This is one of the great quotes on this blog...........

"Stu Gibson and this school board are using the FCPS budget as their personal bank account......"

These are seious questions......

What are the political goals Stu?

What are the political goals of Smith?

What are the political goals of Phi?




Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> correct Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Stu Gibson and this school board are using the
> > FCPS budget as their personal bank account
> using
> > it for further their personal political goals.
>
> And why shouldn't they? They can do whatever they
> choose with the full knowledge that they will be
> re elected as many times as they choose to run.

Stat Man Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> It appears that Madison Is Not an Island is
> correct. The December 2007 CIP states that the
> capacities at Annandale, Falls Church and Stuart
> are 2350, 2000 and 1650. The just-published
> boundary study for the three schools now states
> that their capacities are 2134, 1946 and 1942.
> There is no explanation as to why estimates of
> capacity declined at Annandale and Falls Church
> and increased at Stuart over the seven-month
> period. Interesting, these changes accompany a
> proposed redistricting that apparently will send
> more of the redistricted students to Stuart (2007
> enrollment of 1546) than to Falls Church (2007
> enrollment of 1318).
>
> I continue to anticipate pressure to shift some
> students from overcrowded Madison to
> under-capacity Marshall, but perhaps the School
> Board's staff will change their stated capacities
> as well and then declare that no imbalances exist.
> Or, as Neen posits, it simply will not happen due
> to a lack of interest on the part of Mr.
> Niedzielski-Eichner or a lack of willingness on
> the part of Mr. Gibson to accept any such
> proposal.

There is NO way that Madison students will be sent to Marshall. Madison community would have a fit. They do not want to leave their AP school, nor do they want their property values to decline.

Marshall is increasing population on its own, there is no need to redistrict. Marshall has been under enrolled since it was last redistricted, 25 years ago. No one has ever suggested redistricting for Marshall. Although some have suggested closing it because of low enrollment and because of the very valuable land that it occupies. That idea never progressed either.

Edna Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is one of the great quotes on this
> blog...........
>
> "Stu Gibson and this school board are using the
> FCPS budget as their personal bank account......"
>
> These are seious questions......
>
> What are the political goals Stu?
>
> What are the political goals of Smith?
>
> What are the political goals of Phi?

Edna, I can only share rumors. I have no real knowledge of the political aspirations of any school board members.

Stu will have been on the school board for 16 years at the end of the current term. Unless he resigns or retires from the federal government, he can't run for any other office under the Hatch Act. According to Thomas More, county democrats will not endorse Stu to run for another office.

I have heard that Kathy Smith would like to run for Ken Cuccinelli's seat if he is elected attorney general next year. I've also heard that Janet Oleszek wants to run for that seat again. I don't know how that would work since many people believe that Janet and Kathy share one brain. I don't know how they would decide who got to use it for a campaign.

Phil? I've heard no rumors about him going anywhere, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him move up to the BOS or the state assembly, if a vacancy arises.

If anyone cares, rumor has it that if Connelly is elected to Congress in November, Sharon Bulova will run for Chairman of the Board. If she wins, Moon will run for her seat, leaving a vacancy on the school board. Perhaps Janet could recapture her seat? Lots of "ifs" in these scenarios.

Forum Reader Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Stat Man Wrote:
> > Forum Reader - The School Board's web site is
> > http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/index.htm.
> >
> > If you look at the "Current Meeting Agendas"
> > section, the boundary study for the three high
> > schools appears as a PDF attachment to Item 6.2
> of
> > the agenda for the July 14 work session.
>
> ---------------------
> Thank you for the pointer.
>
> Interesting that FCPS is already telling us who
> they plan to move where. This seems a lot more
> fair to the communities involved than the system
> that was used in the South Lakes redistricting.
>
> It also looks like FCPS realizes communities care
> about the programs available in their high school:
> this new proposal also specifies which of the
> following programs Annandale, Falls Church, and
> Stuart have:
> Advanced Placement Diploma (AP)
> Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
> Early Identification Program (EIP)
> English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
> Focus 2007 Program
> International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program
> (IBMYP)
> International Baccalaureate Program (IB)
> Modified Calendar
> Planetarium
> Special Education Services
> Transitional High School Program

What is a Transitional high school program? What is AVID? What is Focus 2007? What is EIP? Are these programs for Black students? Is it true that FCPS has 8 special programs for Black students? Yet none of them work?

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is NO way that Madison students will be sent
> to Marshall. Madison community would have a fit.
> They do not want to leave their AP school, nor do
> they want their property values to decline.
>
> Marshall is increasing population on its own,
> there is no need to redistrict. Marshall has been
> under enrolled since it was last redistricted, 25
> years ago. No one has ever suggested
> redistricting for Marshall. Although some have
> suggested closing it because of low enrollment and
> because of the very valuable land that it
> occupies. That idea never progressed either.

You really are touchy when it comes to Madison, aren't you? I doubt very much you will have the final say on this topic. Many posters on this thread have pointed out that a Madison-to-Marshall redistricting would make sense (and more sense than some of the recent transfers to South Lakes). Probably won't happen tomorrow or next year, but in 2-3 years, who knows?

In the event of a redistricting, there surely would not be a mass revolt of Madison parents; the kids who would be part of any Madison to Marshall redistricting likely would come from the Stenwood, Westbriar and/or Wolftrap areas and all know each other, as do the parents. It would not be like deciding to send a bunch of kids from Carson or Thoreau to South Lakes with kids from Hughes they'd never met before.

And, the notion that property values would somehow plummet if portions of those neighborhoods that currently attend Madison were rezoned to Marshall is nonsense. Spend some time on Realtor.com and see if you can really discern a significant premium for houses in one area versus another. I'd like to see the evidence.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What is a Transitional high school program? What
> is AVID? What is Focus 2007? What is EIP? Are
> these programs for Black students? Is it true
> that FCPS has 8 special programs for Black
> students? Yet none of them work?

What a stupid and racist comment by an insensitive bigot

I agree with you that Janie Strauss should represent her constitutents. However, she represented North Reston Langley folks and threw Madison Island folks under the bus. But then, several years ago, Gibson promised that North Reston would not have to go to South Lakes because they did not want to. I guess Janie and Stu made a backroom deal!



Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Curious Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > StuDoesNotEqualDemocrats Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > There are plenty of Democrats who have
> opposed
> > > this redistricting and oppose Stu
> specifically.
> >
> > > The geography of our district, the lack of
> > insight
> > > into how redistricting might play out and the
> > > weakness of the opposition all contributed to
> > > Stu's most recent successful campaign. If
> there
> > > were another race today, I fully expect that
> > other
> > > Democrats, Independents and Republicans would
> > be
> > > willing to jump into the mix. I am a
> Democrat,
>
> > Happy to hear this, but are you a fan of
> Janie's?
> > What sort of name does Strauss give Democrats
> when
> > she defends to the death the interests of the
> > wealthiest residents of the county in Langley
> area
> > while allowing Stu to play with the futures of
> > kids in far less privileged areas?
> >
> > Strauss is like a judge in the 1970s who bussed
> > kids to public schools while sending their own
> to
> > expensive private schools. Langley might as
> well
> > be a prep school - except the rest of us pay
> for
> > it while our schools get the shaft. It will be
> a
> > great day when both she and Gibson are gone.
>
> Who would you have Janie defend, if not her
> constituents? Why would she do something that
> would harm her district? No good rep EVER does
> that. She's not a judge, she's an elected
> official, elected to represent the best interests
> of her district. She's done that very well. She
> cares about the people who she represents. That's
> a very good thing in a representative. She does
> exactly what she is elected to do.

Why is it when someone asks a questions about programs, the only response that comes from tight lip folks is the word racist.

Do you know the answers to the questions? Obviously not.....




exter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Neen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What is a Transitional high school program?
> What
> > is AVID? What is Focus 2007? What is EIP?
> Are
> > these programs for Black students? Is it true
> > that FCPS has 8 special programs for Black
> > students? Yet none of them work?
>
> What a stupid and racist comment by an insensitive
> bigot

Excuse Me Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I agree with you that Janie Strauss should
> represent her constitutents. However, she
> represented North Reston Langley folks and threw
> Madison Island folks under the bus. But then,
> several years ago, Gibson promised that North
> Reston would not have to go to South Lakes because
> they did not want to. I guess Janie and Stu made
> a backroom deal!

Oops. You are correct.

One problem is that the Madison Island kids go to Madison and that's Stu's school. While the people are in Janie's district, they attend a school in Stu's district. So I am thinking he may have more of a say since Madison is Stu's school.

There is significant research that shows school district affects property values, both positively and negatively. Families selling out in Floris and Madison Island are losing thousands beyond the amount due to falling markets.


No Madison Is an Island Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Neen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > There is NO way that Madison students will be
> sent
> > to Marshall. Madison community would have a
> fit.
> > They do not want to leave their AP school, nor
> do
> > they want their property values to decline.
> >
> > Marshall is increasing population on its own,
> > there is no need to redistrict. Marshall has
> been
> > under enrolled since it was last redistricted,
> 25
> > years ago. No one has ever suggested
> > redistricting for Marshall. Although some have
> > suggested closing it because of low enrollment
> and
> > because of the very valuable land that it
> > occupies. That idea never progressed either.
>
> You really are touchy when it comes to Madison,
> aren't you? I doubt very much you will have the
> final say on this topic. Many posters on this
> thread have pointed out that a Madison-to-Marshall
> redistricting would make sense (and more sense
> than some of the recent transfers to South Lakes).
> Probably won't happen tomorrow or next year, but
> in 2-3 years, who knows?
>
> In the event of a redistricting, there surely
> would not be a mass revolt of Madison parents; the
> kids who would be part of any Madison to Marshall
> redistricting likely would come from the Stenwood,
> Westbriar and/or Wolftrap areas and all know each
> other, as do the parents. It would not be like
> deciding to send a bunch of kids from Carson or
> Thoreau to South Lakes with kids from Hughes
> they'd never met before.
>
> And, the notion that property values would somehow
> plummet if portions of those neighborhoods that
> currently attend Madison were rezoned to Marshall
> is nonsense. Spend some time on Realtor.com and
> see if you can really discern a significant
> premium for houses in one area versus another.
> I'd like to see the evidence.

Dexter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Neen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What is a Transitional high school program?
> What
> > is AVID? What is Focus 2007? What is EIP?
> Are
> > these programs for Black students? Is it true
> > that FCPS has 8 special programs for Black
> > students? Yet none of them work?
>
> What a stupid and racist comment by an insensitive
> bigot

How is it racist to object to programs that don't work and do nothing to help Blacks? Those who support such programs may be the real racists, pretending to care about Blacks while instituting programs that fail to educate them.

Perhaps you could share with us which programs for Blacks have been successful. which ones have helped raise reading and math scores? Has Quest helped to get more students into TJ? Please tell us which of the programs are deserving of our support and our money.

Thank you.

As said earlier....Stu is god or he thinks he is...................




Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Excuse Me Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I agree with you that Janie Strauss should
> > represent her constitutents. However, she
> > represented North Reston Langley folks and
> threw
> > Madison Island folks under the bus. But then,
> > several years ago, Gibson promised that North
> > Reston would not have to go to South Lakes
> because
> > they did not want to. I guess Janie and Stu
> made
> > a backroom deal!
>
> Oops. You are correct.
>
> One problem is that the Madison Island kids go to
> Madison and that's Stu's school. While the people
> are in Janie's district, they attend a school in
> Stu's district. So I am thinking he may have more
> of a say since Madison is Stu's school.

No Madison Is an Island Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> You really are touchy when it comes to Madison,
> aren't you? I doubt very much you will have the
> final say on this topic. Many posters on this
> thread have pointed out that a Madison-to-Marshall
> redistricting would make sense (and more sense
> than some of the recent transfers to South Lakes).
> Probably won't happen tomorrow or next year, but
> in 2-3 years, who knows?

Nope, not touchy about Madison, since I have no dog in this hunt, but I do know Madison people. Many of the teachers, counselors, and students, live in my neighborhood. I know how Vienna people reacted to redistricting to Marshall in the 1980's and I know how they would react now. There is no reason to redistrict Madison or Marshall. Why would the school board put themselves through what would be a VERY nasty redistricting, with so little need? After SL disaster, I really don't see this board bothering. PLUS, Phil and Stu have NEVER shown any interest in redistricting Marshall or Madison. Phil does support county wide redistricting.
>
> In the event of a redistricting, there surely
> would not be a mass revolt of Madison parents; the
> kids who would be part of any Madison to Marshall
> redistricting likely would come from the Stenwood,
> Westbriar and/or Wolftrap areas and all know each
> other, as do the parents. It would not be like
> deciding to send a bunch of kids from Carson or
> Thoreau to South Lakes with kids from Hughes
> they'd never met before.

