word Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > Our neighborhood has obviously been completely
> disrespected by the Board
> Let's not forget the lack of respect from the
> South Lakes community too



Oh my word. You must be joking. There is respect, and there is supinely and obsequiously kissing ass. Vast difference.

I respect people who want to stay with what they know and even bargained for, as long as they don't savage the other side with unfounded rumors, innuendo and labels. I don't respect people who get ruffled and red-faced when people respond assertively to their bullsh*&.

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Forum Reader Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > I have not seen any posts that claim home
> prices
> > are declining because of redistricting.
>
> There was one this morning by FME Mom. There have
> been several over the course of this board.
> VaDriver is particularly obsessed with the
> subject.
----------------
You are getting the cart before the horse. No one has said houses throughout the county are being devalued by this discussion. I believe the concern is that IF boundaries are shifted so that a house were to be moved into an attendance area of a school with weaker performance statistics, THEN the house would sell for less money and/or be harder to sell. It is a valid discussion point: If all other factors are equal, many people would choose the house in the "better" school area.

It seems like the entire Reston community agrees that the former South Lakes principal was lousy. Does anyone know where she went after leaving South Lakes?

Berdhuis Wrote:
>
> ... I do not care one bit about property values -
> anywhere! That fool who complained about it is
> selfish, and ought to be ingnored. ...

This may be a dumb question, but are you serious? If so, may I ask if you have ever owned property?

Berdhuis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am a non-immigrant McNair father with 2 sons at
> McNair ES, and one son a freshman at Westfield
> HS.
>
> Our neighborhood has obviously been completely
> disrespected by the Board. It's pretty clear that
> we're going to be switched - ours was the only
> area to be moved in all four options.
>
> I have pleaded with all Board members
> individually, politely and eloquently, to avoid
> redistricting as a means to solve temporary
> enrollment number issues. I received a positive
> response from Mr. Raney, and no responses
> whatsoever from Mr. Gibson or Mrs. Smith.
>
> We are being run over, and I am trying to get the
> word out to everyone concerned that we should not
> accept this process.
>
> Let me add that I have no problems with sending my
> youngest children to South Lakes or Herndon HS if
> this is where we end up, both are equally fine
> schools, along with Westfield HS. I just want
> people to understand that this process is the
> result of a School Board in a panic, inwilling to
> examine a patient and creative solution to THEIR
> problem!


Ok. I posted and then went back to look at whom Word had quoted, and I want to state that I hear and respect Berdhuis and the McNair community.

In fact, I and other SLHSers feel very strongly that the reason that McNair is involved in three of the four scenarios is b/c FCPS is counting on their (McNair) not reacting like other elementary school communities would. They are counting on them not to use their voices. That is, indeed, unfair and disrepectful.

If the McNair community comes to SLHS, they will be wholeheartedly welcomed, and both the school and the new students will benefit. But there is a better way for both that community and for ours, i.e., McNair at Westfield; and FM and east Floris to SLHS.

Adding a marginalized community to another (SLHS) that has been assiduously trying to obtain parity of treatment by FCPS is not optimal for either. That is the bottom line here.

Yes, I once owned a townhouse adjacent to South Lakes HS. I was laid-off from work, couldn't find equally-paying work quickly enough and had to quickly sell the place as I could no longer make the mortgage payments.

I wound up with a much lower salary in a different job, and was forced to sell. I observe that many are obsessed with their property values, and can vouch that such an obsession becomes meaningless when faced with unemployment.

At this point one must go into survival mode, ie: find a cheap place to rent and make sure your children are fed, clothed and well-educated. I

still rent, by the way, and plan on buying a home when prices come back down to realistic levels. And boy, those prices still have a lot of dropping to do - and they will.

APorIBMom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It seems like the entire Reston community agrees
> that the former South Lakes principal was lousy.
> Does anyone know where she went after leaving
> South Lakes?

I believe she is with the County in an admin position that deals with educational issues for immigrant students. I sincerely hope and don't think she has sway to influence policy on their education.

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> APorIBMom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It seems like the entire Reston community
> agrees
> > that the former South Lakes principal was lousy.
>
> > Does anyone know where she went after leaving
> > South Lakes?
>
> I believe she is with the County in an admin
> position that deals with educational issues for
> immigrant students. I sincerely hope and don't
> think she has sway to influence policy on their
> education.


Wow, that's really sad and scary. All I know about her is what I've read here, but she sounds awful. Makes you dislike the teacher's unions.

SLHS Padre Wrote:
> "... Adding a marginalized community to another (SLHS)
> that has been assiduously trying to obtain parity
> of treatment by FCPS is not optimal for either."

Can you translate this sentence into plain English?
What is a "marginalized community"?
What is "assiduously trying to obtain"?
What is "parity of treatment by FCPS"?
And what is "optimal"?

Forum Reader Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SLHS Padre Wrote:
> > "... Adding a marginalized community to another
> (SLHS)
> > that has been assiduously trying to obtain
> parity
> > of treatment by FCPS is not optimal for
> either."
>
> Can you translate this sentence into plain
> English?
> What is a "marginalized community"?
> What is "assiduously trying to obtain"?
> What is "parity of treatment by FCPS"?
> And what is "optimal"?

At least you didn't invoke IB:

"Adding a marginalized community to another (SLHS) that has been assiduously trying to obtain parity of treatment by FCPS is not optimal for either."

=

Why combine McNair, a newer community looking for respect and resources from FCPS, with South Lakes, an older one with a history of trying to get fairer treatment from FCPS?

It's not a good option for either, even if it's the path of the least resistance for FCPS.

SLHS Padre Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Ok. I posted and then went back to look at whom
> Word had quoted, and I want to state that I hear
> and respect Berdhuis and the McNair community.
>
> In fact, I and other SLHSers feel very strongly
> that the reason that McNair is involved in three
> of the four scenarios is b/c FCPS is counting on
> their (McNair) not reacting like other elementary
> school communities would. They are counting on
> them not to use their voices. That is, indeed,
> unfair and disrepectful.
>
> If the McNair community comes to SLHS, they will
> be wholeheartedly welcomed, and both the school
> and the new students will benefit. But there is a
> better way for both that community and for ours,
> i.e., McNair at Westfield; and FM and east Floris
> to SLHS.
>
> Adding a marginalized community to another (SLHS)
> that has been assiduously trying to obtain parity
> of treatment by FCPS is not optimal for either.
> That is the bottom line here.

I have a solution, but it would involve a FULL REDISTRICTING EFFORT as is what should have happened in the first place. We can spread the poor around! That's ultimately what everyone is griping about, so here is my solution:

Move Lake Anne and Forest Edge to Herndon HS. This removes 374 FRM students (K-6) from South Lakes. Move Hutchison to Westfields and leave McNair at Westfields. This moves 303 FRM kids from Herndon to Westfields to keep pretty much the same number of kids there while increasing Westfields slightly. That would reduce the FRM from 1017 to 643 for schools in the South Lakes pyramid (even though we would still be stuck with Dogwood and all its glory). Then Floris, Fox Mill, and Crossfields could move to South Lakes, along with an AP program in addition to their IB program. This would make the schools a little more comparable. Of course, then Oakton would be in need to students, but Centreville could also be evaluated, and Oakton Elementary could move from Madison to Oakton. The Marshall boundaries would have to be opened to look at the space at Madison, McLean and Langley would also have to be evaluated -- they could take some of the poor from Marshall..... I could go on and on.....

