Anonymous
11/03/2021 15:09
Subject: School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:McAuliffe won Fairfax County by a whopping 65 - 35, so there's no reason for them to not double down.
The state DoE, however, may tread a bit more cautiously.
This.
Anonymous
11/03/2021 15:08
Subject: School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Dear white people: Stop using the term ‘Uncle Tom’
You don’t get to decide who’s a race traitor.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/dear-white-people-stop-using-the-term-uncle-tom/2018/11/15/8a68e9c0-e84e-11e8-a939-9469f1166f9d_story.html
I'm black. She's not one of us.
So pathetic that you think the amount of melanin in your skin makes you a monolith. Ignore this poster, she is threatened by the fact that something doesn’t fit in her narrow world view. I’m also black and not a fan of her
Anonymous
11/03/2021 15:08
Subject: School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The Virginia GOP proved that it can whip up racist white enthusiasm, and win at the ballot box, without Donald Trump.
Yes, it's always the other person that's the problem. You are perfect.
Unbelievable!
As the other PP pointed out, what's the Dem strategy to target moderates like me?
It can be both, you know? Yes, there were many failings on one side; but it is also true that Youngkin whipped up white racist enthusiasm.
As far as moderates like you: there has been plenty of things that McAuliffe (very much a moderate) and the current governor did that should appeal to you. Strong economy, elimination of rape kit back log (HUGE). Expanding medicaid. Leader in education, much as people would have you believe otherwise.
Youngkin is opposed to gay marriage, is not pro choice, and will reduce everything to pure dollars and cents. He will have ZERO affect on local school board issues or FCPS. This scenario is not something that typically appeals to moderates. If you are one, you should be concerned about what you just voted for.
I did not vote for Youngkin but voted McAuliffe for all the reasons you mention.
A lot of folks are pissed off at the school board for their wrong focus during the pandemic and what they perceive as anti-merit policies and voted for Youngkin out of spite. I clearly understand that the school board being ultra liberal/lefty/whatever is not a reflection of McAuliff but he was the available target for their anger. Now it's his party's job to educate their minions on the SB to do their job or risk losing future elections.
This. What the SB does impact the families of most kids more than what the Governor does. Especially since Youngkin has a Dem Senate. The SB has 12 Dems. They can get it together, hire a competent replacement to Brabrand, quit focusing on all things equity, adopt a sensible calendar, and quit focusing on dog parks and electric school buses and school renaming when their are massive problems from COVId and the fallout.
Or, we can do this again in 2023. Their call.
I don't think a majority of the school board are capable of this. Look at the way Meren only obsesses over getting federal dollars and national politics. Or Omeish abstaining from everything. Or Tholen not listening to voters on redistricting. Or Frisch and his dog park. Or their general inability to make coherent Covid policy.
Then, we can do this again in 2022 midterms and 2023. Don’t know what else we can do.
Anonymous
11/03/2021 15:07
Subject: School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:McAuliffe won Fairfax County by a whopping 65 - 35, so there's no reason for them to not double down.
The state DoE, however, may tread a bit more cautiously.
+100.
-100. If democrats want state wide office, they need wider margins in Fairfax.
But Fairfax isn’t super progressive. We have a SB that is a lot more progressive and Woke than moderate Dem parents who hate TJ admissions changes, school re-namings during COVID, equity being at the center of all we do, etc. ODays pushed me over the edge. We have lost the equivalent of at least a semester in the last two years— so they take 11 instructional days away? Really?
Anonymous
11/03/2021 15:03
Subject: School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:I think it's bigger than the school board --- one could argue that it's the Teachers Federation (i.e. K Adams) and teachers who fought being IN school last year that drove parents AWAY from McAuliffe and toward Youngkin.
The Henny Penny mindset -- ("sky is falling!"/ "we're all going to die"/child-size coffins in parades) -- was too much drama for a lot of parents who just want their kids to learn something IN school.
And then you add a lot of non-schooling like "O" days, and extended quarantines, and people don't see the school system as competent. They think the school system is focused on the wrong things.
+1. Kim Adams, Randy Weingarden, Omeish and Fritsch got Youngkin elected.
Anonymous
11/03/2021 15:01
Subject: School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The Virginia GOP proved that it can whip up racist white enthusiasm, and win at the ballot box, without Donald Trump.
