Recent Letter from Laura Hennig

January 30, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In addition to attending the January 22nd HS Committee Meeting, our neighborhood is continuing to stay informed and involved with the 2010 redistricting process. My letter today is to address the transition implications and disruptions that both High School Map A and especially Map C as currently proposed will have on our children.

There is a large number of students along our corridor that will directly impacted by the 2010 changes. Among the 19 high school age children in our neighborhood (Census Tract #), there are 12 children currently in 7th and 8th grade. They will be the ones in the midst of immediate change as a result of the 2010 decisions. In addition, another 8+ Oldhouse Run students will have already began their middle school education and will experience a disruption by attending Byrd and not continuing to Godwin in my opinion as well. It will not be until 2013 that we as parents along with our children would truly transition. Is it not a possibility that we could experience yet another change with a new HS set to open around that time?

From my understanding of the current student capacity charts, the Godwin numbers are projected to drop below capacity from 2010-2013, as is Freeman. In studying the multitude of disruptions and particularly on Map C, it is my hope that the HS committee members can focus and begin restoring as an option the neighborhoods that wish to remain in their current districts – especially if projected student population in those districts is expected to decrease. There are over 28 census tracts being moved on Map C alone. I do not feel this in any way minimizes the effects of redistricting.

We have continued to communicate our position and still do not have a Godwin scenario for consideration as of 1-22-09. It is unfortunate for many, but I do feel strongly that the redistricting changes our children face are very significant. At least with a new high school, relationships, rivals, clubs, teams, loyalties, etc. have not been established. With the current scenarios, friends and even siblings could be competing against each other. Families and neighborhoods will be divided as the ramifications play out in the coming years. We feel, the Pemberton corridor neighbors along with many others in the existing Godwin and Freeman neighborhoods have enjoyed, understand and make these relationships work. We have been doing this for over 25 years with success. I do believe the utmost consideration should be given to long standing partnerships in the existing Godwin district.

Please understand, changing schools impacts two of our biggest investments... our children and our home. Although it would be an inconvenience to provide transportation and outside classrooms are not desirable, I do believe a workable solution for all is what we strive for in this process.

Please keep in mind that along with the Sophomores that are forced to change schools after only one year, the Freshman classes of 2010 and beyond will also feel the impact of lost bonds that have been established with programs at Byrd, athletics, older classmates and faculty. It is difficult for a child to essentially start over and many in our neighborhood will feel in the minority as they transition to high school based on current proposals. Taking our children and sending them to a far lying area of the district such as proposed in Map C, would definitely affect their self esteem and social confidence.

We have continually been trying to make this known to the committee since October 2008. Our neighborhoods are established. We did not choose to be in a rapidly growing and over developed area that can expect changes such as these. Our commitment to our current high school is strong and should be very evident especially in the petition information that was received.

I know this is a complex issue, but please consider the long term effects on our children and the neighborhoods we have called home for such a long time. Please support and restore the existing boundaries for Oldhouse Run to Stay at Godwin and Stay Together with the Godwin community.

Laura Hennig