Wake up voters and parents of FCPS students and ask yourselves: who has actually helped my child's future - the incumbent team of Ms. Strauss and Mr. Moon or Ms. Epstein? The answer is Ms. Epstein! As co-founder of FAIRGRADE, Ms. Epstein fought tirelessly to ensure that FAIRGRADE passed. Thanks to her efforts, your child's GPA has been (or, for the younger students, will be) higher and opportunities for college admission and scholarships will also increase. Ms. Epstein was not even on the School Board when she pushed for FAIRGRADE! Imagine the possibilities and the leadership she can bring when she gets on the Board!

Independent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wake up voters and parents of FCPS students and
> ask yourselves: who has actually helped my child's
> future - the incumbent team of Ms. Strauss and Mr.
> Moon or Ms. Epstein? The answer is Ms. Epstein!
> As co-founder of FAIRGRADE, Ms. Epstein fought
> tirelessly to ensure that FAIRGRADE passed.
> Thanks to her efforts, your child's GPA has been
> (or, for the younger students, will be) higher and
> opportunities for college admission and
> scholarships will also increase. Ms. Epstein was
> not even on the School Board when she pushed for
> FAIRGRADE! Imagine the possibilities and the
> leadership she can bring when she gets on the
> Board!


To quote the latest endorsement.

“The board would be the worse off if Ms. Strauss, an 18-year veteran with incomparable knowledge of the system and its needs, were not reelected. Not only has she proven, as the board’s current chair, to be a steady hand during difficult budget times, but she’s shown a sensitivity and commitment to the needs of all students. Ms. Epstein, by contrast, has a record of single-minded advocacy for gifted and talented students, even if it comes at others’ expense. Particularly alarming is her enthusiasm for doing away with a staffing formula that provides extra supports for at-risk students.”

'nuff said Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Independent Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Wake up voters and parents of FCPS students and
> > ask yourselves: who has actually helped my
> child's
> > future - the incumbent team of Ms. Strauss and
> Mr.
> > Moon or Ms. Epstein? The answer is Ms.
> Epstein!
> > As co-founder of FAIRGRADE, Ms. Epstein fought
> > tirelessly to ensure that FAIRGRADE passed.
> > Thanks to her efforts, your child's GPA has
> been
> > (or, for the younger students, will be) higher
> and
> > opportunities for college admission and
> > scholarships will also increase. Ms. Epstein
> was
> > not even on the School Board when she pushed
> for
> > FAIRGRADE! Imagine the possibilities and the
> > leadership she can bring when she gets on the
> > Board!
>
>
> To quote the latest endorsement.
>
> “The board would be the worse off if Ms.
> Strauss, an 18-year veteran with incomparable
> knowledge of the system and its needs, were not
> reelected. Not only has she proven, as the
> board’s current chair, to be a steady hand
> during difficult budget times, but she’s shown a
> sensitivity and commitment to the needs of all
> students. Ms. Epstein, by contrast, has a record
> of single-minded advocacy for gifted and talented
> students, even if it comes at others’ expense.
> Particularly alarming is her enthusiasm for doing
> away with a staffing formula that provides extra
> supports for at-risk students.”


To be clear, this endorsement was from the Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-posts-choices-for-fairfax-school-board/2011/10/20/gIQADSoY7L_story.html

I am an independent voter and have been following the school board campaigns quite closely during the past two to three months. I am particularly disturbed by the events that have taken place during the FAIRGRADE initiative. The facts clearly point to the close connection between Mr. Moon and Ms. Strauss on this issue - at best they were indifferent but then in the very end, pressured by the overwhelming support of the parent community for FAIRGRADE, they "caved in" and furthermore tried to take credit for FAIRGRADE! Mr. Moon and Ms. Strauss displayed theatrical,face-saving politics, interested in their own positions instead of supporting FAIRGRADE from the very beginning for the good of the students in Fairfax County. When we vote for School Board members, we expect transparency and strong leadership; Based on their actions at the time and their misrepresentation of their past record during the campaign, I have come to the conclusion that neither Mr. Moon nor Ms. Strauss are leaders and truthful school board members that deserve my votes on November 8.

The winner of tonight's debate was clearly Ms. Epstein - she was clear, concise and consistent, with an articulate vision for the future. Ms. Epstein is right - the opponents in this election could not have been any more different. Ms. Strauss flip-flopped on issues at least twice and made incoherent statements and lots of promises for the future. So what did she do for the past 18 years while on the Board? The irony is that Ms. Strauss, who is known not to be particularly fond of TJ, mentioned the school 3-4 times tonight... Another tactic perhaps to gain votes from Great Falls? She knows that many parents there would pay lots of money in private tuition so their kids get admitted to TJ.

