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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 was your appepetite after giving birth, do you still feel like eating everything in sight? 14 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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Expecting 07.05.08, 04:59 PM Flag
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if you breastfeed, you will be hungry enough to eat a horse [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:28 PM Flag
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I'll be breastfeeding, God Willing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:30 PM Flag
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Then child, you don't know what hungry is yet!!!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:44 PM Flag
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or thirsty!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:46 PM Flag
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np: ICAM. I am way more hungrier now while breastfeeding, then I ever was pregnant. I could seriously eat all day. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:48 PM Flag
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did you lose weight like everyone says, or were you just eating too much for it to make a difference? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:58 PM Flag
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np, I'm the one who said you will be hungry enough to heat a horse - I ate healthy (and lots of it) and lost all my weight quickly. It takes a healthy diet and excersize - you can't eat ice cream all day and expect to lose weight. But, if you eat healthy, exer. and bf your weight will come off. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:01 PM Flag
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nnp-i lost all my wt with my first in no time (and more). and I ate crap. with my 2nd, well, lost some of it, ate way healthier and it took a year + to lose it. I guess that I was just older, metabolism slowed down. i did ww and lost 15 finally and still need 15 to go [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:12 PM Flag
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i was famished. i delivered at slr, had island burger delivery like 3x [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:05 PM Flag
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i'm delivering there too, i heard they give you lobster, that can't be true. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:09 PM Flag
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not true for me, but maybe it changed. their food was not that bad [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:11 PM Flag
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I think you're thinking of Greenwich Hospital. There's no lobster at SLR! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:05 PM Flag
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That's such an urban legend it's absurd. There's no lobster. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:09 PM Flag
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My appetite was very healthy for the first 1-2 days after birth. But then for 3 weeks straight, all I wanted to eat was Cheerios and skim milk. There was something about the bland flavor that I craved. It was really weird. I don't remember that happening with #1. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:04 PM Flag
[ - ] Are DR.'s still circumcising little boys, besides in the Jewsih Community? Having a boy in August, I thought everyone still did this. 24 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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Expecting 07.05.08, 04:44 PM Flag
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even if dr's are, have a mohel do it (if you have to do it at all). SO much more humane when a mohel does it and they'll do it for non-Jewish babies. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:51 PM Flag
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np: why? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:09 PM Flag
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waiting some time after the birth, letting baby gain back some weight, letting baby metabolize bfing antibodies, baby is held by a parent during the procedure. It's just much much more humane. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:00 PM Flag
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Dr. Eric Diamond is a doctor and a mohel. See if you can get him to do the circumcision. I think he'll do it even if it's not a Bris because he's a urologist. I'm pretty sure he's a pediatric urologist and they do circumcisions anyway. Baby doesn't cry... he uses anesthesia on the baby. He uses a cream that makes it so they don't feel anything. Mohels that aren't doctors can't use that. Only doctors can, so it's best to get a mohel that's also a doctor. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.21.09, 04:56 PM Flag
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dr emily blake is also a dr and a mohel. mymohel.com [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.21.09, 05:04 PM Flag
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parents decide. It's almost 50/50 now [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:29 PM Flag
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nope, around 50% [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:31 PM Flag
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not Jewish and our 3 boys are - as are most of my friends ds [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:33 PM Flag
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op: my dh said it's being done, no if, ands or butts about it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:35 PM Flag
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so- we are not and my UK Jewish friends are not [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:37 PM Flag
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my dh said it was not going to be done, no if, ands or butts. so we didn't for either of our boys. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:45 PM Flag
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I figure ny husband can hae this major decision, because he is male and probably knows more about the subject than me. If it were a female thing, then I'd choose. I learned to pick my battles. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:56 PM Flag
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^^^I really don't want to put my son through that, but I guess we will. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:56 PM Flag
