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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Another FM parent ()
Date: October 03, 2008 05:45PM

shell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How about we just bus these braniacs to a central
> location for the multivariable calc and Physics 2,
> so all Mommyworryworts can stop complaining and
> carrying on like drones. Honestly, folks can
> pretty much choose what they want as far as where
> to go, except TJ. So send the TJ rejects to a
> "special super braniac science/math" class in one
> of the aerospace classes at Westfield or some
> other one-room school house and be done with the
> whining! Parents who really care do this now
> anyway (ex. cart their 6th graders to the nearest
> middle school for Algebra).


Glad to be a drone by your very narrow definition. Also glad that my son doesn't have you as a parent--someone who doesn't care if their child has every opportunity to get the classes they need. I'm guessing your student(s) doesn't fit the "special supoer brainiac science/math" category so you'd rather call those who have kids who do whiners. And, the discussion is not about Westfields or other one-room school houses, but AP versus IB for the math/science kid. This is not suggesting IB is bad, but AP offers more for the math science kid. (And, no, not all math science kids go to TJ.)

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Sanguinista ()
Date: October 04, 2008 03:22PM

TJHSST senior class: Approximately 425 students
National Merit Scholars: Over 140

Westfield senior class: Approximately 750 students
National Merit Scholars: 4

Where exactly are these "incredibly strong math/science kids" lurking at Westfield or Oakton? I want to believe you, but the data isn't there. South Lakes phobia, however, lives.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: SBS ()
Date: October 04, 2008 06:21PM

Sanguinista Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> TJHSST senior class: Approximately 425 students
> National Merit Scholars: Over 140
>
> Westfield senior class: Approximately 750
> students
> National Merit Scholars: 4
>
> Where exactly are these "incredibly strong
> math/science kids" lurking at Westfield or Oakton?
> I want to believe you, but the data isn't there.
> South Lakes phobia, however, lives.

Faulty logic, one has NOTHING to do with the other. NMS candidates have to excel at much more than just math/science.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Another FM parent ()
Date: October 04, 2008 10:19PM

Sanguinista Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> TJHSST senior class: Approximately 425 students
> National Merit Scholars: Over 140
>
> Westfield senior class: Approximately 750
> students
> National Merit Scholars: 4
>
> Where exactly are these "incredibly strong
> math/science kids" lurking at Westfield or Oakton?
> I want to believe you, but the data isn't there.
> South Lakes phobia, however, lives.


Perhaps this is just a failure to communicate. My definition of a strong math science kids ("incredibly" strong I don't know), is someone who can take multivariable calc and linear alg in 12th grade and someone who can take physics 2. There is no phobia of SL. (This has been repeated ad nauseum, but one feels the need to try ONE more time.) But SL currently--because it is an IB school--doesn't offer enough math and science for the kid who can take higher level math. What data do you think you know? I never said there was a huge number of kids who take these classes, but they exist (and they are not all at TJ). If they didn't exist, a good "handful" of kids who would have had to go to SL go to Oakton. Oakton offers multivariable calc/linear alg and Physics 2. At the same time, not all AP schools are the same. Herndon doesn't offer multivariable calc either. I guess you think there is a Herndon HS phobia too. But, the overall AP curriculum does offer these classes and IB doens't. While this doesn't impact a lot of students, it does affect some students. And, again, not all the multivariable calc kids go to TJ.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: ha ()
Date: October 05, 2008 10:57PM

i highly doubt that the majority of students who pupil placed out of south lakes are these "strong math/science" kids.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: APorIBMom ()
Date: October 05, 2008 11:38PM

Over 1000 7th grade students in FCPS are now taking Algebra 1 in 7th grade (or earlier). About 400 FCPS students will be admitted to TJ next year, and a significant number take Algebra 1 rather than Geometry in 8th grade. That leaves 700+ FCPS students per grade who will not attend TJ, but who may want to take post-AP multivariable calculus and post-AP linear algebra in 12th grade.

Admittedly, not all of these 700+ students fit that description. For various reasons, some will take a less accelerated math sequence that culminates in the AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, or IB SL or HL Math. But for the subset of the 700 students who are interested in learning not only single variable calculus but also learning multivariable calculus and linear algebra during high school, the AP plus post-AP math sequence is better than the IB math sequence.


Another FM parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Perhaps this is just a failure to communicate. My
> definition of a strong math science kids
> ("incredibly" strong I don't know), is someone who
> can take multivariable calc and linear alg in 12th
> grade and someone who can take physics 2. There
> is no phobia of SL. (This has been repeated ad
> nauseum, but one feels the need to try ONE more
> time.) But SL currently--because it is an IB
> school--doesn't offer enough math and science for
> the kid who can take higher level math. What data
> do you think you know? I never said there was a
> huge number of kids who take these classes, but
> they exist (and they are not all at TJ). If they
> didn't exist, a good "handful" of kids who would
> have had to go to SL go to Oakton. Oakton offers
> multivariable calc/linear alg and Physics 2. At
> the same time, not all AP schools are the same.
> Herndon doesn't offer multivariable calc either.
> I guess you think there is a Herndon HS phobia
> too. But, the overall AP curriculum does offer
> these classes and IB doens't. While this doesn't
> impact a lot of students, it does affect some
> students. And, again, not all the multivariable
> calc kids go to TJ.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Pupil placed ()
Date: October 06, 2008 09:32AM

ha Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> i highly doubt that the majority of students who
> pupil placed out of south lakes are these "strong
> math/science" kids.


Who suggested that they were? The vast majority of kids who pupil placed out of SL (from FM) to Oakton did so to keep siblings together. Fewer than a dozen pupil placed for the higher math available through AP.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Oakton Mom ()
Date: October 06, 2008 09:38AM

Most of the kids that pupil placed to Oakton were low income students, I now because I saw them doing the paperwork.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Wakeup ()
Date: October 06, 2008 11:01AM

Look at the current financial crisis we are in, and what we are talking about here? How to let the system absorb the could-be brilliant brains? FFX, with its overall concentration of parents with higher education, naturally has a large percentage of high performing kids. Yet we are talking about letting them, not the schools, to fix school's performance, while argueing that these kids don't need, or can do well without learning at their achievement level?

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: 520 ()
Date: October 06, 2008 11:21AM

Another FM parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> shell Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > How about we just bus these braniacs to a
> central
> > location for the multivariable calc and Physics
> 2,
> > so all Mommyworryworts can stop complaining and
> > carrying on like drones. Honestly, folks can
> > pretty much choose what they want as far as
> where
> > to go, except TJ. So send the TJ rejects to a
> > "special super braniac science/math" class in
> one
> > of the aerospace classes at Westfield or some
> > other one-room school house and be done with
> the
> > whining! Parents who really care do this now
> > anyway (ex. cart their 6th graders to the
> nearest
> > middle school for Algebra).
>
>
> Glad to be a drone by your very narrow definition.
> Also glad that my son doesn't have you as a
> parent--someone who doesn't care if their child
> has every opportunity to get the classes they
> need. I'm guessing your student(s) doesn't fit
> the "special supoer brainiac science/math"
> category so you'd rather call those who have kids
> who do whiners. And, the discussion is not about
> Westfields or other one-room school houses, but AP
> versus IB for the math/science kid. This is not
> suggesting IB is bad, but AP offers more for the
> math science kid. (And, no, not all math science
> kids go to TJ.)

Perhaps shell's point is to stop the whining. 359 pages of mostly IB vs AP, how much more do you want to drone this discussion out. Do what you gotta do for your kid and move on. And hate to have you as a parent who can't read beyond literal meanings.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Pupil placed ()
Date: October 07, 2008 08:19AM

Oakton Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Most of the kids that pupil placed to Oakton were
> low income students, I now because I saw them
> doing the paperwork.


Where did you get that stat? What paperwork could you possibly be referring to? What a totally weird thing to write. Pupil placement forms do not ask for income information. FM is not a low-income neighborhood, so neither the FM kids who went to SL or to Oakton are low-income. Clearly you know nothing--and I highly doubt you are an Oakton mom. (Also, paperwork is provided to the homebase school, so you couldn't have seen anybody doing the paperwork if they were pupil placing TO Oakton.) Why post a lie?

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Pupil placed ()
Date: October 07, 2008 08:20AM

Oakton Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Most of the kids that pupil placed to Oakton were
> low income students, I now because I saw them
> doing the paperwork.



Where did you get that stat? What paperwork could you possibly be referring to? What a totally weird thing to write. Pupil placement forms do not ask for income information. FM is not a low-income neighborhood, so neither the FM kids who went to SL or to Oakton are low-income. Clearly you know nothing--and I highly doubt you are an Oakton mom. (Also, paperwork is provided to the homebase school, so you couldn't have seen anybody doing the paperwork if they were pupil placing TO Oakton.) Why post a lie?

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Another FM parent ()
Date: October 07, 2008 08:34AM

520 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Another FM parent Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > shell Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > How about we just bus these braniacs to a
> > central
> > > location for the multivariable calc and
> Physics
> > 2,
> > > so all Mommyworryworts can stop complaining
> and
> > > carrying on like drones. Honestly, folks can
> > > pretty much choose what they want as far as
> > where
> > > to go, except TJ. So send the TJ rejects to
> a
> > > "special super braniac science/math" class in
> > one
> > > of the aerospace classes at Westfield or some
> > > other one-room school house and be done with
> > the
> > > whining! Parents who really care do this now
> > > anyway (ex. cart their 6th graders to the
> > nearest
> > > middle school for Algebra).
> >
> >
> > Glad to be a drone by your very narrow
> definition.
> > Also glad that my son doesn't have you as a
> > parent--someone who doesn't care if their child
> > has every opportunity to get the classes they
> > need. I'm guessing your student(s) doesn't fit
> > the "special supoer brainiac science/math"
> > category so you'd rather call those who have
> kids
> > who do whiners. And, the discussion is not
> about
> > Westfields or other one-room school houses, but
> AP
> > versus IB for the math/science kid. This is not
> > suggesting IB is bad, but AP offers more for
> the
> > math science kid. (And, no, not all math
> science
> > kids go to TJ.)
>
> Perhaps shell's point is to stop the whining. 359
> pages of mostly IB vs AP, how much more do you
> want to drone this discussion out. Do what you
> gotta do for your kid and move on. And hate to
> have you as a parent who can't read beyond
> literal meanings.


Sorry if you consider advocating as whining. I think many parents--especially those affected by the RD--are still trying to figure out what their kids are losing by having to switch from an AP school to an IB one. Suggesting that the IB program has an much to offer the strong math science student as AP is just deceptive. But, then so many IB parent want to ignore that fact and just say move on "we already won and got your kid in the RD." While many parents have had to accept the RD, many also still want AP at SL. That is a battle that is far from over. There are parents with babies in FM who are already advocating for AP for their kids--and since they've had to move to SL they want AP there.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Another Floris Mom ()
Date: October 07, 2008 09:57AM

Another FM parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Sorry if you consider advocating as whining. I
> think many parents--especially those affected by
> the RD--are still trying to figure out what their
> kids are losing by having to switch from an AP
> school to an IB one. Suggesting that the IB
> program has an much to offer the strong math
> science student as AP is just deceptive. But,
> then so many IB parent want to ignore that fact
> and just say move on "we already won and got your
> kid in the RD." While many parents have had to
> accept the RD, many also still want AP at SL.
> That is a battle that is far from over. There are
> parents with babies in FM who are already
> advocating for AP for their kids--and since
> they've had to move to SL they want AP there.

