Thanks. An 'f' in Bird-world is like an 'A' in my world. You've made my day. My mom - I am a product of a single mother, you know, since I live in Reston - will be so proud!

Perhaps there are more than one Westfield Mom. There should be about 3,100 of them, in fact.

Don't leave Neen and HokieFan42 out of the routine, please, when you speak with the principal.

Casual Observer writes
So your students with their proven track record are high-value? And our students are what? What makes you think comparable (socio-economically) students in our district are any different from yours, or that their volunteer parents are any different from you?
__________________________________________________________________________
Why are you so defensive regarding your school, home values and parent volunteers?

Remember, we are not trying to take your kids, parents or for that matter anything at all from South Lakes.
And, we don't want to give you all of the above, either.

If we need to prove matters involving home values...you are simply not worth my time...it will be done in a court of law by our attorneys.

Now...go back to work at your County job and earn your pay...

VaDriver Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > If we need to prove matters involving home
> values...you are simply not worth my time...it
> will be done in a court of law by our attorneys.
>
>

So your suit will be based on home values? What will you try to prove?

VaDriver,

It is not defensive to ask why you have an over-inflated opinion of yourself, your real estate, and your children. We did not initiate the Boundary Study, FCPS did. They did so for several reasons outlined on their website. Of course, we want to take advantage of any opportunity to provide our children with the same services offered to yours. If we didn't you would be contemptuous of us, if you are not already.

Again, you have provided no concrete data regarding realestate values and the impact of redistricting. If all you have is comments from people you've talked to, your argument will not hold much water in a court of law. But go ahead, and good luck with that.

Families are not the only people purchasing property in Fairfax County, despite what you may think. There are many buyers (including families) who give not a whit about the schools. Just ask people in the City of Alexandria if the demographics (40% on Free and Reduced Lunch) at TC Williams, their only public high school, have affected property values? Last time I looked property there is double what it is in our (Western Fairfax) neck of the woods.

Dear Padre,

For you and the other person who was wondering why I wasn't responding to the "horrible remarks" made by Need to the "child" it is because:

1. I was too busy working. Yes, some people have to work for a living. I don't get a free lunch like so many of the South Lakes kids. What're you doing online in the middle of the day?

2. I'm pretty sure "Stephanie" and "JazzyJeff" are just adults pretending to be children. Which is pretty low, and I would say they deserve the most reprimanding out of everyone.

Now back to work! (Do administrators get free lunch at SL too? Perhaps I'll try getting a job there instead).

p.s. glad to see everyone's getting along... Can I join in for the next rendition of "Kumbaya?" Or is that too stereotypical?

Dear Hokie,

Boy,you make a lot of assumptions: Jazzy Jeff and Stephanie aren't students, but are adult poseurs...anyone supporting SL works for the County...SL administrators are lazy...etc. And still no condemnation for Neen's snide remarks to JJeff? You excuse her because he is really an adult disguised as a student? He is indeed a student, as is Stephanie, and they both have every right to post here.

It makes me wonder though...perhaps Emily is ...You!!

BTW, I am self-employed and can work, or not, any time I please.




HokieFan42 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dear Padre,
>
> For you and the other person who was wondering why
> I wasn't responding to the "horrible remarks" made
> by Need to the "child" it is because:
>
> 1. I was too busy working. Yes, some people have
> to work for a living. I don't get a free lunch
> like so many of the South Lakes kids. What're you
> doing online in the middle of the day?
>
> 2. I'm pretty sure "Stephanie" and "JazzyJeff" are
> just adults pretending to be children. Which is
> pretty low, and I would say they deserve the most
> reprimanding out of everyone.
>
> Now back to work! (Do administrators get free
> lunch at SL too? Perhaps I'll try getting a job
> there instead).
>
> p.s. glad to see everyone's getting along... Can I
> join in for the next rendition of "Kumbaya?" Or is
> that too stereotypical?

To: Westfield Mom, real or imagined.

Ok, I'll take the gig...But here's the deal. I get my own dressing room and my name gets top billing. Got it? Oh, and I get to see Jazzy dance first.

Speaking of dancers...here's a clip of Gene Kelly dancing with Fred Astaire. Now, for the kids here, yes, parts of the clip are corny but watch them dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asI_U4CL1lg&mode=related&search=

Oh HokieFan42:

Since I have high regard for and have family ties to VaTech. It pains me -- sorta - to respond to you. But:

1. I didn't wonder (at least not in a post) about why you didn't respond to Neen. I knew you wouldn't. And you still haven't.

2. It's 2:45pm. You posted at 2:21 pm. Define middle of the day.

3. My kids know both Stephanie and JAZZYJeff, who are indeed SLHS students -- normal, smart, peaceful, and courteous....damn good dancers too. They merit no reprimand; only kudos.

4. It's Koombiyah, I believe. My Republican/conservative friends and neighbors, among others, in Reston get weary of trying to dispel the stereotype that we all wear patchouli and sing around the campfire. It interferes with football season.

Now it's back to work to earn that tuition for VaTech......

Casual Observer wrote this to HokieFan,

"HokieFan42, Paging HokieFan42.....

where is your comment scolding the post below?"
_____________________________

Hokie Fan,

Just so you understand what goes on here. Casual Observer is a hired gun. She runs around yelling at everyone. When she made up that 'free bees' post (look back a few pages) she and her aliases, started demanding that we all condemn him.

Today, she used the name 'Westfied Mom' to attack neen

Now, here she is demanding that you criticize neen.


Casual Observer should condemn herself.

I don't care if they post here, I was just suggesting that perhaps another arena would be friendlier and more receptive to their arguments, as most of the people posting here are adults, or adults posing as kids).

Submissive Idiot: Good job putting words in my mouth. What did I say that sounded like "Anyone supporting SL works for the County" or "SL administrators are lazy?" I was referencing the fact that a lot of people get tax-payer funded free lunch at South Lakes, and wondering if that's something the teachers or administrators can get in on.

Speaking of lunch, Padre, I'm on break, which is why I can respond in the 'middle of the day.' I don't see your point with referencing your money going to VT tuition... Congrats? Glad to see that perhaps your South Lakes student graduated from SL and was part of the small minority of students that got into Tech.

Go Hokies.

Thanks Bird, I tried to follow the deluded arguments but it's a little difficult with all of the different names. Perhaps South Lakes posters could come up with graffiti marks for their respective posts so we can distinguish between them? Maybe some hand symbols?

I see a contest coming on... Poster with the best SL graffiti signiture gets a free lunch. No copying or cheating, wouldn't want any knives being drawn or bullets flying. With the kids in here they might get caught in the crossfire.

To Suit,Casual Observer etc,

Regarding oversight of this redistricting mess also known as "The Gibson Plan"

How about we start with the Langley High School addition. From Fairfax County Website.

Rationale as of Dec/2006
New Construction - Langley High School
enrollment currently exceeds capacity by 182
students and is projected to exceed capacity by
148 students in 2011-12. Adjacent high
schools are operating at or above capacity, thus
boundary adjustments to relieve this
overcrowding are not possible.


As of September, 2007 Langley High School reports an enrollment of 2083 students. 233 over capacity.

All you South Lakes Parents...Why don't you go after the school board, your friend and neighbor, Stu Gibson and his boss??

Is this a misuse of taxpayer funds? I think so... at least based on the rationale used. Has construction even started? Maybe its not too late to take those wealthy kids...not that I think anyone's kids should be bused to South Lakes against their will. I'm against busing. But, everything should be on the table.

Just read over this sentence and tell me how it justifies spending 7.1 Million????
"Adjacent high schools are operating at or above capacity, thus
boundary adjustments to relieve this over crowding are not possible."

How are they getting away with this????

Maybe eventually law enforcement will see a fraud/misuse of funds case here...who knows.

As to the affect on property values...you are plain stu pid if you think Stu's home value isn't going up after redistricting.....plain Stu pid. And if you think I'm going to waste my time explaining the real estate market to you...you are really stu pid.

By the way, some of you South Lakes "parents" move in at the same time for an attack on various posters.... makes me think you have experience in gangs...do you?

HokieFan42 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks Bird, I tried to follow the deluded
> arguments but it's a little difficult with all of
> the different names. Perhaps South Lakes posters
> could come up with graffiti marks for their
> respective posts so we can distinguish between
> them? Maybe some hand symbols?
>
> I see a contest coming on... Poster with the best
> SL graffiti signiture gets a free lunch. No
> copying or cheating, wouldn't want any knives
> being drawn or bullets flying. With the kids in
> here they might get caught in the crossfire.


Hokie.

Your size 13 keeps finding its way to your mouth. Making weak jokes about bullets flying and kids caught in the crossfire.....come on. Not funny, anywhere.

Boy, some people posting here need to get out their tinfoil hats. It's black helicopter time. Accusing parents of posting as kids, kids of posting as parents,and accusing some posters of adopting multiple names will not strengthen or validate the posts of anti redistricting folks who continue to disparage people in the South Lakes community.

Ant-redistricting folks do not have some kind of premium on civility, as much as they might like to delude themselves. In the last few posts I was called Submissive Idiot by HokieFan42, VaDriver has called those who disagree with him stu pid, etc.

