Cricket Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So everyone is prepared to come to the Town Hall
> with their own plan to throw their neighbors under
> the bus....
>
> http://www.fcps.edu/fts/planning/westcoboundary/to
> wnmeeting11-12-07.pdf

This is a great posting. Thank you, Cricket



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 11:43AM by Thomas More.

word Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SL Serial Posters - Any Oakton person knows
> Fairfax Towne Center is the place to go.

Then why do Oakton's sports teams hang out at the Glory Days off RESTON parkway.

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> word Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > SL Serial Posters - Any Oakton person knows
> > Fairfax Towne Center is the place to go.
>
> Then why do Oakton's sports teams hang out at the
> Glory Days off RESTON parkway.


Because there is no OAKTON parkway?

Mr. America Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I guess parent(s) in Oakton,Chantilly and Langley
> school districts work adn tehy speak English.
> What a concept work to support your family and
> speak the language of the country one lives in.

Thanks for playing, Mr. Limbaugh. How's it going with the drug abuse? Picked on any kids lately?

hmmm07 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> But robbing Peter to pay Paul is going to leave
> Peter broke. If you take Crossfield and part of
> Fox Mill or vice verse out of Oakton, there goes
> the piano class, the guitar class and the AP Music
> Theory class that Oakton now has because the
> numbers in the program will be sufficiently cut to
> eliminate the assistant band director, which would
> then eliminate those classes. Likewise, the
> football team at Oakton will be cut by at about a
> third if you take even one of those schools.
> Oakton is not over capacity...it is about at
> capacity. Take out 300-400 students and it just
> shifts the problem to another school.


I think all of the scenarios have involved shifting students from Chantilly or Westfield to Oakton, so that would not be the case. No one wants to diminish Oakton. Westfield is too big and Chantilly is overcrowded.

Many with kids in the "middle" at Westfield might actually welcome decreased enrollment. There are pluses:

-easier to make a team
-easier to get a chair position in band
-less peers to compete against for college slots
-etc.

I'm just trying to point out that those in affected schools can make lemonade out of lemons, as we SL families have been advised to do by many on this site.

hmmm07 Wrote:
> But robbing Peter to pay Paul

No its much more like expecting Caiphis and Annis to take care of Lazarus at the gate.

South Lakes doesn't have the classes that Oakton has because teachers and classes are based on enrollment. Oakton's been getting more than its share of those kinds of classes.

In the end Oakton will probably lose no teachers, and no more than 1-2 teachers, so most of those classes are safe and SL will be able to add many of those classes



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 11:50AM by Thomas More.

hmmm07 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > Then why do Oakton's sports teams hang out at
> > the Glory Days off RESTON parkway.
>
> Because there is no OAKTON parkway?

Or maybe they've finally figured out that Reston is just cooler than Oakton or FFX Corner. ;-)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 11:52AM by Thomas More.

>
> Many with kids in the "middle" at Westfield might
> actually welcome decreased enrollment. There are
> pluses:
>
> -easier to make a team
> -easier to get a chair position in band
> -less peers to compete against for college slots
> -etc.
>
> I'm just trying to point out that those in
> affected schools can make lemonade out of lemons,
> as we SL families have been advised to do by many
> on this site.

Right, the families who stay at Westfield might be happy to have fewer kids there, there's no downside for them.

Does that mean that the families who have to move will be just as happy? Let's test that hypothesis. Maybe the school board doesn't need to redraw the boundaries, they can ask for volunteers to leave the overcrowded schools. If parents at Westfield and Chantilly want their child to make the sports team, the school play, whatever, they can go to SLHS. It's a win-win situation. SLHS gets more kids, and those kids actually want to be there. To be fair, maybe the SLHS parents should also be given the opportunity to attend Oakton. Of course, few of them would move because their school is mostly fine as is and they love it. Still, it's important to be fair. [snark off]

SLVerity and other SL parents, I don't hold it against you that you support and defend your school. I don't think it's such a bad school even. but right now, it's not as good a school for my kids. I don't particularly want lemondade because I don't trust the school board to give me lemons AND sugar. I feel like we need to plant the sugar cane, harvest it, do whatever has to be done to make sugar out of it, etc. Does anyone on this message board trust the school board to handle this fairly? Why are they protecting pristine Langley?

I feel your frustration, FCO parent. We at SL have to defend our school and we will also be demanding that the School Board do whatever it takes to appease newcomers. At the very least, the building environment will be state-of-the-art and gorgeous.

If I thought that a magnet was a good idea, I would be supporting it. My kids went to HW Magnet and it was a great school, but it didn't help our pyramid, because many of those kids went back to their base schools for middle school. Our physical school district needs to be strengthened.

Think about it this way: All but one elementary in the SL Pyramid is a magnet (GT Center, Spanish Immersion, Arts & Sciences) and they pull students from out of the pyramid. Most return to their base schools for MS - that depletes our base. Our middle school is also a magnet (GT Center). We lose at least 50% of the GT students to their base school (Herndon) or to TJ after 9th grade. By the time students who live in our pyramid reach the HS level, the base has been depleted (of middle class students) greatly.

We need a firm boundary of students who will stay in the pyramid all the way through. I just want you to understand that over the years, the efforts to beef up enrollment at the bottom of the pyramid have not benefitted the HS and the simple fact is that our boundary is not large enough.

And yes, these were all decisions made at the School Board level because they did not have the stomach for the fight which is going on now. When we first learned about the upcoming boundary adjustments a few years ago, those of us involved in the school said that we were going to have to prove to surrounding districts that the school was on an upward track. We got a new principal and he implemented strategies that have resulted in an upward trend in our test scores. We have been doing our part. Now the SB needs to do its part. Please join with us in asking for that help.

Sorry Word, that this wasn't more brief. Sometimes these things can't be said in a soundbite.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 12:14PM by SLVerity.

> Does anyone on this
> message board trust the school board to handle
> this fairly? Why are they protecting pristine
> Langley?

Given the vast disparities of free lunch and ESOL between Dogwood and Great Falls, the failure to include Langley is probably a violation of the equal protection rights of the students of South Lakes.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 12:35PM by Thomas More.

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > Does anyone on this
> > message board trust the school board to handle
> > this fairly? Why are they protecting pristine
> > Langley?
>
> Given the vast disparities of free lunch and ESOL
> between Dogwood and Great Fall, the failure to
> include Langley is probably a violation of the
> equal protection rights of the students of South
> Lakes.

Okay, so now all we need are the SL parents to make that one of the talking points at the town meetings. Honestly, I do believe that anyone with any sense at all will bring up the Langley issue in pretty much every focus group at every town meeting. But I have no doubt that, regardless of how many people bring it up, the school board will continue to refuse to include it. They are set on which schools are to be included and it does not include Langley.

