Thoughts on John B. Cary?
From a Byrd Park neighbor:
I’m interested in the experiences of Byrd Park families who have children
at John B. Cary Elementary School. Our child will be in kindergarten next
year and Cary is our “home” (default) school. What has been your
experience? Thank you for your comments.
Adria
adria (at) rpec (dot) org
Adria might want to take a look at some of the rezoning options that RPS is considering. In most of them it looks like Cary might be absorbed into mumford or fox. There is a meeting February 15 about the rezoning. At the following link you can read more about the meeting and link to interactive maps to see the different proposals http://hillsandheights.org/2012/01/19/rps-school-rezoning-meeting-february-15-at-thompson/
I’d like to hear was other parents think of the school options around here as well, specifically Clark Springs. I’m four houses away from being in the John B. Cary district.
About the rezoning… what does it mean to absorb one school into another? Would they close Cary for good? Why? (I’m sure my question is easily answered in the story that Page linked to, but it wasn’t obvious to me)
Definitely curious about all this too… our little one won’t be in school for several years, but it might be the make it or break it factor for us staying here. We’re in the Clark Springs area and from what I can tell, the school leaves a little to be desired. Thanks!
Jason, regarding Clark Springs: Ever since the merger with the former Maymont Elementary, the word “Clusterfuck” is the only way CS can be succinctly described. I know little of how it was pre-merger, but I’m intimately familiar with the “leadership” of its principal, who came from Maymont (and has the distinction of also being the principal @ Patrick Henry when it closed…patterns develop for a reason) and likely only has a job because her father is a former Richmond Mayor. There are some very good teachers there, but the best teacher in the world isn’t going to do anything but tread water in the type of environment RPS provides. Consider that, in the lead-up to the Maymont closure, the public was assured that CS had the facilities to handle a merged school. As soon as the plan was approved, they admitted they’d need trailers at CS. Last academic year was a nightmare (even moreso than usual) for the teachers relegated to trailers.
If you have any non-Clark Springs options, explore them. If you don’t, be vigilant. Don’t accept the usual RPS BS answers and hold them accountable. YOU pay their salaries, despite Yvonne & Co’s belief that it’s the other way around.
I’m curious about this as well for future hoped-for kidlet(s). I actually thought that the line between Clark Springs/Cary was Meadow, not down the middle like it is. Huh. I covet Fox, and certainly would be thrilled to move to that district, although Mumford is so much further that that’d be a bummer even if it is a good school as I hear. :-/
Jason, I haven’t any more detail than the H&H article provides. Would be worth it to go to the meeting on feb 15 where the propositions will be more fully explained, and input will be accepted from the audience.