Stenwood already goes to Marshall as does some of Westbriar.
>
> And, the notion that property values would somehow
> plummet if portions of those neighborhoods that
> currently attend Madison were rezoned to Marshall
> is nonsense. Spend some time on Realtor.com and
> see if you can really discern a significant
> premium for houses in one area versus another.
> I'd like to see the evidence.

I have no need to do that since I can read the Post ads. I see lots of houses advertised in the 'much sought after' Madison district. I see no such advertisement for homes in Vienna that attend Marshall. Other than Robinson, no IB school is 'much sought after'. That leads me to believe that there are buyers looking for homes in Madison district.

You could simply ask a real estate agent if high schools matter. Or you could think about it for yourself. People search for homes, often based on the local schools, don't they? If a house is in a less desirable school district, there will have fewer people who want it since some buyers have children and schools matter to them. There will be less demand for those houses, fewer people looking at it. Less demand means lower prices. Supply and demand, a simple principle.

If you really want to compare houses for proof, you might check what houses sell for in Stonewall Manor against houses in Lakevale or Tanglevale. Very similar neighborhoods, built at the same time, but feeding to different high schools. I prefer to use ziprealty.com, but feel free to use any real estate source, or, better, use the tax records for recent sales. You will find quite a difference in house prices. Only people who in areas that feed to less desirable high schools believe that schools don't effect their house values.

Excuse Me Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As said earlier....Stu is god or he thinks he
> is...................

Do you have any proof that he's not?

As I said earlier, Stu is King of a very, very, small Kingdom of South Lakes.

Mary Ellen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is significant research that shows school
> district affects property values, both positively
> and negatively. Families selling out in Floris
> and Madison Island are losing thousands beyond the
> amount due to falling markets.

Of course. There is more demand for homes in good school districts than there are for homes in bad school districts. Therefore they will be more valuable. More demand, higher prices. Less demand, lower prices. Floris and Madison Island will be less desirable, less in demand, than they were prior to redistricting. Of course that effects prices.

Here is an interesting article on a school that will have to endure retesting of all of their AP tests due to poor proctoring and cheating of 10 students. A group has formed to protest the retakes for the students who "weren't" cheating (or who at least didn't admit to cheating). http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ap11-2008jul11,0,7045451.story

While clearly it is upsetting to hear that proctors were asleep and cell phones were allowed in, it upsets me more to hear the parents worry about the kids who "burnt their notebooks and study notes from their classes" because now they won't have anything to study with to do well on the AP exam. And they complain that the students might lose a years worth of potential credit. Isn't the assumption that the tests grant credit because they know the 100 level work? If they need to study again doesn't that imply that they don't know the 100 level college course work well enough to jump into sophomore standing at the college? I mean you can't complain that they are going to lose their sophomore standing and that they won't be able to do well on the retake if they no longer have their notes or access to their teachers. If they are capable of sophomore standing in May, they should be capable of it in August, otherwise they aren't truly demonstrating that they shouldn't have to take the freshman courses.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Edna Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This is one of the great quotes on this
> > blog...........
> >
> > "Stu Gibson and this school board are using the
> > FCPS budget as their personal bank
> account......"
> >
> > These are seious questions......
> >
> > What are the political goals Stu?
> >
> > What are the political goals of Smith?
> >
> > What are the political goals of Phi?
>
> Edna, I can only share rumors. I have no real
> knowledge of the political aspirations of any
> school board members.
>
> Stu will have been on the school board for 16
> years at the end of the current term. Unless he
> resigns or retires from the federal government, he
> can't run for any other office under the Hatch
> Act. According to Thomas More, county democrats
> will not endorse Stu to run for another office.
>
> I have heard that Kathy Smith would like to run
> for Ken Cuccinelli's seat if he is elected
> attorney general next year. I've also heard that
> Janet Oleszek wants to run for that seat again. I
> don't know how that would work since many people
> believe that Janet and Kathy share one brain. I
> don't know how they would decide who got to use it
> for a campaign.
>
> Phil? I've heard no rumors about him going
> anywhere, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him
> move up to the BOS or the state assembly, if a
> vacancy arises.
>
> If anyone cares, rumor has it that if Connelly is
> elected to Congress in November, Sharon Bulova
> will run for Chairman of the Board. If she wins,
> Moon will run for her seat, leaving a vacancy on
> the school board. Perhaps Janet could recapture
> her seat? Lots of "ifs" in these scenarios.


could be Moon vs. Tessie round 2 for Braddock. She won't go further in 2011.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > Of course. There is more demand for homes in good school districts than there are for homes in bad school districts. Therefore they will be more valuable. More demand, higher prices. Less demand, lower prices. Floris and Madison Island will be less desirable, less in demand, than they were prior to redistricting. Of course that effects prices.< <

This thesis has at least one problem. If 75% of homeowners do not have kids in school, the quality of the schools would have only a fractional impact on house price which is what you find when you look at houses on either side of boundaries between "good" schools and "bad" schools.

Proximity to employment centers and commuter routes to employment center has a far larger impact on price.

I too took the "tour" with Mr. Butler in January. Yes, the school looks fabulous. Yes, the seniors were friendly and engaging.
But..........
SL is still an IB school that my student is being forced to attend
FCPS still has no idea how much this "study" and new change has cost the county
FCPS still will not consider using those great, beautiful music and art areas for a arts magnet school similar to TJ.
and most important of all......I am still not going to send my child there.



ProoF FOR all the HATERS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> One Parent's Impression of South Lakes High School
>
>
>
>
> Recently, five parents and I went on a tour of
> South Lakes High School. Since we were from the
> Oakton pyramid, some of us were not sure what to
> expect. But, by time the tour was completed, we
> left South Lakes with a great impression of the
> school. I wanted to share some of the impressions
> we had of the tour.
>
> Two seniors, who were very friendly and engaging,
> met us outside the school and guided us through
> the construction to the Main Office where we met
> Bruce Butler, the Principal. He, then, proceeded
> to spend the better part of two hours showing us
> around the school discussing life at South Lakes,
> and introducing us to administrators, teachers,
> and students. He answered our questions, allowed
> us to view classes in session, and let us talk to
> students, who also answered questions. All the
> students we met or saw were very courteous and
> many wanted to share information about their daily
> life at South Lakes with us.
>
> Despite the large amount of construction occurring
> throughout the school, it was impeccably clean and
> bright. The new Media Center/Library that has
> recently been completed was AMAZING. It was
> outfitted with a striking amount of digital
> technology that is available to the students as
> well as being bright, spacious, and inviting. I
> believe it is fairly indicative of what the
> remainder of the school will be like after
> construction has been completed. South Lakes has a
> wonderful Music and Fine Arts department and the
> IB program is extraordinary. Both are a big part
> of the culture in the school. Over 50% of all the
> students at South Lakes take at least one IB class
> during their High School years.
>
> Out of everything we saw, I was most impressed by
> the Mentoring Program that is offered by the
> school. Every freshman that comes into South Lakes
> is assigned a Mentor who is either a junior or a
> senior. The mentors are responsible for
> introducing the freshmen to South Lakes and
> assisting them with their transition to high
> school. This includes showing the school to them,
> introducing them to upper classmen, answering
> questions and helping the freshmen with any
> concerns they may have as they adjust to high
> school life. The administration at South Lakes is
> totally committed to this program and supplies the
> mentors with all the necessary resources that are
> needed to make this program a success. This
> includes time, training, materials, and support
> and guidance. This mentoring program began only
> four years ago, but I believe the program has
> profoundly affected the culture of the school
> across all levels. In a school that has an
> extremely diverse student body, it has created an
> incredible culture of acceptance and support that
> can truly be felt when one is in the school. I
> have continually heard that South Lakes does not
> have cliques and now I understand why. The really
> wonderful thing about the program is that the
> freshmen are not the only ones who benefit. The
> mentors also benefit from being in a leadership
> role, and ultimately the entire school benefits
> from the positive role modeling that occurs within
> the program and the friendships that are formed.
> South Lakes is very excited about the prospect of
> having more freshmen so they can further expand
> the program and give more upperclassmen the
> ability to participate in this program.
>
> I was equally inspired by Bruce Butler. As a
> school principal, he is totally committed to South
> Lakes High School, the programs it offers, the
> people within the walls, and the community that
> supports the school. He was a delight to speak
> with and genuinely cared about everyone in the
> school. It was plainly obvious that everyone in
> the school totally respected him and was very
> happy to be there.
>
> Overall, the tour was an incredibly positive
> experience and I would certainly encourage others
> to go on a tour of South Lakes as well.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> A Rachel Carson Middle School Parent

Dexter Wrote:
> Neen Wrote:
> > What is a Transitional high school program? What
> > is AVID? What is Focus 2007? What is EIP? Are
> > these programs for Black students? Is it true
> > that FCPS has 8 special programs for Black
> > students? Yet none of them work?
>
> What a stupid and racist comment by an insensitive
> bigot

---------------
Dexter: Why is it racist to ask if these programs are targeted to help Black students? EIP is for "populations traditionally underrepresented in post-secondary education" which I think we all agree includes Black students.

Neen: to respond to your reasonable question,
“The AVID program is designed to meet the educational needs of middle school and high school students “in the middle” – students who, with support, have the potential to succeed in a rigorous course of study (including honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate) and go on to attend and graduate from a four-year college or university. The program includes a regularly scheduled elective course which helps students improve academic and organizational skills; tutorials designed to increase higher-level thinking and success in rigorous courses; motivational activities, guest speakers, and college and career exploration to focus students on college attendance; and a parent/guardian involvement component. The AVID program is offered at the following schools:
Glasgow Annandale Hayfield Holmes Edison Lake Braddock Jackson Fairfax Lanier Falls Church Poe Stuart Sandburg West Potomac Twain”

“The Early Identification Program is a partnership between George Mason University (GMU) and four local school districts - Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties, and Falls Church city. This multi-year college preparatory program for middle and high school students draws from populations traditionally underrepresented in post-secondary education. Elements of the program include college orientation, academic counseling and monitoring, academic support, personal development training, student mentoring, and parent involvement. Classes in this year- round program are held Saturdays on the GMU campus. This program serves students at the following schools:
Annandale Mount Vernon Glasgow Lanier Centreville Robinson Holmes Poe Chantilly Stuart Jackson Whitman Fairfax Westfield Falls Church Woodson”

“The Focus 2014 program provides funding for Whitman Middle, Edison, Falls Church, Mount Vernon, and Stuart High Schools to enable students to spend extra time for learning, both in the classroom and for tutoring. This strategic academic support is provided for special populations including all students who failed two or more Standards of Learning (SOL) end-of-course tests. The extra staffing and resources and the extended school day and/or school calendar provide time for more personalized instruction focusing on study skills, time management, test-taking skills, and effective use of technology. Funding for supplemental support and remediation programs is also provided to designated high schools yearly based on a combination of Adequate Yearly Progress status, critical need, and accountability plan. Teachers, counselors, parents, and students develop collaborative plans to provide the necessary support for identified students to pass the SOL tests and promote overall achievement.”

In these three high schools, other programs to help “at risk” high school students [some of whom are found in all racial and ethnic groups] include (but are not limited to):

“Stuart High School Comprehensive Reading Program. The program provides supplemental materials to support the reading software program and summer staff development training to enable teachers to implement an individualized curriculum and track the growth of each student. The program ensures that students needing remediation will reach grade level in reading, provides reading enrichment opportunities for students identified as advanced, and allows for additional opportunities for students to prepare for the Verbal SAT.”

Modified calendar “In FY 2002, Falls Church and Stuart High Schools implemented a modified trimester calendar. The modified calendar provides additional time for instruction prior to standardized tests such as the Standards of Learning (SOL), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB). An eight-week summer trimester provides time for students to take additional courses or extends the learning time necessary to successfully pass courses or SOL tests. Students preparing for IB or AP diplomas have more flexibility in their schedules and can enroll in more elective courses. This school-based summer trimester enables students to complete up to two credits.”

Summer School Remediation

Student Accountability Plan “is a component of the FCPS comprehensive accountability model, designed to help students in 6th through 8th grade attain specific promotion benchmarks at the end of each grade. Students who pass or make progress on the benchmark assessments are promoted or conditionally promoted. Students who are conditionally promoted are required to attend summer school. Students in grades 6 through 9 who have not met the promotion benchmarks after participation in a summer school program receive focused remediation.”

