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Dear UrbanBaby community,

Thank you so much for being a valued member of the UrbanBaby community. We wanted to inform you that we are shutting down the site on July 6th. We are grateful for your participation and support that has helped make UrbanBaby such an important resource to parents for many years.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can email us at urbanbaby-support@cbsinteractive.com.

Thanks so much,

UrbanBaby Support

[ - ] How much of a pain will it be that we live 60 blocks from DC's new school? DC#1 is starting K, 60 blocks away. DC#2 is starting preschool around the corner (DC#1's old school). Would prefer not to move because it seems easier to deal with getting the older one the 60 blocks to school - she can take a bus - than to get the younger one to preschool if we move to the ongoing's neighborhood. Anyone BTDT? Does the accumulation of playdates and after-school classes make commuting to ongoing very complicated? 6 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 07.18.08, 10:34 AM Flag
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This is exactly why we gave up G&T and were happy we put our deposit down for private school. We were also offered a G&T school 60 blocks away. Totally screwed by the DE. We were unwilling to put our child on the bus for such a long distance and we didn't want to move to the areas where the school was located. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:48 AM Flag
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Why were you unwilling to put your child on the school bus? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:50 AM Flag
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This is New York. To get #1 to school you can always opt for the yellow school bus. For play dates you can use the excellent mass transit options this city offers (it's not like you have to do this every day or even every week). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:49 AM Flag
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I think it gets complicated, but I get the impression that people do it regularly. I think it also depends somewhat on your school and whether it tends to draw mostly from a particular neighborhood or more all over. If it's the latter, then everyone will be in the same boat and figure things out. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 12:52 PM Flag
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Thanks. Based on the grade list, it looks like kids from all over town. It's a UES private school - seems to draw a lot from the surrounding blocks but more than half the class is from other neighborhoods. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:05 PM Flag
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My dc's K is more than 60 blocks away - never even thought of it as a problem. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 12:59 PM Flag
[ - ] So a friend of my sisters just had a baby, and after delivering something happened neurologically and now she has 17 hour migraines. Has anyone ever heard of that before? Doctor said she can try this 4 day extreme medication but it is pretty gnarly I guess. She has to lay in her bed in complete darkness with no noise it is extremely rare and very painful. I feel so bad. Her husband has been off of work for almost 5 weeks now. 3 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:28 AM Flag
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I wonder if she has spinal fluid leak caused by any sort of puncture to the spine (from a spinal). I had a spinal tap and had a leak for a while..it's excruciating. I couldn't stand up straight for a month. I was in bed with my head flat. Just horrible [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:33 AM Flag
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My friend also had this from an epidural. She couldn't lift her head up from the bed for a week. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:44 AM Flag
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She did her delivery completely natural, no meds. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:25 AM Flag
[ - ] Any book-lovers out there? Looking for a novel where a woman character was referred to simply as "She." 2 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:23 AM Flag
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I read that book in college, but can't recall title or author (other than that she is a feminist writer). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:35 AM Flag
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rebecca? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:41 AM Flag
[ - ] Living on UWS and just entering my second trimester. I am the first of my close City friends to become pregnant or have a child. I know some women that have children but none are good friends that I would have just called out of the blue, yet I have known them for many years. Is it inappropriate to call them now that I am expecting and want to reach out for their friendship? What is the best way to meet other expecting women in your area of the city? 6 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:22 AM Flag
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The most 'useful' Mom friends you will meet will be ones with children of the same age. I went to the Babybites Moms lunches and met some great people who have remained good friends. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:47 AM Flag
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thank you this is very helpful. I went to my first prenatal yoga class and was next to a woman who is at 18 Weeks (but already has a child). I wanted to ask her for her number but was too shy, hated to be intrusive. I think I will be much more outgoing in a situation where everyone is there to meet a new friend. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:52 AM Flag
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I have had total strangers come up to me in the park to try to arrange a playdate which I think is a bit odd. At a class or Mom's social event it is really quite common to exchange numbers. Don't be afraid to ask the worse she will say is that she'd rather not. GL and trust me you WILL meet people. I think Babybites also do expectant Mom lunches or dinners. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:58 AM Flag
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I think its fine to call the women you know. I would say that you are expecting and would love to get together to ask their advice about having a baby in the city, what gear to get, etc. As for meeting other moms, join a prenatal yoga class or just wait until the baby is born and go to a new mom's group or bring the baby to music class, etc. I live on the UWS and found it really easy to meet a ton of nice moms once I had the baby. And once you do some more classes and then pre-school, it gets even easier. I knew no one with kids in the city when I was prego and it was not hard to meet some really great people. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:50 AM Flag
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this is so reassuring. I know it won't be hard once I meet the first few women... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:55 AM Flag
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Btw this board is great [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:56 AM Flag