In reading the posts from SL supporters, I have not seen personal attacks, only attacks on over-the-top things being said.

HokieFan42 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't care if they post here, I was just
> suggesting that perhaps another arena would be
> friendlier and more receptive to their arguments,
> as most of the people posting here are adults, or
> adults posing as kids).
>
> Submissive Idiot: Good job putting words in my
> mouth. What did I say that sounded like "Anyone
> supporting SL works for the County" or "SL
> administrators are lazy?" I was referencing the
> fact that a lot of people get tax-payer funded
> free lunch at South Lakes, and wondering if that's
> something the teachers or administrators can get
> in on.
>
> Speaking of lunch, Padre, I'm on break, which is
> why I can respond in the 'middle of the day.' I
> don't see your point with referencing your money
> going to VT tuition... Congrats? Glad to see that
> perhaps your South Lakes student graduated from SL
> and was part of the small minority of students
> that got into Tech.
>
> Go Hokies.

Ouch. You went and insulted our students again. Not nice, but no surprise.

I think it was 58% of applicants to Tech were excepted last year. That's not too bad for a 'hood school, is it, my bruzzah?

That's one long break, btw. 2:21 to 3:15. Where can I get some of that action?

SLHS Padre Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> HokieFan42 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I don't care if they post here, I was just
> > suggesting that perhaps another arena would be
> > friendlier and more receptive to their
> arguments,
> > as most of the people posting here are adults,
> or
> > adults posing as kids).
> >
> > Submissive Idiot: Good job putting words in my
> > mouth. What did I say that sounded like "Anyone
> > supporting SL works for the County" or "SL
> > administrators are lazy?" I was referencing the
> > fact that a lot of people get tax-payer funded
> > free lunch at South Lakes, and wondering if
> that's
> > something the teachers or administrators can
> get
> > in on.
> >
> > Speaking of lunch, Padre, I'm on break, which
> is
> > why I can respond in the 'middle of the day.' I
> > don't see your point with referencing your
> money
> > going to VT tuition... Congrats? Glad to see
> that
> > perhaps your South Lakes student graduated from
> SL
> > and was part of the small minority of students
> > that got into Tech.
> >
> > Go Hokies.
>
> Ouch. You went and insulted our students again.
> Not nice, but no surprise.
>
> I think it was 58% of applicants to Tech were
> excepted last year. That's not too bad for a
> 'hood school, is it, my bruzzah?
>
> That's one long break, btw. 2:21 to 3:15. Where
> can I get some of that action?



Accepted (not excepted). My error. I must have been thinking about all of our exceptional Seahawk kids.

Way to go Padre, or is it SubmissiveWiiRNot, or Casual Observer? Anyway, you are right about those Hokie Stats, and the stats for admission to other universities from South Lakes were great as well, but that doesn't fit the stereotype, does it?

BTW, HokieFan, talking about bullets flying around children is really tacky considering what happened last year at Tech and a FCPS police station, incidentally at the hands of two graduates from a school involved in this boundary study that is not South Lakes.

VaDriver Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> To Suit,Casual Observer etc,
>
> Regarding oversight of this redistricting mess
> also known as "The Gibson Plan"
>
> How about we start with the Langley High School
> addition. From Fairfax County Website.
>
> Rationale as of Dec/2006
> New Construction - Langley High School
> enrollment currently exceeds capacity by 182
> students and is projected to exceed capacity by
> 148 students in 2011-12. Adjacent high
> schools are operating at or above capacity, thus
> boundary adjustments to relieve this
> overcrowding are not possible.
>
>
> As of September, 2007 Langley High School reports
> an enrollment of 2083 students. 233 over
> capacity.
>
> All you South Lakes Parents...Why don't you go
> after the school board, your friend and neighbor,
> Stu Gibson and his boss??
>
> Is this a misuse of taxpayer funds? I think so...
> at least based on the rationale used. Has
> construction even started? Maybe its not too late
> to take those wealthy kids...not that I think
> anyone's kids should be bused to South Lakes
> against their will. I'm against busing. But,
> everything should be on the table.
>
> Just read over this sentence and tell me how it
> justifies spending 7.1 Million????
> "Adjacent high schools are operating at or above
> capacity, thus
> boundary adjustments to relieve this over crowding
> are not possible."
>
> How are they getting away with this????
>
> Maybe eventually law enforcement will see a
> fraud/misuse of funds case here...who knows.
>
> As to the affect on property values...you are
> plain stu pid if you think Stu's home value isn't
> going up after redistricting.....plain Stu pid.
> And if you think I'm going to waste my time
> explaining the real estate market to you...you are
> really stu pid.
>
> By the way, some of you South Lakes "parents" move
> in at the same time for an attack on various
> posters.... makes me think you have experience in
> gangs...do you?

First off, just to clarify, I am not a SL's parent. I was simply questioning the merits of your suit. I do think it is valid to bring up Langley, as it is odd that they get additons for their overcrowding, and other schools are part of the redstricting plan. I don't think housing values are a valid suit though. Pursue the Langley aspect, but drop the housing issue.

"As of September, 2007 Langley High School reports an enrollment of 2083 students. 233 over capacity. "

As I've mentioned in here before, I went to Langley, and my graduating class was slightly over 500, and the school was slightly over 2000. No one said we were overcrowded then. Did the school do something to reduce capacity over the years since then?

Suit2
Pursue the Langley aspect, but drop the housing issue.
______________________________________________________________________

...point heard. And, this is why, should the need arise, we will take the advice of our attorney.

Passion regarding this redistribution of wealth is quite strong. And, to think, a few elected officials have such enormous power! I'm still wondering what happened to our system of checks and balances....guess we have none.

And my apologies for grouping you with the South Lake agitators in this forum.

"I think it was 58% of applicants to Tech were accepted last year. That's not too bad for a 'hood school, is it, my bruzzah?"

How many applied? I'd assume most people who apply have at least a decent shot at getting in. For the same reasons I didn't apply to Harvard, most student who have no chance at getting into Tech don't apply. I would like to see the breakdown of colleges that were attended by SL students... More on that when I find it. I do know only 70% of SL students from 2006 are attending a 2 or 4 year college...

"That's one long break, btw. 2:21 to 3:15. Where can I get some of that action?"

That isn't even an hour. Assuming I work full time, that's less than the allotted hour lunch period. However I am self-employed and thus make my own hours.

61 pages is enough of this subject;
Attachments:

I don’t see why every single time a SL student tries to post here, the “adults” on the site feel the need to nitpick the grammar and respond with personal attacks. You can’t list reasons you don’t want to attend SL and then refuse to listen to students who try and educate you about what it’s really like. And for the record, Steph and Jeff are both SL students.

HokieFan

RE: Exodus.

I listed everything this name has ever written here. (again, go back a few pages) It has never discussed the redistricting issue. It only posts one or two lines of stupid insults.

I guess that is the true definition of a troll.

Dear Birdlover,

What have you contributed, besides little quips and put-downs of Reston. Would you like me to go back over your posts and do a compilation here? I can't recall that you have contributed in any meaningful way.

THIS JUST IN!!!!

100% of all 3 applicants from SL the last four years were accepted to University of Richmond! Students are asked to flock in an organized and steady manner to South Lakes. Please no pushing or shoving.

Padre, posting misleading statistics shows your character. Post some good stats, if you've got them.

HokieFan42 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "I think it was 58% of applicants to Tech were
> accepted last year. That's not too bad for a 'hood
> school, is it, my bruzzah?"
>
> How many applied? I'd assume most people who apply
> have at least a decent shot at getting in. For the
> same reasons I didn't apply to Harvard, most
> student who have no chance at getting into Tech
> don't apply. I would like to see the breakdown of
> colleges that were attended by SL students... More
> on that when I find it. I do know only 70% of SL
> students from 2006 are attending a 2 or 4 year
> college...

Well, HokieFan42, let's start with UVa. South Lakes had the same number (not percentage) of students admitted to UVa last year as did Langley. Since Langley's 2007 class had approximately 500 students, and South Lakes 2007 class had approximately 330 students, that's a pretty significant achievement. Does that help?

foxmill/carson/oakton parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "As of September, 2007 Langley High School reports
> an enrollment of 2083 students. 233 over capacity.
> "
>
> As I've mentioned in here before, I went to
> Langley, and my graduating class was slightly over
> 500, and the school was slightly over 2000. No one
> said we were overcrowded then. Did the school do
> something to reduce capacity over the years since
> then?
______________________________________________________________________________--

Maybe based on numbers alone...the County knew if it didn't make Langley "look better" prior to redistricting it would be forced into considering Langley in "The Gibson Busing Plan". And, after a few hand shakes and drinks amoung neighbors, they all agreed to an arrangement. All speculative on my part.

By adding the addition, Langley is out of the risk area. Maybe. Again, I don't want Langley or any other school's kids to be bused against their will to South Lakes.

I'm also guessing the only people complaining about their school in a 30 mile radius is South Lakes. Everyone else seems quite content.

So, a handful of parents want a few advanced classes for their kids. The county gives them a 55 million dollar renovation..40 year old Oakton could have used one...and..it was not just about the walls...almost everything is new...good for them.