Virginians just elected a black woman and Latino guy. Yes, must be racist white enthusiasts who voted them in. Democrats fail to recognize that there are much more educated AA now.
yeah and one of the ads has that woman holding an AK-47 rifle. Just what VA needs.
70% of Virginias own guns, including democrats. If they don't need that, the percentage would be 0%-10% max.
Yeah a lot of Democrats on guns in VA. We're responsible. We take classes. We know how to use a safe. Painting all gun owners as right wing nut jobs doesn't really help the Democrat cause in a moderate state. BTW I'm a Democratic Black Woman and I own an AK 47.
Why do you own an AK-47? Just curious.
Anonymous
11/03/2021 15:01
Subject: Re:School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Where was the focus of the School Board when the schools were closed on COVID? What were the issues discussed?
Social justice. Renaming schools. Religious holidays on the calendar. Removing merit from TJ.
And, how did they kick off their opening last year? With Kendi and his books.
Tone deaf.
This. Youngkin can moderate some of this. My kid’s AP tests being cancelled for an O Day was the straw the broke the camels back. If a school is open and counting towards 990 hours, it should me so restricted National exams can’t be given.
What does this mean? When will they have the test - on another day?
If they want to take it, the have to do so during the accommodations block. Which has a lot of downsides. They get scores later— possibly too late to use for college advising. They have a third week of AP testing which is exhausting. They take a different test than everyone else, so norming hard, especially if most kids are from a high performing system like FCPS. If the actually need the accommodations block for accommodations, too bad for them. A kid with both tests and extra time under a 504 would be unable to take both. A kid with COViS is SOL. Etc.
Anonymous
11/03/2021 14:55
Subject: Re:School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Where was the focus of the School Board when the schools were closed on COVID? What were the issues discussed?
Social justice. Renaming schools. Religious holidays on the calendar. Removing merit from TJ.
And, how did they kick off their opening last year? With Kendi and his books.
Tone deaf.
This. Youngkin can moderate some of this. My kid’s AP tests being cancelled for an O Day was the straw the broke the camels back. If a school is open and counting towards 990 hours, it should me so restricted National exams can’t be given.
What does this mean? When will they have the test - on another day?
They have to take it on the day set aside for make ups. So if the kid is sick on that day there is no make up option. Or if a kid is taking multiple tests there is a chance they end up with 2 tests on one day.
The O Days are ridiculous. Don't allow tests and quizzes for school assigned work but telling Teachers to not to provide new material and not allowing kids to take national based exams is an over reach. This ridiculous policy removes 11 teaching days from the calendar even though schools are open. So DS has 11 days where he is in school and learns nothing new and does nothing new. It is dumb and unnecessary.
TJ admissions will continue to have a portion of seats assigned to each MS. If they bring back the test, the kids who do well enough on the test at each Middle School will still have guaranteed seats. I have no clue how this is going to affect the kids of the pissed of parents at the TJ Feeder schools. Unless those parents are ridiculous enough to believe that there are not 8-10 students at each Middle School that can pass that exam.
Look, I don't like the "O" days but it's ridiculous to call it an overreach. This is perfectly within their purview, though a blunder.
The problem with all of you "School Board reckoning" whiners is this: your child, your needs . . . they are not the only ones in the classroom. The schools have to balance the wants, needs, desires of the school and all of the kids in it, and their parents. That's 2000+ kids at my school alone. Public school is for the benefit of the community, and learning in that community. Not your kid's AP desires or whatever else it is. If you want that much control, homeschool or go private. FULL stop.
For every person that doesn't like "equity" there are people who do. For those who don't like name changes, there are those of us that support it. For those who don't like "O" days, there are those that like to see their holidays respected. And in a PUBLIC school, that is a relevant consideration where Christian holidays have traditionally been the only ones acknowledged in a significant way (winter break centered around Christmas -something I recognize has other considerations- spring break tied to Easter). All of those things need to be balanced. I'm sorry, if you cannot understand that, you don't belong in the public schools.
PP Here. And while the O days are a blunder, imo, it's not worth all of the grousing and howling I've heard, nor justification enough for the huge mistake made last night. You folks are going to regret this choice b/c you're gonna get the bad, and none of the good you're expecting.
