I should probably dial back and explain why I responded the way I did originally. As a parent of a child who is thriving at Medlock, I really take it personally when I feel that folks in our neighborhood are "hoping" that Medlock closes so that their attendance zone remains unaffected. I understand their perspective - they have children who are thriving in their own school setting, and they don't want that changed either. I happen to live in a neighborhood that has seen a huge influx of families with young children, and what bothers me is the thought that people want to protect their own interests and throw Medlock kids into overcrowded and (in some instances) lower performing schools.
At the end of the day, I have to keep reminding myself that this is bigger than our family or their families; it should be about finding solutions that improve schools across Dekalb County.
MedlockMom - 13 years ago
Thanks for the clarification, Diana. Now I understand what you apparently meant.
As I understand it, it takes a core group of committed parents to get a charter initiative moving; I don't think it is typically done on the initiative of DCSS. I may be wrong about that, but I've had a few lengthy discussions with folks who have kids in charters and serve on boards. It is not an easy process. I'd rather see the Medlock property developed/expanded, given it's excellent location from main roads and large undeveloped property footprint.
Diana - 13 years ago
'Medlock Mom' - You miss my point, apparently I wasn't clear enough: Medlock should remain OPEN - with no shuffling of children to other schools - while DCSS explores the possibility of a future STEM charter at the location. Yes, it is naive to imagine that a change to charter status could occur by August (of course it can't).
However, it is also naive of DCSS to imagine that the county-wide closings and reshuffling of over 16,000 kids will be effectively implemented by August. They are trying to accomplish too much, too quickly - basically, biting off more than they can chew. Instead, DCSS needs to tackle the consolidation and redistricting in smaller, more manageable steps. There are plenty of other schools (below 70% capacity) that should be closed before Medlock. A phased in ('triage') approach would not only allow the county to be more effective with the implementation, but would also allow time to review 2010 census data before closing decisions are made on schools at 80% of capacity and above.
Medlock Mom - 13 years ago
We in the Medlock school community don't see a STEM charter as an immediate solution for the Medlock children who will be sent to other schools at risk of immediate overcrowding. While we are interesting in learning more about the ins and outs (and the time/money/commitment) required to open a charter, it would be incredibly naive to think it could be open by August such that current Medlock students could apply and attend. And while Governor Deal has expressed interest in making funds available for STEM charters (certainly a positive development), this is only a statement at the moment - as far as I am aware, he will need to have it approved in the budget. Why not take the available land and expand Medlock to relieve overcrowding at other schools?
Diana - 13 years ago
DCSS should not close a well-run, high performing school that has land for future expansion.
Instead they should recognize that Medlock is ideally located to become a S.T.E.M. Charter school location for DCSS. Given it's proximity to neighborhoods where CDC & Emory parents live, Medlock would be the perfect choice to house a school focused on science, technology, engineering & math. Since the state of Georgia is pushing for the establishment of this type of charter school (and hopefully providing some funding as well) - shouldn't DCSS be planning where to put it?
Medlock Mom and Alumni - 13 years ago
One of the other issues not being considered is Medlock's large community of special needs children. We currently have 5 self-contained special education classrooms, some that deal specifically with preschool children. Busing these children to another location will place undo hardships on these children and their families. As a parent of a special needs child who has had so much success at Medlock, I do not want to see this wonderful program disappear. I know moving them doesn't make them disappear, but part of the success of our program comes from the fact that we are a small school where the children do learn to accept differences and learn to take care of each other!
Hi, MedlockMom. I'd be interested in speaking with you more about this. Do you think you could send me an e-mail with your contact information. My address is jonathan.cribbs@patch.com. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.
MedlockMom - 13 years ago
The polling choices were a little simplistic, given the difficult choices that the school board is going to have to make. Katy raises some valid concerns about how the attendance zone has been split. In addition, I have serious concerns that closing this elementary school will result in severe overcrowding within the next several years.
If Medlock closes, Laurel Ridge is projected to immediately be above capacity - based on 2000 Census data. Since 2000, the Medlock-area neighborhood has experienced a net influx of young families (or young couples who now have young children). Concerned that the enrollment projections have not accounted for this demographic shift, MANA and the Medlock PTA conducted a survey of children aged 0 - 4 years in the MANA neighborhood (which is only a part of Medlock's attendance zone). After adjusting for sample size as well as transfer rates/private school attendance, the survey projects that Medlock enrollment will increase by 200% in the coming years.
