The South Lakes PTSA is shameless. My hope is that this redistricting gets stopped by the Board or in a law suit.

If it does go thru, remember these people.

South Lakes PTSA Board
Talking Points Author - Caroline Hemenway (hemenwayc@aol.com)
PTSA President - Elizabeth Vandenburg
Vice President - Maria Allen
Vice President - Nonye Oladimeji
Newsletter Editor - Kim Sigle
Treasurer - Ellen Jennings
Academic Booster Chair & Membership Chair - Helene Weiland
Media Liaison - Jeanette Thomas
Hospitality Chair - Lou Ann Armstrong
Member-At Large - Liz Cline

Contact information can be found here: http://www.southlakesptsa.org/board.htm

word Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The South Lakes PTSA is shameless. My hope is that
> this redistricting gets stopped by the Board or in
> a law suit.
>
> If it does go thru, remember these people.
>
> South Lakes PTSA Board
> Talking Points Author - Caroline Hemenway
> (hemenwayc@aol.com)
> PTSA President - Elizabeth Vandenburg
> Vice President - Maria Allen
> Vice President - Nonye Oladimeji
> Newsletter Editor - Kim Sigle
> Treasurer - Ellen Jennings
> Academic Booster Chair & Membership Chair - Helene
> Weiland
> Media Liaison - Jeanette Thomas
> Hospitality Chair - Lou Ann Armstrong
> Member-At Large - Liz Cline
>
> Contact information can be found here:
> http://www.southlakesptsa.org/board.htm


That's low. Grow up.

Great Article to read if you are against a school boundary change.

Jim Graves
Attachments:

Exodus Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> word Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The South Lakes PTSA is shameless. My hope is
> that
> > this redistricting gets stopped by the Board or
> in
> > a law suit.
> >
> > If it does go thru, remember these people.
> >
> > South Lakes PTSA Board
> > Talking Points Author - Caroline Hemenway
> > (hemenwayc@aol.com)
> > PTSA President - Elizabeth Vandenburg
> > Vice President - Maria Allen
> > Vice President - Nonye Oladimeji
> > Newsletter Editor - Kim Sigle
> > Treasurer - Ellen Jennings
> > Academic Booster Chair & Membership Chair -
> Helene
> > Weiland
> > Media Liaison - Jeanette Thomas
> > Hospitality Chair - Lou Ann Armstrong
> > Member-At Large - Liz Cline
> >
> > Contact information can be found here:
> > http://www.southlakesptsa.org/board.htm
>
>
> That's low. Grow up.

Not low, accurate. Ms. Henenway has NO business dictating scenarios at the cost of other communities. She preaches less commute, less time on roads for inexperienced drivers, with all of that to get Floris to attend SL. Guess what, Fair Oaks Estates and Century Oaks, in her proposal, forces us to increase commutes across dangerous roads and putting our children at risk. How dare she. Maybe someone can post her phone number so we can call and tell her to butt the hell out of our neighborhoods because she does not know what she is talking about.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >>>I think we all know who the real bullies
> are.<<<
>
> Indeed we do, Father.

Actually, I don't think you have a clue.

I think you should all take a breather from this site. I am reading some very disturbing and angry comments and personal attacks that are unwarranted in this situation. I am sure that you are all concerned parents who want the best for your children, but please remember that you are role models first, and you are not modeling good behavior here. I do admire Floris Parent for having the courage to post his contact information, and I denounce those encouraging posting the personal contact information of others. Who knows, maybe you will all be outed one day, and you may regret your words.

You all need to put this in perspective, remember this blessed season, and try to behave civilly.

God bless you all.

Father Bob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Who knows, maybe you will all be outed
> one day, and you may regret your words.

That threshold was past 60 or more pages ago.

Why would someone choose a nickname of a Catholic priest on a website where people are being accused of being predators of children.

"Curiouser and curiouser"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2007 12:26AM by Thomas More.

word Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The South Lakes PTSA is shameless. My hope is that
> this redistricting gets stopped by the Board or in
> a law suit.
>
> If it does go thru, remember these people.
>
>
Please provide your name and contact info to all of us as well.

> This document was posted by Maria Allen, the web
> master for the SL PTSA web site and SL PTSA Vice
> President over my objection and the objection of
> others. It crosses the line into advocacy and is
> a breach of the Charter. I advised the SL PTSA
> President that if it were posted I would ask for
> the SL PTSA Charter to be revoked. It was posted
> any way. Feel free to send your own objection
> letter to your own School Board member asking for
> SL PTSA to be sanctioned and send a copy to the
> local press as I will be doing.
>
>
Please provide your name and contact info to all of us.

Hi everybody,
Don't forget to bring your children to the meeting tonight; it is their voices which need to be heard above all. And that goes for you, too, South Lakes.

Also, please remember that this is an excellent lesson in civic action - be the example for them.

if this RD goes through, is it possible to sue the school board?

they are going against what the citizens want and they way they are handling this is a disgrace to the democratic process.

we parents who do not wish to be RD should sue if the outcome is not what we want. There are thousands of lawyers in fairfax, I'm sure there is one who is effected by this.

Berdhuis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi everybody,
> Don't forget to bring your children to the meeting
> tonight; it is their voices which need to be heard
> above all. And that goes for you, too, South
> Lakes.
>
> Also, please remember that this is an excellent
> lesson in civic action - be the example for them.


Yes, bring your children, so Maria and crew can start snapping those yearbook pictures and sizing up team uniforms!

StopRD - http://StopRD.org will be suing the county if this goes thru. Send them your support and dollars.

navy parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Exodus Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > word Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > The South Lakes PTSA is shameless. My hope is
> > that
> > > this redistricting gets stopped by the Board
> or
> > in
> > > a law suit.
> > >
> > > If it does go thru, remember these people.
> > >
> > > South Lakes PTSA Board
> > > Talking Points Author - Caroline Hemenway
> > > (hemenwayc@aol.com)
> > > PTSA President - Elizabeth Vandenburg
> > > Vice President - Maria Allen
> > > Vice President - Nonye Oladimeji
> > > Newsletter Editor - Kim Sigle
> > > Treasurer - Ellen Jennings
> > > Academic Booster Chair & Membership Chair -
> > Helene
> > > Weiland
> > > Media Liaison - Jeanette Thomas
> > > Hospitality Chair - Lou Ann Armstrong
> > > Member-At Large - Liz Cline
> > >
> > > Contact information can be found here:
> > > http://www.southlakesptsa.org/board.htm
> >
> >
> > That's low. Grow up.
>
> Not low, accurate. Ms. Henenway has NO business
> dictating scenarios at the cost of other
> communities. She preaches less commute, less time
> on roads for inexperienced drivers, with all of
> that to get Floris to attend SL. Guess what, Fair
> Oaks Estates and Century Oaks, in her proposal,
> forces us to increase commutes across dangerous
> roads and putting our children at risk. How dare
> she. Maybe someone can post her phone number so
> we can call and tell her to butt the hell out of
> our neighborhoods because she does not know what
> she is talking about.

Floris is not a 3-3.5 mile commute to South Lakes either, but nice try.

word Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> StopRD - http://StopRD.org will be suing the
> county if this goes thru. Send them your support
> and dollars.

