We believe in the public school system in my home. After all, my husband is a public high school teacher. We both grew up attending the public school systems. Aside from preschool, our 4 oldest children have been pretty happily moving from grade to grade in our district.
BUT.
I’ve begun to not be thrilled with the school district we are living. In fact, I’m not thrilled with most of the school districts in our area. I don’t believe in open schools. I think that you send your children to the school district you live and if you don’t like it, then move. Sounds harsh, I’m sure. But it’s how I feel. I’m sick of the lies that people are telling to get their kids into THEIR school of choice and there are NO checks and balances.
It blows. And it’s a shame because this district ONCE was outstanding.
A lot of these kids that are coming from some less than favorable areas are bringing down the quality of our classrooms. And before anyone gets their panties in a bunch by thinking I’m talking about race or religion…I’m not. I’m talking about the quality of the families and that is color blind or prejudice. It’s rampant everywhere, in every walk of life.
Judge away. I’ll wait.
Anyways…
We are keeping our 4 older ones in the public schools that they are slated. They’ve been in this district for most of their school career and it terrifies and traumatizes them to think we may take them out. They have friends that they would die if we separated them from. OH THE DRAMA. So they’ll stay and we’ll take our chances on their education. They are smart and good kids and usually, birds of a feather. Good kids usually do well anywhere.
Our youngest. He is supposed to start 1st grade in the Fall. I can’t believe it, all my babies are growing up.
I am not excited about the elementary school our subdivision was redistricted. In fact, I’m vehemently opposed to him going there. The class sizes are increasing by 30% which, for him, is a 50% increase from the class size he had for preschool and kindergarten.
For only one teacher. No parapro. No other help in the classroom aside from visiting parents. ONE teacher for almost 30 crazy, hyper first graders. Poor teacher!
I’m not down with that and the numbers in the classrooms are too high for one teacher to effectively teach all the children.
My son will fall so far between the cracks that he’ll never be found. I’m not willing to risk it. He needs extra help. He needs some extra attention. And I don’t think it can be offered to him in our public school. Which, it’s a shame. We moved to our house not only because we loved it but because it was in one of the school districts that were consistently scoring high on tests, had small class sizes and an outstanding curriculum.
Not anymore.
Budget cuts, redistricting, shutting and consolidating schools and blah, blah, blah.
So, we signed our son up for private school. He got tested and was accepted. We just have to wait to see about the financial stuff. Scholarships and whatnot.
It’s what’s best for him. Truly.
This school offers small class sizes and a nurturing environment along with a fabulous curriculum taught by outstanding educators.
It’s the type of school that any parent would want for their child. Everything about it.
It’s just going to be really expensive. And I hope it is worth it. I hope it’s the right fit for him.
My wish for my son is that he is able to take full advantage of everything this particular school has to offer and that he becomes the most successful student that he is capable of becoming.
Or, I’m throwing him in public school with his siblings and getting myself a new car.
Melissa I have to agree with you. Our town back home was like that and I am seeing it her. SO much so I am now having to prove I live at this address. If they think its fishy they will send someone out to the home.
I am not sure what we will do once the we are living the military life. If I will send them to public or home school something we are discussing based on location.
I hope you guys enjoy your desicion. I am sure he will do just fine.
I definitely understand where you are coming from. Some schools are good and some aren’t. And that usually is directly related to the quality of parents sending their kids there. The good kids end up falling through the cracks, just like you said.
Love the new look. Very clean.
Jennifer´s last blog post ..Appropriate behavior- Girls vs Boys
The whole school thing drives me nuts. Down here, they are very big on bussing and “race transfers.” I wish they would skip all the bussing and paperwork and spend all the money they’d save on improving the “bad” schools.
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Melissa,
I wish I could say I share your feelings straight down the line but I think there are some things to consider. While the “school choice” is not exactly the same here, you can move for specific reasons (at one point my daughter was bullied and we got approval to have her moved to another school. Overcrowded but better socially for her). Of course her mother kept her in private school but another topic/reason for another time 🙂
Anyway, I work in a school built for 2100 but will house close to 2700. This includes 30+ trailers, and a new/used modular that is being dropped into place with built in bathrooms, lockers, class rooms and a conference room. At any given time over 25% of our students are in classes “outside” the main building. All this after having our school lines redrawn for the upcoming school year.