[ - ] 17th Week and experiencing fairly smooth pregnancy to date (only extreme headaches when traveling or experiencing stress). Have gained 2 pounds (but am eating constantly!). Also, have been experiencing slight fluid coming from my nipples this week. Is this all normal? ) 5 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:57 AM Flag
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yup. GL! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:00 AM Flag
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Keeping well hydrated might help the headaches. Leaking nipples does happen but you are unlucky it's started so soon. I was always starving hungry when pg too. GL [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:01 AM Flag
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I was thinking the same! ... I don't wear a bra, a natural minus A, so now I can nicely fill a 36 A but wasn't ready to wear a bra yet... do you think I must now that my nipples are showing activity? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:07 AM Flag
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If you mean for support then maybe if you want to prevent sagging (unfortunately speaking from experience here!). If you are concerned about the leaking you can try Lillypadz which will prevent any leaks but can be worn without a bra. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:09 AM Flag
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ah, thank you, wonderful advice [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:10 AM Flag
[ - ] Why you take your 4yo ds to a gay wedding? 2 men. I'm all for it, but not sure if it would be too much explaining for a 4 yo. Sunday afternoon wedding btw. 11 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:51 AM Flag
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Yes I would. I told my kids from an early age that most marriages are a man and a woman, but that some are man-man or woman-woman. They had no trouble with that, which in my book is how it should be. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:53 AM Flag
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No more explanation needed than for any wedding. When two adults love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together, they often get married. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:54 AM Flag
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for me the question is do you take teh kid to any wedding at that age. gay or not makes no difference to me. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:59 AM Flag
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Bingo! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:01 AM Flag
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excellent answer. But if it's a big family thing fine. Kids get it better than many adults. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 12:52 PM Flag
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ITA. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 12:55 PM Flag
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Why wouldn't you? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:13 AM Flag
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is their name on the invitation? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:14 AM Flag
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my four year old would have no idea what was going on no matter who was getting married [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:14 AM Flag
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What do you feel the need to explain? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:15 AM Flag
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Of course I would, why wouldn't I? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 12:57 PM Flag
[ - ] Amazes me how clueless so many NYC moms are re: private schools. Given the amount of wealth in Manhattan now, many families don't go there because of the social unease they'd feel being merely upper middle class amongst millionaires. If their kids get into Hunter or Anderson it's not like they're sending them to a one-room schoolhouse. 88 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:48 AM Flag
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Instead, they would be sending them to school with kids from families more like theirs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:50 AM Flag
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Exactly. It's the same reason many of those families (and "upper middle class" in NYC means "rich" most anywhere else!!) move to places like Scarsdale, Rye, Millburn and Westport and send their kids to public schools - because they are around people who have more similar lifestyles. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:51 AM Flag
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it's the same in NYC public schools that are in good zones, most people there are very similar as far as socioeconomics are concerned [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:04 AM Flag
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not in my school - we have shelter dc and very wealthy dc [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:15 AM Flag
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so do we, but 80% of the kids are UMC [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:24 AM Flag
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I have no idea about our school (or how you define umc and mc) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:37 AM Flag
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This was definitely a concern for us (though we are going to private anyway). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:51 AM Flag
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It's tough if your kid gets into a TT school to turn them down. But ultimately we realized that the unhealthy aspects of being around so many extremely wealthy kids was worse than the slight drop in education level from top suburban public schools surrounded by kids who came from similar economic background. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:57 AM Flag
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Do you think rich people have the plague? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:59 AM Flag
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np: For me, I worried more DD would feel out of place [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:01 AM Flag
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There are many reasons that a child can feel out of place. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:10 AM Flag
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But few as compelling as money. Hard to get past that one, especially when you are in the clear minority if you don't have a house in Hamptons [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:11 AM Flag
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I agree with this. I grew up in a wealthy neighborhood. All my classmates had more money than we did. I don't think wealthy kids are not adjusted. I was good friends with many of them. I just couldn't do all the things they could do - vacations in Europe, skiing, etc... I couldn't wear the clothes or drive the cars. It was just that I felt left out. I'd like my kid to be somewhere in the middle of the pack. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 02:11 PM Flag
