School angst
As regular readers of this blog know, I’m not entirely sanguine about our choice to send D to the local elementary school. It didn’t help my confidence when I got an email last week telling me that both the principal and vice-principal of the school were leaving. This means that the school will have its 5th new principal in 6 years. Not an encouraging sign.
I spent a couple of days freaking out a bit, emailing the local school board members and trying to figure out whether it was too late to get D into a different public school, or even a private school. I’ve more or less calmed down now. The article in the local paper suggests that the principal was reassigned, rather than quit. Still worrisome, but quite so disturbing. And I’m hearing generally good things about the new principal.
Next week is the start of "k-prep", the city’s two-week optional kindergarten orientation program. And just a few weeks later, school starts for real. Wow.
August 3rd, 2006 at 5:21 am
Hi, interesting blog. Hope the school works out for you.
August 3rd, 2006 at 8:12 am
Whether or not the principal was reassigned or whatever, that much turnover in principals is a terrible sign. Do you not have other options?
August 3rd, 2006 at 9:16 am
the turnover in principals is unfortunately becoming more common, as people going into elementary school administration are expected to keep “moving up.” The result is that some smaller schools are seen as mere stepping stones, and places for the principals to “make changes” that make them look good, at least in the short term.
So the turnover may have nothing to do with the school. Best to ask people with kids there already what’s going on, talk to teachers if you know any of them. Sometimes the teachers set the school culture and that can work real well, especially at smaller schools.
Good luck, I remember those angst filled days…
August 3rd, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Elizabeth, I have to say that I think you are very brave for sending D to your local school. When Basil & I were buying a new house last year, there were two elementary school districts that gave me the heebee-jeebees, and J-H was one of them. I think Alexandria public schools in general are on the way up, but for some reason, it seems like J-H is pulling up the rear, even behind Maury lately.
Best of luck. If it doesn’t work out, I know some parents who’ve sent their kids to Cora Kelly for the past 8+ years and have been very happy with that option instead of the school where they were zoned (Maury, I think).
August 3rd, 2006 at 7:30 pm
At least your has a prep program… ours? they are going to “test” him and then make the decision to put him in the smart kids or “regular” half-day program. When I asked about the “test” I was told that the teacher had come up with some questions. When I said I would be in the room for any kind of testing, I was told that might not be allowed.
I can already tell we’re going to have a good ol’ time.
Good luck, Elizabeth. My fingers and toes are crossed.
🙂
the other Elizabeth
August 3rd, 2006 at 9:28 pm
Oh, the stress.
Our school has a new principal and vice-principal this year, too (I think they often leave in pairs, becaues it’s rare for the VP to get the lead job, and then she doesn’t want to stick around?), AND we learned two weeks ago that two of the four Kindergarten teachers have gone on sabbatical, too. As of that time, one slot had been filled by a 3rd grade teacher but the other was still empty.
We are in the best possible public school district around here, and yet whenever I read homeschooling blogs, or Scrivenings (not just explicitly about school, but also about his daughter’s obvious blossomings), I become filled with fear. I have to talk myself down, not least with reminders that we can always make a change.
I hope the orientation program goes well. That might help settle your nerves.
August 4th, 2006 at 8:17 am
Hi Elizabeth, I’m reading a book that’s coming out this September called The Kindergarten Wars: The Battle to Get Into America’s Best Private Schools. I absolutely cannot put it down and honestly it made me think twice about homeschooling simply because the schools sound so nurturing and intellectual.
Anyway, while reading I thought of you because you seem to fit the bill of the parents who are profiled in the book: Ivy League graduate (I think I read that once), you’re smart, you really care about education. The only difference is you’re not snobby and arrogant!
It always puzzles me that your children attend public school. I think it’s great that you and your husband are giving the public schools a chance. It’s definitely more than I can say.
I think I also read that your son will be one of a few white children in his class? There aren’t many parents who would even entertain that option. I really admire your open mind.
Here’s a link to the book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/044657774X/sr=8-1/qid=1154691949/ref=sr_1_1/102-6342181-9696168?ie=UTF8
August 5th, 2006 at 1:16 pm
I volunteered at J-H about 6 years ago in one of the second grade classrooms for about two months. The teacher would move from one activity to another every 10-15 minutes and for many of the kids in the class, they would be barely figuring what they needed to do on a worksheet when it was time to move onto something new. The kids in the class who could quickly assimilate directions and start working would be able to finish their work. The teacher had time to get to just a few kids to answer their questions and the rest just sat there a bit aimless. I think that part of the problem was that many of these kids really needed remedial education to get them to grade level and there were just too many of them for the teacher to effectively teach. I hope that things have changed in the last six years.
August 6th, 2006 at 12:15 am
geez (yes, I really do say that in real life). People aren’t trying to make Elizabeth feel better are they? I expect that we’ve all accepted that you’re a strong personality.
I don’t know these schools, but am convinced that as long as safety isn’t an issue, that nothing can go particularly wrong in kindergarten. One might have to worry with a really shy child, or a diva, or one with special needs. But, everything you’ve written about your son suggests that he’ll do well. An open-hearted boy who marches in thinking that there’s no reason that everyone isn’t going to like him? Perfect. And, maybe, you’ll be providing him the best possible prep for someday working with the whole world, and not some rigidly selected peer group.
bj
August 9th, 2006 at 12:24 am
Good luck! I’ll be hoping your kiddo loves it and all goes great.
August 10th, 2006 at 4:15 pm
Hello,
I just happened upon this blog: I’m a mother of pre-K children who I plan to send to our local elementary school in Arlington. They would also be among the very few white kids in their class. I think the school’s academics are great, but the school’s diversity has spurred all sorts of inaccurate rumors. I strongly believe in visiting a school before making judgments.
Are you in Alexandria? It would be great to exchange stories!
Amy