You'll be wasting your money. You'd better make sure that the Head Honcho, Esq. doesn't end up using it as his personal slush fund.

Exodus - I tend to agree that posting names on a message board isn't at that keen, unless the contact information is of the type that the general public is welcome to use. That could be the case here - I would want to check that out before commenting further.

But I am not sure that it is helpful to blithely refer to someone as low (or a blowhard, for that matter), because the South Lakes PTSA has indeed made a significant error in taking a public position on this matter. And let's be clear, they have not merely taken a position on the School Board's alternatives, but have also affirmatively inserted themselves into the political process by promulgating their own option. The statement by the Oakton PTSA speaks volumes - it accurately reflects why it is not proper for them to take a position (and even mentions the 501(c)3 considerations) - and in so doing oozes the kind of competence and sense of acuity that reflects well on Oakton High School. In fact, the contrast between the disciplined approach of the Oakton PTSA and the South Lakes PTSA couldn't be greater, and the South Lakes PTSA position only fuels the perception that the school is rife with paternalistic, progressive do-gooders that have overseen, through their "progressive" ideas, a decline of monumental proportions at their school (although to be fair the last few years have shown improvement). So whether this perception is the "truth" - or not - it matters little when it gets reinforced through stunts like the SL PTSA has just pulled - and it makes no sense for a school that desperately needs middle class, well adjusted students, who may stay away in droves if they believe that they are merely a distributed commodity sent to serve the aims of a community that has indulged in a series of missteps and bad choices. Again, there likely is room for argument as to the substance of these perceptions (if I can make them, the ill educated blowhard that I am, especially compared to your likely awesome academic credentials), but the fact remains that negative perceptions persist, and they don't go away through emotionally indulged, far less than strategic, conduct and thinking.

Berdhuis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi everybody,
> Don't forget to bring your children to the meeting
> tonight; it is their voices which need to be heard
> above all. And that goes for you, too, South
> Lakes.
>
> Also, please remember that this is an excellent
> lesson in civic action - be the example for them.

I am not sure I agree that having lots of children at this meeting is a good idea and I certainly don't agree it is their voice that should be heard "above all others", including the adult taxpayers funding the educational system. First of all, space is limited, and second, these are adult decisions that are being made which are hopefully for the good of the children. By definition, children are not fully capable of making adult decisions on their own. I agree having a voice is important and that a limited number should attend.

At the last meeting we had a couple students in our class that made some insightful comments based on their real life experiences that were more compelling than many of the standard arguments we heard over and over. Yet there were several more who sat there, didn't say much and seemed bored, while overflow participants had to sit in the gym or auditorium.

Are you kidding me, Oakton has one of the worst PTSA records in the County! We're lucky if we can collect dues.

Clarifier Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The alternatives scenario does not affect the
> outcome of Coppermine/McNair changes. So South
> Lakes parents ARE in favor of leaving McNair alone
> for now. The question of where McNair students,
> and students now west of Centerville Road
> (currently in Floris) and new students in new
> developments go, can be left up to the future.

Oak Hill, Floris, and McNair are all in the mix for the elementary school redistricting. The result will be a nastier snake's nest of mixed feeders than we have now.
>
> None of those neighborhoods abuts South Lakes and
> therefore, South Lakes proximity issues would not
> be affected by any of those changes, and no one
> who is affected now would be affected by future
> changes.

South Lakes will still be 5 miles and 15 minutes away, but we will still have split feeders.
>
> South Lakes has an immediate opening for 700+
> students.

Yes and NO TAKERS!
>
> Remember: There are only a few more than 1,100
> general ed kids at SL now. That's 275 per grade.
> In four years, there should be 450 per grade. That
> is a significant number for being able to offer
> the same kinds of courses other schools provide.

There is no desire on the part of South Lakes to provide the kind of courses that other schools provide. They merely want more victims for the unpopular IB program. If South Lakes provided the courses that other schools have, there would be somewhat less resistance to the forced move, although the splitting up of communities and the longer time in traffic would still be there.

> I am not sure I agree that having lots of children
> at this meeting is a good idea and I certainly
> don't agree it is their voice that should be heard
> "above all others", including the adult taxpayers
> funding the educational system.

Understood, but I know that in order for them to accept the role of adults in time, they need to increase their sense of responsibility through participation in action that directly impacts their lives - and I suggest more so than ours. If we rob them of this particular opportunity (obviously there are others over which should never be handed), they will sense that they are distrusted.

quantum Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Exodus - I tend to agree that posting names on a
> message board isn't at that keen, unless the
> contact information is of the type that the
> general public is welcome to use. That could be
> the case here - I would want to check that out
> before commenting further.
>
> But I am not sure that it is helpful to blithely
> refer to someone as low (or a blowhard, for that
> matter), because the South Lakes PTSA has indeed
> made a significant error in taking a public
> position on this matter. And let's be clear, they
> have not merely taken a position on the School
> Board's alternatives, but have also affirmatively
> inserted themselves into the political process by
> promulgating their own option. The statement by
> the Oakton PTSA speaks volumes - it accurately
> reflects why it is not proper for them to take a
> position (and even mentions the 501(c)3
> considerations) - and in so doing oozes the kind
> of competence and sense of acuity that reflects
> well on Oakton High School. In fact, the contrast
> between the disciplined approach of the Oakton
> PTSA and the South Lakes PTSA couldn't be greater,
> and the South Lakes PTSA position only fuels the
> perception that the school is rife with
> paternalistic, progressive do-gooders that have
> overseen, through their "progressive" ideas, a
> decline of monumental proportions at their school
> (although to be fair the last few years have shown
> improvement). So whether this perception is the
> "truth" - or not - it matters little when it gets
> reinforced through stunts like the SL PTSA has
> just pulled - and it makes no sense for a school
> that desperately needs middle class, well adjusted
> students, who may stay away in droves if they
> believe that they are merely a distributed
> commodity sent to serve the aims of a community
> that has indulged in a series of missteps and bad
> choices. Again, there likely is room for argument
> as to the substance of these perceptions (if I can
> make them, the ill educated blowhard that I am,
> especially compared to your likely awesome
> academic credentials), but the fact remains that
> negative perceptions persist, and they don't go
> away through emotionally indulged, far less than
> strategic, conduct and thinking.


I will accept the comeuppance on my earlier nasty comment about you as a "blowhard". I can't always follow what you say, but it is always civil. And I am less educated than you or my relative, SL Padre, and don't have kids at SLHS yet.

But posting people's names that way is a bad deal. It's like mob/lynching mentality. I don't see the South Lakes PTSA actions as "stunts". They have been trying to make the positive case that you always talk about. Why do you put them down for stating that case and keep talking about what SLHS actually is. Should they roll over?

As I understand it, their is a sub-group of the PTSA who have been active and there is not a unanimous viewpoint within that group. They are in a fight too and people don't seem to like it that they fight back. Other neighborhoods and schools have their positions and groups and have been very, very vocal with their flyers and talking points. So I don't buy it...it's a way to try to squash their views.

Did you notice that the Oakton HS kids came up with a very different impression than the "facts" they had heard from parents and adults? So that is where we are coming from.

A heads up: This blog has been making a lot of hay from this subject, as well as reposting many of the less flattering comments made online here.