But that's not enough....they want our children......hundreds of them to justify a few advanced classes. And, to make their school "look better".

So mess up thousands of families....redistribute wealth...and John Doe can now take advanced whatever class.

HokieFan42 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> THIS JUST IN!!!!
>
> 100% of all 3 applicants from SL the last four
> years were accepted to University of Richmond!
> Students are asked to flock in an organized and
> steady manner to South Lakes. Please no pushing or
> shoving.
>
> Padre, posting misleading statistics shows your
> character. Post some good stats, if you've got
> them.

And your point is? Since University of Richmond is a very expensive private school (tuition around $45K per year), and there are many more highly ranked state schools in Virginia, it is to be expected that not many students from our area would apply. The school is full of upper-middle to upper class students from the Northeast. How do I know this - my mother's father taught there and my spouse's great-grandfather was a past President. I am very familiar with the school.

VaDriver Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> foxmill/carson/oakton parent Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > "As of September, 2007 Langley High School
> reports
> > an enrollment of 2083 students. 233 over
> capacity.
> > "
> >
> > As I've mentioned in here before, I went to
> > Langley, and my graduating class was slightly
> over
> > 500, and the school was slightly over 2000. No
> one
> > said we were overcrowded then. Did the school
> do
> > something to reduce capacity over the years
> since
> > then?
> __________________________________________________
> ____________________________--
>
> Maybe based on numbers alone...the County knew if
> it didn't make Langley "look better" prior to
> redistricting it would be forced into considering
> Langley in "The Gibson Busing Plan". And, after a
> few hand shakes and drinks amoung neighbors, they
> all agreed to an arrangement. All speculative on
> my part.
>
> By adding the addition, Langley is out of the risk
> area. Maybe. Again, I don't want Langley or any
> other school's kids to be bused against their will
> to South Lakes.
>
> I'm also guessing the only people complaining
> about their school in a 30 mile radius is South
> Lakes. Everyone else seems quite content.
>
> So, a handful of parents want a few advanced
> classes for their kids. The county gives them a
> 55 million dollar renovation..40 year old Oakton
> could have used one...and..it was not just about
> the walls...almost everything is new...good for
> them.
>
> But that's not enough....they want our
> children......hundreds of them to justify a few
> advanced classes. And, to make their school "look
> better".
>
> So mess up thousands of families....redistribute
> wealth...and John Doe can now take advanced
> whatever class.

Boy, if these are your facts for the court case, good luck. South Lakes' renovation plans have been on the books for at least 10 years. It was delayed once due to unforeseen financial circumstances at the County level. It is part of the 20-year renovation cycle that the County uses for every aging school. It might surprise you to know that Oakton has been renovated once in the last forty years as has Herndon, which is why they are behind South Lakes in the cycle. Did Madison 'deserve' their recent renovation or did Chantilly? Did you begrudge them that? I'll bet you didn't. Perhaps if you had been smarter when buying your home, and if a renovated facility was high on your priority list, you would have moved to an area with a planned or recently completed renovation, instead of one with an aging physical plant.

Have you heard any of us complain about our school. The only complaints, with the exception of the now departed Thomas More, have come from people outside of the school.

Hmm...I am impressed by South Lakes most recent test scores? Actually very impressed, particularly with the SAT results. Why? They have a far larger percentage of a group of students who across the country simply perform poorly relative to other groups on tests like the SAT. And there's no reason to doubt that the achievement gap is any different (on a relative basis) at South Lakes. So what does that mean for the test scores? That means if adjusted for certain populations, the remainder may (and I emphasize may) be doing better (or at least as well) as similar populations at Oakton, Madison and the like. Again, while some may see a slight lag at South Lakes in terms of SAT scores (and also SOL's), when viewed through the lens of the soon to be affected transferring population, it looks like their existing peer groups at South Lakes are doing at least as well. Query whether political correctness keeps the schools from extrapolating and spreading this message - it probably does - but it would be a boon to those anxious about the school.

The market for school information is efficient (witness the sixty some pages of postings here). This doesn't mean (obviously) that every piece of information is accurate or helpful, but in the aggregate there is a tremendous amount of information out there on our local schools. (Like the equity markets, the issue is more or less what wise parents do with that information to obtain the best education for their kids, but that is a separate topic). This is why I have been a little bit skeptical of South Lakes parents here - who, without being critical, clearly have a lot of self-interest in redistricting - and perhaps protest too much - given that if there is positive information or data out there - it will reach the market. There's too much self interest for it not too. But query whether someone has the chutzpah to do just what I suggest - analyze the performance of the non-troubled achievement gap groups from the latest (and I mean the very latest) scores relative to other schools. They do seem to validate the sentiments of those that assert the school is on an upward trend. And it may even validate superior performance, even if wrapped in a manner unacceptable to many diversiphiles. Any takers on this hunch?

So...one posting rather like a peace pipe offering..sitting around the fire.. to lighten things up:

I believe we have on the table an offer from the real Westfield Mom to check with her principal regarding South Lakes JazzyJeff performing a hip hop dance prior to the beginning of the Dec 3 County meeting at Westfield, right?

In addition, I think SLHS Padre and others are suggesting a comedy act by Birdlover, but she wants her own dressing room, so we'll have to work on that.

VaDriver Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So...one posting rather like a peace pipe
> offering..sitting around the fire.. to lighten
> things up:
>
> I believe we have on the table an offer from the
> real Westfield Mom to check with her principal
> regarding South Lakes JazzyJeff performing a hip
> hop dance prior to the beginning of the Dec 3
> County meeting at Westfield, right?
>
> In addition, I think SLHS Padre and others are
> suggesting a comedy act by Birdlover, but she
> wants her own dressing room, so we'll have to work
> on that.

If we are to believe that you are the real VaDriver, and not a fake posing as VaDriver, then perhaps you should/could be the MC.

HokieFan42 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> THIS JUST IN!!!!
>
> 100% of all 3 applicants from SL the last four
> years were accepted to University of Richmond!....
>
> Padre, posting misleading statistics shows your
> character. Post some good stats, if you've got
> them.


Hokum:

Still on "break"?

What does the Univ. of Richmond stat mean....to you? Is there a point there?

Did I ever say anything about SLHS and the U of Richmond? Elucidate, please, because your "point" about misleading you escapes me.

Here's some info for you. Look it up yourself on the South Lakes PTSA website:

South Lakes High School’s Class of 2006 sent 5 graduates to U.S. service
academies: Naval Academy (2), the Air Force Academy (2), and the United States
Military Academy at West Point (1).

SLHS students have been accepted at all the VA state universities and colleges. Look it up!

In addition, South Lakes High School Sample Selective
2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 Graduating Classes -
Out of State University Acceptance

American Univ
Bard
Auburn
Babson College
Bentley College
Berklee College of Music
Binghamton University
Boston College
Boston University
Bowdoin
Carleton College
Carnegie -Mellon
College of Wooster
Colorado (Boulder)
Columbia University
Cornell
Dickinson
Duke
Eastman School of Music
Georgetown
Gettysburg College
Hollins University
Hofstra
Hood College
Johns Hopkins
Ithaca College
Juilliard School
Lafayette College
Lehigh
Macalester
Manhattan School of Music
University of Maryland
Mercer
Miami (Florida)
MIT
University of Massachusetts
McGill University
Miami University
University of Michigan
Middlebury College
New England Conservatory
New Hampshire
New York University
Northwestern
North Carolina (UNC) (US Navy Full Scholarship for Nuclear Eng.)
North Carolina State
Notre Dame
Oberlin
Oglethorpe
Ohio State
Penn
Penn State
Pepperdine
Princeton
Purdue
Rensselaer Poly Tech
Rhodes College
University of Rochester
Rollins
Rose Hulman Institute of Tech.
Skidmore
St. Johns (Queens)
Stetson
Stonehill
Syracuse
Tufts
Tulane
USC
US Air Force Academy
US Military Academy (West Point)
US Naval Academy
Univ. of Kent
Univ. of Windsor
Villanova
Wake Forest
Worcester Poly Tech
Ursinus
Vanderbilt
Yale

*************

You are not serious. Please keep talking.

Thats funny Emily. Maybe its because your school doesn't have to fight for its reputation, we do. You know I don't feel I owe an explanation to people of why I post here, nor do I believe others should give you one. Think, why do your parents post here? But I will tell you this, we have an unbelievable amount of pride and its dissapointing that people don't even begin to understand exactly how much South Lakes means to us. Again we don't care if you come. We're simply here to fight for the recognition that our school deserves.

But the sad fact is we won't ever win with your side. Because if we post then the post get taken apart and we're ridiculed for what we say. If we don't post then the other side takes it as, "Well they don't care so why should we?" I have not seen one lie written on this board from a South Lakes student. We give you information that is truthful. Not statitics that poorly describe the school in general.

quantum Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
This is why I have been a little
> bit skeptical of South Lakes parents here - who,
> without being critical, clearly have a lot of
> self-interest in redistricting - and perhaps
> protest too much - given that if there is positive
> information or data out there - it will reach the
> market. There's too much self interest for it not
> too. But query whether someone has the chutzpah to
> do just what I suggest - analyze the performance
> of the non-troubled achievement gap groups from
> the latest (and I mean the very latest) scores
> relative to other schools. They do seem to
> validate the sentiments of those that assert the
> school is on an upward trend. And it may even
> validate superior performance, even if wrapped in
> a manner unacceptable to many diversiphiles. Any
> takers on this hunch?