In the Floris area, it is very much a live issue. Remember that we were only partially RD'd. Many RD'd people are saying "I don't know where my kid is going to high school." The options are to sibling place at Westfield, pupil place for AP at Herndon or send them to South Lakes with the IB program. Many who would just go with the flow are thinking heavily about IB vs AP. With half of the elementary school still districted to Westfield, there is not a community switch to South Lakes.

I don't understand why FCPS is pushing the IB program far beyond the demand for it. I think it is just to cover what a mistake they made when they put it in low-performing schools to try and attract middle class students. This did not work so they have turned to redistricting and to marketing the IB program. Marketing is pathetic, but understandable. THe lying is really unacceptable and makes me want to steer clear of my school board non-representative and his pet school, South Lakes.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Sue B ()
Date: October 07, 2008 12:27PM

Another FM parent Wrote:
> Sorry if you consider advocating as whining. I
> think many parents--especially those affected by
> the RD--are still trying to figure out what their
> kids are losing by having to switch from an AP
> school to an IB one. Suggesting that the IB
> program has an much to offer the strong math
> science student as AP is just deceptive. But,
> then so many IB parent want to ignore that fact
> and just say move on "we already won and got your
> kid in the RD." While many parents have had to
> accept the RD, many also still want AP at SL.
> That is a battle that is far from over. There are
> parents with babies in FM who are already
> advocating for AP for their kids--and since
> they've had to move to SL they want AP there.


Brush up on your English before you get to far into a fight. Kinda funny that IB vs AP is in your crosshairs, when basic English has yet to be tackled.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: SBS ()
Date: October 07, 2008 12:55PM

Sue B Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Brush up on your English before you get to far
> into a fight. Kinda funny that IB vs AP is in
> your crosshairs, when basic English has yet to be
> tackled.

Why don't you do the same? FM Parent's post was very clear, and this is not English class. However, if you want to be anal retentive, re-examine your own post for mistakes.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Lester ()
Date: October 07, 2008 01:17PM

IB has an international focus, AP has a US focus. With the World becoming more of a global economy, IB makes more sense. We have been over this issues many times. Many parents can't comprehend the differences or are stuck on old style AP courses because that's what they had in high school.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Another FM parent ()
Date: October 07, 2008 01:54PM

Sue B Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Another FM parent Wrote:
> > Sorry if you consider advocating as whining. I
> > think many parents--especially those affected
> by
> > the RD--are still trying to figure out what
> their
> > kids are losing by having to switch from an AP
> > school to an IB one. Suggesting that the IB
> > program has an much to offer the strong math
> > science student as AP is just deceptive. But,
> > then so many IB parent want to ignore that fact
> > and just say move on "we already won and got
> your
> > kid in the RD." While many parents have had to
> > accept the RD, many also still want AP at SL.
> > That is a battle that is far from over. There
> are
> > parents with babies in FM who are already
> > advocating for AP for their kids--and since
> > they've had to move to SL they want AP there.
>
>
> Brush up on your English before you get to far
> into a fight. Kinda funny that IB vs AP is in
> your crosshairs, when basic English has yet to be
> tackled.


Hmmm...if you want to play that game...there are three ways to use the word "to"...to, too and two. If you're going to be sniveling at typos, please be sure your own grammar is perfect. And, there is no comma after crosshairs.

Geez, is that the best retort you can make?? Not an impressive argument on AP VS IB or the fact that AP has a stronger math science curriculum for those inclined toward the math science programs.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: 3rd FM Parent ()
Date: October 07, 2008 02:02PM

OMG! Don't you people have anything else better to do? Go back and read the 300+ pages that pour over this topic. Nothing more or new is left to reveal. What more is there to discuss? Or are you just lonely?

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: IB v AP ()
Date: October 07, 2008 03:21PM

3rd FM Parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OMG! Don't you people have anything else better to
> do? Go back and read the 300+ pages that pour
> over this topic. Nothing more or new is left to
> reveal. What more is there to discuss? Or are you
> just lonely?


Why are you here? Lonely? Feel free to leave and not come back.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: elasticwaistband ()
Date: October 07, 2008 05:39PM

IB v AP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 3rd FM Parent Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > OMG! Don't you people have anything else better
> to
> > do? Go back and read the 300+ pages that pour
> > over this topic. Nothing more or new is left
> to
> > reveal. What more is there to discuss? Or are
> you
> > just lonely?
>
>
> Why are you here? Lonely? Feel free to leave and
> not come back.


Cuz itz fun watchin all u proud type-A's get your panties in a wad over the smallest thingz.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Jenny L ()
Date: October 07, 2008 07:06PM

Correct AP is not recognized overseas -

IB is a lot more challenging than AP and internationally recognized as such. Let's remember that all AP represents is some college level courses. The International Baccaulaurate degree has a broader spectrum and depth. Traditionally, American High School education is dismissed as "inferior" when compared to other developed countries and internationally looked at with some disdain when you try to study at a University overseas. The scope of the curriculum is certainly one of the reasons.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: you are joking or not listening ()
Date: October 07, 2008 08:27PM

"There is no phobia of SL. (This has been repeated ad nauseum, but one feels the need to try ONE more time.) "

Surely you are joking, did you not hear all the offensive things said by Floris and Fox Mill parents at the public hearing directed at South Lakes?

It was loud and clear to many of us from Herndon and it would have been likewise directed at Herndon if you thought you were headed there instead.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Pupil placed ()
Date: October 07, 2008 08:36PM

Jenny L Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Correct AP is not recognized overseas -
>
> IB is a lot more challenging than AP and
> internationally recognized as such. Let's remember
> that all AP represents is some college level
> courses. The International Baccaulaurate degree
> has a broader spectrum and depth. Traditionally,
> American High School education is dismissed as
> "inferior" when compared to other developed
> countries and internationally looked at with some
> disdain when you try to study at a University
> overseas. The scope of the curriculum is certainly
> one of the reasons.

But how many American children plan on studying at an overseas university? A much more typical situation is an overseas family that has spent their life savings to get HERE. Dismissive of an American education? I don't think so. How many Americans do you know who pine to go to Bejing University (which is a very good and competitive school in China)? Bejing Univ or Harvard or Yale or UVA? American colleges use the AP model in their academic programs. TJ uses AP. Look at just about ANY American college or Univ course syllabus and they use an AP model. Perhaps IB MAY catch on in several decades (but I doubt it), so maybe your grandchildren should consider IB at that time. Until then, AP IS the gold standard in this countr

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: taxpayer ()
Date: October 07, 2008 08:38PM

Lester Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IB has an international focus, AP has a US focus.
> With the World becoming more of a global economy,
> IB makes more sense. We have been over this
> issues many times. Many parents can't comprehend
> the differences or are stuck on old style AP
> courses because that's what they had in high
> school.

AP does not promote USA isolation. Any parent or group of parents who want to continue IB should be funding the fees out of their own pocket. Tough for the extra staff hours for the coordinator. It is absurd to pay those expenses. If you want it, pay for it.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Huh? ()
Date: October 08, 2008 09:26AM

you are joking or not listening Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "There is no phobia of SL. (This has been repeated
> ad nauseum, but one feels the need to try ONE more
> time.) "
>
> Surely you are joking, did you not hear all the
> offensive things said by Floris and Fox Mill
> parents at the public hearing directed at South
> Lakes?
>
> It was loud and clear to many of us from Herndon
> and it would have been likewise directed at
> Herndon if you thought you were headed there
> instead.


While there is obviously the odd bird or two who say the dumb and stupid thing (and who can possibly control them??), it's clear to me--and the majority of non-SL families--that there has never been a big plot to discredit or disparage SL from those outside the original SL community. Over and over I'd hear the same story for SL parents and children: a small child saw them wearing a SL t-shirt at one of the community meetings and asked if they went to the good school or the ghetto school. I can't believe this child went up to hundreds of students and parents and said that, BUT EVERYONE TELLS THIS STORY IN THE FIRST PERSON. IT HAPPENED TO THEM PERSONALLY. I think it must belong in the "urban legend" category and too many at SL like to embrace this underdog anecdote to exemplify how EVERYONE is against them. One person was spoken to rudely (and, yes, it was absolutely rude) and then ALL act as if it is epidemic.

I was at all the community meetings and never heard anyone speak ill of SL or the students at SL (and there was a lot of drama and passion at those meetings). Just because they wanted their children to stay at their then-home school and not be moved to SL does not mean they feel any bad feelings about SL. I heard parents say their children would be "detroyed psychologically" is they were forced from Floris to SL. But, they weren't talking poorly of SL. They just didn't want to see their children have to leave the kids they'd been going to school with in K-8. Who doesn't understand this...and feel at least a little compassion for these folks?

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Oakton Mom ()
Date: October 08, 2008 09:58AM

It all a big ploy to get SL more funding than other schools.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Just Wonderin' ()
Date: October 08, 2008 11:25AM

What is the deal with the intense focus on AP and IB? Are a vast number of kids smarter than they were when I went to high school? Granted, this was a long time ago - in the 80s. I don't remember AP classes serving a large number of kids at my FCPS high school, which had a good reputation for reasons passing understanding. I thought rather it was a relatively small fraction of the high school population who participated in AP classes - the academic elites.

Have things changed? Are most kids now doing AP courses? I've heard that the SATs got watered down, so now on average kids get higher scores than they used to. And of course this is not taking into account the newish writing portion of the test. Are the AP classes perhaps less rigorous than they used to be?

Or is it a situation in which most kids are encouraged to take AP classes nowadays, similar to the way in which kids are encouraged to start Algebra in 7th or 8th grades, rather than in the traditional 9th? I know for sure that the reading instruction, which used to start at first grade for the most part, has now been pushed up to kindergarten. Thus no time for finger painting and painting at the easels - a cherished rite of kindergarten. Though my hats are off to kindergarten teachers - they do a damn good job of getting a lot of required stuff packed in and still creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for the kids.

Not that progress is a bad thing - it's good. It's great!

To get kind of off subject, it's distressing to read about stuff like a few years ago when a Maryland superintendent or school official advocated eliminating rest time for pre-school kids. That shows poor understanding of child development, or just basic human needs.

Okay, back to high school questions. Are most kids ready to be pushed ahead in math and AP-type courses? Our kids of the computer generation are exposed to a lot more information than we were, just as we TV generation kids saw a lot more of what was going on in the world than our parents or grandparents did. So maybe things need to be accelerated. I really don't know.

What's going on with the advanced classes? Are the majority of kids enrolled in them? Are students' academic needs being met appropriately?

Thanks in advance for any answers!

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Huh? ()
Date: October 08, 2008 04:17PM

Just Wonderin' Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What is the deal with the intense focus on AP and
> IB? Are a vast number of kids smarter than they
> were when I went to high school? Granted, this
> was a long time ago - in the 80s. I don't
> remember AP classes serving a large number of kids
> at my FCPS high school, which had a good
> reputation for reasons passing understanding. I
> thought rather it was a relatively small fraction
> of the high school population who participated in
> AP classes - the academic elites.
>
> Have things changed? Are most kids now doing AP
> courses? I've heard that the SATs got watered
> down, so now on average kids get higher scores
> than they used to. And of course this is not
> taking into account the newish writing portion of
> the test. Are the AP classes perhaps less
> rigorous than they used to be?
>
> Or is it a situation in which most kids are
> encouraged to take AP classes nowadays, similar to
> the way in which kids are encouraged to start
> Algebra in 7th or 8th grades, rather than in the
> traditional 9th? I know for sure that the reading
> instruction, which used to start at first grade
> for the most part, has now been pushed up to
> kindergarten. Thus no time for finger painting
> and painting at the easels - a cherished rite of
> kindergarten. Though my hats are off to
> kindergarten teachers - they do a damn good job of
> getting a lot of required stuff packed in and
> still creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for the
> kids.
>
> Not that progress is a bad thing - it's good.
> It's great!
>
> To get kind of off subject, it's distressing to
> read about stuff like a few years ago when a
> Maryland superintendent or school official
> advocated eliminating rest time for pre-school
> kids. That shows poor understanding of child
> development, or just basic human needs.
>
> Okay, back to high school questions. Are most
> kids ready to be pushed ahead in math and AP-type
> courses? Our kids of the computer generation are
> exposed to a lot more information than we were,
> just as we TV generation kids saw a lot more of
> what was going on in the world than our parents or
> grandparents did. So maybe things need to be
> accelerated. I really don't know.
>
> What's going on with the advanced classes? Are
> the majority of kids enrolled in them? Are
> students' academic needs being met appropriately?
>
> Thanks in advance for any answers!


