4/8/12

UPDATE: Students to be grandfathered to stay at their elementary schools | LoudounTimes.com

MobileWebsite|Login|Register

StaffDirectory|Advertise|Subscribe|AboutUs AdvancedSearch SEARCH

News

Opinions Sports

Entertainment Blogs

Video

Classifieds

Advertise

UPDATE:Studentstobegrandfatheredtostayattheirelementary schools
Tuesday,Mar.27,2012byLauraPeters|23comments|Emailthisstory

1 Fortyseven4thgradestudentswillbeabletostayattheircurrentelementaryschoolsafter theLoudounCountySchoolBoardvotedunanimouslytograndfatherthem. TheLoudounCountySchoolssentout143surveysMarch2tocertainfamilieswhohave studentsenrolledintheBallsBluff,Catoctin,CoolSpring,FrancesHazelReidandJohnW. TolbertJr.elementaryschools.Theseschoolsfacehavingsomeoftheirstudentsshifted aroundwithnewattendancezones.Theelementaryschoolattendancezonechangeswill takeeffectfall2012. Thesurveysaddressedfamilieswhohaveastudentwhowillbeenteringthefifthgradeinfall 2012andinquiredifthefamilywouldprefertheirrisingfifthgradertostayattheirelementary schoolinordertograndfatherthemin,muchliketheydowithhighschoolseniors.Each familywasgivenamonthtofinishandreturnthesurvey. Thisisoneofthosethingsthattheschoolsystemdoes,JenniferBergel(Catoctin)who movedtheboardtovoteexplained.Theyhaveadeadlinetowhichtheyrespond.Thereis roomforthesestudenttostayattheirschool.Thereisnoreasonwhyinmymind,andIhope intheboardsmindtosupportthis. Thegrandfatheringwillonlyapplytothosewhorespondedtothesurveyandparentsare responsibletobringtheirstudentstoandfromschool. ThebigdebatecomesfromtheCL19clusterofthePotomacStationcommunitywhere childrenfacebeingtransferredtothenewFrederickDouglassElementaryfromJohnW. TolbertElementary.ManystudentsareabletowalktoTolbertandwouldhavetobebusedto FrederickDouglass. Whydontyouhavethechildrenlivingclosesttotheschoolswalk?Wouldntthathelpwith yourbudget?Proximity,proximity,proximity,JenniferGrissom,aresidentoftheCL19 clustersaidduringaMarch13meeting. WhywouldLoudounCountyincreasetheirtaxesforbuseswhenweliveonly300yardsfrom Tolbert?EricDekenipp,anotherresidentaskedduringtheMarch13meeting. TheLeesburgboundarieswerevotedoninDecember2011andpassedbylastyearsboard aftersevenpublichearingsandworksessions.Thenewboundarieswouldaffect1,058 students.PotomacStationresidentshavebeenoutspokenontheboundariesissuesfor monthsduetotheircommunitybeingdividedintosixseparateCLsCL14,CL14.1,CL14.2, CL15,CL15.3andCL19. Wetypicallysurveythesestudentstoseeiftheywishtofinishtheircareersattheircurrent school,Dr.SamAdamo,executivedirectorofplanningandlegislativeservicesforLCPS, said. TheCL19attendanceclusterholdsabout39studentswhowouldpotentiallybeaffectedby thechange.Butwhensurveyed,12outof23familiessaidtheywouldliketheirchildrento stayatTolbertratherthanmovetoFrederickDouglass. Oneofthecomplaintsisthatthefinaldecisionontheboundarieswasrushedandthatyou werentsatisfiedwiththefinalworkproduct.DespitemysympathywithyourcauseImnot inclinedtorushanyactiononLeesburgboundaries,FoxsaidduringtheMarch13meeting.
loudountimes.com//update_students_to_be_grandfathered_to_stay_at_their_elementary_schools123/