Berdhuis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > I am not sure I agree that having lots of
> children
> > at this meeting is a good idea and I certainly
> > don't agree it is their voice that should be
> heard
> > "above all others", including the adult
> taxpayers
> > funding the educational system.
>
> Understood, but I know that in order for them to
> accept the role of adults in time, they need to
> increase their sense of responsibility through
> participation in action that directly impacts
> their lives - and I suggest more so than ours. If
> we rob them of this particular opportunity
> (obviously there are others over which should
> never be handed), they will sense that they are
> distrusted.

Berdhuis,

Look forward to seeing all of your McNair wee ones at the meeting tonight. Hope they don't mind hearing all of the terrible things the South Lakes PTSA has to say about them and their school. It will, indeed be a special opportunity for them to hear these things from the SL PTSA:

"There is a direct correlation between poverty and achievement, and kids who underachieve have a better opportunity to be influenced by achievers when there are more of them in relation to themselves."

"Disadvantaged kids at McNair benefit by being a smaller population of Westfield." (they probably do have a better chance of standing out in a Westfield 2600-3100 population than at something with a range of 1700-2000) "Adding them to South Lakes and Herndon would worsen efforts there to provide excellent support to current FRM students."

On the matter of the SLHS talking points.

The "Talking Points" that the SLHS PTSA information website link on redistricting contains were NOT created by the PTSA. There is a group of concerned parents called the South Lakes Boundary Study Group that includes PTSA members plus quite a few people who are not PTSA members. This is not a "subgroup" of the PTSA.

Over the last several months, they have paid attention to the boundary issues and process and, after reviewing a great deal of information and conducting research and listening to many opinions, some in disagreement, the group got behind one of the options presented by FCPS staff (Option 3) as long as it was modified so that another Title I school was not added to the SLHS pyramid.

The folks in this group knew that South Lakes was going to have a huge array of people against any redistricting because that is what always happens during these situations. Many members of this group knew that it had to be organized and present as unified a front as possible. This is no more nor less than any other group is doing during this process. Most neighborhood associations involved have been doing this quite vehemently, some as early as last April. It can be argued that they do not represent all the voices in their communities, and that there is disagreement and that they chose to present a unified front. They, too, are groups of concerned parents affiliated with various schools.

Those documents are not a creation of the PTSA. Others (who support South Lakes) can ask the PTSA webmaster to post an opposing argument that is in line with the boundary process.

Exodus Wrote:
----------------
>I don't see the South Lakes PTSA actions as "stunts".

For a few weeks on the SL PTSA website, there was direct advocacy for Option #5, listed below the other four. This option could only have been authored and/or approved, then publicly displayed by representatives of the PTSA. This is in violation of Fairfax County guidelines.

It was not until after the most recent boundary variation was displayed by the county that Option #5 was removed from the SL PTSA website. Curiously, the most recent variation almost perfectly resembles SL PTSA's Option #5.

It cannot be denied that this looks alarmingly suspicious.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2007 10:57AM by Berdhuis.

The documents are posted on the SL PTSA web site. There is no disclaimer.

Flurries Wrote:
-------------------
> Berdhuis,
>
> Look forward to seeing all of your McNair wee ones
> at the meeting tonight.

Yes, Flurries, the Berdhuises will be there along with, hopefully, many other McNair folk.

word Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The documents are posted on the SL PTSA web site.
> There is no disclaimer.

felix navidad, word. What is the following, found - flashing, btw; Neen, of all people, or one of your teammates complained about it yesterday. I admit that it makes me seasick too.


"The South Lakes HS PTSA does not endorse or advocate any one specific point of view or scenario. The role of the PTSA with regard to redistricting is to facilitate the flow of information and to encourage discussion among its members. For this purpose, items are posted on and linked to this page that reflect the views of individual PTSA members."

This is one of those ridiculous side issues that grows in heat as people look for things to get MORE angry about. The SLHS PTSA organized a forum/group for people to learn information, express their views, and participate. People who don't like it -- or weren't kowtowed to because their favorite version didn't garner enough support -- object. There's enough objections to the substance, but I suppose some people need to notch up the personal attacks to really make it worth their while.

How about if we agree that the "line" for debate is at SLHS is/is not a ghetto, failing school pr is/is not a safe, positive, diverse, excellent school and leave people's emails and home phones out of it?

I never much liked that "line" of discussion either because it puts SLHS on the immediate defensive, but it passes for civil these days.

Also be aware there is group from Chantilly that is for the RD plan because they want their kids out of Chantilly HS because of the LDS fiasco.

The Truth

ROFLOL

> The "Talking Points" that the SLHS PTSA
> information website link on redistricting contains
> were NOT created by the PTSA.

Riiiight. It was posted by the VP of SL PTSA who created Option 5 with the support of several (but not all) of the other officers of the SL PTSA in close consultation Stu Gibson. SL PTSA fingerprints and bite marks are all over this advocacy document.

> There is a group of
> concerned parents called the South Lakes Boundary
> Study Group that includes PTSA members plus quite
> a few people who are not PTSA members. This is not
> a "subgroup" of the PTSA.

I thought it was called the "core group". If it's not a subgroup of SL PTSA why did it meet in the same Media Center of SL as the PTSA meetiings. There were meeting rooms at Reston Community Center, the Glade room is available to RA members, even the community room of the North County Government Center, aka Supervisor Hudsgins office.

If it's not a subgroup of SL PTSA why were only the supporters of Option 5 invited to meet with incoming members of the School Board at the house of a SL PTSA officer.

> the group got behind one of the options presented by FCPS staff
> (Option 3) as long as it was modified so that
> another Title I school was not added to the SLHS
> pyramid.

AKA Option 5, now known as Alternative Option

> Those documents are not a creation of the PTSA.

Because no meeting of the PTSA has ever held by the authors of Option 5 to solicit the input of SL parents and ask for ratification of their proposal. In fact, the December meeting of SL PTSA was canceled, for legitimate reasons. The January meeting should be extraordinarily entertaining. Maybe it and the February SL PTSA meeting will get snowed out and the "core group" won't have to face accountability for its actions until after the SB approves Option 5.

> Others (who support South Lakes) can ask the PTSA
> webmaster to post an opposing argument that is in
> line with the boundary process.

Riiiiight. The webmaster who just happens to be the principal author of Option 5. As if. Look at how they attack SL parents on this forum who dissent from their party line.



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2007 11:57AM by Thomas More.

I think the personal attacks on hardworking and well-intentioned parents is really inappropriate.

I personally know Caroline Hemingway and must say that she is one of the most dedicated, caring, child advocates within our school system. She is trying to save a school. Something any of us would do if it was our school.

Everyone needs to direct ther anger and frustration toward the people who have created this mess- Jack Dale and The School Board. They are incompetent and have caused this problem through neglect and mismanagement.

Concerned Oakton Parent,
Please define LDS. Or at least what the acronym means.

What happened to Birdlover? Has anyone noticed He/She has stopped posting?

Concerned Oakton Parent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Also be aware there is group from Chantilly that
> is for the RD plan because they want their kids
> out of Chantilly HS because of the LDS fiasco.


