School reassignment drama, appeal land us in a new pond
Months have passed and a lot has happened since we got the news in October 2021 that we would be leaving the elementary school that has shaped our lives and community since my oldest child was in kindergarten. I shared the start of our story of reassignment with Wake County Public Schools in November and since have been met with gratitude for sharing, commiseration from overwhelmed parents and sympathetic head tilts from those staying at our sought-after school.
I was honored when our current principal called to thank me for my words about our time at Sycamore Creek Elementary School. I meant every word, Ms. Brunson. Thank you to you and your team! I smiled when a counselor at my daughter’s upcoming middle school recognized us from the article and was glad when our Wake County School Board representative, Chris Heagarty, knew about our story when I reached out to him.
So, thanks to everyone for reading. I hope you’ll continue reading this even when (SPOILER ALERT) I feel like this reassignment story’s ending really is a happy one.
No more track outs
With my son’s reassignment to the new Barton Pond Elementary School in northwest Raleigh, that meant he would no longer be on a year-round schedule, as the new school is traditional calendar. At first, reassigned Sycamore Creek families were upset that there was no year-round school to which we could apply since they need to fill Barton Pond. The school board did give us an option later with Brier Creek Elementary School which is further away. I don’t know any families who decided to make Brier Creek their calendar option instead of Barton Pond, but if they’re okay with the drive, go for it.
Most I know resigned ourselves to the fact that we would be leaving year-round school behind as we start at Barton Pond.
As I shared this fall, reassignment put our family in a calendar conundrum because my daughter, who will be a rising 6th grader, remained assigned to Pine Hollow Middle School, which is year-round.
Middle school drama
Ah, middle school! Drama seems synonymous with middle school, doesn’t it? Please note, I’m telling this portion of the story with my daughter’s permission. Understandably, she was upset when my husband and I proposed the idea of transferring to nearby Leesville Road Middle School which is on a traditional calendar. Having been with the same kids since kindergarten, going to a different school than most of them feels daunting, especially when you’re 11.
We toured both middle schools and she got the chance to meet counselors, see lockers, discuss electives and generally get a sense of academic life for the next three years. She remained firm in wanting to stay with friends at Pine Hollow but did sheepishly admit to me, “I’ll probably be fine at either school, Mom.”
Transfers and appeals
It was a long winter of uncertainty and continued conversations about applying to transfer to Leesville Middle as we waited for the date to apply in late February. The very first day the general transfer window opened, I got on the WCPSS website and applied. That was a Friday. By Monday morning we got an update. Denied.
Wait. What? Seriously!? We just convinced our daughter this transfer would be a good idea! Ah!
I was so confused. Neither school had capped enrollment. LRMS staff even mentioned that they expected to see an influx of transfers from PHMS since the new elementary school was opening. I was at a loss. I spoke to neighbors. One with a rising 7th grader was approved for transfer immediately. Was it a rising 6th grader thing? Did they need the numbers of new students before approving transfers? Was every rising 6th-grade family denied transfer at first to see who was serious enough about it to appeal? Those were my questions that we may never have answers to.
The email from WCPSS Office of Student Assignment explained that I would be able to appeal. I did so immediately. They quickly gave me a date for an appeal hearing in late March. In the meantime, I spoke with our school board representative, Chris Heagarty, about the appeal process. Heagarty represents District 7 in Wake County, which includes both our elementary and middle schools. He kindly heard my story and answered my questions about the appeal process.
A “hearing” felt so formal and court-like to me. He echoed the Office of Student Assignment in explaining that I would have two minutes to state my case. In pre-pandemic years, this would be done in-person, but this year I had my hearing over the phone. Heagerty suggested that I obviously keep it brief and just be truthful that a calendar misalignment is hard for any family. He explained that because LRMS did not have capped enrollment and we are able to provide transportation for our student, our request was not unreasonable.
Both the Office of Student Assignment and Heagerty made it clear that nothing is guaranteed when it comes to reassignment and appeals and they take requests on a case-by-case basis.
The staff member from the Office of Student Assignment was polite and helpful. I had prepared a written statement and was allowed to email that to him following our brief time on the phone. I had done all that I could up to that point. I was told I may have to wait a week.
I didn’t have to. Late that afternoon we got word our appeal was accepted! Phew! I felt a wave of relief that our family would be on the same school calendar. Our daughter excitedly called her friend who will be at LRMS with her. They made plans about how they would decorate their lockers. She agreed this change wouldn’t be all bad. I mean, lockers!
A new pond
While we navigated the middle school transfer process, our new elementary school community started taking shape. Stephanie Costa was named Barton Pond’s new principal, and parents could meet with her over multiple Zoom meetings. She shared the school’s layout, demographics, bell schedule and specials. I excitedly messaged parents with familiar faces over Zoom, not realizing they were part of this reassignment too.
My son enjoyed getting to vote for a new school mascot. Go Bullfrogs! I loved the idea of the Barton Pond Bullfrogs. Not only was it very satisfying alliteration, but a bullfrog is also a fantastic representation of growth through elementary school – from a tadpole kindergartner to a big 5th grader bullfrog.
Our first BPES PTA meeting is scheduled, and we had our first playground playdate with other families of rising 3rd graders. Ms. Costa took 3rd grade families on a tour of the building, and we saw in person the incredible collaborative layout of this new school building. Each grade is in its own open pod, now dubbed a “pond” for very bullfrog reasons.
Happy ending
That’s the end of our reassignment story. Like I said, overall, it’s a pretty happy ending.
My children will wrap up our time at Sycamore Creek when they finish 2nd and 5th grades at the end of June. Yes, I will be emotional at 5th grade graduation because my firstborn is leaving elementary school, and it went by so fast I can’t stand it. We also have this added layer of emotion that we are leaving the first elementary school we called home.
I have a good feeling about the new school communities that I’m sure will soon feel like home.
