Transitioning to public school

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Looks like I've added another ritual to my morning routine of feeding the kids breakfast.

It's not that bad making their lunch... other than they always want me to cut the crust off (man... I like the crust).

We've survived the last 2 days, but they have been minimum days so we'll see next week once they get "real" school. The kids like it... although they actually prefer the CDC part of school (heh).

I have another story about my son:

So yesterday I went to the school when they got out to make sure that he goes to the CDC... there was some mix-up because there were so many parents there so I explained to him that he needs to go directly to the CDC when he gets out of class and I walked him there. I told him that I won't be there the next day so he has to remember where to go.

Today, instead of going to his class, I waited in a place far away but where I could see his classroom door and the CDC to see if he makes it on his own. I waited for a while and he was probably the last kid to leave his class, he got his stuff together put his backpack on (which is huge on him) and walked a brisk straight line across the lunch area, across the quad navigating around older kids and to the CDC. I was so proud of him and maybe I'm overprotective because he's only 6... but that was a big thing to me... ranks up there with the "run around hug" on his first day in preschool.
 
So I find myself using something I haven't used since the kids were babies... no... not diapers... a bottle brush.

Turns out they need these new fangled Thermos bottles to keep their drinks cool ($14 a pop!) and I have to wash them nightly. The problem is my huge gorilla hands can't fit into the skinny metal bottles so I had to go to Target and buy a bottle brush. Doh... next thing you know I'll have to buy wipes (oh... hehe... any parent who has the "optional school supplies" list already knows you have to buy those too).

BTW: Homework isn't that bad as the private school... which I'm wondering if it's just because it's the 1st week. It kind of worries me and relieves me in a way (and the 1st grader isn't getting any homework so far).
 
We don't run the dishwasher often... and I wouldn't want to run it nightly.

Also... I'm not sure if those insulated type bottles are dishwasher safe.

Plus I'm old school... I prefer washing dishes by hand.

 
One thing that's weird to me is the open nature of the campus.

Where I went to Elem and many of the Elems in LA, they are closed gated campuses (even some in Tustin). Most of the Irvine ones (if not all) are wide open. Even someone we know in South County says their Elem is gated and parents aren't allowed on-campus during school hours.

I might be paranoid but I think a gated campus is more secure, it keep the kids from wandering and the unsavory type from stalking... does the IUSD feel those kind of things don't happen in Irvine?
 
irvinehomeowner said:
I might be paranoid but I think a gated campus is more secure, it keep the kids from wandering and the unsavory type from stalking... does the IUSD feel those kind of things don't happen in Irvine?
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they are balancing the risk of spending the money on gating the school vs the chance of something bad happening to your kid, it is clear they have chosen to put the money to some other use and are OK with the risk your kid is at by not having the school gated. 
 
irvinehomeowner said:
One thing that's weird to me is the open nature of the campus.

Where I went to Elem and many of the Elems in LA, they are closed gated campuses (even some in Tustin). Most of the Irvine ones (if not all) are wide open. Even someone we know in South County says their Elem is gated and parents aren't allowed on-campus during school hours.

I might be paranoid but I think a gated campus is more secure, it keep the kids from wandering and the unsavory type from stalking... does the IUSD feel those kind of things don't happen in Irvine?
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Come on IHO, this is Irvine.  I went to high school at Mater Dei which was in the heart of Santa Ana.  The school was gated and had security patroling around morning till night.  There the gate and patrol made a lot of sense, not in Irvine.
 
A fence will stop a 5-year old from wandering away... and will make it harder for someone with bad intentions to do something on the sly.

I can understand middle schools and to some extend high schools with open campuses... but elementary schools seems a bit strange to me.
 
For anyone in IUSD... what is the homework like?

I had thought that there was just as much as their previous school based on this old thread:
http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/forums/viewthread/6210/

But so far, that's not the case... at least for my 1st grader. He has almost no homework other than practicing writing cursive (which I find strange because printing is easier to read). I actually give him stuff from the school's online math book but it's too easy for him (I even went to the middle of the book). I just don't want him to lose the math skills he picked up from Kinder. I'm not trying to push him but he seems to display a proclivity for math and actually likes it (much more than his older sibling).

Weird... in that IHB thread I'm complaining about too much homework and now I'm wishing they would give him more.
 
irvinehomeowner said:
For anyone in IUSD... what is the homework like?

I had thought that there was just as much as their previous school based on this old thread:
http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/forums/viewthread/6210/

But so far, that's not the case... at least for my 1st grader. He has almost no homework other than practicing writing cursive (which I find strange because printing is easier to read). I actually give him stuff from the school's online math book but it's too easy for him (I even went to the middle of the book). I just don't want him to lose the math skills he picked up from Kinder. I'm not trying to push him but he seems to display a proclivity for math and actually likes it (much more than his older sibling).

Weird... in that IHB thread I'm complaining about too much homework and now I'm wishing they would give him more.
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Although my kids do not go to IUSD (one goes to CUSD and the other Montessori school), I have the same problem.  My Son finishes his homework in 5-10 minutes while other classmates take hours.  The problem is in public schools they have to provide instruction for the common denominator.  I guess it becomes a decision of private school (and the expense) or supplementing the kids with HOME homework in addition to the school homework.

   
 
Well... it's about 6 weeks in and I'm still wondering what my 1st grader is learning.

He doesn't seem to get a lot of in-class work and like I've said before... almost zero homework.

Is this how it is at most IUSD/TUSD schools? I thought they were pushier when it comes to academics. In private school, my 1st grader had spelling word assignments that led to a weekly spelling test, math, science and writing homework... now even my older one has less homework than that. Oh... the irony.
 
irvinehomeowner said:
Well... it's about 6 weeks in and I'm still wondering what my 1st grader is learning.