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OR: Yes, and my DD seems prone to most of them. Didn't think it was fair to add another (big) one. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:15 AM Flag
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NP: No. But even with a low six-figure income, we realized we were dealing with people from a different world. Did not feel it was worth it for DCs to have to deal with that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:09 AM Flag
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Rich and well-adjusted rarely go hand-in-hand. Too many Mr. & Mrs. X (Nanny Diaries) types at most TT schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:09 AM Flag
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Often they do, and who says that poor, or middle class and well-adjusted go hand-in-hand [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:11 AM Flag
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Convoluted logic. You will get messed up people everywhere. But percentage-wise, you see more of it in the very wealthy and the very poor. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:14 AM Flag
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Do you know that for a fact? I's like to see some stats. I have read a few studies lately that seem to indicated that wealthy people are actually happier than the average person. It makes sense, if you don't have to struggle you can focus on other things. Sure there are f*cked up rich people, but there are f*cked up people everywhere. I think that is a silly reason to avoid private school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:18 AM Flag
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THe people in those studies are what the rest of America calls r [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:33 AM Flag
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>>The people in those studies are what the rest of America calls "rich" but what barely passes for "upper middle class" in Manhattan. Don't delude yourself into thinking otherwise. We're talking about the difference between the 98th percentile of wealth and the 99.5th percentile. And people who are in that very top percentile do share many traits with the very poor. Many studies have been done on their shared traits. The studies you refer to are looking at families with $300K/year incomes. Not $300M/year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:35 AM Flag
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of course, they don't, but you cannot tell me that you don't agree that these are two different worlds that don't really have much in common [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:14 AM Flag
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I grew up in NYC and went to a TT school. We had much more diversity then in what the parents did- wasn't all just Wall Street. Parents were all professionals or academics- no one was poor or close to it-- but we are looking at private/suburbs because the people in Manhattan private schools now just seem so in-your-face and insecure about their wealth. Downtown schools or Brooklyn also an option. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:20 AM Flag
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We actually chose a school most UBers would think is 3rd tier over a very high 2nd tier because it seemed to be more "down to earth" from a social perspective...felt like our tDC wouldn't be the poorest kids at the school we chose...starting in the fall...hopefully we won't regret it! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:00 AM Flag
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ditto. We are at a downtown progressive and love it. We wanted a good fit for dc but also a community that was a lot like us. We are very happy there [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:02 AM Flag
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Downtown schools are much saner places. Lots of trust funds, but the parents are less likely to be "socialites" [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:12 AM Flag
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OR; ITA. Our 3rd tier is downtown, the "very high second tier" was UES. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:16 AM Flag
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"Lots of trust funds" - Ha! Very true- that's how they pay tuition. But it means mom & dad often have more interesting jobs than "hedge fund manager" [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:21 AM Flag
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"Slight drop in education level"? Are you kidding? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:02 AM Flag
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Honey, kids from a Bronxville or Millburn High do just as well in life as kids from Horace Mann. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:06 AM Flag
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And they're much more well-adjusted and happier [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:06 AM Flag
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Kids who live in Bronxville have affluent families, but that does not mean that every child living there is smart. Public schools though will take every single child who lives in that town, so there will necessarily be kids who are not academically inclined - who either don't go to college or go to small local colleges, etc. When I worked in NJ, my assistant had graduated from Millburn HS. She went to Rutgers-Newark for a year and dropped out and became a secretary. That is rarely the case for a grad of a top NYC private. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:48 AM Flag
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But that's apples and oranges and if you were half as bright as you'd like to think you are, you'd know that. BRIGHT KIDS from Bronxville or Millburn will do just as well in life as kids from Horace Mann. They will get into the same colleges, get the same jobs, and even have the same connections. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:51 AM Flag
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And I don't necessarily disagree, but having many friends who went to top suburban publics (inc DH) I have heard that the academic environment is not the same, nor are the challenges as great for the brightest kids. Those who are self-motivated will do fine anywhere, but a lot of bright kids can get lazy when the atmosphere is different. I'm not saying that kids there don't get a great education or have opportunities, but it's not "the same thing" and if you think the "connections" are the same, I TOTALLY disagree. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:56 AM Flag
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So you are basing your opinions of what your DH and friends went through 25 years ago? Things have changed since then. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:58 AM Flag
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And the only contacts you'll get nowadays at Horace Mann are Goldman Sachs and hedge funds. Top suburban districts more likely to have diversity of top professionals. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:59 AM Flag
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WAHAHAHAHA, BWHAHAHA lol!!!!! keep telling yourself that sweetheart [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:39 PM Flag
