|
Post by title1parent on Oct 8, 2008 6:26:08 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/opinions/letters/1208131,6_4_NA08_LETTERS_S1.article Letters to the Editor October 8, 2008 D204 is wrong to move students in class of 2012 To provide for the safety, health and welfare of all students. What a wonderful goal Indian Prairie School District 204 tries to achieve. Unfortunately, it isn't met for all students and certainly not the class of 2012. The health and welfare of the current freshmen class apparently doesn't matter as many are expected to change high schools after their freshman year. Moving any child from their current high school is a mistake. These kids have made connections and friendships with students, teachers, staff and coaches at their existing school - why should they be forced give that up? The supposed answer is to alleviate crowding in all the high schools, but unfortunately, that really doesn't apply. The District 204 plan to open Metea Valley High School in 2009 will not provide any relief for the class of 2012. It is simply transferring the problem from one school to another. In fact, moving the approximately 240 freshman students from Neuqua Valley to Waubonsie Valley will simply overcrowd Waubonsie even more than today. The freshman building at WV is scheduled to close next year and as a result more students than ever are expected to fit in a smaller place. Waubonsie will be more crowded than it ever has been before. In addition, the existing Waubonsie freshmen who are expected to move to the new Metea are giving up so much as they leave a full, complete high school. The new high school will be opening as a shell with half of the academic wings complete and no athletic fields, pool, auditorium or varsity sports. Is this a fair opportunity to these kids? Of course it isn't! Very simply, I am hoping that the school board and administration would re-examine any plan to move high school students from their current high schools. Moving the class of 2012 is wrong. Janet Eggenberger Naperville
|
|
|
Post by warriorpride on Oct 8, 2008 6:50:47 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/opinions/letters/1208131,6_4_NA08_LETTERS_S1.article Letters to the Editor October 8, 2008 D204 is wrong to move students in class of 2012 To provide for the safety, health and welfare of all students. What a wonderful goal Indian Prairie School District 204 tries to achieve. Unfortunately, it isn't met for all students and certainly not the class of 2012. The health and welfare of the current freshmen class apparently doesn't matter as many are expected to change high schools after their freshman year. Moving any child from their current high school is a mistake. These kids have made connections and friendships with students, teachers, staff and coaches at their existing school - why should they be forced give that up? The supposed answer is to alleviate crowding in all the high schools, but unfortunately, that really doesn't apply. The District 204 plan to open Metea Valley High School in 2009 will not provide any relief for the class of 2012. It is simply transferring the problem from one school to another. In fact, moving the approximately 240 freshman students from Neuqua Valley to Waubonsie Valley will simply overcrowd Waubonsie even more than today. The freshman building at WV is scheduled to close next year and as a result more students than ever are expected to fit in a smaller place. Waubonsie will be more crowded than it ever has been before. In addition, the existing Waubonsie freshmen who are expected to move to the new Metea are giving up so much as they leave a full, complete high school. The new high school will be opening as a shell with half of the academic wings complete and no athletic fields, pool, auditorium or varsity sports. Is this a fair opportunity to these kids? Of course it isn't! Very simply, I am hoping that the school board and administration would re-examine any plan to move high school students from their current high schools. Moving the class of 2012 is wrong. Janet Eggenberger Naperville Not sure exactly what her agenda is, but I have a guess. - "These kids have made connections and friendships with students, teachers, staff and coaches at their existing school" - Some of their friends will be moving to WV too. And for those that don't, I don't recall seeing anything in the transition plan preventing students from going to their friends houses, or calling, texting, and IMing each other. Existing staff? They're in a separate building, with a freshman-only staff - they'd never see them again, any way. Coaches? Sure, a few freshman make higher teams, but most are on the freshman teams - they'd never see the coaches again, any way. - There will be about 3100 at WV next year. They had 3600+ at WV the year before NV opened. That doesn't sound like it will be "more crowded than it ever has been before". - "The new high school will be opening as a shell with half of the academic wings complete and no athletic fields, pool, auditorium or varsity sports. Is this a fair opportunity to these kids? Of course it isn't!" - Is it any more "fair" for the incoming MV freshman? Does she propose leaving the current WV freshman at WV? That number (~600) is a lot higher than the current NV freshman that are slated to move over to WV next year (< 300). Sounds like she's suggesting her freshman should stay at NV and WV should be overcrowded. Does she really care about the current WV freshman that will be moving to MV next year? Or, is she trying to garner support for her "don't move anyone from their HS platform"? - "Very simply, I am hoping that the school board and administration would re-examine any plan to move high school students from their current high schools." Um, this has been the plan since 2006. She wrote an LTE to get the entire transition to the 3-HS system redone at this late date? "Simple"? Hardly. This is how most new HSs are opened. This is how NV opened. This is how MV will be opened. My guess: she has a freshman at NV & doesn't want them moved out. I'll apologize if I'm wrong. Didn't she apply to fill the recent open SB position? Yikes
|
|
|
Post by eb204 on Oct 8, 2008 7:40:15 GMT -5
Very simply, I am hoping that the school board and administration would re-examine any plan to move high school students from their current high schools. Moving the class of 2012 is wrong.