Here, have some statistics to support my hairbrained scheme!

ESOL % ESOL # FRM % FRM #
Lake Anne 13.00% 69 32.00% 166
Forest Edge 14.00% 123 25.00% 208
Sunrise Valley 34.00% 18 4.00% 22
Terraset 12.00% 48 35.50% 141
Dogwood 38.00% 222 64.00% 376
Hunters Woods 6.50% 65 14.50% 104
545 1017

McNair 32.00% 291 4.00% 363
Hutchison 40.00% 237 50.00% 303

Fox Mill 6.50% 47 4.50% 33
Crossfield 3.50% 27 1.00% 8
Floris 6.50% 53 4.40% 36

>>>>the pettiness of the idea of a year-round HS is idiotic.<<<

It's petty to want to give more help to kids who need it? They did that in the Stuart pyramid and it has been VERY successful. Why not the same at South Lakes?

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >>>>the pettiness of the idea of a year-round HS
> is idiotic.<<<
>
> It's petty to want to give more help to kids who
> need it? They did that in the Stuart pyramid and
> it has been VERY successful. Why not the same at
> South Lakes?


Please note that this is not about giving more help to the FRM kids at South Lakes, it is about making it possible to offer a bigger selection of advanced courses for the advantaged kids at South Lakes. There has been nothing in the discussion from the school board about helping these kids, only hand wringing that there are too many of them.

It would be interesting to see what could be done to help these kids. That is not on the table.

Since Fairfax county does not have a poverty rate of anything close to 20% why do the schools have an average of 20% FRL? Can someone explain that to me? Thanks very much.

>>>>During the majority of the two town hall meetings, the majority support NO CHANGE. I wonder how the board will explain their selective listening.<<<

They won't. They don't have to. Dean Tistadt said our comments were 'not helpful' to the process. Period.

>>>I just want people to understand that this process is the result of a School Board in a panic, unwilling to examine a patient and creative solution to THEIR problem!<<<<

VERY well said, you've hit the heart of the problem. The School Board is refusing to even consider ANY other solutions. They are refusing to listen to ANY creative solutions from the public but are forging ahead with a hasty, ill conceived, plan.

YaYaMaMa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Please note that this is not about giving more
> help to the FRM kids at South Lakes, it is about
> making it possible to offer a bigger selection of
> advanced courses for the advantaged kids at South
> Lakes. There has been nothing in the discussion
> from the school board about helping these kids,
> only hand wringing that there are too many of
> them.
>
> It would be interesting to see what could be done
> to help these kids. That is not on the table.

I agree those kids should not be lost in this . . Are you in the corner of busing said kids in? . . or creating a community within close proximity to SL with a larger number of "advantaged" kids to balance out the FRL group and Title I school that is already in the pyramid. SL DOES need balance and with it will be a great school (and hopefully everyone realizes this takes time to happen) - I am not being sarcastic, just wondering what you think is the answer. . . . and how SL can achieve successfully the balance that they need to be an even greater school??

I think there are a number of families who have income under the table that goes unreported. They request FRL even though they could not qualify. There is no way this many families of 4 live in Fairfax County on an income of under $45k.

My kids used to attend Saratoga Elem in Springfield which is surrounded by $600k single family homes and $400k townhomes yet they have 34% FRL. It does not seem to fit the neighborhood.

I would also guess that the FRL figures for high school are less accurate. Some of the older kids may be embarrassed by the label of FRL and not bother to file for benefits.

Has anyone seen the Minority Drop Out Report that FCPS is sitting on??

. . no, please share . . .

I can't get my hands on it. Someone in the know said it is "scathing". Most parents haven't a clue how bad things are for minorities in this school district. It is a two track system of the haves and have nots.

I am guessing the SB will release it on Christmas Eve or something when noone is paying any attention. TFCPS has a way of burying unflattering data.

I can't get my hands on it. Someone in the know said it is "scathing". Most parents haven't a clue how bad things are for minorities in this school district. It is a two track system of the haves and have nots.

I am guessing the SB will release it on Christmas Eve or something when noone is paying any attention. FCPS has a way of burying unflattering data.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >>>>During the majority of the two town hall
> meetings, the majority support NO CHANGE. I wonder
> how the board will explain their selective
> listening.<<<
>
> They won't. They don't have to. Dean Tistadt
> said our comments were 'not helpful' to the
> process. Period.
_________--------------------------------------------------------------_________________

And, for this reason, I will boycott the Dec 19th meeting.

Let all the South Lakes advocates and the schoool board have a love fest together.

Everyone I heard speak at these meetings have advocated "magnet" or no redistricting. Even the few South Lakes kids at this past meeting were agreeing with the magnet idea...Hello County.. Stu...knock.. knock... knock...anyone home?

Msg from SL to McNair - we respect you, but we don't want you
Msg from restofworld to SL - we respect you, but we don't want you

Ouch - will be looking for this one . . . yes, Merry Christmas. . . .thanks for the heads up. .

my previous post was to Lee Parent about report, not word. . . .

This one-sided forum is dissapointing because it truly shows the people that would unfortunatly join us if the redistricting took place. The SB has allowed the weaker schools to get weaker and done nothing about it for years- it's time for some serious catch-up work. Many of these early concerns are reflected on the Nov 12 meeting notes available on the FCPS web site. Fox Mill is actually a very diverse community whose diverse residents choose to demonstrate a strong work ethic to their children and invest themselves in their children's education. Please know that a new elementary school is being built in the portion of McNair south of the Toll Road and west of Centreville Road which will serve the kids currently going to Floris and McNair. Do you see any Fox Mill residents complaining about the commute? Nope. Nor can I see how they can ask for Floris kids to jump across McNair students to go to SL. I find it hard to believe that their main issue is the shortage of middle class kids at their school. That leaves Floris and McNair…and if you move Floris, it creates an island at McNair, which they don't want to do. Well, the whole reason why Oakton is in this study is because it shares borders with Westfield and Chantilly, yet it's not necessarily overenrolled. It's a shame that you all will be the only ones who have to go to South Lakes, other than McNair. I'm actually surprised Crossfield wasn't involved in the redistricting options. The attitude that the SL parents have shown here just gives people another reason not to want to be part of the SLHS community. BTW, the only school in the West County Boundary Study to make the list was Oakton.