I don't have kids old enough to apply to college yet, but what I've heard from parents who have older kids is that colleges want students to take as advanced classes as they can. They are less interested in all As IF the classes are in less ambitious courses. But at the same time,a good GPA is critical. There was an article in the Post months ago that mentioned the avg GPA at JMU is 3.6 (and, no offense to anyone at JMU (which is a fine state school), but it is not Ivy league, tier one or even tier two). Yes, the short answer is that it is a jungle out there.

I know at South Lakes a vast majority of students are taking at least 1 IB class. At Oakton and other AP schools, the majority are taking at least one or two AP classes.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: getreal ()
Date: October 08, 2008 07:53PM

Huh? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I was at all the community meetings and never
> heard anyone speak ill of SL or the students at SL
> (and there was a lot of drama and passion at those
> meetings). Just because they wanted their
> children to stay at their then-home school and not
> be moved to SL does not mean they feel any bad
> feelings about SL. I heard parents say their
> children would be "detroyed psychologically" is
> they were forced from Floris to SL. But, they
> weren't talking poorly of SL. They just didn't
> want to see their children have to leave the kids
> they'd been going to school with in K-8. Who
> doesn't understand this...and feel at least a
> little compassion for these folks?


I was at the community meetings as well and I heard numerous parents refer to South Lakes as an "inferior school". Never mind some of the comments posted on this board.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: SBS ()
Date: October 08, 2008 09:48PM

getreal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> I was at the community meetings as well and I
> heard numerous parents refer to South Lakes as an
> "inferior school". Never mind some of the comments
> posted on this board.

What's your point? It's simply a true statement.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Mozart ()
Date: October 08, 2008 10:08PM

SBS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> getreal Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > I was at the community meetings as well and I
> > heard numerous parents refer to South Lakes as
> an
> > "inferior school". Never mind some of the
> comments
> > posted on this board.
>
> What's your point? It's simply a true statement.

Let's not go there. Same could also be said for Madison (indeed, unlike at SL, SAT scores at Madison have declined for three years in a row). Just a fact.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Sherman's March ()
Date: October 09, 2008 10:37PM

SBS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> getreal Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > I was at the community meetings as well and I
> > heard numerous parents refer to South Lakes as
> an
> > "inferior school". Never mind some of the
> comments
> > posted on this board.
>
> What's your point? It's simply a true statement.

Amidst all the economic turmoil, somehow it's perversely comforting to know that SBS is still a moron and willing to prove it with every post.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: SBS ()
Date: October 09, 2008 11:36PM

Hey Sherm, how unfortunate that you still can't decipher the numbers, no matter how telling they are.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: This Last Week ()
Date: October 10, 2008 01:53PM

What happened in the community meetings might be subject to memory loss, but what's happened just LAST WEEK is pretty clear:

My daughter took the bus to South Lakes, where she goes, that came from Floris (she spent the night at a friend's house there). Those kids were totally jazzed about going to South Lakes. She reported that the bus was buzzing with talk about activities and classes -- even at 7 am. And I'm seeing all the kids at that school having a wonderful time, jumping into learning, staying after school every day to participate in sports and all the activities, and generally getting along very well. Even the parents.

On the other hand, I was with my daughter at the grocery store in Franklin Farm and we ran into a mom and her son, who goes to Chantilly. "Why are you going to the ghetto school? Why didn't you pupil place out?" he asked my daughter. I didn't know the mom, and, frankly, I'm glad I don't now. Where did that boy get the notion that it's a "ghetto" school? And if not from home, why didn't his parents disabuse him of that prejudice so that he'd be uncomfortable teasing someone with it, in front of her? And why didn't she say anything right then and there?

It's just so sad that some parents are perpetuating myths about SLHS, IB, and everything related to it. It's even more sad that so many adults in our community are trading their kids' future global citizenry for a dime's worth of local myopia.

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Hey guys... ()
Date: October 10, 2008 02:07PM

C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!!!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Elliot ()
Date: October 10, 2008 04:32PM

This Last Week Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What happened in the community meetings might be
> subject to memory loss, but what's happened just
> LAST WEEK is pretty clear:
>
> My daughter took the bus to South Lakes, where she
> goes, that came from Floris (she spent the night
> at a friend's house there). Those kids were
> totally jazzed about going to South Lakes. She
> reported that the bus was buzzing with talk about
> activities and classes -- even at 7 am. And I'm
> seeing all the kids at that school having a
> wonderful time, jumping into learning, staying
> after school every day to participate in sports
> and all the activities, and generally getting
> along very well. Even the parents.
>
> On the other hand, I was with my daughter at the
> grocery store in Franklin Farm and we ran into a
> mom and her son, who goes to Chantilly. "Why are
> you going to the ghetto school? Why didn't you
> pupil place out?" he asked my daughter. I didn't
> know the mom, and, frankly, I'm glad I don't now.
> Where did that boy get the notion that it's a
> "ghetto" school? And if not from home, why didn't
> his parents disabuse him of that prejudice so that
> he'd be uncomfortable teasing someone with it, in
> front of her? And why didn't she say anything
> right then and there?
>
> It's just so sad that some parents are
> perpetuating myths about SLHS, IB, and everything
> related to it. It's even more sad that so many
> adults in our community are trading their kids'
> future global citizenry for a dime's worth of
> local myopia.


Floris Loves SLHS!

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Locally Myopic Globally Prescient ()
Date: October 10, 2008 05:46PM

This Last Week Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> It's just so sad that some parents are
> perpetuating myths about SLHS, IB, and everything
> related to it. It's even more sad that so many
> adults in our community are trading their kids'
> future global citizenry for a dime's worth of
> local myopia.


What is a global citizen? Is it a good thing to be? Is it incompatible with being a US citizen?

Does matriculating at South Lakes High School automatically confer global citizenship?

Are Oakton students doomed to be forever global aliens?

Locally Myopic Globally Prescient

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Watchdog ()
Date: October 12, 2008 05:56AM

To all in Fairfax County,


I don't know how much you have been following the Gatehouse II purchase proposed by the School Board. The School Board is at it again. They want to consolidate Administration staff in a luxurious 300,000 square foot building next to Gatehouse I and use the bond we taxpayers approved in 2007 to pay for it. The building has a gym and spa, 10,000 square foot conference room, lobbies on every floor, etc. The Staff will come from existing schools and they claim that they can reuse the space for our children. Imagine that --- the so-called "run down" facilities that they want to return to the school system are not good enough for staff, but good enough for our children. Our children, who are in close to 1,000 trailers throughout the county, with some schools over 46 years old (West Springfield High) and some without enough books (Fox Mill).

I am convinced Gibson told Staff that he would get them Gatehouse II in return for the renovations to South Lakes and the redistricting. The pieces of the puzzle are coming together. Also, the same real estate firm that secured the existing administration building (Gatehouse I) was mysteriously selected to conduct an "independent review of the cost/benefit compiled by the School Board" for Gatehouse II. I have friends in commercial real estate who say that it is "incredible" that they only had one appraisal for a government facility - unheard of.

We are paying $57 million ($52 million + $5 million renovations reimbursement) for a building assessed for $43 Million in 2008.

The School Board's proposal was not approved by the Board of Supervisors, because guess what, the election is coming up…so the School Board went back to the drawing board, playing with the numbers again, and picking new numbers out of thin air, in hopes that the numbers will come out "better" and the BOS will approve. They have until December 1. And again after the election, who cares? The Board of Supervisors certainly won't.

So, bottom line, your tax dollars are going to be wasted on Gibson's Staff while our kids and teachers have to give up their raises, books, supplies, classrooms, new teacher salaries, and the things that truly matter….

NO AND HELL NO TO GATEHOUSE 11

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: None of them are running ()
Date: October 13, 2008 02:45AM

For office this year, except Jerry Connelly. So what does the election have to do with it?

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Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Thomas More ()
Date: October 13, 2008 02:33PM

This Last Week Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > . . . and her son, who goes to Chantilly. "Why are you going to the ghetto school? Why didn't you pupil place out?" he asked my daughter. I didn't know the mom, and, frankly, I'm glad I don't now. Where did that boy get the notion that it's a "ghetto" school? And if not from home, why didn't his parents disabuse him of that prejudice so that he'd be uncomfortable teasing someone with it, in front of her? And why didn't she say anything right then and there?
>
> > It's just so sad that some parents are perpetuating myths about SLHS, IB, and everything related to it. It's even more sad that so many adults in our community are trading their kids' future global citizenry for a dime's worth of local myopia.< <

This may come as a shock but over the past 12 years that I have been a parent at SL, I've heard many of its students brag about it being a "ghetto" school. I'm referencing white boys mostly but some white girls also.

They thought the term connoted a sense of "cool," "hip" or a sense of physical toughness.

So that reputation might well be perpetuated by the kids themselves.

I've never heard an adult refer to SL as a "ghetto" school.

I have heard adults refer to it as "that school" or use its name with a distinctly derisive tone in their voice.

BTW I rarely correct my kids in front of another adult. Their embarrassment overwhelms the corrective message. We have those discussions in the car or in the house.

ABTW, what myths about IB are your referencing, because most of the criticism, I've read about IB are accurate.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: JC ()
Date: October 13, 2008 04:21PM

None of them are running Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For office this year, except Jerry Connelly. So
> what does the election have to do with it?


Uhhh, slow now, Connelly voted it down before the election so that he looks like a smart, financially savvy guy. He gets re-elected because voters remember his good deed. After election, the SB brings the proposal back with a tweak or two and Mr. Jerry says "thanks for listening to me during our backroom conversation" and as a reward, he and the rest of the BOS approve the Gatehouse purchase. Course voters and citizens can't do anything about it then.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: gal ()
Date: October 13, 2008 04:25PM

This Last Week Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>>
> On the other hand, I was with my daughter at the
> grocery store in Franklin Farm and we ran into a
> mom and her son, who goes to Chantilly. "Why are
> you going to the ghetto school? Why didn't you
> pupil place out?" he asked my daughter. I didn't
> know the mom, and, frankly, I'm glad I don't now.
> Where did that boy get the notion that it's a
> "ghetto" school? And if not from home, why didn't
> his parents disabuse him of that prejudice so that
> he'd be uncomfortable teasing someone with it, in
> front of her? And why didn't she say anything
> right then and there?
>
>
Your showing your age, deary. "Ghetto" doesn't mean the same "ghetto" as in the 50's, 60's, 70's. Hangout with some teens sometime and you'll get the notion.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: FCCPTA ()
Date: October 14, 2008 04:00PM

The following is posted on the home page of the FCCPTA and is their guidelines for PTA's. I wonder why Herndon, Westfield and South Lakes did not get these guidelines or why they did not follow.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Recommended Role of PTA in Boundary Studies

While it is critical for PTAs to remain engaged during any boundary study or realignment, it is not in keeping with the mission of PTA to take positions on recommendations made or on other specifics of boundary adjustments. The reason for this is that PTA is bound by simple democratic processes--majority rules. In the case of boundary adjustments, there will always be students and their families on opposing sides of the issue. Unless a PTA has polled every family in the school and received a response from them all, PTA cannot be speaking on behalf of all students. By taking a position one way or another, you are then speaking against the wishes of some in your community. Representing the interests of fairness for all families in the community, PTAs should, however, insist on the publication and wide circulation of complete and accurate boundary information and may need to challenge inaccurate or incomplete data or projections provided by any of the participating parties including the school district's staff.