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Cricket Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > So everyone is prepared to come to the Town
> Hall
> > with their own plan to throw their neighbors
> under
> > the bus....
> >
> >
> http://www.fcps.edu/fts/planning/westcoboundary/to
>
> > wnmeeting11-12-07.pdf
>
> This is a great posting. Thank you, Cricket


It is a great post. I also noticed that on the page that has Oakton's feeder elementary schools (page 48 of the power point), Crossfield is not on there. Well, it is on there, but not labled or counted in the legend. However, on the next page, where SL's feeder elementary schools are listed, Crossfield is there as a bordering school, but with all the students counted in the legend, rather than just the few who actually attend South Lakes.

hmmm07 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Okay, so now all we need are the SL parents to
> make that one of the talking points at the town
> meetings. Honestly, I do believe that anyone with
> any sense at all will bring up the Langley issue
> in pretty much every focus group at every town
> meeting. But I have no doubt that, regardless of
> how many people bring it up, the school board will
> continue to refuse to include it. They are set on
> which schools are to be included and it does not
> include Langley.

Gibson said exactly that claiming that the School Boards regulations prevented adjusting the boundary study area at this point in the process.

Of course that's crap for two reasons, 1) the regulations don't specifically prohibit such a change and 2) they can always waive or suspend their own rules and regulations. Gibson and his crowd forget that FFX has the highest percentage of parents with graduate degrees and many of them live within the boundary study area. They treat us with disrespect (big issue in FCPS behavior code) assuming we can't figure this out.

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> hmmm07 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Okay, so now all we need are the SL parents to
> > make that one of the talking points at the town
> > meetings. Honestly, I do believe that anyone
> with
> > any sense at all will bring up the Langley
> issue
> > in pretty much every focus group at every town
> > meeting. But I have no doubt that, regardless
> of
> > how many people bring it up, the school board
> will
> > continue to refuse to include it. They are set
> on
> > which schools are to be included and it does
> not
> > include Langley.
>
> Gibson said exactly that claiming that the School
> Boards regulations prevented adjusting the
> boundary study area at this point in the process.
>
> Of course that's crap for two reasons, 1) the
> regulations don't specifically prohibit such a
> change and 2) they can always waive or suspend
> their own rules and regulations. Gibson and his
> crowd forget that FFX has the highest percentage
> of parents with graduate degrees and many of them
> live within the boundary study area. They treat
> us with disrespect (big issue in FCPS behavior
> code) assuming we can't figure this out.


Well, then I hope everyone brings their best graduate degree vocabulary to the meetings and put Stu and the others who are refusing to negotiate the point in their places.

hmmm07 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> It is a great post. I also noticed that on the
> page that has Oakton's feeder elementary schools
> (page 48 of the power point), Crossfield is not on
> there. Well, it is on there, but not labled or
> counted in the legend. However, on the next page,
> where SL's feeder elementary schools are listed,
> Crossfield is there as a bordering school, but
> with all the students counted in the legend,
> rather than just the few who actually attend South
> Lakes.

Look at page 49, it has 29 Crossfield kids going to South Lakes and 558 going to Oakton



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 12:56PM by Thomas More.

I see Goodman is going to make a presentation. Someone should ask her if she's the one who left Railly in place for 7 years to destroy South Lakes and follow up that since that's the case why does she think she has any credibility to participate in this process.

Then the crowd starts chanting "Resign, Resign, Resign"

hmmm07 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thomas More Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > > Does anyone on this
> > > message board trust the school board to
> handle
> > > this fairly? Why are they protecting
> pristine
> > > Langley?
> >
> > Given the vast disparities of free lunch and
> ESOL
> > between Dogwood and Great Fall, the failure to
> > include Langley is probably a violation of the
> > equal protection rights of the students of
> South
> > Lakes.
>
> Okay, so now all we need are the SL parents to
> make that one of the talking points at the town
> meetings. Honestly, I do believe that anyone with
> any sense at all will bring up the Langley issue
> in pretty much every focus group at every town
> meeting. But I have no doubt that, regardless of
> how many people bring it up, the school board will
> continue to refuse to include it. They are set on
> which schools are to be included and it does not
> include Langley.

As unfair as this is, I think we have to proceed as if Langley is not included and try to convince them of the need to make sure that SL serves everyone who is redistricted. Wont' that be an acceptable outcome for those involved? Note: I'm not saying the desired outcome, just an acceptable one.

Another form of civil disobediance - since the outcome is fixed already.

The hand-out claims everyone will get a chance to be heard in the breakout groups but they're only allowing an hour for 20 people to discuss the matter. and 15 minutes for the Gallery process.

Could this be anymore phony!

Don't participate in the break-out groups stay in the main hall. Chant "langley, Langley, langley"

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> As unfair as this is, I think we have to proceed
> as if Langley is not included and try to convince
> them of the need to make sure that SL serves
> everyone who is redistricted. Wont' that be an
> acceptable outcome for those involved? Note: I'm
> not saying the desired outcome, just an acceptable
> one.

NO!

This is what a school administration suck-up would say. Are you bringing the vasiline for everybody or a valium.

Your kids are out of FCPS and you want all of us to be happy with what these abusers of power and children are going to do without objection or protest.

"Just roll over and be good do-bees or else Stu may not be happy."

Honestly, are you on the FCPS payroll?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 01:11PM by Thomas More.

has anyone call the local news stations to make sure they cover this travesty?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 01:30PM by Thomas More.

Are you off your meds again, Tom?

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Are you off your meds again, Tom?

Don't need any Mrs. Pangloss. You've got something brown on your nose.

Didn't answer any of the questions posed, again.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 01:17PM by Thomas More.

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> hmmm07 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Thomas More Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > > Does anyone on this
> > > > message board trust the school board to
> > handle
> > > > this fairly? Why are they protecting
> > pristine
> > > > Langley?
> > >
> > > Given the vast disparities of free lunch and
> > ESOL
> > > between Dogwood and Great Fall, the failure
> to
> > > include Langley is probably a violation of
> the
> > > equal protection rights of the students of
> > South
> > > Lakes.
> >
> > Okay, so now all we need are the SL parents to
> > make that one of the talking points at the town
> > meetings. Honestly, I do believe that anyone
> with
> > any sense at all will bring up the Langley
> issue
> > in pretty much every focus group at every town
> > meeting. But I have no doubt that, regardless
> of
> > how many people bring it up, the school board
> will
> > continue to refuse to include it. They are set
> on
> > which schools are to be included and it does
> not
> > include Langley.
>
> As unfair as this is, I think we have to proceed
> as if Langley is not included and try to convince
> them of the need to make sure that SL serves
> everyone who is redistricted. Wont' that be an
> acceptable outcome for those involved? Note: I'm
> not saying the desired outcome, just an acceptable
> one.


I think that would be about the worst possible thing anyone can do. It's like just rolling over. Not gonna happen. There will certainly be those who make the best of the situation once it is resolved, and that will include me. BUT it won't happen without a fight.

TM:

Being civil or having a different idea on what is acceptable does not equal supineness, surrender, or something akin to involuntary invasion. I'd rather that any meeting doesn't descend into chants, whether they be "Never, never" or "resign", or whatever.

SLHS Padre Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> TM:
>
> Being civil or having a different idea on what is
> acceptable does not equal supineness, surrender,
> or something akin to involuntary invasion. I'd
> rather that any meeting doesn't descend into
> chants, whether they be "Never, never" or
> "resign", or whatever.