Bottom line is SL parents want our bubble-dwelling kids to attend their school. There is no reason to get rid of the IB program altogether. There is nothing to prevent the school board from giving SL more teachers, more courses, and more classes, without adding another student. Communities do not own their schools, the schools are county-wide resources to be used for the benefit of all children not just for any specific community. I think it's also time to reiterate that redistricting will affect incoming Freshman only, and current high-schoolers will be grandfathered. Herndon or South Lakes should be prepared to deal with any of their incoming students, regardless of the schools they have previously attended. I do have to say that crime has improved a bit thanks to the influx of businesses. McNair folks will need to speak up if they have concerns.

Amen to that brother

Hmm Wrote:
> I agree those kids should not be lost in this . .
> Are you in the corner of busing said kids in? . .
> or creating a community within close proximity to
> SL with a larger number of "advantaged" kids to
> balance out the FRL group and Title I school that
> is already in the pyramid. SL DOES need balance
> and with it will be a great school (and hopefully
> everyone realizes this takes time to happen) - I
> am not being sarcastic, just wondering what you
> think is the answer. . . . and how SL can achieve
> successfully the balance that they need to be an
> even greater school??

I am convinced that there is nothing the School Board can reconfigure (numbers, school district) that will solve this problem. It has to happen with dedicated parents whose primary interest is in their children's education - and I don't mean "just getting by", either.

No other imported group of relatively affluent people can do the job for them; they have to focus their lives on giving their children an exceptional education, and convince their neighbors of the same condition to do the same. The change must come from within, not from the outside (I can quote Scripture here, if y'all want).

So maybe a special leader within South Lakes will rise up and really take charge of this situation - maybe the PTA, too?

Frying Pan Road Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
What is the attitude of the SL parents posting here? Could you explain what you mean?

FME Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ... I have a solution, but it would involve a FULL
> REDISTRICTING EFFORT as is what should have
> happened in the first place. We can spread the
> poor around! ...

Shouldn't we make this a COUNTY-WIDE effort?

Based on FCPS's recent decree that some of our current high school enrollments are "too small" or "too big" this is logically where we are headed:
- If high schools are to have enrollments between 1700 and 2300, Stuart needs to be slightly enlarged; Marshall either needs to be enlarged by 200 student capacity or made into a middle school plus a Center.
- High schools and middle schools should have matched-up boundaries. Thus middle schools should have enrollments between 850 and 1150. (Perhaps Thoreau could be turned into an elementary school.) Those middle school buildings with capacity over 1150 would host GT and Special Ed Centers.
- All school buildings with capacities of 2550 and over should be converted to secondary schools (Mt Vernon, Hayfield, South County, Lake Braddock, Robinson, Chantilly, and Westfield.)
- Even with 2300 high school students and 1150 middle schoolers, Lake Braddock and Robinson would have excess capacity to host Academies.

I don't understand the comments about 'importing students.' This is a boundary adjustment to changes on the ground relative to enrollment, overcrowding and under-enrollment. People who live on the edge of their districts should be aware that boundaries are changed all the time. Floris families were moved to Westfield because they were on the edge of a boundary district; they did not want to go. Now they do not want to leave Westfield. People will adapt. I am not trying to minimize anything, but families in the Floris district with young children have never been impacted and have never been asked to move. The same is true of young families in the Fox Mill district. No current High Schoolers are being asked to move. Yes, there may be families with children in two schools. I have yet to hear a parent with one child at TJ and one in their pyramid school complain about two schools.

I find it interesting that FCPS won't commit to grandfathering. While of course the rest of the arguments would continue, it would defuse a statistically significant portion of the populace, which you would think would be a desirable goal. (Yes, I'm one of those parents -- I might go to the third meeting just to watch the fireworks, but I wouldn't have a dog in the fight any more.)

word Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Stephanie - Nice post.
>
> What's you're take on the Free Lunch crowd? South
> Lakes people don't want any more Free Lunch kids
> at the school... they say they have enough. From
> your experience are most of them problem kids? Do
> you think that kids that get a Free Lunch can be
> sterotyped into problem-child status? Do you think
> those coming from families with higher incomes
> would be a better fit for your school? Do you
> care?

Of course I care. This is the school in which I attend, the school that I've called a second home for the past two years. To answer your quiestons I don't believe these students should be stereotyped. I'm not going to lie to you. I come from an upper class family and have always had the finacial support of my parents when it has come to my academics and or athletitic activities over my scholastic career. To be completely honest I don't know who is on free and reduced lunch. I might very well have friends who are on welfare for all I know, but my point is that students are not outed by their finacial situation at home. Do we have rich kids? Yes. Do we have kids who don't have finacial support from home? Yes. Am I friends with both? Probably. I can't really present any information, but my opinoun stands as this: your finacial situation at home should never conflict with your education. Nor should the fact that others have finacial situations that differ from your own. Fairfax County is one of the richest counties in the country, and I believe I can speak for everyone on the idea that we do not stereotype students who qualify and/or are on free and reduced lunch as "trouble makers."

I believe the system works very well. Students have a right to privacy, just as adults do. We might not be able to vote, but we like everyone else are entintled to the freedoms in which the Constituion promises.

Lurker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I find it interesting that FCPS won't commit to
> grandfathering. While of course the rest of the
> arguments would continue, it would defuse a
> statistically significant portion of the populace,
> which you would think would be a desirable goal.
> (Yes, I'm one of those parents -- I might go to
> the third meeting just to watch the fireworks, but
> I wouldn't have a dog in the fight any more.)

It seems like they commit, then backpedal a little bit. I assume the backpedaling is just to be consistant about having all options open. I'm assuming grandfathering will happen because what's the big emergency that requires annoying families just that much more? Even the SB can't be THAT stupid. (I hope I'm not wrong)

I have to laugh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Stephanie - do you really believe that.
>
> The decisions were made long ago. This so called
> "process" is being done just to give the
> impression that the Board is accepting public
> viewpoints. If they were really listening they
> would be adding other high schools like Langley
> into the equation. That was the very first
> comment I heard three weeks ago at the first
> meeting. You need to face it, it's a scam.

And if the descisions were made such a long time ago.... then why does everyone try to fight so hard against it. If that truly is going to be the outcome why can't we all move on?

When this is all over and done with, those who put forth a real effort can feel good at least about that (if nothing else - depending on what happens) I don't want to think I "could have done more", "said more" or "tried harder" . . . . . we have to "try" - even if there is that possibility that the SB has already made a decision they are not sharing with anyone. How do we know for sure? Does anyone know beyond a reasonable doubt that a decision has been made?

No - there is no way to know that and so it is in everyones best interest who cares about what is going on (the kids, families, and communities last I checked) to voice their opinions, contact SB members, get INVOLVED and for the love of GOD - make some NOISE! There are those who do and those who watch others do . . . I prefer to do - how can you live with yourself if you just resign and move on? . .

I think it is better to fight and lose, then to never fight at all . . . .

I don't think anyone is wasting their time who is really trying to understand Title I, ESOL #'s, balanced schools, transportation, boundaries, concepts beyond what we already know, etc. . . other ways we can make this work . . . . . maybe the combination that gets the SB attention will come from this blog or someones PTA or community who is trying to come up with a working solution.

