The petition
WE SUPPORT Fairfax County Public School's proposed West County High School Boundary Study for the following reasons:
1. WE SUPPORT the responsible use of available resources:
A. Redistricting seeks to reduce overcrowding at Westfield and Chantilly High Schools.
i. Overcrowded schools apply great pressure to the limited resources of academic, non-academic and extracurricular programs by creating an unnecessary high demand for limited resources. The cost of this scenario is the limited opportunities for all students who wish to participate in these programs.
ii. The remaining students, after redistricting, will have more opportunities to access available resources and programs at these schools. There will be less pressure for students to be extremely competitive in order to participate in programs and activities.
B. Redistricting seeks to reduce under-enrollment at South Lakes.
i. Since significant under-enrollment is an inefficient use of resources, adding students to South Lakes will actually create more opportunities because it will allow for a greater availability of elective courses and more opportunity for academic and extracurricular choices.
C. Redistricting seeks to even out high school enrollments and will allow for a more equitable distribution of resources and programs. This will help make all the schools stronger and more desirable.
i. Stronger schools make Fairfax County a more desirable location to live, work and will help build a more successful economic base in Fairfax County.
D. Not addressing over-enrollment and under-enrollment issues in our schools is a waste of taxpayer’s money and irresponsible.
i. Currently, school funds are spent on housing students in temporary classroom trailers in both overcrowded schools (Chantilly and Westfield) and schools that are close to capacity (Herndon, Oakton, and Madison) schools while South Lakes has available resources and building space that is being under-utilized.
2. WE SUPPORT diversity in our schools:
A. Our children will be better prepared for real-world and global issues if they have been given the opportunity to become acquainted with many different cultures, learning abilities and socio-economic scenarios during their formative years in school.
B. Diversity, in all forms, gives our children greater awareness and teaches our children tolerance and acceptance.
3. WE SUPPORT Redistricting as the best use of our tax-dollars to resolve the disparities that are occurring between the schools included in the Boundary Study.
4. WE SUPPORT Redistricting because it addresses the changing needs of our schools and communities.
5. WE SUPPORT the need for our children to attend a high school that is near their home.
A. We are concerned about the safety of high school commuters.
i. Some students in the Boundary Study area are commuting to schools that are far away (approx 45 min) when there are closer schools available. Therefore, they are commuting longer than necessary.
ii. The early start time of high school, the late completion times of various high school activities and the unnecessarily long communte increases the chances of fatigued children and parents driving on roads.
iii. We have concerns for long-distance high school commuters during periods of inclement weather.
iv. Current road conditions of some long-distance high school commuter routes are less than ideal for inexperienced drivers.
v. Closer Schools = Less Time Driving = Safer Families.
B. We have concerns about additional traffic congestion.
i. We have urgent concerns regarding the high level of traffic congestion in our area.
ii. Unnecessary commuting to a school that is far away creates additional congestion.
iii. It is important, when feasible, to reduce the impact that schools have on local traffic conditions.
C. There is a need to reduce wasteful use of taxpayers’ dollars.
i. The cost to bus children farther away is a waste of taxpayers’ money for gas and maintenance of vehicles.
ii. With a limited school budget available and additional funds becoming more scarce, there are better uses for this money.
D. We have concerns of students' reduced ability to participate in high school activities.
i. The after-school opportunities of those who live far away from the school are reduced because of lack of transportation. The timing of many after-school and sports activities does not coincide with late bus schedules and some parents have difficulties driving their children to and from these activities.
ii. Being far away from the school reduces parent volunteer involvement because it is difficult for parents to commute to the school to assist with school activities.
E. We have concerns about the lack of a school-based “Community”.
i. Living far from one’s school makes it difficult to feel part of that school’s community base.
F. There is an excess of wasted time.
i. Unnecessary commuting to and from a school that is far away is a waste of time for our children when they feel pressured to complete schoolwork, to participate in after-school and community activities, to work, to have quality time with family and friends, and to get sufficient amount of sleep.
ii. Unnecessary commuting to and from a school that is far away is a waste of time driving for families that support high school activities.
6. WE SUPPORT the incredible commitment that the residents and elected officials of Fairfax County continually show for a high level of public education for ALL Fairfax County schools.
A. We recognize that this level of commitment has continually produced schools that rank among the highest in our country.
B. We are proud to be a part of these schools.
7. Last but not least, WE SUPPORT tolerance and respect given to all community members during this Redistricting process.
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