Well, you should really get your facts straight before you spout off inaccuracies. You are probably referring to LS: Learning Seminar time. Concept is great and has shown improvement of scores for some. It is a work in progress and will continue to get better and better. An FYI, most High Schools have the same concept in their buildings.......whether is called Pride Time or Wildcat Time.......it is all the same concept. Applaud Chantilly for recognizing the needs of its' population. I'll take a work in progress anytime versus having to deny my children a safe drive to and from school or acess to their community school.

Oakton's morning LS period is on Wednesday.
'

Chantilly Parent,
I'm trying to understand the safe drive to/from school argument, whether its to/from South Lakes/Chantilly/Westfields/Oakton. Why not let your children take the bus? It would reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, reduce our consumption of fossil fuels, and everyone would generally be a little more safe. I can't (thankfully) remember the last time a school bus was in any kind of a serious accident in NOVA.

Do your children need to drive because of after school activities? Don't they have activity(late) buses?

I don't get it.

I can attest to the quality of a South Lakes education. I attended Reston schools my whole life and upon graduation attended Cornell University on a full scholarship. My sister who also attended South Lakes went to Duke University, attended Medical School and completed a Fellowship in oncology. When a neighbor from my street (just across the Reston border in Vienna) went door to door with a petition to have the kids in my neighborhood moved to the Madison district my mother refused to sign on the grounds that my sister and I went to South Lakes and turned out just fine.

Yes, there were students of all colors, nationalities, and economic levels at South Lakes. Yes, this fact enriched my school experience. No, if I could go back and do it again I wouldn't change a thing.

And now the South Lakes Boundary Study Group aka Sl PTSA leadership has decided to block access to their precious Yahoo Group to any SL parent who dissents from support of Option 5 or the multiple abuse of power and prerogatives associated with its promotion.

ROFLOL

I'm sure the East Floris and Fox Mill parents can't wait to be subjected to this authoritarian crowd.

"You will be absorbed, resistance is futile"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2007 01:19PM by Thomas More.

Rickey V. Gunter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A heads up: This blog has been making a lot of hay
> from this subject, as well as reposting many of
> the less flattering comments made online here.


OOOOOOOOOH! I'm FAMOUS!

No autographs.....

Here are some thoughts and numbers for everyone to ponder as we all prepare for tonight's meeting:

Quick Facts and Figures:
• For each of the schools in the boundary study as well as Langley HS and Madison HS, the FCPS staff underestimated enrollment for 2007
o South Lakes had 46 more students than planned – the most of any school in the study

• County enrollment is projected to be 92.9% capacity across all 25 high schools (average) for 2012 with a median (half above and half below) of 95.9%, yet this study has South Lakes projected at 97.9% capacity
o Westfield (no changes) ranks as the 17th most populated of the 25 schools based on capacity
o The Alternative option would drop it down to being the 22nd most populated school relative to capacity
o South Lakes would in turn become the 10th most populated school relative to capacity – well above the average
o Madison HS is the 3rd most populated school in the district relative to capacity at 106% (103% under the alternative option)
o Even with the addition of 250 seats, Langley HS is projected to be at 97.6% capacity, or 11th overall – 6 slots higher than Westfield. Without the addition, Langley would have operated at 110% capacity, behind only TJ.
o From a G&T perspective, Thomas Jefferson HS remains the most over populated HS in the County at 116% capacity.
o In 2012, McLean HS is projected over capacity as well (101%)
o Herndon HS is operating with a significant buffer at 86.6% capacity

Conclusions:
• As was shown in the South County study last year, the FCPS Staff grossly underestimates the enrollments of the schools and thus leads to decisions being made over poor data. Actual vs. projection numbers must be reviewed and analyzed prior to making suggestions, let alone recommendations or decisions.
• Growth and over population of schools is ACTUALLY to the EAST of South Lakes HS including Langley, McLean, and Madison HS Boundaries.
• Schools such as Falls Church HS are in much tougher positions than South Lakes HS and should be addressed as it remains more consistently under-enrolled relative to capacity and has much higher “socio-economic” numbers
• The “2000” number is arbitrary as schools footprints are not uniform and thus “CAPACITY” is a better reflection of overcrowding. Schools are designed as different sizes and can thus handle those enrollments. Comparing “raw” number populations merely clouds this discussion.
• The disparity between capacity and enrollment between neighboring schools as well as the elongated and irregular boundary areas necessitate a more complete and comprehensive study to balance enrollment
• In even considering revising boundaries, South Lakes should not populate beyond a planned 2012 enrollment of 1953 students (92.9% capacity) to stay in line with the overall County Enrollment.
• None of the options or discussions explain why the high school numbers for South Lakes are out of sync with the projected numbers from the feeder schools currently within the boundary. Analysis must be done to correlate the number of elementary schools students present in the feeder schools to the number of high school students coming from that same area. This analysis should be done COUNTY-WIDE, and not just for the West County Schools.

On other topics:
- AP is at the top 12 schools (of 25) in the county
- IB is 7 of the bottom 10 (8 of 25 schools are IB)
- IB is at 6 of the "top" 8 schools in F&R Lunch percentage (i.e., lowest socio-economic areas)
- AP is at 12 of the 13 (17 of 19) schools with the lowest socio-economic impact

Clearly AP is preferred amongst the high performing schools/student areas and appears to be thrust upon the lower areas as a socioeconomic experiment in and of itself.

Please excuse my ignorance on this issue. I just recently heard about this.

Can someone please sum up why people are against redistricting?

If it is because of geography issues, and there are other neighborhoods which could fill the void which are closer, then I can understand the resistence.

But I don't think basing the resistence on the lower test scores or greater racial diversity of South Lakes is valid.

Someone please advise...

South Lakes Grad - PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WRITE. CORNELL UNIVERSTIY DOES NOT OFFER ACADEMIC OR SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS (AS PART OF THE IVY LEAGUE THEY ARE PROHIBITED FROM DOING SO). AID IS NEED BASED AND ONLY NEED BASED. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE INDEPENDENT OF THE SCHOOL, SO IF YOU WERE AWARDED ONE - CONGRATULATIONS! ALSO, CORNELL IS A GREAT SCHOOL SO CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING IN! ON ANOTHER NOTE, CORNELL DOES RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF THE IB PROGRAM, BUT DOES NOT OFFER NEARLY AS MUCH CREDIT FOR COMPLETING THE PROGRAM AS IT DOES FOR AP.


Re: high school redistricting
Posted by: South Lakes Grad (IP Logged)
Date: December 19, 2007 01:18PM


I can attest to the quality of a South Lakes education. I attended Reston schools my whole life and upon graduation attended Cornell University on a full scholarship. My sister who also attended South Lakes went to Duke University, attended Medical School and completed a Fellowship in oncology. When a neighbor from my street (just across the Reston border in Vienna) went door to door with a petition to have the kids in my neighborhood moved to the Madison district my mother refused to sign on the grounds that my sister and I went to South Lakes and turned out just fine.

Yes, there were students of all colors, nationalities, and economic levels at South Lakes. Yes, this fact enriched my school experience. No, if I could go back and do it again I wouldn't change a thing.

iwanano Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Chantilly Parent,
> I'm trying to understand the safe drive to/from
> school argument, whether its to/from South
> Lakes/Chantilly/Westfields/Oakton. Why not let
> your children take the bus? It would reduce the
> number of vehicles on the roads, reduce our
> consumption of fossil fuels, and everyone would
> generally be a little more safe. I can't
> (thankfully) remember the last time a school bus
> was in any kind of a serious accident in NOVA.
>
> Do your children need to drive because of after
> school activities? Don't they have activity(late)
> buses?
>
> I don't get it.