VADriver wrote:


"And, for this reason, I will boycott the Dec 19th meeting."

__________________

Good idea.

Monday night's charade was not a public meeting. If the Politburo ever held 'pubic' meetings, they were probably handled the same way. I expected Trotsky or Lenin to pop out at any moment.

We need to have a public protest, maybe in a park. Any ideas? How long does it take to obtain a permit? Flyers would have to be printed, easy... and, delivered... I would be happy to deliver to a few neighborhoods.

I agree with VA Driver. I, too, will boycott the next charade. Let South Lakes and the school board have a love fest. The board won't have to hide out. Goons won't have to be hired. The Nurse Ratcheds could stay home...money saved.

Don't forget to submit your comments in writing before midnight tonight. FCPS is only allowing 2 days for written comments so you must do it tonight.

http://www.fcps.edu/news/boundary/input.htm

If one of the goals for this redistricting is to reduce numbers at Westfield, wouldn't McNair be the logical choice? As SOS said, it's geography that puts McNair into play. It is the school that is farthest from Westfield. Doesn't it make sense to take it out of Westfield?

Activist Toujours Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >
> Sarcasm aside, the pettiness of the idea of a
> year-round HS is idiotic.
>
>

First off - the idea of the year-round HS was my joking response to flip the year-round school from Dogwood to South Lakes. That was a response to someone earlier who said that providing resources to the elementary schools wouldn't help at all, that the only thing that would help would be the addition of middle class students in high school. I was joking - that person was serious.

Forum Reader,
Your post comparing South Lakes and Stuart was awesome! It clearly shows that IT CAN BE DONE, since Stuart has more poverty than South Lakes, more ESOL, more mobility, and more minorities. Yet they out score South Lakes EVERY TIME. Why hasn't South Lakes been encouraged/forced to do whatever it is that Stuart is doing? I've asked Stu Gibson that very question, over the last 5 years, and never received a satisfactory answer. The dems on our school board don't seem to want to hear about the great things that have happened at Stuart. I've never understood it. Perhaps one of the democrats here can explain it to us.

Stuart has been doing very well for a quite a few years, far exceeding expectations for their population. Yet nowhere in all of our vast, teacher training, department have we been training teachers and principals to follow the Stuart model. FCPS seems to want to keep the success of Stuart a secret. Again, I have no idea why we aren't celebrating it, and why we aren't doing it at ALL under performing schools. I have NO idea why the Superintendent isn't telling ALL low performing schools to implement the Stuart model.

If National Geographic can do an article about Stuart high school, and if it can get national recognition from the federal Department of Education, why isn't FCPS talking about it? Why aren't they promoting it at all our under performing schools? Why hasn't South Lakes done what Stuart has done?

Stephanie wrote;

"And if the descisions were made such a long time ago.... then why does everyone try to fight so hard against it. If that truly is going to be the outcome why can't we all move on?"

__________________________

Because, Stephanie, what the school board did was wrong. They lied, made deals, and are getting ready to screw a bunch of people. You've heard that expression, when it looks like a duck, quakes like a duck...etc. Well, this looks like corruption, smells like corruption...etc.

Remember, this time, you might not be the one getting screwed but next time, you might not be so lucky. Government is necessary but it's one of those necessary evils.

>>>Give us time. We are on a strong upward trajectory.<<<

Ok, then you must give the public some time too, to see if this is going to continue or if one year was an anomaly.

BTW, Stuart's success was do to successful programs that Riddle put in place. (Some of those programs were put in place over the objections of our more liberal school board members. Will Butler do the same?) Perhaps you could list all the programs that Butler has instituted to turn things around at South Lakes. How many of Stuart's successful programs have been adopted at South Lakes? Or other proven methods of helping the kids on the bottom?

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't understand the comments about 'importing
> students.' This is a boundary adjustment to
> changes on the ground relative to enrollment,
> overcrowding and under-enrollment. People who
> live on the edge of their districts should be
> aware that boundaries are changed all the time.
> Floris families were moved to Westfield because
> they were on the edge of a boundary district; they
> did not want to go. Now they do not want to leave
> Westfield. People will adapt. I am not trying to
> minimize anything, but families in the Floris
> district with young children have never been
> impacted and have never been asked to move. The
> same is true of young families in the Fox Mill
> district. No current High Schoolers are being
> asked to move. Yes, there may be families with
> children in two schools. I have yet to hear a
> parent with one child at TJ and one in their
> pyramid school complain about two schools.

I used the word 'import' to characterize the desire by some in the South Lakes community to gain the attendance of relatively affluent students from another HS district. Obviously, a redistricting would have had to occur prior to the attendance change.

Hope this helps explain :^)

While it's true that in past practice many "border" areas are switched from school to school, I am not convinced that we should continue the practice. It does have the effect of making many of us feel marginalized, and wondering when the next change will occur.

For many of us, these frequent changes are substantially disruptive. Although we are capable of adapting, that does not justify the practice, as I'm sure you can imagine. We naturally seek to build ties, and having them broken in some form, especially when frequent, has subtle, negative effects.

Alternately, maintaining attendances strengthens and stabilizes children and how they relate to others.

While this effect may be more difficult to quantify than the effect of repopulating schools through boundary changes, it does provide the long-term stability for a community's spiritual growth.

When new associations must be made, and frequently for that matter, by families, we tend to become less responsible for each other. We lose one of the mystical joys of being a community. For the long-term health of our communities, we desperately need the sense of familiarity (not to be confused with similarity).

I also wish that the Board would demonstrate a desire to allow the children to greatly influence this process, that would grant our children the dignity that they deserve.

>>>South Lakes, an older one with a history of trying to get fairer treatment from FCPS?<<<

How has South Lakes received less than any other school in FCPS? How did the school board treat SL with less fairness? Why did your School board rep let that happen? He's always been in the majority, it's hard to believe he couldn't get the same for his schools as the other county schools received.

McNair is simply too far from Westfield to remain at Westfield, IF the goal is really to reduce population at Westfield. It makes NO sense to move a school that is closer to Westfield and let McNair remain there. It's geography. Nothing else. I realize that you don't want McNair at South Lakes, but they have to go somewhere. It's no more far to put them at Herndon that to put them at South Lakes, or split them between the two.

>>>I believe she is with the County in an admin position that deals with educational issues for immigrant students. I sincerely hope and don't think she has sway to influence policy on their education.<<<

Ah yes, the time honored FCPS policy of rewarding bad teachers and bad principals with better jobs at a higher pay.

Why can't they just turn back the clock and segregate by race?
Separate but equal.
Just make sure the Jews don't go to the white school.

>>>I also believe that you folks at McNair need to make some noise. Write Janie Strauss (your school board rep).<<<<

McNair is in Hunter Mill, Stu Gibson's district. They need to write to him, not Janie Strauss.

http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/members/huntermilldistrict.htm

>>>Has anyone seen the Minority Drop Out Report that FCPS is sitting on??<<<

Yes. It's in the MSAOC report that was presented to the school board in June. When dropouts are figured like the rest of the nation figures them, students who enter high school in 9th grade, but fail to graduate, our dropout rates are:

40% for Hispanic students
22% for Black students
12% for White students
8% for Asians students

It's on the FCPS website in the MSAOC report for June 2007.

