school.

[honeyrider]

back in january eloise took the nyc doe "gifted & talented"* test for kindergarden admissions. i registered her for the test in order to open up her kindergarden options. while our zoned school produces good test results, its approach to education is archaic and that is not an environment that i find conducive to learning. last week i received a

Comments

[ewigweibliche]

I feel you. I don't know what we're going to about kindergarten. I found out from a neighbor who has a 6 yr old who went to the neighborhood school (three blocks away!) and they do standardized testing in kindgergarten. I just..... fffffuuuuuuuuuu. WTF. It's KINDERGARTEN. They are FIVE.

Let's all move to Wales where it's playbased til second grade. I'm going to try to keep B in the arts school for kindergarten too I think. If we can afford it.

Anyway, enough about me (never). I think it's important to stick to what you believe is good and right for Eloise. There are many many places and times that it's important or a good choice to back down, but for a casual sugar water? Nah. I've gotten really lazy about things. I am so lucky B doesn't like sweets. But, his grandparents sent us a box of nutter butters and teddy grahams and holy shit both the kids are in love. SIGH.

[honeyrider]

seriously? it's truly mind boggling. what reason, what excuse is there to test in kindergarden? kindergarden should be all about learning through play and social/emotional development, not taking tests.

where do i sign up for wales?! i could use the universal health care as well. is he going to a private arts school this year?

the problem is what's good and right isn't always easy. i know, i'm making mind-blogging revelations here! and in the case of school, i know what would be best for eloise (homeschooling coop!), but it wouldn't work for the rest of our family. you are *very* lucky that b doesn't like sweets. eloise has a terrible sweet tooth. she's only allowed one piece of candy of her choice a day unless it's a special occasion. i gave up the grandparents battle. it was like flogging a dead horse.

[goaskyourmother]

Faith has attended four schools, all different with their own merits. I believe in making the school deliver the education that I want for my children, and what they don't do I will pick up myself.

[honeyrider]

that is a wonderful attitude to have and i'm glad to hear that UK schools provide enough a basis for you to work with, unfortunately, amongst the many school system issues in new york city, it would be close to impossible for the school to deliver the education *i* want for my child. i'm also a firm believer of no school work after school for kids as young as eloise.

[goaskyourmother]

That is crazy that they get homework that young.

[teacup9]

School picking makes me pull out my hair too. I also find EDS to be a challenge in most learning environments. I don't' think Shira will have that problem, but with most of her choices being girls' schools I don't look forward to their "sit down and look pretty" mentality.

The other exclusivity of gifted and talented testing is only one genre of parents typically even knows there is a test to sign up for.

[sistrmoon]

Wow, g&t in kindergarten? I read an article about preschools in NYC recently and the wait lists and exclusivity and it was just insane. It kind of makes me glad to live in the boondocks.

I hope you can be at peace with your decision. I'm sure it's important, but yes, ultimately it's kindergarten.

[thesaturdaygirl]

I am probably no help because you know the way I lean in terms of school/diversity/g&t testing etc. But I do understand how important it can be to have parent friends who you relate to. It took me a looooonnnng time and a lot of work to cultivate a community of moms I pretty much jive with, because otherwise it was just...too tiring, and lonely. But sometimes that's been at the expense of my non-kid-having friends, although I'm getting better at balancing the two.