MostPopularinNews
Tuesday,Apr.3|4789views

BoardofSupervisorsapproveFY2013 budget,lowerpropertytaxrate
Friday,Apr.6|4720views

Childhoodmemoriestorndown
Monday,Apr.2|3808views

TeachersurgegovernortovetoVRS overhaul
Monday,Apr.2|3741views

LocalrealtorssayMetrorailwillboost housingmarket
Wednesday,Apr.4|3198views

Ashburnmanpleadsguiltytofraud scheme

Stay Connected

FollowUs onTwitter News|Sports

LikeUs onFacebook News&Sports

1/6

4/8/12

UPDATE: Students to be grandfathered to stay at their elementary schools | LoudounTimes.com

Pleasetrustmetherearepolicyconsiderationsthatareprofoundandneedconsidering.I understandmyobligationtoyouasmycommunityandItakeitseriously.Ihaveconsideredit allandseriouslyweighedandthoughtaboutthesethings.Pleaseallowmetoworkthrough potentialsolutionsbeforeImakeanychangesthatcouldmakelongtermramificationsto LCPS. OfthefamilieswhosechildrenattendBallsBluffandfaceredistrictingtoFrancesHazel Reid,threeoutof21surveyedsaidtheydwanttheirrisingfifthgraderstobegrandfathered. Onefamilyoutof22saidtheywouldhavetheirchildrenstayatCatoctinratherthangotothe newFrederickDouglassElementarysettoopenfall2012.Tenoutof39familieswhohave childrenwhocurrentlyattendCoolSpring,butaresettobemovedtoFrederickDouglass,said theywouldhavetheirchildrenstayatCoolSpring.Twentyoneoutof38familieswith childrenattendingFrancesHazelReidsaidtheywouldliketokeepthemthereratherthan havethemgotoCatoctin. 1 DaycareClassesNearYou TakeDaycareTrainingProgramsOnlineorataLocalSchool,Apply!
CampusCorner.com/Child_Development

Subscribe viaRSS News|Sports

JoinOur EmailList Signupfor weeklyupdates

Comments
Sun,Apr08at05:38AMbyoversite|Reportthiscomment TheLoudounTimesMirror

Maybesheearnedit! BillFoxBill.fox@lcsb.org KenReidsupervisorreid@fdainfo.com TomDunntdunn@leesburgva.gov Iwilllookfowardtotherepliesyougetfromall3ofthesegentlemen.

Sat,Mar31at04:47PMbyLaugh|Reportthiscomment

isaninteractive,digitalreplica oftheprintednewspaper. Opentheeeditionnow.

Viewourotherprintpublicationsavailableonline.

Hi,oversite.IguessIcouldtrytocallTomMyWifeleftmeandfiledfor divorceDunn,butwherewouldIcall?AndKenTrafficTic(ket)KingReid? MaybeIshouldaskhimthenexttimehesstoppedforatrafficoffense.Fox, oftheschoolboardfame?Hesnowheretobefound,sinceheissobusy chasingafterKenNeedForSpeedReid.KenILiveToLieReidsspouse?I thinkthatwonthappensolongasKenHonest,NotReidisneededtovote togiveherahugesalaryinthecountybudget.

Thu,Mar29at07:44AMbyLoCoWonders|Reportthiscomment

Weekly HomesGuide

2011Guide toLoudoun

Holiday GiftGuide

Healthand Wellness

Bridal Guide

HistoricFrederick Maryland

Seemstobethisboilsdowntotwoquestions: 1)DoestheLCPShaveaclear,writtenpolicyregardingschoolboundary changes?yesorno 2)Wasthsipolicyfollowedornot?yesorno Ifthepolicyisnotclear,whoisaddressingthat?Andifthepolicyisclearbut wasignored/modifiedorsomehowcircumvented,whoisthespinelesspublic officialwhocaved?

