For those who read BiggerPicture4Wake's press release, here's a different perspective on the calendar conversions from Concerned and Committed Leesville Parents.
In a press release today, CCLP says the return of Leesville Road elementary and middle schools to a traditional calendar means "families can finally breathe a sigh of relief that they will once again have unity in their community." CCLP says the year-round conversions "have proven to be extremely destructive and divisive to the close-knit Leesville community."
While BiggerPicture had blasted school board member Deborah Prickett, CCLP praises her for her role in pushing for the conversion back to a traditional calendar.
CCLP contends that the recent calendar survey shows there were too many year-round seats in the area and not enough traditional-calendar seats. CCLP says that 80 percent of the students who will feed into Leesville Middle will now be coming from traditional-calendar schools.
One of the reasons given for converting Leesville Middle to year-round was that so many year-round elementary students go there.
CCLP also praised the new board majority for the calendar choice resolution that was passed last month.
“Families in Northwest Raleigh will finally have realistic, appealing calendar options” said Lisa Boneham, founder of CCLP, in the press release.
Boneham said the press release was originally going to be sent Monday but was delayed because of the situation with Del Burns.
Comments
Word is spreading everywhere
Sat, 03/13/2010 - 13:34 — changewcpssWord is spreading everywhere about Leesville Road's success. CCLP is the model I want to copy. Lisa B are you available for consulting?
word is spreading that
Sat, 03/13/2010 - 22:29 — jeannie84word is spreading that Leesville got scr**ed over by the BOE
Yes, 3 years ago they did as
Sun, 03/14/2010 - 15:39 — changewcpssYes, 3 years ago they did as you say get scr**ed over by the BOE along with lots of us at 22 other schools around the county. They also got in your words scr**ed over by the BOE last year with Leesville Road middle. They finally got rid of the catalyst for the punishments by getting P Head out of the picture.
This year, the BOE came around and got it right for Leesville Road. I have been around the block and spent a fair amount of time at 3600 WF Rd. If you knew what Leesville Road has been dealing with and how they have overcome P Head's actions you would understand why they eventually got what was coming to their community. Looking for more of this in D2 and other areas. The ball is rolling in the right direction for families and choice.
Idea
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 10:54 — Bob_SconceSo, an out-of-the box idea... What's to stop the district from converting, say, 1/2, of an elementary school to year-round and leaving the other 1/2 traditional? It wouldn't create much "capacity" (presuming, arguendo, that YR does create capacity), but would give more families better calendar choice options.
I am going to suggest this
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 11:18 — changewcpssI am going to suggest this to J Tedesco. We could do this in several schools today.
Haaaahaaa haaaha ha ha
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 14:42 — buffalo66thOh that is a good one!
Not intended to be funny.
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 14:50 — changewcpssNot attempting to be funny. Why do you laugh? We have MYR schools so far under capacity that we could have track 4, track 1, and 2 traditional tracks that never changes classes. No cost savings but good choice.
I'm pretty sure that a
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 11:16 — jenmanI'm pretty sure that a school in Durham did this. Not sure if it still operates that way but I think it was 1/2 trad, 1/2 yr. Anybody else remember this?
you're right
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 14:58 — louiselee44Chewning MS in Durham. They are totally YR now. The campus was so split apart - it just didn't work from all I've read. If you search on "Meeting Scheduled on Chewning Plan" on the N&O site you'll find one of several references.
Thank you for the
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 15:02 — changewcpssThank you for the information. It would be something to investigate.
A Leesville parent (Lisa B)
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 11:15 — Gr8SchoolsA Leesville parent (Lisa B) approached Patti Head with this idea a few years back. My recollection is that she was not willing to even explore it. If choice is the goal this is a workable solution.
Absolutely NOT what I'm
Wed, 03/10/2010 - 23:06 — allkidsfirstAbsolutely NOT what I'm hearing from Leesville families.
It appears that you must not
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 01:02 — Gr8SchoolsIt appears that you must not know many Leesville families. Those of us who have fought for what is best for everyone in the long run have in turn helped those who have not yet had to experience having children forced on different school schedules. When they reach our current stage they can look back and say oh yeah, now I get it. They will have the one campus one calendar movement to thank then.
Not to be a stickler, but
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 08:39 — danofncNot to be a stickler, but shouldn't you be saying "Those of us who have fought for what WE THINK is best......"?
Isn't it possible that some reassignment will take place because of this conversion? If that happens, isn't it possible that a family that is happy to be at LES will end up elsewhere? Would their plight then be considered "collateral damage" that was necessary? Would THEY think that it was best for everyone?
Couldn't an argument be made that the ES and MS should have the calendar that the ES parents want, since they are the parents who are going to be there the longest?
