big news for D13 middle school families
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By Joyce Szuflita
Two big District 13 middle school announcements came in today.
Dock St. and M.S. OneBrooklyn.
Woo Hoo!!
rank schools in the order that you like them
/By Joyce Szuflita
Want to know how to rank your prek list.? It is as easy as this: RANK SCHOOLS IN THE ORDER THAT YOU LIKE THEM (and don't be delusional).
Update on Prek for fall 2016
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By Joyce Szuflita
Public prek application season has started. Applications can be submitted online from 1/25 through 3/4 as well as in person or by phone. This is NOT a first come, first served process (it is crazy how that rumor persists). You are placed in early to mid May and then you are automatically placed on a wait list for any school that you ranked higher than the school you are placed in. There may be some new programs added during the late spring and you can apply to them in Round 2 (May2-20).
My fairy godmother wish for you
/By Joyce Szuflita
I wrote this to a parent of a prospective elementary school student. She didn't ask for this advice, but it is my prerogative to give advice where it isn't welcome. She loved a school that a few of her neighbors don't always like as well.
Applying for Elementary School: Chapter 3, Rich Man - Poor Man
/by Joyce Szuflita
I hear parents talk with great certainty about how you need to find a school with a rich PTA to get arts, staff and other untold benefits. Schools, please tell me that I am wrong, but that is not what I see on many tours. What you need is a savvy and thoughtful Principal who will attract a staff that can multi task, including grant writing to bring the programs that they need. Now this is not a blog meant to excuse gross inequities in the system and the fact that public school educators have to be superior grant writers to bring basic arts and enrichments to their schools is appalling. BUT parents who think that you can only get the 'good stuff' at a 'rich school' can be shockingly misinformed. This is a valentine to the schools serving the kids who are not coming from affluent homes, who have done amazing things.
Applying for Elementary School: Chapter 2, How Can We Rank If We Don't Know What to Look for?
/By Joyce Szuflita
First, watch InsideSchools wonderful 5 min. video a couple of times (and send this amazing 'not for profit' a check for the invaluable work they do before the end of the year - you are going to need them for years to come).
Next, ask yourself this question: If I am attracted to schools that are focused on real learning instead of test prep and opting out of the test is something that I could see myself doing (to protect my child from the stress or as a political act), how much importance do I place on the test scores at any school I am considering? Just asking.
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