Wed,Mar28at02:02PMbyfineanddandy|Reportthiscomment

Taste ofLoudoun Health Resolutions

Senior Lifestyles Future Leaders

HistoricDowntown Leesburg Coming Soon

Lookwhosewalkingnow..howaboutthoseturnlanestheycountBalls Bluffdoesnthavetheirkidscrossingatamajor(readthatwide)intersection likeBattlefieldandPotomacStationDrive.Nodoubtthedropoffisfinenow, butenforcethewalkzoneandTolbertanditwontbe

Wed,Mar28at08:44AMbyoversite|Reportthiscomment

Laugh,SpeakingofnothingdidyoucallMr.Fox,Reid,DunnorKenswife? AllblowandnogoiswhatIgetfromyouandyourmindless,spinelessrants. IfyouneedhelpgettingthenumbersIllprovidethemforyou.

Wed,Mar28at08:12AMbyfishoutofwater|Reportthiscomment

loudountimes.com//update_students_to_be_grandfathered_to_stay_at_their_elementary_schools123/

2/6

4/8/12

UPDATE: Students to be grandfathered to stay at their elementary schools | LoudounTimes.com

Commonsenseobviouslyinacountylikeloudounrezoningisinevitable. Nobodyiswantingtopreservefamilydynasties.Thepeoplewhofiledthis lawsuitdidsoduetotheobviousviolationsoftheschoolboardsownpolicy.I amsorrytosay,butitisobviousthatyouhavenotbeenfollowingthisfrom thebeginning.

Wed,Mar28at08:03AMbyblahblahblahblah|Reportthiscomment

Commonsense..someonedidntdotheirhomeworkbeforecommentingon thispost.Ichallangeyoutoreadschoolboardpolicy232,watchallofthe schoolboardmeetingsviawebcastsincetheboundarydiscussionbegan, includingtheoneinFebof2010Ibelievewhentheschoolboardchanged policy232.Then.onceyoubecomeinformedwecandebatethisissue.

Wed,Mar28at07:48AMbyCommonSense|Reportthiscomment

Thepurposeofredistrictingisbecausetoomanykidsaregoingtooneschool andtheyneedtobereducedandspreadoverotherschoolswhichhavebeen recentlybuiltorhavesparecapacity. Ifyoucatertotheideaofpreservingmultichildrenfamiliesandtheirdynasty ataschool,youwillendupwithovercrowdedclasses.Wouldyouwantyour childina30or50to1Child/Teacherclassroom?Getrealpeople. Redistrictingisnevereasy,buttheirisalogicalreasonforwhyitneedstobe done.Andthebestwaytomanagethatchangewhicheffectsstudentsand parentsistostaggerthechangetominimizetheimpact. Getusedtochange,becauseLoudouncontinuestogrowandchangewillbea partoflife.Ifyoudontlikeitandpreferfamilydynastiesatschool,then considerPrivateSchool.
Wed,Mar28at07:28AMbyLookwhoiswalkingnow|Reportthiscomment

FineandDandyconcerningthewalkingzone.AsitstandsnowBallsBluff hasawalkingzoneof.8miles,whichislocatedonBattlefieldParkway,and has4lanesnot6.Thisalsohappenstobetheexactsamestreetthatsomekids walkingtoTolbertcross.Inbothcasestherearelightedintersectionswith crosswalks.AdditionallythereisalreadyacrossingguardinfrontofTolbert forcrossingPotomacStationdrive.Iagreethatitwouldbeasafetyissueif thiswerentinplace,andthedropoffisnosafetyissueifyouhaveseenthe setupatTolbert.