Stephanie Wrote:
> ... if the descisions were made such a long time
> ago.... then why does everyone try to fight so
> hard against it. If that truly is going to be the
> outcome why can't we all move on?

You CAN beat City Hall, but it takes immense community effort. Rarely, very rarely, and only after a HUGE amount of work from many parents, has one of FCPS's decisions been overturned. Other readers of this forum have already read a bit about Woodson's successful effort to get rid of IB and restore their AP courses. The South County community got together to get their secondary school built, entirely bypassing the voter-approved bond process. Glasgow fought a winning battle to get the larger middle school built that they felt they need.

>>>Msg from SL to McNair - we respect you, but we don't want you
Msg from restofworld to SL- we respect you, but we don't want you.<<<

WoWEEEE, that is perfect!!! Just PERFECT!!!!

Can we get that printed on a Christmas Card?

>>>Students have a right to privacy<<<

Yes, that's what the state Board of Education said too.

I am afraid that many of you are a bit naive as to what is going on here. South Lakes is just the beginning of what will probably be a vast shuffling of borders and students.

The achievement gaps are horrendous. The drop out rates are disgraceful. The quality of education among our have schools and our have not schools is too great. NCLB is demanding results. FCPS is not making the grade in many areas. A rebalancing of populations is necessary to reduce the gaps.

There are going to cut $100 million from the budget. Do you think the teachers are taking pay cuts? There is no money for magnet schools or new construction. The spending party is over. Noone saved for the rainy day.

Birdlover,
I am sure that the staff is counting on the numbers decreasing for the December 19th meeting after they made it clear at the last meeting they were developing a new scenario. It's becoming increasingly clear to the public that they don't care one wit what the public wants. AND there coud hardly be a worse time for a meeting, a week before Christmas. I am quite certain that they hope the timing, and their 'we don't care' messages, will suppress turnout and they won't have to pay overtime to so many teachers and principals who hand out agendas and direct people to their assigned classroom, keeping them far away from wherever staff is hiding in the building. Nor will they have to hire as many 'facilitators' and rent-a-cops.

>>>A rebalancing of populations is necessary to reduce the gaps<<<

How will boundary changes to do that? How will that lower minority dropout rates or improve their test scores or close the achievement gaps?

It won't. That's the whole point of NCLB, the schools cannot 'average' the scores. Nor can they spread out the failures. If failing kids at South Lakes are sent to Langley, they will still count as failing kids. Unless you are saying some schools, like Stuart, are more successful with minorities so they will be sent to those schools.

>>>There are going to cut $100 million from the budget<<<

Hahahahaha.......no they aren't. They scream budget cuts every year. Never happens. But please, lobby the Board of Supervisors for more money for schools. I'm sure the schools will appreciate it, and it will give the supervisors one more excuse when they raise our taxes in the Spring.

The schools will get their money, they always do.

How about the schools cut half of those 14,000 administrative jobs? Maybe even assign some of them to work in classrooms to reduce class size? That would be a big savings and no one would be upset. OH, sorry, that's just the point, isn't it? They want people upset, scared, and demanding that the board of supervisors increases taxes so the schools can get more money. It's a win-win, for schools, and for the board of supervisors who can't WAIT to raise taxes. They wanted to raise taxes this year, but couldn't do it because it was an election year. Darn! Don't you hate when that happens? But no elections in 2008, PAR-TAY time for democrats! Watch those taxes SOAR!!! The school board and the board of supervisors will be doing guzzling margaritas and doing the macarana, in a conga line, wearing huge sombreros. Good Times!

Without looking at the school report card data, I will speculate that minorities at Langley, Oakton, McLean, Madison, Woodson do better than the minorities at Annandale, Falls Church, Mt. Vernon and Edison.

Of course there are success stories in small pockets within the schools, where the principals have beat the odds. All in all, mediocrity rules the day in education land. The unions have destroyed our schools by putting roadblocks up so we can't fire lousy teachers. NCLB is changing the landscape and holding schools and educators accountable-something school boards have been afraid to do.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >>>I believe she is with the County in an admin
> position that deals with educational issues for
> immigrant students. I sincerely hope and don't
> think she has sway to influence policy on their
> education.<<<
>
> Ah yes, the time honored FCPS policy of rewarding
> bad teachers and bad principals with better jobs
> at a higher pay.
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?archive=true&article=45212&paper=71&cat=104
leaving South Lakes for a "special assignment" in HR -made her a job???

http://fcps.edu/suptapps/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?newsid=19

recruitment specialist, FCPS Department of Human Resources

http://www.alexandriagazette.com/article.asp?archive=true&article=47410&paper=68&cat=109
Latino drop-outs ---need to create unusual programs to keep them in school as per a school board member

http://www.fcps.edu/DHR/retirees/pdfs/spring06prog.pdf

honored at retirement function after 30 + years of fine service

is now in PG county???
Realista Rodriguez

Leadership Development Specialist
Department of Staff Development
Prince George's County Public Schools

I guess when they retire here they get pensions and job jump to another school district

The other South Lakes pyramid fav of Lake Anne fame is now an Asst Principal at Longfellow Middle School in Mclean.

>>>If that truly is going to be the outcome why can't we all move on?<<<

The school board likes to pretend that they care about the public. They think it makes them look good and that the public will swallow what is crammed down their throats a bit more easily if the public thinks they've been heard. Some people still believe in that old democracy thing and think that public servants will listen to the public concerning their own public schools.

Bless their hearts.

The problem is, the school board KNOWS that the schools belong to THEM, and not the public, so they are free to do whatever they choose to do with their schools.

>>>I guess when they retire here they get pensions and job jump to another school district<<<

Teachers/principals retire here at 90% of their pay, after 30 years, at any age. In the past they could retire and get rehired the next day, a their same job, or at another job, thus collecting 190% of their pay. Now they can only do that for 3 years (it may be 5 years) then they must move on to another county or state. Maryland retirements are not nearly so generous, so their professionals rarely come to Virginia but many of ours go to Maryland when their 3 years are up.

Pretty sweet deal, particularly for incompetents.

Neen-

You should run for SB yourself. You seem extremely passionate about making a difference for the kids and parents. I am particularly impressed with your ceaseless support for that woman whose child's privacy was violated bt Stu Gibson.

Parents have created this problem. Their indifference and apathy has allowed our SB to take over our schools. We have no voice. PTA's are a joke. They do all the fundraising for their schools, kiss the principal's ass and do very little as a political body. The same is true for The County Council of PTAs. Kiss Dale's ass then run for School Board. It is pathetic.