Total School Approach (TSA) “Funding is provided to support programs that contribute significantly to changes at the local school level, enhance the delivery of instruction, make the curriculum more reflective of the school system’s multicultural population, and focus on planning for students and outcomes. Total School Approach (TSA) requires the total involvement of all staff members and the community to improve student achievement, support the student achievement goals (particularly those which address closing the achievement gap), and enhance learning opportunities for students functioning below grade level. In addition, TSA provides:
- Additional academic support and time on task for students achieving below expectations.
- Learning opportunities to enhance and identify giftedness in economically disadvantaged students.
- Support and assistance to schools in achieving the goals of their school plans.”

Be careful when looking a the cost of homes in Vienna....Madison Island folks had a Vienna address. Those that moved out moved into the Town of Vienna in order to be in the Madison School District. Asked them how much they paid for a house in The Town of Vienna and compare the size, quality, etc to the home they left in Madison Island. I was told there are homes in The Town of Vienna being bid on due to the influx of people moving out of the redistricted areas.


Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No Madison Is an Island Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > You really are touchy when it comes to Madison,
> > aren't you? I doubt very much you will have
> the
> > final say on this topic. Many posters on this
> > thread have pointed out that a
> Madison-to-Marshall
> > redistricting would make sense (and more sense
> > than some of the recent transfers to South
> Lakes).
> > Probably won't happen tomorrow or next year,
> but
> > in 2-3 years, who knows?
>
> Nope, not touchy about Madison, since I have no
> dog in this hunt, but I do know Madison people.
> Many of the teachers, counselors, and students,
> live in my neighborhood. I know how Vienna people
> reacted to redistricting to Marshall in the 1980's
> and I know how they would react now. There is no
> reason to redistrict Madison or Marshall. Why
> would the school board put themselves through what
> would be a VERY nasty redistricting, with so
> little need? After SL disaster, I really don't
> see this board bothering. PLUS, Phil and Stu have
> NEVER shown any interest in redistricting Marshall
> or Madison. Phil does support county wide
> redistricting.
> >
> > In the event of a redistricting, there surely
> > would not be a mass revolt of Madison parents;
> the
> > kids who would be part of any Madison to
> Marshall
> > redistricting likely would come from the
> Stenwood,
> > Westbriar and/or Wolftrap areas and all know
> each
> > other, as do the parents. It would not be like
> > deciding to send a bunch of kids from Carson or
> > Thoreau to South Lakes with kids from Hughes
> > they'd never met before.
>
> Stenwood already goes to Marshall as does some of
> Westbriar.
> >
> > And, the notion that property values would
> somehow
> > plummet if portions of those neighborhoods
> that
> > currently attend Madison were rezoned to
> Marshall
> > is nonsense. Spend some time on Realtor.com
> and
> > see if you can really discern a significant
> > premium for houses in one area versus another.
> > I'd like to see the evidence.
>
> I have no need to do that since I can read the
> Post ads. I see lots of houses advertised in the
> 'much sought after' Madison district. I see no
> such advertisement for homes in Vienna that attend
> Marshall. Other than Robinson, no IB school is
> 'much sought after'. That leads me to believe
> that there are buyers looking for homes in Madison
> district.
>
> You could simply ask a real estate agent if high
> schools matter. Or you could think about it for
> yourself. People search for homes, often based on
> the local schools, don't they? If a house is in a
> less desirable school district, there will have
> fewer people who want it since some buyers have
> children and schools matter to them. There will be
> less demand for those houses, fewer people looking
> at it. Less demand means lower prices. Supply and
> demand, a simple principle.
>
> If you really want to compare houses for proof,
> you might check what houses sell for in Stonewall
> Manor against houses in Lakevale or Tanglevale.
> Very similar neighborhoods, built at the same
> time, but feeding to different high schools. I
> prefer to use ziprealty.com, but feel free to use
> any real estate source, or, better, use the tax
> records for recent sales. You will find quite a
> difference in house prices. Only people who in
> areas that feed to less desirable high schools
> believe that schools don't effect their house
> values.

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> not so rich in EAST HERNDON Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Oh, I remember now, all the good HHS band kids
> came from the area formerly know as North Reston,
> so the SB couldn't let them go to SL where they
> might not even make the band, cause its a already
> a national champion.
>
What "national champion" are you referring to? You obviously know nothing about the band programs at Herndon, Chantilly, or Westfield. I have no doubts that the band kids from Herndon would have NO problem making the band program at South Lakes. VBODA festival results tell a different tale. While the top bands at Herndon, Chantilly, and Westfield played grade VI (the hardest) music, South Lakes played grade V, and in recent history has never played grade VI at festival. Also, no band student from South Lakes made it to the all-state band auditions this year. The other schools were well represented.

Neen,

You have surpassed the disgusting master Bill Clinton in your ability to parse words and issue a non-denial denial. So you didn't work with Stu on last year's campaign, but what about campaigns prior? You are such a reprehensible person. It must really suck to be you.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Question for Neen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why did you work for Stu's campaign? You have
> > never explained yourself to those who have been
> > 'stuck' with Stu.
>
> No, I did not work on Stu's campaign last year.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> (Snip) Marshall is increasing population on its own,
> there is no need to redistrict.

So all along you have been dissembling and lying when you said that Marshall's redistricting was a failure? You now acknowledge that it actually is increasing enrollment on its own. You really are a jerk.

Now you are really showing your ignorance, Neen. You don't know what these programs are because you have no need to. Your children were in precious GT and that is the only cause, besides Stu Gibson's campaign, that you ever worked for, except of course your own self-interests. You think all programs that you dont' know about are for blacks? What does that say about you? AVID happens to be for kids who would potentially be the first in their family to attend college and includes kids from all backgrounds, even those without a drop of 'african' blood. It actually benefits some of your precious Asian children that you love to defend.

Not only reprehensible and a jerk, but also ignorant, in a white-trash sort of way.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> What is a Transitional high school program? What
> is AVID? What is Focus 2007? What is EIP? Are
> these programs for Black students? Is it true
> that FCPS has 8 special programs for Black
> students? Yet none of them work?

Mary Ellen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is significant research that shows school
> district affects property values, both positively
> and negatively. Families selling out in Floris
> and Madison Island are losing thousands beyond the
> amount due to falling markets.
>
Mary Ellen - I don't disagree with the general principle, subject to Thomas More's clarification. I do question whether there is a significant difference -enough to turn previously friendly neighbors whose children attended schools together for 6-8 years violently against one another - when the two schools at issue are Madison and Marshall and the year is 2008, not 1988 or 1992 (which seems to me to be Neen's reference point).

I have no doubt that, if large numbers of Floris and Madison Island families put their homes on the market in a short time period, when there was already a large inventory of unsold homes due to market conditions, that fact was not lost on potential buyers. As to MI, people who lived outside the area typically assumed that it fed into South Lakes until told otherwise. An efficient market for real estate in that area presumably reflected the possibility that it would be redistricted to South Lakes at some point.

Didn't you just say that property values would plummet if neighborhoods were moved to Marshall? From what I can see on the map, your house is much closer to Marshall and Falls Church (an AP school) for that matter, than are many others being discussed. Perhaps your neighborhood will be moved. Perhaps I will start to champion that cause. I have a direct line to Stu. Gna, gna, gna.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Nope, not touchy about Madison, since I have no
> dog in this hunt...

I guess Neen has never looked at real estate prices in the City of Alexandria, DC or New York City, for that matter. These are not exactly areas with great school systems, yet their home prices are sky high.

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Neen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > > Of course. There is more demand for homes in
> good school districts than there are for homes in
> bad school districts. Therefore they will be more
> valuable. More demand, higher prices. Less
> demand, lower prices. Floris and Madison Island
> will be less desirable, less in demand, than they
> were prior to redistricting. Of course that
> effects prices.< <
>
> This thesis has at least one problem. If 75% of
> homeowners do not have kids in school, the quality
> of the schools would have only a fractional impact
> on house price which is what you find when you
> look at houses on either side of boundaries
> between "good" schools and "bad" schools.
>
> Proximity to employment centers and commuter
> routes to employment center has a far larger
> impact on price.

There has not been a rash of sales in Madison Island, despite what Dame Edna says. In fact, the recent domestic homicide on Crowell road may have generated a sale or two. Drive through there yourself and you will see nary a sale sign. Same for Fox Mill 'Estates' (term used loosely) despite rumors to the contrary.

Only a fool would try to attribute redistricting to the recent drop in home sales. Sales are down everywhere, or haven't you heard. BTW, I have seen houses in Vienna sitting on the market for months, and I mean many months, price reduced, etc. Get it?


No Madison Is an Island Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mary Ellen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > There is significant research that shows school
> > district affects property values, both
> positively
> > and negatively. Families selling out in Floris
> > and Madison Island are losing thousands beyond
> the
> > amount due to falling markets.
> >
> Mary Ellen - I don't disagree with the general
> principle, subject to Thomas More's clarification.
> I do question whether there is a significant
> difference -enough to turn previously friendly
> neighbors whose children attended schools together
> for 6-8 years violently against one another -
> when the two schools at issue are Madison and
> Marshall and the year is 2008, not 1988 or 1992
> (which seems to me to be Neen's reference point).
>
>
> I have no doubt that, if large numbers of Floris
> and Madison Island families put their homes on the
> market in a short time period, when there was
> already a large inventory of unsold homes due to
> market conditions, that fact was not lost on
> potential buyers. As to MI, people who lived
> outside the area typically assumed that it fed
> into South Lakes until told otherwise. An
> efficient market for real estate in that area
> presumably reflected the possibility that it would
> be redistricted to South Lakes at some point.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nope, not touchy about Madison, since I have no
> dog in this hunt, but I do know Madison people.
> Many of the teachers, counselors, and students,
> live in my neighborhood. I know how Vienna people
> reacted to redistricting to Marshall in the 1980's
> and I know how they would react now.

You're right - you don't have a dog in this hunt, although you do keep expressing strong opinions that appear grounded mostly in the 1980s. It is fairly obvious that you live in a Vienna neighborhood that would never be part of any Madison-to-Marshall redistricting in any event, given your repeated praise of the Louise Archer and Flint Hill areas.

> There is no reason to redistrict Madison or Marshall. Why
> would the school board put themselves through what
> would be a VERY nasty redistricting, with so
> little need? After SL disaster, I really don't
> see this board bothering.

Madison is overcrowded and Marshall is still under-enrolled, although you are right that its enrollment is steadily increasing. It is the stated policy of the School Board to address these imbalances. Also, the School Board is about to discuss a redistricting involving Annandale, Falls Church and Stuart. Obviously, it hasn't let the fact that two are IB schools and one is an AP school stop them, and it hasn't been nasty so far. With the South Lakes situation, it was nasty even before the boundary study was released, and only got worse. As Stat Man's data showed, Madison and Marshall are more evenly matched than South Lakes and Oakton, etc.

> PLUS, Phil and Stu have NEVER shown any interest in redistricting Marshall
> or Madison. Phil does support county wide
> redistricting.

I agree. On the other hand, during the South Lakes redistricting, Phil strongly supported sending Navy families to Oakton, even though they pleaded to stay at Chantilly. He apparently thought it was important to maintain Oakton's enrollment levels. so it could stay competitive in the Concorde District. At some point he will have to account to Falls Church and Marshall families if he goes to bat for Oakton, but not their schools. There are also a growing number of Hunter Mill families who have now realized that Stu only seems to care about his Reston constituents, and we are not happy.

> Stenwood already goes to Marshall as does some of
> Westbriar.

Westbriar and Wolftrap both split between Madison and Marshall, and the families all know each other well. The School Board has also specifically identified eliminating split feeders as a goal. Unless the Madison families are property-obsessed hypocrits who have been lying to their Marshall neighbors for many years by saying they've heard good things about Marshall, there is no reason to think this would be World War III (or South Lakes II - not sure which was fought more bitterly).
>
> I have no need to do that since I can read the
> Post ads. I see lots of houses advertised in the
> 'much sought after' Madison district.

Maybe so - though I often see this mentioned with respect to older properties in the town of Vienna or the outskirts that may indeed need a bit of a marketing boost.

Madison Is Not an Island Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------


The School Board has also specifically
> identified eliminating split feeders as a goal.


Then why did they create a split feeder at Floris and added a split to the already split feed Carson? Give me a break. That is only their goal when if fits their needs.

Bulldog Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Then why did they create a split feeder at Floris
> and added a split to the already split feed
> Carson? Give me a break. That is only their goal
> when if fits their needs.

So I gather you oppose split feeders; so do I. Very few of us are the beneficiaries of evenly applied and consistent School Board policies.

To the SB's credit, in a system this big with high school's of all physical capacities, wouldn't it be impossible to avoid split feeders? In fact, the middle school model assures that most pyramids cannot possibly be anything but split feeders, due the middle school class size relative to the high schools up the ladder.