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NO they haven't. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:36 PM Flag
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I posted before about going to TT girls school - and I'm shocked that you are basing your opinions of ANY schools on what people you know experienced in the 1970s or 80s. High School is so much different now. Kids at top public and private schools spend so much more time studying, polishing their resumes than we ever did. It's a brand new world. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:02 AM Flag
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actually, i have friends that have kids that are either in HS or that graduated in the last 5 years, so my opinion is not based solely on what was going on in the late 80s when I graduated. Times have changed, but the fact is that at any public school, the diveristy of aacademic ability is going to be greater because at that school will be every child from the least to the most smart and schools need to cater to all of them. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:11 AM Flag
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You've completely discounted the specialized HS's in NYC. They have a range of kids to be sure. But by virtue of the admissions test which is a tough test, the kids range from super-smart down to smart. Certainly some kids won't be the most motivated, but that doesn't mean they're stupid. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:18 AM Flag
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actually, i thought we were discussing top subrurban publics. i think the selective HS in NYC are in a class by themselves. academically they are probably in many ways superior to TT privates. where they fall short is in the non-academic areas - which for many people are less important. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:33 AM Flag
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np - What do you mean by non-academic areas? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:44 AM Flag
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They don't have two pools the way Stuyvesant does? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:49 AM Flag
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Kids in NYC public schools travel by car or public transportation. They rarely get to ride in their friends father's limos or even take a helicopter out to the Hamptons. (I hear many of them go on that Jitney!) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:50 AM Flag
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To listen to you, one would think they all sat in the same classrooms. What those districts do is track the top students, who are all in an honors program that's heavy on AP classes. They only take classes with other honors students (except for gym) and they all seem to have little trouble getting in HYP. And they have the social advantage of having grown up in an environment more similar to 99% of their peers vs the adult-centric environment of Manhattan. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:28 AM Flag
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Peaches- that is rarely the case for a Millburn High School graduate (Millburn HS is Short Hills, for those not familiar). Ditto Bronxville HS, Greeley (Chappaqua), etc. Smart kids who go to top suburban districts are every bit as "advantaged" as kids who go to Manhattan private schools. Likely more so, because they are more well-adapted socially. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:55 AM Flag
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I'm saying that not all kids who got to HS in these affluent suburbs with good school districts ARE that smart. The schools do not get to pick their students and that means that there will be kids who aren't that smart. That's simply not going to be the case at a private that hand picks its students. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:13 AM Flag
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Yes, but again, the kids in those schools are tracked from about middle school on. That means the kids in the AP/Honors program at Bronxville HS will only be with other very bright kids. They are not taking math with the C students. So they are getting as good an education for the price of the property tax. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:23 AM Flag
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The class environment is very different from the overall school environment though and I do think it makes a difference. You obviously feel differently. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:35 AM Flag
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It's not like the smart kids get picked on in those schools!! And the kids have an out-of-school experience that prepares them for college, where Manhattan kids have a notoriously tough time- they are neither part of the prep school clique and are too sheltered to fit in with suburban kids [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:37 AM Flag
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np - What are you talking about? Why would Manhattan kids be "too sheltered to fit in with suburban kids"? And what is the "prep school clique"? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:38 PM Flag
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Manhattan kids grow up in a very different, adult-centric environment. It's often tough for them to fit in at college and why they tend to flock to the same schools. Prep-school clique are kids who went to boarding school [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.19.08, 03:25 PM Flag
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I agree- by the time kids get to high school, the AP programs at top local private schools are just as challenging as NYC private schools. You're really not giving up anything. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:11 AM Flag
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You mean top public schools? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:21 AM Flag
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OR: Sorry- yes!! I meant top suburban public schools: Scarsdale, Bronxville, Great Neck, Millburn, Princeton, Chappaqua, Jericho, Wesport et al. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:23 AM Flag
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And at the top NYC publics of course [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:57 AM Flag
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Yes- Stuyvesant grads rarely seem to wind up as street sweepers. Though to listen to these women, you'd think that was the split. If you ever want an argument against the fact that top private schools produce brilliant students, just look at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Bush and his Yale-educated daughters. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:04 AM Flag
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but top nyc publics are selective in academic admissions and that actually is very different from top subruban publics which take every single student who lives in that town (or school district). Every Stuyvesant student has to qualify - every Princeton HS student does not. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:16 AM Flag
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No, but their parents have to be able to afford to live in Princeton. That's the filter. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:19 AM Flag
