Share Your Thoughts

Comments to the Attendance Zone Committee from the website

Form Comments
Attendance Zone
Committee
First I am new to the community having moved here one and a half years ago. I was involved in a
school district re-districting of 7 elementary schools several years ago in a prior community and one
of the best suggestions came from a community member. This was a successful model and may be
a good one to follow. The suggestion was to re-district developments still building several- many
homes and developments planned to be developed over subsequent 3-5 years, into the new school
to minimize the effect on neighborhoods and to allow for expansion in the new school with minimal
impact on families. It .allowed buses to go into a development and leave that development with a
full bus to head to school, thereby reducing bus time for children. They redistributed older more
stable neighborhoods into schools already in existence. That being said that would mean Dennison
Ridge on Route 7 and the new development planned across from the library would be redistributed
to Cooke. The area of Brackenville Rd all the way to Route 41 (on your Plan A slated for Cooke)
which seems to have older homes and thus more likely to be stable, could be redistributed to North
Star, and lines would be straighter without "cut outs" except for the new developments. In looking
at Plan A on the web site it appears to involve the approx. same number. This is just a suggestion
which worked in another state and school district with minimal concern to parents.
Attendance Zone
Committee
When the new school zones are put in place, will students have the option to remain at their
current school even if it is not their newly assigned school? If they have the option to stay, how will
this alleviate overcrowding at some of the more sought-after schools (such as Brandywine Springs)
where many of the students are being reassigned? For example, what if 100 of the current
students at BSS in 3rd grade choose to stay even though it is not their newly assigned feeder
pattern, and 100 new students come in because it is their new feeder pattern? Now there is a new
overcrowding issue!
Attendance Zone
Committee
These were copied from the Red Clay NSA plan concerning capacity. Thought it might help guide the
next discussion."The District attempted to design its neighborhood school plan to use 75 to 80% of
the instructional capacity of each of its elementary schools; this range anticipates future growth and
provides some continued choice capacity." Also.... " Most schools under Red Clays plan will use 70
to 80% of their instructional capacity." Another comment- If we believe that pre- k is a priority, do
we need to leave potential space in buildings? Also, with the movement of kids do we need to look
at the socio-economic change in each building ? XXXXXXXX (name removed)
Attendance Zone
Committee
I would be very disappointed if the school zones are changed. There has been enough
change....keep the zones as is!!
Attendance Zone
Committee
Please consider giving students who already attend Brandywine Springs Elementary as their "feeder
pattern" school, choice preference to attend Brandywine Springs Middle School. Many choice
schools have preferences. Conrad has a choice preference for siblings. It makes sense to allow
students to remain at their current school especially since, most likely, its the closest middle school
to their home. Thanks
Attendance Zone
Committee
We moved to our home last year in order to let my son attend the Linden Hill elementary school,
one of the best school in the red clay school district. We just found out that you are going to adjust
the school district and my son will need to attend Heritage elementary school. We are "furious" by
your decision. Not only that Heritage is not a good school as compared to Linden Hill, it is 2.3 mile
away from our home, much further than Linden Hill (1.1 mile away from our home). It is so unfair.
We are hoping that you can reconsider your decision.
Attendance Zone
Committee
We live in the small neighborhood of Hillside Glen, and our current feeder pattern in Linden Hill.
There are very few children in our neighborhood. We could easily remain in the the Linden Hill
Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 1