Anonymous
11/03/2021 14:54
Subject: Re:School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Where was the focus of the School Board when the schools were closed on COVID? What were the issues discussed?
Social justice. Renaming schools. Religious holidays on the calendar. Removing merit from TJ.
And, how did they kick off their opening last year? With Kendi and his books.
Tone deaf.
This. Youngkin can moderate some of this. My kid’s AP tests being cancelled for an O Day was the straw the broke the camels back. If a school is open and counting towards 990 hours, it should me so restricted National exams can’t be given.
What does this mean? When will they have the test - on another day?
They have to take it on the day set aside for make ups. So if the kid is sick on that day there is no make up option. Or if a kid is taking multiple tests there is a chance they end up with 2 tests on one day.
The O Days are ridiculous. Don't allow tests and quizzes for school assigned work but telling Teachers to not to provide new material and not allowing kids to take national based exams is an over reach. This ridiculous policy removes 11 teaching days from the calendar even though schools are open. So DS has 11 days where he is in school and learns nothing new and does nothing new. It is dumb and unnecessary.
TJ admissions will continue to have a portion of seats assigned to each MS. If they bring back the test, the kids who do well enough on the test at each Middle School will still have guaranteed seats. I have no clue how this is going to affect the kids of the pissed of parents at the TJ Feeder schools. Unless those parents are ridiculous enough to believe that there are not 8-10 students at each Middle School that can pass that exam.
Look, I don't like the "O" days but it's ridiculous to call it an overreach. This is perfectly within their purview, though a blunder.
The problem with all of you "School Board reckoning" whiners is this: your child, your needs . . . they are not the only ones in the classroom. The schools have to balance the wants, needs, desires of the school and all of the kids in it, and their parents. That's 2000+ kids at my school alone. Public school is for the benefit of the community, and learning in that community. Not your kid's AP desires or whatever else it is. If you want that much control, homeschool or go private. FULL stop.
For every person that doesn't like "equity" there are people who do. For those who don't like name changes, there are those of us that support it. For those who don't like "O" days, there are those that like to see their holidays respected. And in a PUBLIC school, that is a relevant consideration where Christian holidays have traditionally been the only ones acknowledged in a significant way (winter break centered around Christmas -something I recognize has other considerations- spring break tied to Easter). All of those things need to be balanced. I'm sorry, if you cannot understand that, you don't belong in the public schools.
Anonymous
11/03/2021 14:50
Subject: School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The Virginia GOP proved that it can whip up racist white enthusiasm, and win at the ballot box, without Donald Trump.
Virginians just elected a black woman and Latino guy. Yes, must be racist white enthusiasts who voted them in. Democrats fail to recognize that there are much more educated AA now.
yeah and one of the ads has that woman holding an AK-47 rifle. Just what VA needs.
70% of Virginias own guns, including democrats. If they don't need that, the percentage would be 0%-10% max.
Yeah a lot of Democrats on guns in VA. We're responsible. We take classes. We know how to use a safe. Painting all gun owners as right wing nut jobs doesn't really help the Democrat cause in a moderate state. BTW I'm a Democratic Black Woman and I own an AK 47.
Anonymous
11/03/2021 14:33
Subject: Re:School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Where was the focus of the School Board when the schools were closed on COVID? What were the issues discussed?
Social justice. Renaming schools. Religious holidays on the calendar. Removing merit from TJ.
And, how did they kick off their opening last year? With Kendi and his books.
Tone deaf.
This. Youngkin can moderate some of this. My kid’s AP tests being cancelled for an O Day was the straw the broke the camels back. If a school is open and counting towards 990 hours, it should me so restricted National exams can’t be given.
What does this mean? When will they have the test - on another day?
They have to take it on the day set aside for make ups. So if the kid is sick on that day there is no make up option. Or if a kid is taking multiple tests there is a chance they end up with 2 tests on one day.
The O Days are ridiculous. Don't allow tests and quizzes for school assigned work but telling Teachers to not to provide new material and not allowing kids to take national based exams is an over reach. This ridiculous policy removes 11 teaching days from the calendar even though schools are open. So DS has 11 days where he is in school and learns nothing new and does nothing new. It is dumb and unnecessary.
