Hello. My name is Michele Case and I am the Homeowners Association President for the Greenview Community in New Market, MD (Planning Block #63). I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of our neighborhood, to discuss the current options for redistricting and the implications it will have on our neighborhood.

Let me begin by discussing the proximity of our location to the schools that you are considering. We are located just off of Old National Pike (Rt. 144) close to the intersection of Rt. 144 and Mussetter Road. Our current feeder pattern is Oakdale Elementary, Oakdale Middle and Oakdale High. The stadium lights from Oakdale High School are visible to the homes in our neighborhood and Oakdale Elementary School is only 0.4 miles beyond that.

The options that you have proposed for our neighborhood are extremely concerning to all families with school aged children, but especially those families that have elementary and middle school children. You, as a board, have proposed three options. The first and most preferred option is to keep the students at all three Oakdale Schools. The second and third options, we believe as a community, will have a detrimental impact on our children and therefore believe that these should not be favorable options when making your decision. Our community is only 84 elementary students and 47 middle school students. If options 2 or 3 happen, our children will be the ONLY new students at Deer Crossing Elementary School. All other students attending that school have been there for some time. If option 2 happens, not only would our children be new to Deer Crossing but also at New Market Middle School. This would be extremely challenging to send a small group of elementary students to an unfamiliar middle school during such a vulnerable time in their lives. Then, upon completion of middle school, they would attend Oakdale High School while the remainder of their class goes to Linganore High School. This would be like starting school all over again for these students. Starting high school is stressful enough but to not know anyone other than the children in their neighborhood would have a negative impact on these students.

Option 1 for Planning Block #63 best meets the criteria outline in Policy 200.2:

1) Proximity to Schools
2) Established Feeder Patterns
3) Impact on Neighborhoods and Communities

Please consider the information that I have provided when making your decision. Greenview is a small close knit community and it is important to us, as parents, to act in the best interest of our children. We believe we are doing so when we ask you to please keep our kids in the Oakdale feeder pattern. Thank you.

Regards,

Michele Case
Greenview HOA President