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I hope that people can find a way to value opinions made by people like NRG and myself. It isn't just that we're young enough to remember what it's like to be kids ourselves. Nor is it because we are tax payers and voters who deserve a voice in what happens in our communities. Rather, I think it may be beneficial to hear from someone who isn't as emotionally involved in the situation. As I mentioned before, I get the feeling that the emotional argument is not going to win this case. We're dealing with a government agency, remember. If parents can make strong, logical arguments that support a plan that is beneficial to the community as a whole, they may be on to something.
It's not that I (as a person without children) don't understand your point. I just don't agree that it's valid.
In a group, jockeying for the best possible outcome individually regardless of the consequences to the group you're in often leads to lower outcomes for all individual. Each of the competing individuals tend to block each other, so that noone gets what they want.
And the purpose for WCPSS is to do the most good for the largest group, so the priorities of the few only import when they fold in to the greater good.
And - like it or not - that's a rather insensitive assumption to make. The "you wouldn't understand" stuff just doesn't wash.
Ok. I see your point. But I'm living here in the "the People's Republic of Massachusetts" where I see first hand what the likes of "it takes a village" and the loony Kennedy/Kerry leftist-almost-socialistic politics have done in this state. Thank goodness our schools are town based (local, not global) or else we'd have the "it-takes-a-village" mentality running county-wide schools and trust me, with the people we have running the Commonwealth, it would make WCPSS look like heaven on Earth!
I'm not saying people with kids don't understand. I'm just citing a reality that once you have kids, it's not unusual to look out for your own first. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I also want to remind you that I am not sitting up here in the frozen tundra of the North yelling and screaming "I'M MOVING TO WAKE CO SO FIX YOUR DARN SCHOOL ISSUES". No, we have decided as a family simply to not contribute to the problem.
I hope that people can find a way to value opinions made by people like NRG and myself. It isn't just that we're young enough to remember what it's like to be kids ourselves. Nor is it because we are tax payers and voters who deserve a voice in what happens in our communities. Rather, I think it may be beneficial to hear from someone who isn't as emotionally involved in the situation. As I mentioned before, I get the feeling that the emotional argument is not going to win this case. We're dealing with a government agency, remember. If parents can make strong, logical arguments that support a plan that is beneficial to the community as a whole, they may be on to something.
There's no question that you and NRG are some of the most informative posters in this forum...kids or no kids. One of the best things about this forum is the differing viewpoints and the fact that everyone discusses their opinioins without it getting too heated.
What I do believe NChome was saying was that WCPSS seems to have little concern for individual students and are more concerned on their global image as a school system. I agree with this sentiment, especially after hearing of multiple rezonings, insanely long bus rides, inconsistent course offerings, etc...
If that is in fact what that post meant than I do understand than I can and do understand that perspective, but the way the post was originally worded did not really say that. Sometimes posting thoughts and Ideas on an Internet forum can strip the posts of its intended meaning. A misplaced or omitted word can completely change a post. For example, if the original post:
Quote:
Originally Posted by NChomesomeday
Perhaps, taken as an overall school system one could step back and see the value. But I'm not concerned with the global, I'm concerned with the local--my 3 kids.
Were instead worded this way (with just the addition of two small words):
" Perhaps, taken as an overall school system one could step back and see the value. But I'm not just concerned with the global, I'm also concerned with the local--my 3 kids."
I could clearly see what you were trying to convey. This has nothing to do with misinterpretation or ability too discern a subtle point on my part.
Frankly I find the suggestion that only those with children could understand the post a bit insulting. It was the poor wording used in the post that made its meaning unclear. Not my parental status.
Were instead worded this way (with just the addition of two small words):
" Perhaps, taken as an overall school system one could step back and see the value. But I'm not just concerned with the global, I'm also concerned with the local--my 3 kids."
I could clearly see what you were trying to convey. This has nothing to do with misinterpretation or ability too discern a subtle point.
I'd better send my posts to you for editing before posting, NRG. Yes, you're right--what I did mean by that post was better conveyed with the addition of those words. However, I do have to stand by my conviction that as a Mom, *speaking for myself as a parent* my kids come first! That doesn't mean I'm not concerned with the social problems that exist all around me or that I want to insulate my kids from them. Quite the opposite. I encourage them to do a lot of community service and I actually believe they are getting a skewed sense of reality from living in a small town that is generally affluent. But those are trade-offs I'll gladly take in exchange for knowing they are safe, and getting a good education.
I once told my husband that if the kids were in danger at the end of the driveway and someone were in the way, I'd probably back the car right over them to get to the kids. Now I said that very tongue-in-cheek (I'd honk before mowing the poor person down), but I hope, as he did, that you get the overall gist.
Quote:
Frankly I find the suggestion that only those with children could understand the post a bit insulting. It was the poor wording used in the post that made its meaning unclear. Not my parental status.
My turn to edit? Perhaps that could have been worded to the effect of "when you become a parent, your view of the world often changes as you feel very protective of a new life."
Actually now that I'm a mother (personally, not generalizing this for everyone else) I find that I"m actually more concerned about everybody in general. Its made me more empathetic. Now, granted I was probably more self absorbed than most to start out with so probably just evening out now.
And I also agree with Mrs. Steel that an objective view is critical to such an emotional topic. It can be hard to see the forest for the trees when your own little bunnies are 'at risk'.
But this is why we've decided to do what's best for our own kids for the timebeing (private, even though it means I don't get to stay home yet as I'd hoped) AND stay involved in the long term search for a solution. We hope that maybe by middle school it will be 'safe' to re-enter the public school system without threat of total disruption. So, I guess the silver lining is that reassignment of our own kids compelled us to enter the ring and try to push for a better solution for all Wake County kids.
IMany of the private schools are pretty full and have waiting lists. I also think that their enrollment periods probably happen and end before you might know that a reassignment was going to take place, but I'm not positive of that. quote]
Thales Academy in Apex is a new private school opening this Fall. They have a good track record with their Franklin Academy in Wake Forest. Compared to other private schools, they are phenomenally affordable (4800 I think?). They have been set up by an entrepreneur, not doing it for the money, but because he is so concerned about what public school is doing to our future leaders. The teaching, as I understand it, is a style more traditional and closer to the way European schools teach (which, btw, kick our US butt in standard tests.)
They are taking applications for kids K - 6 NOW and have currently have many seats. Not for long, as people find out, though. Kindergarten, I hear, is what's filling up the fastest.
Don't be shocked it the tuition (4800) doubles in 10 years. I recently found paperwork for tuition in private schools in the late 90's and they've flat doubled (I've checked out current rates online)......
Don't be shocked it the tuition (4800) doubles in 10 years. I recently found paperwork for tuition in private schools in the late 90's and they've flat doubled (I've checked out current rates online)......
If you can't use the public schools your taxes support, the area is not acceptable.
If you can't use the public schools your taxes support, the area is not acceptable.
Our base school was deemed "terrible" when our child started elementary school, so we went the private route (now that I'm older and wiser, I think I would have done differently now). She's in public school now, and is doing well.
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Nor is it because we are tax payers and voters who deserve a voice in what happens in our communities. Rather, I think it may be beneficial to hear from someone who isn't as emotionally involved in the situation. As I mentioned before, I get the feeling that the emotional argument is not going to win this case. We're dealing with a government agency, remember. If parents can make strong, logical arguments that support a plan that is beneficial to the community as a whole, they may be on to something.
