Communication with Magnet Office Regarding IB-PYP Magnet Status

• Beth Campbell and PTA President Greg Puertolas met December 11, 2008 with David Ansbacher, Director of the WCPSS Magnet Office.Chief issues discussed were as follows:
  • Map redraw for FWES catchment which excludes area east of Highway 1 previously included in FWES draw. This affects approximately 85 current FWES students who can remain at FWES but current students K-3 must have transportation provided by parents. Rising sibling are assigned to Smith Elementary with transportation. This policy is consistent with reassignment protocols across the district.
  • In the past three years, applications to FWES have ranged from 300-400 and acceptances for 2007-08 were 181 out of 430 applications.
  • Factors that may impact application numbers: a) Change in draw area, b) changes in IB school progression -- to East Garner Middle and Garner High, c) no base nodes assigned out of FWES in 2008-09 plan.
  • However, given the healthy size of past application pools, loss of some draw area may not significantly affect application pool below the available magnet seats at FWES.
  • Understanding from the information provided by the Magnet Office is that draw area map is in effect for 2008-09 year and is not part of the multi-year reassignment plan. Therefore, the map draw area can be reviewed after the 2008-09 magnet application period and recommendations for adjustment can be made by FWES staff as needed.Issues affecting the health of the FWES IB-PYP program/magnet status:
  • Given the loss of magnet status at Daniels and Broughton, it is hoped that FWES will still be perceived as a viable and important magnet school within the WCPSS Magnet system.
  • In 2007-08, 64 students applied for continuance in magnet programs out of approximately 140 fifth-grade students. Thirty seven base students applied for magnet middle schools and 15 were accepted, 13 went to the IB MYP program. Twenty six magnet students applied for magnet middle schools and 9 went to the IB MYP program. These statistics are of concern for the Magnet Office as it affects the planned progression of magnet students through the IB program and the health of these programs.
  • Discussions of how to encourage the progression of students to East Garner were conducted and FWES PTA will make efforts to bring representatives of East Garner Middle School to FWES to be available for a parent informational seminar.

Download the Slides from Dr. Beth Campbell's Presentaion
at the November PTA General Meeting with Magnet Draw Area Maps. (Quicktime Format)