Elementary School feeder pattern, which is the elementary school closest to our homes. We would
ask that you look closely at the assignment for Hillside Glen, which has very few elementary age
children (less than 5 at this time, and in the foreseeable future). Please let me know if you have any
questions.
Attendance Zone
Committee
Dear Sir: We do not like Option B. We live in coralberry ct, Wilmington de. Our nearest elementary
school is linden hill. We do not like go far away from our home and Heratage is not good for us.
Please don't do Option B. Thank you very much.
Attendance Zone
Committee
Looks good so far. Thank you to Dr. Amman for coming to Brandywine Springs' PTO meeting last
night and updating us. I'd like to encourage more information sharing with parents, but with the
following requests: (1) Have information meetings with plenty of time for questions and discussion.
(2) Please make the attendance zone meetings separate from PTO meetings, where our questions
sometimes are discouraged and discussion is limited. (3) Offer information sessions at a variety of
times. The inclusion meetings were all at 5:30 p.m., which did not fit our family commitments (i.e.,
My son's Math League team didn't return until after 5:30 p.m. the night of the McKean meeting,
and I host church youth activities at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, when the BSS meeting was). (4)
Send info/feedback meeting dates and times to civic associations so they can share them with their
residents. Thank you!
Attendance Zone
Committee
We live in Westover Hills and my children go to Brandywine Springs. We like this school and ask
that the committee honor the principles that you announced to try to minimize changes to the
current feeder patterns. We would like Westover Hills feeder pattern to remain Brandywine
Springs. Thank you XXXXX (name removed)
Attendance Zone
Committee
While we understand the need to deal with overcrowding of the elementary schools, we moved to
Hockessin so that our children would be able to attend North Star. From what we have seen of the
current proposal, our children would have to travel to a school farther away from our home. You
should eliminate school choice and allow children to go to their neighborhood schools. You should
also allow the children who are currently attending the schools prior to the rezoning to continue in
these schools as well as allow their younger siblings to do the same. It is ridiculous that a child
needs to pass an elementary school to get to another one or that siblings would have to go to
different schools.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I wanted to see if there is going to be updated attendance zones for middle schools and high
schools, similar to what maps we are seeing with elementary schools?
Attendance Zone
Committee
We live in the Autumnwood Community, and our son is in North Star elementary now. We feel that
considering the proximity of our community to North Star, Autumnwood Community should remain
in the North Star Elementary zone. Thank you very much for your consideration.
Attendance Zone
Committee
First, thank you for your work. Second, it doesn't seem that much was done to reduce North Stars
over crowding issue. It is already over capacity and yet opening to choice for 2014/15. Third, will
choice be suspended for the first year of new zone attendance so schools can get an accurate
number of attendance, before being flooded with choice students as happened when North Star
opened?
Attendance Zone
Committee
When looking at the proposed Option B, only a few houses that are currently in North Star's zoning
are being recommended to be rezoned. This proposition doesn't make sense as it divides
neighborhoods across Southwood Road. It also divides out people who moved to the area for the
schools and were willing to pay a disproportionately larger amount in taxes. Instead, the major road
of Lancaster Pike should be the dividing line and therefore the northern end of zoning for North
Star should not be changed at all. If overcrowding is a problem then the school should be closed to
choice. If you are looking to keep children close to their neigborhood schools and reduce
overcrowding than you should use Brackenville Road and Route 7 as the dividing lines. Those
students are very close to both schools but it makes more sense to divide the zoning by major roads
than by hand picking a few neighborhoods out to exclude from the North Star feeder pattern. It
also makes more sense that those children will still be close to their school while the current
Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 2

proposition will make our students have to drive past an elementary school to get to the new
school. We will be contacting our civic association president to garner support for this proposition.
You really need to consider the support of the residents rather than just make decisions in a
disconnected manner. Thank you for your time. Please take these recommendations seriously.
Attendance Zone
Committee
The Pierson's Ridge neighborhood which straddles Southwood Rd. is divided by the line between
Cooke and North Star elementary schools. We currently have a single bus stop for both sides of the
neighborhood. I feel it would be better for the neighborhood children if they could all attend the
same school. Thanks.
Attendance Zone
Committee
In option B you are splitting up the neighborhoods along Southwood Rd. I don't see why. The
developments of Wellington Hills and Southwood are very close and people share these
developments for riding bikes, walking, etc. The kids are all part of the community over here and to
seperate them would not be a good idea. Please consider using 41 as a border or Valley Rd, but
keep the neighborhoods along Southwood together, no matter what school you put them in.
Attendance Zone
Committee
My daughter attends North Star. We live in Wellington Hills. My daughters friend comes to our
house, on my daughters bus, for "after school care". My daughters friend lives in Hockessin Hunt.
My daughter goes to her house in the morning for "before school care". We provide this to each
other for free. It would be a financial strain for both families if we were assigned to different
schools. Can you tell me if Hickessin Hunt and Wellington Hills will still both be assigned to North
Star?
Attendance Zone
Committee
Thank you for posting the most recent map. We like Option C very much and would like to let you
know that. We're not sure if there are more recent meeting notes but we would be anxious to see
them as well. We do not like Option B at all and if we could vote for or petition for a vote, it would
be for Option C. Thank you for your time!
Attendance Zone
Committee
As a Red Clay parent, I like neighborhood schools. There two versions on the website today, March
14 (B and C).
I would like to disagree with the parent from the 19807 who spoke at the 3/11 meeting. Both
Option B and C have kids from the city (specifically Westover Hills/West Haven) passing five closer
schools (Highlands, Warner, Lewis, Baltz and Marbrook) in order to attend Brandywine Springs. That
doesn't make sense.
Also, there are kids from West Park in Wilmington slated to go to Cooke. That doesn't make sense
either.
Don't let those snooty Wilmington parents push you around. Keep neighborhood schools. Stay
strong!
Attendance Zone
Committee
First of all, the hard work and careful consideration of the committee are very much appreciated.

The rezoning effort seems to be primarily assigning students located near Cooke elementary to
Cooke elementary, thus releasing the overcapacity issues faced by other elementary schools.
However, current proposal (option B) affects different elementary school unevenly, with more
direct impact to Brandywine and less on Linden Hill, for example. To compensate for the different
level of impact, students currently go to Linden Hill and Heritage are reassigned, not to Cooke
elementary, but to nearby schools that they do not attend today.