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My dh was 100% sure he wanted to circ when I was first pg, but when I actually made him read about it, he totally changed his mind. Any informed person would (at least if they have no religious impetus) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:02 PM Flag
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Any informed person would still need to consider his own personal preference: the data is decidedly mixed. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.06.08, 08:21 AM Flag
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my husband has never researched anything in his life, lol. Yes, he has a penis - but I knew much more about circ than he did. We were lucky that we agreed, but just having a penis doesn't mean much. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:03 PM Flag
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but being in a boys locker room might give him an idea...my husband said they used to call boys that were not circumcised "hooded monsters". [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:08 PM Flag
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whatever. So archaic. These days a large percentage of boys are not circed, so they are not the tiny minority any longer. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:01 PM Flag
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my dh said that anyone male interested in anothers penis is the locker room was considered gay. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.06.08, 08:02 AM Flag
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True enough, but it's naive to think no one notices. In my (small, private) high school, there was one uncircumcised boy and everyone knew who it was...sort of a weird thing to be famous for. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.06.08, 08:20 AM Flag
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I wouldn't let my husband have more of a vote than me about something that affects OUR newborn. Just because he has a dick and the baby does too, it makes his opinion all-powerful?? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:00 PM Flag
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well how do you compromise on that, it's very important to DH, it's not so much of an issue for me, people must decide what to do. You think I'm going to be fighting for this when it is not a major issue for me. All the poeple I know with boys have done it, DH wants it done, why would I argue it? If we were arguing over a C-Section vs Natural Birth, or something I truly had an issue with then it would be different. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:10 PM Flag
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I see this over and over. DH's want it done to DS's -because it normalizes circumcision for the husband. It makes it "normal", -AS IF. Tell DH it is where 3/4 of a man's sexual pleasure lies, so you and he will be stripping your DS of that. -Just cause DH is happy with his sexual loss, is no reason to subject son to same. Besides it is painful traumatic and unnecessary. Tell DH to see a therapist if he has to. Have compassion for your son! Good luck! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.23.08, 08:40 PM Flag
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there are only two votes, so You would have to win right? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:11 PM Flag
[ - ] 2 month pregnant and I'm already large for shirts and 8 for pants. Which size should I buy for late pregnancy? 10 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:42 PM Flag
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OH God, be ready...I just added up an estimate of how much I spent on Maternity Clothes, it turns out to be like $1500. And most of it was at Motherhood Maternity which is very cheap. I tried going larger early but then you look twice as big, as really after the 4th month I biught a few things every 3 or 4 weeks. This includes undewear and bras. That may not be a lot to you, but it was to me. However, I sold a box of my 4-5 month clothes on Ebay for $50, and plan on doing the same with the rest. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:48 PM Flag
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^^^and these last four weeks are really a bitch, I thought I was done, but out grew so many things in weeks, and I was small/medium frame to begin with 5"3 and 120 lbs, I'm now 155 and wearing extra large in most maternity clothes! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:52 PM Flag
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extra large in motherhood. woe I'm already large. si I have to buy extra extra large [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:03 PM Flag
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I was wondering what people who were taller and bigger did, I mean really, an extra large for a smaller built person sounds crazy to me!I had a 34 B and went to a 38DD. Most of my friends have started out at at least a 36 C or D! They have a Plus Size in the back, which is where I'll probably be in two weeks. The problem with Motherhood is that the sizes are so off in so many ways that you really have to tray stuff on. But if you do, bring it home to do it, or you'll never buy anything! The other stores, Like Pea in the Pod and Destination Maternity are much better, but cost A LOT more! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:11 PM Flag
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thanks, you've been really helpful [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:40 PM Flag
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probably because it was yesterday I started adding up the bill after I bought a dress for my shower this week! Glad to help! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:43 PM Flag
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what size were you before pregnancy and which size are you now? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:46 PM Flag
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I was a size two in GAP jeans, cargo pants, dress pants. My first maternity jeans were a sale item at GAP and they were size 4, I bought them at 2 months, just to have, they were good for about up until 3 1/2 months, then way to tight on my belly. I bought size 6 then, they lasted about 6 weeks, then 8, and they lasted about 3 weeks...then I stopped jeans all together! I need things below the belly. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:52 PM Flag
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^^^Now in Motherhood Capri's and and Cargo I am a large, but soon they will be too small, hopefully yesterday was my last maternity shopping trip, I bought a few dresses because they are comfortable. But I can't wear a dress to work! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:54 PM Flag