Our children do take the bus as often as possible. If they are involved in any afterschool activity it is not always possible to take the late bus. Football practice runs until around 5:30pm, 5 days a week. Band practices during August (early AM) and all through the fall. All the different sports practice whenever they are scheduled after school. Clubs, organizations meet at different times.

I usually average at least one trip to school per day and sometimes more as my children do not drive yet. And when they do start driving I prefer they drive to the school that is closest ot our house. Not many 16 year olds are competent enough to drive on I-66 at anytime, let alone rush hour or handle some of the small, winding roads that are the alternate routes.

Well, since sharing is in vogue, although I'm still waiting for Word to reveal his name and contact info so I can remember him, I do believe that it was Thomas More who sent the following to Ms. Arakelian:

"We missed you at last night’s South Lakes PTA mtg... Two themes emerged. Reston kids should go to Reston’s high school: South Lakes. Therefore, Armstrong and Aldrin should be included in South Lakes as most of their attendance area is in Reston."

In fact, I was at that meeting and no such theme emerged...

Glass houses....

CORNELL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> South Lakes Grad - PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU
> WRITE. CORNELL UNIVERSTIY DOES NOT OFFER ACADEMIC
> OR SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS
> ...

Please get your friends to walk over to Baron Cameron and tell Aldrin about South Lakes. Nice fields and a doggy park - oops guess people can't go it's in Reston. Most of the Vienna area is low density near Reston. Lots of Fox Mill is attached to lower Floris - Frying Pan Park is Herndon. Baron Cameron is Reston.

So we have similar nice neighborhoods - one near Baron Cameron and one near Frying Pan. One squats in perpetuity at Herndon while the other did a stint at the airport. What? One is never subject to change and always undercapacity.

South Lakes Grad Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Can someone please sum up why people are against
> redistricting?

Sure, South Lakes Grad. I won't list all reasons, but here are a couple:

1. For families who will now have older children in one high school, and younger children going to a new, different one, this is a logistical nightmare. Having to support extracurricular activities in two separate high schools, especially when geographically situated far apart is very difficult and rather disruptive of family routines. No one wants this.

2. In most circumstances, families have developed strong ties to their current school and simply would prefer to remain there. It is this sense of familiarity (not to be confused with similarity) and shared participation that creates strong communities. Many are tired of having to uproot and abandon ties for new ones. Redistricting removes continuity in our lives, and to our detriment.

Please notice that there is no criticism of South Lakes HS in this post.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2007 01:59PM by Berdhuis.

CORNELL-
Ah yes- I should clarify it was a Navy ROTC scholarship.

Westfields is a great school. Fairfax Counties #1 Zanex school. It produces some the finest psycho shooters in the state of Va.

Both the Va Tech and FFX County Policeman shooters were from Westfield HS.

South Lakes Grad Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CORNELL-
> Ah yes- I should clarify it was a Navy ROTC
> scholarship.


Right on! Thanks for your commitment to country and citizens.

OneCounty Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well, since sharing is in vogue, although I'm
> still waiting for Word to reveal his name and
> contact info so I can remember him, I do believe
> that it was Thomas More who sent the following to
> Ms. Arakelian:
>
> "We missed you at last night’s South Lakes PTA
> mtg... Two themes emerged. Reston kids should go
> to Reston’s high school: South Lakes. Therefore,
> Armstrong and Aldrin should be included in South
> Lakes as most of their attendance area is in
> Reston."
>
> In fact, I was at that meeting and no such theme
> emerged...
>
> Glass houses....

I guess you weren't paying attention to anyone but those voices in your head.

Even Stu was nodding in agreement at that comment, as were many others, even though Stu had already promised the Aldrin and Armstrong parents in January '03 that they wouldn't be redistricted which promise was contrary to the School Board guidelines but with your help and the help of others he's followed through on that promise.

Got a real rousing ovation last night at the basketball game didn't he.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2007 02:30PM by Thomas More.

Would like to see Stu at a Concorde District basketball game.

Divided We Fall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> word Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > StopRD - http://StopRD.org will be suing the
> > county if this goes thru. Send them your
> support
> > and dollars.
>
> You'll be wasting your money. You'd better make
> sure that the Head Honcho, Esq. doesn't end up
> using it as his personal slush fund.

If you're talking about Bolger, you're all SOL. He's not touched in any scenario and is not suing anyone. Good luck with that...

Hey the VA shooter was redistricted to Westfield. Who knows, maybe redistricting is too much for someone on the edge...
Jester Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Westfields is a great school. Fairfax Counties #1
> Zanex school. It produces some the finest psycho
> shooters in the state of Va.
>
> Both the Va Tech and FFX County Policeman shooters
> were from Westfield HS.

Dear Mr. More,

I take it from your recent comments that you were removed from the Boundary Study Group oft-mentioned here. Curiosity prompts me wonder why you were a member of this supposed PTSA Sanctioned 'Cabal' if you so opposed it, and why you are now unhappy with your removal. From your words, one would think that you couldn't get away fast enough.

You have totally failed to rally people to your much vaunted Quixote-like quest to reunite Reston, which is a shame because your arguments had some merits. Instead you have chosen the low road of bitterly and vengefully attacking anyone who dares disagree with you and failing to ever look at the merits of opposing arguments. It would be so nice if you would finally have some shame and discontinue your unhinged diatribes, but alas, that will never happen, as you are one inclined to always have the last word.

I leave you with this parting and sweet thought: Bruce Butler has just been named the Reston Times Citizen of the Year! I have to admit to a little schadenfreude at the thought of your face turning red and the spit flying from your mouth as you hunch Scrooge-like over the paper. In the spirit of the season, I will remind myself that even Scrooge was redeemed in the end.

God bless us every one.

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Got a real rousing ovation last night at the
> basketball game didn't he.


I dont remember Stu being there...

Oh...just kidding I thought you meant the Herndon game.

I take it from your recent comments that you were removed from the Concorde District basketball game. The South Lakes PTSA is shameless. PTSA President - Elizabeth Vandenburg has NO business dictating scenarios at the cost of other communities. she does not know what she is talking about. There are some very disturbing and angry comments and personal attacks that are unwarranted in this situation. Don't forget to bring your children to the meeting tonight. Please provide your name and contact info to all of us as well. Parents who do not wish to be RD should sue if the outcome is not what we want.

Maybe this has already been said- but all this tension over keeping certain kids out of South Lakes could lead to potential backlash against them if and when the redistricting goes through. Its a shame, but a very real possibility.

Utopian Heretic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dear Mr. More,
>
> I take it from your recent comments that you were
> removed from the Boundary Study Group
> oft-mentioned here.

Never got a membership card from the "Boundary Study Group", were they handing them out with the secret handshake.

> Curiosity prompts me wonder
> why you were a member of this supposed PTSA
> Sanctioned 'Cabal' if you so opposed it, and why
> you are now unhappy with your removal.

Opposed to Option 5, favored Option 4 or a variation thereon.