Forum Reader Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dexter Wrote:
> > Neen Wrote:
> > > What is a Transitional high school program?
> What
> > > is AVID? What is Focus 2007? What is EIP?
> Are
> > > these programs for Black students? Is it
> true
> > > that FCPS has 8 special programs for Black
> > > students? Yet none of them work?
> >
> > What a stupid and racist comment by an
> insensitive
> > bigot
>
> ---------------
> Dexter: Why is it racist to ask if these programs
> are targeted to help Black students? EIP is for
> "populations traditionally underrepresented in
> post-secondary education" which I think we all
> agree includes Black students.
>
> Neen: to respond to your reasonable question * * *

Damn .... are you both really that tone-deaf?

The lady didn't ask if some black students would benefit from these programs. She said they were "special" programs FOR black students and that none of them work. I will let you take it from there.

If you don't get it, I'm sorry, but that's racism, pure and simple. Maybe if you or your high schoolers had spent time with anyone other than Whites and Asians you would understand better.

Wonder Why Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> To the SB's credit, in a system this big with high
> school's of all physical capacities, wouldn't it
> be impossible to avoid split feeders? In fact,
> the middle school model assures that most pyramids
> cannot possibly be anything but split feeders, due
> the middle school class size relative to the high
> schools up the ladder.

Then in this case the SB should not have stated "to eliminate split feeders" as one of the criterias when redistricting.

Madison Is Not an Island Wrote:
> ... it hasn't been nasty so far.
> With the South Lakes situation, it was nasty even
> before the boundary study was released, and only
> got worse. ...

Stat Man may be right, and this redistricting may be smoother, but don't be too sure about how this one will play out. It is mid-July and the initial draft was just released.

[This thread did not start until 24 July.]

Looking at the Coppermine Scope of study. For Floris, all the projected numbers are based on new developments that are not even starting construction yet.

If SB moves East Floris somewhere, are they going to leave Floris 300+ under enrollment for years waiting for these new developments to be built? What if for some budget reasons some of these new developments will not be built for a long time, is SB going to do another redistrcting to fill it up?

From the projection, in 2012 all five ESs together will have about 250 over capacity. Seems to me Coppermine is not really necessary since I don't think all the new developments will be built due to the current enconomy.
Attachments:

Wonder Why Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> To the SB's credit, in a system this big with high
> school's of all physical capacities, wouldn't it
> be impossible to avoid split feeders? In fact,
> the middle school model assures that most pyramids
> cannot possibly be anything but split feeders, due
> the middle school class size relative to the high
> schools up the ladder.

I expect you are in the western part of the county where there are more splits. If you look at the current boundary maps, however, you will see that most middle schools/high schools are completely or almost completely aligned (Cooper/Langley; Longfellow/McLean; Liberty/Centreville; Herndon/Herndon; Lanier/Fairfax; Frost/Woodson; Irving/West Springfield; Sandburg/West Potomac; Whitman/Mount Vernon; Twain/Edison; Key/Lee). Until the last redistricting, Hughes was completely aligned with South Lakes. The secondary schools (Lake Braddock; Robinson; Hayfield; South County) also obviously keep middle and high schoolers together.

I believe that all or almost all of Glasgow feeds into Stuart and almost all of both Poe and Holmes feed into Annandale. Rocky Run is one of several feeders into Chantilly and Stone is one of several feeders into Westfield.

In comparison, Jackson splits between Falls Church and Oakton; Franklin splits between Westfield, Oakton and Chantilly; Carson splits between Westfield and Oakton (and now South Lakes); and both Thoreau and Kilmer split between Madison and Marshall. But, the percentage of Thoreau students who go to Marshall is a good bit smaller than the percentage of Kilmer students who attend Madison.

It would require a considerable amount of work to realign Jackson, Franklin and/or Carson with any particular high school, given the size of Westfield and Chantilly.

On the other hand, it would be easy to align Thoreau completely with Madison and Kilmer completely with Marshall. They are natural fits and all four schools were built at the same time as other traditional pairings such as Key/Lee, Twain/Edison, etc. Doing so, however, would actually bring Marshall close to capacity and make it more difficult for Neen to trot out her familiar line that redistricting at Marshall "never worked." So perhaps on that basis alone it will never happen.

Wonder Why Wrote:
> To the SB's credit, in a system this big with high
> school's of all physical capacities, wouldn't it
> be impossible to avoid split feeders? In fact,
> the middle school model assures that most pyramids
> cannot possibly be anything but split feeders, due
> the middle school class size relative to the high
> schools up the ladder.

Not impossible. Most high schools already have contiguous borders with their middle schools, thus encouraging community ties, making "vertical teaming" possible within the pyramids, and other apparent but unquantifiable benefits.

To do this, FCPS must give each high school (other than Jefferson) one and only one middle school. If a middle school is "too big" for its high school (like Glasgow relative to Stuart) then send more special programs to it.
a. Close Holmes as a middle school and re-open it as an elementary school.
b. Re-assign Franklin as the Oakton middle school.
c. Build a new western high school and assign it to Carson (in the meantime, Carson will have to remain a split feeder.)
d. If the high school is "too big" for its middle school, add capacity to the small middle school (e.g., 725 seat Thoreau) or add an academy to the large high school (e.g., 3,100 seat Westfield).

And then sit back and watch the sparks fly!

Forum Reader Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Not impossible. Most high schools already have
> contiguous borders with their middle schools, thus
> encouraging community ties, making "vertical
> teaming" possible within the pyramids, and other
> apparent but unquantifiable benefits.
>
> To do this, FCPS must give each high school (other
> than Jefferson) one and only one middle school. If
> a middle school is "too big" for its high school
> (like Glasgow relative to Stuart) then send more
> special programs to it.
> a. Close Holmes as a middle school and re-open it
> as an elementary school.
> b. Re-assign Franklin as the Oakton middle
> school.
> c. Build a new western high school and assign it
> to Carson (in the meantime, Carson will have to
> remain a split feeder.)
> d. If the high school is "too big" for its middle
> school, add capacity to the small middle school
> (e.g., 725 seat Thoreau) or add an academy to the
> large high school (e.g., 3,100 seat Westfield).

Forum Reader - Your proposal is a lot more complicated than anything I suggested to align Thoreau/Madison and Kilmer/Marshall more closely. You could re-align Jackson with Falls Church, but how does Oakton replace those students unless it pulls in more Carson students and sharply reduces the enrollment at Westfield? I get the impression from my reader mail that the Bulldogs are fierce on such matters.

I will leave it to you and Stat Man to dig into the numbers, but I don't think Glasgow is "too big" for Stuart. All or almost all of Glasgow feeds into Stuart, and then the high school enrollment comes down in later years due to drop-outs. It's not a capacity issue.

Hi,

Anyone interested in stopping predatory towing? I had a tow truck driver break in my car to "verify" my parking pass. They towed the car and the pass was "magically" lost. Hmmmmm. The police officer asked them to produce the parking pass but it was "not there". I was told I will have to file in civil court. Huh? This is the third illegal tow from my residence in 18 months. There was one that was legal. I had a visitor park in the wrong spot after I told them the correct spot.

If you are interested in getting a class action suit together, and in changing laws so they can't just steal your car and lie about where it was parked later then please contact me.

I am sick and tired of being towed. The tow truck driver should have to document the parking location and should have to document that they did all they could to verify a parking pass. If they lose the video or if it is of poor quality then they should have to refund the money.

The burden of proof should be on the tow company (photos and video) to prove it was a legal tow. Not the other way around. How many people living in town houses or apartments can point a night-vision video camera on their car (if they are lucky enough to park where they can set a camera up?) Don't bother to put the camera in your car......you have to pay to get the car and the camera out and then it's too late. The camera has to be where they cannot get to it.

I was told I have to prove it was not a legal tow. Huh? So basically, if a tow truck driver happens to be a liar and a thief (not all of them are....there are some honest ones) then you are at their mercy?

Something is wrong with this picture. I am all for towing cars that are parked illegally, are parked in fire lanes, in front of handicap ramps, in someone elses spot or on an expired meter. Tow companies are there for good reasons too. I have met some great ones who went out of their way to help me.

Something needs to be done about predatory towing. New federal laws enable localities to enact regulations for tow companies. Go to towguy.org and search Virginia. It is amazing what they get away with.

I suggest a couple of laws.

1. A police officer must be present when a tow driver breaks into a car to verify a parking pass. Otherwise they can just throw the pass away after the tow and say there was no pass.

2. If there is a parking/towing policy then there must be a sign in every entrance and exit of that parking lot. Period. The sign must be of a minimum size (huge). It should say something like.....we routinely tow our customers and residents. Have a nice day.

3. If the driver of a car gets in the car before it is hooked up they cannot hook the car up or tow the car. If the driver is standing beside the car they cannot tow the car or hook it up. If the driver (or other person) is IN the car they cannot tow the car (or hook it up).

4. If the tow truck driver requests a driver move their car from the illegal spot and they refuse to do so within a specific time frame (3 minutes?) (must be documented on video) then the driver can hook the car and charge for it. If the driver refuses to paythe hook fee then the tow driver can take the car. If the driver of the car curses or assaults the tow truck driver then the driver of the car goes to jail (as they should) All this should be documented and timed on video. If there is a repeat offender (documented on video and paper) then the tow driver should be able to take the car without warning.

2. no car with a handicap tag or sticker should ever be towed from any handicap spot of any kind. Period. have a look at the story in towguy.org. A little old lady in her eighties was hooked up (she had handicap sticker and was parked in a handicap spot). They charged her a $200 crook....uh, er, I mean hook fee.

Sorry this post is so long....still fuming days after towing event.

Forum Reader Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> a. Close Holmes as a middle school and re-open it
> as an elementary school.

Forgive the digression, but does anyone recall Woody Robinson, Holmes's first and greatest principal? There were legendary stories that he used to drop his dentures on the floor, and then put them right back in his mouth. Never saw it myself, but....

Those corredors seemed very big and scary to a 7th grader in the Wonder Years era, but first-graders undoubtedly are a more sophisticated lot these days.

Madison Is Not an Island Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> but I don't think Glasgow is "too
> big" for Stuart. All or almost all of Glasgow
> feeds into Stuart, and then the high school
> enrollment comes down in later years due to
> drop-outs. It's not a capacity issue.

Essentially all of Glasgow does go to Stuart. Some kids end up at Falls Church and Annandale (and perhaps other high schools) because they were either in Spanish immersion at Bailey's or the GT center at Belvedere. Both Spanish Immersion and GT continue at Glasgow, and then the kids would go to their base high school (or in some cases TJ).

Dexter Wrote:
> ... She said they were
> "special" programs FOR black students and that
> none of them work. I will let you take it from
> there.
>
> If you don't get it, I'm sorry, but that's racism,
> pure and simple. ...

---
You might be more "effective" if you'd stop dropping the "racist" label on those who are simply looking at the effectiveness of programs, of lack thereof.

EIP is for "populations traditionally underrepresented in post-secondary education."

The 2005-2006 FCPS "handbook" states "QUEST is a three-year science, math, language arts, and technology program for high-achieving minority students in grades 6-8. It is designed to increase the number of underrepresented students in advanced secondary programs such as AP, IB, Honors, and TJHSST..."

These are the words of FCPS, not Neen. Which "underrepresented students" do you think FCPS is talking about, other than Black and Hispanic students?

So Neen may have erred, slightly, by referring to "special programs for Black students" when she should have written "Black and Hispanic." Small oversight.

Second half of the issue: DO these programs work? Quest has been around long enough that if it was effective we'd be seeing significant growth in "the number of underrepresented students in advanced secondary programs such as ... TJHSST." Are you seeing growing numbers of "underrepresented students" at Jefferson? If not, then Neen is right, and Quest is not working.

"Equivalent" programs that cost more should be dropped; failed programs, those that do not achieve their purpose, should definitely be dropped.

------

335 pages of BS. When was the last time you went before the SB and told them what they are doing wrong? When was the last time you went before the SB and told them what they should do with all of you great ideas you post on this site?

If all you do is post on this site you are doing nothing to improve the FCPS system. In fact, the SB loves you because they do not have to deal with you at a meeting and there is no public record.

At the last SB meeting only two citizens spoke out against the SB, WHERE WERE YOU?

Tell it to the SB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> At the last SB meeting only two citizens spoke out
> against the SB, WHERE WERE YOU?

Why would one waste their time considering the SB's recent track record? How many citizens spoke out against the Western County HS redistricting in a public forum which is part of the public record?. What good did that do?

