Topic #1: Kindergarten
All right friends, I have some questions about school choice and I need you to be honest with me. Dallin is nearly four and so now it's time for us to start thinking about where we want to take him to school. The strange part is, I can't get over the fact that there is now a choice in where to send him to kindergarten. I mean, there have always been private schools and a few charter schools, but 10 and 20 years ago when I was in school most parents didn't sit down and choose where to send their child. It was pretty obvious that the vast majority of kids would go to the neighborhood public school. Of course there were a few parents that would send their children to other schools, but as a kid--no offense--I thought those were just the overprotective parents whose children ended up not being able to interact with the rest of society. Most of the kids we go to church with don't go to the neighborhood public school, generally they go to one of the Franklin schools or a charter school.
How can a parent decide?
Especially if the parent is still dragging his/her feet in bitter disappointment that parents are taking their kids out of the neighborhood public schools?
We always thought our kids would go to public schools but now we are not so sure. It is not as much about the difference in the education that would lead us to sending our son to somewhere other than the neighborhood school, more like we want him to be around good kids, whose parents care about what they are learning and who aren't raising heck in the classroom distracting the other kids from learning. So what's a parent to do? Go with the public school on principle because I don't want be a part of public schools going downhill? Or admit that I am being one of the protective parents whose children are too good for the public school?
Topic #2: Preschool
Seems like everyone is signing their kids up for preschool these days. Does it really make a difference or is just something to keep the kid busy? Dallin is coming up on four and we could have put him in preschool last year if we wanted to. Frankly, the thought never even crossed my mind. Maybe I am just reluctant to admit that my little boy is old enough for school. Maybe it's just that there is not much point in putting a 3-year-old in preschool. I am not saying one way or the other, just laying the cards on the table. You tell me. Some of you have older kids, and some of you just have a stronger opinion than I do. Great. Let me know what you have to say. I know that these can even be controversial topics, but say what's on your mind, okay?
12 comments:
One word--EDU PRIZE!!!! Go down there and find out when the next tour is--then sign up your little guy NOW so that you are guaranteed a kinder spot. That doesn't mean you have to do the school, but if you don't sign him up at least a year ahead of time, chances are he won't get it. You can always say, "no" when they call ya--which won't be until he is ready to start school. Okay, long post, but you would love the school--and it is a really fun tour, but they only do them once a month so call or go down there to find out. It's behind Walmart.
P.S. Haven't read Twilight, and I don't plan on it--I have heard it too closely resembles a toned down racy romance novel--if it wasn't for that I am sure I would. I love a good story, even if it is totally over-exposed.
Marily, I had Emma go to the neighborhood schools the last 2 years but I moved them to Franklin Charter this year. With all the new construction it would have been Emma's 3rd school in 3 years. Crazy! They need a few years to work out the kinks. I feel like she has so much more potential and she could be challenged more. I would look into Franklin South-talk to my mom. I also think it is important for your kids to have friends at school that live in the neighborhood and not just friends that you are going to have to drive 5 miles to visit all the time. As for preschool, it's good for them to be gone from Mom and get used to that schedule.
I too am boycotting the twilight series. If another person asks me, blood might come squirting out of my eyes! (to steal my favorite line from Glenn Beck)
Litisha
To be honest, I never thought about putting Iris in pre-school either when the time came around. She started school in Kindergarten and, was fine with that, obviously. She was one of the smartest kids in her class and was also the most accelerated reader. She was reading better in Kindergarten than most kids in her class who had started reading while in Pre-school. I didn't care for Iris's teacher in Kindergarten and had a lot of complaints from other parent's from Pima Elementary. I only became friends with like 5 or 6 Mom's while Iris attended there but, 4 parents pulled their kids out of the public school and transferred them to private schools in the middle of the school year because of problems with the school district, teacher's and or the Principle. I never had any problems like that but I know it's because I lucked out with a really well behaved child. Some parents aren't so lucky and the Public school system seems to have a disciplinary problem. Just what I've heard. Hope this helps.