He doesn't seem to get a lot of in-class work and like I've said before... almost zero homework.

Is this how it is at most IUSD/TUSD schools? I thought they were pushier when it comes to academics. In private school, my 1st grader had spelling word assignments that led to a weekly spelling test, math, science and writing homework... now even my older one has less homework than that. Oh... the irony.
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All budget cut related...teachers don't have time to grade homework.  haha
 
I don't remember having that much homework in 1st grade or even 2nd grade.. but then I didn't speak English back then..  i wouldn't worry...  you want your kids to peak in college not elementary or high school (well maybe junior year near SATs for a little bit)..  right now just enjoy recess...
 
We are considering taking our 1st grader out of his class.

After speaking to other parents, it may not seem his teacher is a good fit with him.

Our problem is how do we do it without causing problems for him or this teacher.

Has anyone here done that? Switched their teacher doing the school year. We're not even sure it's possible and there may be quite a few problems along with it if there is no room in the other 1st grade classes or if the school will even let us.

My dilemma here is we can probably talk to the principal (we've already spoken to the teacher) but other parents have told us that it won't change the situation and so we want to be able to find the best "politically correct" solution. We have another kid in this school (who is perfectly happy) but we're not sure what kind of repercussions may result from it.
 
Sorry to hear IHO, touchy situation... so what's wrong with the teacher?  If it's just a personality clash between the teacher and your kid this might be a good "teaching" experience.  We deal with people around us that we don't like all our lives.. starting early might teach him how to deal with this problem early..  don't know, I'm just shooting my mouth off here.. I always believe a bad experience can be good because it puts you in positions you'll never encounter.  He'll walk away stronger, and it's only 1 year.
 
Pat Star said:
irvinehomeowner said:
My dilemma here is we can probably talk to the principal (we've already spoken to the teacher) but other parents have told us that it won't change the situation and so we want to be able to find the best "politically correct" solution. We have another kid in this school (who is perfectly happy) but we're not sure what kind of repercussions may result from it.
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Tread lightly, my friend.  I know for certain that every school has "a list" on the respective parents, and get on that list and it could follow you around for longer than you might like.  Our sister-in-law used to be a teacher at the school our child attends (now stay at home mom), but is still very plugged in and keeps us up to date on the politics at play.  We also became friends with our daugthers first grade teacher at Myford, and also know this to be true down there.  The teachers DEFINITELY keep track of what parents participate in class, contribute $$ and such --- and which ones are considered 'troublemakers'. And those factors are certainly considered in things like future class assignments and such.  I'm not saying this is right or fair, but it is the way it is.  Do it right, and things may fall your way.  We made special requests to our prior teacher at the end of last year about which teacher preferred for the following year, and also a request they not break up our daugther and her BFF.  And poof, guess what happened? 

Now, certainly your mileage may vary in these situations, one could do everything 'right' and still not get exactly what you want out of the school.  But playing the game won't hurt.  Kind of the old, 'don't hate the player, hate the game' adage.  But my recommendation is that if the situation is at all salvageable, try to resolve peacefully before going to the hammer.
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Yep... that's what I'm worried about. And as always, thanks for the honest comments. We've held off on talking to the principal for now until we talk more with the teacher.

And for ps9, it's more than a personality difference between just our child and the teacher, other parents have confirmed the same issues... but maybe like PatStar was saying, they didn't want to rock the boat (and they had the teacher last year, so this year it's not a problem for them).

When did elementary education become so complicated? I don't remember things like this when I was a kid. Bah... stupid "good schools".
 
Pat Star said:
irvinehomeowner said:
When did elementary education become so complicated? I don't remember things like this when I was a kid. Bah... stupid "good schools".
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It is the same with the parents as it is with the kids in the "good schools".  Competition level is high.  Your kids are going to be competing for attention with other children who are spending all evening and much of the weekend being tutored.  And you are competing for attention with their parents that are essentially at the school whenever the lights are on. 

Since we can't do that (two working parents) we generally show our love with the wallet.  When there is something needed for the classroom, when it is the teacher b-day, when it is an "appreciation" week, we try to get in line early and often (and with what we hope are bigger $$) to contribute.  That is our way, others do it with their time. Again, not saying it is right --- but like AZDavid says "it's for the kids".  ;)
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I recommend 3 bottles apiece of icy-cold bohemia-style suds. Or some tax advice...
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMuam1MObtI&feature=related[/youtube]
 
I've read this thread with lots of interest, I also have a 1st grader but he is in private school here in FL, and I've thought that since we pay a lot on tuition we don't have to donate, but they still ask for money all the time. So when we move to Irvine next June, with (at that time) two kids in public school, we'll probably feel like we can be pretty generous with our donations, since the school is free!!
When you give money to the school (assuming it is so the teacher "notices" your kid), do you give to the teacher directly, or to the school, or both?
I'm not asking for any special treatment for my kids, I just want them to feel happy at school, and not terrorized, to the point where they are afraid or embarassed to ask to go to the restroom.

IHO, I had a similar problem with my son's teacher in September, actually it was worse, he had just started 1st grade in public school, and was very unhappy, to the point where he would get on his hands and knees every morning begging us not to take him to school, saying that the teacher was very mean to him and always yelling at him (he is a very sensitive, sweet, shy child, not the troublemaking type at all), then I tried to reach the teacher (email, phone, notes) for about 2 weeks, never got a response, at school at drop off and pick up she was always in a rush, would just kind of run past me, so we just pretty much got fed up with it, went to the main office one morning and asked them to bring our son out, we were going to pull him out, and complained about the teacher big time (no one ever addressed the complaints) and put him in private school the following week.

I hope Irvine teachers are not hit or miss, we won't be able (or willing) to do private school there!
Some teachers should not be around small children, simple as that.
 
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