Madison Is Not an Island Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Forum Reader Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Not impossible. Most high schools already have
> > contiguous borders with their middle schools,
> thus
> > encouraging community ties, making "vertical
> > teaming" possible within the pyramids, and
> other
> > apparent but unquantifiable benefits.
> >
> > To do this, FCPS must give each high school
> (other
> > than Jefferson) one and only one middle school.
> If
> > a middle school is "too big" for its high
> school
> > (like Glasgow relative to Stuart) then send
> more
> > special programs to it.
> > a. Close Holmes as a middle school and re-open
> it
> > as an elementary school.
> > b. Re-assign Franklin as the Oakton middle
> > school.
> > c. Build a new western high school and assign
> it
> > to Carson (in the meantime, Carson will have to
> > remain a split feeder.)
> > d. If the high school is "too big" for its
> middle
> > school, add capacity to the small middle school
> > (e.g., 725 seat Thoreau) or add an academy to
> the
> > large high school (e.g., 3,100 seat Westfield).
>
> Forum Reader - Your proposal is a lot more
> complicated than anything I suggested to align
> Thoreau/Madison and Kilmer/Marshall more closely.
> You could re-align Jackson with Falls Church, but
> how does Oakton replace those students unless it
> pulls in more Carson students and sharply reduces
> the enrollment at Westfield? I get the impression
> from my reader mail that the Bulldogs are fierce
> on such matters.
>
> I will leave it to you and Stat Man to dig into
> the numbers, but I don't think Glasgow is "too
> big" for Stuart. All or almost all of Glasgow
> feeds into Stuart, and then the high school
> enrollment comes down in later years due to
> drop-outs. It's not a capacity issue.

---------------
Does anyone have the new capacity numbers for all these schools?

Since FCPS has now decided Westfield is "too big" to be a high school, one option would be to turn it into a secondary school with 1,100 or so middle school seats and 2,000 or so high school seats.

Yes,the Bulldogs are fierce (and have a great football team) but if FCPS finally built the long waited additional high school in the Carson area, I think most parents would support the idea.

If we agree that a middle school should be about half the size of its high school, then, yes, Oakton is probably a bit "too big" for Franklin, but remember Oakton will get GT kids returning to the pyramid from the middle school GT Center.

The "old" capacity numbers were 1650 for Stuart and 1500 for the rebuilt Glasgow, The "new" capacity of Stuart is 1942, which still does not normally need a 1500 seat middle school. HOWEVER, Glasgow holds grades 6-8, so a 1500 seat feeder may be about right.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THEY ARE FOR AFRICAN AMERICANs (skin color is brown not black)




Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Forum Reader Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Stat Man Wrote:
> > > Forum Reader - The School Board's web site is
> > > http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/index.htm.
> > >
> > > If you look at the "Current Meeting Agendas"
> > > section, the boundary study for the three
> high
> > > schools appears as a PDF attachment to Item
> 6.2
> > of
> > > the agenda for the July 14 work session.
> >
> > ---------------------
> > Thank you for the pointer.
> >
> > Interesting that FCPS is already telling us who
> > they plan to move where. This seems a lot more
> > fair to the communities involved than the
> system
> > that was used in the South Lakes redistricting.
> >
> > It also looks like FCPS realizes communities
> care
> > about the programs available in their high
> school:
> > this new proposal also specifies which of the
> > following programs Annandale, Falls Church, and
> > Stuart have:
> > Advanced Placement Diploma (AP)
> > Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
> > Early Identification Program (EIP)
> > English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
>
> > Focus 2007 Program
> > International Baccalaureate Middle Years
> Program
> > (IBMYP)
> > International Baccalaureate Program (IB)
> > Modified Calendar
> > Planetarium
> > Special Education Services
> > Transitional High School Program
>
> What is a Transitional high school program? What
> is AVID? What is Focus 2007? What is EIP? Are
> these programs for Black students? Is it true
> that FCPS has 8 special programs for Black
> students? Yet none of them work?

SBS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tell it to the SB Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > At the last SB meeting only two citizens spoke
> out
> > against the SB, WHERE WERE YOU?
>
> Why would one waste their time considering the
> SB's recent track record? How many citizens spoke
> out against the Western County HS redistricting in
> a public forum which is part of the public
> record?. What good did that do?

Well then give up and continue to sing in you shower.

SBS Gives up Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Well then give up and continue to sing in you
> shower.


Pathetic. Is that the best you can do? My statement is simply objective observation of the SB. What's your excuse?

I do agree with the poster who is asking others to put up or shut up. It seems pointless to continue venting on this board when you could take action.

If the School Board actually hears these grievances at each of their meetings week after week maybe they would do something.

Just because 8-10 people are venting on this website-it hardly seems threatening to the establishment.

Another question/comment that some might feel is "nuclear"- if Langley were including in this West County redistricting-would there be such outrage? Would there be a lawsuit?

I am sure everyone agrees that the SB has a right to redraw boundaries. Was it the absence of Langley that ade the whole process seem arbitrary?

I think so.

SBS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SBS Gives up Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > Well then give up and continue to sing in you
> > shower.
>
>
> Pathetic. Is that the best you can do? My
> statement is simply objective observation of the
> SB. What's your excuse?

What does SBS stand for, school board suckup?

I Live in MI Wrote:
Drive through there
> yourself and you will see nary a sale sign. Same
> for Fox Mill 'Estates' (term used loosely) despite
> rumors to the contrary.
>
>
Wow, what a be-och.

Standing Tall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> What does SBS stand for, school board suckup?
>

What, are you stupid? Does it sound like I have any respect whatsoever for our illustrious SB?

we didn't name it, fool Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I Live in MI Wrote:
> Drive through there
> > yourself and you will see nary a sale sign.
> Same
> > for Fox Mill 'Estates' (term used loosely)
> despite
> > rumors to the contrary.
> >
> >
> Wow, what a be-och.

Based on the post you quote, maybe those Madison Island folks who pretended to be on your side during redistricting were really just as opposed to sending their kids to school with your kids as they were to sending them to school with SL kids.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Stat Man Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
>
> >
>
> There is NO way that Madison students will be sent
> to Marshall. Madison community would have a fit.
> They do not want to leave their AP school, nor do
> they want their property values to decline.
>
> Marshall is increasing population on its own,
> there is no need to redistrict. Marshall has been
> under enrolled since it was last redistricted, 25
> years ago. No one has ever suggested
> redistricting for Marshall. Although some have
> suggested closing it because of low enrollment and
> because of the very valuable land that it
> occupies. That idea never progressed either.


Interesting observation, Neen. But you're speaking as if you think the SB would actual care if the Madison community "had a fit" or were upset that they didn't get an AP school for their kids or if their property values declined. "Wants" are not important to the SB. I think anyone watching the current RD should realize that just about every community--except Langley--is within shooting range by this Board. Maybe if the Madison families have a lot of meetings with Board members and bring their check books then all will be Ok with their world.

Hi,

Anyone interested in stopping predatory towing? I had a tow truck driver break in my car to "verify" my parking pass. They towed the car and the pass was "magically" lost. Hmmmmm. The police officer asked them to produce the parking pass but it was "not there". I was told I will have to file in civil court. Huh? This is the third illegal tow from my residence in 18 months. There was one that was legal. I had a visitor park in the wrong spot after I told them the correct spot.

If you are interested in getting a class action suit together, and in changing laws so they can't just steal your car and lie about where it was parked later then please contact me.

I am sick and tired of being towed. The tow truck driver should have to document the parking location and should have to document that they did all they could to verify a parking pass. If they lose the video or if it is of poor quality then they should have to refund the money.

The burden of proof should be on the tow company (photos and video) to prove it was a legal tow. Not the other way around. How many people living in town houses or apartments can point a night-vision video camera on their car (if they are lucky enough to park where they can set a camera up?) Don't bother to put the camera in your car......you have to pay to get the car and the camera out and then it's too late. The camera has to be where they cannot get to it.

I was told I have to prove it was not a legal tow. Huh? So basically, if a tow truck driver happens to be a liar and a thief (not all of them are....there are some honest ones) then you are at their mercy?

Something is wrong with this picture. I am all for towing cars that are parked illegally, are parked in fire lanes, in front of handicap ramps, in someone elses spot or on an expired meter. Tow companies are there for good reasons too. I have met some great ones who went out of their way to help me.

Something needs to be done about predatory towing. New federal laws enable localities to enact regulations for tow companies. Go to towguy.org and search Virginia. It is amazing what they get away with.

I suggest a couple of laws.

1. A police officer must be present when a tow driver breaks into a car to verify a parking pass. Otherwise they can just throw the pass away after the tow and say there was no pass.

2. If there is a parking/towing policy then there must be a sign in every entrance and exit of that parking lot. Period. The sign must be of a minimum size (huge). It should say something like.....we routinely tow our customers and residents. Have a nice day.

3. If the driver of a car gets in the car before it is hooked up they cannot hook the car up or tow the car. If the driver is standing beside the car they cannot tow the car or hook it up. If the driver (or other person) is IN the car they cannot tow the car (or hook it up).

4. If the tow truck driver requests a driver move their car from the illegal spot and they refuse to do so within a specific time frame (3 minutes?) (must be documented on video) then the driver can hook the car and charge for it. If the driver refuses to paythe hook fee then the tow driver can take the car. If the driver of the car curses or assaults the tow truck driver then the driver of the car goes to jail (as they should) All this should be documented and timed on video. If there is a repeat offender (documented on video and paper) then the tow driver should be able to take the car without warning.

2. no car with a handicap tag or sticker should ever be towed from any handicap spot of any kind. Period. have a look at the story in towguy.org. A little old lady in her eighties was hooked up (she had handicap sticker and was parked in a handicap spot). They charged her a $200 crook....uh, er, I mean hook fee.

Sorry this post is so long....still fuming days after towing event.

Truthteller Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> could be Moon vs. Tessie round 2 for Braddock.
> She won't go further in 2011.

Agreed. That's what I would expect to happen.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Truthteller Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > could be Moon vs. Tessie round 2 for Braddock.
> > She won't go further in 2011.
>
> Agreed. That's what I would expect to happen.

Neen you need to stop writing your opinions on this site, rather your need to go to every SB meeting and tell them your opinions.

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Neen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > > Of course. There is more demand for homes in
> good school districts than there are for homes in
> bad school districts. Therefore they will be more
> valuable. More demand, higher prices. Less
> demand, lower prices. Floris and Madison Island
> will be less desirable, less in demand, than they
> were prior to redistricting. Of course that
> effects prices.< <
>
> This thesis has at least one problem. If 75% of
> homeowners do not have kids in school, the quality
> of the schools would have only a fractional impact
> on house price which is what you find when you
> look at houses on either side of boundaries
> between "good" schools and "bad" schools.
>
> Proximity to employment centers and commuter
> routes to employment center has a far larger
> impact on price.

You don't think that cutting your market by 25% would effect prices? Of course it would.

Yes, location matters more, always. But all things being equal, people will buy the house in the better school district. Even without kids, they know that it's a better investment. Price would reflect that too.

My doctor today said he moved from one side of Herndon to the other just so he could get his kids in Langley district prior to high school. His GT kid is now shelping from the Loudoun county line to Kilmer. But he says it was worth all the expense of moving last year to get his 4 kids into the Langley district. A Langley house closer in was too expensive. He was VERY well aware of the premium he paid to move from Herndon hs district to Langley hs district.

Band Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What "national champion" are you referring to?

Just repeating what Mr. Fore, the SL Band director, has said.

> > You obviously know nothing about the band programs at Herndon, Chantilly, or Westfield.< <

Have no opinion regarding Westfield or Chantilly's bands to which the prior post did not refer.

> > I have no doubts that the band kids from Herndon would have NO problem making the band program at South Lakes.< <

Fore didn't say that. I did after listening to Herndon's band. Pupil place your little drummer boy at SL and find out.

> > Also, no band student from South Lakes made it to the all-state band auditions this year. The other schools were well represented.< <

Having made all state myself, I'm curious doesn't Va. have different all state bands for the various size classifications of schools: A, AA, AAA D-5, AAA-6? Aren't Herndon, Chantilly and Westifield all in AAA D-6?

Madison Is Not an Island Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > There are also a growing number of Hunter Mill families who have now realized that Stu only seems to care about his Reston constituents, and we are not happy.< <

May I suggest his craveness only cares about his East Herndon (fka North Reston) constituents.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > You don't think that cutting your market by 25% would effect prices? Of course it would.< <

Not all 25% of those homeowners with school kids will make decisions based on the high school.

> > My doctor today said < <

One anecdote does not a market make.

Look at the sales prices on either side of any road that serves as a boundary between a "good" school and a "bad" school and you cannot see a price difference.

I did it last year along a Fox Mill/Dogwood boundary and could find no pattern to support this thesis.