FCPS mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The winner of tonight's debate was clearly Ms.
> Epstein - she was clear, concise and consistent,
> with an articulate vision for the future. Ms.
> Epstein is right - the opponents in this election
> could not have been any more different. Ms.
> Strauss flip-flopped on issues at least twice and
> made incoherent statements and lots of promises
> for the future. So what did she do for the past 18
> years while on the Board? The irony is that Ms.
> Strauss, who is known not to be particularly fond
> of TJ, mentioned the school 3-4 times tonight...
> Another tactic perhaps to gain votes from Great
> Falls? She knows that many parents there would pay
> lots of money in private tuition so their kids get
> admitted to TJ.

Spin away, Catherine. Loving all the new names this evening! Too bad all your posts sound the same!

FCPS mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The winner of tonight's debate was clearly Ms.
> Epstein - she was clear, concise and consistent,
> with an articulate vision for the future. Ms.
> Epstein is right - the opponents in this election
> could not have been any more different. Ms.
> Strauss flip-flopped on issues at least twice and
> made incoherent statements and lots of promises
> for the future. So what did she do for the past 18
> years while on the Board? The irony is that Ms.
> Strauss, who is known not to be particularly fond
> of TJ, mentioned the school 3-4 times tonight...
> Another tactic perhaps to gain votes from Great
> Falls? She knows that many parents there would pay
> lots of money in private tuition so their kids get
> admitted to TJ.


I just saw this on another thread -- can't you at least write something original?

What really comes across from Janie's debate blah blah blah last night is that, after 18 years of being in her job, now that she's finally on the hot seat with an election opponent, she's NOW gonna do this and she's gonna do that and work on this and work on that.

Examples from the debates:

Now she's gonna get class sizes down.

Now she's gonna improve math scores.

Now she's gonna improve auditing.

Now she's gonna get more money for the teachers.

Now she's gonna listen to parents.

Now she's gonna get teachers off pay freezes.

Now she's gonna get our kids out of trailers.

Now she's gonna put the head admin on a diet.

Now she's gonna inform parents when their kids get into trouble.

Now she's gonna de-emphasize SOL scores.

Now she's gonna not just do whatever Dale tells her to do.

Now she's gonna support Fairgrade.


Where has Janie been for the last 18 years? What has she been doing for us? Answers: sleeping and nothing, respectively.


Hey Janie, you are a lying, hypocritical, know-nothing, comatose, bag of irredeemable incompentence.

You should just go hide yourself until after the election.

18 years of failure are 18 too many.

Credit for the opinon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> >
> > To quote the latest endorsement.
> >
> > “The board would be the worse off if Ms.
> > Strauss, an 18-year veteran with incomparable
> > knowledge of the system and its needs, were not
> > reelected. Not only has she proven, as the
> > board’s current chair, to be a steady hand
> > during difficult budget times, but she’s shown
> a
> > sensitivity and commitment to the needs of all
> > students. Ms. Epstein, by contrast, has a
> record
> > of single-minded advocacy for gifted and
> talented
> > students, even if it comes at others’
> expense.
> > Particularly alarming is her enthusiasm for
> doing
> > away with a staffing formula that provides
> extra
> > supports for at-risk students.”
>
>
> To be clear, this endorsement was from the
> Washington Post
>
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-posts-c
> hoices-for-fairfax-school-board/2011/10/20/gIQADSo
> Y7L_story.html

The Post also endorsed Obama. That is really working out well. I could give a shit who the Post thinks should be elected to the SB.

postie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Credit for the opinon Wrote:
> The Post also endorsed Obama. That is really
> working out well. I could give a shit who the
> Post thinks should be elected to the SB.


Please. If they'd endorsed (Low)ise, you'd be trumpeting it from every mountaintop.

Went through school redistricting a few years back, really didnt like Janie. She was condescending and imperious. She reminded me of the Queen of England without the dignity or compassion. She was our school board representative but spent her time with us scolding us and lecturing us on why we were wrong and she was right. She and the others made their deals without any consideration for us. It must give someone like Janie who fancies herself to be so above others the ultimate ego trip to deal with worried groveling parents. Personally I found our time with Janie to be the most distateful and we met with all of them, so picking the lowest was a tough choice. Stu Gibson, Janie Strauss and the lovely and backstabbing Liz Bradsher were the top performers in that act. The only one who really cared about the kids and still is the only one is Tina Hone. She's leaving isnt she? too bad for FCPS kids.

