily BASED ON THE (zoned) SCHOOLS! All of you promoting diversity (north and south Arlington) are welcome to transfer your kids to Randolph, Kenmore, etc. And, taking diversity one step further, go live in a 3-bedroom apartment along Columbia pike (like we did) for a few years to fully immerse yourselves!!