There may be some parents who do this, and I know many who moved to get away from SL over the last decade, but it doesn't affect a market with 400,000 houses.

That size market has other inputs that swamp the choices made on the basis of school attendance area.

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Band Mom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What "national champion" are you referring to?
>
> Just repeating what Mr. Fore, the SL Band
> director, has said.
>
> > > You obviously know nothing about the band
> programs at Herndon, Chantilly, or Westfield.< <
>
> Have no opinion regarding Westfield or Chantilly's
> bands to which the prior post did not refer.
>
> > > I have no doubts that the band kids from
> Herndon would have NO problem making the band
> program at South Lakes.< <
>
> Fore didn't say that. I did after listening to
> Herndon's band. Pupil place your little drummer
> boy at SL and find out.
>
> > > Also, no band student from South Lakes made it
> to the all-state band auditions this year. The
> other schools were well represented.< <
>
> Having made all state myself, I'm curious doesn't
> Va. have different all state bands for the various
> size classifications of schools: A, AA, AAA D-5,
> AAA-6? Aren't Herndon, Chantilly and Westifield
> all in AAA D-6?

There is only one all state band audition (with 2 bands, and 1 orchestra chosen). All schools, no matter size, audition for these concert bands. Perhaps you are confused with marching band. There, they are determined by size.

Band Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > There is only one all state band audition (with 2 bands, and 1 orchestra chosen). All schools, no matter size, audition for these concert bands. Perhaps you are confused with marching band. There, they are determined by size.< <

Thanks for the clarification. I probably did confuse marching band with the others.

Sorry to get off topic. I just found out that a good portion of Town of Vienna GT students go to Mosby Woods elementary and Luther Jackson middle school instead of Louise Archer and Thoreau. I was very surprised because I thought all of town of Vienna went to Thoreau or Kilmer. Tried to get answer through FCPS but person I spoke with was not entirely clear

Forum Reader Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Madison Is Not an Island Wrote:
> > ... it hasn't been nasty so far.
> > With the South Lakes situation, it was nasty
> even
> > before the boundary study was released, and
> only
> > got worse. ...
>
> Stat Man may be right, and this redistricting may
> be smoother, but don't be too sure about how this
> one will play out. It is mid-July and the initial
> draft was just released.
>
>
Again, none of the statistics that I assembled were intended as support FOR a particular redistricting. Instead, they were intended to predict whether a redistricting, IF proposed by the School Board, would likely lead to fierce opposition.

For those who are interested (and those who are not may completely ignore what follows), here are some academic and socio-economic benchmarks:

SAT Performance (County Rankings)

Madison #6 - Marshall #9 (spread - 3)
Stuart #19 - Annandale #20 - Falls Church #21 (spread - 2)
Oakton #5 - Westfield #11 - South Lakes #13 (spread - 8)

SOL Performance (County Rankings)

Madison #4 - Marshall #5 (spread - 1)
Stuart #17- Falls Church #20 - Annandale #21 (spread - 4)
Oakton #7 - Westfield #13 - South Lakes #22 (spread - 15)

Percentage of Graduating Seniors with Advanced Diplomas (County Rankings)

Marshall #5 - Madison #6 (spread - 1)
Falls Church #17 - Stuart #18 - Annandale #22 (spread - 5)
Oakton #7 - Westfield #8 - South Lakes #12 (spread - 5)

Percentage of Non-ESL/FRR Students (County Rankings)

Madison #3 - Marshall #14 (spread - 11)
Annandale #23- Falls Church #24 - Stuart #25 (spread - 2)
Oakton #5 - Westfield #10 - South Lakes #20 (spread - 15)

I remain convinced that a Falls Church/Stuart/Annandale redistricting should not result in significant opposition, comparable to that occasioned by the Oakton/Westfield/South Lakes redistricting.

Conversely, while Neen may be correct that a Madison-to-Marshall redistricting would result in significant opposition - I would never under-estimate the passion that such boundary issues potentially may generate in our ranks - opposing parents could not point to major differences in the academic performance of students at the two schools; instead, they likely would focus on the different academic programs (AP and IB) at the two schools.

Here are some closing facts to ponder:

1. In Fairfax, there is TJ, and then there is everyone else. The gap in SAT scores between TJ (#1) and Langley (#2) is greater than the gap between Langley (#2) and Hayfield (#25).

2. The gap in SAT scores between Langley (#2) and McLean (#3) is greater than the gap between Madison (#6) and Marshall (#9), or the gap between Stuart (#19) and Falls Church (#21) (Annandale is #20). I leave it to others to predict whether a Langley-to-McLean redistricting would result in "The War of the Well-Heeled."

Stat Man,

On what year are your stats based?

Question Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Stat Man,
>
> On what year are your stats based?


SATs - 2007
SOLs - 2007
% Advanced Diplomas - 2006-07 school year (courtesy of Forum Reader)
% ESOL/FRR - 2009-13 CIP

1) Annandale RD on hold until at least spring while the SB refers their own policy to their governance subcommittee. They do not know what the 5% means...is it %5 of an affected school per year, or 5% of the entire population for a year...and how do they account for phased in changes (e.g., when they grandfather folks).

2) Coppermine - scope of study will be formally voted upon (as opposed to previous RD, where folks just nodded heads). Vote is aimed for July 24 mtg...Tisdadt has been asked to provide more info on the schools that were excluded from the study....Center, Hone, Raney, others want to see the core vs. trailer capacity for schools in/out of the study. Many were hammering for a clearer description of the reasons for including schools....why Herndon...and if Herndon, why not Aldrin and Dogwood.

Sniping between members was kept at a low boil. Moon slammed Hone for not having read in detail the current report, and Storck/Center gently chided Moon for gaps in the data (Moon is the issue chairman). Stu was not there.

Tisdadt was testy, not wanting to explain himself (I think because he is worried he may be overly constrained by what he says.) But it is clear to me that Tisdadt wants to do what he thinks is best without having to explain himself..."just trust me" is his motto.

Some members are gun-shy after SL. Raney again asked for a county-wide study, and Tisdadt was angry. Phil N-E (with a nod from Storck) asked for a status on Tisdadt's previous assignment to come up with a plan for a regional/county-wide RD analysis. Tisdadt had no answer.

Also, Strauss was championing the proposed scope, talking about about socio-economics in code..."many of the people in the targeted areas have many programs delivered to them"....in other words, FRM and ESOL. It will be interesting to see if and how they incorporate socio-economics in their work...I think it will not be a study "objective", but will be a study "factor." I think they were coached by the Hunton attorneys to be careful what they say in public.

3) Transportation task force re: shifting HS kids to later bells: the various constraints by the task force recommendatiojn leads to a system that requires 100 more busses and $14M. A new iteration is coming that may reduce this cost by allowing Tisdadt's team to have more flexibility in setting bell schedules. One proposal is to do more double bussing...maybe have SL and Hughes on a common bell schedule so MS and HS kids ride the same bus. But folks are getting worried about fuel costs, which may lead to some increased pressure to RD in a few years.

Hi,

Anyone interested in stopping predatory towing? I had a tow truck driver break in my car to "verify" my parking pass. They towed the car and the pass was "magically" lost. Hmmmmm. The police officer asked them to produce the parking pass but it was "not there". I was told I will have to file in civil court. Huh? This is the third illegal tow from my residence in 18 months. There was one that was legal. I had a visitor park in the wrong spot after I told them the correct spot.

If you are interested in getting a class action suit together, and in changing laws so they can't just steal your car and lie about where it was parked later then please contact me.

I am sick and tired of being towed. The tow truck driver should have to document the parking location and should have to document that they did all they could to verify a parking pass. If they lose the video or if it is of poor quality then they should have to refund the money.

The burden of proof should be on the tow company (photos and video) to prove it was a legal tow. Not the other way around. How many people living in town houses or apartments can point a night-vision video camera on their car (if they are lucky enough to park where they can set a camera up?) Don't bother to put the camera in your car......you have to pay to get the car and the camera out and then it's too late. The camera has to be where they cannot get to it.

I was told I have to prove it was not a legal tow. Huh? So basically, if a tow truck driver happens to be a liar and a thief (not all of them are....there are some honest ones) then you are at their mercy?

Something is wrong with this picture. I am all for towing cars that are parked illegally, are parked in fire lanes, in front of handicap ramps, in someone elses spot or on an expired meter. Tow companies are there for good reasons too. I have met some great ones who went out of their way to help me.

Something needs to be done about predatory towing. New federal laws enable localities to enact regulations for tow companies. Go to towguy.org and search Virginia. It is amazing what they get away with.

I suggest a couple of laws.

1. A police officer must be present when a tow driver breaks into a car to verify a parking pass. Otherwise they can just throw the pass away after the tow and say there was no pass.

2. If there is a parking/towing policy then there must be a sign in every entrance and exit of that parking lot. Period. The sign must be of a minimum size (huge). It should say something like.....we routinely tow our customers and residents. Have a nice day.

3. If the driver of a car gets in the car before it is hooked up they cannot hook the car up or tow the car. If the driver is standing beside the car they cannot tow the car or hook it up. If the driver (or other person) is IN the car they cannot tow the car (or hook it up).

4. If the tow truck driver requests a driver move their car from the illegal spot and they refuse to do so within a specific time frame (3 minutes?) (must be documented on video) then the driver can hook the car and charge for it. If the driver refuses to paythe hook fee then the tow driver can take the car. If the driver of the car curses or assaults the tow truck driver then the driver of the car goes to jail (as they should) All this should be documented and timed on video. If there is a repeat offender (documented on video and paper) then the tow driver should be able to take the car without warning.

2. no car with a handicap tag or sticker should ever be towed from any handicap spot of any kind. Period. have a look at the story in towguy.org. A little old lady in her eighties was hooked up (she had handicap sticker and was parked in a handicap spot). They charged her a $200 crook....uh, er, I mean hook fee.

Sorry this post is so long....still fuming days after towing event.

Ink,

Would you please stop reposting your towing crap? If you have something to contribute to the high school redistricting thread, do so but reposting the towing crap calls for being an idiot and has NOTHING to do with this thread so please scat.

Question for Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Neen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > (Snip) Marshall is increasing population on its
> own,
> > there is no need to redistrict.
>
> So all along you have been dissembling and lying
> when you said that Marshall's redistricting was a
> failure? You now acknowledge that it actually is
> increasing enrollment on its own. You really are
> a jerk.

Why the name calling?

Yes, after 25 years, Marshall is gaining population, but that had little to do with the redistricting 25 years ago. Therefore, yes, I maintain that the redistricting in the 1980's was not a success.

Question for Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Now you are really showing your ignorance, Neen.
> You don't know what these programs are because you
> have no need to. Your children were in precious
> GT and that is the only cause, besides Stu
> Gibson's campaign, that you ever worked for,
> except of course your own self-interests. You
> think all programs that you dont' know about are
> for blacks? What does that say about you? AVID
> happens to be for kids who would potentially be
> the first in their family to attend college and
> includes kids from all backgrounds, even those
> without a drop of 'african' blood. It actually
> benefits some of your precious Asian children that
> you love to defend.
>
> Not only reprehensible and a jerk, but also
> ignorant, in a white-trash sort of way.
>
Good grief. Who rattled your cage? Why are you so angry and unhappy? Because you got stuck in South Lakes? If so, I am sorry that has happened to you.

If you are just another angry staff/school board member, I hope aren't having any contact with children. Children should not be exposed to your level of anger, your discrimination, your classism, or your racism. (Disliking Asians but loving Blacks doesn't make you anything other than a racist.) You need some help, dear.

Oh, and I should tell you, since you seem to think that you know me so well, I am well aware of who you are. It's obvious to most here. You need to get past this and get some help. Continuing to be angry for so many years is not good for you or for your family.

OPINIONS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Neen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Truthteller Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> >
> > >
> > > could be Moon vs. Tessie round 2 for Braddock.
>
> > > She won't go further in 2011.
> >
> > Agreed. That's what I would expect to happen.
>
> Neen you need to stop writing your opinions on
> this site, rather your need to go to every SB
> meeting and tell them your opinions.

Why would anyone waste their time doing that? This entire thread is a testament to how little the school board cares about what the public thinks about what they do.

slippery slope Wrote:
-
> Interesting observation, Neen. But you're
> speaking as if you think the SB would actual care
> if the Madison community "had a fit" or were upset
> that they didn't get an AP school for their kids
> or if their property values declined. "Wants" are
> not important to the SB. I think anyone watching
> the current RD should realize that just about
> every community--except Langley--is within
> shooting range by this Board. Maybe if the
> Madison families have a lot of meetings with Board
> members and bring their check books then all will
> be Ok with their world.