The plan is the same as what happened when NVHS opened is it not? No one was "grandfathered" to stay where they were.
As WP stated, this has been in the works for over 2 years. Many kids were slated to move. If this would have been able to have been worked out 2 years ago, it would be another class that would have been treated "unfairly". Would she have been so upset about it then?
Yes, she was one of the candidates who threw her name in the hat. It certainly doesn't appear that she sees the bigger picture and has the whole district in mind. Certainly not what we need going forward. I'll have to keep this name in mind when April rolls around.
|
|
|
Post by majorianthrax on Oct 8, 2008 7:48:45 GMT -5
I see Janet Eggenberger is starting her campaign for the SB early. I have to wonder if she and the other SB candidates from TG (I hear there are three others) will attempt to make a last minute derailing of the current agenda if they happen to win. (God Forbid!) Or if they will take it a step farther and attempt to change the boundries.
|
|
|
Post by majorianthrax on Oct 8, 2008 7:53:14 GMT -5
Having a child who is a Freshman this year as well I would like to make one observation. I am not going to get into the numbers or crowding arguement. However I recall the SB did the same thing when NV was built. The first graduating class at NV began as Freshman at WV. And yes there was some grumbling about leaving WV. However the kids adjusted just fine and there wern't any arguments about that class getting messed over as the naysayers keep harping about.
|
|
|
Post by JWH on Oct 8, 2008 8:15:46 GMT -5
The same situation would have happened with Metea at BB. Amazing how it is such a large issue now, with the move to WV, but wasn't even on the radar when MV/BB.
I do agree it stinks to have to move schools, but don't see an option that works. We can't open MV with freshmen only - - all new schools around us have opened Fresh/Soph the first year.
|
|
|
Post by majorianthrax on Oct 8, 2008 8:31:13 GMT -5
The same situation would have happened with Metea at BB. Amazing how it is such a large issue now, with their kids going to WV, but wasn't even on the radar if they went to MV/BB. An excellent point. It is all about going to WV.
|
|
|
Post by concerned on Oct 8, 2008 9:00:07 GMT -5
The same situation would have happened with Metea at BB. Amazing how it is such a large issue now, with their kids going to WV, but wasn't even on the radar if they went to MV/BB. An excellent point. It is all about going to WV. I am sooo tired of the green board trying to portray this as a WV issue. These kids that Janet are talking about have come from a VERY crowded Scullen and will be moved to another crowded WV. I have seen and read Gator's numbers, but I do remember the SB discussing the crowded conditions at WV and remember the Vickers wanting to keep the freshman campus open for one more year to help with the crowding. I for one HAVE never thought it a good idea to move Freshmen out of their HS I don't care if we go to WV or MV. i don't feel this is right for high schoolers. I would feel different about it if it were ES or MS, but not HS. The failure of many to see that these kids have been suffering really makes me angry. This is not about WV. I am here to tell you that Scullen was no cake walk. This year the 7th grade class has to go outside to move from one side of the building to the other to alleviate crowded hallways. This SB has failed for several years to help these kids. They passed a ref that I voted NO to both times, because they did not have the land. Nothing would be done for these kids having to go to school in these conditions. It has been so easy for many to just label them as elitists and it is about WV. Give me a break.