Now why did I get on the soap box about all that? Because our staff wants to be in our school. Yes they have crappy resources, yes they have crowded classrooms and yes they strain to try to meet the standards set forth by a bunch of suits in Richmond, many of which probably havent seen the inside of a classroom since their college days. But our teachers know they are the last line of defense. They know they need to reach our students by any means necessary. Do some slip through the cracks? Of course. But out of 2700, if I can reach 95% or more and I can keep those nasty little bastards from dropping out or getting arrested and I can convince parents to be more active and take an earnest interest in having their son or daughter be the first to earn a diploma in this country, then that’s what we do. We don’t tell them “try private school.” We tell them to fight the fight in front of you, step up to the challenges.
If we don’t who will? If I can’t convince you, the parent of my students, then I’m not doing my job well in making you understand why this school is great and how you can help to make it even better.
I’m exhausted, I need a drink (no I’m not at work)
I feel ya’ and I know I’m not changing you or your family’s mind, but maybe someone will think twice and stay.
See you in a couple weeks (if you’re still talking to me) 🙂
I’m a high school teacher as well, and really worry about my kids. Last year some of my classes and the classes of my colleagues were 35 students deep. 35 heathens in one room! The classes with more lower level kids were INSANE. My good friend had quite a few of them. There wasn’t much teaching going on in there. It was work sheets and discipline.
If classroom size continues to grow leaps and bounds as it has been, we are certainly going to consider other options as well.
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We also moved into our last house based on the school district. We sent Man-Child to public school for first through fifth grade and loved it. When middle school was looming, we decided to send him to private school. The public middle school is a good one but it is HUGE. We felt, at the time, that our son would be better served in a smaller setting. Although, he wasn’t happy about the move, it turned out to be the best situation for us and him. Now hopefully, we can continue to afford to keep him there for the next two years!
I am not happy about what is going on in public schools these days – the teachers are not receiving the funding and support they need. The schools are constantly shuffling the district lines and truly? I would love to know where all the money is going. Because it certainly isn’t going to improve the schools or toward helping the children learn (at least not here). We actually had a judge step in regarding one of our local schools! Basically, all our teachers are told to “teach to test.” Obviously, this isn’t working. I think it’s time they threw out the “rules & regulations” that they are currently using and try something else, because the children are suffering.
Oops. Sorry for the rant. You do what you feel is right for your child.
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In our rural area, our choices are a very conservative Christian private school, a non-denominational middle-school for 12K a year, and a Catholic high school…or homeschool.
I quit my college prof job–the salary of which would not cover three kids in private school–and homeschooled.
My oldest are now in public school, but I’m almost positive I’m pulling my youngest out next year. She has fallen in the cracks.
And, yeah, I’d love a new car, too…but we knew the job was like this when we took it.
Love your new layout, BTW!
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I will be the last person to judge you for doing what you feel is in the best interest of you child’s education. I think you know how I feel about public school systems.
I hope youngest has a great time in first grade.
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The new layout is fabulous! I can understand your pain. I had some doubts about my son’s school for the fall, but my only other options are the local Catholic school and trying to get him into a school for the gifted that is 30-40 minutes away without traffic and costs 20K.
I will just be keeping a watchful eye on the upcoming year,
And you gotta do, what you gotta do.
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No judging here, Sarah attends a small private school too. Aside from the quality of education, there’s the environment in this specific school that I feel is best for her: they are supportive, attentive, friendly and super-helpful.
The teachers and staff foster an atmosphere of respect and support for everyone. there is no bullying, the kids are not in competition, instead the are encouraged to work together and help each other. It’s truly wonderful to see what kids can grow up to be when they receive positive reinforcement and are not encouraged to be better than others, just the best THEY can be.
Best of luck!
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