Thursday, March 31, 2011
This friday: PS 165 March 31st School Tour
It's cool too go to your neighborhood school!
PS 165 School Tour
234 W 109th Street (between Amsterdam and Broadway)
March 31, 2011 from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM
PS 165 is hosting school tour for parents of PK through 5th grade.
Parents will meet at 9:15 AM in the waiting area outside the Parent
Coordinator office on the 1st floor.
Children are welcome.
Parents are encouraged to RSVP by calling Mr. Duran at (212) 678-2873
Ext. 1142.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Just say no to the mishugas: go to your local public school
A letter to the fellow parents at our daughter's pre-school about our choice.
>>
>> I realize that most of you are considering other options. But if you want to
>> skip the pressures of applying, waiting, and stressing about kindergarten, not
>> to mention the high price of tuition, be aware that you have a choice.
>>
>> We have decided to "Just say 'no'" to the craziness that applying to
>> Kindergarten in NYC can represent for families. We are sending Ahuva to our
>> zoned public school which happens to be PS 165. She will attend the dual
>> language (Spanish) K class. The advantages for us are clear:
>> -No travel. The school is one block from our home. We look forward to having
>> classmates who live close by.
>> -Spanish. Learning another language is more than most kids elementary school.
>> Additionally, the dual-language programs supposedly have a curriculum that match
>> the G&T programs, except that you gain another language.
>> -Cost. None. We can spend the extra money on ballet or karate or on donations to
>> help improve the school's library. Or we can just feel a bit less strapped for a
>> change.
>> -Community. I attended the first "meet and greet", I and was impressed by the
>> small core of parents I met who care deeply about their school and who are open
>> and welcoming to anyone who wants to get involved.
>> -Great teachers. We met the dual language teachers for K and 1st grade who were
>> both wonderful.
>> -A very decent public school. A tour of the school was eye-opening. There were
>> no ipads, but the children were happy and engaged in their lessons. The younger
>> grades were safely separated from the older grades. The classrooms were in good
>> shape. There was a positive feeling in the air.
>>
>> The disadvantages?
>> -Low test scores. To be fair, the school has those test scores in part because
>> it does take whoever comes. However, there is a new principal at the school who
>> is bright, articulate, energetic, and seems to have what it takes to make a
>> difference at the school.
>>
>> -Diversity. Right now, it's not very diverse. I expect that will change. We will
>> add to the diversity. If you join us, so will you.
>>
>> -Bad reputation. This seems to be an outdated hold over from the 1980s when the
>> neighborhood was quite different than it is today.
>> I encourage you to join me at the next meet & greet and to sign up for a tour.
>> And tell your friends!>>
>> I realize that most of you are considering other options. But if you want to
>> skip the pressures of applying, waiting, and stressing about kindergarten, not
>> to mention the high price of tuition, be aware that you have a choice.
>>
>> We have decided to "Just say 'no'" to the craziness that applying to
>> Kindergarten in NYC can represent for families. We are sending Ahuva to our
>> zoned public school which happens to be PS 165. She will attend the dual
>> language (Spanish) K class. The advantages for us are clear:
>> -No travel. The school is one block from our home. We look forward to having
>> classmates who live close by.
>> -Spanish. Learning another language is more than most kids elementary school.
>> Additionally, the dual-language programs supposedly have a curriculum that match
>> the G&T programs, except that you gain another language.
>> -Cost. None. We can spend the extra money on ballet or karate or on donations to
>> help improve the school's library. Or we can just feel a bit less strapped for a
>> change.
>> -Community. I attended the first "meet and greet", I and was impressed by the
>> small core of parents I met who care deeply about their school and who are open
>> and welcoming to anyone who wants to get involved.
>> -Great teachers. We met the dual language teachers for K and 1st grade who were
>> both wonderful.
>> -A very decent public school. A tour of the school was eye-opening. There were
>> no ipads, but the children were happy and engaged in their lessons. The younger
>> grades were safely separated from the older grades. The classrooms were in good
>> shape. There was a positive feeling in the air.
>>
>> The disadvantages?
>> -Low test scores. To be fair, the school has those test scores in part because
>> it does take whoever comes. However, there is a new principal at the school who
>> is bright, articulate, energetic, and seems to have what it takes to make a
>> difference at the school.
>>
>> -Diversity. Right now, it's not very diverse. I expect that will change. We will
>> add to the diversity. If you join us, so will you.
>>
>> -Bad reputation. This seems to be an outdated hold over from the 1980s when the
>> neighborhood was quite different than it is today.
>> I encourage you to join me at the next meet & greet and to sign up for a tour.
>> And tell your friends!>>
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