Oh, forgot to add, it's not at all unusual for FCPS to create an administrative position for an incompetent teacher or principal. Incompetents have to go somewhere! They did it a few years back when the community forced them to replace the Oakton principal. They made up a new 'very important' position for her. It's one of the reasons that the number of administrators continues to grow. It's now nearly double the number of classroom teachers, despite no growth in student population.

That is exactly what is needed! I don't know how familiar you are with Oakton but it is a very small school with low ceilings. Oakton's gym is 'old time.' It will intimidate the SB. We should try to acquire the gym for a pre-community boundary meeting. We should compile a list of questions that may be addressed by the school board... or do we need to contrive a mock school board if they are so intimidated by our questions? I don't think the answers will differ too much! We should have our own large screen with projector asking our questions and laying out our facts which have been exposed on this site. What about the pupil placement out of South Lakes? What about the fact that just a trickle the South Lakes elementary students actually move on to the High School? Is Fairfax County just responding to "no child left behind" by throwing a larger blanket over the county because so many families fled failing schools? Is this the ‘government schools’ answer to 'improving our schools!' This is still AMERICA!!!

I'm giving a SHOUT OUT to all tax payers who expect a reasonable return on their investment.

While new to this message board, I have tried to read many of the posts and the newspaper articles on this topic. I think everyone needs to step back and ask themselves what would they do as a SB member.

The arguments advanced against redistricting have been mostly self serving an unpersuasive.

I don't want my kids to go to a school with poor kids
My property value will go down
My kids will be traumatized by changing schools
I like our current school
Our cub scouts go to my school
We have a kick ass football team

Meanwhile, the SB has to weigh the fact that SL is hurting-underutilized-wasteful of county money.

You really have to look at this objectively.

taxpayer wrote
-------------------------------------------
>>>I guess when they retire here they get pensions and job jump to another school district.


Yes, we are just like you. When you retire, won't you be free to seek employment anywhere you wish?

This is America!

FCPS parent,
I would say the same thing to you. You too should consider running for school board.

There are so many problems with running. First, it costs $30,000 to $100,000. Second, you have to be a democrat which means you must support ever more fuzzy math, history without dates or events, no real science, everything the teacher unions desire, ever expanding administrations, and more permissible bad behavior in classrooms. You must oppose any reading program that is phonics based or has direct instruction. You must also oppose real math and the learning of any math facts. You must put your ideology first, always, even if that means more kids failing and dropping out of schools. You must oppose ANY pay based on merit or performance of any job. You must oppose the firing of ANY employee, for any reason. You must oppose ANY testing that shows if children are learning, or not learning. (That could lead to comparison of programs and schools!) If you don't support those things, you will not get the democrat endorsement. Without the endorsement, you cannot win because you won't be on the democrat sample ballot and democrats won't know who to vote for. If you are endorsed by democrats, you will win because democrats will vote as instructed, and they are the majority of voters in the county. How much you care about education or children is not relevant. Competency and intelligence are not necessary either. You need only be an endorsed democrat in Fairfax county.

If you need another reason not to run for School Board, it's a sucky job that no sane person would want. Even as a stepping stone to higher office, it's awful. It's a miracle we get people to run, and in many districts there is only one candidate because we can't get more than one to volunteer. Running is bad enough, but the 'prize' is even worse.

FCPS Parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> While new to this message board, I have tried to
> read many of the posts and the newspaper articles
> on this topic. I think everyone needs to step
> back and ask themselves what would they do as a SB
> member.
>
> The arguments advanced against redistricting have
> been mostly self serving an unpersuasive.
>
> I don't want my kids to go to a school with poor
> kids
> My property value will go down
> My kids will be traumatized by changing schools
> I like our current school
> Our cub scouts go to my school
> We have a kick ass football team
>
> Meanwhile, the SB has to weigh the fact that SL is
> hurting-underutilized-wasteful of county money.
>
> You really have to look at this objectively.


Newbie brings a succinct dose of sanity. Batten the hatches.

What should the SB do?

They should have asked for public input BEFORE they did anything! Then they should have attacked the problem with some logic. Think outside the box! Care what the public wants! Work on the problems beginning in kindergarten, not high school. Foresee shrinking populations and close schools when necessary. Consider a TJ2, like parents have been asking for at least 10 years, a school like TJ for humanity students. An IB magnet like they have in other counties and states. There are many ideas, but the SB can only see one solution, their's.

>>>I like our current school<<<

What's wrong with that argument?

What's wrong with self-serving? People need take care of their kids, their families and themselves. This applies to all the parents in ALL the high schools. I believe the SL parents are for their own benefits too on this matter. And if there is a problem in SL HS, the SB should do something to fix it. But they should NOT do it by hurting other people. Not mention they are hurting A LOT OF people!

>>>minorities at Langley, Oakton, McLean, Madison, Woodson do better than the minorities at Annandale, Falls Church, Mt. Vernon and Edison.<<<

Yes, rich kids of all races do better than poor kids. Perhaps it has something to do with genetics, and more two parent families among richer families. Just my wild guesses.

Did you know that a child born to two married parents has less than a 4% (3.8%) chance of growing up in poverty while a child born to a single mom has a nearly 40% (37%) chance of growing up poor?

>>>NCLB is changing the landscape and holding schools and educators accountable<<<

And that is exactly why Stu Gibson has made it his mission in life to abolish NCLB. That was his biggest campaign issue, destroying the evidence of what has happened to the schools in Reston. Wouldn't it be nice if he put that much passion into improving the Reston schools?

Neen-

Not sure why you insist on framing this in terms of republican vs democrat. Both support improving education-but perhaps with different paths. A Republican President introduced NCLB-it is the only positive idea to come from what is a disastrous administration. The unions need to be broken. Both parties have coddled to the NEA over the years.

I agree with you about the SB-we get what we pay for. They are practically volunteers and that is why we don't demand much. I say bump up the salary so we get some competent people to run.

If a Republican was elected they would just be pushing for vouchers anyways, right?

FCPS Parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> The arguments advanced against redistricting have
> been mostly self serving an unpersuasive.
>
> I don't want my kids to go to a school with poor
> kids
> My property value will go down
> My kids will be traumatized by changing schools
> I like our current school
> Our cub scouts go to my school
> We have a kick ass football team
>

Do you not think that most parents in the community support the simple concept of integrity of choice? If most people support it, how is that not a good reason?

How about proximity - mentioned by many. Do you not think it is a good reason if someone has a 5-7 minute commute vs. a 25 minute commute as would be the case in some of the SB options?