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The Bella Bands helped me out months 2-5, what ever jean size you ate thinking f buying, go up one size so it might last two months instead of one. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:58 PM Flag
[ - ] I live outside USA. I am looking forward summer sale. Do you think I can still catch them in late september or is it too late? (My next trip to USA) 4 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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Toddler 07.05.08, 04:33 PM Flag
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way too late. I'm always so bummed because I never catch them on time. Fall stuff is already coming in and some summer stuff on sale, by August it'll mostly be gone. will stores online ship overseas, I know they have great sales. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:35 PM Flag
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thanks [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:37 PM Flag
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so weird. didn't I just read you on YBM? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:39 PM Flag
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lol. Yes. I get more answers there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:42 PM Flag
[ - ] Burb moms that have a landscaper cut your lawn, where do you live, how much property do you have and how much do you pay to have the grass cut? 1 Reply [ Reply | Watch | More
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New York City 07.05.08, 04:22 PM Flag
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VA...30-40 to cut, depending on who we use. have a decent size lot but not huge [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:38 PM Flag
[ - ] I like it: Pretenders and Transplants go home! 2 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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New York City 07.05.08, 04:21 PM Flag
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Immigrants are what keep New York vital. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:32 PM Flag
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None of you are immigrants, immigrants are important, we are talking about wannabes, reachers [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:33 PM Flag
[ - ] When I was a girl my parents who grew up in manhattan always complained that the city had become so crowded and that private school was impossible to get into. Sigh. The more things change the more they stay they the same. 12 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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New York City 07.05.08, 04:08 PM Flag
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There have always been thousands of immigrants coming into the city. I think a major difference now is the overall affluence--white people with money are staying in the city and they are having more children. What was that amazing statistic from census figures, quoted in the Times? The median household income of a white family with children under 5 living in Manhattan is $280,000. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:14 PM Flag
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The times is always, and forever has been, trying to alter real stats to capitalize on he fear of crowding to sell papers, look at the articles in the archives from the 80s, same fear mongering. Aside from that if you look at the ny.gov census stats you see that the number of dcs that are from families that could actually afford private school is actually smaller than in the 90s [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:18 PM Flag
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In the 1980s there were way too many private schools - so many that quite a few of the middle class schools closed - McBurney, Rhodes, Walden, more; and many merged. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:21 PM Flag
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the middle class schools? I was middle class and I went to a tt private. There were not 'too many schools' and many many have now opened so it is all relative [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:27 PM Flag
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I'm the OR of this thread. Name the schools you are talking about, please. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:33 PM Flag
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You don't know your private school history. There were about a dozen schools that closed in the (mostly) late 80s. I say "middle class" because schools like the three I mentioned were affordable for a mid-level manager working parent with a SAHM (e.g. bookkeepers, salesmen, actuaries) vs. the $30K+ needed today which would take up one whole income of this level today. That you went to a tt private is irrelevent. Private schools then were begging for students; not like today. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:34 PM Flag
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I assure you, my school was never begging for anyone [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:43 PM Flag
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NP: Birth Wathen was begging, the top ones that remain op now were always killers to break into [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:44 PM Flag
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LOLOLOLOL yes everyone was getting into collegiate, spence and brearley. Moron. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.06.08, 03:29 AM Flag
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I don't know, the "white people with money" part of this sentence is humorous. I don't get what you're trying to say. Aren't their Indian, Muslim, Asian, Black, people with money in the city, as well? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.06.08, 05:44 AM Flag
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Were they putting kids on a 'hold list' even at the public schools and holding lotteries for PS41 like they did this year? It may not be 'more crowded' but the demographic has certainly changed and there are more children in manhattan now than 40 years ago. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:34 PM Flag
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Some parts of Manhattan, yes. But there are still plenty of undernerolled school. Unfortunately everyone is flocking to the crowded ones. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:36 PM Flag