Agreed Quantum, though admittedly, we parents (and students too) have been placed in this defensive position. We have been the first to admit to our school's deficiencies - this board is rife with examples. But we also will vociferously defend the good points about our school. I would like to offer that none of the other schools involved have been put under a magnifying glass, and if they were, would probably be just as, if not more, defensive.

People like to place themselves and others in defined roles, and South Lakes has long been the whipping boy of many of the surrounding schools. Conventional wisdom has it that South Lakes is the Ghetto school, Oakton is the Elite school(the new McLean as one realtor called it), Madison is the Rising Elite School, Chantilly is the Redneck, but Good School, Herndon is the other ghetto but better than South Lakes pretty good school. You get my drift. I have witnessed it at my own children's sporting events, musical events, etc. So people don't like to have their notions of conventional wisdom shattered. If they have to look at South Lakes with an unvarnished eye, and admit that it might actually be a good school with potential to be a great school, apparently, that is unsettling for some.

So it is much easier to just continue to push the stereotypes. I guess that makes some people feel better about themselves.

I think that all this argument about South Lakes is beside the point. It is a school that no one wants. No outside the SL district wants to go there. SL parents complain that the academic offerings are too limited.

Close South Lakes.

Each of the surrounding schools take 200 kids.

Disperse these students in a demographically senistive way to achieve the desired balance in all area high schools. There will be some overcrowding, but declining enrollment will take care of that. Everyone will have access to increased course offerings and everyone will be happy. The unneeded campus at SL could be sold and the proceeds used for education.

JustSayin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think that all this argument about South Lakes
> is beside the point. It is a school that no one
> wants. No outside the SL district wants to go
> there. SL parents complain that the academic
> offerings are too limited.
>
> Close South Lakes.
>
> Each of the surrounding schools take 200 kids.
>
> Disperse these students in a demographically
> senistive way to achieve the desired balance in
> all area high schools. There will be some
> overcrowding, but declining enrollment will take
> care of that. Everyone will have access to
> increased course offerings and everyone will be
> happy. The unneeded campus at SL could be sold
> and the proceeds used for education.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Makes sense to me.

And, South Lakes Parents seem to really understand the need to bus kids so I can't imagine they would object to this proposal. After all, who cares about neighborhood cohesiveness, school pride etc. The county is looking for another admin building...take South Lakes..its brand new.

South Lakes parents would be solidly behind the plan....their children could take the advanced courses a few of them seem to want...everyone would be happy. And, we would welcome your children into our schools.

An added bonus...great way to break up the gangs that you don't have ...everyone wins!!!
Great plan!!! Lets go for it.

You're right Padre, your school is amazing. I am humbled by it. In fact, you all are handling yourselves so great, why would you want our neighborhood kids? Use some of the millions that you were given for renovations and start those extra programs you all would otherwise get from redistricting. Who cares if there are only 5 students or so in each class? That will just benefit them with good teacher student ratios.

Then we're all happy. I never gave a damn how good or bad your school was before the politicians started trying to switch our neighborhood children to South Lakes. We like our school Oakton for many of the same reasons you like yours, and I don't see why you think you're so entitled to them.

Hi, I am a student from South Lakes High School, and I have many comments pertaining to this website and the whole redistricting issue. Just hear me out.

I realize you say, because I am a student, I have no right to respond to any of these issues, because I do not understand the issues at hand and everything going on. I understand why you would think that. However, this is ridiculous. If you are so against South Lakes High School, which I will not try to defend because it is a truly great school, then find another option. Move, if it comes down to that, have your child be people-placed, or let your child go to a truly amazing school, that will provide them with just as many opportunities as any other school.

If you are worried about academics, we have the IB program, which sometimes I think I am crazy to be doing, because of the difficulty, yet it pays off.

If you are worried about the athletics, we have our fair share of tremendously successful athletes. Just last week one of my close friends got a scholarship to Vanderbilt University to swim, and study chemical engineering.

If you are worried about your child losing all their friends, then they are not ready for the real world. They will keep in touch with old ones if they are good enough friends with them. They will continue to see friends that have moved schools with them. And they will make new ones, im always open to new friends.

I realize that if I were put in this situation, I may react the same way, but to go this far, this extreme, is beyond ridiculous. If you are too afraid our school is ghetto, come take a look at it compared to this high school: Cardozo High School in Washington, D.C. I had a link, but it is not allowing me to copy it, but it was recently featured in the Washington Post. Go look that school up, and be happy your children are not attending that school.

Also, i've been following the groups on facebook, about redistricting, and what all of the students are saying about it.

Would you believe someone had said they had heard that people are forced to give money to gangs, such as the mafia, or they will beat you up. Kids bring hundreds of guns to school everyday. If you are white, you get beat up. People come to school stabbed. (Nope, they dont go to a hospital, they come right into school stabbed...give me a break). Everyone does some type of drug. And the list runs on and on...

I am one of the "whitest", "preppiest" males I know, and I attend South Lakes. And let me tell you, I have never seen a gun, never done drugs, never seen a person stabbed, and never been TOUCHED in a "lets fight" type of way.

I am not trying to insult any other kids or schools- but it is your schools that have the "drug problems" and all of the "fights" because you have the money to do it.



I hope this gets to open your mind at least a little, with first hand comments from a student at South Lakes. I realize these comments may be ignored and not even read, but if you did read it, thats at least a small step forward. I hope you have a nice night.

SubmissiveWiiRNot wrote:

"We have been the first to admit to our school's deficiencies"

______________________________

Submissive,

Hi. Your first post occurred earlier today. Remember that 'F' you received? Where have you admitted to your school's deficiencies? For that matter, most of the SL posters here make the school sound like a sunny, happy place, rich in diversity, where everyone gets along.

When I asked about gang activity in Reston and SL, Casual Observer & Co. told me it was non-existent. Yet, I see information which says otherwise. When I asked about the May 07 reported gang related incident at South Lakes, Casual Observer & Co. condescendingly attempted to sugar coat the incident.

So, tell me. What are the deficiencies at SL? I'm giving you a chance to bring up that 'F'.

VaDriver Wrote:
>
> If we need to prove matters involving home
> values...you are simply not worth my time...it
> will be done in a court of law by our attorneys.
>

When I moved into the North West part of the Oakton district about 9 years ago my buyer broker told me there was a chance that it would be redistricted to South Lakes because South Lakes was so much closer. I am surprised by the number of people who seem to be unaware that the redistricting can and does happen. For those that weren't aware, perhaps you should be suing your Realtor! I am not sure I am happy about the potential change to South Lakes (still debating everything people have written), but I don't believe that you have grounds to sue the School Board for something you should have known. If you didn't know, then I think that you and your Realtor did not perform due diligence when selecting a home, especially if it is far away from the school you want your child to attend.

HokieFan42 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You're right Padre, your school is amazing. I am
> humbled by it. In fact, you all are handling
> yourselves so great, why would you want our
> neighborhood kids? Use some of the millions that
> you were given for renovations and start those
> extra programs you all would otherwise get from
> redistricting. Who cares if there are only 5
> students or so in each class? That will just
> benefit them with good teacher student ratios.
>
> Then we're all happy. I never gave a damn how good
> or bad your school was before the politicians
> started trying to switch our neighborhood children
> to South Lakes. We like our school Oakton for many
> of the same reasons you like yours, and I don't
> see why you think you're so entitled to them.


You know if this was the way it could be, I actually don't think many people would protest. I'm not going to lie I don't want South Lakes to change. And unfotunatly that is something that is garunteed to happen the day new kids enter the building, especially 800 of them. But it seems to me and everyone else that this redistricting is going to happen wether we like it or not, and were just trying to help you feel comfortable as this most likely will be taking place.

SL Student,

You were doing well until this slipped out:


"I am not trying to insult any other kids or schools- but it is your schools that have the "drug problems" and all of the "fights" because you have the money to do it."

Fights occur everywhere but the ones requiring police action are more likely to occur in areas where there are kids without money..... like what happened last May at South Lakes. That was a fight between gangs, not a fist fight between two white preppie guys on the playground.

Anybody see this - does it mean what I think it does? (click link for news release...)

http://www.fcps.edu/suptapps/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?newsid=744

Less obtuse. Here's the guts.
----------------
In response to comments from the first town meeting on November 12, 2007, changes have been made to the town meeting process. In order to gather feedback from members of the community in the most efficient and effective way, participants at the town hall meeting will be directed to one of several small group sessions. If the total number of participants exceeds the space in the small group session rooms, participants will be able to go to one of several larger rooms. At the beginning of the meeting, there will be brief opening comments and a presentation of scenarios that will be video- and audiostreamed into each small and large meeting area. The presentation will also address the most frequently asked questions about the scenarios that were submitted electronically and will provide answers to those questions.

