https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:58:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten/page/2#post-504942 Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:53:50 +0000 mrsjazz 504942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Yes, I've heard about this! I have to see if they have something like this in Brooklyn. Even though my DH is a NYC teacher, he has no clue about K-6. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten/page/2#post-504934 Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:51:51 +0000 mrbee 504934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: It's a really important issue! I think parenting workshops like ones given by the HCZ are a really important component of any solution:</p> <p><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/harlem-children-zone-baby-college-teaches-local-parents-best-raise-children-start-article-1.1019190" rel="nofollow">http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/harlem-children-zone-baby-college-teaches-local-parents-best-raise-children-start-article-1.1019190</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten/page/2#post-504922 Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:47:11 +0000 mrsjazz 504922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if anyone has seen this, but the New York Times has a good piece (it's long) about the G &amp; T program in NYC: A SYSTEM DIVIDED, Gifted, Talented and Separated: In One School, Students Are Divided by Gifted Label — and Race.</p> <p>I'm still reading it, so I can't make any comments on what I think about the article yet, but this quote from the story below really struck me:</p> <p>"For critics of New York City’s gifted and talented programs, that image crystallizes what they say is a flawed system that reinforces racial separation in the city’s schools and contributes to disparities in achievement."</p> <p>"They contend that gifted admissions standards favor middle-class children, many of them white or Asian, over black and Hispanic children who might have equal promise, and that the programs create castes within schools, one offered an education that is enriched and accelerated, the other getting a bare-bones version of the material. Because they are often embedded within larger schools, the programs bolster a false vision of diversity, these critics say, while reinforcing the negative stereotypes of class and race."</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/education/in-one-school-students-are-divided-by-gifted-label-and-race.html?_r=0#commentsContainer" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/education/in-one-school-students-are-divided-by-gifted-label-and-race.html?_r=0#commentsContainer</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten/page/2#post-498282 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:37:03 +0000 Modern Daisy 498282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: That's awesome! It's very informative. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten/page/2#post-498083 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:44:44 +0000 mrbee 498083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: Per your request, our guest blogger wrote a followup post on how zones work in New York City, and how they interact with G&amp;T testing:</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2013/01/11/getting-into-your-zoned-elementary-school-in-nyc-and-the-gt-testing-process/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2013/01/11/getting-into-your-zoned-elementary-school-in-nyc-and-the-gt-testing-process/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten/page/2#post-493504 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:13:28 +0000 mrbee 493504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>&lt;&lt; I know it was from one person's perspective, but I think it would have been helpful to include at least a sidenote on what the process generally looks like to gain admittance to your zoned public shool. Especially since so many NYer's move specifically for this reason. Or even a statement like "If we had liked our zoned school the process would have been a lot easier". &gt;&gt;</p> <p>@Modern Daisy: We really try to let people present their own perspectives, especially in areas where they have personal experience. We wouldn't ask someone guest blogging about their c-section to weigh in on the pros and cons of a vaginal birth?</p> <p>In any case, I very much support zoned schools and the public school system personally! Mrs. Bee and I plan on sending our kids to our zoned school, so we will be blogging about that process as our kids get older! If you're up for sharing your experience too, that would be great too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten/page/2#post-493503 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:12:54 +0000 Foodnerd81 493503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: You make really good points. My sister worked in the school system, at a good school with a good reputation, and it turns out all parents are "encouraged" to make very large donations to the PTA for extra resources for students and teachers. It was a really good school and the encouraged donation was a fraction of what a private school would be, but it wasn't the 'free' option people expected. </p> <p>She ultimately moved out of the city for living space, though, not schools. To buy a 2 bed in one of the good school zones in Manhattan cost more than a 5 bedroom home in the best school district in NJ. It was a tough choice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten/page/2#post-493498 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:11:01 +0000 everbee 493498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@modern daisy: i guess that's something i will need to worry about eventually too. is it an option to look for daycares near you or your husband's work? