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The Driveby
I totally got Mommy Drivebyed at the park last night, and I think it was accidental, even. The conversation went like this:
Person I don't know, nanny of 4 year old: "Is R. [4 year old girl] in school?"
R.'s mom Jen, whom I have known casually for 2 years: "Yes, at Presbyterian Church on the Next Block, half days."
me: "Are you thinking about Neighborhood Montessori Magnet Public School for R. in the fall?"
Jen: "OH NO!!!" Beat. Recovers herself. With wide eyes, trying hard, "I mean, I've heard it's a wonderful program, but it doesn't fit our educational needs." Beat. "What are you thinking about school for Casper?"
me: "Well, we're in the situation where we hope to not be living here in the fall, but we might be. We are going to do the tour of Neighborhood School this month and see what we think."
Neighborhood School was a regular old public school, low achieving, with a high rate of kids getting free school lunches and almost exclusively black and hispanic kids. (Like, a white 4th grader was the only white child in his grade, and I think there were about 100 4th graders.) Middle-class families in the neighborhood sent their kids to the magnet school in then next neighborhood. In 2004 it went to a Montessori Magnet program, and they've phased it in so the oldest Montessori kids are now in 2nd grade. Under the Montessori schema the enrollment is more racially and economically balanced - anecdotally it's about 40% white, 40% hispanic, and 30% black. Anyone from the whole city can apply for a spot in the program, but kids in the priority walk zone (which includes us) have priority. So we are pretty muich guaranteed to get a spot for Casper if we choose to try. The program begin in pre-K, and she'll be 4 on Aug. 28, so she's eligible and I think the time in day care means she'll be socially ready, too.
February is School Choice month, so we'll attend a tour of the school next week and see what we think. I don't expect it to be "real" Montessori, as the teachers were the same old teachers, just re-trained, but the classes are smallish (20 kids) and I have heard good things about it. Will it be my educational ideal? No. But I think that public school is important, and being in school with a diverse group of kids - not just racially diverse but economically diverse - is a really important thing.
One big issue, if we are still living here, is afterschool care. I heard they had a problem with the 4 year olds, since for the school system to provide aftercare for 4 year olds means technically being a day care, which means a whole different set of rules. But if they haven't straightened that out yet, maybe we can find another family who would keep Casper after school.
Person I don't know, nanny of 4 year old: "Is R. [4 year old girl] in school?"
R.'s mom Jen, whom I have known casually for 2 years: "Yes, at Presbyterian Church on the Next Block, half days."
me: "Are you thinking about Neighborhood Montessori Magnet Public School for R. in the fall?"
Jen: "OH NO!!!" Beat. Recovers herself. With wide eyes, trying hard, "I mean, I've heard it's a wonderful program, but it doesn't fit our educational needs." Beat. "What are you thinking about school for Casper?"
me: "Well, we're in the situation where we hope to not be living here in the fall, but we might be. We are going to do the tour of Neighborhood School this month and see what we think."
Neighborhood School was a regular old public school, low achieving, with a high rate of kids getting free school lunches and almost exclusively black and hispanic kids. (Like, a white 4th grader was the only white child in his grade, and I think there were about 100 4th graders.) Middle-class families in the neighborhood sent their kids to the magnet school in then next neighborhood. In 2004 it went to a Montessori Magnet program, and they've phased it in so the oldest Montessori kids are now in 2nd grade. Under the Montessori schema the enrollment is more racially and economically balanced - anecdotally it's about 40% white, 40% hispanic, and 30% black. Anyone from the whole city can apply for a spot in the program, but kids in the priority walk zone (which includes us) have priority. So we are pretty muich guaranteed to get a spot for Casper if we choose to try. The program begin in pre-K, and she'll be 4 on Aug. 28, so she's eligible and I think the time in day care means she'll be socially ready, too.
February is School Choice month, so we'll attend a tour of the school next week and see what we think. I don't expect it to be "real" Montessori, as the teachers were the same old teachers, just re-trained, but the classes are smallish (20 kids) and I have heard good things about it. Will it be my educational ideal? No. But I think that public school is important, and being in school with a diverse group of kids - not just racially diverse but economically diverse - is a really important thing.
One big issue, if we are still living here, is afterschool care. I heard they had a problem with the 4 year olds, since for the school system to provide aftercare for 4 year olds means technically being a day care, which means a whole different set of rules. But if they haven't straightened that out yet, maybe we can find another family who would keep Casper after school.
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