Then don't chant.

Reviewing the handout makes it abundantly clear that this process is a Potemkin village.

Are you just going to roll over, too and hope Uncle Stu hasn't screwed SL too much?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 01:28PM by Thomas More.

And I am not suggesting that people not raise points like == why not Langley? -- forcefully in a meeting, but really don't support berating public officials.....not productive and then the contest becomes who gets to berate longer and louder.

Let's stick to the issues, including Langley, McNair, the magnet option,...

SLHS Padre Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> TM:
>
> Being civil or having a different idea on what is
> acceptable does not equal supineness, surrender,
> or something akin to involuntary invasion. I'd
> rather that any meeting doesn't descend into
> chants, whether they be "Never, never" or
> "resign", or whatever.

Agreed. I don't understand the need for personal attacks when someone is not in agreement. It diminishes the purpose of this board.

It might be true that they've already decided who's going and who's not. But I think the Grandfathering and the AP discussions are still open.

So if parents want to influence these issues, a rational discussion and substantive argument will go a lot further than chanting,

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Agreed. I don't understand the need for personal
> attacks when someone is not in agreement. It
> diminishes the purpose of this board.

Still haven't addressed the questions posed?

South Lakes Pyramid parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It might be true that they've already decided
> who's going and who's not. But I think the
> Grandfathering and the AP discussions are still
> open.
>
> So if parents want to influence these issues, a
> rational discussion and substantive argument will
> go a lot further than chanting.

The hand-out makes clear, they aren't giving you time for rational discussion. Parents have no influence. According to the three SL posters we should just accept what Stu gives us like good little lambs.

Bruce has already said there will be limited AP offerings, if any.

Grandfathering doesn't directly impact SL kids.

I guess the three of you are satisfied with what Stu's already decided. Could you at least share that with the rest of the class.

Thomas, really, stop being a belligerent pain in the you know what. How would I know what they've decided? Just saying that if you are going to go there to chant, you may as well stay home. It's not going to get you anywhere.

No, I am not on the payroll, nor am I affiliated with FCPS or the County in any way. You are much More effective when you refrain from attacking other posters, pun intended. You do our community a disservice when you act less than civil,

Maybe the three SL posters need to re-read Thoreau's essay on civil disobedience again. Or may be some of the writings of Ghandi or MLK.

When those with power treat those without power with disrespect and abuse their rights, civil disobedience is the only rational course of action for self-respecting human beings.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 01:49PM by Thomas More.

I don't believe in civil disobedience, but rather dialogue. We differ, so what? You won't get anywhere with 60's era tactics and power to the people rhetoric. Make your views known in a firm but polite way, Write letters to the paper and sign your name to them. Don't hide behind the name of one of England's bards. Be proud of and own your opinions. And don't hog the floor in your group as you are sometimes prone to do. Don't berate others who don't agree with you. It is a failed tactic and it will get you nowhere.

Adios.

the reaction of the three SL posters to the suggestion of civil disobedience reminds me of the story of three friends on the station platform after arriving at Auschwitz. A guard shoves Henri gratutitously. Henri gets into a fight with the guard. His two companions grab him saying, "Henri, Don't make trouble"

To which Henri responds, "They're gonna kill us in a few minutes and I shouldn't make trouble?"

Seriously, how much worse could it get for SL, Is Stu going to take Sunrise Valley and send it to Madison?

South Lakes Pyramid parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It might be true that they've already decided
> who's going and who's not. But I think the
> Grandfathering and the AP discussions are still
> open.
>
> So if parents want to influence these issues, a
> rational discussion and substantive argument will
> go a lot further than chanting,

I'd like to believe that. However, maybe we can do a good parent/bad parent thing. All those who want to chant, go ahead and do it with gusto, then the "rational" parents can work on the real negotiations (AP, grandfathering..). I just have this nagging feeling that it will be hard to enforce the promises. If we roll over and agree to go without making a huge stink about it, and the SB agrees to add courses, etc., then a year from now our kids are showing up, and holy smokes, 90% of the new courses haven't materialized.

I actually like the idea of the media showing up at the meetings. However, I don't know how much interest there would be for the majority of the viewing public. I can chant plenty loud if it gets me somewhere. Baby boomers, come on, "Hell no, we won't go! At least not without AP!"

BTW, I went to Langley, and I don't think it's healthy for the students there to think they're a cut above, even if by some measures they are. This was pre-TJ era. Anyone remember when it made Time magazine ("Langley Country Club").

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You won't get
> anywhere with 60's era tactics.

Tell that to Ghandi and MLK

> Don't hide behind the
> name of one of England's bards.

But you get to hide behind SLVerify. What does that stand for anyway?

Thomas More was hardly a mere bard. Though he did write Utopia. He was one of the greatest minds of his century. He was an outstanding attorney. A man of great faith who sacrificed his life in the pursuit of freedom. You insult us both calling him a mere "bard."

> And don't hog the floor in
> your group as you are sometimes prone to do.

Look who talking?

> Don't berate others who don't agree with you.

Ditto

> It is a failed tactic and it will get you nowhere.

Hasn't stopped you.

> Adios.

Does this mean we won't have the pleasure of anymore of Stu and Bruce's propaganda.

FCO Parent,
One thing we should ask for at the first meeting--when they come up with scenarios at the second meeting, each scenario should be accompanied by:

Detailed demographics for that scenario for all schools involved,
Detailed course offerings for that scenario.
Some commitment on AP

foxmill/carson/oakton parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anyone remember when it made Time
> magazine ("Langley Country Club").

Thus, my continuing reference to the Charlotesville day school as Mr. Jefferson's country club. You found me out.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 02:18PM by Thomas More.

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You do our community a disservice when you act less than civil,

Not nearly the disservice done by failing to acknowledge SL's shortcomings and doing nothing to fix them for 7 years.

When you learned IB was coming to SL before all of the rest of us and you opposed it, you apparently said nothing to anyone and did nothing to stop it.

You recognized that Railly was a failure as a principal early in her tenure and apparently did nothing to change it. Not even complain to Webb, Goodman and Gibson. And you berate those of us who did.

Not nearly the desservice of passively allowing Stu and Betsey to use my children to advance their agendas which have nothing to do with my children's best interests.

You berate my posting in this forum and praise them in private mail.

You liable a man with false accusations and never recant them.

Who has done the greater disservice to the SL community?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 02:34PM by Thomas More.

foxmill/carson/oakton parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> South Lakes Pyramid parent Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It might be true that they've already decided
> > who's going and who's not. But I think the
> > Grandfathering and the AP discussions are still
> > open.
> >
>
> BTW, I went to Langley, and I don't think it's
> healthy for the students there to think they're a
> cut above, even if by some measures they are. This
> was pre-TJ era. Anyone remember when it made Time
> magazine ("Langley Country Club").



Yep, I was there then too. Purposefully, didn't move into the pyramid. Wanted my kids to have a bit of a different perspective than I did.

No wonder I always think your posts are so well reasoned. Here's to old timers!