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten/page/2#post-493475 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:03:20 +0000 Modern Daisy 493475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: I know it was from one person's perspective, but I think it would have been helpful to include at least a sidenote on what the process generally looks like to gain admittance to your zoned public shool. Especially since so many NYer's move specifically for this reason. Or even a statement like "If we had liked our zoned school the process would have been a lot easier". </p> <p>@everbee: Thanks! And yes, there are no infant daycares at all in my neighborhood. I called all of the locations that looked like they might be daycares and they only take kids starting at age 2. The closest one is the 63rd st. Y and they start at 6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten/page/2#post-493078 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 07:35:20 +0000 everbee 493078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nycalimama: thanks~! that's really helpful. i also know someone who moved 2 blocks away from the school that i live near and because of overcrowding, her kids were turned away. i really hope that's not the case for me (i'm barely a block away), but i have 5+ years before i need to worry about that i guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten/page/2#post-492975 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 01:30:08 +0000 SAHM0811 492975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@everbee: @Modern Daisy: when I lived in NYC (on the UWS), other parents chose that neighborhood for the good schools too. However, with so much overcrowding, they quite often applied to several schools outside of their zone (I think one mom told me at least 5-10 other schools) in case they couldn't get in the good ones nearby. I don't think living near a zoned school is a surefire thing... And it seemed as the years went by, schools were more and more crowded :/ One family I knew moved twice because they changed the zones by a few blocks last year :/</p> <p>Also, I'm surprised at the lack of infant daycares? The "preschool" my daughter went to took 3 month old infants... Some daycares are called "preschools" or even "playgroups", so maybe include those in searching? When we lived in Gramercy, we did take our baby to daycare via subway and it worked out well with an Ergo and the center being one block away from DH's midtown office. So that wasn't a bad deal if it comes down to that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492369 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:44:19 +0000 MrsSCB 492369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have kids yet, but I live in the NYC area, and honestly the way the public school system works here is a big reason why I plan to actually raise my kids somewhere else. The inequality is what bothers me the most. A recent report by the Schott Foundation found, "Primarily because of New York City policies and practices that result in an inequitable distribution of educational resources and intensify the impact of poverty, children who are poor, Black and Hispanic have far less of an opportunity to learn the skills needed to succeed on state and federal assessments. They are also much less likely to have an opportunity to be identified for Gifted and Talented programs, to attend selective high schools or to obtain diplomas qualifying them for college or a good job. High-performing schools, on the other hand, tend to be located in economically advantaged areas."</p> <p>As PPs have mentioned, not every parent has the time or the resources to be very involved in their kids' education. Putting aside this kindergarten issue, once kids get to high school, no one necessarily goes to their neighborhood school. There is an admissions process for high school during which "students can rank up to 12 programs from more than 600 programs citywide. The Department of Education conducts workshops and fairs to help parents and students learn about the high school admissions process and make informed choices." (<a href="http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/High/Admissions/default.htm" rel="nofollow">http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/High/Admissions/default.htm</a>). This basically results in institutionalized inequality because not all parents are going to take the time to go to these workshops and fairs and even help kids choose the schools that they are interested in/are best for them. How is a 13-year-old 8th grader supposed to make an informed decision for his or herself?</p> <p>Additionally, the recent emphasis on charter schools has resulted in a practice called co-location in NYC public schools -- this involves a charter school opening up in a pre-existing public school, essentially sharing the building with them. The concern about this is it potentially takes resources away from the school already in the building and it certainly takes away space at the very least. (<a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20121206/williamsburg/locals-blast-charter-schools-proposed-co-location-williamsburg" rel="nofollow">http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20121206/williamsburg/locals-blast-charter-schools-proposed-co-location-williamsburg</a>)</p> <p>Anyway, I apologize for this novella, but I did a project on the NYC public school system in grad school and it's something I'm passionate about. Just thought others might find this information interesting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492241 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:47:22 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 492241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My two cents, coming from a non exceptional student who married a gifted student, every parents wants the best for their child, but every child is simply not exceptional.</p> <p>Private school is elite because you have to pay and (sometimes) you have to test or qualify for admission. Private schools offer a better education because typically the classes are smaller, the facilities are more up to date, and the resources, which foster learning are available. Example conducting science experiments often instead of just reading about theories. </p> <p>If you could just apply some of the private school attributes to public schools, then voila everyone gets a first rate education. That's why public schools have gifted and offer honors or AP courses. But not so fast mom and dad, your child must still show the aptitude for learning. Parents can not will their children into some of these programs and courses of study. </p> <p>To get into a great school in NYC is very competitive because these parents feel their children are all the exception. How sad it must be for some of these NYC parents all vying for a spot just to find out their child is not exceptional. </p> <p>Someone brought up the disparity in which children are admitted into gifted programs. I agree 100%, often poor and minority exceptional children are overlooked because of bias. These children do not (always) have parents advocating on their behalf or even seeking/initiating to get the ball on these programs. DH was acting up in kindergarten; he would finish his work and goof off. His teachers saw this as a behavioral problem, but his mother knew he was simply bored. She had to fight to get him tested for Gifted.