Oh, Please Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> postie Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Credit for the opinon Wrote:
> > The Post also endorsed Obama. That is really
> > working out well. I could give a shit who the
> > Post thinks should be elected to the SB.
>
>
> Please. If they'd endorsed (Low)ise, you'd be
> trumpeting it from every mountaintop.

Nope - I really don't care. I'd sooner take advice from 5 year old than the Post on who to vote for - for any office.

Dont Like Strauss Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Went through school redistricting a few years
> back, really didnt like Janie. She was
> condescending and imperious. She reminded me of
> the Queen of England without the dignity or
> compassion. She was our school board
> representative but spent her time with us scolding
> us and lecturing us on why we were wrong and she
> was right. She and the others made their deals
> without any consideration for us. It must give
> someone like Janie who fancies herself to be so
> above others the ultimate ego trip to deal with
> worried groveling parents. Personally I found our
> time with Janie to be the most distateful and we
> met with all of them, so picking the lowest was a
> tough choice. Stu Gibson, Janie Strauss and the
> lovely and backstabbing Liz Bradsher were the top
> performers in that act. The only one who really
> cared about the kids and still is the only one is
> Tina Hone. She's leaving isnt she? too bad for
> FCPS kids.


Hi Louise, or is this your handler, Red Apple Mom?

hmmmm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Hi Louise, or is this your handler, Red Apple Mom?

That's "Poison Apple Mom" or "Rotten Apple Mom." Get it right.

Who is FDK? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Who is FDK? Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Janie buys votes Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> >
> > >
> > > Janie pays $10,000 to Geller...and then she
> > (FDK)
> > > endorse Janie.
> >
> >
> > Interestingly, Fairfax for Full Day
> Kindergarten
> > seems to be nothing more than a Facebook page.
> > The Facebook page says it's a non-profit
> > organization, but it has no filings listed on
> > Guidestar.org or on the VBOE site as a
> political
> > committee. Very opaque considering that close
> to
> > 20% of Janie's campaign funds are being
> funneled
> > that way.
>
> This is the 'core team' for Fairfax for FDK - who
> are they?
>
> Jamye Specht, Georgia Clark, Jill Castleman,
> Melissa Mihoko, Rebecca Geller, Natalie Robinson,
> Shaista Keating
>
> The first one has a degree in 'Fitness Management'
> and lists skin care as an interest. Excellent
> qualifications for steering education policy.


Cash for votes for cash for votes scam.

What's going on here, Janie?

Is this legal or is it just unethical?

Votes for Cash Wrote:
>
> Who are these women trading [unsupported allegations] and [gift certificates for face lifts] for
> [the chance to whine about about those bandits on Route 1]?
>
> Is this legal?
>
> What is going on here, [Catherine]?

Fixed that for you. Sorry, if you're going to act this way, this is what you get back, you classless pack of social-climbing hyenas.

From the Patch, today:

In September she [Epstein] collected nearly $11,000 in campaign contributions, both cash and in-kind. Of that amount, about $4,300 was in-kind contributions from her media consultant Catherine Lorenze. Lorenze has contributed about $60,000 in in-kind contributions to Epstein since the beginning of the campaign, according to reports filed with the state of Virginia.

Man, can anyone think of anything Catherine Lorenze can do that's worth $60K? Guesses accepted!

Patch did not mention $10,000 (real money) paid to Geller (All day K) by Strauss.

I heard she picked up coffee for the McLean Momfia's Kaffee Klatsch, and valued that run to Starbucks at $30K.

No. I've thought about it for hours and I cannot think of anything productive Janie could do for the community. Sorry. Just retire and move on.

Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Tell me who's the worst board member of us all.
Oh wait a minute, I think I see -
The answer is staring back at me!

I'm the one who swore she'd stay
Up to the moment they dragged me away.
They didn't leave a pencil. They didn't leave a chair.
Not one person cried when they left me standing there.

Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Tell me who was the worst board member of us all.
No wait a minute, I now can see -
The answer is staring back at me!