TJ admissions will continue to have a portion of seats assigned to each MS. If they bring back the test, the kids who do well enough on the test at each Middle School will still have guaranteed seats. I have no clue how this is going to affect the kids of the pissed of parents at the TJ Feeder schools. Unless those parents are ridiculous enough to believe that there are not 8-10 students at each Middle School that can pass that exam.
WOW that is pretty messed up. This needs to be elevated.
Anonymous
11/03/2021 14:27
Subject: School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:With the governor's race ending up the way it did, will the FCPS school board now tone down their nonsense out of fear of being kicked out at the next election?
No. Not even close. Because they know in Fairfax, the vast majority of the people vote democratic. So they (school board) know they can go to any extreme and actually it is better to be on extreme left to win over their most ardent democratic supporters.
I hate Trump as much as anyone and even threw a party (outdoor) when he lost. I voted republican in this election. Not many do in Fairfax.
The difference is that there is large turnout for a general election to elect a President or Governor, whereas SB elections (at least in FC) are off-year elections. Typically that favors Democrats, but if the Republicans can keep parents engaged in what will be an off-year election in 2023 there could be a huge swing. Quite honestly, if I were a current SB member in FCPS I’d be letting people know now I have no plans to run again (unless my first name were Megan). They are damaged goods and they will encounter an enormous amount of opposition if they try to run again.
Anonymous
11/03/2021 14:26
Subject: School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:
Dear white people: Stop using the term ‘Uncle Tom’
You don’t get to decide who’s a race traitor.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/dear-white-people-stop-using-the-term-uncle-tom/2018/11/15/8a68e9c0-e84e-11e8-a939-9469f1166f9d_story.html
I'm black. She's not one of us.
Anonymous
11/03/2021 14:21
Subject: Re:School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Where was the focus of the School Board when the schools were closed on COVID? What were the issues discussed?
Social justice. Renaming schools. Religious holidays on the calendar. Removing merit from TJ.
And, how did they kick off their opening last year? With Kendi and his books.
Tone deaf.
This. Youngkin can moderate some of this. My kid’s AP tests being cancelled for an O Day was the straw the broke the camels back. If a school is open and counting towards 990 hours, it should me so restricted National exams can’t be given.
What does this mean? When will they have the test - on another day?
They have to take it on the day set aside for make ups. So if the kid is sick on that day there is no make up option. Or if a kid is taking multiple tests there is a chance they end up with 2 tests on one day.
The O Days are ridiculous. Don't allow tests and quizzes for school assigned work but telling Teachers to not to provide new material and not allowing kids to take national based exams is an over reach. This ridiculous policy removes 11 teaching days from the calendar even though schools are open. So DS has 11 days where he is in school and learns nothing new and does nothing new. It is dumb and unnecessary.
TJ admissions will continue to have a portion of seats assigned to each MS. If they bring back the test, the kids who do well enough on the test at each Middle School will still have guaranteed seats. I have no clue how this is going to affect the kids of the pissed of parents at the TJ Feeder schools. Unless those parents are ridiculous enough to believe that there are not 8-10 students at each Middle School that can pass that exam.
Anonymous
11/03/2021 14:20
Subject: School board reckoning?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:With the governor's race ending up the way it did, will the FCPS school board now tone down their nonsense out of fear of being kicked out at the next election?
Very cringe because you think you just voted out the school board when in fact you voted for governor.
They did vote out the state board of education. I’m guessing equity won’t be a priority for the incoming board.
This. This is why I voted Youngkin. Whatever it takes to get Atif Qarni to stop imposing new teacher training mandates about equity that don’t do a damn thing to help my kid learn the 3 R’s, science, and non-victim-based social studies.
Exactly. And if the School Board members are paying any attention they’ll start focusing on their basic responsibilities again and stop with all their stupid nonsense like a new “social justice” Academy at failing Lewis HS.
I would have assumed conservative Christians would be supportive of such things considering the importance of social justice in the teachings of Jesus.
The separation of church and state is enshrined in the Constitution, but it would be far better to spend money teaching students at all the schools the skills they need to advocate, when they choose to do so, rather than setting up a program at one school with a likely bias towards teaching students not only that they should become advocates, but also what they should advocate.