School has just begun and ugly antisemitism has already appeared in our MCPS schools, this time in Westland Middle School in Bethesda, in the first week of school.
Here's the letter from the principal that went out yesterday, September 1st:
Showing posts with label Bethesda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bethesda. Show all posts
Saturday, September 2, 2023
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Future residents will "pay a million dollars for a home, and their kids will go to school in a trailer," one resident said.
Toll Bros. unveils plan for WMAL site; residents want data on traffic, schools (Photos)
...A resident of Brixton Lane termed his children's schools "ridiculously-overcrowded already. How many kids" will the Toll Brothers project generate, he asked.
Leatham said Montgomery County Public Schools calculates those
projections, and they have concluded 152 students will be generated.
That number was met with laughter in the room. "Can we get realistic
numbers?" someone asked. "Isn't this the same MCPS that allowed
overcrowding" in the past with lowball projections, another asked. "I
can't argue with you," Leatham replied. "These are numbers that have
been vetted. These are the numbers we have to use."
Future residents will "pay a million dollars for a home, and their kids will go to school in a trailer," one resident said...
...Several residents asked about the environmental impact of developing
such a large green space. Toll Brothers assured them that stormwater
management after the completion of the project will be "better than it
is now, better for the Cheasapeake Bay." Resident Nancy Neff was
skeptical. "I am offended by you patting yourselves on the back" for the
bioswale plan to manage stormwater. "The best natural drainage is there
right now," she said. She cited the "appalling" drainage systems in King Farm in Rockville, which cause some homes in that community to flood regularly...
right now," she said. She cited the "appalling" drainage systems in King Farm in Rockville, which cause some homes in that community to flood regularly...
Monday, February 29, 2016
Council: "MCPS has fairly consistently underestimated actual emollment"
Today at 2:30 PM, the Montgomery County Council's PHED Committee will discuss their plan to overcrowd Montgomery County Public Schools for developers who want to build more housing.
The Council knows MCPS enrollment forecasts are flawed, but doesn't care.
The Council plans on simply "enlarging" the following schools to accommodate the plans of developers in the Westbard area. Similar plans are being hatched for other parts of the county.
So much for the Maryland State study that reported on the "optimal" size for public schools!
Classroom trailers have been in use in MCPS for over 30 years. They will be on the ground for another 30 years if the Montgomery County Council and Montgomery County Planning Board have their way.
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/Resources/Files/agenda/cm/2016/160229/20160229_PHED1.pdf
The Council knows MCPS enrollment forecasts are flawed, but doesn't care.
The Council plans on simply "enlarging" the following schools to accommodate the plans of developers in the Westbard area. Similar plans are being hatched for other parts of the county.
So much for the Maryland State study that reported on the "optimal" size for public schools!
Classroom trailers have been in use in MCPS for over 30 years. They will be on the ground for another 30 years if the Montgomery County Council and Montgomery County Planning Board have their way.
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/Resources/Files/agenda/cm/2016/160229/20160229_PHED1.pdf
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
New York City Debates Safety of Artificial Turf -- In Public!
According to the New York Times online, February 9, the New York City Council will be debating a bill to institute a moratorium on artificial turf because of health concerns. According to City Council member Eric N. Gioia, "“You wouldn’t let your child play in a junkyard.” The City already closed one field because of high lead levels.
Ok, two interesting things here. First, a member of the City Council, an elected body, actually spoke out against artificial turf, recognizing the health risks; according to the article, "several elected officials" actually ventured down off their dais to meet in public with citizens and members of a watchdog group. Outside at the Park! In the open!
According to the article, other states, including Connecticut and New Jersey are also looking at the safety issues surrounding artificial turf.
And even more amazing for those of us living in Montgomery County, MD, there will be a public debate on the matter. Who ever heard of such a thing? a public debate? you mean out in the open? and covered by a newspaper? whoa! that is WAY too transparent.
Ok, two interesting things here. First, a member of the City Council, an elected body, actually spoke out against artificial turf, recognizing the health risks; according to the article, "several elected officials" actually ventured down off their dais to meet in public with citizens and members of a watchdog group. Outside at the Park! In the open!
According to the article, other states, including Connecticut and New Jersey are also looking at the safety issues surrounding artificial turf.
And even more amazing for those of us living in Montgomery County, MD, there will be a public debate on the matter. Who ever heard of such a thing? a public debate? you mean out in the open? and covered by a newspaper? whoa! that is WAY too transparent.
Barclay is already 'hurting children'
From what I understand, today at the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Board of Education meeting today, Board Member Christopher Barclay voted in favor of installing artificial turf at Walter Johnson High School, in Bethesda, MD.