Every PTA unit is part of the larger whole. Of course, we each work to further PTA's mission within our own school community. In the case of school boundaries, it is wisest for PTAs not to position themselves on either side of the issue because that position may conflict with the needs of all students represented by a PTA.

PTAs involved in boundary issues are reminded that their role is to inform the community about the process and its developments, encourage parental participation in the study process, maintain timely and thorough communication with the community, and set up local meetings with appropriate officials as you determine are needed. When PTAs maintain a neutral status, they allow for a free flow of opinions from every member of the community; truly no one feels their opinions are being outweighed by the 'strength' of the collective voice of PTA members. PTAs should manage their meetings, communications, and public involvement so as to ensure that at the conclusion of any boundary process the PTA continues to be the comfortable, fair, and most desirable neutral ground for all parties to convene so as to best work for all the children and all the families served by the PTA's school.

During a period of boundary consideration, PTAs should continue to provide programs, services and support to their entire constituency and help ensure that the boundary issues do not discourage parent involvement and student programs available to all families.

Most PTAs that have been through a boundary discussion have taken special care to keep positions or opinions apart from the PTA. At one school recently going through a boundary change, for example, two parents who are very active in the PTA took on the task of reviewing proposals on boundary adjustments. They communicated with interested people electronically, encouraging parents to attend meetings (those organized by the school system as well as those organized internally to gather input) and offering interpretations of which options might best serve the most students. It was, however, up to the parents to attend the meetings and personally express their concerns. No materials were distributed under the auspices of the PTA, but opinions about the "best" plans were definitely shared.

Boundary adjustments (and even the possibility of a boundary adjustment) are emotional, sensitive, and potentially divisive issues. Communities have literally been torn apart during these discussions. PTAs are strongly advised to keep their associations apart from the possible merits or detriments of boundary proposals and remain in a neutral position of advocating for community participation and communication. The Fairfax County Council of PTAs includes PTA leaders who have considerable experience working on boundary issues, leaders who understand the pitfalls, opportunities, and alternatives offered by boundary considerations; PTA leaders in schools affected by boundary issues are encouraged to ask for advice.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Huh? ()
Date: October 14, 2008 04:45PM

FCCPTA Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The following is posted on the home page of the
> FCCPTA and is their guidelines for PTA's. I wonder
> why Herndon, Westfield and South Lakes did not get
> these guidelines or why they did not follow.
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----------------------------
>
>
> The Recommended Role of PTA in Boundary Studies
>
> While it is critical for PTAs to remain engaged
> during any boundary study or realignment, it is
> not in keeping with the mission of PTA to take
> positions on recommendations made or on other
> specifics of boundary adjustments. The reason for
> this is that PTA is bound by simple democratic
> processes--majority rules. In the case of
> boundary adjustments, there will always be
> students and their families on opposing sides of
> the issue. Unless a PTA has polled every family
> in the school and received a response from them
> all, PTA cannot be speaking on behalf of all
> students. By taking a position one way or
> another, you are then speaking against the wishes
> of some in your community. Representing the
> interests of fairness for all families in the
> community, PTAs should, however, insist on the
> publication and wide circulation of complete and
> accurate boundary information and may need to
> challenge inaccurate or incomplete data or
> projections provided by any of the participating
> parties including the school district's staff.
>
> Every PTA unit is part of the larger whole. Of
> course, we each work to further PTA's mission
> within our own school community. In the case of
> school boundaries, it is wisest for PTAs not to
> position themselves on either side of the issue
> because that position may conflict with the needs
> of all students represented by a PTA.
>
> PTAs involved in boundary issues are reminded that
> their role is to inform the community about the
> process and its developments, encourage parental
> participation in the study process, maintain
> timely and thorough communication with the
> community, and set up local meetings with
> appropriate officials as you determine are needed.
> When PTAs maintain a neutral status, they allow
> for a free flow of opinions from every member of
> the community; truly no one feels their opinions
> are being outweighed by the 'strength' of the
> collective voice of PTA members. PTAs should
> manage their meetings, communications, and public
> involvement so as to ensure that at the conclusion
> of any boundary process the PTA continues to be
> the comfortable, fair, and most desirable neutral
> ground for all parties to convene so as to best
> work for all the children and all the families
> served by the PTA's school.
>
> During a period of boundary consideration, PTAs
> should continue to provide programs, services and
> support to their entire constituency and help
> ensure that the boundary issues do not discourage
> parent involvement and student programs available
> to all families.
>
> Most PTAs that have been through a boundary
> discussion have taken special care to keep
> positions or opinions apart from the PTA. At one
> school recently going through a boundary change,
> for example, two parents who are very active in
> the PTA took on the task of reviewing proposals on
> boundary adjustments. They communicated with
> interested people electronically, encouraging
> parents to attend meetings (those organized by the
> school system as well as those organized
> internally to gather input) and offering
> interpretations of which options might best serve
> the most students. It was, however, up to the
> parents to attend the meetings and personally
> express their concerns. No materials were
> distributed under the auspices of the PTA, but
> opinions about the "best" plans were definitely
> shared.
>
> Boundary adjustments (and even the possibility of
> a boundary adjustment) are emotional, sensitive,
> and potentially divisive issues. Communities have
> literally been torn apart during these
> discussions. PTAs are strongly advised to keep
> their associations apart from the possible merits
> or detriments of boundary proposals and remain in
> a neutral position of advocating for community
> participation and communication. The Fairfax
> County Council of PTAs includes PTA leaders who
> have considerable experience working on boundary
> issues, leaders who understand the pitfalls,
> opportunities, and alternatives offered by
> boundary considerations; PTA leaders in schools
> affected by boundary issues are encouraged to ask
> for advice.


Clearly this is a gentle slap on the hand to the PTA presidents at certain FC elementary schools, such as Fox Mill, that ignored their designated role during the recent West County RD and took very public sides. These are not the same guidelines that were posted on the FCCPTA page before the recent RD. (Not that I think the PTAs made any difference during the RD. The SB members had made their minds up way before the PTA presidents got involved.)

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: PTA Truth ()
Date: October 14, 2008 06:19PM

FCCPTA Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The following is posted on the home page of the
> FCCPTA and is their guidelines for PTA's. I wonder
> why Herndon, Westfield and South Lakes did not get
> these guidelines or why they did not follow.
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----------------------------
>
>
> The Recommended Role of PTA in Boundary Studies
>
> While it is critical for PTAs to remain engaged
> during any boundary study or realignment, it is
> not in keeping with the mission of PTA to take
> positions on recommendations made or on other
> specifics of boundary adjustments. The reason for
> this is that PTA is bound by simple democratic
> processes--majority rules. In the case of
> boundary adjustments, there will always be
> students and their families on opposing sides of
> the issue. Unless a PTA has polled every family
> in the school and received a response from them
> all, PTA cannot be speaking on behalf of all
> students. By taking a position one way or
> another, you are then speaking against the wishes
> of some in your community. Representing the
> interests of fairness for all families in the
> community, PTAs should, however, insist on the
> publication and wide circulation of complete and
> accurate boundary information and may need to
> challenge inaccurate or incomplete data or
> projections provided by any of the participating
> parties including the school district's staff.
>
> Every PTA unit is part of the larger whole. Of
> course, we each work to further PTA's mission
> within our own school community. In the case of
> school boundaries, it is wisest for PTAs not to
> position themselves on either side of the issue
> because that position may conflict with the needs
> of all students represented by a PTA.
>
> PTAs involved in boundary issues are reminded that
> their role is to inform the community about the
> process and its developments, encourage parental
> participation in the study process, maintain
> timely and thorough communication with the
> community, and set up local meetings with
> appropriate officials as you determine are needed.
> When PTAs maintain a neutral status, they allow
> for a free flow of opinions from every member of
> the community; truly no one feels their opinions
> are being outweighed by the 'strength' of the
> collective voice of PTA members. PTAs should
> manage their meetings, communications, and public
> involvement so as to ensure that at the conclusion
> of any boundary process the PTA continues to be
> the comfortable, fair, and most desirable neutral
> ground for all parties to convene so as to best
> work for all the children and all the families
> served by the PTA's school.
>
> During a period of boundary consideration, PTAs
> should continue to provide programs, services and
> support to their entire constituency and help
> ensure that the boundary issues do not discourage
> parent involvement and student programs available
> to all families.
>
> Most PTAs that have been through a boundary
> discussion have taken special care to keep
> positions or opinions apart from the PTA. At one
> school recently going through a boundary change,
> for example, two parents who are very active in
> the PTA took on the task of reviewing proposals on
> boundary adjustments. They communicated with
> interested people electronically, encouraging
> parents to attend meetings (those organized by the
> school system as well as those organized
> internally to gather input) and offering
> interpretations of which options might best serve
> the most students. It was, however, up to the
> parents to attend the meetings and personally
> express their concerns. No materials were
> distributed under the auspices of the PTA, but
> opinions about the "best" plans were definitely
> shared.
>
> Boundary adjustments (and even the possibility of
> a boundary adjustment) are emotional, sensitive,
> and potentially divisive issues. Communities have
> literally been torn apart during these
> discussions. PTAs are strongly advised to keep
> their associations apart from the possible merits
> or detriments of boundary proposals and remain in
> a neutral position of advocating for community
> participation and communication. The Fairfax
> County Council of PTAs includes PTA leaders who
> have considerable experience working on boundary
> issues, leaders who understand the pitfalls,
> opportunities, and alternatives offered by
> boundary considerations; PTA leaders in schools
> affected by boundary issues are encouraged to ask
> for advice.

This is full of c**p. The national PTA states that PTAs can be involved in promoting legislation that affects the education of children, and that includes boundary studies. There is NOTHING in the national PTA bylaws or mission statement that says PTAs cannot be involved in redistricting, even to the point of advocating for a particular change.

The paragraph related to "democratic process" is bull. If the PTA really followed this supposed rule, then every single vote that came up would have to go through a full "poll" of "every family" for every vote. (This little sentence in their statement tells you how ignorant the FCPTA leadership is about the effects their statements can have in a county larger than most cities - they are treating the organization like a small-town club of no consequence, and because they act like it, it is.)

The reason local school PTAs make so much effort to get parents included and get them to meetings is so they can get as many voices heard as possible -- but ultimately it's the people who actually show up and vote who get a say. That's the way it works in our larger democracy, and that's as it should be. (Do we really want to wait for a new president until "every American" has been polled? )

The president of the Fairfax County PTA is a nice person, but she is totally clueless about a lot of things -- and she is a MAJOR don't-rock-the-boater. So it's no surprise that this little handwringing statement is coming from the FCPTA. It's also highly amusing that they offer their so-called "experts" on boundary issues to provide "advice." I've had the sorry privilege of hearing their advice on many such issues. What is it? "Don't rock the boat."

So it's no surprise that progressive and truly effective local school PTAs sometimes ignore FCPTA's "advice," and still stay well within state and national PTA bylaws and policies.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Clown Shoe ()
Date: October 14, 2008 06:25PM

Thank god! The redistricting thread is back. I was beginning to think I was on the wrong forum.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: PTA Truth ()
Date: October 14, 2008 06:26PM

Boundary adjustments (and even the possibility of
> a boundary adjustment) are emotional, sensitive,
> and potentially divisive issues. Communities have
> literally been torn apart during these
> discussions

Couldn't help pulling this one out for a look.