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And again- you speak as if Princeton HS did not bother to separate its top students into honors classes. Where the intelligence level will be equal to Horace Mann. Higher, in fact, I'd guess, since many of the kids of Princeton High will be offspring of professors. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:29 AM Flag
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a filter, yes. an academic filter? not so much. affluence plays a big role, but being affluent in and of itself does not make kids bright or academically inclined or even motivated. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:31 AM Flag
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But it does pay for armies of tutors [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:39 AM Flag
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The fact that you don't realize how thinly you are splitting hairs with your argument here is baffling. It's the sort of difference that can barely be seen with the naked eye and yet you've turned it into something vast and insurmountable. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:48 AM Flag
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I hate to throw race into the mix, but here goes -- wehat about a smart AA kid from an upper middle class family? Isn't it better for him to grow up in (diverse) NYC and go to a private school where he's the minority only at school, than to grow up in an all-white suburb where he's the minority at home and at school? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:35 AM Flag
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I'm not sure why he wouldn't be the only minority at home in Manhattan, unless you lived in Harlem [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:38 AM Flag
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walk around the streets in manhattan and then walk around the streets of short hills, new canaan, manhasset, scarsdale - does it REALLY feel the same to you? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:41 AM Flag
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Walk around the streets in Montclair, South Orange or New Rochelle. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:43 AM Flag
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but she said an "all white suburb" which those towns are not. and their school systems are not up there with those that are bing discussed here. my cousins recently graduated from montclair hs and my friend's kids just opted out of school system in new rochelle to go to scarsdale where she teaches so i have half a clue about this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:49 AM Flag
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I do. And in the residential areas - downtown and (especially) UES and UWS, I don't see a whole lot of upper middle class blacks. Mostly working class blacks. Brooklyn and NJ towns are very different. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:44 AM Flag
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absolutely. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:39 AM Flag
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By "at home" I mean that, socially, NYC even outside Harlem, has a lot more opportunities for a diverse mix of people to interact. Even without leaving the city. the same can't be said for a lot of the suburbs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:41 AM Flag
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Montclair. South Orange. New Rochelle. You didn't invent the black upper middle class, you know. We've been around a while. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:42 AM Flag
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^^Lots of parts of Brooklyn too-- which is a much more comfortable place for affluent AA families to live. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:45 AM Flag
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Yes don't sleep on Ft Greene, Clinton Hill and Stuy Hts Bed Stuy... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 10.23.08, 09:09 AM Flag
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Funny, most affluent AA families I know who live in "diverse" burbs like Montclair, South Orange and Maplewood send their kids to private schools because they don't want them "going ghetto" when they are in schools with working class AA kids and feeling pressure to be more "black" [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:41 AM Flag
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Your argument makes sense if you are talking about a brownstone in Fort Greene and St. Ann's. Not if you're talking a high-rise on the UES and Horace Mann [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:46 AM Flag
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Actually, what is so clueless is people in this city thinking that money in your dcs class is going to cause a problem. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:34 PM Flag
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HAVE ANY OF YOU BEEN TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL AS DCS IN NYC? I DOUBT IT. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IT. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:35 PM Flag
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Why do you think that having been a student 10, 20, 30 years ago is more valid than being a current parent? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:39 PM Flag
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Because the schools haven't changed so much as to warrant your non experience more valid than our first hand experience. Manhattan has always been filled with the wealthy, and these schools have always attracted them. Old money, celebrities names, political powerhouses and none of it made us uncomfortable. This is the most foolish concern I have ever heard. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:42 PM Flag
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Love how mommies who are new here think they know that schools have changed Based on what exactly? Their vast knowledge of what it was like before? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:44 PM Flag
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Do you really believe Manhattan hasn't changed in the past 25 years? I went to Chapin and the mix of families at the school is very different than when I was there. That reflects the make-up of Manhattan as much as anything else. But it's very different nowadays with a much greater emphasis on money and less appreciation for NYC as a diverse place (as opposed to a convenient one.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.19.08, 03:28 PM Flag
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because it is. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:46 PM Flag
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Has your college changed so much? Your private college which strives to maintain the philosophy and academic level on which was built? No. They don't. And neither do these. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:55 PM Flag
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I am amazed at how thick you are. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.19.08, 03:12 PM Flag
