The probable solution to our "no-good-schools-in-our-neck-of-the-woods" dilemma has suddenly emerged. Lucy's school, as a result of a ton of behind the scenes work & lobbying the state legislature, has been approved to me a Minnesota charter school. As in, for Fall 2007 they will open their doors for K-6 Montessori classes, funded wholly by Minneapolis Public Schools.
On the surface, this is a sublime, miraculous sudden circumstance; particularly as Lucy enters kindergarten next fall. Not only would she continue in Montessori education, which we truly want for her; it would be through a school we already know, love, and trust that lies within our neighborhood. And it would be free.
The only part that scares me is: what happens when the doors are opened to the general public? I fear the influx of high needs kids and or kids from "transitional" families could potentially overwhelm the capacity of the school to maintain its structure and ideal environment. How, exactly, will enrollment work? Will parents have to seek out and show, in some way, they understand the commitment they are making by choosing Montessori for their kids? Or will this school be forced to near-bursting-at-the-seams during the next rash of Minneapolis school closings, and eventually go the way of all other North Minneapolis schools? (and - selfishly - if the latter, can we squeak our kids through before that comes to pass?)
There's definitely some room to be involved with this transition; and much to understand about how this is all going to work. More on this in the future, undoubtedly.
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8 comments:
To tell you not to worry about it so much would be ridiculous, because you will and to a degree you should. However, and this coincides a bit perhaps, with a recent blog by Mixdorf and your comment on headlines? and the telephone call. Different situations, but "lifey" stuff nonetheless. I'm am finally coming to terms with a surprisingly paranoid and worrisome period stretching back at least to Spring 2007. This past weekend, possibly beginning Friday, Sept. 28 I realized and brought myself to an experience that I refer to as "the great relax." Time periods have certainly overlapped and this is just part of the evolution, however, it was much much needed. Just to take a breath and blow worries away and out of the system. Anyway my frame of mind this week has been pretty good and I am relieved to put a highly unhealthy period of paranoia and stress behind me - hopefully, for as long as possible. So back to Dan's blog - yes you will worry and no one will be able to prevent it for you, but...this is your situation, run with the positives. As far as future developments and/or possibilities - try leaving it up to the fates or fate. Doesn't have to be God, or Greek Gods, from which the term and phrase is derived, but if you believe at all in a greater something, try leaving it up to that. What control do you really have? Too much control and you might cause the situation to develop badly in unforseen ways, despite you hardest efforts. In terms of education and schooling, I have had my share of stress and worries and have attempted to press my will as earnestly as possible for specific outcomes - all for naught. So many opinions out there, so many personalities, each year we consider "requesting" a teacher, and each year we do not, and each year we become MORE comfortable with that decision. This is not to say that we never would, I do not like ever to deal in absolutes (unless it concerns my love for my daughter, family,friends, but it is likely that we will continue to leave it up to the fates and take the good when we can and deal with the bad as needed.
the previous blog - the latter half of it anyway is meant to refer to children in school systems... - a few other things may apply but it was meant for raising schoolage children
Truly, most of what we read suggests that 90% of the influence of "environment" on your kids is the environment at home. Over that, we have absolute control. And so to that extent, it would cettainly seem that this is a point at which we could take a step back, take a deep breath, and count our blessings.
That said, there's probably much involvement we can have with the school in terms of helping "the vision become a reality," and there's a few questions I would like answers to regarding admissiosn & enrollment & so on.
"The great relax." We should talk more. As you mentioned, almost coinciding with your own new period of worry free-ness, I have recently unfettered myself from the constraints of just a few self-imposed pressures (including Project 365 among a few other notable sources of daily stress). It's not so much of a cast-off of overall life worries, as just getting off my own back a bit.
Thanks for the words of encouragement & advice, in any event.
no problem and good luck
and really - how wonderful! what a stroke of good fortune!
Yes, yes, yes. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I wish I'd had the opportunity for a Montessori education when I was Lucy's age.
A couple of things I've discovered:
- Charter schools in Minneapolis are funded by the STATE, not the city of Mpls. (yay!)
- Therefore, it's not an "open enrollment" sort of situation. People have to specifically request to go to that school. Hopefully, that menas the school has the opportunity to talk with parents prior to enrollment about what Montessori entalis. In any event, it should cut down on transitional students(e.g. starting/leaving midway through the year, etc.) which, by accounts of all teachers I know, is one of the great challenges in the classroom.
- Apparently, Lucy's school wants to cap its enrollment somewhere around 200 (yay!)
All awesome stuff, and spectacular news.
I'm in need of a great relax. I have a high tolerance for stress, but I am wearing out.
Great news Dan. What a wonderful blessing.
Thanks and thanks. "The Great Relax." We appear to all be in need of it. Maybe that can be all of our next collective endeavor.
"The Great Relax." I'll chronicle some of my recent efforts in that regard in an upcoming post.
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