|
|
|
Post by warriorpride on Oct 8, 2008 9:13:37 GMT -5
An excellent point. It is all about going to WV. I am sooo tired of the green board trying to portray this as a WV issue. These kids that Janet are talking about have come from a VERY crowded Scullen and will be moved to another crowded WV. I have seen and read Gator's numbers, but I do remember the SB discussing the crowded conditions at WV and remember the Vickers wanting to keep the freshman campus open for one more year to help with the crowding. I for one HAVE never thought it a good idea to move Freshmen out of their HS I don't care if we go to WV or MV. i don't feel this is right for high schoolers. I would feel different about it if it were ES or MS, but not HS. The failure of many to see that these kids have been suffering really makes me angry. This is not about WV. I am here to tell you that Scullen was no cake walk. This year the 7th grade class has to go outside to move from one side of the building to the other to alleviate crowded hallways. This SB has failed for several years to help these kids. They passed a ref that I voted NO to both times, because they did not have the land. Nothing would be done for these kids having to go to school in these conditions. It has been so easy for many to just label them as elitists and it is about WV. Give me a break. So keep WV Gold open for another year, and allow the crowded conditions at Scullen to worsen? Does that make sense? Don't move anyone from NV next year, and have the maximum capacity at NV (both buildings, I believe) to be exceeded? Does that make sense? The decision to open MV in 09 has been made. Open it with 650 kids and a skeleton staff? Does that make sense? A crowded NV is OK for you, but a "crowded" WV (it'll have around 500 less than it had the year before NV opened) isn't? Give ME a break.
|
|
|
Post by warriorpride on Oct 8, 2008 9:21:05 GMT -5
I am sooo tired of the green board trying to portray this as a WV issue. These kids that Janet are talking about have come from a VERY crowded Scullen and will be moved to another crowded WV. I have seen and read Gator's numbers, but I do remember the SB discussing the crowded conditions at WV and remember the Vickers wanting to keep the freshman campus open for one more year to help with the crowding. I for one HAVE never thought it a good idea to move Freshmen out of their HS I don't care if we go to WV or MV. i don't feel this is right for high schoolers. I would feel different about it if it were ES or MS, but not HS. The failure of many to see that these kids have been suffering really makes me angry. This is not about WV. I am here to tell you that Scullen was no cake walk. This year the 7th grade class has to go outside to move from one side of the building to the other to alleviate crowded hallways. This SB has failed for several years to help these kids. They passed a ref that I voted NO to both times, because they did not have the land. Nothing would be done for these kids having to go to school in these conditions. It has been so easy for many to just label them as elitists and it is about WV. Give me a break. So keep WV Gold open for another year, and allow the crowded conditions at Scullen to worsen (or remain the same, at best)? Does that make sense? Don't move anyone from NV next year, and have the maximum capacity at NV (both buildings, I believe) to be exceeded? Does that make sense? The decision to open MV in 09 has been made. Open it with 650 kids and a skeleton staff? Does that make sense? A crowded NV is OK for you, but a "crowded" WV (it'll have around 500 less than it had the year before NV opened) isn't? Give ME a break.
|
|
|
Post by justvote on Oct 8, 2008 9:24:44 GMT -5
An excellent point. It is all about going to WV. I am sooo tired of the green board trying to portray this as a WV issue. These kids that Janet are talking about have come from a VERY crowded Scullen and will be moved to another crowded WV. I have seen and read Gator's numbers, but I do remember the SB discussing the crowded conditions at WV and remember the Vickers wanting to keep the freshman campus open for one more year to help with the crowding. I for one HAVE never thought it a good idea to move Freshmen out of their HS I don't care if we go to WV or MV. i don't feel this is right for high schoolers. I would feel different about it if it were ES or MS, but not HS. The failure of many to see that these kids have been suffering really makes me angry. This is not about WV. I am here to tell you that Scullen was no cake walk. This year the 7th grade class has to go outside to move from one side of the building to the other to alleviate crowded hallways. This SB has failed for several years to help these kids. They passed a ref that I voted NO to both times, because they did not have the land. Nothing would be done for these kids having to go to school in these conditions. It has been so easy for many to just label them as elitists and it is about WV. Give me a break. First, I am sooo tired of the broad brush painting of the "green board". We do not all share the same opinion. FWIW - I think you're right. I think it's awful that the Freshman have to move next year, but the answer is not that simple. If you don't move the Freshman you'll be opening MV with one class. That's certainly not a good situation either. If you don't move the Freshman, you will have an even more grossly overcrowded NV (worse than WV will be next year). Is that fair to Neuqua's student population? Not really. Although I understand the School Board's decision to make the switch, I do think there was a lack of compassion when the decision was made. It was pretty much "here's the decision, live with it". I talked with a parent very recently who is in this position. Her freshman will have to move to WV next year. This parent has nothing against WV, she just thinks it's very sad that her daughter has to make this transition. I can't disagree with that. The right decision is not black & white.