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> foxmill/carson/oakton parent Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Anyone remember when it made Time
> > magazine ("Langley Country Club").
>
> Thus, my continuing reference to the
> Charlotesville day school as Mr. Jefferson's
> country club. You found me out.


What? you went to Langley also?

Old Timer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> foxmill/carson/oakton parent Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > South Lakes Pyramid parent Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > It might be true that they've already decided
> > > who's going and who's not. But I think the
> > > Grandfathering and the AP discussions are
> still
> > > open.
> > >
> >
> > BTW, I went to Langley, and I don't think it's
> > healthy for the students there to think they're
> a
> > cut above, even if by some measures they are.
> This
> > was pre-TJ era. Anyone remember when it made
> Time
> > magazine ("Langley Country Club").
>
>
>
> Yep, I was there then too. Purposefully, didn't
> move into the pyramid. Wanted my kids to have a
> bit of a different perspective than I did.
>
> No wonder I always think your posts are so well
> reasoned. Here's to old timers!

Disclaimer: if you aren't interested in Langley memory lane, skip this post.

How funny, I also didn't move there on purpose, although housing prices pretty much made that decision besides the point. I sort of thought that with Oakton we were getting most of the advantages with a little more diversity, less preppiness, although my daughter told that the kids who go to Oakton from Carson are considered the preppiest ones there.

I'm going to a Langley alum party tonight! See you there?

foxmill/carson/oakton parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> What? you went to Langley also?

No ma'am. I just remember the article. I was across the Patowmack. (native american spelling)

SLHS Padre Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

If you log in you can edit your postings and send and receive private mail. Those of us whose name is in blue have done that.

foxmill/carson/oakton parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I actually like the idea of the media showing up
> at the meetings. However, I don't know how much
> interest there would be for the majority of the
> viewing public.

They love conflict of all stripes.

I am a South Lakes graduate and recieved my IB diploma and currently attend UVA. (go hoos) I have browsed this site just a little bit. I have better things to do than spend my whole day bashing SL (T Moore) when your own children went there. I was there when Mrs. Rodriguez was the principal and although she was not my favorite, I think she was a positive influence on SL. And I hear that Mr. Butler is doing a wonderful job. The implementation of the IB program is one of the best things that has happened to UVA. Although it has not been around as long as the AP program, I would argue it prepares students even more for college than AP. The IB program is great for students who are good at writing because of the extended essay and the internal assessments. Furthermore, it definitely improves mediocre writing skills. In college, and as I have heard in the real world, writing is an essential skill. I was shocked in my mandatory writing class to talk to AP students that had not written a single essay in high school and had no idea how to write a sentence. Also, almost anyone can take an IB class if they want to, the student just has to have enough ambition and work ethic to do well in the class, its the same as with AP classes. I know plenty of my peers who got into great colleges from taking one or two maybe more IB classes. To learn more about IB you can go to their website (just google it) or talk to whoever the IB coordinator is.
Moving on, South Lakes has as everyone knows, a poor reputation. I hear in posts about gang fights and concern for safety I'll just let everyone know I was never afraid to walk down the halls of South Lakes. I never saw a gang fight. What I loved about South Lakes is how integrated everyone is, race, nationality, etc does not matter there like it does at other schools. UVA has had its fair share of racism and I've heard racist comments come from students who went to schools like Oakton and Westfields where racial groups tend to stay together, white kids are friends with white kids. My group of friends is very multiculutural and I think I have benefited. I think if I had gone to a school like Oakton I would've missed out on having friends from many cultures.
Finally, the adminstration at South Lakes is top notch at least the IB teachers are I cannot attest for the other teachers. Ms. Zylka was a wonderful English teacher, Mr, Ravenstahl has won numerous awards for his sculptures, Mrs. Samedov was a wonderful math teacher and cared about her students. Mr. Ward was a wonderful teacher too. There were many others as well that I thought really helped to prepare me for college. Some parents might be upset because these teachers did not hand out A's which many FCPS kids just expect, rather these teachers challenged their students.
As to property values and your kids having to make new friends, I wouldn't worry about it, this is Fairfax County, everyone wants to live there and when the metro comes to Reston, property values will be sky high. Plus, your kids should have good enough social skills to make new friends and South Lakes is a friendly place. Well I have other things I need to do just thought I'd put in my perspective.

Oh I forgot to add the other thing that's great about South Lakes is that because it is underpopulated students can be involved in so many clubs, student activities and sports without the competition. I played sports throughout high school and sure our team did not win very much but I got to play the varsity level and at other schools I probably would've been on the bench all season or would've been cut from the team. But of course, not all our sports teams are bad go to a varsity men's basketball game. If its not sold out go to the one against Herndon and you'll see what South Lakes is all about ... we have lots of school spirit. If your child is a great athlete don't worry college recruiters come to our school too don't forget about Grant Hill and Alan Webb plus the numerous other athletes I know who are playing for their colleges. Oh yeah our women's swim team is really good too or at least was when I was there.

Letsgoseahawks Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am a South Lakes graduate and recieved my IB
> diploma and currently attend UVA. (go hoos) I
> have browsed this site just a little bit.

Nice to have SL Verity's child join us.

> I have
> better things to do than spend my whole day
> bashing SL (T Moore) when your own children went
> there.

Please note the correct spelling of my last time, its on every post. My kids are still at SL. Blind loyalty to a dysfunctional institution hurts the current student body.

> I was there when Mrs. Rodriguez was the
> principal and although she was not my favorite, I
> think she was a positive influence on SL.

That's why she was fired. This is the second person to say something good about Realista in 41 pages of posting. The consensus is against you on this score.

> And I
> hear that Mr. Butler is doing a wonderful job.

So he wasn't your class's Asst. Principal when you were there. Most of the kids who had him as an AP that I've spoken with speak ill of him. His ratings on Ratemyteacher are not very high.

> The implementation of the IB program is one of the
> best things that has happened to UVA.

They have IB at UVA?

> I was shocked in my mandatory writing class to
> talk to AP students that had not written a single
> essay in high school and had no idea how to write
> a sentence.

Whole language strikes again. It was an educational fad when you were in elementary school. Kids weren't taught grammar. Blame whole language not AP.

> Finally, the adminstration at South Lakes is
> top notch at least the IB teachers are I cannot
> attest for the other teachers.

You mean the instructional staff, I think.

> Ms. Zylka was a
> wonderful English teacher, Mr, Ravenstahl has won
> numerous awards for his sculptures, Mrs. Samedov
> was a wonderful math teacher and cared about her
> students. Mr. Ward was a wonderful teacher too.
> There were many others as well that I thought
> really helped to prepare me for college.

this is very helpful, seriously, thank you.

Thomas Moore, have you measured your blood pressure today?

Why are you attacking fellow Seahawks, especially ones from UVA? You bash pro-SL folks and suck up to people like Neen. I'm beginning to think you might just be a plant from Oakton trying to stir up trouble.