</p> <p>Don't get me wrong well educated / well off parents have an easier time raising potentially exceptional children. These parents often read and incorporate learning into play from an early age, which puts their children at an advantage. These parents can afford activities and trips that expand the mind of their children. One of my teacher friends noted his low income students often missed meals or had to take care of younger siblings, which hindered completing homework and being ready to learn in class. Well off children don't have to worry about hunger or providing childcare. But, these parents can raise the non-exceptional child too like me.</p> <p>My parents made the most of what I had naturally. My public school was either first or second in the district every year. My class size was small compared to ratios in public schools today. Let's call it public school elite. Even still I needed help. My school provided a speech therapist and a remedial language arts teacher that replaced one of my recesses every week. Outside of school my parents had me tutored in a foreign language, sent me to math and science camps, Kumon learning center, and Sylvan Learning Center. Clearly they wanted an exceptional child lol. </p> <p>Their persaverance paid off and by junior high I was in the classes they always dreamed of. They were definitely my advocates. I am so happy they didn't let me fall behind, they identified deficiencies and worked with me to make improvements.</p> <p>My point is not every child is exceptional and once children are unbiasly placed in a class room or program that fits they will flourish. Ok that was more like a quarter, sorry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492205 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:30:52 +0000 BKCaribBaby 492205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: No worries, Mrs. Bee! I still think the post was quite helpful. The whole G &amp; T school option has really changed since I was in NYC public way back in the olden days. I probably have a few years before I need to think about this, but it's good to see what the process is like even now. </p> <p>@meredithNYC: You hit the nail on the head totally. NYC has changed so much in the last 10-15 years as many families are choosing to stay here. It's made everything from real estate to education much more complicated. I agree about people making certain choices, perfectly fine choices BTW, to pursue certain educational paths for their kids. It's about school choice, which I guess is what we should want as parents, right? :) </p> <p>@mrsjazz: I guess this means I need to start looking into daycare just in case I want to go that route, huh? Ay... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492181 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:17:22 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 492181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: You bring up an excellent point about demographics. One thing that I'm so thankful for in my life is that my parents did not factor our "demographic" into their school choices for me.</p> <p>Sure, I was always the "scholarship kid" and that kind of sucks, but I really believe one way to change the family socio-economic status is to find the best opportunities available. The neat thing about the NY Metro area is that many of those opportunities can be found in the right public school setting.</p> <p>For me, there were no public options for G&amp;T education. And yeah, I might have been perceived as "uppity" but it was a chance my family and I were willing to take for a top notch education :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492176 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:16:14 +0000 mole 492176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What I think is incredibly interesting to me is the fact that the concept of G&amp;T programs seems to be treated not as a resource for a unique subgroup of children (the truly "gifted") but as a means of ensuring a "good" education. Generally speaking, I think that 4 years old is way too early for most children (and for most parents) to determine if they really need such a program. I also am intrigued by the question of whether or not parents given the "opportunity" to pursue a G&amp;T program would in fact do so. The word "opportunity" needs more definition here: is this an opportunity because the child demonstrates giftedness -- or because the parents have the means (financial, time, etc) to prep a child for entrance exams? </p> <p>Anyway, I've worked in gifted programs and with gifted children on and off for years, and this is always a fascinating topic for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492108 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:59:23 +0000 Mrs. Bee 492108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BKCaribBaby: i do agree that a certain demographic is more likely to pursue gifted and talented programs, but that's not always necessarily the case either, as i do know families in lower income neighborhoods that pursue g&amp;t programs. for anyone interested in possibly pursuing g&amp;t programs, i think this was an interesting glimpse into one family's experience. it wasn't meant to exemplify the typical new york experience, and i'm sorry if it came off that way. after all i'm a new yorker and charlie is not taking a g&amp;t test or going to private school. but it was still very interesting to read (for me!). :)</p> <p>you're more than welcome to write a guest post on the topic.... we'd definitely love to feature more experiences on the site! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492091 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:56:32 +0000 everbee 492091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindsayinnyc nope..not near those schools. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492053 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:49:04 +0000 everbee 492053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: i never looked into daycares~! right now i have zero children so i hadn't even thought that far. i just knew i didn't want to move again so when i was apt hunting, i was looking at good school districts too~! and omg, congrats~! i somehow missed on the dec POAS board that you got your BFP~!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492046 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:47:35 +0000 mrsjazz 492046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: This happened to me, too. We don't live in an affluent neighborhood, but we do live in family-oriented one, so most of the daycares had long waiting lists and we had to go for a nanny share. In my neighborhood they are actually in the early process of building a new elementary school, so the zoning may be changed a bit when it's time for LO to go to school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492025 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:44:24 +0000 LindsayInNY 492025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ModernDaisy - I'm wondering if you're living in my future neighborhood (@everbee too!)