Janie looks into the mirror Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mirror, mirror on the wall,
> Tell me who's the worst board member of us all.
> Oh wait a minute, I think I see -
> The answer is staring back at me!
>
> I'm the one who swore she'd stay
> Up to the moment they dragged me away.
> They didn't leave a pencil. They didn't leave a
> chair.
> Not one person cried when they left me standing
> there.
>
> Mirror, mirror on the wall,
> Tell me who was the worst board member of us all.
>
> No wait a minute, I now can see -
> The answer is staring back at me!

If you are to post this shit, at least:

1. Make it funny; or

2. Use the correct number of syllables in your verses.

We've all agreed you are sick, but at least try to entertain us when giving vent to your obsessions.

Could someone please list the major votes that Janie has cast? Or do I have to slog through the minutes myself?

Now that Louise Epstein is challenging Janie, Janie has made a list of all the things she should have done during the last 18 years. If she's elected, she's FOR SURE not gonna do any of the things on her list. After all, since she'll have the job for life, why should she start doing good things now? Duh...

Here is the list:


she's gonna get class sizes down.

she's gonna improve math scores.

she's gonna improve auditing.

she's gonna get more money for the teachers.

she's gonna listen to parents.

she's gonna get teachers off pay freezes.

she's gonna get our kids out of trailers.

she's gonna put the headquarters administration on a diet.

she's gonna inform parents when their kids get into trouble.

she's gonna de-emphasize SOL scores.

she's gonna not just do whatever Dale tells her to do.

she's gonna support Fairgrade.

she's not gonna support any more Gatehouse projects.

and finally,

she's gonna try to stop lying!


You vote for Janie Strauss, you are a moron!

Janie's List of Lies OR Failing UP! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Now that Louise Epstein is challenging Janie,
> Janie has made a list of all the things she should
> have done during the last 18 years. If she's
> elected, she's FOR SURE not gonna do any of the
> things on her list. After all, since she'll have
> the job for life, why should she start doing good
> things now? Duh...
>
> Here is the list:
>
>
> she's gonna get class sizes down.
>
> she's gonna improve math scores.
>
> she's gonna improve auditing.
>
> she's gonna get more money for the teachers.
>
> she's gonna listen to parents.
>
> she's gonna get teachers off pay freezes.
>
> she's gonna get our kids out of trailers.
>
> she's gonna put the headquarters administration on
> a diet.
>
> she's gonna inform parents when their kids get
> into trouble.
>
> she's gonna de-emphasize SOL scores.
>
> she's gonna not just do whatever Dale tells her to
> do.
>
> she's gonna support Fairgrade.
>
> she's not gonna support any more Gatehouse
> projects.
>
> and finally,
>
> she's gonna try to stop lying!
>
>
> You vote for Janie Strauss, you are a moron!

Call me a moron then. You Lorenze minions are the nastiest name-callers I've ever seen in any local election. I pray it isn't rewarded at the ballot box.

Let's review again for the voters.

1. Louise will request a detailed audit of the FCPS budget so that magic money will not be discovered at year end-like FDK funding and raises for teachers. We are told constantly that tehre is no money for things that the public wants but when Dale wants something-the money seems to materialize.

2. Louise will FINALLY hold Tistadt accountable for how the CIP is spent and projects won't be snuck thru with questionable tactics---Clifton, SOCO MS...integrity and fairness will be restored.

3. Louise will work to restore reasonable slass sizes to many schools. She will not tolerate 35 kids packed in like sardines and will find the money to do this-like Dale does for his pet projects.

4. She will gove teachers a voice---finally--in how our schools are run. Imagine, those on the front line will hav einput. She will also rid this school district of this perverse climate of retaliation against teeachers who dare to speak out against the Emporor.

5. Louise will restore the math and science courses back to pre-Dale arrival so that our kids actually graduate with basic math skills unlike now. 55% of FCPS kids who attend NOVA need remediation. A disturbing number given what we spend per pupil.

6. Louise will shine a big fat spotlight on the Title 1 schools and their underperformance and kick the tires and ask the hard questions. She will ask FCPS to justify why VGLA was so heavily used in our high poverty schools-6000 kids don't take the SOLs. Yep, 6000. Tiem to get these kids the help they need.

7. Louise will gut Gatehouse. Every non-teaching position needs to be justified. She will put money and staff in the classrooms. She should insist that every principal and cluster person spend some time in a classroom and out of the ivory tower.

8. Louise will restore a good working relationship with The BOS. Their is no trust now between these governing bodies due to failed leadership from Dale and The SB.

9. Every kid in every school will be better off because Louise cares about kids and adults come second. She will bring that much needed focus and redirected priorities to every decision she makes.

