There are 3 very important choices a parent makes when choosing to have a child: who the other parent will be, the child's name (it has to grow well with them, be used daily, and it's how they are known forever), and finally what school will the child attend. The first two are usually thought of in advance (don't tell me that the other parent is not thought out!), but the third one is a bit more complex.
For me, this choice was one of a lot of thought. My children's education is one thing that can never be taken from them. The teachers my children will have will shape a lot more than their basic knowledge, but also how they interact with others, how confident they will become, and finally what career path they may choose.
When I moved into my apartment, it was not because of the neighborhood. It was cheap, extremely nice, brand new, and in a close proximity to food and other essential stores. My oldest was in pre-school (a private preschool which I paid for on my own since I got no child support for the whole first year after I left my ex husband) so I really hadn't thought much about the elementary school.
For my own protection here: The things I am about to say are my experiences the way I remember them. I am not directly quoting, nor is this a personal attack against the men and women that work within my local elementary school, although maybe if someone sent it to them, it would be a wake up call!!!
I took Christopher down the road to our local elementary school for kindergarten round-up. (for those that don't know that is a mass kindergarten registration) Upon arrival I noticed immediately we were one of 3 white families in the whole room. (This is not racist for me. Many of my closest friends are of other races and I embrace other cultures. It is just part of the story and it has a point.) Of course, then one of the other white families decides to move over and sit next to us.
I try not to judge people on their appearance, however when a person smells so badly that you have an uncontrollable urge to gag, and you have to resist that urge for an hour, you may as well go ahead and gag. My son did. About 5 times during the night. As if their obesity and smell wasn't pleasing enough, they began to open their mouths and ask a ton of racist questions about the school. Don't use the 'n' word around me, especially not while being surrounded by people in the neighborhood that are black. I will get angry. I will tell you that you are a moron. So when they did, I did. As we are finishing our lovely conversation, the principal gets up to speak.
Once again, appearances are not everything. The principal was dressed nicely, well-groomed, and looked very caring and professional. The main problem is that he opened his mouth. When addressing a group of people, and telling them how important their child's education is to you, please USE PROPER GRAMMAR!!! When you speak and you show nothing but incompetence for the English language, and you run the entire school, you should be ashamed. My 5 year old son corrected his grammar twice under his breath. (something I am proud to say he gets from me)
In the meantime, kids were being loud, jumping off tables, cussing like sailors, and not being told to do otherwise. The parents were just sitting there listening to the man with bad grammar while even the teachers just stood there doing nothing about the kids who could have easily been hurt. Finally, they introduced the teachers, none of which seemed to even like kids, and let us go turn in our paperwork. I spoke to 2 of the teachers to ask general questions. Both were beyond rude.
As we went to leave and get back in the van, I watched my son break down into tears. "Mommy, I can't go here. They smelled so bad. They don't know how to talk right. The kids are so scary." As I watched my son cry, I knew I had to do something. A couple weeks later we got a paper in the mail about school choice. Since Roosevelt was a failing elementary, the school system would have to provide transportation to another school. I called that instant.
I was told to come in the administration building, so I did. I talked to the lady there who once again was rude. "Well, just why do you want to transfer him? He won't be able to get free tutoring at another school. He won't be entitled to free programs anymore." I explained to her I was "unimpressed" with the school. He wouldn't need tutoring, I had two years of college for elementary education. We were not a charity case. She sighed and continued to explain how the bus would be there at 7am and how most parents think they want choice, but change their mind. She mind some comment regarding my age too. I left insulted, but confident my son's education would be taken care of.
Every school day for the last 2 years my son has gotten up at 6am to catch a bus at the school he should have attended at 6:55am. While I was tired, while I was pregnant, while my other kids were sick, everyday we loaded up, went to the school and he caught that bus. Never once did I regret my decision to send him to a place that allows him to flourish. He has the 3rd highest grades in his classroom of 20 well-behaved students. I am confident that his second grade year will be just as good.
This year I took a trip to his school to enroll his sisters in kindergarten. We were greeted with smiles. The teachers fought over who would get to do my twins entrance exams, as they have all told me Christopher is one of their favorite students. When I talked to the principal about keeping my twincesses in the same class, she took care of it immediately and ensured me that it would always be my choice to make. The parents were smiling, the kids were giggling, and everyone left happy.
Also this year when I paid my visit to the administration building, I was greeted at the door. There was a grand apology by the lady in charge of transfers. Not only did she remember me, but she informed me that I had exceeded her expectations. Apparently, many young moms go in there to take advantage of school choice because it looks good on the surface and to others. Most drop out of it in the first 6 months. (I have found this to be true as well.) I guess my son's school had personally called her and told her how excited they were to be getting my twins and that she should take good care of me. She even offered me some advice about head start (I still chose my private preschool) She even said she understood that and was amazed that I would scrap together money just for that purpose. As I left, she told me she would see me next year and was looking forward to it.
I think every parent has a choice. I may not be able to choose where I can afford to live, but I can choose to live well where I am at. My son is well-manner, educated, reading above his level, and happy. I am tired from getting up so early. I think it's going to be 5:30am this year since the girls have to get dressed and have their hair done, but it will be nice to know they are going to be safe and well taken care of.
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