> From your
> words, one would think that you couldn't get away
> fast enough.

True, once they became partisans for a particular outcome in this process instead of being honest brokers of information and a forum for an open exchange of opinions. It has become clear that the Boundary Study Group will say anything and do anything to implement Stu's agenda

> You have totally failed to rally people to your
> much vaunted Quixote-like quest to reunite Reston,
> which is a shame because your arguments had some
> merits.

A review of the comments at the last meeting would suggest otherwise. That my allies and I have been ignored is sad but part of the political process. Just like those of us who would return SL to AP are ignored. "All power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." said Lord Acton in response to the First Vatican Council's vote in favor of papal infallibilty. See the parallels.

> Instead you have chosen the low road of
> bitterly and vengefully attacking anyone who dares
> disagree with you and failing to ever look at the
> merits of opposing arguments.

The opposing "positions" are based on disinformation and sophistry and do not merit the term "argument".

Any merit in such positions is discredited by gross abuses of power and position.

But once again, all dissent merits the attack of the harpies. All SL parents will toe the Boundary Study Group/ SL PTSA party line or suffer the attack of the party faithful. Sieg Heil, mein Furher. Or is it Chairman Mao or Mr. Stalin.

Authoritarianism rules supreme with this bunch. Welcome aboard East Floris and Fox Mill.

> I leave you with this parting and sweet thought:
> Bruce Butler has just been named the Reston Times
> Citizen of the Year!

Mr. Lincoln was right. You can fool all of the people some of the time.

> God bless us every one.

And a merry Christmas to you and yours.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2007 04:23PM by Thomas More.

iwanano Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Chantilly Parent,
> I'm trying to understand the safe drive to/from
> school argument, whether its to/from South
> Lakes/Chantilly/Westfields/Oakton. Why not let
> your children take the bus? It would reduce the
> number of vehicles on the roads, reduce our
> consumption of fossil fuels, and everyone would
> generally be a little more safe. I can't
> (thankfully) remember the last time a school bus
> was in any kind of a serious accident in NOVA.
>
> Do your children need to drive because of after
> school activities? Don't they have activity(late)
> buses?
>
> I don't get it.

My kids are all involved in activities at school. An after school bus is not an option and in the morning if they do take the bus, they have to leave an extra thirty minutes early....they would have to catch the bus at 6:15 AM. Unacceptable. That is abuse. With the new proposal, the bus for Oakton and Chantilly will literally pass each other to get out of my neighborhood. It is just stupid to have the dividing line where it is. Leave all of us that sit between the parkway and West Ox stay at Chantilly.

Would it be easier for you to get to South Lakes? I know there are a lot of Fox Mill people who would gladly stay at Oakton and take your place.

Yes, you can sue the county and yes you'll be wasting your money.

You elected the school board and the school board decides what school your child attends. Period. These are public schools, and Fairfax County does not defacto grant anyone their choice of schools. If you want school choice, there are plenty of private schools out there ready to take your money.

Thomas More Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Utopian Heretic Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Dear Mr. More,
> >
> > I take it from your recent comments that you
> were
> > removed from the Boundary Study Group
> > oft-mentioned here.
>
> Never got a membership card from the "Boundary
> Study Group", were they handing them out with the
> secret handshake.
>
> > Curiosity prompts me wonder
> > why you were a member of this supposed PTSA
> > Sanctioned 'Cabal' if you so opposed it, and
> why
> > you are now unhappy with your removal.
>
> Opposed to Option 5, favored Option 4 or a
> variation thereon.
>
> > From your
> > words, one would think that you couldn't get
> away
> > fast enough.
>
> True, once they became partisans for a particular
> outcome in this process instead of being honest
> brokers of information and a forum for an open
> exchange of opinions. It has become clear that the
> Boundary Study Group will say anything and do
> anything to implement Stu's agenda
>
> > You have totally failed to rally people to your
> > much vaunted Quixote-like quest to reunite
> Reston,
> > which is a shame because your arguments had
> some
> > merits.
>
> A review of the comments at the last meeting would
> suggest otherwise. That my allies and I have been
> ignored is sad but part of the political process.
> Just like those of us who would return SL to AP
> are ignored. "All power corrupts and absolute
> power corrupts absolutely." said Lord Acton in
> response to the First Vatican Council's vote in
> favor of papal infallibilty. See the parallels.
>
> > Instead you have chosen the low road of
> > bitterly and vengefully attacking anyone who
> dares
> > disagree with you and failing to ever look at
> the
> > merits of opposing arguments.
>
> The opposing "positions" are based on
> disinformation and sophistry and do not merit the
> term "argument".
>
> Any merit in such positions is discredited by
> gross abuses of power and position.
>
> But once again, all dissent merits the attack of
> the harpies. All SL parents will toe the
> Boundary Study Group/ SL PTSA party line or suffer
> the attack of the party faithful. Sieg Heil, mein
> Furher. Or is it Chairman Mao or Mr. Stalin.
>
> Authoritarianism rules supreme with this bunch.
> Welcome aboard East Floris and Fox Mill.
>
> > I leave you with this parting and sweet thought:
>
> > Bruce Butler has just been named the Reston
> Times
> > Citizen of the Year!
>
> Mr. Lincoln was right. You can fool all of the
> people some of the time.
>
> > God bless us every one.
>
> And a merry Christmas to you and yours.


TM - still trying to get in the last word.

I am involved in the boundary study group, and I and others submitted comments that were not in agreement with the alternative scenario, what others are calling Option 5.

In fact, I personally would like to see Aldrin and Fox Mill at South Lakes as would many of my friends and neighbors including some Aldrin parents. Fox Mill and Aldrin as well as some Floris children participate in sports and other activities in Reston - like Little league and scouts. Regardless of their specific address, these are "community" members.

Regardless of what I desire, I would like a feasible option implemented, meaning one that will have School Board support. I'm concerned that Jane Strauss will not vote for any option that "hurts" Herndon...McNair for Aldrin isn't a fair trade.

SS Wrote:

> You elected the school board and the school board
> decides what school your child attends. Period.
> These are public schools, and Fairfax County does
> not defacto grant anyone their choice of schools.
> If you want school choice, there are plenty of
> private schools out there ready to take your
> money.

The Floris district is an orphan without representation. Our high school is Westfield in the Sully district, that SB rep doesn't want us. We voted against Stu and he is out to get his revenge. He moved us to Westfield from Oakton and now is moving half of us to South Lakes for pure spite.

Oh God, that's all we need at South Lakes, kids from the Counties two troubled schools; Westfields and Oakton

Now we have something to work with.

> I am involved in the boundary study group, and I
> and others submitted comments that were not in
> agreement with the alternative scenario, what
> others are calling Option 5.
>
> In fact, I personally would like to see Aldrin and
> Fox Mill at South Lakes as would many of my
> friends and neighbors including some Aldrin
> parents.

I too could have lived with that scenario but it did not leave enough of a buffer for the new housing around RTC and elsewhere which is why I offered Option 6 several pages ago.

> Regardless of what I desire, I would like a
> feasible option implemented, meaning one that will
> have School Board support.

> I'm concerned that
> Jane Strauss will not vote for any option that
> "hurts" Herndon...McNair for Aldrin isn't a fair
> trade.