So, anything potentially emotional, sensitive, or divisive is off limits to PTAs??? OK. You betcha.

And I want to see those literally torn-apart communities. Oh yeah. Was it that riot in downtown LA a few years back? I remember now. Rodney King was taking sides on a boundary issue!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Ouch-struck a nerve ()
Date: October 14, 2008 08:28PM

I guess the post from the FCCPTA website struck a nerve with the South Lakes PTA-I mean PTA Truth.

While I agree that the FCCPTA is a joke and has virtually no influence or power within the FCPS politboro, I do think that PTAs should remain neutral. Most redistrictings do split schools, and many-even half-of your school may be negatively impacted. It is unfair and a disservice to the parents to pick sides. No one goes to stupid PTA meetings anyways. It is mostly stay at home loser moms with no life anyways. They are on a power trip since they get to run the bake sale or wrapping paper fundraiser.

PTA Truth did herself or SLHS no favors by hijacking parents/kids from neighboring schools. It just made them look desperate.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: FCCPTA drinks to much Cool Aid ()
Date: October 14, 2008 08:38PM

To the FCCPTA


While I do not belong to any PTA, I have grandchildren who attend Silverbrook Elementary School. It is because of them that I have taken an active interest in the systemic failures of our school district. I have seen the deplorable conditions of the trailers at their school which lack running water, bathrooms and are unsafe during inclement weather. Every time I visit Gatehouse I and see the sales brochure for Gatehouse II, I am disgusted by the extravagant work facilities for the FCPS administrators and I compare that with the deplorable conditions of our schools.

Since our earlier email exchange I have taken your advice and visited your website. Since the minutes from your monthly meetings are not available for any date after April 2007, I find it difficult to gain much information about what your organization does accomplish. I did however notice, under your positions, that there was no mention of the tragic problems within our school district regarding dropouts, minority underachievement, low minority SAT/IB/AP participation at many of our schools as well as any mention of FCPS's discriminatory practices within the disciplinary area, including the mis-guided and racially offensive "Morality Gap Report" and FCPS's recent decision to install lunch line cameras in our high poverty schools.

I only wish some of your indignation and disgust towards me could perhaps be redirected in a more constructive way towards Stu Gibson and his deliberate unlawful actions regarding the privacy violations of a FCPS special education student. Or maybe you could send an email to Kathy Smith expressing your outrage at the email she sent to a Westfield parent who opposed the redistricting and went on to call this parent "Vile and toxic". Both Gibson and Smith openly and actively disregarded your organization's position on PTAs being neutral during redistricting efforts and courted the PTAs in order to advance their own agendas. Perhaps this is a reflection on the amount of influence your organization has with this School Board.

Maybe if your organization was not a launching pad for School Board elections, you could actually provide FCPS parents and students the advocacy they deserve.


Watchdog

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Oucch, you ignorant sl%^... ()
Date: October 14, 2008 10:16PM

..you obviously don't get to too many PTA meetings, as you have no idea what you are talking about. Three out of the last four PTA presidents at my children's school were males who work full time, and one full-time working woman. You might want to check out a meeting.

Ouch-struck a nerve Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I guess the post from the FCCPTA website struck a
> nerve with the South Lakes PTA-I mean PTA Truth.
>
> While I agree that the FCCPTA is a joke and has
> virtually no influence or power within the FCPS
> politboro, I do think that PTAs should remain
> neutral. Most redistrictings do split schools,
> and many-even half-of your school may be
> negatively impacted. It is unfair and a
> disservice to the parents to pick sides. No one
> goes to stupid PTA meetings anyways. It is mostly
> stay at home loser moms with no life anyways.
> They are on a power trip since they get to run the
> bake sale or wrapping paper fundraiser.
>
> PTA Truth did herself or SLHS no favors by
> hijacking parents/kids from neighboring schools.
> It just made them look desperate.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: PTA Truth ()
Date: October 15, 2008 12:46AM

All but one of the PTAs I've been involved with (more than five) have been very active and full of parent advocates. They fight hard for ALL the kids in their schools, not just their own. Oucch is right - PTAs are full of WORKING parents: those who work at home raising kids, those who work in the community volunteering, and those who work at organizations that pay them, men and women alike. My issue is with the FCPTA, not with individual school PTAs. Granted, these can range from nothing but fundraising elitist cliques to highly effective child advocates, but unfortunately, in Fairfax County, local school PTAs and PTSAs are on their own, forging their successes (and failures) with pretty much no help from on high.

Anybody who wants to criticize PTAs and PTSAs had better have made a good effort at getting involved with them first, without chips on their shoulders going in.

And, my dear, who says I'm with SLHS? I'm not.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Concerned parents ()
Date: October 16, 2008 05:19AM

School boundary study concerns parents
By Gregg MacDonald


About 50 parents were at Herndon's McNair Elementary School Oct. 9 to voice their concerns about an upcoming school boundary study.

Floris, Herndon, Hutchison, McNair and Oak Hill elementary schools will be subjects of the study being implemented by Fairfax County Public Schools to populate Coppermine Elementary School. The school is currently being constructed at 2480 River Birch Road in the Herndon area.

The Fairfax Coalition of Advocates for Public Schools (FairfaxCAPS) gave a presentation at McNair Oct. 9 to organize the concerns of the affected parents. "We need to prioritize your criteria so we can send it to the School Board," said CAPS President Scott Chronister.

Participants identified criteria for redistricting that were important to them and came up with several priority items.

"Let kids who walk to school keep walking," boomed Spring Lake Estates resident Leigh Renfrow.

Another speaker suggested opening a Cluster 8 GT center that would feed Rachel Carson Middle School, eliminating the "split feeder" system that sends elementary school children to two different middle schools.

"With a $200 million reduction projected in the upcoming school system budget, these are very serious decisions," said Chronister.

Frank Q. Williams, a Floris-area resident, had just retired from the military and purchased a $700,000 house when he first heard about the recent Western Boundary study which redistricted some students to Reston's South Lakes High School.

"I have a second-grade daughter at Floris Elementary," he said. "One of the reasons you buy a house in a particular location is because of the schools. The last study took me by surprise, so I am getting in on the ground floor of this one."

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Transfer Data ()
Date: October 16, 2008 08:35PM

Interesting data from the last FCPS Work Session:

86 rising 9th graders redistricted to South Lakes from other school requested transfers to other schools.

A total of 102 students pupil placed OUT of South Lakes HS. Breakdown as follows:

12 to Herndon
5 to Langley
29 to Madison
1 to Marshal
2 to McLean
52 to Oakton
1 to Westfield

What is odd is that 31 students pupil placed INTO South Lakes from Herndon.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Spock ()
Date: October 16, 2008 10:06PM

It isn't odd that students pupil placed into SL. Some parents and students truly like the IB curriculum and the opportunity to get the IB diploma.

It isn't so much that I object to these students wanting the opportunity to have an IB diploma, but I question whether an IB program is appropriate at a community based school.

The presentation on AP v. IB at South Lakes this past week was eye-opening -- the express purpose of IB is not to provide college level content but rather, promote a peaceful world through multiculturalism. These themes run throughout the curriculum.

It is not the place of the government to promote and force parents and students to embrace multiculturalism in the schools. It is not the role of government to force any "ism" whatsoever on anyone.

For those who chose multiculturalism for their children, where is the choice for a traditional program here in FCPS? A high school focused on the classics, Latin and Greek, US History taught (as opposed to History of the Americas). The reality is that the current School Board will never give you the same choice because of their own ideological biases.

Brings to mind the famous statment Liz Bradsher made during the redistricting -- apparently, Fairfax County Schools and School Board can serve up any ole gruel they want and force feed it to us, and we're supposed to be grateful for it. And besides, everybody -- just remember -- multiculturalism is good for us, so let's appreciate the School Board letting us all know what is good for us!





Transfer Data Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Interesting data from the last FCPS Work Session:
>
> 86 rising 9th graders redistricted to South Lakes
> from other school requested transfers to other
> schools.
>
> A total of 102 students pupil placed OUT of South
> Lakes HS. Breakdown as follows:
>
> 12 to Herndon
> 5 to Langley
> 29 to Madison
> 1 to Marshal
> 2 to McLean
> 52 to Oakton
> 1 to Westfield
>
> What is odd is that 31 students pupil placed INTO
> South Lakes from Herndon.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: WesrfieldMom ()
Date: October 16, 2008 10:14PM

What is really odd is the 1 placement to Westfield, unless they are counting only AP placements. I know more than one 9th grader who placed out of South Lakes to Westfield. I heard that they were making kids from Floris are go to Herndon for AP even though there are Westfield buses stopping in their neighborhoods for the next three years.

Is info from this work session posted on the FCPS website?


Transfer Data Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Interesting data from the last FCPS Work Session:
>
> 86 rising 9th graders redistricted to South Lakes
> from other school requested transfers to other
> schools.
>
> A total of 102 students pupil placed OUT of South
> Lakes HS. Breakdown as follows:
>
> 12 to Herndon
> 5 to Langley
> 29 to Madison
> 1 to Marshal
> 2 to McLean
> 52 to Oakton
> 1 to Westfield
>
> What is odd is that 31 students pupil placed INTO
> South Lakes from Herndon.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: ALL of Madison Island ()
Date: October 17, 2008 01:02AM

Transfer Data Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Interesting data from the last FCPS Work Session:
>
> 86 rising 9th graders redistricted to South Lakes
> from other school requested transfers to other
> schools.
>
> A total of 102 students pupil placed OUT of South
> Lakes HS. Breakdown as follows:
>
> 12 to Herndon
> 5 to Langley
> 29 to Madison
> 1 to Marshal
> 2 to McLean
> 52 to Oakton
> 1 to Westfield
>
> What is odd is that 31 students pupil placed INTO
> South Lakes from Herndon.

Has escaped South Lakes! Just as they said they would. Looks like a majority of Oakton got out too.

How odd that there are 31 parents in Herndon stupid enough to send their child to a school with an agenda not of education for their child's future, but the goal of world peace. Weirdos.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: the less obvious one ()
Date: October 17, 2008 01:10AM

Ouch-struck a nerve Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I guess the post from the FCCPTA website struck a
> nerve with the South Lakes PTA-I mean PTA Truth.
>
> While I agree that the FCCPTA is a joke and has
> virtually no influence or power within the FCPS
> politboro, I do think that PTAs should remain
> neutral.

Yes, except that many of our School Boards came from the FCCPTA board.

> PTA Truth did herself or SLHS no favors by
> hijacking parents/kids from neighboring schools.
> It just made them look desperate.

Yes, she is rather obvious, isn't she?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Why? ()
Date: October 17, 2008 09:15AM

Why is there only 1 placed to Westfield based on AP, while 52 get back to Oakton?

Transfer Data Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Interesting data from the last FCPS Work Session:
>
> 86 rising 9th graders redistricted to South Lakes
> from other school requested transfers to other
> schools.
>
> A total of 102 students pupil placed OUT of South
> Lakes HS. Breakdown as follows:
>
> 12 to Herndon
> 5 to Langley
> 29 to Madison
> 1 to Marshal
> 2 to McLean
> 52 to Oakton
> 1 to Westfield
>
> What is odd is that 31 students pupil placed INTO
> South Lakes from Herndon.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Huh? ()
Date: October 17, 2008 10:09AM

Why? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why is there only 1 placed to Westfield based on
> AP, while 52 get back to Oakton?
>
> Transfer Data Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Interesting data from the last FCPS Work
> Session:
> >
> > 86 rising 9th graders redistricted to South
> Lakes
> > from other school requested transfers to other
> > schools.
> >
> > A total of 102 students pupil placed OUT of
> South
> > Lakes HS. Breakdown as follows:
> >
> > 12 to Herndon
> > 5 to Langley
> > 29 to Madison
> > 1 to Marshal
> > 2 to McLean
> > 52 to Oakton
> > 1 to Westfield
> >
> > What is odd is that 31 students pupil placed
> INTO
> > South Lakes from Herndon.


