Opening a New School:
Frequently Asked Questions
…and Answers!
Q: When will the new school open?
A: September 2003
Q: Will my 6th grader have to switch schools?
A: Sixth grade students are grandfathered to stay in their current school. They may choose to attend the new school. A surprisingly large number of students decide to move to a new school so they can be the first graduating class. The parents in one neighborhood that might be affected by this new school have discussed making the decision as a group. They all go or they all stay.
Q: My current school has language immersion, if we get reassigned to the new school, will my child be able to stay in the current school?
A: Children in the language immersion program will be allowed to stay in their current school. Parents will have to provide transportation to and from school. If space is available on a bus route, you may be able to arrange to pick up and drop off your child at a stop if space is available on the bus. (Strauss, May 17, 2002)
Q: When will the boundaries be set and how?
A: School Board policy and regulation outlines the steps used to establish boundaries for school attendance areas. The boundary process is managed by the Office of Facilities Planning http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/DFaS/Planning/index.htm.
Through a series of 3 town meetings, the community will identify goals, considerations, and areas for reassignment. Each meeting consists of a “general session” where information is shared and technical questions are answered. This is followed by the “small group” work sessions. During these sessions, the audience is divided into groups of about 15 to 20 community members who, working with a trained facilitator, identify issues and evaluate scenarios.
By the end of December, 2002 we should have a very good idea of the boundaries. The boundaries will be voted on by the School Board in February 2003. The boundaries are subject to review and revision by the Office of Transportation Services http://www.fcps.edu/DGS/tran/index.htm.
The timeline for the boundary process is:
· Community meetings - October - December 2002
· Present to School Board - January 2003
· Public hearings - February 2003
· School Board Vote - Feb 2003
You can provide input by:
· attending community meetings
· speaking at hearings
· communicating with School Board members. Our school board member is * Jane K. Strauss, Dranesville District, 703-246-4780, [email protected]
Q: Why are parents doing all this work before we know the school boundaries?
A: There is input the county requires before the boundaries are set. If you think you might have children come to the new school, your input is welcome.
Q: How is the principal selected?
A: This process is managed by Dr. Joan Wilcox, the Cluster I office director http://www.fcps.edu/cluster1/. Each feeder school will provide representatives to help select the principal.
Q: How is the new school name determined?
A: After the boundaries are defined and the principal is selected, families in the attendance area meet and select a name. The county encourages the name adhere to the following guidelines: http://www.fcps.edu/about/newsch.htm
Have a question not answered here? Send an email to the committee and we’ll try to post an answer soon! Email [email protected].