Many of red clay families affected by this compensation measure are today satisfied with the
education service they received. While recognizing the need for change, I hope an important
principle that guides the effort is to avoid/minimize those compensation measures that cause
unnecessary disruptions to the families affected.

We could minimize the need for those compensation measures by further providing students in
those less affected schools, Linden Hill in particular, an option to attend the new Cooke elementary.
Those students who live close to Cooke elementary may choose to migrate to Cooke. The natural
Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 3

selection process will likely relieve the over-crowding situation while minimizing the impact to the
families whose education needs are successfully met today.
Attendance Zone
Committee
Please try to keep kids close to the schools they live near. And don't put the new school above 85%
at the outset - families will move and the school will have a higher than projected starting class, so if
you start with 90+% capacity, you are doing the kids a disservice.
Attendance Zone
Committee
As a resident of Wood Creek, I request that our attendance zone remain at Linden Hill Elementary. I
oppose any changes from Linden Hill as (1) our students are part of a blue ribbon school, recognized
for extremely high performance and this is important to me as a parent; (2) currently our
neighborhood attends a blue ribbon school and any change from that will affect our property
values; (2) our children's time on the bus will increase; (3) Wood Creek and Linden Hill are part of
the CDP of Pike Creek where many sports and other activities of our children are located. They
would be separated from this at Heritage; (4)my younger children attend TutorTime, a
neighborhood daycare, and I have on occasion used the school transportation from there for my
school age child as well as for aftercare - it is not part of heritage's feeder pattern; and (5) lastly, as a
parent of Linden Hill I am very proud of our strong PTA and relationships with staff. In summary, my
family loves Linden Hill and have invested many hours and money to make this school successful
and a great place for my children and I want to stay here. Respectfully yours, XXX (Name removed)
Attendance Zone
Committee
One of the main reasons I moved to Wood Creek was to benefit from the current feeder pattern. I,
as well as my neighbors, would be severely disappointed if the kids would now have to attend
another school.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I specifically bought our home in 2011 because linden hill was the elementary school my son would
attend. He won't be old enough for school for a couple of years but we will be forced to leave the
community if wood creek is re-zoned to not have linden hill as the elementary school.
Attendance Zone
Committee
The residents of Wood Creek respectfully request that our attendance zone remain in the

feeder pattern of Linden Hill Elementary for the following reasons:

Linden Hill Elementary is a National Blue Ribbon school, recognized for exemplary

high performance; scoring in the top 10% on state assessments. Linden Hill is one

of 2 elementary schools in the Red Clay School District to receive this award since

2003. We are proud of our school, our children's achievements and our teachers,

whose hard work and commitment to excellence continue to inspire and unite our

community.



Linden Hill's excellent reputation and Blue Ribbon designation is what brought many

of us to live in Wood Creek, even before we started families. The desirable feeder

pattern is used by realtors when marketing properties in our neighborhood. A

change in our elementary attendance zone would affect the marketability and

ultimately the value of our homes.
Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 4




The time our children spend on a bus will increase substantially. Their time is

valuable and Heritage Elementary is twice the distance from the Wood Creek

entrance as Linden Hill Elementary. In addition, the traffic pattern that the buses

would need to follow may not be in accordance with the desired traffic patterns that

are preferred by DelDOT.



The census-designated place (CDP) of Pike Creek, Delaware includes our

neighborhood of Wood Creek and Linden Hill Elementary, but does not include

Heritage Elementary or the neighborhood of Heritage Park. Our neighborhood

participates in recreational sports programs with Piedmont, Delaware Rush, and

Hockessin Athletic Club as well as Pike Creek/Hockessin-based clubs such as Boy

Scout and Girl Scout troops. Moving our neighborhood to a new school will create

inconsistencies between school attendance zones and recreational districts. Our

children will not be in the same recreational groups as their classmates and friends.



Wood Creek families utilize nearest daycares such as Pike Creek KinderCare and

TutorTime Wilmington, who provide before and after care for Linden Hill students

and daycare for their younger siblings. Students are within walking distance of the

KinderCare facility while TutorTime students use Linden Hill bus transportation to

and from Linden Hill. Neither of these neighborhood facilities would be within the

same feeder pattern as Heritage Elementary.



As parents, we are wholly invested in Linden Hill through our large and active Parent

Teacher Association. We are united with our teachers and school leadership and

Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 5

want our children to continue to benefit from this partnership and exemplary learning

environment.

Simply, we love our neighborhood school at Linden Hill Elementary and respectfully request

that you allow us to remain in our current attendance zone.