This is not the first time that I say it, and will not be the last. I hope this is loud enough for you all to understand. I strongly support the redistricting for the following reasons:
1. I want the rich become richer. So kids in Lanley HS and Madison HS are untouchable even though their FR rate is only 4%. Come on, guys, this is common sense.
2. I want to destroy the family values in West County. Those guys over there thinking they are catching up big time. I want to put them back into reality. So I want to move their kids into South Lake to get lower scores.
3. I want to support the South Lake HS PTA. The South Lake PTA really did a good job. They proposed Option #5 thinking they controlled the School Board, and they even went as far as picking the kind of student they like to have. Crossfield ES, no, they are not good enough for South Lake. Kids are dumb their. Now, kids in Floris, Oak Hill, Fox Mill and even McNair are really smart kids. South Lake loves to have them. The South Lake PTA did a even better job by putting at least 6 students into each room making up 20% of the capacity of each grilled room. They are having a great time arguing with those dumb tax payers. Under aged? Come on, the PTA should give those great kids A+ in their social studies to reward them. I know, I know. I heard that too. Some of the kids could not even answer what socio-economic balance meant. It's alright, they will still get A+.
After all this mess up, it'd guarantee that, rich kids remains rich, the poor kids get poorer. Most important, the rich kids' parents will be very happy. Did you read that book, "Rich Dad and Poor Dad"? Except in this case, the Poor Dads in West County are really screwed this time. They are forced to be redistricted into South Lake. Hehehehehe!
Why is South Lake ranked 892 nationwide and ranked bottom in Fairfax county after all these years? I have no clue. Don't ask me. Ask the Fairfax School Board.

Neen, your venom for Stu and South Lakes is showing. A few days ago Old Timer pointed out to you that Herndon has just as many schools (4) that did not make AYP last year as South Lakes. SOL scores for FRM students are better at Herndon in four areas, better at SL in two areas, and the same in one area. Herndon's are slightly better overall because their percentage of FRM students is lower, due to the fact that they have 3 elementary schools feeding in with solidly middle class populations (Aldrin, Armstrong, Dranesville), where South Lakes has only one elementary that is solidly middle class. Also, Herndon has at least 600 more students and the resources that come with that. If Aldrin were flipped to South Lakes, each school would likely be identical in terms of scores.

In addition, neither Langston Hughes nor Herndon Middle made AYP last year.

Yet you never criticize Janie Strauss for having 4 failing schools in her district. You have yet to make a comment on this board about how Janie is not doing her job, nor do you ask why the people of Dranesville keep electing her. Incidentally, two of the three successful schools in Herndon are Reston schools in Stu Gibson's Hunter Mill district.

What does this tell me? It tells me that you have a personal vendetta against South Lakes because you don't like Stu Gibson. You do not care a whit for the students in the South Lakes community. Two days ago you said Stu was screwing Reston by moving McNair, a Title I school, there. Now when the community of Reston, and Herndon, BTW, is standing up and saying it would not be good for SL or Herndon to have McNair, you are advocating here tonight that McNair is the only reasonable choice to go to South Lakes or Henrdon because of proximity.

Why is it that you continue to try and inject your voice into a matter that doesn't even concern your schools or your neighborhood? You live in Vienna, for gosh sakes. Is your life that boring and miserable that all you have time to do is to carry out a personal vendetta against Stu Gibson and Reston on this board? I didn't support Stu, but rather your friend Christine. Why do you want to punish me and my community. Please get a life!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/2007 11:08PM by SLVerity.

Yikes Neen-let's not expose our racist tendencies here-genetics? please?

I would advise you not to advance your white supremacy theory at the next meeting-it might hurt your cause.

Rich kids do better than poor kids. Honestly. There are so many factors that determine a better education. Have you been in a classrrom lately? Have you read the studies that address how few hours of a day are devoted to instruction? have you seen the quality of some of the teachers? And we wonder why the minoroties struggle.

Do you honestly think that Whites are intelectually superior to African Americans?

There are hundreds of succesful programs and schools who have focused on closing the acievement gap and are making major headway-just not in FCPS. Apparently they are too busy putting in million dollar artificial turf fields. Visit the Education Trust's website, read what The Gates Foundation is doing.

This school district is inert on the matter. Why the hell do you think Dale and the SB bobbleheads were going to defy NCLB testing? They don't want us to know what the test results are.

Gibson wrote:
> Why is South Lake ranked 892 nationwide and
> ranked bottom in Fairfax county after all these
> years? I have no clue. Don't ask me. Ask the
> Fairfax School Board.

Get your facts straight, because you are looking ill-informed. There are over 27,000 high schools in the United States. South Lakes is ranked at number 892 out of 27,000. The Newsweek list ranks the top 5%, or 1,350 schools. South Lakes is near the top 3%.

Perhaps you wouldn't make AYP if you were being educated today.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2007 12:01AM by SLVerity.

FCPS Parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yikes Neen-let's not expose our racist tendencies
> here-genetics? please?
>
> I would advise you not to advance your white
> supremacy theory at the next meeting-it might hurt
> your cause.

Don't worry, FCPS Parent. Neen has exposed her elitist tendencies before, which is why she would never have a successful school board run. I don't think it's fair to say racist in this case, because she said poor children of ALL races.

However, all of Neen's talk about South Lakes and Stu's failures with the poor children is really just gratuitous talk, because she just told us what she really thinks: "Yes, rich kids of all races do better than poor kids. Perhaps it has something to do with genetics, and more two parent families among richer families."

With all of the hatred she has for the way this county is run, I'm surprised that she chooses to live here. I can only guess that it is because at least one of her children was enshrouded in the elite GT bubble, and went to an elite high school where Neen didn't really have to worry about those pesky intellectual minori..oops, I mean midgets.



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/2007 11:31PM by SLVerity.

I think the two factions need to find some common ground here about South Lakes. The school (on paper) does look less attractive than these other schools and the SL parents should be a little more understanding of these parent's concerns. At the same time, these other schools need to realize that there are some great things going on at SL and the school should improve even more after this redistricting happens.

There are 163,000 students and one million citizens in Fairfax County. While I am impressed with the 2-3k that have joined forces it pales in comparison to the larger numbers. The end justifies the means. There will always be injured parties when we are making changes for the greater good. Every group is willing to throw the other under the bus, but noone has suggested a solution to populate SL without offending someone.

I'm amazed that so many "concerned parents" have the time and energy to be on this blog day in and day out. Spend some time with your children!! Read a book together; play a board game; watch a movie; play in the snow; go over the homework due tomorrow! The hours it seems people have spent crunching numbers and devising malicious opposition for others can be much better spent.

Wherever your children attend school, teach them to value people regardless of their backgrounds or neighborhoods. Culture their integrity and acceptance. Encourage achievement and success in any environment they encounter- whether that is Oakton, Chantilly, Westfield, or South Lakes. I understand everyone wants the best for their children, but harboring ill-will and egocentric motives only begets these views on future generations. Children are adaptable, and change is inevitable in life. Please remind yourself and your children that handling change with grace is a virtue. We're losing sight of what's really important.

FCPS Parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
I totally agree with your last post. As the parent of two South Lakes graduates (with some extra time on my hands to help my community), my goal here has been to try to alleviate the concerns of potentially affected parents, and correct the record on some of the totally ridiculous and sometimes insulting things said by people who won't take the time to find out the truth.

I totally understand the concerns of some parents, but they have heard from lots of SL parents here and at the meetings who present rather a different picture than the stereotyped one that they had of the South Lakes community. As I just said before, South Lakes is still in the top 3% of schools in the nation, according to Newsweek.