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I think it's weird for you to feel social unease around rich people. I'm not rich by any means, but I wouldn't feel uneasy - why should I? BTW, I want my dc to be exposed to people w/o and w/ money. Not just to the people in our situation. That is not why we live in the city. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.19.08, 03:22 PM Flag
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I don't think anyone was feeling "unease" as much as not wanting their child to feel very different. If there is a range of income levels, that's very different than 75% of the class owning a house in the Hamptons. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.19.08, 03:23 PM Flag
[ - ] Does anyone know where I can buy a chess set in Manhattan? TIA 8 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:46 AM Flag
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chess stores on thompson in village. or most toy stores [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:47 AM Flag
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If you aren't looking for anything fancy, any toy store that has games. Where do you live? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:47 AM Flag
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Harlem. Do you Bankstreet Bookstore will have them? Don't want anything fancy, just something for dc & dh to use. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:49 AM Flag
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Love that store. Don't know, but you can always call. I got one for ds last year at 72nd Street Stationary and Toys, but that's a bit out of your way. If you can find one, there are those great sets with several games in one. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:52 AM Flag
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Thanks [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:52 AM Flag
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np: Bankstreet has them. Go up the stairs and to the right. They are near the window. (I love that store. Maybe a little too much.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:55 AM Flag
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Thank you. I'll head down there later today [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:56 AM Flag
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Kmart [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:23 AM Flag
[ - ] we rented a car for the day tomorrow and want to go somewhere to swim and actually enjoy the 90 degree weather, without sitting in LI traffic. any suggestions? its just me, dh and 2 year old ds. tia! 10 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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New York City 07.18.08, 09:46 AM Flag
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Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn, Jacob Riis in Far Rockaway. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:48 AM Flag
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np: oh not not manhattan Beach..last time I was there it was dirty and looked just like brighton or coney island. I would go to Long Beach or JOnes beach [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:50 AM Flag
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Have to deal with LI traffic for these beaches. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:01 AM Flag
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yes but if you don't go through the LIE from Manhattan it won't be that bad. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:03 AM Flag
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rockaways? Enjoy the NYC traffic. Or Jersey shore and enjoy the Jersey traffic. The problem is anyone with a car is going to head to the beach tomorrow. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:50 AM Flag
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right..we'd like to stay away from the big beaches bc i dont think its a good place for our 2 year old. are there any clean lakes in the hudson valley? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:54 AM Flag
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That I don't know. You should look into water parks, too. When you don' t have the car, the Red Hook pool has a really big sprinkler and kids pool area. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:04 AM Flag
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Agree. Also try the great water park near chelsea piers. You could spend an afternoon there, walk around, get ice cream. With young kids, you don't need to go away. Nice just to stay in town. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:24 AM Flag
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what about the red hook pool? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:02 AM Flag
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We used to go to Lake Welch when we were kids (in Harriman State Park). Have no idea what it's like now. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:03 AM Flag
[ - ] Can anyone recommend a good movie? I want to see one tonight, and nothing is appealing. And the choice at smaller theaters is overwhelming! 4 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:46 AM Flag
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If you haven't seen The Visitor yet - and if it's still in theaters - go see it [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:49 AM Flag
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thanks, lookinginto it [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:56 AM Flag
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I have to admit that I finally saw Sex in the City with a girlfriend and enjoyed it (expected to not like it). I had never seen an episode of the show as we were living overseas during its hey day. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:53 AM Flag
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I want to do a date night. I am not sure I can convince the man. :) It sounds like an entertaining film. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:55 AM Flag
[ - ] un-registered dd at a D3 g&t last week. they said they would fill the spot from the waiting list. thought that was interesting. 65 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 07.18.08, 09:45 AM Flag
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[ Removed by moderator ] [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:45 AM Flag
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don't want to say. desirable D3 g&t. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:49 AM Flag
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Please do the right thing and say what school. some of us are desperate to find an empty spot. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:52 AM Flag
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see below. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:53 AM Flag
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interesting but inaccurate. there is no waiting list. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:46 AM Flag
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[ Removed by moderator ] [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:48 AM Flag
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bull. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:50 AM Flag