Once the presentation is complete, participants will be able to share their opinions. In the small meeting rooms, facilitators will be available to record comments. In the large rooms, attendees will be able to record their comments in writing. All comments will then be posted in the gallery walk area where they can be viewed and read by all attendees.

All public comments will be carefully read and considered by staff members prior to the final boundary town meeting on December 19, 2007.

The changes will be in place for the remaining town hall meetings in this boundary study.

BirdLover Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SL Student,
>
> You were doing well until this slipped out:
>
>
> "I am not trying to insult any other kids or
> schools- but it is your schools that have the
> "drug problems" and all of the "fights" because
> you have the money to do it."
>
> Fights occur everywhere but the ones requiring
> police action are more likely to occur in areas
> where there are kids without money..... like what
> happened last May at South Lakes. That was a
> fight between gangs, not a fist fight between two
> white preppie guys on the playground.


I know it doesn't matter to you, but it wasn't a "gang" fight; it lasted about two seconds and was broken up without injury; and the Ch. 9 story interviewed people who weren't there. My daughter was there. She said it was scary, juvenile, and immediately controlled. It was the only fight she has seen at SLHS.

It serves your purposes to hype the false gang theme and other such claims, and it diminishes you. It would be great if you'd stop the relentless, dishonest spin, but I'm not holding my breath.

You know, I think it's really funny what people say about South Lakes. All of you people that are talking all this nonesense, have you ever even seen the school personally? Unless you graduated from this school, or currently go to the school you are in no place to talk about how bad it is. I've been to other schools before, and personally this is the best school i've been to. I'm lucky to come here for so many reasons and I could type up a list but all I'm going to ask is what other schools do you know of that everybody knows everybody personally and considers the school their second home. I'm not trying to compete with the other schools but every school has it's flaws and every school has its pros and this school is my family so if you don't like us so much please be mature and civil about it, keep your opinions to yourself, and not downtalk our school. Just like what we're doing!

Birdlover,

I am sorry. I take back what I "let slip". Police are at every school. I am sure at every school (even your school-wherever you may come from) there are incidents that require police attention-no matter what the income level. I would love to see cold hard facts about the gang incidents/less income statistics, though. Specifically, involving South Lakes or perhaps the Fairfax County Area. I am not saying they do not exist, I would just like to see them.

If you have a student that is a white male though, then you would agree that they do not have to worry about these situations, because they only get into "fist fight between two white preppie guys on the playground". They are not involved in gangs. However, if your child is involved in gangs, they will not be safe anywhere, and you should try to get them some help, and get them out of the gang. Clearly, you are worried about gang activity, and the only thing I can say to calm your worries is that if you are worried about it, it is clearly because something has brought you to believe your son/daughter would become involved in this. However, if they are very good children, as I would hope they are, and expect they are from someone as involved as you, from my personal experience, they have nothing in the world to worry about. : )

Concerned Rachel Carson Parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> VaDriver Wrote:
> >
> > If we need to prove matters involving home
> > values...you are simply not worth my time...it
> > will be done in a court of law by our
> attorneys.
> >
>
> When I moved into the North West part of the
> Oakton district about 9 years ago my buyer broker
> told me there was a chance that it would be
> redistricted to South Lakes because South Lakes
> was so much closer. I am surprised by the number
> of people who seem to be unaware that the
> redistricting can and does happen. For those that
> weren't aware, perhaps you should be suing your
> Realtor! I am not sure I am happy about the
> potential change to South Lakes (still debating
> everything people have written), but I don't
> believe that you have grounds to sue the School
> Board for something you should have known. If you
> didn't know, then I think that you and your
> Realtor did not perform due diligence when
> selecting a home, especially if it is far away
> from the school you want your child to attend.
__________________________________________________________________________
What the heck are you talking about?

Glad when you bought your townhouse in your higher risk area, you were aware of the great opportunity to attend South Lakes.

And,guess what,duh, your purchase price reflected that great opportunity.

..since you are pretty much okay with all that... You have nothing of value to provide to this forum ...So...get lost...you are wasting space.

Concerned Rachel Carson Parent:


"I don't believe that you have grounds to sue the School Board for something you should have known."

How about this:

The school board announced less than a year ago that Langely was overcrowded. They also announced that that all neighboring schools were filled to capacity. Then they approved a 7.1 million for additional classrooms for Langley.

Notice that South Lakes advocates don't complain about this lie? Why? Well, probably, the school board, aware of the possible appearance of fraud, offers a deal to South Lakes. We'll give your school a face-lift and come up with a scheme to bus over alot of middle/upper middle class kids from other schools.

Hi,

I am currently a senior at South Lakes, I'm 17, upper-middle class, and white. I have attended another high school where the majority of the students are white as well. As I have been to both a culturally diversified school and a primarily white school, I can infer that I have gained a lot more from my years at South Lakes than those at my other school. In my opinion, and in that of many educators, the IB program is much more rigorous than the AP program, and I have participated in both. The IB program challenges students to expand their thinking further than simply analyzing facts.

As I read through snippets of this forum, I was outraged that some parents and students from other schools are so ignorant and closed-minded. Many of you are concerned with the amount of fighting that occurs at South Lakes. Ok, #1. Fights occur everywhere. #2. They are not as common as you think, and they are generally broken up within the first 30-60 seconds. I have probably witnessed three fights during my three years at South Lakes.

As for those of you that believe South Lakes is a hub for low-income families who can't afford to send their students anywhere else, what ever made you think they didn't want their kids at South Lakes? My mom is a teacher at a private school, and my younger brother goes to that private school. She absolutely wants to send him to South Lakes when he's old enough. We both love South Lakes and I have had a wonderful experience there. It's not "ghetto," and the renovations are exceptional. It's an old school, so naturally, it's going to need a tune-up and it's looking amazing so far.

I understand why many students are upset, because I love my school too and I wouldn't want to be uprooted and forced to attend a school with people I don't know. Despite my understanding, there is no reason to go on and on about how terrible South Lakes is because it's insulting. We don't "want" your kids, parents. It's not our fault this redistricting is occurring, so stop blaming it on the parents, teachers, and students of South Lakes.

If you think South Lakes is so terrible why don't you try talking to some of the students who actually know what they're talking about, or better yet come to South Lakes and visit. That way, if you still have nothing nice to say, at least you'll have something to back it up with, other than your ignorance.

South Lakes is our home, so please have some courtesy and be CIVIL.

Thank you,
SLHS contra-slander.

"As I read through snippets of this forum"

"is a hub for low-income families"

"I can infer that I have gained a lot more from my years at South Lakes"

"In my opinion, and in that of many educators"

Do you really think that we're going to believe a child wrote all of that. This is obviously posted by the mother, who is a teacher. "And in that of many educators," COME ON.

Who do you think you are? Are you honestly stooping THAT low to criticize someone's achievement? I personally know Jeff, and he is a good student, and a fantastic dancer.

Grow up, Neen. Stop being shallow. If you're going to participate in these forums, you should at least respect the young STUDENTS who are trying to stand up for the school!

Submissive wrote:


"Dear Birdlover,

What have you contributed, besides little quips and put-downs of Reston. Would you like me to go back over your posts and do a compilation here? I can't recall that you have contributed in any meaningful way."

_____________________________________________

How can you possible recall much of anything regarding what people have or have not said at this forum? You just arrived this afternoon.

Ok,

My name is Alex Turner.

Look me up.

BirdLover Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Concerned Rachel Carson Parent:
>
>
> "I don't believe that you have grounds to sue the
> School Board for something you should have
> known."
>
> How about this:
>
> The school board announced less than a year ago
> that Langely was overcrowded. They also announced
> that that all neighboring schools were filled to
> capacity. Then they approved a 7.1 million for
> additional classrooms for Langley.
>
> Notice that South Lakes advocates don't complain
> about this lie? Why? Well, probably, the school
> board, aware of the possible appearance of fraud,
> offers a deal to South Lakes. We'll give your
> school a face-lift and come up with a scheme to
> bus over alot of middle/upper middle class kids
> from other schools.

Thanks for the interesting point. Can you direct me to the documents that say that Langley is being expanded because the other schools are full? I thought it had something to do with targeting school populations at 2000 students. Of course the stated reason is not the likely reason.

I definitely concur with those who say that other schools, including Langley and Madison, should be included in the redistricting study. Someone posted a districting map for Langley and it just boggles the mind! I just don't believe that if you live in Madison Island or the Northwest portion of the Oakton district that you can claim surprise that you might get redistricted to South Lakes.

Dear "Come on...",

Whether it was written by a student or mother, or even the principal of South Lakes himself, you are proving their point.

Do not insult us, that is insulting. Saying we, the students, do not know how to speak about ourselves, or use big words?

It is very hypocritical, since when a student writes like this:

"south lakes is a very school with many opportunities."
When we say things such as that, we are insulted for being "stupid" and not knowing correct grammar and punctuation or having a sufficient vocabulary.

We have some brilliant students at our school, and I 100% believe that was a student who wrote that. I also have reasonable suspicion that it was a student because there is a facebook group called "South Lakes Contra Slander", and that is where they got the name from. What parents partake in facebook?

I just used the word "hypocritical", and does that mean I am not who I say I am?