Katie Lowry - 13 years ago
I strongly believe that Medlock should stay open and shift the attendance lines so that some of the over crowded and/or underperforming schools can move to Medlock. Medlock is a wonderful school, our students are receiving an excellent education and I don't think we should send students to schools that aren't performing well such as Avondale Elementary. We need to use the resources we already have and keep our doors open in order to educate children who aren't receiving what they need. It doesn't make sense to do it the other way around (i.e. close a good school and send the children to a poorly performing school)
I should probably dial back and explain why I responded the way I did originally. As a parent of a child who is thriving at Medlock, I really take it personally when I feel that folks in our neighborhood are "hoping" that Medlock closes so that their attendance zone remains unaffected. I understand their perspective - they have children who are thriving in their own school setting, and they don't want that changed either. I happen to live in a neighborhood that has seen a huge influx of families with young children, and what bothers me is the thought that people want to protect their own interests and throw Medlock kids into overcrowded and (in some instances) lower performing schools.
At the end of the day, I have to keep reminding myself that this is bigger than our family or their families; it should be about finding solutions that improve schools across Dekalb County.
Thanks for the clarification, Diana. Now I understand what you apparently meant.
As I understand it, it takes a core group of committed parents to get a charter initiative moving; I don't think it is typically done on the initiative of DCSS. I may be wrong about that, but I've had a few lengthy discussions with folks who have kids in charters and serve on boards. It is not an easy process. I'd rather see the Medlock property developed/expanded, given it's excellent location from main roads and large undeveloped property footprint.
'Medlock Mom' - You miss my point, apparently I wasn't clear enough: Medlock should remain OPEN - with no shuffling of children to other schools - while DCSS explores the possibility of a future STEM charter at the location. Yes, it is naive to imagine that a change to charter status could occur by August (of course it can't).
However, it is also naive of DCSS to imagine that the county-wide closings and reshuffling of over 16,000 kids will be effectively implemented by August. They are trying to accomplish too much, too quickly - basically, biting off more than they can chew. Instead, DCSS needs to tackle the consolidation and redistricting in smaller, more manageable steps. There are plenty of other schools (below 70% capacity) that should be closed before Medlock. A phased in ('triage') approach would not only allow the county to be more effective with the implementation, but would also allow time to review 2010 census data before closing decisions are made on schools at 80% of capacity and above.
We in the Medlock school community don't see a STEM charter as an immediate solution for the Medlock children who will be sent to other schools at risk of immediate overcrowding. While we are interesting in learning more about the ins and outs (and the time/money/commitment) required to open a charter, it would be incredibly naive to think it could be open by August such that current Medlock students could apply and attend. And while Governor Deal has expressed interest in making funds available for STEM charters (certainly a positive development), this is only a statement at the moment - as far as I am aware, he will need to have it approved in the budget. Why not take the available land and expand Medlock to relieve overcrowding at other schools?
DCSS should not close a well-run, high performing school that has land for future expansion.
Instead they should recognize that Medlock is ideally located to become a S.T.E.M. Charter school location for DCSS. Given it's proximity to neighborhoods where CDC & Emory parents live, Medlock would be the perfect choice to house a school focused on science, technology, engineering & math. Since the state of Georgia is pushing for the establishment of this type of charter school (and hopefully providing some funding as well) - shouldn't DCSS be planning where to put it?
One of the other issues not being considered is Medlock's large community of special needs children. We currently have 5 self-contained special education classrooms, some that deal specifically with preschool children. Busing these children to another location will place undo hardships on these children and their families. As a parent of a special needs child who has had so much success at Medlock, I do not want to see this wonderful program disappear. I know moving them doesn't make them disappear, but part of the success of our program comes from the fact that we are a small school where the children do learn to accept differences and learn to take care of each other!
Hi, MedlockMom. I'd be interested in speaking with you more about this. Do you think you could send me an e-mail with your contact information. My address is jonathan.cribbs@patch.com. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.
The polling choices were a little simplistic, given the difficult choices that the school board is going to have to make. Katy raises some valid concerns about how the attendance zone has been split. In addition, I have serious concerns that closing this elementary school will result in severe overcrowding within the next several years.
If Medlock closes, Laurel Ridge is projected to immediately be above capacity - based on 2000 Census data. Since 2000, the Medlock-area neighborhood has experienced a net influx of young families (or young couples who now have young children). Concerned that the enrollment projections have not accounted for this demographic shift, MANA and the Medlock PTA conducted a survey of children aged 0 - 4 years in the MANA neighborhood (which is only a part of Medlock's attendance zone). After adjusting for sample size as well as transfer rates/private school attendance, the survey projects that Medlock enrollment will increase by 200% in the coming years.
I strongly believe that Medlock should stay open and shift the attendance lines so that some of the over crowded and/or underperforming schools can move to Medlock. Medlock is a wonderful school, our students are receiving an excellent education and I don't think we should send students to schools that aren't performing well such as Avondale Elementary. We need to use the resources we already have and keep our doors open in order to educate children who aren't receiving what they need. It doesn't make sense to do it the other way around (i.e. close a good school and send the children to a poorly performing school)