MCPS Brings 'Flower Valley Feeling' to Blair Ewing Students
It's called "that Flower Valley feeling" and every resident of the quiet, tight-knit neighborhood knows exactly what it means: a deep sense of contentment, joy, safety and community unique to the 465-home enclave on the outskirts of Rockville.
Starting in August that Flower Valley feeling is coming to middle and high school students from Blair G Ewing Alternative Center, MCPS announced last week.
The Flower Valley Feeling overwhelms at the annual 4th of July Parade.
"We've been bursting to share the great news since February, but we really wanted it to be an end of school year surprise!" said MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor. MCPS unveiled the news last week, ahead of the school system’s online meeting for residents a few days later, according to WUSA9.
Blair Ewing provides an alternative education program for students with behavior or attendance problems, and for more serious disciplinary actions as an alternative to expulsion. Staff complaints regarding environmental conditions and violence at its Avery Road campus were the subject of news reports last year after school personnel were hospitalized.
In September, two administrators were hurt while intervening in a situation involving a student, and both were out for a long period due to their injuries, according to a WTOP report.
"We can't wait to embrace Blair Ewing students with that Flower Valley feeling!" exclaimed civic association president Pauline Yesimby. "We are going to replace mold, asbestos and violence with marigolds, azaleas and validation."
MCPS officials say the calm and serenity of Flower Valley provides an ideal learning environment for Blair Ewing students. Starting in August they will occupy the North Lake Center Holding Facility that straddles Flower Valley and the Manor Lakes neighborhood on Bauer Drive.
While Yesimby said Blair Ewing students and families, "are welcome to join neighborhood crab feasts at the pool, the Labor Day bike parade, and our epic Halloween block parties," some Flower Valley residents are less enthusiastic about the news.
“MCPS should have provided more notice and opportunity for community input. We could have invited them to The Frogs time trials if we had known," lamented neighborhood swim team parent Joe Flaherty. Other residents aren't thrilled with the plan in general. "How are we going to know who really TP'd our yards?" asked one team parent, referring to The Frogs beloved tradition of tossing toilet paper rolls into trees in the middle of the night.
