Month: November 2009

Charter school fight for space in New York City

Posted on by Admin

In my school district, the choice of public schools leave something to be desired.  That's why I was very excited to learn of plans for the first public French-American charter school in New York City to open here in September 2010.  My enthusiasm has dampened a bit since I've started researching and reading about charter schools and the recent charter school movement in New York.

Charter schools are a key part of President Barack Obama's plan for the reform of our education system.   NYC's Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, also thinks that charter schools play a vital role in improving the city's public education system, and has made increasing the number of the city's charter schools a key initiative of his third term.

An article in today's New York Times discusses the city's strategy, thus far, of awarding space to new charter schools.

It's a debate that will only get more and more contentious as more public schools are closed down to reopen as charter schools, themselves public schools but supported with private money.  Personally, I disagree with this tactic and feel that this is a way of privatizing our public schools, which I ABSOLUTELY disagree with.  Why can't we invest in improving the schools we currently have?!

Should we continue to open new charter schools or should we work on improving our current schools?  Please leave a comment and tell us your thoughts.

Public School K and Pre-K Admissions 2010

Posted on by Admin

Another great quick guide that was sent out from my sons Parent Coordinator this week gave a quick list of deadlines for Public Pre-K and Kindergarten applicants for the 2010 school year. Last year I pulled my son out of private school at the last minute and the process was such a complete headache trying to enroll him in the fall when I discovered that most of the parents had enrolled in all of the best schools in the spring.

Anyway, hoping to save you some headache.  Here you go!

"Please see below for the admissions timeline for general education kindergarten and preK. It seems that we will have the same procedure as last year meaning that you must fill out an application for a kindergarten seat in your school zone between February 1st and March 12th. I am not sure how non-zoned siblings will apply. They have not made any announcement regarding a Lottery. I will distribute that information when it becomes available."

Kindergarten Admissions Timeline For Children Born in 2005:

Kindergarten Registration Intake Period Begins February 1, 2010

Kindergarten Intake Period Ends March 12, 2010

Schools Notify Families of Kindergarten Offers March 22, 2010

Families Pre-register at Schools April 12 - April 23, 2010

As they have in the past, zoned schools will give priority to Kindergarten students who live in their zone.

Pre-Kindergarten Admissions Timeline For Children Born 2006:

Directories and Applications Available March 1, 2010

Pre-Kindergarten Information Sessions March 2010

Pre-Kindergarten Application Period Ends April 9, 2010

Pre-Kindergarten Offer Letters Distributed to Families May 31, 2010

Families Pre-Register at Schools June 7 - June 18, 2010

To receive e-mails regarding the Pre-kindergarten registration and enrollment process go to:

http://app.bronto.com/public/actionpage/execute_page/?fn=Mail_ActionPage_FormResponse&pid=gs7wz340yhnhdp8ducgcddkzwd0cc&page_type=addcontact&ssid=4776 <http://app.bronto.com/public/actionpage/execute_page/?fn=Mail_ActionPage_FormResponse&pid=gs7wz340yhnhdp8ducgcddkzwd0cc&page_type=addcontact&ssid=4776>

Nursery/Day Care Listing

Posted on by Admin

I was online looking for a quick list of nursery schools and daycares to share with a friend and came across an invaluable resource. This site lists some of the most selective to the most affordable and community based childcare options for all of Manhattan, so if you're a Harlemite that's looking for something local or simply to expand your options than this is a great quick list. Enjoy!

http://www.metroprofiles.com/NewYorkCity_ManhattanDayCareCenterDirectory.html

Report cards

Posted on by Admin

October just zoomed by and here we are in Novemer and the day of my son's first ever report card.  I have a nostalgic love of report cards.  My mother still has all of my old ones from Grade 3 right up to the point I graduated high school, not that long ago 🙂

Despite getting off to a slow start and being sick for pretty much the entire time that he has been attending school (we've since found out that he has allergies), Lee is off to a wonderful start.  I won't get into any specifics, but I couldn't be more pleased than I am with the report card we received.  He's hitting all of his markers developmentally and turning into quite the social butterfly.  While he was at home with me, I tried my best to get him involved in as many opportunities for play with other kids as I could - hosting playgroups, going to music classes and early enrichment classes.  But preschool is like one big playgroup with someone else facilitating.  There's music, art, creative play, academics all while bonding with a diverse group of his peers.