10. School Board meetings will be a different game. When Dale or staff makes some false statement--Louise will call him out on it and watch him squirm. The BS will end.

Oh look! Pictures of Janie Strauss' office and where our kids try to learn!

http://redapplemom.wordpress.com/

It seems that not every "Judy" sucks up to Lorenze/Epstein:

http://www.johnjudy.net/2011/10/virginia-elections-november-8th-2011-member-school-board-at-large-fairfax-county/

Janie's office and where your kids try to learn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oh look! Pictures of Janie Strauss' office and
> where our kids try to learn!
>
> http://redapplemom.wordpress.com/

Misleading methinks to just photograph the trailers from the outside then compare them to the fancy administrative office building.

My kid is in a trailer. Having been inside it a couple of times, the classroom looks just like any other. I certainly don't hold it against the local school board member.

to notsure:

Good luck with that trailer during high winds and tornado warnings. Your child will get to come inside and sit in the gym or cafeteria while other kids are working in their classrooms.

The point is--trailers aren't awful if they are needed--but in FCPS trailers are PERMANENT structures in some schools--they never go away. Meanwhile, Jack Dale,et.al., get swanky offices.

Tell me: If you had very little money and you or your kids needed shoes--who gets the shoes? Would you go buy the best shoes Saks has to offer for yourself? I don't think so. Jack Dale and his school board seem to have different priorities.

to notsure Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> to notsure:
>
> Good luck with that trailer during high winds and
> tornado warnings. Your child will get to come
> inside and sit in the gym or cafeteria while other
> kids are working in their classrooms.
>
> The point is--trailers aren't awful if they are
> needed--but in FCPS trailers are PERMANENT
> structures in some schools--they never go away.
> Meanwhile, Jack Dale,et.al., get swanky offices.
>
>
> Tell me: If you had very little money and you or
> your kids needed shoes--who gets the shoes? Would
> you go buy the best shoes Saks has to offer for
> yourself? I don't think so. Jack Dale and his
> school board seem to have different priorities.

Nothing more hilarious than the McLean Mean Moms Mob lecturing everybody on how people with very little money who need shoes should act. I expected a Nordstroms reference from these spoiled rich bitches -- or a lecture on those kids who are "making out like bandits" on Route 1, as the Poison Apple Mom told us.

I agree. Let's stick to the facts.

Here are the facts. Janie Strauss has been in office for 18 years. She has had 18 years to do what she NOW says she's gonna do. Here is a list of what she says she's NOW gonna do IF she's elected:


Now she's gonna get class sizes down.

Now she's gonna improve math scores.

Now she's gonna improve auditing.

Now she's gonna get more money for the teachers.

Now she's gonna listen to parents.

Now she's gonna get teachers off pay freezes.

Now she's gonna get our kids out of trailers.

Now she's gonna put the headquarters admin on a diet.

Now she's gonna inform parents when their kids get into trouble.

Now she's gonna de-emphasize SOL scores.

Now she's gonna not just do whatever Dale tells her to do.

Now she's gonna support Fairgrade.


Where has Janie been for the last 18 years? What has she been doing for us? Answers: who knows and nothing, respectively.

Come on people, WAKE UP!

Janie Strauss should just retire.
Attachments:

Janie Strauss Time to Leave Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Janie Strauss should just retire.

With all her money, you'd think Louise Epstein would post a few videos of her own remarks at some of the recent debates, not complain about being cut out of one of Strauss's videos.

Why doesn't Louise want people to see or hear her? Is it possible that she's afraid that, the more people know about her, the less likely they'll be to vote for her?

To the Strauss campaign:

Please explain how

(1.) Janie's family is so involved with crime here in Fairfax County
(2.) Janie has got our kids in classes with 35-37 kids/teacher
(3.) Janie has so many of our kids in these horrible trailers
(4.) Janie tried to kill Fairgrade and now tries to take credit for it
(5.) Janie voted against notification of parents
(6.) Janie voted to build this huge office complex called Gatehouse
(7.) Janie purchased votes and endorsements from FDK with campaign money from other donors
(8.) Janie ignores Herndon completely all the time
(9.) Janie makes parents in Langley purchase toilet seats for the bathrooms
(10.) Janie's biggest backer, Elizabeth Lodal, claims that Asian students are cheaters

That's a start.

How about some explanations, Janie?

New slogan:

Louise "Cut" Epstein and Catherine "Paste" Lorenze!