Probably the Westfields pupil placement has a parent at the school or at a feeder school. There are limited ways to successfully pupil place--especially if it's from one AP school to another. Also, there may be a class offered at Westfields that is not offered at Oakton that the student was eligible to take.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Fanny ()
Date: October 17, 2008 10:23AM

Huh? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why? Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why is there only 1 placed to Westfield based
> on
> > AP, while 52 get back to Oakton?
> >
> > Transfer Data Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Interesting data from the last FCPS Work
> > Session:
> > >
> > > 86 rising 9th graders redistricted to South
> > Lakes
> > > from other school requested transfers to
> other
> > > schools.
> > >
> > > A total of 102 students pupil placed OUT of
> > South
> > > Lakes HS. Breakdown as follows:
> > >
> > > 12 to Herndon
> > > 5 to Langley
> > > 29 to Madison
> > > 1 to Marshal
> > > 2 to McLean
> > > 52 to Oakton
> > > 1 to Westfield
> > >
> > > What is odd is that 31 students pupil placed
> > INTO
> > > South Lakes from Herndon.
>
>
> Probably the Westfields pupil placement has a
> parent at the school or at a feeder school. There
> are limited ways to successfully pupil
> place--especially if it's from one AP school to
> another. Also, there may be a class offered at
> Westfields that is not offered at Oakton that the
> student was eligible to take.


There are actually a number of redistricted students who could have pupil placed to Westfield because of siblings, but they must have chosen not to do this. The large total back to Oakton are the pissed-off Fox Mill parents.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: WHSpadre ()
Date: October 17, 2008 10:27AM

To HUH? who really is..

It is WESTFIELD not WESTFIELDS!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: SBS ()
Date: October 17, 2008 10:50AM

Fanny Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> There are actually a number of redistricted
> students who could have pupil placed to Westfield
> because of siblings, but they must have chosen not
> to do this. The large total back to Oakton are the
> pissed-off Fox Mill parents.

While I agree that a large chunk of the Oakton group are from "pissed off" Fox Mill households, there is no community more pissed than Floris. They have consistently been screwed by the barrage of recent redistrictings.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: SBS ()
Date: October 17, 2008 10:54AM

Fanny Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> There are actually a number of redistricted
> students who could have pupil placed to Westfield
> because of siblings, but they must have chosen not
> to do this. The large total back to Oakton are the
> pissed-off Fox Mill parents.

Also, the ENTIRE Fox Mill area got moved to SL. Only a portion of Floris was moved. The rest are still going to Westfield. That would explain part of the difference in the numbers.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Rilla ()
Date: October 17, 2008 10:56AM

Fanny Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Huh? Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why? Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Why is there only 1 placed to Westfield based
> > on
> > > AP, while 52 get back to Oakton?
> > >
> > > Transfer Data Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Interesting data from the last FCPS Work
> > > Session:
> > > >
> > > > 86 rising 9th graders redistricted to South
> > > Lakes
> > > > from other school requested transfers to
> > other
> > > > schools.
> > > >
> > > > A total of 102 students pupil placed OUT of
> > > South
> > > > Lakes HS. Breakdown as follows:
> > > >
> > > > 12 to Herndon
> > > > 5 to Langley
> > > > 29 to Madison
> > > > 1 to Marshal
> > > > 2 to McLean
> > > > 52 to Oakton
> > > > 1 to Westfield
> > > >
> > > > What is odd is that 31 students pupil
> placed
> > > INTO
> > > > South Lakes from Herndon.
> >
> >
> > Probably the Westfields pupil placement has a
> > parent at the school or at a feeder school.
> There
> > are limited ways to successfully pupil
> > place--especially if it's from one AP school to
> > another. Also, there may be a class offered at
> > Westfields that is not offered at Oakton that
> the
> > student was eligible to take.
>
>
> There are actually a number of redistricted
> students who could have pupil placed to Westfield
> because of siblings, but they must have chosen not
> to do this. The large total back to Oakton are the
> pissed-off Fox Mill parents.

Have anyone noticed the SLHS sports schedule that the their JV and Varsity football teams aren't playing against Westfield, Chantilly or Oakton this year? Is it because of the redistricting? I don't know if they have competed with each other last year or previous years.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: SBS ()
Date: October 17, 2008 11:08AM

Rilla Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Have anyone noticed the SLHS sports schedule that
> the their JV and Varsity football teams aren't
> playing against Westfield, Chantilly or Oakton
> this year? Is it because of the redistricting? I
> don't know if they have competed with each other
> last year or previous years.

Those 3 schools are not on SL's normal sports scheduling. SL is division 5, while the other (larger) schools are division 6.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Westfield Mom ()
Date: October 17, 2008 11:38AM

There is something seriously off in the numbers. I personally know more than one Floris kid who is pupil placed into Westfield. Where are these numbers from? Are they AP placements only or do they include sibling placements?





SBS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fanny Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > There are actually a number of redistricted
> > students who could have pupil placed to
> Westfield
> > because of siblings, but they must have chosen
> not
> > to do this. The large total back to Oakton are
> the
> > pissed-off Fox Mill parents.
>
> Also, the ENTIRE Fox Mill area got moved to SL.
> Only a portion of Floris was moved. The rest are
> still going to Westfield. That would explain part
> of the difference in the numbers.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Saspa ()
Date: October 17, 2008 11:47AM

SBS Wrote:

>
> Those 3 schools are not on SL's normal sports
> scheduling. SL is division 5, while the other
> (larger) schools are division 6.


One wonders why Stone Bridge remains in Division 5. Guess they fear going against real competition in Div. 6. Clearly they don't belong in 5. Div. 5 schools should protest.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: SBS ()
Date: October 17, 2008 12:06PM

Saspa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> One wonders why Stone Bridge remains in Division
> 5. Guess they fear going against real competition
> in Div. 6. Clearly they don't belong in 5. Div. 5
> schools should protest.

I believe division is based on size. By that criteria, Stone Bridge belongs in Division 5, along with Fairfax, Langley, and Madison, which are all bigger than Stone Bridge.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Mimi ()
Date: October 17, 2008 12:09PM

Yes, I can confirm that the pupil-placement numbers for Westfield cannot reflect the total number that placed out of SLHS. I know of multiple students that are going to Westfield who were redistricted. Mine was pupil-placed for sibling reasons, so maybe they are not reporting placements for non-AP reasons. What I heard is that parents were not allowed to pupil place to Westfield from SLHS for AP reasons, they were forced to place into Herndon.

Furthermore, to me the most important numbers are how many redistricted students are currently enrolled at SLHS. I also know of many more families that moved over the summer or are going to Catholic or private schools, mostly PVI solely for the purpose of avoiding the RD. So how many students does SLHS have in it's freshman class? Did the redistricting accomplish what they had hoped and was it worth it for this year?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: data analysis ()
Date: October 17, 2008 12:10PM

Of the 102 who placed OUT of South Lakes, 76 listed AP as the reason. the other 26 listed curriculum.


Here are the new breakdowns by ethnicity:


2007-08 2008-09

Asian 11.70% 11.10%
Black 20.78% 19.20%
Hispanic 17.04% 17.50%
White 44.11% 45.40%

No disclosure on the report about percentage of FRM, which is somewhat off since reducing the poverty rate seemed to be the primary goal.

Out of the current 9th grade class that was redistricted to South Lakes, 86 students requested pupil placement to other schools.

Here is what is sad. Those who have the economic means, took advantage of the placement and put their kids in better schools. Once again, our risk risk students get the short end of the stick.

Things are not great for minorities at this school. One Black student and 1 Hispanic student earned the full IB diploma last year.

Great job School Board!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Thomas More ()
Date: October 17, 2008 04:33PM

Rilla Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>> Have anyone noticed the SLHS sports schedule that the their JV and Varsity football teams aren't playing against Westfield, Chantilly or Oakton this year? Is it because of the redistricting? I don't know if they have competed with each other last year or previous years.<<

There are 4 athletic districts among Northern VA high schools. The Patriot and Concorde districts have mostly the larger, Division 6, schools. Liberty and National have mostly the smaller D-5 schools, though there are exceptions.

SL is a D-5 school and member of the Liberty District along with: Langley, McLean, Madison, TJ, Marshall, Woodson, and Stone Bridge. They play each other once in football.

The Northern Region director then makes match ups between high schools based on the requests of the coaches. The SL football coach always requests Herndon and vice versa. So SL plays Herndon every year, even though SL's football record against Herndon is something like 3-22. The SL football players are sacrificed to get the revenue from the bigger gate. The SL/Herndon game has recently been early in the season and invariably a key member of the smaller SL squad is injured and misses most, if not all, of the rest of the season but the money is more important.

Because Herndon is a D-6 school, SL has been fairly successful over the last few years in getting one of the other 2 games to be played against Falls Church, a D-5 school in the National District.

The other SL game is randomly rotated among the other D5 and D6 schools in an effort to balance out the schedules of all the 26(?) high schools in the Northern Region.

The schools you inquired about are all D-6 and in the Concorde District which each have an enrollment of 1000 or more students than SL.

When SL's enrollment was bigger it was in the Concorde District, though it was the smallest, or second smallest, school in that district.

Bruce has made it clear that he hopes to rejoin Concorde once the redistricting is fully implemented because the schools in that district are closer and transportation will be less time consuming.

Of course, since those schools still project to be 500 kids or more larger than SL, if that change is implemented, SL athletes can expect to have little success in the Concorde District in many, if any, sports.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Thomas More ()
Date: October 17, 2008 04:39PM

Saspa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>> One wonders why Stone Bridge remains in Division 5. Guess they fear going against real competition in Div. 6. Clearly they don't belong in 5. Div. 5 schools should protest.<<

Next year (or the year after) Stone Bridge moves into a new district made up of all Loudoun based schools and Fairfax, a D-6 school with a record of futility in most sports, returns to Liberty District.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: SBH ()
Date: October 17, 2008 04:51PM

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Saspa Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >> One wonders why Stone Bridge remains in
> Division 5. Guess they fear going against real
> competition in Div. 6. Clearly they don't belong
> in 5. Div. 5 schools should protest.<<
>
> Next year (or the year after) Stone Bridge moves
> into a new district made up of all Loudoun based
> schools and Fairfax, a D-6 school with a record of
> futility in most sports, returns to Liberty
> District.