We are proud to be Linden Hill Lions and are full of Lion Pride!
Attendance Zone
Committee
Option B is unacceptable. I purchased my house in Wood Creek based on Linden Hill being the
elementary school my son would attend when he is old enough to start school. Our property value
will decline based on Option B and we will be forced to move out of the community in search of a
better elementary school for our son.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I'm hoping you will let a rising 5th grader finish his last year at Linden hill? After all, he did start kdg
there & should be given the privilege to finish there.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I think that Woodcreek should continue to be in the Linden Hill district. Having childern change
schools is traumatic. I really think the children should be the main concern.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I can certainly appreciate how challenging this must be. However, moving the Wood Creek
community from Linden Hill to Heritage will NOT be a good change for my son. He has had a
difficult time learning and this has been the primary point of success for him. I'm very concerned he
will slide backward with this potential change. If I need to, I will move to another community to
keep him in Linden Hill. Change is never easy but some are not equipped to handle it and the
current environment (the community, the school, the teachers) have shown him what success feels
like. I cannot risk changing things now!
Attendance Zone
Committee
I would like to recommend to keep Wood Creek attendance zone at Linden Hill. As a parent it should
remain at Linden Hill. Thank you!
Attendance Zone
Committee
I live in Wood Creek, 19808. I am opposed to changing my neighborhood's elementary school from
Linden Hill to Heritage. My concerns are 100% performance-based, as Linden Hill is an objectively
higher performing school than Heritage.
Attendance Zone
Committee
A friend just shared with me a current attendance zone map of HB Dupont Middle School. It looks
like there are students feeding into the school from all over Wilmington. We were wondering how
this will be effected by the rezoning - if the goal is to have students in their closest school - this
feeder pattern makes no sense. Will the board be changing anything with Middle/High School
feeder patterns? Thanks! XXX (name removed)
Attendance Zone
Committee
We just bought a house in Wood Creek last year. We have a 3.5 year old daughter and one of the
driving reasons for moving to the Wood Creek community was the feeder pattern to Linden Hill
Elementary given its outstanding ratings and Blue Ribbon awards. Families make real decisions
based on these zonings. Downgrading our feeder pattern from Linden Hill to Heritage is extremely
disappointing and disadvantageous to my daughter. The 'downgrade' language may seem unfair to
Heritage, but that is how all of us parents affected in this way view this as the reality is that Heritage
is rated significantly lower than Linden Hill. I think it should be your priority to improve all schools
to outstanding ratings so that parents are not as opposed to rezoning. I have yet to hear any
validated action plan that demonstrates why I should want my daughter to go to Heritage rather
than Linden Hill. In addition to the downgrade, this means significantly more bus time for my child.
The thought of putting my future 5 year old on a bus at all frightens me, the idea of her learning
being disadvantaged by having to spend more time on a bus to go to a lesser school simply outrages
me. We strongly object to this rezoning plan and firmly believe another solution should be sought.
We would be happy to help participate in finding an alternative workable solution.
Attendance Zone
Committee
New feeder pattern for September 2015
(please also forward my comments/concerns on to whoever, including the focus group that has
Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 6

been established to examine this issue)
Our oldest child, currently a 2nd grader, will be entering 4th grade in September 2015. His current
feeder pattern is BSS then HB, but I was consoled by the fact that we could choice him in to BSS till
the end of his 8th grade year.
I would be VERY DISAPPOINTED if the new school's feeder pattern would require him to change to
the new school for 2 years then again change to HB.
I BELIEVE THIS WOULD BE VERY DISRUPTIVE.
can you confirm that we will be able to choice XXX (name removed) in to BSS for September 2015
and beyond until he finishes his 8th grade year at BSS?

ALSO, we have a younger child who will be entering kindergarten in September 2015, and while I'm
sure the new school will be very nice, it again would be VERY DISSAPOINTING AND DISRUPTIVE if
our children are assigned to attend different schools!!!!!


While I know many of my concerns are currently being considered during the zoning meetings, I felt
it very important to send my concerns so you and the board are aware of them and hearing them
from as many parents as possible.


Thank you for taking the time to read my email and forward on my concerns so they are heard by
those making the decisions.
Attendance Zone
Committee
We recently put our home up for sale. We have two boys at home, one finishing the fourth grade
this spring. I'm curious how this attendance zoning will affect the middle schools. Primarily Skyline
Middle. Would love for the boys to attend this school, and presently looking at homes in that area
preparing for possible move in coming months. So, curious if zone will shrink..grow.. include
Arundel?? Any feedback on this would be very much appreciated.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I understand that no matter what you do, someone is going to find fault. I also realize the time and
effort you have put into this and appreciate it. However, when looking at the new Map C, you move
Mendenhall Village to Cooke. Not only is this the farthest of the 3 elementary schools (North Star is
the closest and Linden Hill is also closer) you are breaking up a "neighborhood" in that Limestone
Hills shares a soft boundary with Mendenhall along with a park - they are essentially the same
neighborhood and our children are neighbors. It just doesn't make sense to bus my kids all the way
to Cooke when there are two schools within 10 minutes. There are closer neighborhoods to Cooke
to move. Thank you for your attention.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I have been a resident of Westhaven/West Park for 16 years. When I moved into the area, virtually
all of the children went to different private schools--no kid went to school with his or her neighbors.
My son (now an 8th grader) was one of the early "pioneers" attending Brandywine Springs. Now
TWO buses are necessary to take children from our neighborhood and the adjoining, Westover Hills,
to BSS. The sense of community our neighborhood feels about BSS is incredibly strong. I regularly
help out and attend events at BSS, and I have never been in there and not seen one of my
neighbors. We all volunteer and contribute. The littler kids in the neighborhood plan to follow in
the footsteps of the big kids, and they all look out for each other. My youngest wants to be in
school with his brother in middle school. We have contributed so much to BSS. It would be a
terrible shame to fracture the strong community spirit we feel by arbitrarily assigning our children
to other schools. I fervently hope that Westhaven/ West Park/ Westover kids can stay at BSS,
where they have been assigned since its feeder pattern was established.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I am a resident of Truitt Farm. Our children could walk to Brandywine Springs and our feeder school
is Anna P Mote which they cannot walk to. Please consider re-zoning our neighborhood. We only
have 37 homes, yet we have several young families with school age children. Thank you for your
Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 7