Why do you think the Madison students out Vale road, in Sully district, within 3 miles of South Lakes, were not included in the South Lakes redistricting?

mina Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sorry to get off topic. I just found out that a
> good portion of Town of Vienna GT students go to
> Mosby Woods elementary and Luther Jackson middle
> school instead of Louise Archer and Thoreau. I
> was very surprised because I thought all of town
> of Vienna went to Thoreau or Kilmer. Tried to get
> answer through FCPS but person I spoke with was
> not entirely clear

Only Marshall Road students attend Mosby Woods for GT. Some of those students live in the town, some do not. Louise Archer has the rest of the town GT students and other GT students who do not live in Vienna. All of the town students are still based at Thoreau middle school.

BEginning next year, all Vienna GT students, all those who are based at Thoreau, (including those at Louise Archer and Mosby Woods) will be sent to Luther Jackson if they want to attend a GT center. They got kicked out of Kilmer, after being kicked out of Longfellow 8 years prior. From what I hear, most Vienna GT students have chosen to go to Thoreau and will not attend Luther Jackson. It's not a biggy since most people in Vienna like Thoreau and because the middle school GT centers are not going to be around much longer.

Why FCPS wants to close Middle school GT? Is it because so many Asian kids in GT? If it's for budget reason, then it should close other programs for black kids too.

FCPS is racist.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> mina Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Sorry to get off topic. I just found out that
> a
> > good portion of Town of Vienna GT students go
> to
> > Mosby Woods elementary and Luther Jackson
> middle
> > school instead of Louise Archer and Thoreau. I
> > was very surprised because I thought all of
> town
> > of Vienna went to Thoreau or Kilmer. Tried to
> get
> > answer through FCPS but person I spoke with was
> > not entirely clear
>
> Only Marshall Road students attend Mosby Woods for
> GT. Some of those students live in the town, some
> do not. Louise Archer has the rest of the town
> GT students and other GT students who do not live
> in Vienna. All of the town students are still
> based at Thoreau middle school.
>
> BEginning next year, all Vienna GT students, all
> those who are based at Thoreau, (including those
> at Louise Archer and Mosby Woods) will be sent to
> Luther Jackson if they want to attend a GT center.
> They got kicked out of Kilmer, after being kicked
> out of Longfellow 8 years prior. From what I
> hear, most Vienna GT students have chosen to go to
> Thoreau and will not attend Luther Jackson. It's
> not a biggy since most people in Vienna like
> Thoreau and because the middle school GT centers
> are not going to be around much longer.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Question for Neen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Now you are really showing your ignorance,
> Neen.
> > You don't know what these programs are because
> you
> > have no need to. Your children were in
> precious
> > GT and that is the only cause, besides Stu
> > Gibson's campaign, that you ever worked for,
> > except of course your own self-interests. You
> > think all programs that you dont' know about
> are
> > for blacks? What does that say about you?
> AVID
> > happens to be for kids who would potentially be
> > the first in their family to attend college and
> > includes kids from all backgrounds, even those
> > without a drop of 'african' blood. It actually
> > benefits some of your precious Asian children
> that
> > you love to defend.
> >
> > Not only reprehensible and a jerk, but also
> > ignorant, in a white-trash sort of way.
> >
> Good grief. Who rattled your cage? Why are you
> so angry and unhappy? Because you got stuck in
> South Lakes? If so, I am sorry that has happened
> to you.
>
> If you are just another angry staff/school board
> member, I hope aren't having any contact with
> children. Children should not be exposed to your
> level of anger, your discrimination, your
> classism, or your racism. (Disliking Asians but
> loving Blacks doesn't make you anything other than
> a racist.) You need some help, dear.
>
> Oh, and I should tell you, since you seem to think
> that you know me so well, I am well aware of who
> you are. It's obvious to most here. You need to
> get past this and get some help. Continuing to be
> angry for so many years is not good for you or for
> your family.



Look whos talking. Neen your previous comment was so rascist thinking that all the programs offered were for black people.

PS there is nothing classist about ?4Neens comment

because honors and gt are the same and they teach the same

Neen Wrote:
> Why the name calling?

One fun high school exercise is to create ten insults using Shakespearian terms.

It does not count to use redundant words; e.g., obsequious sycophant.

However, some posters reveal their limited vocabularies by calling anyone who disagrees with them a "racist" or "jerk."

It is so amazing to read posting by some bloggers whose only response is to use the word racist. Whose "Talking Points" class did they attend?

What is also amazing is that people who are seriously concerned about the way the School Board is yanking kids and neighborhoods around, continue to be engaged in serious dialogues.

vocabulary Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Neen Wrote:
> > Why the name calling?
>
> One fun high school exercise is to create ten
> insults using Shakespearian terms.
>
> It does not count to use redundant words; e.g.,
> obsequious sycophant.
>
> However, some posters reveal their limited
> vocabularies by calling anyone who disagrees with
> them a "racist" or "jerk."

info Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 1) Annandale RD on hold until at least spring
> while the SB refers their own policy to their
> governance subcommittee. They do not know what
> the 5% means...is it %5 of an affected school per
> year, or 5% of the entire population for a
> year...and how do they account for phased in
> changes (e.g., when they grandfather folks).
>
> 2) Coppermine - scope of study will be formally
> voted upon (as opposed to previous RD, where folks
> just nodded heads). Vote is aimed for July 24
> mtg...Tisdadt has been asked to provide more info
> on the schools that were excluded from the
> study....Center, Hone, Raney, others want to see
> the core vs. trailer capacity for schools in/out
> of the study. Many were hammering for a clearer
> description of the reasons for including
> schools....why Herndon...and if Herndon, why not
> Aldrin and Dogwood.
>
> Sniping between members was kept at a low boil.
> Moon slammed Hone for not having read in detail
> the current report, and Storck/Center gently
> chided Moon for gaps in the data (Moon is the
> issue chairman). Stu was not there.
>
> Tisdadt was testy, not wanting to explain himself
> (I think because he is worried he may be overly
> constrained by what he says.) But it is clear
> to me that Tisdadt wants to do what he thinks is
> best without having to explain himself..."just
> trust me" is his motto.
>
> Some members are gun-shy after SL. Raney again
> asked for a county-wide study, and Tisdadt was
> angry. Phil N-E (with a nod from Storck) asked
> for a status on Tisdadt's previous assignment to
> come up with a plan for a regional/county-wide RD
> analysis. Tisdadt had no answer.
>
> Also, Strauss was championing the proposed scope,
> talking about about socio-economics in
> code..."many of the people in the targeted areas
> have many programs delivered to them"....in other
> words, FRM and ESOL. It will be interesting to
> see if and how they incorporate socio-economics in
> their work...I think it will not be a study
> "objective", but will be a study "factor." I
> think they were coached by the Hunton attorneys to
> be careful what they say in public.
>
> 3) Transportation task force re: shifting HS kids
> to later bells: the various constraints by the
> task force recommendatiojn leads to a system that
> requires 100 more busses and $14M. A new
> iteration is coming that may reduce this cost by
> allowing Tisdadt's team to have more flexibility
> in setting bell schedules. One proposal is to do
> more double bussing...maybe have SL and Hughes on
> a common bell schedule so MS and HS kids ride the
> same bus. But folks are getting worried about
> fuel costs, which may lead to some increased
> pressure to RD in a few years.


I swear I have to sift thru all the "crap" posts to find something worthwhile.

Did this occur at a facilities meeting? If so, when?

Why are they continuing to rely on Tistadt when they ignored his advice for SOCO? How ironic.

Frankly, I think Dean is counting the days until he is done with these idiot SB members.

How interesting that all of a sudden Janie Strauss is interested in socioeconomic realigning-she sure made sure no Langley kids were mixed in with the kids of color.

I feel nothing but contempt/sorrow for you.

Thanks. Excellent post of a summary of an actual work session discussion on 7-14.
Strauss would dance on getting other schools involved since it could domino some of her Forestville people into Armstrong-Aldrin-Dranesville. Never forget Arnstrong was held out of the Mcnair process. Aldrin so entwines with Lake Anne and Forest Edge that it was never a thought.

info Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 1) Annandale RD on hold until at least spring
> while the SB refers their own policy to their
> governance subcommittee. They do not know what
> the 5% means...is it %5 of an affected school per
> year, or 5% of the entire population for a
> year...and how do they account for phased in
> changes (e.g., when they grandfather folks).
>
> 2) Coppermine - scope of study will be formally
> voted upon (as opposed to previous RD, where folks
> just nodded heads). Vote is aimed for July 24
> mtg...Tisdadt has been asked to provide more info
> on the schools that were excluded from the
> study....Center, Hone, Raney, others want to see
> the core vs. trailer capacity for schools in/out
> of the study. Many were hammering for a clearer
> description of the reasons for including
> schools....why Herndon...and if Herndon, why not
> Aldrin and Dogwood.
>
> Sniping between members was kept at a low boil.
> Moon slammed Hone for not having read in detail
> the current report, and Storck/Center gently
> chided Moon for gaps in the data (Moon is the
> issue chairman). Stu was not there.
>
> Tisdadt was testy, not wanting to explain himself
> (I think because he is worried he may be overly
> constrained by what he says.) But it is clear
> to me that Tisdadt wants to do what he thinks is
> best without having to explain himself..."just
> trust me" is his motto.
>
> Some members are gun-shy after SL. Raney again
> asked for a county-wide study, and Tisdadt was
> angry. Phil N-E (with a nod from Storck) asked
> for a status on Tisdadt's previous assignment to
> come up with a plan for a regional/county-wide RD
> analysis. Tisdadt had no answer.
>
> Also, Strauss was championing the proposed scope,
> talking about about socio-economics in
> code..."many of the people in the targeted areas
> have many programs delivered to them"....in other
> words, FRM and ESOL. It will be interesting to
> see if and how they incorporate socio-economics in
> their work...I think it will not be a study
> "objective", but will be a study "factor." I
> think they were coached by the Hunton attorneys to
> be careful what they say in public.
>
> 3) Transportation task force re: shifting HS kids
> to later bells: the various constraints by the
> task force recommendatiojn leads to a system that
> requires 100 more busses and $14M. A new
> iteration is coming that may reduce this cost by
> allowing Tisdadt's team to have more flexibility
> in setting bell schedules. One proposal is to do
> more double bussing...maybe have SL and Hughes on
> a common bell schedule so MS and HS kids ride the
> same bus. But folks are getting worried about
> fuel costs, which may lead to some increased
> pressure to RD in a few years.

The word on the street is that Strauss and Gibson do not like GT centers. I believe years back Strauss was voted down when she objected to a GT in her district. Could be a rumor and I don't know how to research this rumor.

Question: Is there a move to shut down the GT centers? Would save on transportation cost which is a big issue.

The downside of this is there are some GT centers in low performing schools and if these centers go, then will this not affect the SOLs in some of these schools? Something that the Fx Cty School Bd would not like....especially in Gibson's area.

Therefore, I don't see the GT centers being removed from some of these schools.

Welcome comments from others.











tapayer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks. Excellent post of a summary of an actual
> work session discussion on 7-14.
> Strauss would dance on getting other schools
> involved since it could domino some of her
> Forestville people into
> Armstrong-Aldrin-Dranesville. Never forget
> Arnstrong was held out of the Mcnair process.
> Aldrin so entwines with Lake Anne and Forest Edge
> that it was never a thought.
>
> info Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > 1) Annandale RD on hold until at least spring
> > while the SB refers their own policy to their
> > governance subcommittee. They do not know what
> > the 5% means...is it %5 of an affected school
> per
> > year, or 5% of the entire population for a
> > year...and how do they account for phased in
> > changes (e.g., when they grandfather folks).
> >
> > 2) Coppermine - scope of study will be formally
> > voted upon (as opposed to previous RD, where
> folks
> > just nodded heads). Vote is aimed for July 24
> > mtg...Tisdadt has been asked to provide more
> info
> > on the schools that were excluded from the
> > study....Center, Hone, Raney, others want to
> see
> > the core vs. trailer capacity for schools
> in/out
> > of the study. Many were hammering for a
> clearer
> > description of the reasons for including
> > schools....why Herndon...and if Herndon, why
> not
> > Aldrin and Dogwood.
> >
> > Sniping between members was kept at a low boil.
>
> > Moon slammed Hone for not having read in detail
> > the current report, and Storck/Center gently
> > chided Moon for gaps in the data (Moon is the
> > issue chairman). Stu was not there.
> >
> > Tisdadt was testy, not wanting to explain
> himself
> > (I think because he is worried he may be overly
> > constrained by what he says.) But it is
> clear
> > to me that Tisdadt wants to do what he thinks
> is
> > best without having to explain himself..."just
> > trust me" is his motto.
> >
> > Some members are gun-shy after SL. Raney again
> > asked for a county-wide study, and Tisdadt was
> > angry. Phil N-E (with a nod from Storck) asked
> > for a status on Tisdadt's previous assignment
> to
> > come up with a plan for a regional/county-wide
> RD
> > analysis. Tisdadt had no answer.
> >
> > Also, Strauss was championing the proposed
> scope,
> > talking about about socio-economics in
> > code..."many of the people in the targeted
> areas
> > have many programs delivered to them"....in
> other
> > words, FRM and ESOL. It will be interesting to
> > see if and how they incorporate socio-economics
> in
> > their work...I think it will not be a study
> > "objective", but will be a study "factor." I
> > think they were coached by the Hunton attorneys
> to
> > be careful what they say in public.
> >
> > 3) Transportation task force re: shifting HS
> kids
> > to later bells: the various constraints by the
> > task force recommendatiojn leads to a system
> that
> > requires 100 more busses and $14M. A new
> > iteration is coming that may reduce this cost
> by
> > allowing Tisdadt's team to have more
> flexibility
> > in setting bell schedules. One proposal is to
> do
> > more double bussing...maybe have SL and Hughes
> on
> > a common bell schedule so MS and HS kids ride
> the
> > same bus. But folks are getting worried about
> > fuel costs, which may lead to some increased
> > pressure to RD in a few years.