By doing so he voted to expose our children to the material that makes up tires. That is what artificial turf is made of. Here is the text from FieldTurfTarkett:
"The cryogenic rubber is recycled rubber, frozen and shattered, creating smooth-sided spherical particles."
Non-profit Environment and Human Health, Inc. studied the artificial turf material. Here is their report in part (bold text my own).
"what little testing has been done on synthetic fields shows that some synthetic turf has 7 to 8 times higher levels of some carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) than is allowed by government standards.
- We know that the testing that has been done on some synthetic turf shows that it contains lead, arsenic and zinc.
- We know that some synthetic turf is treated with various anti-microbials, which also have their set of health issues.
- We know that there has not been enough testing or public health evaluation studies on synthetic turf fields to determine whether some of them pose a health problem for children. There are many important public health questions that should be answered before these expensive synthetic fields are purchased and installed. "
This material will be degrading over its 8-10 year lifespan and will be washed away into our creeks and streams, ground water, and ultimately, into the Chesapeake Bay.
So, Mr. Barclay, I wouldn't be too worried about 'hurting children.' You decided to do that today when you voted in favor of the artificial turf.
Here's some additional information from their study from Environment and Human Health, Inc., for those that are interested:
"The four compounds found in the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station study, conclusively identified with confirmatory tests, were: benzothiazole; butylated hydroxyanisole; n-hexadecane; and 4-(t-octyl) phenol. Approximately two dozen other chemicals were indicated at lower levels. Chemicals are tested for their potential as cancer-causing agents (carcinogens), their capability of causing mutations (mutagenicity), and their capability of producing fetal malformation (teratogenicity). The four chemicals found have the following reported actions:
Benzothiazole: Skin and eye irritation, harmful if swallowed. There is no available data on cancer, mutagenic toxicity, teratogenic toxicity, or developmental toxicity.
Butylated hydroxyanisole: Recognized carcinogen, suspected endocrine toxicant, gastrointestinal toxicant, immunotoxicant (adverse effects on the immune system), neurotoxicant (adverse effects on the nervous system), skin and sense-organ toxicant. There is no available data on cancer, mutagenic toxicity, teratogenic toxicity, or developmental toxicity.
n-hexadecane: severe irritant based on human and animal studies. There is no available data on cancer, mutagenic toxicity, teratogenic toxicity, or developmental toxicity.
4-(t-octyl) phenol: corrosive and destructive to mucous membranes. There is no available data on cancer, mutagenic toxicity, teratogenic toxicity, or developmental toxicity.
The exposure potential on a soccer field could be quite large. A square foot of field with between two and three inches if "in-fill" could contain between 11 and 15 pounds of tire crumbs.
Another health hazard from synthetic turf fields with rubber tire "crumbs" is heat. Stuart Graffin, of Columbia's Center for Climate Systems Research, determined that the temperatures present on playing fields with tire crumbs during the summer could approach 160 degrees F.
David Brown, Sc.D., EHHI's public health toxicologist, said, "It is clear the recycled rubber crumbs are not inert, nor is a high temperature or severe solvent extraction needed to release metals, volatile organic compounds or semi-volatile organic compounds. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station study conclusively demonstrates that the tire crumbs and tire mulch release chemical compounds into the air and ground water. Thus, tire crumbs constitute a chemical exposure for humans and the environment."
By doing so he voted to expose our children to the material that makes up tires. That is what artificial turf is made of. Here is the text from FieldTurfTarkett:
"The cryogenic rubber is recycled rubber, frozen and shattered, creating smooth-sided spherical particles."
Non-profit Environment and Human Health, Inc. studied the artificial turf material. Here is their report in part (bold text my own).
"what little testing has been done on synthetic fields shows that some synthetic turf has 7 to 8 times higher levels of some carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) than is allowed by government standards.
- We know that the testing that has been done on some synthetic turf shows that it contains lead, arsenic and zinc.
- We know that some synthetic turf is treated with various anti-microbials, which also have their set of health issues.
- We know that there has not been enough testing or public health evaluation studies on synthetic turf fields to determine whether some of them pose a health problem for children. There are many important public health questions that should be answered before these expensive synthetic fields are purchased and installed. "
This material will be degrading over its 8-10 year lifespan and will be washed away into our creeks and streams, ground water, and ultimately, into the Chesapeake Bay.
So, Mr. Barclay, I wouldn't be too worried about 'hurting children.' You decided to do that today when you voted in favor of the artificial turf.