And that's why you put Stauss to the test after offering her condolences on the loss of her husband, God rest his soul.

If east McNair goes to HHS and Aldrin came to SL with east floris and Madison Island, Sl has 1990 kids including projected growth and has a FRL of 25%.

HHS then has a decent buffer and an FRL below County average.

Why is the Hunter Mill school board member more solicitous of Herndon than Reston?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2007 05:03PM by Thomas More.

Continue to live in your alternate universe, TM, where you are always right and anyone opposing you is wrong. Just remember, you had every right to advocate for your position, and still do, and the fact that your allies are few is evident in that you did not develop a strategy for making your wishes happen. That you could have done so and didn't says loads about you.

TTFN

South Lakes students have already been saying in various forums that they are superior to students of other area high schools because they (the South Lakes students) are diverse and students at other area high schools are not. They have stated that they are not 'clique-y' and that students at other area high schools are 'clique-y' and intolerant. Add this to the fact that there will be only a minority of the freshman class who did not go to Langston Hughes Middle school, and you can picture what next year will be like for the outsiders.

And given the behavior of the SL PTA, I am sure that they will continue to do whatever they can to make these kids unhappy and uncomfortable.

South Lakes Grad Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Maybe this has already been said- but all this
> tension over keeping certain kids out of South
> Lakes could lead to potential backlash against
> them if and when the redistricting goes through.
> Its a shame, but a very real possibility.

Blue and Green Rocks Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oh God, that's all we need at South Lakes, kids
> from the Counties two troubled schools; Westfields
> and Oakton


Haha..you're right....your football team would improve as would your standardized test scores. At least that is what Stu is hoping...

For those of you who considering joining the SL Boundary Study Group be advised:

“I, not Elizabeth nor Maria, removed you from the South Lakes Boundary study group. It is not a PTSA group. I am the owner and a moderator of the group . . . I am not so kind and did. You are welcome to rejoin the group if you can refrain from posting negative items on Fairfax Underground about South Lakes, Bruce Butler, .......... IB, the PTSA including Maria and Elizabeth, and the South Lakes Boundary Study group.

. . . . . . it is not acceptable for members of this group to air these grievances in a public manner....

The South Lakes Boundary group Moderator

If you can refrain from posting negative things on FFX underground, you can rejoin.

Sheryl Cosing
not a PTSA member”

Thank you Comrade Cosing for making clear to all of the SL, East Floris and Fox Mill parents what your Poliboro’s rules for participation in your own personal little Gulag are.

If my namesake could give his life in the service of freedom of thought, freedom of speech and freedom of conscience, I can forgo your tyranny if it is the price of the privilege of participating in your precious little yahoo cliche.

The kids of SL aren’t clicky but obviously some SL parents are.

Sheryl Cosing is another name to remember.

She authored the set of talking points for meeting #2 that were posted on the SL PTSA website, and are in fact still there. You will remember that in these talking points, the mysterious Option 5 first appeared, weeks before the county posted it.

The SL PTSA, of course, had their webmaster remove the link to them when objections began to surface. But the file is still there... check it out http://southlakesptsa.org/boundaries/Options-TalkingPoints.pdf

I don't think anyone is buying this "we're not part of the PTSA" garbage.

Floris Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey the VA shooter was redistricted to Westfield.
> Who knows, maybe redistricting is too much for
> someone on the edge...
> Jester Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Westfields is a great school. Fairfax Counties
> #1
> > Zanex school. It produces some the finest
> psycho
> > shooters in the state of Va.
> >
> > Both the Va Tech and FFX County Policeman
> shooters
> > were from Westfield HS.




That is one of the most disgusting comments I have seen on this page. The shooting has absolutely NOTHING to do with the redistricting, at all. Oh and, those kids snapped AFTER THEY LEFT Westfield. It is not at the fault of Westfield (it has to due with the privacy laws, actually) for what those two students have done and how dare you throw that nasty comment out there, offending all the members of the community, faculty, and students that were hurt by those two events.



So, what went on at the meeting tonight? I decided not to attend.

Just got back from the meeting at Oakton. It was really fun to show my kids around all of the classrooms where I attended, oh, many moons ago. Anyone out there tonight from Room 247? Ours was pretty civil, and the Berdhuises came in numbers.

Good night! May you all sleep with the angels.

You know, some of these people are very ##$###%%%% to say the least....to each its own. If SL produces such great students going to ONLY Ivy league schools, then why are the shopping around for "advantage kids"...Go figures!

From the Post this morning "The truth is not always determined by a show of hands," said School Board member Stuart D. Gibson (Hunter Mill).

I entirely agree. After all, how else did we end up with Mr. So-Called Twice Exceptional to represent us.

Yo, Word. We're still waiting for you to post your personal information. If you were an informed person, which you are not, you would know that the latest person whom you have chosen to target is the mother of elementary aged children, so good luck with your suit, and all that.

You are one bad mo' fo' tho'.

I thought tonights gathering was great. Everyone seemed so engaged and open!

I only wish that all encounters with the county government (in any form, school board, courts, appraisers, cops, etc.) was as transparent as this process was executed!

A great big shout out to all of those that I was able to meet, and to those out there that I missed, maybe we can catch each other next time!

;-)

Berdhuis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just got back from the meeting at Oakton. It was
> really fun to show my kids around all of the
> classrooms where I attended, oh, many moons ago.
> Anyone out there tonight from Room 247? Ours was
> pretty civil, and the Berdhuises came in numbers.
>
> Good night! May you all sleep with the angels.

Berdhuis, we were a mere two rooms apart! So close, and yet...

Sleep well.

imabulldog Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Floris Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Hey the VA shooter was redistricted to
> Westfield.
> > Who knows, maybe redistricting is too much for
> > someone on the edge...
> > Jester Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Westfields is a great school. Fairfax
> Counties
> > #1
> > > Zanex school. It produces some the finest
> > psycho
> > > shooters in the state of Va.
> > >
> > > Both the Va Tech and FFX County Policeman
> > shooters
> > > were from Westfield HS.
>
>
>
>
> That is one of the most disgusting comments I have
> seen on this page. The shooting has absolutely
> NOTHING to do with the redistricting, at all. Oh
> and, those kids snapped AFTER THEY LEFT Westfield.
> It is not at the fault of Westfield (it has to due
> with the privacy laws, actually) for what those
> two students have done and how dare you throw that
> nasty comment out there, offending all the members
> of the community, faculty, and students that were
> hurt by those two events.
>
>
>
> So, what went on at the meeting tonight? I decided
> not to attend.


how does it feel imabulldog? welcome to our world.

OneCounty - WordPolice:
> Yo, Word. We're still waiting for you to post your personal information. If you
> were an informed person, which you are not, you would know that the latest person
> whom you have chosen to target is the mother of elementary aged children, so good
> luck with your suit, and all that.

Sheryl Cosing is the author of the document. Download the document and see for yourself. I know a lot more than you think I know, and chose not to post the information.

Word, did you attend the meeting tonight?