Don't think that is correct. Think Stone Bridge stays in Liberty.

http://www.vhsl.org/08septhighlights.doc

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Thomas More ()
Date: October 17, 2008 05:42PM

SBH Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Don't think that is correct. Think Stone Bridge stays in Liberty.
>
> http://www.vhsl.org/08septhighlights.doc

So now Woodson goes back to Patriot District. Fairfax leaves Concorde for Liberty and Stone Bridge stays. Curious why Stone Bridge wants to keep the long drives to TJ and Langley and to avoid playing the other Loudoun schools as originally planned last fall?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: sl ()
Date: October 17, 2008 06:48PM

Thomas More,

South Lakes doesn't play Herndon every year to just fill the house. Its the tradition of the rivalry that is just as important to the players as the fans. South Lakes would rather play Herndon and lose (in football...not in bball and other sports) than not play them at all.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Mozart ()
Date: October 17, 2008 09:15PM

ALL of Madison Island Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Transfer Data Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Interesting data from the last FCPS Work
> Session:
> >
> > 86 rising 9th graders redistricted to South
> Lakes
> > from other school requested transfers to other
> > schools.
> >
> > A total of 102 students pupil placed OUT of
> South
> > Lakes HS. Breakdown as follows:
> >
> > 12 to Herndon
> > 5 to Langley
> > 29 to Madison
> > 1 to Marshal
> > 2 to McLean
> > 52 to Oakton
> > 1 to Westfield
> >
> > What is odd is that 31 students pupil placed
> INTO
> > South Lakes from Herndon.
>
> Has escaped South Lakes! Just as they said they
> would. Looks like a majority of Oakton got out
> too.
>
> How odd that there are 31 parents in Herndon
> stupid enough to send their child to a school with
> an agenda not of education for their child's
> future, but the goal of world peace. Weirdos.

Now that virtually all the upper-crusties in Madison Island "escaped" South Lakes, perhaps they can now devote their energies to turning around Madison's fading academic performance (declining SATs three years in a row - yes, still higher than South Lakes, but now lower than McLean, Marshall AND Oakton).

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: really? ()
Date: October 17, 2008 10:08PM

Spock Wrote:
It is not the
> role of government to force any "ism" whatsoever
> on anyone.
>
>
What about capitalism??

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Our system taught ()
Date: October 18, 2008 03:07AM

really? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Spock Wrote:
> It is not the
> > role of government to force any "ism"
> whatsoever
> > on anyone.
> >
> >
> What about capitalism??

Our own system taught in public schools? Yes, such a course would be an excellent idea. Most students are clueless about how capitalism works and why it works. But an entire curriculum based on capitalism? That might be a bit much, just as an entire curriculum based on world peace through multi culturalism is a bit much. However, if some parents want the world peace curriculum, that should be a choice, but not a curriculum that is forced on an entire community. Why can't parents have a choice of a classic, liberal arts, curriculum? Wouldn't it be nice to have a place in FCPS for students who want a classical education? Why are the "choices" in FCPS always made by staff, and not the community?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Bob ()
Date: October 18, 2008 03:43AM

Wow. 360 pages for this discussion.

Talk about misdirected energy. Such a heated debate about such a stupid subject as redistricting.

You people are either unwilling to give your children a proper education in a private school, or too deluded into believing that they'll get it in any public school.

If you care this much, find a good private school.

Of all my friends from 20 years ago, the only ones who own their own homes, have happy families and make good livings, went to either a catholic school, a charter school or a secular private school of some sort. Even the ones who didn't graduate from college, or never even went to college are still making close to or well above 6 figure salaries, and most have vacation homes and can travel and do the things they like to do.

Pay off your credit card debt, pay down your home equity loans, and then shut up about the public school system and send your kids to a good school.

I know, FFX County schools are the top in the nation, but if you're bitching about your kid being redistricted into a "bad" school, shut the fuck up and put your money where your mouth is. Otherwise, stop whining, because you only admit that you are helpless and incapable of controlling your own (and your kid's) destiny. Don't be a loser. Stop bitching and do something about it.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: really ()
Date: October 18, 2008 08:16AM

Our system taught Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> really? Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Spock Wrote:
> > It is not the
> > > role of government to force any "ism"
> > whatsoever
> > > on anyone.
> > >
> > >
> > What about capitalism??
>
> Our own system taught in public schools? Yes,
> such a course would be an excellent idea. Most
> students are clueless about how capitalism works
> and why it works. But an entire curriculum based
> on capitalism? That might be a bit much, just as
> an entire curriculum based on world peace through
> multi culturalism is a bit much. However, if some
> parents want the world peace curriculum, that
> should be a choice, but not a curriculum that is
> forced on an entire community. Why can't parents
> have a choice of a classic, liberal arts,
> curriculum? Wouldn't it be nice to have a place
> in FCPS for students who want a classical
> education? Why are the "choices" in FCPS always
> made by staff, and not the community?


IB is actually a liberal arts curriculum, and is why many folks dislkie it..not enough emphasis for them on math/science and too much, in their view on humanities. The issue of being "well rounded" with needing to take IB courses in 6 areas versus just focusing on courses of your choice in AP is what riles people. Liberal arts curriculum is the well rounded view as well, so I think whatever you were trying to say with that comment is clouded.

School curriculum in all districts, not just FCPS, is made by staff and state and local governments (following some federal guidelines).

If you truly feel world peace is what the curriculum is entirely based on..that it is infused in every subject in IB, then you should also be able to see how our educational system as a whole infuses capitalism at its core. We educate to ensure students become marketable employees, do we not? Don't all of the business groups bemoan when kids aren't ready for the workforce? Don't we say the more educated you are the more money you can potentially make??

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: UpandDown ()
Date: October 18, 2008 11:09AM

Bob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow. 360 pages for this discussion.
>
> Talk about misdirected energy. Such a heated
> debate about such a stupid subject as
> redistricting.
>
> You people are either unwilling to give your
> children a proper education in a private school,
> or too deluded into believing that they'll get it
> in any public school.
>
> If you care this much, find a good private
> school.
>
> Of all my friends from 20 years ago, the only ones
> who own their own homes, have happy families and
> make good livings, went to either a catholic
> school, a charter school or a secular private
> school of some sort. Even the ones who didn't
> graduate from college, or never even went to
> college are still making close to or well above 6
> figure salaries, and most have vacation homes and
> can travel and do the things they like to do.
>
> Pay off your credit card debt, pay down your home
> equity loans, and then shut up about the public
> school system and send your kids to a good
> school.
>
> I know, FFX County schools are the top in the
> nation, but if you're bitching about your kid
> being redistricted into a "bad" school, shut the
> fuck up and put your money where your mouth is.
> Otherwise, stop whining, because you only admit
> that you are helpless and incapable of controlling
> your own (and your kid's) destiny. Don't be a
> loser. Stop bitching and do something about it.

Thanks, Bob. Not go back to the ocean.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: SBS ()
Date: October 18, 2008 11:56AM

Bob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow. 360 pages for this discussion.
>
> Talk about misdirected energy. Such a heated
> debate about such a stupid subject as
> redistricting.
>
> You people are either unwilling to give your
> children a proper education in a private school,
> or too deluded into believing that they'll get it
> in any public school.
>
> If you care this much, find a good private
> school.
>
> Of all my friends from 20 years ago, the only ones
> who own their own homes, have happy families and
> make good livings, went to either a catholic
> school, a charter school or a secular private
> school of some sort. Even the ones who didn't
> graduate from college, or never even went to
> college are still making close to or well above 6
> figure salaries, and most have vacation homes and
> can travel and do the things they like to do.
>
> Pay off your credit card debt, pay down your home
> equity loans, and then shut up about the public
> school system and send your kids to a good
> school.
>
> I know, FFX County schools are the top in the
> nation, but if you're bitching about your kid
> being redistricted into a "bad" school, shut the
> fuck up and put your money where your mouth is.
> Otherwise, stop whining, because you only admit
> that you are helpless and incapable of controlling
> your own (and your kid's) destiny. Don't be a
> loser. Stop bitching and do something about it.

You are SO full of it. Of the thousands in this country who match your description of one who is financially successful, the vast majority went to, dare I say it, PUBLIC school.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Maggie ()
Date: October 18, 2008 01:04PM

Mozart Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Now that virtually all the upper-crusties in
> Madison Island "escaped" South Lakes, perhaps they
> can now devote their energies to turning around
> Madison's fading academic performance (declining
> SATs three years in a row - yes, still higher than
> South Lakes, but now lower than McLean, Marshall
> AND Oakton).

You may be on to something - I have two friends who recently moved to the area. One moved into a (safe) Oakton neighborhood, and the other moved into the Marshall district because she thought the IB program would be great for her daughter. Neither wanted Madison - they had heard too many accounts of students and parents who just do not have a good experience there.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Sorry, Stu ()
Date: October 18, 2008 01:52PM

Maggie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mozart Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > Now that virtually all the upper-crusties in
> > Madison Island "escaped" South Lakes, perhaps
> they
> > can now devote their energies to turning around
> > Madison's fading academic performance
> (declining
> > SATs three years in a row - yes, still higher
> than
> > South Lakes, but now lower than McLean,
> Marshall
> > AND Oakton).
>
> You may be on to something - I have two friends
> who recently moved to the area. One moved into a
> (safe) Oakton neighborhood, and the other moved
> into the Marshall district because she thought the
> IB program would be great for her daughter.
> Neither wanted Madison - they had heard too many
> accounts of students and parents who just do not
> have a good experience there.

Nice try, Stu, but the numbers tell the tale. We and the other 30 plus families who pupil placed will take our chances at Madison, declining SATs or not, over South Lakes.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Gibson ()
Date: October 19, 2008 06:20AM

"Nice try, Stu, but the numbers tell the tale. We and the other 30 plus families who pupil placed will take our chances at Madison, declining SATs or not, over South Lakes".

Once again the corrupt Gibsons fails. SL is a failure because of him and the SB does not know how to fix it.

Recall this bum.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: quantum ()
Date: October 19, 2008 01:56PM

Bob - your thoughts are troubling to me. We all have an interest in making public schools work; and in fact, many places they do. It is unfortunate that we have a system of government that apportions school governance in such an expansive way. The schools in Fairfax would be much better if there were 12 or 13 school districts - all competing with each other as they do in the suburbs of Chicago, New York and Philly. Lots of good high schools abound there, as opposed to 6 or 7 out of 23 that really perform well here. In fact, the worst performing schools systems throughout the nation are the large ones; to an extent Fairfax and Montgomery are anomalies because they do reasonably well, but when compared to the performance of literally 40-50 school districts in the Chicago suburban area, for example, they don't do well at all. Of course, a large school system makes parents feel powerless, so if your point is that parents should recognize they are powerless in all events here and just move on, I could see it, although it is painful to come to grips with it and difficult for me to be so fatalistic. I think of my own school district back home in the Midwest - two high schools in the district - average income less than Reston (it was not New Trier by any means), a crummy 50 year old and small (but paid for) admin building near a football field, and yet with average ACT scores at almost 26 with virtually every single student taking them. Any real problem with the schools, if not satisfied by the principal or superintendent personally, could be brought before the school board with a phone call in advance. Teachers were non-union, but paid better than union shops in the big cities and they liked to teach there, especially since academics, rather than various forms of social programming, was foremost. They actually earned tenure after a period - limiting their grounds for firing - and to do so they had to earn a graduate degree (paid for) and demonstrate teaching excellence. You can bet they were responsive (if clearly not perfect). This reference aggravates many -- especially those in the education business here - but there are good public schools that work. No private school in my area could have prepared as well for the schools I attended. And I could say the same thing only about 6 or 7 schools in FCPS - the luck of the draw, so to speak, makes parents unhappy.