This is one of four report cards that we'll receive this year.  It will be interesting to see how he progresses.  In the meantime, picture day happened last week, there are ongoing rehearsals for the holiday show, BoxTops collections (more about this later) and an upcoming school sponsored fundraising event.  It's going to be a busy month.

Book Fair

Posted on by Admin

I just got back from volunteering at the Scholastic Book Fair our school is having this week.  This is another fundraising activity at out school and one that I whole heartedly approve of.  Anyone who knows me knows the passion I have for books, and children's books in particular.

The fair is set up in the gym throughout the week.  Each class takes turns coming down to browse and purchase books.   A letter was sent home last week in the orange folder, alerting parents to the upcoming fair and included an order form.  Some parents chose to fill in the form with specific books that they wanted their kids to purchase and sent a check or cash along for the total.  Others, myself included, put some money in an envelope and sent it in the folder.  When their child went to the fair he/she chose the books they wanted to purchase, within their budget.  As a volunteer, I helped the teachers/kids locate and select age appropriate titles to purchase.  The best part for me was getting the chance to share some of the books that Lee and I enjoy reading with the teachers and students.  I was pleased to see a few books illustrated by Kadir Nelson and titles such as The House In The Night by Susan Marie Swanson and The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney.

The teachers did a good job explaining to the kids how much money they had for their purchase, the cost of each book they selected and how much money remained for an additional selection or change.  A good practical lesson in money and spending.

It was really great to see how excited the kids were by the books and reading.  Nice job, parents!

Curriculum Night

Posted on by Admin

We reached a milestone in October – Noey gets dropped off at school and awakes from her nap without any tears or sadness.  Yeah!

This month the school held a curriculum night where they presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Montessori philosophy and photos of the  children at “work.” After the general session, the parents were invited to their child’s classroom where the teachers discussed the daily routine and demonstrated some of the ongoing activities.  Noey’s day begins with a open work cycle where the children are encouraged to engage in the various activities in the classroom.    The work cycle includes puzzles, sorting, arts and crafts, washing dishes, bathing baby dolls and other hands-on activity.  After the morning work cycle the teachers lead group time which typically includes storytelling, musical instruments or song.  The children are not required to participate in group time and may continue working on their individuals activities.  Each morning the children also take a walk around the neighborhood.  They usually walk to one of the neighborhood parks to play outdoor or local fruit stand to purchase their morning and/or afternoon snack.  Each day they learn about and taste a new fruit or vegetable.  After the morning walk (or gym time) they come back to the classroom for lunch and their nap.  I was advised that Noey gets tired during their nature walks and confessed that I often use the stroller when we’re out and about. 

A few weeks ago the teachers organized a social where the parents are asked to bring in a favorite dish or one representing their culture.   The social was held in the school’s gym.  It was a good opportunity to meet the other parents and observe the children at play together.

Halloween candy buy back

Posted on by Admin

I hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween.  This year's Halloween was the best yet since Lee was born.  The day started with a party at his school followed by our neighbourhood community association parade and festivities, then topped off with trick-or-treating.

The school party was the first parent association organized fund raiser for the year.  There were 3 separate events throughout the day - Halloween party for grades pre-k-2, party for grades 3-5 and a dance for grades 6-8.  I don't know how the other parties went but the pre-k party was tons of fun.  A big hit was a crawl through tunnel we fashioned out of cardboard boxes.  The kids loved it!  There was copious amounts of food for both adults and children and plenty of activities to keep the young ones entertained.

After the party at school we joined the festivities put on by our neighbourhood community association.  This year was the first halloween parade and festival.  The night was topped off with trick-or-treating and an exhausted boy by 6 pm.  I had to carry him the last couple of blocks because he just ran out of steam.

This year we are going to donate the bulk of our candy to the Halloween Candy Buy Back program.  Participating dentists buy your candy for $1/pound (or other treats) then send it to the troops overseas.  Just enter your zip code at the site to find participating dentists in your area.  Beats eating it all myself 🙂

How was your Halloween?