attention to this matter.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I believe that the students in our community of Truitt Farm, who for the most part are presently
choiced to Brandywine Springs, would better be served if zoned to Brandywine Springs.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I believe that the students in our community of Truitt Farm, who for the most part are presently
choiced to Brandywine Springs, would better be served if zoned to Brandywine Springs.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I believe that the students in our community of Truitt Farm, who for the most part are presently
choiced to Brandywine Springs, would better be served if zoned to Brandywine Springs.
Attendance Zone
Committee
Please consider assigning Brandywine Springs school to the Truitt Farms neighborhood. It makes
perfect sense due to it's location of the school.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I have 2 daughters at BSS which I had to choice in. We live less than a mile to school so they can
walk. I also wanted a school that offered all 9 years. I love the family feeling we have at BSS and
feel it would be in the best interested if Truitt Farms was included in the attendance Zone. We have
another family in our neighborhood who has 2 students in BSS and are very happy.
Attendance Zone
Committee
Dear Attendance Committee:

Please include Westmorland in the Brandywine Springs School attendance zone. Doing so will not
cost the Red Clay Consolidated School District anything (buses currently run down DuPont Road and
stop directly across from the Westmorland neighborhood entrance; the new Cooke Elementary
frees up space at BSS; Westmorland's current assigned school, the Highlands, is overcrowded). And
the benefit that the reassignment will bring to the Westmorland neighborhood and the City of
Wilmington will be immense. Having a neighborhood school that meets Westmorland's needs will
enable the community to form cohesive bonds between children and parents -- bonds that cannot
form now because the children do not attend a common school. In addition, having a viable public
school means that young families do not have to move out of the Westmorland neighborhood when
their children reach school age. It benefits everyone to have high-energy young families building a
life in the City of Wilmington. But professionals with families will not choose to live in the City if
there isn't an appropriate public school. By leaving Westmorland without a public school that
meets the neighborhoods needs, the City of Wilmington misses out on the services of capable
people who care about the city. Weve already seen this happen as the neighborhoods across
DuPont Road have been accepted into the Brandywine Springs attendance zone, causing young
families increasingly to choose to locate in our sister communities of West Haven and Westover
Hills. Much better outcomes -- for the Red Clay Consolidated School District, for the City of
Wilmington, and for the neighborhood of Westmorland -- are generated by including Westmorland
in the Brandywine Springs attendance zone. Please help us help others by allowing Westmorland's
young families to stay in the City of Wilmington. Please consolidate the Westmorland neighborhood
with our fellow neighborhoods in the 19807 zip code community. Please assign us to the
Brandywine Springs School attendance zone.
Attendance Zone
Committee
As a parent of one child in Kindergarten and another child who is in preschool, I made the decision
to send my children to private schools because I don't think our current feeder pattern is a good fit
for our oldest child. We have friends and family who also live in the 19807 zip code whose feeder
pattern is Brandywine Springs. If we were also in that feeder pattern, our kids would be able to
attend school with kids they know and we would be able to utilize the public school system and
build a stronger community. It seems odd that all of our surrounding neighbors in the 19807 zip
code are in a different school feeder pattern. When I exit our neighborhood (Westmorland), I see
the bus stop for Brandywine Springs. I never understood why there was a split on DuPont Road,
especially because Westover Hills is one big neighborhood and is split down the line of DuPont Road
between Brandywine Springs and the Highlands when neighborhoods in Hockessin are Brandywine
Springs. We are a relatively small neighborhood but this is a very important issue to us. We hope
you will consider our request. Thank you for your efforts and time.
Attendance Zone Dear Attendance Zone Committee,
Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 8

Committee
I am writing in reference to the request made by the residents of Westmorland to be redistricted
from Highlands Elementary to Brandywine Springs Elementary. I currently send my child to a local
private school in Wilmington, as do all of my neighbors. We dont know our neighbors, as each
member of our community is vested in a different private school.