Wed,Mar28at06:52AMbyfineanddandy|Reportthiscomment

Heyaslongastheparentsagreetotakeontheburdenofproviding transportationIthinkgrandfatheringkidsonboundarychangesshouldbean option.However,Imnotsurehowmanyparentsareupforthetransportation challenge.AsforcreatingmorewalkingzonesforTolbert.goodluck.You canthavekidscrossing6lanesoftraffictheparentswillcomplainabout safetyanddemandbussingthatswhathappensnow.Ifyoutakeawaythe bussesitwillbeasafetyriskandyoullputmorecarsontheroadandinthe schooldropoffzoneswhicharedangerousenoughalready. Asfordestaffing.agree.itshouldbevoluntaryorofferabonustomove,ifit comestothat.Ontheotherside,therehavebeenschoolsthathavelosta majorityofteacherstofollowanewprincipal.soitsnotalwaysaforced decision.Andplease.DouglasElementaryisnotintheINNERCITY.you makeitsoundlikeitsahorribleplace.Thatschoolwillbejustfine, regardlessofallthoseparentswringingtheirhandsandcryingwoeisme.
Wed,Mar28at06:15AMbyFeminist|Reportthiscomment

Whynotsaythattheyaregrandmothered????Thisarticleissexist!
Wed,Mar28at05:41AMbyComicalSense|Reportthiscomment

loudountimes.com//update_students_to_be_grandfathered_to_stay_at_their_elementary_schools123/

3/6

4/8/12

UPDATE: Students to be grandfathered to stay at their elementary schools | LoudounTimes.com

@CommonSense, Sowhatyouaresayingisthatitwouldbeokinessenceforafamilytohave kidsin2differentschoolzones?Whathappensin5yearswhentheyhaveto redrawthelinesagain,thenyoucouldhave3kidsin3differentelementary schoolslivingatthesamehouse?Youwouldhavetohireacartographerjust todrawadeciphertheschoolzonemap,nottomentionthecostofbusesand routesandafter/beforeschoolaccommodationsthatneedtobemade. Itisntaboutpreservingalegacyforgoodnesssakes,itcomesdownto preservingfinances.IfIhavetopickordropoffmykids,orfinddaycarefor them,Iwouldmuchratherhaveoneschooltodealwithdrivingallacross town.OrnowItellyouweneedtohave3busroutesfrom3schoolsgoingto theexactsamebusstopinthesamecommunity,realefficient.Therising5th graderscanstayattheircurrentschoolsonlyifparentsprovidetransportation toandfrom. Redistrictinghappens,butlookattheplanandtellmeifitmakessenseto havebusescrossingeachotherspathhaulingstudentsoutofthecommunities tootheronestogotoschoolwhentheyhaveaschoolacrossthestreetthey canwalkto?Whydoyouhavekidsgotoschoolmilesawaywhilethebusthey takedrivesrightby2otherelementaryschoolsontheirway?Whydoyouhave anapartmentcomplexfartherawaythanawalingdistancecommunity leapfroggingoverthatcommunityandstayingtogotoaschool,whilethe walkingdistancecommunityisbusedmilesaway,allinthenameofFRLand ELLnumbers? Itistrue,Loudounisgrowing,butsoshouldyouviewsandmind. http://www.lcps.org/cms/lib4/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/66/douglass schooles15/FrederickDouglassProposedPlans/BergelPlan2Amended 121211wCL19.pdf
Wed,Mar28at05:01AMbyCommonSense2|Reportthiscomment

@fishoutofwaterandCommonSenseTHANKYOU!Youarethefirstpeople tocommentonthecountysridiculousdestaffingpolicy.Ironically,Iknow oneofthoseaffected,althoughtheyarentgoingtothenewschool,but anotheroneinthatarea.Sadly,thishashappenedmorethanoncetothis person,andtheywereclosertohimattheircurrentschool.IthinkthatLCPS isagoodschoolsystem,butitsleadershipandpoliciesareinneedof improvement.Also,themoraleinthiscountyisverylow,andIknowofafew ofthesedestaffedteacherswhoaresickofbeingshuffledaroundandare thinkingaboutleavingforFairfaxorPW.