|
|
|
Post by southsidesignmaker on Oct 8, 2008 9:37:26 GMT -5
Justvote, well said, the decision is far from black and white.
|
|
|
Post by concerned on Oct 8, 2008 9:42:39 GMT -5
I am sooo tired of the green board trying to portray this as a WV issue. These kids that Janet are talking about have come from a VERY crowded Scullen and will be moved to another crowded WV. I have seen and read Gator's numbers, but I do remember the SB discussing the crowded conditions at WV and remember the Vickers wanting to keep the freshman campus open for one more year to help with the crowding. I for one HAVE never thought it a good idea to move Freshmen out of their HS I don't care if we go to WV or MV. i don't feel this is right for high schoolers. I would feel different about it if it were ES or MS, but not HS. The failure of many to see that these kids have been suffering really makes me angry. This is not about WV. I am here to tell you that Scullen was no cake walk. This year the 7th grade class has to go outside to move from one side of the building to the other to alleviate crowded hallways. This SB has failed for several years to help these kids. They passed a ref that I voted NO to both times, because they did not have the land. Nothing would be done for these kids having to go to school in these conditions. It has been so easy for many to just label them as elitists and it is about WV. Give me a break. First, I am sooo tired of the broad brush painting of the "green board". We do not all share the same opinion. FWIW - I think you're right. I think it's awful that the Freshman have to move next year, but the answer is not that simple. If you don't move the Freshman you'll be opening MV with one class. That's certainly not a good situation either. If you don't move the Freshman, you will have an even more grossly overcrowded NV (worse than WV will be next year). Is that fair to Neuqua's student population? Not really. Although I understand the School Board's decision to make the switch, I do think there was a lack of compassion when the decision was made. It was pretty much "here's the decision, live with it". I talked with a parent very recently who is in this position. Her freshman will have to move to WV next year. This parent has nothing against WV, she just thinks it's very sad that her daughter has to make this transition. I can't disagree with that. The right decision is not black & white. justvote thank you for your response. That kind of attitude is the kind of attitude that can help heal this district. I am sooo tired of many trying to make this a WV issue. I don't think it is fair to any child who has to leave their HS. I don't care if this how NV was started up. That doesn't make it right. I am also not in favor of starting up MV as an unfinished school and that would of been a HUGE issue for me if my child were to go there. I am also not saying to keep the Freshman campus open, I just know that issue has been discussed with the SB because WV will become crowded once it is closed and the new school opened up. I was stating that because there are those who want to say WV will not be crowded next year.
|
|
|
Post by momto4 on Oct 8, 2008 10:34:19 GMT -5
Every parent has the right to either help their children embrace change and approach new situations and opportunities with enthusiasm, or to be made to feel like a victim.
|
|
|
Post by JWH on Oct 8, 2008 12:00:51 GMT -5
An excellent point. It is all about going to WV. I am sooo tired of the green board trying to portray this as a WV issue. These kids that Janet are talking about have come from a VERY crowded Scullen and will be moved to another crowded WV. I have seen and read Gator's numbers, but I do remember the SB discussing the crowded conditions at WV and remember the Vickers wanting to keep the freshman campus open for one more year to help with the crowding. I for one HAVE never thought it a good idea to move Freshmen out of their HS I don't care if we go to WV or MV. i don't feel this is right for high schoolers. I would feel different about it if it were ES or MS, but not HS. The failure of many to see that these kids have been suffering really makes me angry. This is not about WV. I am here to tell you that Scullen was no cake walk. This year the 7th grade class has to go outside to move from one side of the building to the other to alleviate crowded hallways. This SB has failed for several years to help these kids. They passed a ref that I voted NO to both times, because they did not have the land. Nothing would be done for these kids having to go to school in these conditions. It has been so easy for many to just label them as elitists and it is about WV. Give me a break. Sorry, but this isn't a portrayal, it's a fact. The last 2 years there has been no uproar about the 2012 class and their placement, until the recent changes. I wish there was as way to have every child finish at the school they start at, but I don't see any viable option for that.
|
|