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OP again. i am certainly not making this up. maybe the woman at the school was not telling the truth, but why would she say that if it wasn't true. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:51 AM Flag
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np: I know that is the official stand, but it makes no sense, so I'm thinking OP is correct. Why wouldn't they fill a spot if they have one? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:48 AM Flag
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because it would be a public relations disaster and because pandemonium would ensue. we didn't get our fc. if a spot opens there and we are high enough on the list, will we get a call? and then what happens to my spot at the g&t where we accepted? same thing? no way will the doe do this, especially after explicitly stating they would not. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:52 AM Flag
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You might get a call. Then a spot would open up at the school you accepted if you decide to move. Why is this different from all the other application processes in which there are wait lists. It makes far more sense to do this than to have empty spots. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:57 AM Flag
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the doe could barely handle the first placement process. they won't do it again. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:03 AM Flag
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what makes you think they had problems in the G&T placement process? Besides the fact that they adjusted a few parameters it was straight forward and there were hardly any problems or huge surprises/ [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:17 AM Flag
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NP: How would you know if lower-scorers get in to your fc because DOE is going to a waitlist? You are already placed and would not get the spot. I think school should fill up the class--and they will come september. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:06 AM Flag
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are you suggesting they fill the spots randomly? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:13 AM Flag
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as someone suggested a couple of weeks ago the principals have the power to balance out all K classes in a school that has both gen ed and G&T classes. They will just pull some kids from gen ed and put them into G&T. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:19 AM Flag
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This absolutely happened last year in DD's K G&T class. There were 2 spots available (not sure why) and they pulled in two boys from a gen-ed class b/c the G&T class was full of girls (I have no idea how the boys scored on the olsat). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:27 AM Flag
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that was last year, when schools had more autonomy. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:41 AM Flag
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The principals still have a lot of power over how they want to run their schools. The DOE took away the admissions process from them but the principal still has the power to move kids around. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:51 AM Flag
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I don't think that's the case, as several families tried hard and failed at our school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:06 AM Flag
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Tried hard to do what? They asked the principal to do something but he couldn't? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:21 AM Flag
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They asked for their younger dcs to be moved to G&T class (their older kids were in G&T and they wanted the siblings there too). No luck, and two of the families are very involved at the school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:26 AM Flag
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How is this proof that the principal does not have th epower to do that? He just didn't see how this is helpful for his school in general and denied the request. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:28 AM Flag
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Unless your gen ed classes are notably bigger than G&T there is almost never a compelling reason for the principal to do this, other than making someone happy. It always gets out and create issues. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:36 AM Flag
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A friend of mine who is a MS teacher told me that the principals became a lot more powerful under Bloomberg and Klein. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:23 AM Flag
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LOL! have you just emerged from under your rock, rip van mommie? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:22 AM Flag
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^mispost. meant to reply to mom who thinks there were no problems with the g&t process this year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:24 AM Flag
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Huh? No, I was part of the process. We filled out all the forms, did what we had to do, and the DOE came back with what was promised to us. What was the big deal this year? They changed the cut-off. Ok. So what? That did not affect us. What else? Oh, the DOE was constantly late with their parts. The two weeks of extra wait are no big deal either. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:53 AM Flag
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look, they botched the whole pre-k process, letting non-sibs in before sibs, their vendor didn't bother to pick up apps at the p.o., they didn't give some parents waiting on lottery results ample time to make a decision. there is no way they will do this all over again. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:12 AM Flag
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np, I thought the discussion was about g&t? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:20 AM Flag
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apps picked up and bad timing regarding gen ed lottery is g&t. pre-k fiasco goes to the point that the doe can't get their act together when placing dcs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:30 AM Flag
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The G&T process was close to flawless (minus the points you can always debate like how useful is the OLSAT etc). The timing was a little off and it looks like that different departments didn't talk to each other. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 12:03 PM Flag
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lol. thanks, joel! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 12:38 PM Flag
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Instead of mocking how about contributing with some facts> [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:12 PM Flag
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This is a discussion about the G&T process. We are all aware of the pre-K admission issues but that has nothing to do with what we are talking about here. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:22 AM Flag