Here's some additional information from their study from Environment and Human Health, Inc., for those that are interested:
"The four compounds found in the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station study, conclusively identified with confirmatory tests, were: benzothiazole; butylated hydroxyanisole; n-hexadecane; and 4-(t-octyl) phenol. Approximately two dozen other chemicals were indicated at lower levels. Chemicals are tested for their potential as cancer-causing agents (carcinogens), their capability of causing mutations (mutagenicity), and their capability of producing fetal malformation (teratogenicity). The four chemicals found have the following reported actions:
Benzothiazole: Skin and eye irritation, harmful if swallowed. There is no available data on cancer, mutagenic toxicity, teratogenic toxicity, or developmental toxicity.
Butylated hydroxyanisole: Recognized carcinogen, suspected endocrine toxicant, gastrointestinal toxicant, immunotoxicant (adverse effects on the immune system), neurotoxicant (adverse effects on the nervous system), skin and sense-organ toxicant. There is no available data on cancer, mutagenic toxicity, teratogenic toxicity, or developmental toxicity.
n-hexadecane: severe irritant based on human and animal studies. There is no available data on cancer, mutagenic toxicity, teratogenic toxicity, or developmental toxicity.
4-(t-octyl) phenol: corrosive and destructive to mucous membranes. There is no available data on cancer, mutagenic toxicity, teratogenic toxicity, or developmental toxicity.
The exposure potential on a soccer field could be quite large. A square foot of field with between two and three inches if "in-fill" could contain between 11 and 15 pounds of tire crumbs.
Another health hazard from synthetic turf fields with rubber tire "crumbs" is heat. Stuart Graffin, of Columbia's Center for Climate Systems Research, determined that the temperatures present on playing fields with tire crumbs during the summer could approach 160 degrees F.
David Brown, Sc.D., EHHI's public health toxicologist, said, "It is clear the recycled rubber crumbs are not inert, nor is a high temperature or severe solvent extraction needed to release metals, volatile organic compounds or semi-volatile organic compounds. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station study conclusively demonstrates that the tire crumbs and tire mulch release chemical compounds into the air and ground water. Thus, tire crumbs constitute a chemical exposure for humans and the environment."
Sunday, March 8, 2009
SUPERINTENDENT WEAST: “OTHER COMMUNITIES CAN RAISE SUBSTANTIAL CASH”
Artificial turf has raised its ugly head again. And again, nothing is public or transparent, it’s all done in secret, and now we find out that Walter Johnson High School (WJHS) in Bethesda, MD is up next for an artificial turf field.
From what I’ve seen almost no one in the WJHS community, or in the surrounding Bethesda neighborhoods, knew about this project, which will have a significant effect on the environment.
The first we heard of this was in the WJHS student newspaper, The Pitch. Reporter Pablo Baeza wrote the story.
ESTIMATED COSTS?
Meanwhile Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Dr. Jerry Weast recently sent a memo with estimated costs to the County Council (read circled page 31 of the linked site).
WJHS parents found out by reading the fine print in the memo that they are responsible for coughing up $9,000 each year by way of the Booster Club – for the next 10 years.
So $9,000 that could have been spent on supplies, music curriculum support, equipment, uniforms, and the like, must now be ear marked for routine field maintenance. Because the $2.1BILLION annual budget that the taxpayers give to MCPS will not include field maintenance – at least not at WJHS.
In contrast, at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, MD, the Booster Club does not contribute one penny.
Why? Because, as Dr. Weast said at a County Council Education Committee meeting last year, there can be different “models” for different parts of the county.
During the County Council Education Committee meeting last year that focused on installation of the artificial turf at Richard Montgomery High School, County councilmembers Valerie Ervin, Michael Knapp and Phil Andrews, and Board of Education (BOE) members Shirley Brandman, Christopher S. Barclay, and Judy Docca discussed with enthusiasm that other ‘models’ be used at different schools.
In the course of that discussion, Superintendent Weast stated that there are “other communities that can raise substantial cash.”
Clearly, in Bethesda, the school parents fit the BOE/MCPS model of “communities with substantial cash.”
So shell out, folks. We know you’ve got all that extra money. Especially these days.
And all Montgomery County taxpayers found out that the turf would appear by way of ‘lease financing,’ costing us $600,000 plus $170,000 in interest over the course of the next ten years.
Let’s be clear: the life of the turf itself is only 8-10 years.
So you taxpayers will be paying for something that may not even last as long as the financial deal in which is was purchased – you will still be paying the interest on it. Sound familiar?
Get out your checkbooks. And why not write a thank you note to your elected Board of Education and County Council while you’ve got your pen out? Because they are the individuals that have decided that you have so much extra cash in your wallet that you can pay for this piece of giant plastic sheeting.
Oh – One item Dr. Weast left off his cost estimate was the cost of disposal. Because of hazardous materials that make up the artificial turf, the material must be disposed of in a hazardous waste landfill. The cost of that is not cheap, either.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
While MCPS is focused on directing what discussion there is on effects to the players on the field, the turf will be there 24/7, year-round – yes, even when kids aren’t on the field.
