While I know it is NOT the popular decision when it comes to my blog, a decision where my kids will attend elementary school has been made, and we are going public. I know that private school is great, and I know that from personal experience, but QUITE HONESTLY, I am ready for some real exposure to some real kids. I don't want my kids to grow up around other kids who have had to pass the same ridiculous test in order to even qualify for preschool.
I was lucky enough to go to breakfast with this AMAZING little girl the other morning, she is 6 and has special needs. I just kept thinking the entire time about how Jackson and Tyler would react VERY poorly to this child, and that is NOT WHAT I WANT FOR MY CHILDREN!! Sure, the kids from his current school may be the brightest and greatest, but that's not what I want for my child. They will be BRILLIANT NO MATTER WHERE THEY GO! At this point, school is to provide them with the real world experiences that I really lacked.
I was explaining to SOMEONE the other day, and I can't even remember who, about how I got a minor in Religion in College. I walked into my "World Religions" class at ASU, and I thought, "Wow, I have never heard or learned about ANY of these other religions before!" The closest thing I ever got was a cults class offered at Xavier, but I wouldn't really classify that as learning, SORRY! I loved it, and I feel without these religion classes, I would have REALLY struggled with 9/11. I struggled, I skipped classes, I watched HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS of coverage, but I grasped it much better than others. I understood that the terrorists REALLY believe that sacrificing human lives will get them to the promised land. Does that make it right, ABSOLUTELY NOT, do I agree with it, ABSOLUTELY NOT, but the education I received pertaining to the religions of the world HELPED ME!
I want my kids to be well rounded. I think we all want for our kids what we didn't have (EXCEPT the whole Tyler dance thing, I am not dealing well with that). I had an amazing life, but it was SHELTERED. Was that bad, no, it was just different than what I choose for my kids!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
A Decision Has Been Made
Posted by Colleen at 6:28 AM
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5 comments:
I think it's a good decision. I will be sending my kids to public elementary school, mostly for financial reasons, but also for the same reasons you mentioned. They both will go to Tanque Verde Lutheran for preschool, but that's only because I haven't really found another preschool I like and the one at the public school has a ridiculous waiting list. I went to public elementary school!! You get out of it what you put in, so regardless of where your kids go to school, you will help them make the most of their education. Because a quality education starts at home :)
just this past week I had this very conversation with a friend of mine out here. There are pros & cons to both, but bottom line I believe kids are better prepared for life as a whole when they attend public schools. academically private schools generally far surpass public, yet your child then lives in this little bubble and as you said isn't prepared for reality. They will do fine in public school, and you will be there to make sure they don't miss out on anything.
Very well thought-out and well said. Karen had both private and public education and I'm glad that she did. She saw both sides and gathered from each experience. To paraphrase what Karen said, "You get out of your kids what you put into them". My father-in-law said that to my husband many, many years ago and my husband lives by this statement. Yes, a child's education begins at home and children will continue learning at school but the basic foundation is set at home. I only had a private education from kindergarten to senior year at XHS (it was only a "high school" when I attended) so I was very sheltered indeed. I did, however, teach in the public school system for 31 years which opened my eyes to a lot of stuff. I think that my personal preference is private because that is all I knew growing up, but there are great public schools with wonderful and highly skilled teachers that can make all the difference in a child's academic world.
I don't think you need to justify your position to anyone. Although it is always fun to hear Colleen's reasons!! It is obvious you have put WAY more thought into it than most!! I'm glad you're doing what you feel is right for your kids...I just happen to whole heartedly agree! :o)
Is Jackson going into Kindergarten next year? Ruby starts this fall, will they be in the same grade?
Jackson will be in Kinder, I didn't realize he and Ruby were the same age, HOORAY, very fun!
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