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Please, please, please say which school. PLEASE. it will be a great service to my family. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:50 AM Flag
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fine i'll tell. i wouldn't want someone else holding back this info if i really needed it. 166. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:52 AM Flag
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Thank you so much for that. I'm goign to call and if my DD gets a spot I'll post back. you're a saint. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:53 AM Flag
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OP let me know what they say. if they confirm that there is a waiting list, post back so the naysayers will back off! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:55 AM Flag
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hang on there, buckaroo. even if there is a waitlist (which i highly doubt) i'm sure it is ranked in order of score and they will go with the next highest scorer, not the person who calls first. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:55 AM Flag
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The way the scores were, they're likely to have 30 98s [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:59 AM Flag
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right, but i'm sure everyone is ranked by their draw in the lottery as well. if someone can just call up and get a spot it makes a mockery of the whole process. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:02 AM Flag
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Could it be more of a mockery? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:13 AM Flag
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if they do what op suggests, yes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:26 AM Flag
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How would they fill the waitlist? People who didn't get a spot at all because they did not rank every school or people who ranked the school higher than the one they were placed? If it is the former it is unfair and if it is the latter is it a logistical nightmare. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:25 AM Flag
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ita. ain't gonna happen. nor will principals be given the discretion to pull dcs out of gen ed classes and place them in g&ts this year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:27 AM Flag
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How do you know that principals won't be allowed to do this? They have A LOT of power and have been given more authority to do things in Klein's administration. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:30 AM Flag
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quite the opposite when it comes to the g&t process. it is all meant to be centralized with principals being given zero authority when it comes to admissions. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:40 AM Flag
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Once the school year is underway the principal can do whatever he or she pleases to run the school. Do not underestimate the power of the principal of a public school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:55 AM Flag
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Don't the g&ts have their own principals or is that just Anderson and Lower Lab? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:01 AM Flag
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Only if it is a stand alone school like lower lab and anderson. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:03 AM Flag
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and do not underestimate the public outcry that will result if principals in schools with both g&ts and gen eds start randomly assigning those from the latter into the former. this is the first year it was supposed to be fair and square, a transparent process based on objective results. no onsites, no preschool reports, just the scores. the doe is not about to let principals make a sham of this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:14 AM Flag
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If the principal deems such move to be necessary for his school I'll be okay with that. It is a public school. Whatever is best for everybody together. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:24 AM Flag
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no, whatever is fair, actually. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:39 AM Flag
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no. What's better for the greater good, that is more important than total fairness. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 12:04 PM Flag
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Giving G&T spots to unqualified kids over qualified kids who weren't offered a spot, is for the greater good? I don't think so. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 12:35 PM Flag
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Every qualified child was offered a spot as long as the parents ranked all the schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:13 PM Flag
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but if you didn't get into fc, aren't you on a waitlist whether you ranked all the schools or not? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 01:53 PM Flag
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No, there is no wait list. The decision you made for your child a few weeks back is final. It even says so on the letter. There might be a chance that the DOE is going to call up the folks that didn't end up with anything (because they didn't rank every school or declined the an offer) and offer them a spot at a vastly undersubscribed program (like PS111 in D2). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 03:45 PM Flag
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no actually someone posted here that she declined a spot at a top g&t and just changed her mind today. she got her spot back. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 04:33 PM Flag
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BTW, why did you "un-register?" [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 10:48 AM Flag
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moving. last minute decision. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:04 AM Flag
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my guess is that you may have been told this by an uninformed adminsitrative person. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:06 AM Flag
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I'd put my money on this too. The school secretaries often know their job, but not what's going on outside the school regarding issues that matter to parents, like admissions. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 11:15 AM Flag
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boy or girl out of curiosity? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 12:57 PM Flag
[ - ] has anyone heard of this kind of fish: bazzini? brazzino? 1 Reply [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:42 AM Flag
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Branzino? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.18.08, 09:46 AM Flag
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