Would you like me to use other big words, such as cajole (to coax) or erudite (scholarly) to prove my point further?

Quite a few people are accusing kids from South Lakes of writing like adults. Amazing, isn't it, that the IB program produces outstanding writers. That happens to be one of its excellent benefits. By the time IB students are Seniors, they can whip off wonderful essays on just about any topic, making them the envy of many and the darlings of college admissions officers. I am a 20-year writer and editor, and my son is an IB senior, and I can tell you I would hire an IB graduate in a minute, knowing his or her education background.

It's quite amazing that some adults don't give kids credit when they are competent. (I wonder what they do with their own kids.... and I have to wonder where some posting adults got THEIR writing education.)

Just correcting another misperception.

Watching the Discussion Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Less obtuse. Here's the guts.
> ----------------
> In response to comments from the first town
> meeting on November 12, 2007, changes have been
> made to the town meeting process. In order to
> gather feedback from members of the community in
> the most efficient and effective way, participants
> at the town hall meeting will be directed to one
> of several small group sessions. If the total
> number of participants exceeds the space in the
> small group session rooms, participants will be
> able to go to one of several larger rooms. At the
> beginning of the meeting, there will be brief
> opening comments and a presentation of scenarios
> that will be video- and audiostreamed into each
> small and large meeting area. The presentation
> will also address the most frequently asked
> questions about the scenarios that were submitted
> electronically and will provide answers to those
> questions.
>
> Once the presentation is complete, participants
> will be able to share their opinions. In the small
> meeting rooms, facilitators will be available to
> record comments. In the large rooms, attendees
> will be able to record their comments in writing.
> All comments will then be posted in the gallery
> walk area where they can be viewed and read by all
> attendees.
>
> All public comments will be carefully read and
> considered by staff members prior to the final
> boundary town meeting on December 19, 2007.
>
> The changes will be in place for the remaining
> town hall meetings in this boundary study.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you "watching the Discussion"...

They keep changing the program. Guess they want to keep us guessing.

SLHS Contra-Slander? lol, tell your mother to post for herself.

Yesterday, you were some other kid from SLs. Wow, are you weird.
But, the fact is that we kids all know that South Lakes sucks. And, don't start dumping on me for the word, sucks. At South Lakes you've got gangs and kids with the worst mouths and manners. Whatever, the truth is that the school sucks.

You're right. You have such amazing programs. IB is great, for you. Why do you care so much about filling your school up with people who won't appreciate it? Nobody answered my question. If you think your school is so great, why do you want our kids so much? See my previous post. Use the millions you got for your extra programs. We're happy with Oakton, get over it.

Concerned Rachel Carson Parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BirdLover Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Concerned Rachel Carson Parent:
> >
> >
> > "I don't believe that you have grounds to sue
> the
> > School Board for something you should have
> > known."
> >
> > How about this:
> >
> > The school board announced less than a year ago
> > that Langely was overcrowded. They also
> announced
> > that that all neighboring schools were filled
> to
> > capacity. Then they approved a 7.1 million for
> > additional classrooms for Langley.
> >
> > Notice that South Lakes advocates don't
> complain
> > about this lie? Why? Well, probably, the school
> > board, aware of the possible appearance of
> fraud,
> > offers a deal to South Lakes. We'll give your
> > school a face-lift and come up with a scheme to
> > bus over alot of middle/upper middle class kids
> > from other schools.
>
> Thanks for the interesting point. Can you direct
> me to the documents that say that Langley is being
> expanded because the other schools are full? I
> thought it had something to do with targeting
> school populations at 2000 students. Of course
> the stated reason is not the likely reason.
>
> I definitely concur with those who say that other
> schools, including Langley and Madison, should be
> included in the redistricting study. Someone
> posted a districting map for Langley and it just
> boggles the mind! I just don't believe that if
> you live in Madison Island or the Northwest
> portion of the Oakton district that you can claim
> surprise that you might get redistricted to South
> Lakes.
______________________________________________________________________________
Birdlover, if you don't mind,I'll answer...
FCPS Website
Dec 2006 Capitol Improvement Program
Rationale
New Construction - Langley High School
enrollment currently exceeds capacity by 182
students and is projected to exceed capacity by
148 students in 2011-12. Currently, nine
temporary classroom trailers are used to
accommodate excess enrollment. Adjacent high
schools are operating at or above capacity, thus
boundary adjustments to relieve this
overcrowding are not possible.

As of September, 2007 Langley High School reports an enrollment of 2083 students. 233 over capacity.

Emily,

This is my first time posting on this site because I only discovered it today in my political science class. I'm not trying to personally attack you, I'm trying to defend my school because students like you are the reason South Lakes has a bad reputation. Please take your ignorance elsewhere if you have nothing to contribute to the conversation. This is supposed to be a place for educated students and concerned adults to share their opinions, since you are clearly not competent in understanding that, stop insulting me. "lol"

GROW UP. Your immaturity is neither amusing nor appreciated.


HokieFan42,

It's not that we want your students, we're not the ones trying to make this redistricting happen. As a student, I would just like to see some open-mindedness, and less insults. It's unfair to put the blame on us, as we have absolutely no control over what happens. We're just trying to defend our school, as I'm sure you would do if you were put in our position.

Perhaps, "come on...", Alex's writing is the product of, say, a good education? One she may have received at South Lakes?

Just a thought.

VaDriver Wrote:

> __________________________________________________
> ____________________________
> Birdlover, if you don't mind,I'll answer...
> FCPS Website
> Dec 2006 Capitol Improvement Program
> Rationale
> New Construction - Langley High School
> enrollment currently exceeds capacity by 182
> students and is projected to exceed capacity by
> 148 students in 2011-12. Currently, nine
> temporary classroom trailers are used to
> accommodate excess enrollment. Adjacent high
> schools are operating at or above capacity, thus
> boundary adjustments to relieve this
> overcrowding are not possible.
>
> As of September, 2007 Langley High School reports
> an enrollment of 2083 students. 233 over capacity.

Thanks for the info. I totally agree with those that say Langley should be included in the study, and as a taxpayer it really peaves me especially when I look at how their district is laid out. I now STRONGLY believe that Langley should be included in the redistricting study and I would support any effort to get them included. That said, I would not accept as an argument from the Langley folks at the West end of the district that they shouldn't be included because it might decrease their property values. If they wanted to guarantee that their kids went to Langley then they should have bought within a 1/4 mile of the school.

BirdLover Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How can you possible recall much of anything
> regarding what people have or have not said at
> this forum? You just arrived this afternoon.

Birdlover, this forum started July 14, 2007. I most certainly didn't arrive this afternoon, as you say, but have been paying attention since the beginning. Just because I didn't post does not mean I didn't read. I remember your first post (below). It is dated November 16th.

Has anyone implied that you are less of a poster because you were a latecomer to the ball? I haven't seen that. Perhaps people don't much like your posts though, based on the many negative responses to them that I have read, and that is their right.

If you don't like it, too bad.

Birdlover's First Post: November 16, 2007

>Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: BirdLover (IP Logged)
Date: November 16, 2007 01:58PM

I have 2 daughters going to Oakton H.S.
Why would I want my children bused to South Lakes?
If I had wanted them to go to South Lakes, I would have bought a house in that district.

Here are a couple of reasons why I didn't

South Lakes has 33% of its students receiving free lunch.
Oakton has 8%.

South Lakes has constant problems with student behavior problems so they needed to add such "special features" as :

----POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT PROGRAMS
----TIME OUT ROOMS

Time out rooms??? Sounds like pre-school.

SLHS Contra-Slander wrote:


"As I read through snippets of this forum, I was outraged that some parents and students from other schools are so ignorant and closed-minded."

___________________________________________

Sorry, I don't buy this either.

"I was outraged...." That business about being outraged, shocked, appalled....sorry, that comes straight out of the Casual Observer & Co. talking points manual.

Also, honey, just how did you know that Casual Observer & Co. has been attacking a poster named, neen?

Also:

I applaud the number of South Lakes students I've observed defending their school. Both online and at the boundary meetings, students have unified-not to attack, simply to defend slander of the school they know and love.

Interesting to me that it is largely parents in uproar over the redistricting, and that I see very few students from other schools affected posting on their own behalf.

Note that I say few. There have been students who represent these schools scattered over this board-for this activism, I applaud them. Perhaps not the reasoning, but it does show that Fairfax County has produced a generation able to construct an opinion.

Perhaps they should be introduced to the IB Program?

BirdLover Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SLHS Contra-Slander wrote:
>
>
> "As I read through snippets of this forum, I was
> outraged that some parents and students from other
> schools are so ignorant and closed-minded."
>
> ___________________________________________
>
> Sorry, I don't buy this either.
>
> "I was outraged...." That business about being
> outraged, shocked, appalled....sorry, that comes
> straight out of the Casual Observer & Co. talking
> points manual.
>
> Also, honey, just how did you know that Casual
> Observer & Co. has been attacking a poster named,
> neen?

Amazing, BL. Everyone attacks Neen, and she deserves every word. She is a Troll and she's very consistent in posting unhinged tirades, especially against students, as you are beginning to do. And no, I am not reading from the Casual Observer & Co. talking points manual, although it seems to have been pretty effective in getting under your skin.

