Any teachers out there?

[stacie]

Yes Robin, I see how heterogeneous classes can work. I still argue that it could never happen with this team of teachers. Now, if he had you for a teacher, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
My only point here is that it's important to know what is going on in our children's classes. If I had listened to the administration, my son is making straight a's in all advanced classes. I am shocked at the speed things are happening at this school and it makes me hopeful for the future. Still, Will my son be there next year? Doubtful.
Triskel, I"m not sure how you took this wild leap that I chose to buy a bike instead of educate my son. I own the bike because I can afford it. My son is not in private school because I wanted him in a magnet school. We toured many schools and based our decision on our experiences. We were assured, incorrectly, that we would be enrolled at our first choice school. The school we are attending was highly recommended by the two teachers I most respect. Had things not changed at the last minute, my situation would be different. Many things happened at the school to put us in this situation. Transferring to a private school is not an option because the best schools are full this time of year especially for 6th grade. Sure there are openings at other schools. However, I don't believe they are better than the options I presented. Private does not necessarily mean better.
Will I plan differently next year? You bet. We'll apply for the magnet again because we really like the programs offered there. You can bet I"ll have a deposit down at an appropriate private school as well.
The interest in whether I work full time, part time or at all is just strange. Whether I work at all is irrelevant and has no effect on where my son goes to school unless I choose the homeschooling option which is why I mentioned my part time job I believe. Your smugness that because you choose to work makes you a better mother, harder worker, and more organized in your personal finances, make me laugh. Thanks for the levity. Stacie

[Crankin]

Stacie, I think that Triskel. was just wondering why you chose the public schools over private, and given the other stuff you mentioned, I can see how she wanted to ak you those questions. Sometimes, it's hard to interpret exactly what someone means in writing as opposed to having a face to face conversation. Personally, I kept my kids in public school when they were getting a boring, rote education because I preferred to help the public schools sort of in the way you are doing. I also thought it would be hypocritical for me as a public school teacher to send them to private school. When I wrote a letter to the local paper many many years ago, in favor of passing an override to fund the school budget I said something like "I would work 5 part time jobs to pay the extra taxes, to ensure my kids get a good education." Man, I got slammed both in print and on my answering machine. My older son still has the tape that says "Why don't you rich, liberal snobs get the hell out of town..." That was very nice for a 9 year old to hear.
I have had 25 years of the mommy wars. Please, let's not start this here! I could have never stayed home, but I know most people do not feel like I do.
I hear this cultural divide is now extending to whether you dye your hair or keep it gray. Well, not to get off the topic of education, but you will never see me with gray hair!

[lizbids]

I'm a new high-school English teacher. I accepted a position in an inner-city school in New York. I have heard the worst stories you could possibly imagine regarding our schools. They're terrible. Teachers are so tormented they give up. Most students only attend school to keep their parents on government assistance. They curse you out, attack you, etc. I've heard of girls getting raped in the stairwells. Literal socio- and psychopaths attend the public schools around here. Some of these kids will knock you over the head to steal a $5 bill from you. I have a master's degree but find the rents in NYC to be so high I can't even afford to live alone in a semi-decent neighborhood. So why do I teach here?

The good news is not all public schools are like this. We try to challenge our kids. The school I chose to work in has no metal detectors. All of the problems I have listed above are not present in my school. Are the kids angry? Disadvantaged? In gangs? Hurt? Lazy? Violent? Yeah. We're not perfect. But we don't have fights. Teachers are called by their first names, and students are generally happy to be here, probably because they don't have to live in fear that someone will knock them out for no reason. Many still fail out or discharge themselves, but I have seen a few shining stars move on to higher education.

Our public schools are more and more designed to look like prisons. These kids have no impulse control, mental disorderst, etc. and they just bump them through the system. You're lucky if you can get a parent on the phone, especially one that understands English. I think it's a shame that we have to put our tax dollars towards a school system that sets our kids up for failure. It really is a shame. Every day I thank God I was able to attend a Catholic prep school, which I believe is the reason I excelled in college (or even got in!) My parents were never around, so I had to rely on the school itself to be good.

Staci, these are not stories to scare; they're just reality. I think that your child can find his way, because there are public schools that exist that are good. So what if you have to drive an extra 1/2 hour (unless it interferes with work)! I wish all of my students parents cared enough about their child's future. I would say to keep supplementing with outside actitivies. I'm sure it will be difficult socially for your son, who probably won't fit in, but as long as he has places of warmth and love, then things will eventually work themselves out. Camp is a good idea. Enrichment schools and summer programs are a great idea. Good luck, and keep us in the loop as things progress.