I'm really just sort of playing devil's advocate, I guess. I don't live there, and the changes aren't going to affect me. I just think it's odd that a group that has done a lot of chest-beating about "listening to parents" seemingly didn't.
well said, Dan; for someone
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 11:36 — jeannie84well said, Dan; for someone who isn't at Leesville, your assessment is spot on; the folks who have continued to fight for Leesville on a traditional calendar are only interested in their families, no one else; that attitude is obvious in their cavalier dismissal of families they assume have no idea of Leesville's history / haven't been there as long as they have, but they couldn't be more wrong; their arrogance is appalling and to try to wrap it up as "we're doing what's best for the community" is a joke; the truth about capacity and funding for more seats in that area will come out eventually, and the only losers in this whole scenario with be the kids
So I read the press
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 13:23 — changewcpssSo I read the press release. It is true that 80% of the students feeding into Leesville Road middle will be from traditional elementary schools? That alone shows me that they are interested in a great majority of families and not only theirs.
BTW I have followed this group for a long time, recently becoming even more interested. Where do you see arrogance? From the outside I have witnessed a positive & committed community come together for the best outcome for all.
Yes the 80% figure is
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 15:00 — Gr8SchoolsYes the 80% figure is true. Students from LRES, Hilburn, York and a small number from Jeffries Grove are the traditional portion. Sycamore Creek and a small number from Brier Creek make up the YR portion. Why would you not want a larger number of students coming from the same calendar as the traditional middle and high schools?
The naysayers do not get it. Now they will not have to because their children can enjoy the same calendar compliments of the one campus one calendar group. The community spirit was diminished but is coming back strongly.
You are entitled to your
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 11:58 — Gr8SchoolsYou are entitled to your opinion but you have no clue about the Leesville community.
I've been a member of the
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 16:03 — jeannie84I've been a member of the "Leesville community" since 1999 - what about you??
You've got me by 3 years but
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 15:02 — Gr8SchoolsYou've got me by 3 years but your lack of understanding the ill effects of MYR tell me you may no longer be at Leesville schools?
For someone who has been in
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 16:40 — changewcpssFor someone who has been in that community for 11 years you do not appear to have much concern about the community or know very much about the challenges they have faced.
Because a person doesn't
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 17:55 — Dove314Because a person doesn't agree with the minority of parents who agree with this change, you dismiss their opinion as reflecting little concern for the community?
No, it is the big picture
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 09:10 — Gr8SchoolsNo, it is the big picture view of what is best for the entire community. Everyone will eventually be affected if their family gets split. No splitting ever is best for thousands of families at the 7 or 8 schools involved. That is why the group grew so large and became so passionate. We do not want anyone else to experience what we have had to deal with either. It is short sighted and narrow minded to only look at a personal situation now at 1 school.
You definately have a point but...
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 08:47 — midtownmomthe original families at Leesville have been fighting this for years. Approximately 90% of parents three years ago voted and pleaded with Patti Head and Churck Delany not to covert the elementary school. Then again, when the middle school was changed last year the original base families argued against conversion because so many had children in the middle and high school. It wreaks havic on a family unless it is a choice to have your children on different school calendars. These schools are built upon each other, literally and figuratively. It is sad that some families will be impacted negatively, but this change should have never occurred in the first place.
Every family affected (those
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 09:06 — danofncEvery family affected (those for and against conversion) will always have a convincing argument.
That's why you need people at the district level who actually study the numbers and do what's best for the district. According to the WCPSS site, there are 2 less trailers at LMS than last year. If those 2 trailers have been moved to another campus, how much did the district save by not having to buy new ones? The planning that affects each individual school always affects other schools, intentionally or unintentionally. No matter whether or not you liked the actual decisions of the previous board, I think it's almost indisputable that they did a better job of seeing and explaining the big picture than the current board has thus far. Margiotta's dismissive "Well, they can just go to Salem" remark about MP families who didn't want conversion was much more troubling to me than his "animals" comment.
If LMS' base area had enough population growth, and there was no MS that had excess capacity (I don't know if there was or not at the time), then why wouldn't LMS be converted to handle the growth of the LMS area?
So...
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 10:52 — Bob_SconcePoint of fact: if 2 trailers had not been moved from LMS, they would have been moved from a different school. The district has spare trailers scattered throughout the county. It's possible that they'll eventually run out, but that's not going to happen in the immediate future.
There Are Over 800 Available Seats in This Area?
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 10:40 — JanisTangoIMO this was a political ploy only. Last fall there were over 800 available seats in this area with one year round school at 60% capacity. When they decided to change the YR application school for many families they didn't even use the one at 60% capacity as an application school for anyone. This school was specially built to handle year round and it has empty classrooms. I appreciate that you don't understand this area, but there is so much more than what has been reported on the surface!
"but there is so much more
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 16:01 — jeannie84"but there is so much more than what has been reported on the surface! "
like the fact that Hilburn (traditional calendar) is right around the corner from Leesville and sits one-third EMPTY year-round?
Exactly!