! Are you zoned for PS 3 and 41? We're going to be in a similar situation when it comes to daycares too and may go the nanny or nanny share route, if possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492020 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:43:53 +0000 mrsjazz 492020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BKCaribBaby: I agree with you. The posts were interesting to read but did not present the experience of NYers I know. I don't know anyone in real life who has prepped their kid for a G &amp; T test, though I know people whose kids have taken the test (I took the test, too). In my experience kids go to their zoned school for elementary school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492004 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:40:59 +0000 mrbee 492004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: Hi there! The guest blogger touched on that a bit in her first post in the series:</p> <p>&lt;&lt; The only thing I knew was that my zoned general education elementary school was not-so-great, so I needed other options.</p> <p>When I describe the general Kindergarten admissions process to other people (especially to those who do not live in NYC), they look at me like I’m crazy. Usually the first and most common question I hear is “Why can’t you send him to your neighborhood school?” I honestly wish that my “zoned school” was an option for us. Before I even decided to enter into this process, I researched my zoned school and found that it did not have a great reputation. Logically, I know that going to a mediocre general ed program at my zoned school will not harm my child in the long run or damage his future job prospects. But since I do have a choice, why not take advantage of the options that are available to me? &gt;&gt;</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2013/01/08/getting-into-a-new-york-elementary-school/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2013/01/08/getting-into-a-new-york-elementary-school/</a></p> <p>Just want to emphasize that these two posts are just one guest blogger's take on her personal experience figuring out elementary school! We'd love to see some more guest blogs from others with their own thoughts and experiences!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-492002 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:39:57 +0000 Modern Daisy 492002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@everbee: Haha do you also not have any infant daycare options within a 15 block radius?? If so, we must live next door to each other :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-491995 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:39:02 +0000 Modern Daisy 491995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNYC: The only thing I didn't do enough research on before we bought our apartment was availability of daycares. There are no full time infant daycares within a 15 block radius of our apartment, probably because we live in one of the most affluent zip codes (we are not affluent). So my only option is going to be a nanny share unless we want to take the subway to and from daycare every day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-491993 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:38:36 +0000 prettylizy 491993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It does scare the begeezus out of me, we don't have any testing like that around here either. My sister lives in Toronto and I know that they have a lottery to get into the french schools, but other than that, it's just based on where you live unless you go private. I think if/when they have kids her DH said they will go private. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-491991 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:37:54 +0000 everbee 491991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy i'm starting to think we're neighbors :) i think we go to the same fertility clinic and i also chose to live in my neighborhood because of the excellent K-5 school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-491973 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:34:44 +0000 meredithNYC 491973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BKCaribBaby: Totally agree with you! I think as the city gets more and more competitive and high stakes with regard to real estate prices, it can feel like everyone in the city is wealthy - or at least pretty comfortable. But the fact is, that isn't the truth.</p> <p>I agree that the post sounded stressful, but it doesn't have to be like that. Some people choose to play the game, others don't. It's different for me since we're Catholic and I would choose Catholic school for my LO. Plus, we have now moved to the suburbs - not b/c of schooling, but because of my husband's job. But the people I knew in the city for the most part could not afford a lot of the options mentioned in that post. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-491966 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:33:35 +0000 Modern Daisy 491966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BKCaribBaby: I agree, I was wondering why the blog post didn't even mention getting into public schools you are zoned for. It makes the process sound a lot scarier than it actually is. Although, it is much scarier than any other city for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-glad-they-dont-live-in-nyc-regarding-the-latest-blog-posts-on-kindergarten#post-491963 Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:33:11 +0000 BKCaribBaby 491963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: No, I don't think so necessarily. Many parents don't have information quite frankly about options like G &amp; Ts, etc. nor from my understanding are G &amp; Ts available in every community. Based on my experience, the people who are most likely to pursue these types of programs and schools are people who with a certain level of education, have particular personal networks where school options like this are discussed frequently (or perhaps ad nauseum), have a certain level of wealth, have certain language skills, etc. It's not impossible to pursue these options, but not everyone can nor do they know how to. It's not a bad thing to not pursue more or better education options for your kids, but I don't agree about the assumption that everyone is going to take this path or can take this path. It's just the reality of the diversity of experiences in this city. </p>