My vista west neighborhood was being reassigned to a new school in all 4 proposals; the same school that wasn't to my liking, a school that I thought was in a bad area of my city, and a school I new nothing about and of course that I didn't want to leave te school where my children have been attending for the last 4 years.
My first instinct was flight...I immediately looked into Carter schools. I applied and asked opinions.
The district set up a website to have anyone vote on the current boundaries. I voted several times; letting the district know my opinion that none of the proposals gave me a vote, and told them I wanted to stay at my school. I also emailed very single representative on the board and in the district voicing my opinion.
Our neighborhood worked together to fight these proposals. We meet together and came up with an agenda. The press was invited to our meeting along with other people in the disrict also being affected by the boundaries. We learned that we couldn't ask for a hold on the decision from the district schools were overcrowded and changes needed to be made.
Several friends in our neighborhood again broke off into a small group and wrote new proposals to amend the current proposals and then delivered them to the school board.
I felt the District heard us and would help us be able to attend the school we were currently attending. On Tuesday, I went to a committee meeting where the proposals were scored and presented to the oars based on percentages. The board goose proposal #1; with an amendment to keep Terra Linda the school we had been reassigned to on a traditional schedule instead of the proposed year round schedule. BUT my neighborhood was still being moved to Terra Linda.
Earlier that day, my children had been accepted into a brand new charter school set to open in August. Several friends had applied and all but one were accepted. So random and scary and sad. All along I wanted to stay in school with My children's friends and I knew if I choose the charter school that would not happen. But with the announcement that terra Linda would remain traditional at least we would be able to hopefully go to the same school and be onthe same schedule without year round school.
I attended an open house for a neighboring charter school and learned of the teaching model for Ascent Academies. It is going to be an amazing school. However my children's friends will not be attending the school; 3 of the 5 accepted have declined the applications. I will also have 3 children attending school including a kindergartner. The school is about a 10 min drive; 20 min round trip. I will have to make 3 trips to the school daily, am drop off, kindergarten pick up, pm pick up which will account for at least 60 minutes a day in travel time.
I have until Tuesday to accept Ascent Academies. Unfortunately, I do not know the outcome of the disricts proposals. I only have a proposed proposal to go on. My fight is to stay at our current elementary; but I don't think that is a possibility.
I toured the "proposed" elementary on Friday. I was hoping to have an ahh ha moment, to have the spirit confirm to me that this was the school my children were meant to be at but I feel good about both schools.
My children want to go to the same school as their friends. I worry about taking my children away from their friends. I worry about an hour of my day driving to and from school. I worry about making a wrong decision that will impact my children.
This has been my life for the last 6-7 weeks and I don't know when the results will be.
If you were me would you go to the charter school or stick with the neighborhood?
4 comments:
I'd probably blog about it
I registries my child in a charter school and paid the $50 and then I later changed my mind. I was out the $50 but at least I didn't have to decide immediately. Is there an option like that. Driving that much is hard. I had some of my children in that situation with no carpool and I felt like all I did was drive. I hope you know what is right for your family. So sorry you were forced in this situation. No fun.
I have an opinion. But it is what I feel is right for my family so I don't want to tell you what my opinion is. I do think it's important to remember that the biggest factor in your child's education is you and Mike, not necessarily what school they go to. Good luck with your decision and love you!
It wasn't a charter school we sent Heather to, but it was a similar situation - she was pulled from her other friends and put into what could have been considered an "elite" situation. She made new friends. Kids always do. But I have always regretted that we encouraged her to change schools. It's a tough choice to make, and it seems the kids will survive whatever you do. I love Kami's comment about the most important part of their schooling being you and Mike. Will keep you in our prayers.
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