The environmental effects won’t go away when the kids walk off the field.
Studies from Brigham Young University, where scientists covered a football field with half artificial turf and half natural turf to study environmental impacts of both, found that, “The surface temperature of the synthetic turf was 37º F higher than asphalt and 86.5º F hotter than natural turf.” Average surface temperature for the artificial turf was 117.38 degrees F; for natural turf, 78.19 degrees F.”
Other studies have shown that CO2 emissions from artificial turf measure 55.6 tons, while natural turf actually has a negative emission of -16.9 tons. That’s right, folks—natural turf is GOOD for the environment.
I won’t even go into the stormwater management required for replacing natural sod and soil with a giant sheet of plastic. Remember those heavy rains we experience periodically here in Montgomery County? Use your imagination. Or not.
Pay up, folks. Or vote these people out of office. Time’s up.
Let your elected officials know what you think of lease financing. Let them know what you think of the secret deals that go on in a supposed democracy. And if you haven’t already, let them know what you think of paying for the next 10 years for something with an 8-year lifespan.
From what I’ve seen almost no one in the WJHS community, or in the surrounding Bethesda neighborhoods, knew about this project, which will have a significant effect on the environment.
The first we heard of this was in the WJHS student newspaper, The Pitch. Reporter Pablo Baeza wrote the story.
ESTIMATED COSTS?
Meanwhile Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Dr. Jerry Weast recently sent a memo with estimated costs to the County Council (read circled page 31 of the linked site).
WJHS parents found out by reading the fine print in the memo that they are responsible for coughing up $9,000 each year by way of the Booster Club – for the next 10 years.
So $9,000 that could have been spent on supplies, music curriculum support, equipment, uniforms, and the like, must now be ear marked for routine field maintenance. Because the $2.1BILLION annual budget that the taxpayers give to MCPS will not include field maintenance – at least not at WJHS.
In contrast, at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, MD, the Booster Club does not contribute one penny.
Why? Because, as Dr. Weast said at a County Council Education Committee meeting last year, there can be different “models” for different parts of the county.
During the County Council Education Committee meeting last year that focused on installation of the artificial turf at Richard Montgomery High School, County councilmembers Valerie Ervin, Michael Knapp and Phil Andrews, and Board of Education (BOE) members Shirley Brandman, Christopher S. Barclay, and Judy Docca discussed with enthusiasm that other ‘models’ be used at different schools.
In the course of that discussion, Superintendent Weast stated that there are “other communities that can raise substantial cash.”
Clearly, in Bethesda, the school parents fit the BOE/MCPS model of “communities with substantial cash.”
So shell out, folks. We know you’ve got all that extra money. Especially these days.
And all Montgomery County taxpayers found out that the turf would appear by way of ‘lease financing,’ costing us $600,000 plus $170,000 in interest over the course of the next ten years.
Let’s be clear: the life of the turf itself is only 8-10 years.
So you taxpayers will be paying for something that may not even last as long as the financial deal in which is was purchased – you will still be paying the interest on it. Sound familiar?
Get out your checkbooks. And why not write a thank you note to your elected Board of Education and County Council while you’ve got your pen out? Because they are the individuals that have decided that you have so much extra cash in your wallet that you can pay for this piece of giant plastic sheeting.
Oh – One item Dr. Weast left off his cost estimate was the cost of disposal. Because of hazardous materials that make up the artificial turf, the material must be disposed of in a hazardous waste landfill. The cost of that is not cheap, either.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
While MCPS is focused on directing what discussion there is on effects to the players on the field, the turf will be there 24/7, year-round – yes, even when kids aren’t on the field.
The environmental effects won’t go away when the kids walk off the field.
Studies from Brigham Young University, where scientists covered a football field with half artificial turf and half natural turf to study environmental impacts of both, found that, “The surface temperature of the synthetic turf was 37º F higher than asphalt and 86.5º F hotter than natural turf.” Average surface temperature for the artificial turf was 117.38 degrees F; for natural turf, 78.19 degrees F.”
Other studies have shown that CO2 emissions from artificial turf measure 55.6 tons, while natural turf actually has a negative emission of -16.9 tons. That’s right, folks—natural turf is GOOD for the environment.
I won’t even go into the stormwater management required for replacing natural sod and soil with a giant sheet of plastic. Remember those heavy rains we experience periodically here in Montgomery County? Use your imagination. Or not.
Pay up, folks. Or vote these people out of office. Time’s up.
Let your elected officials know what you think of lease financing. Let them know what you think of the secret deals that go on in a supposed democracy. And if you haven’t already, let them know what you think of paying for the next 10 years for something with an 8-year lifespan.
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