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 16:17 — JanisTangoI agree...there is unused capacity all over the Leesville area. So my question is with Hilburn being 1/3 emtpy why did they ever convert Leesville. With Sycamore Creek coming online within 2 years they could have handled the year round demand with Sycamore Creek. The problem is they decided to make it mandatory and they wanted to force people onto a year round calendar. There are empty seats at Brier Creek, Jeffreys Grove, etc. I would advocate that a school should not be converted until the need is there.
It is all in your
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 09:17 — Gr8SchoolsIt is all in your viewpoint. Ask the thousands of families in the Leesville community which board is doing a better job seeing and explaining the big picture. A few hundred parents who filled out surveys for a year round choice now get to have a choice nearby. The thousands of LHS, LMS and LES students can keep their families together.
Do you notice how you sound
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 09:40 — danofncDo you notice how you sound very dismissive of the families who wanted year round? Even though at LES most families wanted YR, you claim to know what's "best" for them?
Isn't that the exact reason that the new board members were elected?
These Families Can Still Have It
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 10:44 — JanisTangoThese families at LES that want year round can have it, just not at LES. Sycamore Creek is less than 2 miles from Leesville and has plenty of available room. There are families at Sycamore Creek that want traditional. They should be able to move back to LES and make more room available.
seats at Sycamore Creek
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 13:36 — awake1There is plenty of available room at Sycamore Creek for LES application families who want to go there. LES base parents still have to apply. With only 300 seats available at Sycamore Creek and 200 LES application families ready to fill those seats, good luck to LES base families wanting to stay on year-round.
With an 86% satisfaction rate with the year-round calendar at Sycamore Creek and the disruption caused by switching schools, I wouldn't count on an appreciable number of Sycamore Creek families switching to LES.
" I wouldn't count on an
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 15:59 — jeannie84" I wouldn't count on an appreciable number of Sycamore Creek families switching to LES. "
They can't; SC's traditional option is still Hilburn
Then it sounds like it the
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 16:36 — changewcpssThen it sounds like it the changes are going to utilize even more empty capacity in that area. A good scenario all around. So what is the problem?
And That's A Problem Why?
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 16:20 — JanisTangoMost of the families in Sycamore Creek came from Hilburn. Why would that be a problem if they truly wanted to go back? I think the problem today is the fact that a lot of families are there because of the word 'mandatory'.
to clarify, we've had SC
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 17:26 — jeannie84to clarify, we've had SC families wanting to know if LRES is now their traditional option; they don't want Hilburn -- which remains one-third empty
Do You Know Why They Don't Want Hilburn?
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 17:29 — JanisTangoDo you know the reasons they don't want Hilburn?
well, for one thing, they'd
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 19:52 — jeannie84well, for one thing, they'd now be driving past LRES to get to Hilburn
My understanding is that
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 21:29 — changewcpssMy understanding is that these schools are practically in the same neighborhood. How far apart are Leesville Road and Hilburn?
Close
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 23:42 — louiselee441.9 miles according to googlemaps. They route you through the neighborhood, which is the way I go. Five minutes...
Yes, they are not far
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 22:10 — tsgcoup2.5 miles according to mapquest on the main roads
Prior to Sycamore Creek opening, the students from the Harrington Grove/Dominion area were a huge chunk of Hilburn's population - so they drove past the Leesville Schools every day. Then close to 80% of Hilburn moved out to Sycamore when it opened, including a beloved principal. When Sycamore Creek opened those families were given the choice of new YR Sycamore (in their backyards)or remain at Hilburn for traditional. Really a win, win for them.
That year and the following year, LRES families begged to have Hilburn as our traditional option but were told no, Stough.
Then this current school year (09-10) when they converted LRMS to YR, they allowed our traditional opt out to be Hillburn. At that point, having a YR Middle School Student and a Trad. Elementary, was not appealing.
Hilburn has been Leesville's
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 17:24 — jeannie84Hilburn has been Leesville's traditional option for more than one year
no, just this school year
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 18:50 — tsgcoupno just this current school year (09-10)
no, it's been at least two
Sat, 03/13/2010 - 08:08 — jeannie84no, it's been at least two years
tsgcoup is right
Sat, 03/13/2010 - 08:30 — Eric_BGrowth & Planning made Hilburn the traditional option for LES when Leesville Middle went year-round this year. It's only been this way for 09-10. I was at the Leesville CEM meeting in Dec. 2008 when Chuck Dulaney mentioned this change for the (then upcoming) 2009-10 school year.
Thanks for the backup Eric
Sat, 03/13/2010 - 09:24 — tsgcoupThanks for the backup Eric B. I do know my calendar options for my own children.
Wow. The Leesville Road
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 09:09 — changewcpssWow. The Leesville Road community does have reasonable options that is for sure. I am happy for your families.
I Would Estimate Less Than 2 Miles
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 22:05 — JanisTangoI would estimate less than 2 miles.
Oh Heaven Forbid!
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 20:01 — JanisTangoI live 2 miles from Sycamore. We have 4 ES closer to us than our assigned school. Don't tell me that you buy into this. If so, then you buy into the neighborhood/community model obviously!