Mary Ellen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It is so amazing to read posting by some bloggers
> whose only response is to use the word racist.
> Whose "Talking Points" class did they attend?
>
> What is also amazing is that people who are
> seriously concerned about the way the School Board
> is yanking kids and neighborhoods around, continue
> to be engaged in serious dialogues.
>
-----------------
Those of us who care keep checking for the latest news.

(We especially ignore those who post only to tell us we are wasting our time here. I suspect those posters "waste" a lot of their time watching television, but that is their choice.)

Stat Man recently advised us how to find the new capacity data for Annandale, Falls Church, and Stuart. Can anyone point us to the new capacity data for the other high and middle schools?

Falls Church (new capacity 1946, projected 2012 enrollment of 1229; 717 empty seats) is surrounded by Oakton, Madison, Marshall, McLean, Stuart (435 empty seats), Annandale (overcrowded by 325), and Woodson (formerly projected to be overcrowded by 66 students but in the middle of a renovation that includes five additions including a new science wing so capacity should increase).

Since Stuart is only adjacent to Falls Church and Annandale, it would appear that Stuart should get the bulk of Annandale's "excess" students.

If the School Board is at all consistent, and looking at the map on page 15 of the CIP, it would appear the schools to the north of Falls Church (McLean, perhaps Marshall, and perhaps even Madison) are likely "contributors" to Falls Church, perhaps using I-66 as an initial draft boundary.

And, yes, adjust the middle school boundaries accordingly.

But it is not even worth speculating about this until we see the new capacity numbers.

info Wrote:
> ... Strauss was championing the proposed scope,
> talking about about socio-economics in
> code..."many of the people in the targeted areas
> have many programs delivered to them"....in other
> words, FRM and ESOL. It will be interesting to
> see if and how they incorporate socio-economics in
> their work...I think it will not be a study
> "objective", but will be a study "factor." I
> think they were coached by the Hunton attorneys to
> be careful what they say in public.
>
> 3) Transportation task force ... One proposal is to do
> more double bussing...maybe have SL and Hughes on
> a common bell schedule so MS and HS kids ride the
> same bus. But folks are getting worried about
> fuel costs, which may lead to some increased
> pressure to RD in a few years.

-----
Thank you for your extensive report.

Re: Strauss and "many of the people in the targeted areas have many programs delivered to them." That could be interpreted as, "Don't move those needy children into my schools because we don't have the special programs to support them."

Re: SL and Hughes riding the same bus: Well, why not? 7th-12th graders ride the same bus at the secondary schools as well as in other pyramids where the schools are close together, like Frost/Woodson. Not only does this save fuel and bus drivers, but only one bus over each route once each morning means less traffic on the road for everyone.

In response to the question about Vienna going to Mosby Woods and Jackson for GT centers, those were two more examples of the school board disregarding community response to their plans. Mosby Woods came first. FCPS announced they were opening a GT center at Mosby Woods, a Title I school south of Vienna. Over the objections of Vienna parents, they stitched together a Frankenstein monster of a school, bringing in GT kids from three different high school districts (Fairfax, Oakton, and Madison). To partially allay parental concerns, FCPS promised that middle school assignments would stay the same (in particular, that the Vienna kids would still attend Kilmer).

That promise lasted until the first crop of GT students hit 6th grade at Mosby Woods. Then FCPS announced a boundary study to address supposed crowding at the Frost and Kilmer middle school GT centers by opening a GT center at Jackson. This time they grabbed all of Vienna, not just the kids now at Mosby Woods.

Organized resistance resulted, including contentious "town meetings" and public meetings. No one wanted to get shipped to the new GT center, and hardly anyone from the Jackson community spoke in favor of the center. The only argument that carried any weight with the school board was the concern that FCPS can't create a high-performing GT center out of thin air. It probably helped that parents of kids at Mosby Woods GT center gave first-hand testimony about their less-than-stellar experiences there. The result was that the school board decided to phase in the GT center, with Jackson-based GT kids starting there in the 07-08 school year, then the Thoreau-based Vienna GT kids starting in the 08-09 school year. (The cynic in me suspects that the real reason for the phased approach was that the school board recognized they needed time to prepare Thoreau to accommodate all the kids that are dropping out of the GT program as a result of this fiasco.)

The most ridiculous part of the outcome is that the same Langley people who were exempt from the South Lake boundary study will continue to be bused completely across the county to the Kilmer GT center, while the Vienna kids got kicked out and will get bused to Merrifield to attend Jackson.

22180/w Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In response to the question about Vienna going to
> Mosby Woods and Jackson for GT centers, those were
> two more examples of the school board disregarding
> community response to their plans. Mosby Woods
> came first. FCPS announced they were opening a GT
> center at Mosby Woods, a Title I school south of
> Vienna. Over the objections of Vienna parents,
> they stitched together a Frankenstein monster of a
> school, bringing in GT kids from three different
> high school districts (Fairfax, Oakton, and
> Madison). To partially allay parental concerns,
> FCPS promised that middle school assignments would
> stay the same (in particular, that the Vienna kids
> would still attend Kilmer).
>
> That promise lasted until the first crop of GT
> students hit 6th grade at Mosby Woods. Then FCPS
> announced a boundary study to address supposed
> crowding at the Frost and Kilmer middle school GT
> centers by opening a GT center at Jackson. This
> time they grabbed all of Vienna, not just the kids
> now at Mosby Woods.
>
> Organized resistance resulted, including
> contentious "town meetings" and public meetings.
> No one wanted to get shipped to the new GT center,
> and hardly anyone from the Jackson community spoke
> in favor of the center. The only argument that
> carried any weight with the school board was the
> concern that FCPS can't create a high-performing
> GT center out of thin air. It probably helped
> that parents of kids at Mosby Woods GT center gave
> first-hand testimony about their less-than-stellar
> experiences there. The result was that the school
> board decided to phase in the GT center, with
> Jackson-based GT kids starting there in the 07-08
> school year, then the Thoreau-based Vienna GT kids
> starting in the 08-09 school year. (The cynic in
> me suspects that the real reason for the phased
> approach was that the school board recognized they
> needed time to prepare Thoreau to accommodate all
> the kids that are dropping out of the GT program
> as a result of this fiasco.)
>
> The most ridiculous part of the outcome is that
> the same Langley people who were exempt from the
> South Lake boundary study will continue to be
> bused completely across the county to the Kilmer
> GT center, while the Vienna kids got kicked out
> and will get bused to Merrifield to attend
> Jackson.

1. Langley area always gets what it wants. Thank Jane Strauss - as Neen has told us repeatedly, "Janie" does a great job for her constituents.

2. I doubt it will make you feel better, but Kilmer is not "supposedly" over-crowded with the current GT center and regular enrollment; it IS over-crowded and not in a "oh-boy this means we'll be really good at football this year" Westfield-type way. There are lots of restrictive policies that have been adopted at the school essentially to deal with crowd control.

P.S. Can't help but ask - Why do you use the phrase "bused to Jackson" - did the students from the schools in the southern and western parts of Vienna previously walk to Kilmer? Is Jackson much further away from these areas than Kilmer?

Langley to Kilmer is hardly "across the county"; Langley to Walt Whitman would be "across the county". You loose points when you exagerate.

sorry for the typo. (lose)

"it's a big county", the Langley attendance area stretches all the way to the Loundon county border. Kilmer is located many miles away in the eastern part of the county. Especially compared to the commute from Vienna to Kilmer, the commute from the Loudon county line to Kilmer is "across the county".

"Madison is Not an Island", I remain skeptical about crowding at Kilmer. My daughter went there several years ago, and my son is currently a student there. We haven't experienced any restrictive policies related to the increase in student population. The only restrictive policy I'm aware of is the "no-touching" rule that got made fun of in the media, and that was a goofy idea of the school's administrators that pre-dated any crowding concerns. (About my use of the term "bused": I was just using the same sentence structure that I had used to describe bringing Langley kids to Kilmer. No walkers from Kilmer are getting moved to Jackson. But Jackson is a longer commute than Kilmer for the Thoreau-based GT kids.)

. . . and I see that I spelled Loudoun County two different ways, both wrong. Apologies to anyone from Loudoun who reads this forum.

22180/w Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "it's a big county", the Langley attendance area
> stretches all the way to the Loundon county
> border. Kilmer is located many miles away in the
> eastern part of the county. Especially compared
> to the commute from Vienna to Kilmer, the commute
> from the Loudon county line to Kilmer is "across
> the county".
>
> "Madison is Not an Island", I remain skeptical
> about crowding at Kilmer. My daughter went there
> several years ago, and my son is currently a
> student there. We haven't experienced any
> restrictive policies related to the increase in
> student population. The only restrictive policy
> I'm aware of is the "no-touching" rule that got
> made fun of in the media, and that was a goofy
> idea of the school's administrators that pre-dated
> any crowding concerns. (About my use of the term
> "bused": I was just using the same sentence
> structure that I had used to describe bringing
> Langley kids to Kilmer. No walkers from Kilmer
> are getting moved to Jackson. But Jackson is a
> longer commute than Kilmer for the Thoreau-based
> GT kids.)


Isn't Langley in the eastern part of the county?

Bulldog Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Isn't Langley in the eastern part of the county?

Very funny. The school or the attendance zone?

Search the thread if you want an education on that topic and the warm feelings it inspires among your fellow Bulldogs.

The fact is that, no matter what, Langley would be a wealthy school with a very low number of minority students, ESOL or FRR students, given its location in the northeastern part of the county.

However, the attendance district also stretches to the Loudoun borders and pulls in wealthy areas across the northern part of the county.

A sizeable addition was built to increase its capacity and make the school "RD-proof."

Had this approach not been followed, more Langley students would be at Herndon, Herndon students would be at South Lakes, Thomas More would be happy, and your little ones would still be Bulldogs one day. But instead...

As Neen likes to remind us, Jane Strauss is a great representative.

Madison Is Not an Island Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > Had this approach not been followed, more Langley students would be at Herndon, Herndon students would be at South Lakes, Thomas More would be happy, and your little ones would still be Bulldogs one day. But instead...< <

And we all know, if Thomas More ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! ;-)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2008 06:07PM by Thomas More.

Here's a link to last year's map of Fairfax County high school boundaries. The vast pinkness at the top is Langley's attendance area. Note that the map is from the Fairfax County website, not the FCPS site. FCPS only posts maps of each individual school online, which makes it much harder to see the big picture.

Other noteworthy features include the McLean archipelago, the Woodson island, and the (former) Madison island.

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/maps/images/maps/handouts/pdf07/HighSchoolAttendanceAreas.pdf

Good job


Someone said there was a bait and switch and the small neighborhood north of Madison Island on Hunter Mill does go to South Lakes. It was supposed to go to Langley.

That is a rumor so I don't know for sure.



22180 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here's a link to last year's map of Fairfax County
> high school boundaries. The vast pinkness at the
> top is Langley's attendance area. Note that the
> map is from the Fairfax County website, not the
> FCPS site. FCPS only posts maps of each
> individual school online, which makes it much
> harder to see the big picture.
>
> Other noteworthy features include the McLean
> archipelago, the Woodson island, and the (former)
> Madison island.
>
> http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/maps/images/maps/hand
> outs/pdf07/HighSchoolAttendanceAreas.pdf