I don't understand the marketing message from the IB program as making "citizens of the world." The IB program has its roots in Europe, and particularly continental Europe, where it was developed to prepare students for the incredibly elite "grand ecoles". Graduates of the grand ecoles are not citizens of the world, but incredibly elite intellectuals, who unfortunately in my experience in global business terrifically distrust the romantic notion that people can prosper and get ahead irrespective of their academic credentials. I can't think of a group with a less egalitarian worldview, or one that supports ability tracking more stridently. Heck, I get accused here of being an elitist, but in my general dealings with this crew they perceive me as a crudely educated American. Now, the IB program is an excellent and rigorous program, but it is clearly not for everyone (in fact, it is an elite program, and that is why it attracts high performing students to schools of lesser reputation). And its principal benefit is not in making citizens of the world, but in creating highly trained liberal arts graduates. There is a place in the schools for these kinds of people, and think it great that FCPS fills the void, but it is a far cry from both the ethic and training that is ideally helpful for those of a technical bent at any number of this country's great land grant universities (Va Tech among them), which have managed collectively to combine a degree of intellectual rigor and practical curricula and application to make our university system the envy of the world, bar none. If I were marketing IB - I would call it for what it is - an elite, rigorous program that is helpful to some, but only some - of the population. And I don't see how conflating that notion with a citizen of the world theme helps - especially since to some it implies a weakness in America's bread and butter approach to education - a system that, despite continuing emotions of anti-Americanism, simply has no equal around the globe.

Please don't take this as a criticism of the IB program. For the right students, it is a great program. But it is not a one size fits all deal - far from it. And don't take this as a rehash of AP vs. IB - this is just in curious response to a rather strange marketing message, and one that I do not think is accurate.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: comeon ()
Date: October 19, 2008 02:42PM

Gibson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Nice try, Stu, but the numbers tell the tale. We
> and the other 30 plus families who pupil placed
> will take our chances at Madison, declining SATs
> or not, over South Lakes".
>
> Once again the corrupt Gibsons fails. SL is a
> failure because of him and the SB does not know
> how to fix it.
>
> Recall this bum.


How do the "numbers tell the tale"... The freshman class at South Lakes increased by almost 50% this year (400ish to 600ish) despite the pupil placements. The "tale" won't be told until 2012 but right now its trending in a good direction for SL.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Sorry, Stu ()
Date: October 19, 2008 06:21PM

comeon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Gibson Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > "Nice try, Stu, but the numbers tell the tale.
> We
> > and the other 30 plus families who pupil placed
> > will take our chances at Madison, declining
> SATs
> > or not, over South Lakes".
> >
> > Once again the corrupt Gibsons fails. SL is a
> > failure because of him and the SB does not know
> > how to fix it.
> >
> > Recall this bum.
>
>
> How do the "numbers tell the tale"... The freshman
> class at South Lakes increased by almost 50% this
> year (400ish to 600ish) despite the pupil
> placements. The "tale" won't be told until 2012
> but right now its trending in a good direction for
> SL.

The Madison Island students overwhelmingly pupil placed to Madison. I expect the increase came from FM/Floris.

The "tale" remains a sorry one - Gibson engaged in an "educational cleansing" to promote his own narrow agenda focused entirely on South Lakes. So what if the SL numbers increase by 2012. No one trusts the Board and the Board itself has no energy to do anything other than push for Gatehouse Two.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: He's failed at Madison too ()
Date: October 19, 2008 08:42PM

Gibson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Nice try, Stu, but the numbers tell the tale. We
> and the other 30 plus families who pupil placed
> will take our chances at Madison, declining SATs
> or not, over South Lakes".
>
> Once again the corrupt Gibsons fails. SL is a
> failure because of him and the SB does not know
> how to fix it.

> Recall this bum.

Now Madison scores have begun a decline, for the last three years. Why? Because their school board representative focuses only his other high school, South Lakes? Because he loves Reston and hates the people in Vienna? So it would appear.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: WestfieldDad ()
Date: October 19, 2008 09:47PM

comeon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
>
> How do the "numbers tell the tale"... The freshman
> class at South Lakes increased by almost 50% this
> year (400ish to 600ish) despite the pupil
> placements. The "tale" won't be told until 2012
> but right now its trending in a good direction for
> SL.


One of the Anti's RD arguments was there were a lot of missing kids in the SL pyramid - kids who simply weren't showing up after elementary school at LH/SL. If the missing kids showed up, there were plenty to fill SL, so no need to redistrict. Fix SL and the numbers would take care of themselves.

Given the current numbers, looks like a number of the missing kids have shown up this year. So, let's project out a couple years - At 600ish, SL will have 2400. Much more than SL capacity. Even with dropouts, SL will be at capacity. What happens if the 100 pupil placements per year actually show up?

As the Anti's said, given that Westfield was at capacity, but projected to significantly decline, there was no justification for moving the Floris kids. So, do my kids get to/have to go back to Westfield?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Bob ()
Date: October 19, 2008 10:09PM

SBS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> You are SO full of it. Of the thousands in this
> country who match your description of one who is
> financially successful, the vast majority went to,
> dare I say it, PUBLIC school.

I never said that going to public school would prevent someone from being successful. I agree that going to the right public school is an important determinant to being successful.

What I'm saying is that instead of being at the mercy of the school board and other bureaucrats, send your kids to a school that you choose, and guarantee their success.

Public schools ceate an institutional mentality in the vast majority of students. Only the best and the brightest benefit enough to go to the best name schools and on to the top paying career paths. At most private schools, even the average go on to exceptional futures.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: OffTopic ()
Date: October 20, 2008 12:22AM

You made a good point, parent should be able to send their kids to the school that they choose. Isn't this McCain trying to do? But you seems a die hard Obama supporter.


Bob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SBS Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > You are SO full of it. Of the thousands in
> this
> > country who match your description of one who
> is
> > financially successful, the vast majority went
> to,
> > dare I say it, PUBLIC school.
>
> I never said that going to public school would
> prevent someone from being successful. I agree
> that going to the right public school is an
> important determinant to being successful.
>
> What I'm saying is that instead of being at the
> mercy of the school board and other bureaucrats,
> send your kids to a school that you choose, and
> guarantee their success.
>
> Public schools ceate an institutional mentality in
> the vast majority of students. Only the best and
> the brightest benefit enough to go to the best
> name schools and on to the top paying career
> paths. At most private schools, even the average
> go on to exceptional futures.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Bob ()
Date: October 20, 2008 12:36AM

OffTopic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You made a good point, parent should be able to
> send their kids to the school that they choose.
> Isn't this McCain trying to do? But you seems a
> die hard Obama supporter.
>

I'm not an Obama supporter.

I realize that I might say things that you don't agree with, and being a McCain supporter, you only understand a narrow way of thinking, so therefore I must be an Obama supporter.

I mean, yea, I'll support Obama over McCain, only because he abandoned his original conservative positions to align himself with the neoconservatives.

If this was 2000, and it was Obama vs. McCain 2000, I would vote for McCain.

Unfortunately, this is 2008, and McCain folded and then bought into the neoconservative agenda.

That I cannot vote for.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: socceruy315 ()
Date: October 20, 2008 02:28AM

as I have posted before... what is with the AP math complaints on here? When I graduated from SL, there was 1 kid who took HL Math (BC Calc) junior year, and was left to fend for himself senior year. He took 2 semesters of math over the TV. I suppose you would be happy to know that he published his undergrad thesis and is attending the top graduate school for his sub-field of engineering. I suppose you would rather South Lakes hire a teacher to teach that one kid though, huh?

Also, a lot of kids (about half) who took Math Methods II (AB Calc) their junior year took a lower math their senior year, instead of continuing to higher math, b/c the other IB classes are stressful enough. Let me know when your AP kid takes 13 AP classes.

I believe the freshmen class at SL is 525-550...

and as far as I can tell, from the one activity I am involved in there, the non-hughes freshmen are enjoying their time.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Bob ()
Date: October 20, 2008 02:37AM

socceruy315 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> as I have posted before... what is with the AP
> math complaints on here? When I graduated from
> SL, there was 1 kid who took HL Math (BC Calc)
> junior year, and was left to fend for himself
> senior year. He took 2 semesters of math over the
> TV. I suppose you would be happy to know that he
> published his undergrad thesis and is attending
> the top graduate school for his sub-field of
> engineering. I suppose you would rather South
> Lakes hire a teacher to teach that one kid though,
> huh?
>
> Also, a lot of kids (about half) who took Math
> Methods II (AB Calc) their junior year took a
> lower math their senior year, instead of
> continuing to higher math, b/c the other IB
> classes are stressful enough. Let me know when
> your AP kid takes 13 AP classes.
>
> I believe the freshmen class at SL is 525-550...
>
> and as far as I can tell, from the one activity I
> am involved in there, the non-hughes freshmen are
> enjoying their time.


Leave these comments to your parents.

I cant decipher your comment, and most of it sounds like drunken half-truths.

as you say: "what is with the AP math complaints on here? When I graduated from SL, there was 1 kid"

Huh?

Why are the "non-hughes freshmen" enjoying their time?

I didn't go through indoctrination, because I went to a catholic school. Enlighten me.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Boborann ()
Date: October 20, 2008 10:16AM

Bob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> socceruy315 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > as I have posted before... what is with the AP
> > math complaints on here? When I graduated from
> > SL, there was 1 kid who took HL Math (BC Calc)
> > junior year, and was left to fend for himself
> > senior year. He took 2 semesters of math over
> the
> > TV. I suppose you would be happy to know that
> he
> > published his undergrad thesis and is attending
> > the top graduate school for his sub-field of
> > engineering. I suppose you would rather South
> > Lakes hire a teacher to teach that one kid
> though,
> > huh?
> >
> > Also, a lot of kids (about half) who took Math
> > Methods II (AB Calc) their junior year took a
> > lower math their senior year, instead of
> > continuing to higher math, b/c the other IB
> > classes are stressful enough. Let me know when
> > your AP kid takes 13 AP classes.
> >
> > I believe the freshmen class at SL is
> 525-550...
> >
> > and as far as I can tell, from the one activity
> I
> > am involved in there, the non-hughes freshmen
> are
> > enjoying their time.
>
>
> Leave these comments to your parents.
>
> I cant decipher your comment, and most of it
> sounds like drunken half-truths.
>
> as you say: "what is with the AP math complaints
> on here? When I graduated from SL, there was 1
> kid"
>
> Huh?
>
> Why are the "non-hughes freshmen" enjoying their
> time?
>
> I didn't go through indoctrination, because I went
> to a catholic school. Enlighten me.


Bob, you must be late to the ball. This makes sense to all who have followed the 360 pages of posts on this thread. Clearly you do not know anything about South Lakes or the redistricting, so maybe you need to move on or enlighten yourself, Homer, by going back to page one and reading.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: tubby ()
Date: October 20, 2008 11:20AM

Bob Wrote:

---------------------------------------
>I didn't go through indoctrination, because I went to a catholic school.
> Enlighten me.


Hey Bob, that's the funniest statement I've read in a long time!

Don't get me wrong, I went to Catholic schools for 12 years and got a fine education....but "indoctrination" was the name of the game, and the whole point of it!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: stats critique ()
Date: October 20, 2008 12:02PM

You people looking at pupil placement stats out of SL act like they are all about redistricting. Pupil placement has been going on for years for many different reasons. You would need to compare the previous placement stats to this year's stats to have a true comparison. You would also need to know how many are staff pupil placements, how many are discipline related, how many are curriculum impacted, etc. Your little chart does not tell a complete story so stop trying to make it say what you are hoping for-whatever that is....

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: Thomas More ()
Date: October 20, 2008 12:28PM

sl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>> South Lakes doesn't play Herndon every year to just fill the house. Its the tradition of the rivalry that is just as important to the players as the fans. South Lakes would rather play Herndon and lose (in football...not in bball and other sports) than not play them at all.<<

In order for a rivalry to exist, there must be a fair shot at both rivals winning. Since Herndon has won 22 or 23 of the 26 football encounters, SL v. HHS is not a rivalry. SL is Hernon's football cupcake. I don't know anyone who likes losing 23 out of 26 times.

Other than boy's basketball, in what other sports is SL near .500 versus HHS?

Options: ReplyQuote
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