The percentage of students who receive free lunch is by no means a legitimate reason for not wanting your kids to attend South Lakes. Are you afraid the low-income families are going to get your children? Leave them alone, it's not their fault.
As for the time-out room, it's in-school suspension. I'm sure you have something to that effect at your respected schools.

BirdLover,

My post has no relation to that of Neen, Casual Observer, or any others. My post represents my opinion and that of many of my peers. It does outrage me to see that South Lakes is bashed so openly when many of you have no sufficient proof that South Lakes is the way that you seem to believe it is.

Do not chastise me for defending my school.

So...just to be perfectly clear....
This is an example of how Fairfax County is having its way with us...
And this is not for those who live in SL's area or who knew they were likely to be redistricted....for our purposes you don't matter. You paid a lower price for your home...that's life and you all seem happy..

FCPS Website
Dec 2006 Capitol Improvement Program Page 18 & 19

Rationale:

New Construction -
"Langley High School enrollment currently exceeds capacity by 182
students and is projected to exceed capacity by 148 students in 2011-12. Currently, nine temporary classroom trailers are used to
accommodate excess enrollment."
"Adjacent high schools are operating at or above capacity, thus
boundary adjustments to relieve this overcrowding are not possible."

As of September, 2007 Langley High School reports an enrollment of 2083 students. 233 over capacity.

Again, my opinion.....no student should be bused to South Lakes against their will. I am opposed to the "Gibson Redistricting Busing Plan".

The above demonstrates how dishonest the school board is... and will be... regarding our next couple of meetings.

And, while challenging but not impossible to prove, Stu Gibson and his boss live in the South Lakes school district and will financially benefit from this redistricting. Home values etc.

Emily Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SLHS Contra-Slander? lol, tell your mother to
> post for herself.
>
> Yesterday, you were some other kid from SLs. Wow,
> are you weird.
> But, the fact is that we kids all know that South
> Lakes sucks. And, don't start dumping on me for
> the word, sucks. At South Lakes you've got gangs
> and kids with the worst mouths and manners.
> Whatever, the truth is that the school sucks.

Dear Emily, perhaps your parents haven't taught you that use of language such as you employ is not appropriate. The post above indicates that you are the one using the 'worst mouth and manners' and not the South Lakes students. If your parents haven't taught you that your comments are inappropriate, then that's too bad. But if you are 16, as you say, you are old enough to clean up your mouth, and your act, and start posting like a lady.

SubmissiveWiiRNot,

You're pretty funny.

So, let me make sure I understand what you are saying. You say that you have been reading this forum all along and then a few hours ago, you suddenly jump in and start posting? What 17, 18 posts just this afternoon after reading quietly for weeks and weeks.

Amazing

Don't buy that, Submissive.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >>>south lakes award winning varsity HIP-HOP dance
> team<<<
>
> Your parents must be just proud as punch. It's
> every mother's dream to have her son on the
> varsity Hip-Hop dance team! I bet your dad is
> bursting with pride too, "my son, the Hip-Hop
> dancer"! Quarterback or running back, might be
> what he hoped for, or math team, or chess team,
> but Hip-Hop dance team is great too. AT least
> it's not ballet.


Hey Neen,
this sounds a little sarcastic to me, my parents happen to be very suportive. I played football freshman year and sophomore year, not saying i wasn't good but i found something im better at. Going to south lakes helped me realize that. Not every male alive particapates in sports nor do they all become the the star quaterback or running back, at least im doing something! by the way, i take jazz AND BALLET classes after school. Ballet, for the purpose of better ankle strenght, that doesn't make me homosexual because i sure am not.

VaDriver, so much for the virtual peace pipe.

Why do you persist in the misguided assumption that your home value is going to suffer as a result of redistricting? If you are as worried as you say, you must have also bought close to Stu's neighborhood, and thus should not be ridiculing others for doing so. If you didn't, then you have no need to worry, according to your circular logic.

BTW, you still didn't answer my question about the City of Alexandria and their skyrocketing real estate values, even with their only high school at 40% FRE.

HokieFan42 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dear Padre,
>
> For you and the other person who was wondering why
> I wasn't responding to the "horrible remarks" made
> by Need to the "child" it is because:
>
> 1. I was too busy working. Yes, some people have
> to work for a living. I don't get a free lunch
> like so many of the South Lakes kids. What're you
> doing online in the middle of the day?
>
> 2. I'm pretty sure "Stephanie" and "JazzyJeff" are
> just adults pretending to be children. Which is
> pretty low, and I would say they deserve the most
> reprimanding out of everyone.
>
> Now back to work! (Do administrators get free
> lunch at SL too? Perhaps I'll try getting a job
> there instead).
>
> p.s. glad to see everyone's getting along... Can I
> join in for the next rendition of "Kumbaya?" Or is
> that too stereotypical?



Hey HokieFan42,
not that it really matters but "stephanie" JaZZy Jeff" "Roya" and "Caroline" are all SLHS student who are taking time out of our busy day to defend our beloved shcool. not parents. i don't need you to respond to the "horrible remarks" made by Need, im 17 years old im a big boy.

BirdLover Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SubmissiveWiiRNot,
>
> You're pretty funny.
>
> So, let me make sure I understand what you are
> saying. You say that you have been reading this
> forum all along and then a few hours ago, you
> suddenly jump in and start posting? What 17, 18
> posts just this afternoon after reading quietly
> for weeks and weeks.
>
> Amazing
>
> Don't buy that, Submissive.

I don't care if you buy it or not. It is of no consequence to me. Am I supposed to buy that you have been here forever, yet didn't start posting until 10 days ago?

BirdLover (IP Logged)
Date: November 26, 2007 10:01PM


SLHS Contra-Slander wrote:

"As I read through snippets of this forum, I was outraged that some parents and students from other schools are so ignorant and closed-minded."

___________________________________________

Sorry, I don't buy this either.

"I was outraged...." That business about being outraged, shocked, appalled....sorry, that comes straight out of the Casual Observer & Co. talking points manual.

Also, honey, just how did you know that Casual Observer & Co. has been attacking a poster named, neen?


______________________________

Casual Observer,

Are you getting paid for this? You are really starting to smell.

I bet she/he is at other sites, Facebook, ect, doing this same garbage.

Submissive wrote:

"Am I supposed to buy that you have been here forever, yet didn't start posting until 10 days ago?"


No, because, unlike you, I never said that.

You are now a liar.

For crying out loud, if I made up the offensive passage posted by Free Bees, then why did Free Bees post this apology a few days later? Please stop accusing people of being hired guns. Hired by whom and for what? Certainly not you. Boy you sure do have it in for me, though.

Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: free bee (IP Logged)
Date: November 23, 2007 07:40PM

reasons for no change of school


-child already at high school
- another child starting HS in 1 year and another in two (so eventually it will be a senior, junior and a freshman)
- established in after school activities (band sports drama)
- car pools set up
- one in AP now
- another in GT (not IB prep ms)
- established school spirit (this is more important than dimished house value)
- financial investiment in one school already via boosters, (passes, clothing, ets...)

sent to soon see above:


Believe me I am not a fan of half the parents at the school my kid goes to, but for her sake and my kids coming up I want to stay there for them. I do not want a split, that CAN NOT be good. There is no race issue, some people took offense to a post I said earlier, (my bad) there was no bad intent you all read worng and maybe I wrote it wrong. I am no Balducci... Anyway i am from NYC, white but had more blacks and hispanics in my classes than many of you combined. However with that said we went through school k-12 (and them some) with all the same kids at the same schools. No changing, it was al PS for me and it worked out. I am not rich but I do what I can to provide for my kids, I don't keep up with the ("JONES's) like everyone else in FFC. Heck my oldest just got a cell phone and proud to say was the last one in her class to get one. Only reason she got one is I started working nights. And the last reason I failed to put in, I am a single parent now, so whose activity to I go to now if they are in different school?

Thanks, Bosco

As previously stated, today is my first time posting in this forum as it was only introduced to me this afternoon in my political science class.
It is really of no consequence to me whether you believe me or not. I would be wasting my time if I tried to argue with you, since many of you appear to be too hard-headed to even attempt to see where we're coming from. At least at South Lakes we appreciate that you have your own opinions, and while I do not agree, I respect it. You should try it sometime.

It's quite off color to personally attack someone for sharing their opinion. I'm a 17 year-old girl, are you really trying to argue with me? Why are you chastising me for being an active participant in an issue that's clearly plaguing the community? Many people complain that the problem with today's young people is they just don't care, well I do, and I'm doing something about it. Sorry?

BirdLover Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Submissive wrote:
>
> "Am I supposed to buy that you have been here
> forever, yet didn't start posting until 10 days
> ago?"
>
>
> No, because, unlike you, I never said that.
>
> You are now a liar.

So SL Contra-Slander is a liar, I am a liar, Casual Observer is a liar, Stephanie is a liar. Everyone who doesn't agree with you is a liar. Enough said.

Emily Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SLHS Contra-Slander? lol, tell your mother to
> post for herself.
>
> Yesterday, you were some other kid from SLs. Wow,
> are you weird.
> But, the fact is that we kids all know that South
> Lakes sucks. And, don't start dumping on me for
> the word, sucks. At South Lakes you've got gangs
> and kids with the worst mouths and manners.
> Whatever, the truth is that the school sucks.