My husband has been a resident for over 20 years and I have lived here for ten years. My children
were born here and we enjoy the many positive benefits of living in Wilmington, Delaware.
Unfortunately, now that our children are school aged, we feel very isolated due to the fact that our
children do not know any of the other children in our neighborhood.

Because everyone sends their children to private school, we feel that we dont have community that
shares a common interest. We have been looking at school districts in Pennsylvania, as the private
options are not utilized to the same extent in the surrounding counties. Given an opportunity to
send our children to Brandywine Springs Elementary, we would be relieved and grateful. The school
is performing exceptionally well, as evidenced by the students performance on state standardized
exams. It would change the dynamic in Westmorland entirely, as parents would utilize the school
and families would have a common interest. It would be enough to keep us in the neighborhood
and state that we love. Thank you very much for your consideration.
Attendance Zone
Committee
When will the notes from 4/8 meeting be posted? When will the final decision be made? I would
like to see Castleshire and Brookdale Farms (and the private road between those developments) be
assigned to BSS. We can walk to BSS. It's a shame our feeders are farther away. Thank you.
Attendance Zone
Committee
While the new school is promising for most; I live in "Pike Creek" but fail to be within the Red Clay
School District attendance zones. To me, the logical sense would be that "Pike Creek" be included
to Polly Drummond Hill Road to include developments like Deacon's Walk. Until then, I pay tuition
for the private school they currently attend. (And yes, we are outside of the 5 mile radius for
Newark Charter.) I will follow the developments as the attendance zones are finalized. At the
present time we are not in a position to sell our house but I am actively keeping my eye on the
housing market and Red Clay consolidated attendance zones for future considerations for my
children. Thank you for your attention as I know the focus is likely paid more to voices from those
living within Red Clay Consolidated School District attendance zones, but be assured that many of us
outside of the zones are keeping our eyes and ears on this matter too.
Attendance Zone
Committee
When redistricting the schools please consider people who are in walking distance of a school but it
is not their zone. My family lives on McKennans Church Road and is within walking distance of
brandywine springs but have to go to heritage as the home school. I would hope both sides of the
street could attend brandywine springs. Thank you
Attendance Zone
Committee
Good afternoon, I am new to the area and have a son that will be attending one of your public
schools in the fall of 2015(kindergarten). We live in one of the neighborhoods that is currently up in
the air as to which school they will feed to. I noticed that there were no other meetings scheduled
at the present moment and I would like to be as informed as possible. Are there any other meetings
scheduled to determine the new feeder patterns? I would interested in participating in the
community feedback. Thank you for your time. XXXX (name removed)
Attendance Zone
Committee
I request that the Attendence Zone Committee make the recommendation for an Emergency
motion to rezone the Attendence and Feeder for the 5th Graders graduating Heritage Elementary
School but in the feeder pattern to continue with their Peers to Skyline Elementary. This would
include Arundel, portion of Sherwood Park II (Arundel Side of McKennans Church Road) and
Limestone Gardens. Historically the children in Arundel and SPII were able to choice to Skyline but
with the revised and improved Choice process that is no longer the case. Currently among these
children there are at least 5 known that had none of their choice applications accepted (including
my daughter whose assigned lottery number was nearly 3000 and had ZERO chance despite making
Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 9