No

>>>There is no desire on the part of South Lakes to provide the kind of courses that other schools provide. They merely want more victims for the unpopular IB program. If South Lakes provided the courses that other schools have, there would be somewhat less resistance to the forced move<<<

Yes. Why can't South Lakes PTSA compromise on anything? It would go along way if they would just say that they understand the parents being forced to go to South Lakes prefer AP and that they will try to help them get it. If only the South Lakes PTSA showed an ounce of compassion for those who desperately want an AP program for their children, people who have worked hard to put their children into the best schools they could find and afford a house in that district, only to have it all ripped out from under them and their child placed in a school where there is no hope of their children getting the program that they want for their child. Denise James made it pretty clear tonight that AP placement is not likely to be a way out of South Lakes for most students. (In some ways it is good that she warned parents, or threatened them, as some saw it, because now parents know to get their children's applications completed for private schools before the looming deadlines.) If only South Lakes PTSA had taken the route of Oakton PTA. If only South Lakes PTSA had offered a compromising hand to the incoming students, rather than being so strident, and digging in their heels on IB, and everything else. It's their way, or the highway. There attitude is just like Stu's, children will force to go to our school, forced to abandon any hope of an AP program, and we don't care at all if they don't like it. We're in charge, so screw those of you who don't like it. They have NO idea how much damage they have done to their own cause. They've done nothing but make parents more determined that their children will NEVER set foot in a school populated with parents like them.

>>>>Bruce Butler has just been named the Reston Times Citizen of the Year!<<<<<

Hahahaha.......that's so obvious, it's hilarious!

Delete



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2007 01:18AM by Neen.

>>>>Don't forget to bring your children to the meeting tonight<<<

There were 4 students in my group tonight, all from South Lakes. But it was fine, they voted for things that other parents supported, like no AP at South Lakes being a big negative, longer commute times for many students, Langley not being in the boundary study, staff and school board not listening to the people. They generally voted against what the South Lakes PTSA wants. They just didn't know any better. They're just kids, very nice and very polite, kids, who don't know all the other issues. So they voted for what everyone else wanted. The exact same thing happened at the last meeting with 4 different South Lakes kids in my group. They just didn't have the depth of understanding of the issues to know how to vote on the various things that were proposed. It wasn't their fault, they're just kids, kids being used by adults at South Lakes who should have known better.

The Dec 19 meeting was a great success for South Lakes. Stu Gibon was masterminding the show from behind the video feed. The meeting was a prefect sham staged by Stu and SL. As expected and to Stu's delight, all the communities not affected by the alternate scenario were in support of the scenario and ganged up on the losers - Fox Mill, Madison Island and East Floris folks were outnumbered and thrown under the bus. After successfully weakening the community resistance by dividing and making neighbours go after each, the school board will now move in for the final kill. Madison Island, Fox Mill and East Floris are now doomed. Gave over. Time to start downloading the pupil placement forms or looking for affordable private schools.

>>>>I'm sure the East Floris and Fox Mill parents can't wait to be subjected to this authoritarian crowd.

"You will be absorbed, resistance is futile"<<<

I think everyone's received that message by now. I saw lots of negative comments posted about South Lakes PTSA at the meeting tonight.

>>>Time to start downloading the pupil placement forms or looking for affordable private schools.<<<

Yes, I would urge all parents who don't want to go to South Lakes to do that. Don't miss the deadlines for private schools, hoping that the school board will respond to the community. They won't. That's obvious now.

>>>>But I don't think basing the resistence on the lower test scores or greater racial diversity of South Lakes is valid.<<<<

Why are those things not valid? Do those things indicate that their children will receive a better education than they would receive at their current high schools?

Parents want the best education for their child. Period. Unless diversity has been proven to provide a better education for their child, parents aren't going to be persuaded to send their child to a different school for it. Most parents want the best education, they'd don't care about how diverse it is, or isn't.

>>>I'm concerned that Jane Strauss will not vote for any option that "hurts" Herndon...McNair for Aldrin isn't a fair trade.<<<

Don't worry about it. Even if Janie should vote against the proposal, the Board will know that they have the votes to pass the scenario that Stu and South Lakes want.

BTW based on fcps.edu transportation is not provided for pupil placements. Here is a link listing the private schools
www.northernva.com/c21/schools-private.html

Pretty pricey but moving out of effected areas of fox mill and floris is going to cost too - property prices will tank once the word gets out about being thrown in South Lakes. It will be a double whammy, the property values in the crossfield section (not effected by this ) will shoot up and people try to move from Fox mill/Floris areas to crossfield communities.

No Chritmas cheer for Fox Mill, East Floris or Madison Island this year..

Hey bulldog, not sure if you are responding to original post or mine. But I didn't say anything about Westfield causing it. Actually, from what I read, WFH did a great deal to help the kid.

imabulldog Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Floris Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Hey the VA shooter was redistricted to
> Westfield.
> > Who knows, maybe redistricting is too much for
> > someone on the edge...
> > Jester Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Westfields is a great school. Fairfax
> Counties
> > #1
> > > Zanex school. It produces some the finest
> > psycho
> > > shooters in the state of Va.
> > >
> > > Both the Va Tech and FFX County Policeman
> > shooters
> > > were from Westfield HS.
>
>
>
>
> That is one of the most disgusting comments I have
> seen on this page. The shooting has absolutely
> NOTHING to do with the redistricting, at all. Oh
> and, those kids snapped AFTER THEY LEFT Westfield.
> It is not at the fault of Westfield (it has to due
> with the privacy laws, actually) for what those
> two students have done and how dare you throw that
> nasty comment out there, offending all the members
> of the community, faculty, and students that were
> hurt by those two events.
>
>
>
> So, what went on at the meeting tonight? I decided
> not to attend.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2007 01:44AM by Floris.

The only voice from the left, which has any credibility, is Thomas More.

perhaps you're being cynical, but for people who would interpret what tm said, gibson never got an ovation... the south lakes gym was dedicated to coaching legend wendell byrd

for people who would interpret what tm said literally***

>>>BTW based on fcps.edu transportation is not provided for pupil placements.<<<

That is correct. Staff made that very clear in their warnings about pupil placement out of South Lakes. Yes, it will be permitted, but parents may not get their choice in schools, may not get the school closest to their homes, no transportation provided, etc.

It's a good thing so many people in the redistricted areas have enough money to find options for their children. Too bad for poor kids, as usual they won't have any choice but to go to South Lakes.

>>>gibson never got an ovation... the south lakes gym was dedicated to coaching legend wendell byrd<<<

Was Stu even there? He's got to be working hard on his public image. Or he should be.

Many people in my Floris neighborhood DON'T have them money for private schools. They spent their money moving into a desired school district.



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

> It's a good thing so many people in the
> redistricted areas have enough money to find
> options for their children. Too bad for poor
> kids, as usual they won't have any choice but to
> go to South Lakes.

Neen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >>>BTW based on fcps.edu transportation is not
> provided for pupil placements.<<<
>
> That is correct. Staff made that very clear in
> their warnings about pupil placement out of South
> Lakes. Yes, it will be permitted, but parents may
> not get their choice in schools, may not get the
> school closest to their homes, no transportation
> provided, etc.
>
> It's a good thing so many people in the
> redistricted areas have enough money to find
> options for their children. Too bad for poor
> kids, as usual they won't have any choice but to
> go to South Lakes.


And, surely they will apply this new stringent criteria to all students, including those that are currently pupil-placed OUT of South Lakes.