Letsgoseahawks Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oh I forgot to add the other thing that's great
> about South Lakes is that because it is
> underpopulated students can be involved in so many
> clubs, student activities and sports without the
> competition. I played sports throughout high
> school and sure our team did not win very much but
> I got to play the varsity level and at other
> schools I probably would've been on the bench all
> season or would've been cut from the team. But of
> course, not all our sports teams are bad go to a
> varsity men's basketball game. If its not sold
> out go to the one against Herndon and you'll see
> what South Lakes is all about ... we have lots of
> school spirit. If your child is a great athlete
> don't worry college recruiters come to our school
> too don't forget about Grant Hill and Alan Webb
> plus the numerous other athletes I know who are
> playing for their colleges. Oh yeah our women's
> swim team is really good too or at least was when
> I was there.


So you put more kids there and the students at South Lakes who have been the starting athletes, the first chairs, the leads in the play will all have to compete for those spots and they won't be happy then either. And they will be competing for football spots against kids from Westfield? So is it better to play on an okay team or sit the bench on a good one?

First of all I am not SL Verity's child I have no idea who SL Verity is. Second of all you are not good at spelling people's names so I'll refer to you T Moore. Next, Mr. Butler WAS my subschool principal. Next, that was a typo I meant to say that IB was one of the best things that happened to South Lakes I'll admit my mistakes you should admit your factual errors. I'm sorry I meant to say that both SL's admins and faculty are top notch. Is Ratemyteachers really a good source for whether or not a teacher is good or not? Shouldn't you look at facts and figures and not websites that are about gossip? I'm just trying to say that I liked South Lakes when I went there and other parent's shouldn't be so worried about sending their kids there.

hmmm07,

Do you really want to discourage articulate students from posting here? Instead, welcome the input from those on the front lines. You just might learn something about the typical Seahawk.

An no, that's not my child.

WaHooWa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thomas Moore, have you measured your blood
> pressure today?
>
> Why are you attacking fellow Seahawks, especially
> ones from UVA? You bash pro-SL folks and suck up
> to people like Neen. I'm beginning to think you
> might just be a plant from Oakton trying to stir
> up trouble.

Another refugee from Mr. Jefferson's country club. Are you SLVErity's other child?

If you take the time to actually review the handout for Monday's meeting, the link to which was posted today by Cricket, you'd see this process for the perfidy it is.

SL is a dysfunctional institution thanks to the negligence of Stu. While others want to admire the emperor's new clothes, I see what SL could have been with a good principal and a School Board member who was more interested in the kids at SL than a lobbying career on Capitol Hill.

Does that clarify things for you?

More Later

foxmill/carson/oakton parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> South Lakes Pyramid parent Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It might be true that they've already decided
> > who's going and who's not. But I think the
> > Grandfathering and the AP discussions are still
> > open.
> >
> > So if parents want to influence these issues, a
> > rational discussion and substantive argument
> will
> > go a lot further than chanting,
>
> I'd like to believe that. However, maybe we can do
> a good parent/bad parent thing. All those who want
> to chant, go ahead and do it with gusto, then the
> "rational" parents can work on the real
> negotiations (AP, grandfathering..). I just have
> this nagging feeling that it will be hard to
> enforce the promises. If we roll over and agree to
> go without making a huge stink about it, and the
> SB agrees to add courses, etc., then a year from
> now our kids are showing up, and holy smokes, 90%
> of the new courses haven't materialized.
>
They decide the boundaries first. Then they make the promises about everything else.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 05:45PM by Cricket.

It clarifies what has been clear for weeks: You got a lot of bones that you chew on, and your credibility is pretty low, b/c you gnaw so relentlessly.

We have kids who are there now, and know that it is a much improved place (on what wasn't a lost cause before, notwithstanding Railly). So when you rant on about Stu, Bruce, Linda Jones, and others who have crossed (or disagreed with) you, or try to demean smart kids who weigh in with less than perfect grammar -- we have tuned you out.....too bad, because you often bring up interesting facts and notes on issues that have to be addressed as we all go forward.

Letsgoseahawks Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> First of all I am not SL Verity's child I have no
> idea who SL Verity is. Second of all you are not
> good at spelling people's names so I'll refer to
> you T Moore.

Guess they're not teaching manners at the county club either. Any misspellings on my part are have been unitentional, except for Ellenbarfer

> Next, that was a typo I meant to say
> that IB was one of the best things that happened
> to South Lakes I'll admit my mistakes you should
> admit your factual errors.

When they are identified, I have.

> Is Ratemyteachers really a good source for
> whether or not a teacher is good or not?
> Shouldn't you look at facts and figures and not
> websites that are about gossip?

It does suggest your opinions are in the minority. Short of paying for a public opinion poll, it is the best we have.

> I'm just trying
> to say that I liked South Lakes when I went there
> and other parent's shouldn't be so worried about
> sending their kids there.

I'm glad. Understand it was a nightmare for too many of your classmates.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 05:48PM by Thomas More.

Dear Mr. Moore,

Since you think this is all a potemkin village sham, why don't you just mosey on off this site? Your posts have absolutely no impact except to annoy since the outcome has already been predetermined, if what you say is correct.

You still haven't explained why you hate UVa so much. Actually, please don't bother. We don't want to hear it.

Speaking of dysfunctional, have you looked in the mirror lately? Letsgoseahawks has already stated that he/she is not Verity's child, and since I am too old to be the child of anyone on this site, I have to conclude that you are suffering from some sort of paranoid syndrome. Maybe you should get some help for that.

I know, you can start a new forum called "Tom Moore is a delusional, ranting idiot." I'll bet you'd get a lot of hits. Or how about another forum called, "I'm a liberal, but I hate Stu." That one would probably be popular, too.

SLHS Padre Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It clarifies what has been clear for weeks: You
> got a lot of bones that you chew on, and your
> credibility is pretty low, b/c you gnaw so
> relentlessly.
>
> We have kids who are there now, and know that it
> is a much improved place (on what wasn't a lost
> cause before, notwithstanding Railly).

How is it improved? People keep saying that yet only a few give examples of good things Bruce has done.

> So when
> you rant on about Stu, Bruce, Linda Jones, and
> others who have crossed (or disagreed with) you,
> or try to demean smart kids who weigh in with less
> than perfect grammar -- we have tuned you
> out.....too bad, because you often bring up
> interesting facts and notes on issues that have
> to be addressed as we all go forward.

Apparently, not since you just replied.

ur a jerk

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> hmmm07,
>
> Do you really want to discourage articulate
> students from posting here? Instead, welcome the
> input from those on the front lines. You just
> might learn something about the typical Seahawk.
>
>
> An no, that's not my child.


Of course I do not want to discourage any students, articulate or not, from posting here. I DO welcome his input. As a matter of fact, particular student raised a great point. That was that one of the benefits to attending an underenrolled school was that the kids who want to play get to play. Why was pointing out that by moving Westfield and/or Oakton kids to SL, that benefit will possibly disappear at all discouraging to a student?

And I never said it was your child, nor did that thought ever cross my mind...not sure why you felt compelled to make a statement about it. But whatever.

WaHooWa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dear Mr. Moore,

You either can't read, or are just gratuitously rude.
>
> Since you think this is all a potemkin village
> sham

That was redundant.