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

Emily....again i state.....you asked "who cares" but yet you post things like this....you said you we're 16 right......GROW UP~!!

Every once in a while, we have to remember this from the founder of Fairfax Underground:

[Trolls]
Do not feed the trolls.

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

Please do not let the trolls deter you from posting.

For more information about trolls see the Wikipedia article.

SLHS Contra

You and all your other personalities are a riot. But do you really think it's not obvious? I mean like, how do you really think people are going to believe you? Oh, and you just found this site, today, in class. You're full of s---.

I don't care who you are, your school still sucks, big time. It sucks even bigger than it did yesterday.

time for bed kids

Ok Emily, ok!
All you have done in this forum is insult South Lakes. Do you have any justification for your opinions? Any reasons that you think the way you do? As previously stated, why don't you refrain from speaking until you have something positive to contribute to the conversation. You're not making any points by simply saying "south lakes sucks." Congratulations, you have a superb vocabulary. You're a broken record.

And, I honestly do not care whether you believe me or not. I am who I say I am. I'm sure if you really go back and read through these you could find some significant differences in our opinions and writing. Yes, I was only introduced to it today. I already stated my name if that's not enough.

This is a post written by a kid, referring to a post by a parent at a forum discussing SouthLakes and its gang activity.
___________________________________________

Anyway, Whate Oct 15, 2007

Parent wrote:
South Lakes does have gangs. Gang activity is on the rise again in this area. The M-13 is alive and well so get your heads out of the sand.
If this was nothing, why were the cops going around questioning innocent kids on the streets and asking to search them without a warrant? Seems like the cops are into violations as well.

well for some one with their head "out of the sand" you sure dont know much about things seeing as there is no such gang as "M-13" I think you are referring to MS13 but i DONT think its right of you to correct students with first hand knowledge of both the school and the situation when you yourself dont have your information correct. also gangs dont walk around punching every random students especially ms-13 they are smart and level headed when it come to being in public they generally dont go around starting trouble with anyone and everyone they see. they plan out what they do before hand unless they are confronted by a rival gang. the majority of students dont have anything to be worried about unless they are in a gang. its not as if fist fights only break out at south lakes high school. also the job of the police is to find out as best they can what happened and why and to obtain as much detail as posable and if that means questioning "innocent students" so be it. e

Emily Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SLHS Contra
>
> You and all your other personalities are a riot.
> But do you really think it's not obvious? I mean
> like, how do you really think people are going to
> believe you? Oh, and you just found this site,
> today, in class. You're full of s---.
>
> I don't care who you are, your school still sucks,
> big time. It sucks even bigger than it did
> yesterday.
---------------------------------------------------------

EMILY!!!!!
hey how are you? (don't really care hahahaha)
I can certianly believe that SLHS Contra found this site today, on account of the fact that most of out GREAT! student body is spreading the news.
you mentioned before that south lakes has ganges that use foul language and what not, "You're full of s---." seems to me like someons is getting testy and using foul language herself.

SubmissiveWiiRNot Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why do you persist in the misguided assumption
> that your home value is going to suffer as a
> result of redistricting?

Only a moron would think our home values would not go down...but, being civil as I am, I would never call you a moron. But, are you a socialist?

Sub:If you are as worried you must have also bought close to Stu's neighborhood,

Worried??? Thats your word. And no, not anywhere near your buddy Stu.Don't you get it? The County has told all of us we are at risk for redistricting...including kids who are already attending their respective high schools. Is the County lying? Are you not aware of this? Have you attended the meetings? No one is immune. So, its okay to play with kids minds?? Tell a kid they might not be going to their senior year at their school. The County won't give us absolutes.

Sub continues....and thus should not be ridiculing others for doing so. If you didn't, then you have no need to worry...

Again....whats with all the worry talk??


Sub:,according to your circular logic.

New phrase....no comment.

Sub: BTW, you still didn't answer my question about the City of Alexandria and their skyrocketing real estate values, even with their only high school at
40% FRE.

You sound like a county rep with all your info...I could care less whats going on in Alexandria. Do you really think I'd waste time on another areas concerns? Apparently, this is your job...county rep!

Well they have been yelling at us all day to "listen to the children." I'm assuming this one isn't exempt?

Not to say I'm glad the claim of gangs at South Lakes was validated. It is a shame that they haven't done more to prevent these activities, and an even worse travesty that the South Lakes who are hard working and law-abiding have to deal with these conditions, whether or not they are most likely safe as long as they aren't in a rival gang.

VaDriver Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SubmissiveWiiRNot Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why do you persist in the misguided assumption
> > that your home value is going to suffer as a
> > result of redistricting?
>
> Only a moron would think our home values would not
> go down...but, being civil as I am, I would never
> call you a moron. But, are you a socialist?

Actually, I think you did call me a moron, or am I too stu pid to understand? I am a conservative through and through, voted for Bush twice, openly supported Stu Gibson's opponent, will support whomever wins the Republican nomination, etc., though I'm sure you won't believe me, no matter how many bona fides I give you. There's a whole lotta accusations of lyin' goin' on 'round he-ah.

That does not mean I have to agree with you. I just ask for facts and data, which you have yet to provide. You should be concerned about local jurisdictions that defy your real-estate model. They will be relevant to your 'legal' fight.

I do think Langley should have been included, BTW, but they are not. I am a realist and I am working with the situation at hand, not what I think it should be. We live in a representative republic, and we elected our School Board to represent us. They may not represent your views, but too bad, you viewpoint lost. Didn't the liberal win in the Oakton area, too?

>Apparently, this is your job...county
> rep!

LOL. County Rep!! couldn't be further from the truth.

HokieFan42 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well they have been yelling at us all day to
> "listen to the children." I'm assuming this one
> isn't exempt?
>
> Not to say I'm glad the claim of gangs at South
> Lakes was validated.

Are you sure you aren't engaging in a little schadenfreude?

It is a shame that they
> haven't done more to prevent these activities, and
> an even worse travesty that the South Lakes who
> are hard working and law-abiding have to deal with
> these conditions, whether or not they are most
> likely safe as long as they aren't in a rival
> gang.

Are you sure the claim has been validated? Why don't you call or email the school principal, Bruce Butler (bruce.butler@fcps.edu) and ask him about the presence of gangs and what he is doing about it? He will give you an honest answer. Would that not be a better use of time than listening to hearsay posted by those who have never set foot in the school?

To the REAL Westfield Mom,

So, have you received approval for JaZZy Jeff and me to entertain the crowds next Monday? I'm sure JaZZy will need to work up a routine. I'll just make fun of Casual Observer, the school board, fraud, pay offs and such.

SLHS Contra-Slander Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ok,
>
> My name is Alex Turner.
>
> Look me up.
___________________________________________________________________________
A Public Service Announcement...
To all kids...please don't post your real names. To all parents who have some influence...please tell your kids to keep their identity private. School redistricting is not worth it.

Emily Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SLHS Contra
>
> You and all your other personalities are a riot.
> But do you really think it's not obvious? I mean
> like, how do you really think people are going to
> believe you? Oh, and you just found this site,
> today, in class. You're full of s---.
>
> I don't care who you are, your school still sucks,
> big time. It sucks even bigger than it did
> yesterday.


I must respond. As yet another South Lakes senior, I too encountered this website today-not only in Political Science (with SLHS Contra), but first in my Leadership class.

Side note: The South Lakes Political Science program, by the way, affords seniors the opportunity to examine the political process-and, during the second semester, participate in internships. Just today we learned that students in our class have been offered internships with Senator Hilary Clinton and Congressman Jim Moran. I myself will intern at the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, and another student will work with Supervisor Hudgins. These are positions coveted by college students that we, as high school seniors, have managed to obtain. This should suggest something about the caliber of student one is apt to find at South Lakes.

To return to my original point: the fact that the redistricting is part of class discussion-in multiple classes!-is a shining example of the South Lakes way. Our students are asked for input! Not only asked, but responsive. If this is something to fear, so be it.

BirdLover Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> To the REAL Westfield Mom,
>
> So, have you received approval for JaZZy Jeff and
> me to entertain the crowds next Monday? I'm sure
> JaZZy will need to work up a routine. I'll just
> make fun of Casual Observer, the school board,
> fraud, pay offs and such.

You can call it Bye, Bye Birdlover!!! Exit stage left...or is it right?

I dont hesitate to continue long term prejudices based on both racial and socio-economic misconceptions that are completely opinionated and spoon-fed to me by my parents and peers, thus proving the absurdity of the argument i provide! I prefer not to consider the reality that my parents and friends are bigots, instead i try to justify my irrational fear and hatred towards South Lakes Sucks School (get it, it sucks!) on supposed violence, academics, and drugs! Its totally awesome because even though my accusations cant be justified by facts, all i have to do is produce an element of doubt that cant be un-proved! TeeHee!!!! Manipulating parent's concern for their children to make sure that i can stay on the JV cheer leading squad at my rich, affluent high school is fun! South lakes sucks lolololol!!!!!

ttyl, Emily