Parents should be celebrating the fact that so many South Lakes parents are showing up at meetings and speaking their views. That should at least let others know that we are not apathetic about our children's education, and believe me, I would have never let my children go to a school where I did not think they could receive a great education.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/2007 11:20PM by SLVerity.

SLVerity - "affected", Freudian but true

Shall I analyze you, or should I say, "Analyze this!" :) My word, how I've missed you.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/2007 11:26PM by SLVerity.

Stop editting your posts, go from the gut.

Sometimes gut reactions aren't always the most prudent ones.

SLVerity-

From what I have seen, the SL parents have been more dignified during this process-you also seem reasonable and respectful of all the parties.

I grew up in FCPS. It was a different school system then. There was no inter-racial dating, Whites sat at one table and the Blacks at another in the cafeteria. There were a lot of racial slurs.

Things are different now-for the better. Our kids accept people of different colors and faiths unconditionally-in most cases. We should have diverse schools and we don't. We have a few schools that have become elitist and that should not be the case. No school in FCPS should be branded an undesirable school where parents are afraid to send their kids to. The whole system is broken.

First of all, I don't think SL Parents are acting better or worse than anyone else.

They object to adding McNair to their school, in the same way that we object to being added to yours. It would be a step down.

Options 1 - 3 split McNair between Herndon and SL. We and Herndon object for the following reasons:

McNair is a Title I school. Herndon and South Laked each already have a Title I school in their pyramid.

Options 1-3 add a Title I school that is perfectly accepted at Westfield to the two schools least able to provide the proper resources for those children.

Options 1-3 widen the disparity in real numbers between the school with the lowest FRM and the one with the highest - which goes against the SB's own criteria.

This is the opinion of the Herndon and SL communities. You don't have to agree.

I and several others on this thread have said that we would welcome the McNair students with open arms if they come. Would you accept them at your school if the county sent them your way? Or would you complain that they were somehow ruining your school? I submit that it would be a baby step down, or perhaps not a step down at all.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2007 12:13AM by SLVerity.

FCPS Parent writes:

SLVerity-

From what I have seen, the SL parents have been more dignified during this process-you also seem reasonable and respectful of all the parties.

____________________

Assuming this is tongue in cheek.... funny.... especially, when you do the big THANK YOU.

http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=91289&paper=66&cat=104

This makes me so angry. Stu Gibson has been found to be guilty and he's still claiming that he did nothing wrong. What about the little boy?! He's not saying anything about him! What about an apology to that little handicapped boy?

Stu is saying that if you tell a school official, or a teacher, that your child has special needs, and if you go on a parent's forum to ask for their help and advise with your child, that school official or teacher can use that information in a public campaign! He can write about it in a letter to PTAs, he can tell the press, have it announced everywhere.

Imagine if you were diagnosed with cancer and went to a cancer forum to ask for help and advise. Does that mean your doctor can then go to the newspapers with the information? Can he write to community organizations about your diagnosis? Of course not! Yet, That's exactly what Stu Gibson did, repeatedly, to a CHILD, and he's still doing it! I can't believe it! The man knows NO shame!

Please, every parent here, do NOT go to any school board member and ask for ANY advise or help. Do NOT tell them that your child has ANY special needs. Do NOT give them any information about your child. NEVER post on any forum about your child. NEVER ask for advise about your child to any school board member or staff member because he or she could tell anyone and everyone about your child. He could put it in the newspaper and ALL of your child's friends would know. He can report it to every PTA in the area where you live. Every parent and child would then know.

I find this horrifying, I really do. I also find it horrifying that the state board of education has told FCPS that what Stu did is illegal and he has decided that it's not! AND, he's still doing it!

Can't FCPS control him? I have NO doubt that the FCPS lawyers have told him to shut up, yet he won't. Such arrogance! It's stunning.

What is wrong with this man??? Is he THAT clueless??? He's in deep doo doo and keeps digging the hole deeper and deeper. Waist deep in the big muddy and the big fool says to push on!

Parents, please let this be a caution to you for what you share with FCPS staff and school board. You never know when they might take it to the newspapers, over and over and over.

I sure don't want this to happen to another child in FCPS. EVER.

SLVerity wrote:

"Sometimes gut reactions aren't always the most prudent ones."

_____________________

And, sometimes they are.

Neen, I'm not condoning what Stu did, but I think it's a big nothing-burger. I personally know of more than one forum in which Christine publicly spoke
about her son's special needs.

You really need to let Christine fight her own battles.

>>>>Do you honestly think that Whites are intelectually superior to African Americans?<<<<

Of course not. Can you not read well? I never mentioned race, YOU did.

I said ALL races, no individual race.

Try to read for content.

Did you graduate from South Lakes?

Yes, genetics are a reality. Sorry. They work for athletic ability and size and brains. Sorry again.

And rich kids of ALL races do better in school than poor kids of ALL races, for many, many, reasons.

Get it?

If a parent discusses their own child, does that mean any member of staff can then discuss that child, in the newspaper? The state said it does not mean that they can do that and that Stu is in violation of the LAW. The fact that he doesn't care, is frightening to me and it should be to any parent who deals with him, or any other school board member. I can only hope that our teachers and principals have more respect for the laws,a nd our children, than our school board.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2007 12:43AM by Neen.

SL,
Since one of the goals is lowering student population at Wesfield, how would you do that without involving any students from McNair?

"And rich kids of ALL races do better in school than poor kids of ALL races, for many, many, reasons."

Neen, if that's the case, then it really goes against what you have been saying on this forum. You can't have it both ways. Many here have tried to tell you about the problems that some of the poor children of SL face every day. That is why I and others think it is so important to have the built-in resources at SL that come with a better balance of socio-economics. More involved parents to fill in, both physically and financially, for students lacking parental involvement at home. Sometimes when I volunteered at Hunter's Woods I would spend the entire time just holding a child, because that is what that child needed on that day.

And please Birdlover, no cynical comments. They would demean you.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SL,
> Since one of the goals is lowering student
> population at Wesfield, how would you do that
> without involving any students from McNair?

Easy, shift students from East Floris to SL (closest proximity) in place of East McNair. Then McNair is not an island. When Coppermine is built, send those kids to Herndon, since it is expected to decline in the out years. Westfield's overcrowding can be addressed further if necessary in conjunction with Centreville, which is also under-enrolled.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2007 01:03AM by SLVerity.

>>Both parties have coddled to the NEA over the years.<<<

Sorry, that is just not true. They give 98% of their money to democrats. And that includes the money they give to candidates in FCPS. 90% of the time, they endorse democrats and contribute to their campaigns.

Centreville isn't part of this boundary study.

If you remove part of Floris, part of the McNair students would have to drive through that part of Floris to get to Westfield. McNair is much closer to South Lakes than Westfield. It makes little sense to move part of Floris to South Lakes without moving McNair since Floris is closer to Westfield than Floris.

But they will do whatever they choose.