8th on the Cab Calloway Communication Arts wait-list). I applaud the committee for looking at
fixing the inane and unfair current Elementary feeder patterns, but I implore you to recommend this
action for the benefit of these children being able to continue with their peers. Not everyone is in
the position to be able to sell their homes, nor should they. Meanwhile these children have spent
their educational careers looking up the hill at Skyline and talking about their future there, together.
Please help ensure this happens. I request an emergency injunction be recommended to send those
children currently at Heritage Elementary and entering 6th grade in 2014-15 school year in Arundel,
Sherwood ParkII and Limestone Gardens to be permitted to attend Skyline, and that from that point
forward the feeder pattern continue to be Skyline Middle School. thank you for your consideration
and support. Best regards, XXXX (personal information removed)
Attendance Zone
Committee Can the option "D" maps referenced in the April meeting be downloaded to the website?
Attendance Zone
Committee
We have been trying to follow the progress of your meetings by reviewing the meeting notes and
maps. However you have not posted any maps lately (i.e. D or E) even though you mention them in
your notes. Also based on your notes, it still looks like you are trying to exclude some Hockessin
neighborhoods (i.e. Deerfield, Wellington Hills and part of Pierson's Ridge) from North Star due to
the obligation of needing to fill Cooke. Given that we moved to this area to be in North Star's feeder
pattern, we want to know what the current proposals are and what option we have with regard to
the school we moved here to attend. Given that your notes say that when opening a new school,
only 10% choose to stay at the current school, we want to have the option to stay at North Star for
both of our children's elementary years without being thrown into the public lottery for choice. We
have many friends who homeschool and if you will be taking our choices away from us, we will
pursue it as well. Please reconsider neighborhood schools as opposed to quotas.
Attendance Zone
Committee
Every school day, the bus to Brandywine Springs stops in front of the "Westmorland" neighborhood
sign. But the kids from Westmorland can't get on the bus -- only the kids on the other side of the
street in West Haven can go. This is crazy. Anyone who has every driven down North DuPont Road
knows it's the same community on both sides of the street. Even the Post Office knows this -- both
sides have the same zip code. The Delaware Neighborhood Schools Act says that kids from the
same neighborhood should go to the same school. This Committee should follow the law and not
tear the Westmorland kids away from the rest of their neighborhood.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I noted there are supposed to be maps "D" and "E" with options for attendance zones. Public
comments end tomorrow - will the maps be shared before then? I've read minutes posted so am
aware of changes, but would like to see a map.
Attendance Zone
Committee
Thank you... the most recent map proposal for N. Star's zone makes much more sense than plan B.
Thank you for considering neighborhood schools. (5/26/2014)
Attendance Zone
Committee
I strongly believe that students should attend the school they live closest to their neighborhood. I
grew up in Maryland and this was the way it was done. I have no idea why Delaware makes things
so complicated by sending students to schools outside their feeder pattern. It causes too many
complications all the way around.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I am asking the board to keep Westwoods a part of the North Star feeder group, as per initial draft
plans.
Attendance Zone
Committee
Are the meeting notes from the May 21st meeting available? I am interested in the direction
Mendenhall Village will be taking in regards to elementary school.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I have been following the attendance zone notes for some time and am interested in attending
meetings however, it is not clear from the notes or agendas as to when you will discuss middle
school attendance zones. I think you are close to this for the June 10th meeting, can someone
advise me?
Attendance Zone
Committee
I apologize but I have a question after viewing the maps and reading the minutes. Is Limestone Hills
only moving to Cooke if inclusion passes? As much as I hate to say it, it does make the most sense
to keep Limestone and Mendenhall together no matter which school they go to - so if you move
Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 10

one, you should move both. I say this knowing that my kids will be forced to choice back to LHE if
this happens (or I will need to move). Also, keeping Dennison Ridge at LHE when both Limestone
and Mendenhall go to Cooke makes no logical sense. My kids currently share the bus with Dennison
Ridge kids. I'm not in Dennison Ridge, but I would not be a happy parent knowing my kids were
trying to u-turn in a school bus at Rt. 7 and Brackenville since I have to do it to get my child to
preschool daily and no way a bus can easily make that u-turn.
Attendance Zone
Committee
So, just to look ay middle school trough a different lens...
1. How would you all feel if the committree said- all of Cooke will go to AI Middle?
2.At one time all those developments up Lancaster Pike did go to AI Middle
3. How many seats are at BSE?
4. Could you make it a feeder school vs all choice?
5. Since the committee is recommending a K-2. 3-5 at Warner, could they recommend say- a k-8 at
Lewis 0r a 3-8 at Warner
Thanks
Attendance Zone
Committee
After reading the comments from the last meeting I live in the sherwood park 2 developement and
would really like to see McKennans Church Road be changed from Heritage to Brandywine Springs.
We are a different development from Arundel, if the concern would be too many kids just make it
Sherwood Park 2 and not change the large Arundel development. It takes me 2 minutes to drive to
Brandywine springs and can walk if needed. Driving to Heritage is much farther and inconvinent
having to cross over limestone Road and drive through Heritage development. The children directly
across the street attend Brandywine Springs but the other side of the street has to drive all the way
to Heritage or take a bus from McKennans Church Road. I wish the board would reconsider making
ALL of McKennans Church Road Brandywine Springs.
Thank you for you concern on this matter.
Attendance Zone
Committee
Can you please explain the reason why Brandywine Springs Middle school will continue to be a
choice school. It makes perfect sense to set an attendance zone for the school now, while you are
adjusting the attendance zones for all of the other schools.
Attendance Zone
Committee
Hello! I hope to attend next week's meeting but would like to share my concerns in case that isn't
possible.

I live in the Lewis School feeder and have a rising sixth grader (though she attended Highlands, K-5).
We live within the boundaries of the proposed future Lewis feeder, as well.

We looked at choice/magnet options in the city for middle school both in and out of district (Cab &
P.S.), she was wait-listed at both schools but we did not worry or pursue any other options
further/aggressively because we have a positive impression of our feeder middle school, which is
H.B. Apart from its remote location - it has nearly everything we are looking for in a middle school
(a challenging and well-rounded curriculum for an honors student, breadth of extracurriculars,
socioeconomic diversity) that lower quality, closer Red Clay options do not currently provide.