Tue,Mar27at11:04PMbyblahblahblahblah|Reportthiscomment

Commonsense..youareignorant.Doyourresearch&getinvolved,you internettroll.
Tue,Mar27at10:50PMbyCommonSense|Reportthiscomment

nocommonsenseYoulackCommonSense.Youciteargumentsabout splittingupfamiliesbetweenschools.True,thatmighthappen,butthewhole reasonschoolsarebeingredistrictingisbecauseoftoomanystudents.Would youratherhave50Studentsto1Teacherjusttopreserveafamilydynastyata school? Newschoolshavetobebuiltandstudentpopulationshavetobecarvedup betweenschoolsasbestaspossible.Knowthesefacts,myproposalishowto bestmanagethattransition.Yourcommentaryisabouthowtokeep everythingasis. AcceptthefactthatLoudounisgrowingeveryday.Newstudentsspurnew schoolswhichspurredistricting.Dealwithit.
Tue,Mar27at09:53PMbynocommonsense|Reportthiscomment

commonsensedoyouhavechildreninthepublicschoolsystem?Doyou workinthepublicschoolsystem?Doyouhaveanyideaofschoolboardpolicy 232andhowonsomanylevelsitwasviolated?Whataboutthosefamilies whohavemultiplechildren?Youareproposingsplittingupfamilesletalone

loudountimes.com//update_students_to_be_grandfathered_to_stay_at_their_elementary_schools123/ 4/6

4/8/12

UPDATE: Students to be grandfathered to stay at their elementary schools | LoudounTimes.com

communties?BottomlineisMoreWalkingzonesneedtobeestablished,kids needtogototheschoolwheretheycanWALKtoo,andtheschoolboard needstofollowtheirownpolicy.

Tue,Mar27at09:45PMbyCommonSense|Reportthiscomment

NoCommonSenseYes.Inthenearterm,afewpeoplemightbeupset,butit doesntupsetthewholeapplecart.Thenafterafewyearshavepassed,no studentorfamilywillbethewiser.Becauseallexistingkidswillhave completedtheschooltheyareinandwillnowbeattendingtheredistricted MiddleorHighSchoolwithoutanymajorsocialupheaval. Forexample,ifakidiscurrentlyin2ndGradeatAshburnElem.andtheyare currentlydestinedforFarmwellMiddleSchool,whoishurtiftheirfuture MiddleSchoolandHighSchoolpathchanges?Aslongastheystayat AshburnElem.through5thGrade,whocares?Thenasforanynewkidsthat wouldhavestartedKindergartenor1stGradeatAshburnElem.,theymightbe redistrictedelsewhereandwouldhaveneverknownlifeatAshburnElem. Soitmakescompletesensetoplanouttheredistrictingplansafewyearsin advance,lettheexistingkidscompletetheirtimeatthecurrentschoolwhile redistrictingallnewkids.Afewyearsgobyandeverybodyiswherethey shouldbewithoutmuchfussandonlyafewpissedoffparentsbecause JohnnywenttoBroadRun,whilehisyoungersisterwillendupgoingto Stonebridge. Asforteachersbeingmovedaround,thatshouldbehaltedandavoluntary systemshouldbeimplementedwhererequestsforteachersatnewschoolsare sentouttoallLCPSteachers.Thenwhenanyvacanciesexist,putthenew hiresintothoseslots.Forcedrelocationdoesntmakeforahappyworkforce.
Tue,Mar27at09:16PMbyfishoutofwater|Reportthiscomment

commomsense2youhaveagoodpoint.Letmegiveyouanexample.Iheard thatalargeamountofteachersfromthewesternpartofLoudounCountywill bedestaffedtothenewFrederickDouglasselementaryschoolintheinnercity ofLeesburg.Talkaboutafishoutofwater?!?!Goingfromacushschoolwith lowclassnumbersandlowELLandFRMpopulationstojusttheopposite. JUSTbecausetheyneedtoshufflenumbersaroundnotfairfortheteachers orthestudentsthattheseteacherswillbeteaching.AlthoughALLteachersin LoudounCountyarewellqualified,notallareUSEDtoteachingcertain populationsofchildren.ThisSchoolboardhasalotofrevisitingtodothis year.........
Tue,Mar27at09:10PMbynocommonsense|Reportthiscomment

CommonSensethatwouldntmakesensesoyouarerecommendingthat familiesbesplitup?Whywouldallremainingstudentsremainandany incomingstudents(possiblyfromthesamefamily)havetobebussedto anotherschool?Talkaboutaheadacheandbreakingup communities.violationofsbpolicy232.

