Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Boundary Committee's Proposal
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Why did the School District study a change in elementary boundary attendance areas?
Elementary boundary attendance areas are reviewed every 3-5 years for a variety of reasons. The reviews create opportunities to ensure efficiencies in utilization of school space, balancing educational programming at all sites, and balancing class sizes.
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What are the key benefits to adjusting the attendance boundary areas?
The adjustments provide for better utilization of school space, a better balance of program opportunities across the district, and efficiencies in staffing. The “neighborhood school” concept allows for families living in the same area to attend the same school and boundaries assist in easier transition for new families to our community.
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Will Miltona Elementary School remain a Science Magnet School and operate in a manner that is consistent with the practices and procedures prior to the Boundary Review Committee's work and proposed changes?
Miltona Elementary School will continue to be a Science Magnet School and parents outside of the Miltona boundary area may choose to have their child/ren attend Miltona, with transportation being provided to resident district students, until Miltona School is at its capacity level. In the past, there have been a few areas where transportation could not be provided due to the length of the ride time and this practice will continue.
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If my child/ren changes schools, will the curriculum and instructional methods there be the same as those at our current school?
All elementary school teachers in Alexandria Public Schools teach to the same curriculum standards and monitor student progress through District-approved tests, as well as using researched-based methods to deliver instruction. The way instruction is delivered reflects the individuality of the staff members who work in our buildings.
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How will we know if the change affects our family?
As the attendance areas are adjusted, children from a variety of schools will move. The committee’s proposal supports students attending their “neighborhood” school, which may create student population changes in all 6 of our elementary schools. All parents/guardians will be notified by mail of their child’s/ren’s proposed school placement for the 2020-21 school year if they are going to be affected.
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Will this year's 4th grade students be "grandfathered in" for the 2020-21 school year?
The committee is recommending that we allow students who will be in 5th grade during the 2020-21 school year to have the choice of staying at their current school or going to boundary specific neighborhood school. This “grandfathering” does not apply to siblings in lower grade levels.
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How long will these new attendance areas remain in place?
The School District reviews attendance boundaries every 3-5 years and makes as minimal of changes as possible in order to continue with efficiencies and programming that are beneficial to both our students and the School District.
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Will the times that school starts and ends change due to the proposed attendance boundary adjustments?
It could. Each school’s start and end times are slightly different to accommodate the needs of our transportation department.
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What if my child has a hard time adjusting to the idea of moving to another school?
We know that children adjust to change in different ways. The School District provides opportunities for students to connect to their new classmates through an orientation event. Teachers and other staff members will help children talk about changing schools as needed. Your positive attitude about the change will go a long way in helping your child feel positive about a new school experience. If you have specific concerns about your child’s adjustment please contact your child’s teacher, principal or social worker. We are all focused on helping your child prepare for and adjust to their new school.
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How will daycare issues be addressed?
We recognize that this is one of the main concerns of parents. We provide School-Age Childcare programs at our elementary schools. These programs operate before and after school on school days, on school vacation days and also during the summer months. Our Community Education Department manages this program and will make more information available to you later this spring.
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Will there be any exceptions for students to attend a school other than the school that is in their assigned attendance area?
The School District realizes that at times there may be unique situations where parents/guardians may request to have their child/ren attend an elementary building that is outside of their designated neighborhood school. The district has an intradistrict transfer process for making such requests. These requests require consideration of class size numbers at the receiving building.
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What happens if my family moves to a different attendance area during the school year?
If a family moves during the school year to a different attendance area the parents/guardians will have the option of having their child/ren continue to attend the initial school or they can choose to move their child/ren to the school within their new attendance area. If the parents/guardians choose to have their child/ren continue to attend their initial school, they will be responsible for the transportation for the child/ren to and from that school or they can enroll their child in the school-age childcare program at the school.
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What happens if there are more students that want to go to a school then there is room for them?
Alexandria Public Schools will follow the procedures outlined in Board Policy 560.