Amanda
My kids go to a public school but I think charter schools rock! They really have some great ones with neat focusses. It is hard to say what type a kid would enjoy though in Kindergarten. Here they have some that focus on the arts and some science/technology-based ones and such. I know now that my kids would love to go to the science schools since I know their interests now; they are older. I honestly don't think it matters that much in kindergarten so just do whatever. I agree with what Litisha wrote about having the kids in the school near where they live so they have friends from school that they can play with in the neighborhood eventually (when the boys are runnin' around the neighborhood someday). The public school system here in Plano is top-notch so I like it but if I knew of a decent charter school in El Paso I would have totally switched the kids to one of those there. They don't have too many charter schools in El Paso
About preschool, I think it is nice for a kid to go to Preschool but totally not necessary. I think it helps them to be ready for kindergarten when they do start but they'll get used to it anyway without it. My kids all went but that's because theirs was free. If I'd had to pay they wouldn't have gone. They all loved it though! So, the choice is yours...
Boy I write a lot!
One more thing...
What is this Twilight series everyone keeps talking about?
I wish I had some awesome advice for you, but since I dont have any kids, you wouldn't want it anyways :)
I can't remember where I got the little "I belong" link so I'm going to search for the maker of it. She has TONS of different versions of it too and lots of LDS stuff. It's awesome. I'll let you know for sure when I find it :)
Ok so I found where you can find the 'I belong' link (and there are different styles, so keep scrolling). Its at www.leeloublogs.blogspot.com.
Let me know if you have problems finding it!
Ok so I found where you can find the 'I belong' link (and there are different styles, so keep scrolling). Its at www (dot) leeloublogs (dot) blogspot (dot) com.
Let me know if you have problems finding it!
Did not know that you had a blog! So cool! I found you on Lachell's blog.
I honestly don't believe that it makes any difference in elementary school. There is not a school out there that is immune to some unruly children! Our kids attend public school. We never put much thought into it. The school is in a good neighborhood and the staff is like family. The school is exceling. The principal knows every student by name! I wouldn't ever leave! My friend sends her two girls to Franklin North. It is an excellent school for her.
Now I am not saying that I would never send my kids to a charter school. We have talked about it and we really dont like public school after 6th grade! I was a horrible child in highschool. Feel free to ask Mark and Ryan. We want to send our kids to Herritage Academy. They are a very artsey school and that is important to us. You really should tour the different schools and see which one feels right! Make sure that your child will be safe and well educated. As far as pre-school goes... it depends on you. The things they learn in preschool are basic. You could teach them. Ethan's Kindergarten teacher told me that she thinks children who attend preschool hava misconception that kindergarten will be all play dough and finger paints. Then when the get there they have a hard time adjusting to work. I didn't send Heidi to preschool but when she went to kindergarten she had a really hard time with the schedule. She was in all day kindergarten. Never cried when i dropped her off. but she was always so tired. Sorry. Didnt mean to write so much. That's what you get for asking ...lol
Hoo Boy! It's nice to read all the responses, huh? I have been concerned about our children's education since I went through the education program at ASU! It's pretty darn ridiculous what they try to sneak into classrooms :P
I love, love, LOVE "JOY SCHOOL"! Kids can learn to read just fine in kindergarten; preschool years should be spent learning how to appreciate life and how to be good people! Joy school takes the values we parents try to teach our kids, and makes it fun to learn! I would LOVE to do one with you this year!
I am in love with the Zaharis school's idea, and would love to follow that up with Heritage Academy :) - But until we get out of this question mark we live in, who's to say!? haha.
By the way everyone, thanks SO MUCH for your advice. There's a lot to think about and it's good to have others' opinions. You were all so helpful!
I agree with pretty much everything said already. You are the parents, and are the ones who have to figure out what's right for your little guys. I was happy that all of you kids went to at least one year of preschool. I felt you were all too smart to just hang out at home all the time, and all of you loved going.
I agree that the numerous choices are both exciting, and confusing. I felt that it was better for you all to go to the neighborhood school, but there weren't so many people in the local wards that sent their kids elsewhere, like they do now. Maybe check with the other moms in your ward, and see where they plan to send the kids that your kids play with already.
Good luck! I'm sure they will flourish wherever you send them. I'm just glad I didn't have so many choices when you and your sisters and brother were little.
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