> why don't you just mosey on off this site?
> Your posts have absolutely no impact except to
> annoy since the outcome has already been
> predetermined, if what you say is correct.

they're bothering you enough to be rude and display your ignorance.

> You still haven't explained why you hate UVa so
> much. Actually, please don't bother. We don't
> want to hear it.


> Speaking of dysfunctional, have you looked in the
> mirror lately?

So clever. Think that up all by yourself.

> Letsgoseahawks has already stated
> that he/she is not Verity's child,

There sometimes is a time delay between drafting and posting.

> and since I am
> too old to be the child of anyone on this site, I
> have to conclude that you are suffering from some
> sort of paranoid syndrome. Maybe you should get
> some help for that.

Thanks Dr. Frist you can remotely diagnosis like the owner of HCA too, hey.

> I know, you can start a new forum called "Tom
> Moore is a delusional, ranting idiot." I'll bet
> you'd get a lot of hits. Or how about another
> forum called, "I'm a liberal, but I hate Stu."
> That one would probably be popular, too.

Is this really the best that an education at the Charlottesville day school can produce? Too bad.

hmmm07 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SLVerity Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------

> And I never said it was your child, nor did that
> thought ever cross my mind...not sure why you felt
> compelled to make a statement about it. But
> whatever.

Many apologies for confusing issues. I was really saying that for the benefit of another poster who seems to think that I've got legions of children posting here. I am sorry about that.

I think the point you raise about under-enrollment is valid; however, the benefits mentioned quite well by letsgoseahawks are outweighed by the need to have more kids on our teams, in our music groups, more classes offered, etc. In my opinion, Westfield is too large and SL is too small. A better balance occurs when numbers are more like Oakton's. Also, it allows teams competing with each other to be more evenly matched.

As a parent, I think it also brings in more volunteers so that the bulk of volunteering is not done by one small group.

WaHoooWa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ur a jerk

Another example of the glories of a UVA education.

OSLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> hmmm07 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > SLVerity Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
>
> > And I never said it was your child, nor did
> that
> > thought ever cross my mind...not sure why you
> felt
> > compelled to make a statement about it. But
> > whatever.
>
> Many apologies for confusing issues. I was really
> saying that for the benefit of another poster who
> seems to think that I've got legions of children
> posting here. I am sorry about that.
>
> I think the point you raise about under-enrollment
> is valid; however, the benefits mentioned quite
> well by letsgoseahawks are outweighed by the need
> to have more kids on our teams, in our music
> groups, more classes offered, etc. In my
> opinion, Westfield is too large and SL is too
> small. A better balance occurs when numbers are
> more like Oakton's. Also, it allows teams
> competing with each other to be more evenly
> matched.
>
> As a parent, I think it also brings in more
> volunteers so that the bulk of volunteering is not
> done by one small group.


Okay, I can live with that. So let's just deal with Westfield and South Lakes and leave Oakton alone since we apparently both agree the numbers at Oakton are optimal. Deal? :)

Hmmm7, I wish it were that easy. There are other factors to consider which have been discussed here previously (e.g., attendance islands, demographics, etc.). :) to you, too.

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SLHS Padre Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It clarifies what has been clear for weeks:
> You
> > got a lot of bones that you chew on, and your
> > credibility is pretty low, b/c you gnaw so
> > relentlessly.
> >
> > We have kids who are there now, and know that
> it
> > is a much improved place (on what wasn't a lost
> > cause before, notwithstanding Railly).
>
> How is it improved? People keep saying that yet
> only a few give examples of good things Bruce has
> done.
>
> > So when
> > you rant on about Stu, Bruce, Linda Jones, and
> > others who have crossed (or disagreed with)
> you,
> > or try to demean smart kids who weigh in with
> less
> > than perfect grammar -- we have tuned you
> > out.....too bad, because you often bring up
> > interesting facts and notes on issues that
> have
> > to be addressed as we all go forward.
>
> Apparently, not since you just replied.


Let me clarify further.

I now approach your posts from the "which bone is he gnawing now" (note: the list grows longer by day -- your venom is particularly focused on UVA today; we haven't gotten a sense of which supermarket has failed you yet, nor which pro football team deserves utter scorn....but we will, I am certain). Which means I am surprised when you post something constructive and well-tempered. So I still read, but don't take you seriously.

I was tempted to reply earlier when you suggested that we (people who opined that chanting at a public meeting might be inappropriate, childish and self-centered) are ripe for sexual violation or annihilation, but I had to rake leaves.

We (collectively, the posters) have mentioned good math teachers, English teachers, French teachers; good field hockey, lacrosse, swimming coaches, and freshman footballers; Its Academic success; doubled IB Diploma candidates; comparability with other FCPS schools on AP/IP test performance; SLHS grads with positive experience with IB; more accountability on timeliness and attendance, et fricking cetera...and you still are demanding specifics on what people see as positives and cause for satisfaction and optimism?>???

Get real. Your mind is made up, and now you even go after the SLHS kids you used to champion. Stale bread.

Padre, some people aren't even glass half empty types, but rather glass IS empty types. One might call them toxic personalities. Thankfully, I'm pretty sure they don't show up at public forums. We can't change them so we should probably just ignore them. As God is my witness, I will not respond to certain miserable souls any more. Anyone else care to join me in adopting this tack?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 06:53PM by SLVerity.

SLV,
I already have

SLHS Padre Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We have mentioned English teachers,

Like the one who expected her class to read The Crucible over a weekend and take a test on its entire contents at the following class meetiing.

> good field hockey,

More about her later


> lacrosse,

there is no girls lacrosse coach

> swimming coaches,

pre-dates Raillly and stuck it out. Coach Brown is a saint to many.

> more
> accountability on timeliness and attendance,

which post was this?


> and you still are demanding
> specifics on what people see as positives and
> cause for satisfaction and optimism?>???

Although it was only three lines, it's all good advertising for SL for folks who are only reading this post. Nothing I've written compares to what you'll hear Monday night.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 07:04PM by Thomas More.

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
Adios means good bye in Spanish, Thought you'd left this thread permanently.

Given the small number of SL IB diploma grads who also went to UVA, the odds were on my side,

So unlike Nixon we will have you to kick around some more.

Other than conceding that Fox Mill and McNair will be relocated into SL and accepting the permanent partition of Reston into two high schools, what other indignities do you intend to impose on those of us who still have kids at SL? IB Phys Ed.?

More Later

South Lakes Pyramid parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SLV,
> I already have

But you'll keep sending those PMs, right?

Have you conceded Fox Mill and McNair, too? Given up on reuniting Reston into one high school?

More Later



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 07:17PM by Thomas More.

Has everyone seen these instructions at the beginners link from the Forum List page?

[Trolls]
Do not feed the trolls.

As with any anonymous forum, people will sometimes make inflammatory remarks for the pleasure of getting a reaction. These posters are called trolls. Please do not give them the pleasure of a response, they don't deserve it. Ignore them completely and go on with the discussion as if they never posted. Without the anticipated slew of angry responses trolls will get bored and leave.

Please do not let the trolls deter you from posting.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 08:30PM by SLVerity.