Tue,Mar27at09:08PMbyCommonSense2|Reportthiscomment

@CommonSenseTogoonestepfurther,teachersattheircurrentschool shouldremainsasistoo!LCPSscurrentpolicyofdestaffingdoesntmake sense.Itupsetsmetohearsomeofmyfriendtalktomeabouthowtheylike theschoolwheretheyareat,andbecauseofenrollmentchanges,thiscauses teacherstobeshuttledaround,hencethetermdestaffing.Sometimeit worksoutfortheaffectedteachers,butthemajorityoftime,itdoesnot. PerhapstheSchoolBoardneedstolookatthispolicyagain?Iftheenrollment changes,andtheteachersstay,isntthatmorebeneficialforthechildren? Theygetbetterindividualizedclassinstruction.Whatdoyouthink?

Tue,Mar27at09:06PMbyletmeclarify|Reportthiscomment

Ms.Peters,pleasereportthepeiceregardingCL19accurately.CL19cluster stillconsistsofCL19(PotomacStation),Cl19.1(SycamoreHill)andCL19.2
loudountimes.com//update_students_to_be_grandfathered_to_stay_at_their_elementary_schools123/ 5/6

4/8/12

UPDATE: Students to be grandfathered to stay at their elementary schools | LoudounTimes.com

(EvansRidgeApartments).ThenumbersyoureportedabovedoNOTreflect CL19(PotomacStation)only(whichisthecommunityfilingthelawsuit).CL 19(PotomacStation)onlyhas4Rising5thgradersandALL4ofthoserising 5thgradersREQUESTEDtoremainatTolbertElementary.AsYourpeice abovepertainstoCl19(PotomacStation)itismisleadingtothereaders.

Tue,Mar27at09:00PMbyCommonSense|Reportthiscomment

TheprocedureLCPSneedstoadoptisonewhereeverybodyatthecurrent schoolremainsasis,whileallincomingstudentsareredistrictedtothenew boundariesareset.Thisideaofmovingstudentsintheschoolissilly.Just redistrictallnewkids.

Tue,Mar27at08:31PMbyLaugh|Reportthiscomment

Thankgoodnessthesekidshadaproceduretheirparentscoulduse,todothe rightthing,sincewithoutthatprocedure,Mr.Foxwouldhavedonenothing. Whyisitthat,moreandmore,everyoneassociatedwithKenTrafficTic(ket) KingReidturnsouttobeworthless.

Commentsexpressonlytheviewsoftheauthoranddonotnecessarilyreflecttheviewsofthiswebsiteorany associatedpersonorentity.Anyuserwhobelievesamessageisobjectionablecancontactusat moderator@timespapers.com.

Postacomment
Anyonecanpostacomment.Registrationisnotrequired. Bysubmittingacomment,youagreetoourTermsofService.

Name(required):

Email(required):

Remembermypersonalinformation Proveyouarehumanandnotaspambot: North,East,____andWest.Fillintheblank.

Submit

Byusingthissite,youagreetotheTermsofService. News|Opinions|Sports|Entertainment|Blogs|Video|Classifieds|ContactUs|WorkforUs Copyright2011LoudounTimesMirror,aTimesCommunityMedianewspaper. FauquierVANews|CulpeperVANews|GainesvilleVANews|VirginiaNewspapers

loudountimes.com//update_students_to_be_grandfathered_to_stay_at_their_elementary_schools123/

6/6