I am a stubborn urbanist, and I try to conduct as much of our life within walkable boundaries in
Wilmington, but I having attended H.B. myself, feel willing to deal with the educational commute to
ensure that my daughter has access to an experience that is simply not available in the city through
non-selective or hyper-specialized programs, which simply can't accommodate (or are not a great
match for) every family - perhaps not even in those schools. Not to mention that these Red Clay
schools certainly make no allowances to see that enrollment is as or more accessible to students for
whom they are the nearest high quality option, and the district has done little to ensure that our
traditional "nearest" schools - through no real fault of city residents - are demographically balanced
and equitably resourced.

Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 11

In any case, beyond adequately addressing her potential - my highest priority for my daughter's
education is stability. When we join a community, we commit to it with everything we've got. The
middle school years are going to brief and chaotic enough, and I hope that wherever she attends in
fall 2014 will be where she remains until her eighth grade graduation. After hearing of some of the
recent discussions about SY15-16 changes, I'm now concerned about the stability of H.B. as an
option for us on Franklin Street between 9th & 10th.

My daughter is high on her wait-list at Cab - and if her name comes up over the summer, since we
were looking for a less narrow school culture, I had every intention of rejecting any offer in favor of
H.B., until I heard about the 6/9 meeting. Now I am concerned that to do so would be setting
ourselves up for unnecessary grief, instability and disappointment.

And if that magnet option never presents itself, of particular concern is - even if she is
grandfathered in for 2015 and the choice process comes out in her favor to remain at H.B. - that like
in all non-magnet choice schools, no transportation would be provided for her from our Wilmington
community to the school - something which would be difficult if not impossible for us on a daily
basis, even for two short years. It's almost as unpalatable as the idea of switching her to a brand
new school for 7th and 8th grade, which I find an intolerable prospect.

I would like to know what the intention is for shifting to the new zones for students in the midst of
their school experience, especially in regards to transportation and what guarantee a student has of
remaining at their current school? If the integrity of my daughter's middle school experience is
indeed on the chopping block, I would like to know ASAP so I can make other plans.

I would prefer to see the Lewis zone continue to feed into H.B. But if that is not be, I'll offer a
solution to go with my complaint and concern - I would suggest a phasing out approach to the shift -
though new students may no longer be enrolled in from de-zoned areas, that ("magnet-style")
students who continue to attend in a grandfathering scenario would continue to have access to
district-provided transportation to and from school - as well as from after school activities (if already
available) for the remaining 2-4 years of their enrollment.
Attendance Zone
Committee
Please STOP THE BUSING. Kids should attend the schools located the closest to them....keep the
neighborhoods together. Residents like myself buy homes purely based off of where their kids will
go to school. There is absolutely no reason a child should be shipped off to a school 20 minutes
away when there are many others much closer.....ex. kids in center city Wilmington being bused
over to Skyline or Dickinson when kids closer to Skyline being sent elsewhere....why???
Neighborhood schools all the way!
Attendance Zone
Committee
As a resident of Pleasant Hills Ests. our middle school assignment is currently Skyline. If our
neighborhood is changed to Stanton middle school, this will be our third middle school assignment
in less than 10 years. We were previously assigned to Conrad. Our feeder pattern should remain as
Skyline. I choiced my children to Heritage elementary knowing that they would then go to Skyline
and remain with their friends, as most of Heritage goes to Skyline. If a student is choiced to an
elementary school they should then have first consideration if choiced to the middle school that
their elementary school is assigned. Such as choiced Heritage students having first consideration if
being choiced to Skyline. I feel it is important to keep students together as they enter the middle
school years.
Attendance Zone
Committee
I understand fully that as a result of a new school being constructed that there will be some upset
people as a result of the ensuing attendance zone changes. Count my family among the upset
group. Our children go to North Star Elementary and love it there, have made many close friends
and are thriving at the school and were hoping to finish out their elementary schooling there. Every
single neighborhood that currently is in the North Star attendance zone except for one will remain
at North Star in the fall of 2015. How was it that the neighborhood that we live in, Westwoods, was
Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 12

the one that was determined to be the one left out? It seems arbitrary to me that a) one
neighborhood would be removed from the North Star attendance zone, and b) it would be our
neighborhood. I would ask the committee to please consider other options than cutting my
neighborhood out of the school that it has been a feeder for since the inception of the school.
Attendance Zone
Committee
My only concern regarding new attendance zones is that I specifically chose my child's daycare
based on the fact that it was in the feeder for my elementary school and my oldest child would be
able to go there for before care while my younger two continued to attend full day child care. Based
on the most recent maps my daycare is no longer in the same feeder. While next year wont be an
issue I anticipate a major inconvenience the following school year with having to make separate
arrangements for my oldest child as well as do two separate drop offs. Has there been any
discussion about how any of this will be handled and the loss of bus stops at child care centers?

Share Your Thoughts comments from the community through the website as of 07/09/14 Page 13