I am interested in the gang topic. I recently attended a workshop given by a Fairfax County police officer. He said that there is a "gang presence" note the word presence, in every single Fairfax County public high school, except TJ. I am sure the SRO's are great, but I don't know that I would trust that information as completely unbiased. My question is not if there is a gang presence/activity in a school, but what is done about it if there is? Are the kids expelled if they are found engaged in gang activity, or does the school try to "work with them?" There are alternative schools in FCPS that work with kids who aren't able to succeed in a traditional school environment. While there may be a standard FCPS policy on how to handle gang related incidents, I would be surprised if it was enforced equally across all schools.

Lola, I can only speak for South Lakes. It is my understanding that if a student engages in gang activity at the school, they are immediately and permanently removed. A great deal of time is spent there identifying at-risk students and trying to intervene before a child is lost to the gang culture. From what I have read in the local papers and at Frank Wolfe's Gang Task Force website, recent efforts have resulted in a drop in gang activity in Fairfax County.

I hope others who know more than I will let you know.

LOLA Espanola Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I
> am sure the SRO's are great, but I don't know that
> I would trust that information as completely
> unbiased.

why?

Call Lt. Hill, the commanding officer at the Reston precinct.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 09:34PM by Thomas More.

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lola, I can only speak for South Lakes.

You don't speak for South Lakes. Though I know you think you do. You haven't had a kid at South Lakes in three years.

None of us speak for SL.

My kids who dealt with Bruce describe him as an inflexible disciplinarian which may be why the statistics are higher at SL.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 09:42PM by Thomas More.

Hey Tom:

A couple of issues about the McNair area. It seems like you have a lot of access to data on housing (maybe that's your field and you are divulging confidential information, as you are a court-recognized expert). Anyway, why don't you develop a measure of "vestedness in your community" why not look at a measure related to ratio of renters vs. homeowners in a given area. While anyone can point out that there are wonderful families who are renters, and terrible families who are homeonwners, on average there seems to be a belief that homeowners are more vested in their communites, if for no other reason than to maintain the value of their investment. In terms of the housing stock south of the Toll Road that feeds into McNair, what do you think the ratio of tenants vs. homeowners is? I too, have many friends in that particular area who happen to be renters, especially in the townhouses. Also, I know that there are a lot of families who have immigrated to the US. It is common in many immigrant communities to have extended family live with more established family members while they settle in to a new community. --Please don't turn this into a pro or anti immigration post - it is simply a statement of what I have observed on many occasions over many years across many cultures. -- Just look at the stores in the Clocktower. Those households may be owner-occupied, but they may also have some long-term guests as well. Those children are able to attend McNair. Anyway, I think that in general, children who have experienced a high number of household moves or changes are going to have a harder time academically than those who have lived in the same place their entire life - yes, I am sure there are exceptions... Single family home or apartment or townhouse. Also, what I've seen with a lot of the wonderful families who live in the McNair area is that they start out renting, then realize how expensive it is to buy in the area, and then move to Loudoun County where they can buy a single family home. Thus, a new vacancy in the McNair Farms district is open. A new child to start a new school and it starts again.

LOLA Espanola Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anyway, why don't you
> develop a measure of "vestedness in your
> community" why not look at a measure related to
> ratio of renters vs. homeowners in a given area.

What would such a measure tell you?

> there
> seems to be a belief that homeowners are more
> vested in their communites, if for no other reason
> than to maintain the value of their investment.

But we already know that the average homeowner moves every 4 years.

> I
> think that in general, children who have
> experienced a high number of household moves or
> changes are going to have a harder time
> academically than those who have lived in the same
> place their entire life - yes, I am sure there are
> exceptions...

Like every child of the military, every child of a foreign service officer, every child of a multinational corporate executive. There are lots more examples.

> how
> expensive it is to buy in the area, and then move
> to Loudoun County where they can buy a single
> family home.

Actually because of its exclusionary zoning policies, patterned after FFX's, Loudoun is too expensive. The renters from McNair are buying in Winchester, Martinsburg, WV and Harrisburg, PA. Go to the parking lot at what used to be MCI World.com. An amazing percentage of those employee's cars are registered in WV, MD and PA. And at night their income taxes go to Charleton, WV, Annapolis, MD and Harrisburg, PA and not Richmond. Exclusionary zoning practices in Northern VA are making it hard to sustain a business here.

> Thus, a new vacancy in the McNair
> Farms district is open. A new child to start a
> new school and it starts again.

I'm not sure where this gets us.

Looking at the numbers in the handout only two combinations get SL the numbers needed:

Madison Island, Fox Mill and McNair (south of the Toll Road) - 737 kids

Madison Island, Fox Mill and Aldrin - 670

the other combinations discussed on this blog generate too many kids for SL.

Madison Island, Floris and McNair (south of the Toll Road) - 885

Madison Island, Fox Mill and Crossfield - 937

My perferred outcome generates too few kids,

Madison Island, Aldrin, Armstrong - 537

More Later

> But we already know that the average homeowner moves every 4 years.

Au contraire, not in Reston. I am told the current shortage of SL students is becuase old white crumujins are fixin to die in their houses.

Or perhaps this is not the cause of the shortage.

word Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > But we already know that the average homeowner
> moves every 4 years.
>
> Au contraire, not in Reston.

I thought we were talking about McNair. Yes Reston is out of the norm on this issue. There's an outside demographers report on the School Board's web site bearing this out. A unusually large percentage of the households in Reston have folks in 45> age groups.

> Or perhaps this is not the cause of the shortage.

Like what?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2007 11:28PM by Thomas More.

Letsgoseahawks,
I hate to be so rude, but your grammar needs some work. Are you another victim of whole language? I thought IB taught students to write. If you are representative of a South Lakes education, I understand the trepidation of parents whose children might be forced to attend South Lakes.

At a minimum, plural words do not need an apostrophe. Parents means more than one parent and does not need an apostrophe. You might also want to read a bit on using commas and periods. It would make it much easier to read your posts.

>>>Do you really want to discourage articulate students from posting here?<<<

Please see my previous post.

Thomas More,
I thought this was hilarious. Staff is saying these are reasons to upset everyone with a boundary change:

Larger schools Offer More In-House
Electives than Smaller Schools
• Jewelry – 3D studio art
• Guitar 1, 2, 3 and Guitar
Ensemble
• Piano
• Astronomy
• Animation
• Aerospace Science 1 and 2
• Peer Mediation
• Criminal Justice
http://www.fcps.edu/fts/planning/westcoboundary/townmeeting11-12-07.pdf

We must endure redistricting so that South Lakes can offer Jewelry class and guitar lessons? Why can't South Lakes offer these classes anyway? I am quite sure that the parents who are about to be redistricted will agree to have more of their tax dollars going to South Lakes so the students there can have guitar lessons and cartoon classes. Heck, I bet Fox Mill PTA would be happy to pay for those lessons, if that meant their kids could stay at Oakton.

Troll alert

More from the FCPS handout:

>>>Smaller Schools Offer Fewer
Advanced Level Math Classes
• Generally, the following math classes are
not available at smaller schools:
– Discrete Math
– PreCalculus Honors
– Math Analysis
– Multivariable Calculus
– AP Statistics
– Matrix Algebra<<<

Guess what? Most schools, including Madison, don't have any of those classes, other than AP Statistics. Staff claims that Madison has Mulitvar, but it doesn't. Is staff claiming that South Lakes will have those classes if they get more students? Those classes aren't in IB.

Cougar/sourpuss wrote: "David, get a grip on this subject ... 55+ and singles have no demand for services? Are they all in comas? ..."

Sourpuss: You're not quick, so I'll use small words and pictures. The pie chart here shows next year's budget for Fairfax County. Notice the big, pretty blue slice? That's not blueberry, its the school budget. That's all spending that singles, DINKs and seniors pay for, but don't use. Folks that can't be happy about underused school buildings or buses clogging their morning drive.

And one building full of those folks pay more taxes than a whole neighborhood of little cougar families.
Attachments:

Good work, David.

More from the handout:

>>>Students at smaller schools are often
limited to upper level courses in Biology
and Chemistry; whereas, students at
larger schools may also choose:

AP Physics
AP environment<<<

Sure sounds like South Lakes is going to become an AP school. Madison has never had either of those AP classes.

Looking at their latest projections, no school is over enrolled in the out years, except Madison, by 100 students. So why are we doing this? Just to fill South Lakes? Have they now decided that they built Westfield too large? So moving students out will give them lots of empty space. Why not leave the empty space at South Lakes?

It seems no one ever leaves Vienna either. My street has 15 houses, only 4 have school aged children. Two have pre schoolers, and the rest are people over 50, with quite a few over 70, and two couples in their 80's.

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Troll alert

You're going to post again. Thanks for the warning. I guess you didn't do so well in Spanish.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2007 12:25AM by Thomas More.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It seems no one ever leaves Vienna either. My
> street has 15 houses, only 4 have school aged
> children. Two have pre schoolers, and the rest
> are people over 50, with quite a few over 70, and
> two couples in their 80's.

While you are sanctimoniously policing the grammar of others at least half your age (i.e., letsgoseahawks), try policing your own. Preschoolers is one word, not two. Are you a victim of whole language as well? Where did you get your fine edumacation?

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> While you are sanctimoniously policing the grammar
> of others at least half your age (i.e.,
> letsgoseahawks), try policing your own.
> Preschoolers is one word, not two. Are you a
> victim of whole language as well? Where did you
> get your fine edumacation?

Not in FCPS and not at the Charlottesville day school either.

Like I've said before, it will be Madison island, McNair, and Floris. The island kids won't go to South Lakes, and a fair number from Floris won't either, making the numbers perfect, between 700 and 800.

Removing those students from Westfield would also make Westfield their new perfect sized school, 2,100 to 2,200 students, so that everyone can play sports. Please ignore all that empty space at Westfield. They made a mistake, they made Westfield way too big. So they have to reduce it, to make it the right size. Please don't ask me what changed in the last 5 years that has made Westfield too large and so must be cut back to 2,100 students in a facility built for 3,100. What magic think has staff learned in these few years? Will they change their mind again within 5 years and decide that 2,100 is not the perfect number of students?

No students can leave Herndon high school since it is already projected to be 55 under enrolled by next year and 299 under enrolled 5 years out. Oakton will be perfect 5 years out, at 2,245. It will also be under enrolled, and VERY close to the perfect size, so there is no justification for moving any students out of Oakton. Chantilly will also be under enrolled at 2,603, although that is well over the 'perfect' student size. But in order to take students out of Chantilly, they would have to pass through Oakton district to get to South Lakes. Not a good idea. Nor is playing dominoes a good plan. So it comes back to reducing Westfield by over 700 to get it down to the 'perfect' size high school. Uuuummmmm...........and South Lakes needs EXACTLY that many students for it to reach the 'perfect' size! Voila! The solution is more than obvious! Between 700 and 800 students need to leave Westfield and go to South Lakes. It makes all the schools close to the 'perfect' size.

I'll remind you in February when the school board votes to send the island, Floris, and McNair to South Lakes.

Sorry, I never bragged about how great my school was. Our little Seahawk did.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Letsgoseahawks,
> I hate to be so rude, but your grammar needs some
> work. Are you another victim of whole language?
> I thought IB taught students to write. If you
> are representative of a South Lakes education, I
> understand the trepidation of parents whose
> children might be forced to attend South Lakes.
>
> At a minimum, plural words do not need an
> apostrophe. Parents means more than one parent
> and does not need an apostrophe. You might also
> want to read a bit on using commas and periods.
> It would make it much easier to read your posts.

In response to her own spelling mistake, Neen said, "Sorry, I never bragged about how great my school was. Our little Seahawk did."

So let me get this straight. You were browbeating a kid because he bragged about his alma mater? Not just to be a vindictive know-it-all taking out your redistricting frustrations on a kid who is proud of his school? You excuse your own spelling error by saying that you've never bragged about your school? Pot, meet kettle.

Didn't you say your community is not even affected by this boundary study? I would love for you to explain your enmity for all things Seahawk to this board.

SLVerity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> a vindictive know-it-all

no need to be so harsh on yourself.

> Didn't you say your community is not even affected
> by this boundary study?

And didn't you say that your kids are out of SL, So what makes you think anyone wants to read anything you have to say,

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Like I've said before, it will be Madison island,
> McNair, and Floris. The island kids won't go to
> South Lakes, and a fair number from Floris won't
> either, making the numbers perfect, between 700
> and 800.

Stu isn't going to plan on 185 kids leaving FCPS. Is there any precedent for that many leaving after a boundary realignment?

> Removing those students from Westfield would also
> make Westfield their new perfect sized school,
> 2,100 to 2,200 students, so that everyone can play
> sports. Please ignore all that empty space at
> Westfield. They made a mistake, they made
> Westfield way too big. So they have to reduce it,
> to make it the right size.

Westfield was authorized by a prior Board (an appointed Board?) that didn't want to spend the money to buy two high school sites.

> No students can leave Herndon high school since it
> is already projected to be 55 under enrolled by
> next year and 299 under enrolled 5 years out.

Thus making room for a reduced McNair south of the toll road or a new Coppermine ES.

> Nor is playing dominoes a good plan.

Because why?

More Later

McNair can't be sent to Herndon because of the demographics. If any students go to Herndon, it will have to be students from Langley, in some other boundary change.

People in community meetings won't agree to the domino thing when they can band together to send Floris and McNair. But you are right, all of Floris can't be sent to South Lakes, only the part closest to South Lakes and McNair. Floris will have to be like Navy and feed to different high schools. Since it's rather large, that shouldn't be a problem.

Another poster said: Westfield is too large and SL is too
> small. A better balance occurs when numbers are
> more like Oakton's.<<<

That's exactly the conclusion that the groups will reach, and the easiest way to do that is take students out of Westfield and move them to South Lakes.

Do you have another guess?

Westfield was built before 1995? That's the only way that it was authorized by someone other than Stu and Janie. If it was built after 1995, then this board had to approve it. This board could undue any plan by the boards prior to 1995.