[ - ] surely the dumbest post of the night but here goes, we are moving to a house and today we took the kids there to walk around, the blessing and curse of apt living was we could here everything from any room, now a little nervous about the second floor, our kdis are 4 and 3, so clearly they can do stairs, but do people really hang in the den downstairs while the kids are sleeping upstairs? how do u heard stuff? do you gate the steps for awhile? 6 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:04 PM Flag
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When you lived in the burbs were you ever upstairs unattended as a dc? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:08 PM Flag
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we are moving to a house too and just took kids there yesterday to roam around too. What bites for us is we have a 15 mos old (and 2 older dcs) so I have to worry about the stairs. I'll have to gate them and then still worry about older two kids leaving the gate open. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:36 PM Flag
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maybe this is dumb, as i only have a 1.5 yo but, what do you need to hear after you put them to bed? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:37 PM Flag
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op: good point. i guess i take forgranted now, the crying or if someone is sick. also, now i can easily be in another room on computer doing work if need be, and still hear them, just suddenly nervous about the space. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:38 PM Flag
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we used a baby monitor until my youngest, who has really strong lungs, was around 3. I still use a gate at the top of the stairs at night in case one of them wakes in the middle of the night - we wouldn't want them to accid fall down the stairs. the baby monitor is a good idea so if they wake you will have some warning before they come downstairs and catch you watching tv or eating ice cream! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:42 PM Flag
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dc shouldn't know you watching tv or eating icecream? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:38 PM Flag
[ - ] dh is getting transferred to philly and we have figured out that financially it's a fabulous move, we can do so much more, but oddly nervous that with bad job market, should he lose his job much harder to find work in philly than it would be in nyc? 6 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:01 PM Flag
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depends on his field, what does he do? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:10 PM Flag
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he's a journalist, but paid at the top, and the market is in very bad shape in philly. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:17 PM Flag
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you would have to move. For a journalist, the only place that would have as many jobs available would be DC. How many top journalists could Philly possibly need? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.13.08, 06:28 PM Flag
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I think I'm the same poster answering all your ?'s. Sorry, but yes, limited job opps. Most ppl I meet work in big pharma or acc'ting. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.13.08, 06:07 PM Flag
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Depends on what he does. FWIW, R&H was just sold and there will be a lot more people on the job market in Philly. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.13.08, 06:25 PM Flag
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It's not like you cannot move back to NYC down the road, right? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.13.08, 07:16 PM Flag
[ - ] So, do you consider it cheating when you enroll your child out of district and zone, but you did not fool anyone? For example, you work at their partner middle school in close proximity to the elementary school. 9 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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Toddler 07.05.08, 03:27 PM Flag
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do you consider it crazy to try to attack someone publically by giving so many details? well, i do. these posts should be deleted by the moderator. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:35 PM Flag
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I'm talking about myself. I just wonder if you consider ME a cheater. I have educator hours and the only way that I can be involved in my child's education is to work the system so that I can at least pick her up and maybe work within my prep schedule. Does that bother you, is my question. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:37 PM Flag
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none of it bothers me, really. I think people do what they do for their kids. eventually the schools will be so crowded that people won't want to cheat to get into them. they will move to the burbs, and free up space for others. GL to you! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:46 PM Flag
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Thanks. I posted out of curiosity. I am in that situation and know others in that situation. Schools also make some exceptions. Not everyone "cheated" by using fake addresses to get in and assuming that based on the child's address is unfair. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:48 PM Flag
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yes, I do. Our school is so crowded that I will get rid off any cheaters [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:33 PM Flag
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won't change the overcrowding, unfortunately [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:23 PM Flag
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so I'm assuming since you're not fooling anyone, you got a legitimate variance. And of course that's totally fine. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 05:37 PM Flag
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In some schools, they are going to have to turn away in-zone kids because they are so overcrowded. If that happens in the school where you are "cheating," you can expect to be turned in lickety-split. I agree with the below advice to just get a variance. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:53 PM Flag
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Above advice. :) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:53 PM Flag
[ - ] who are these people who want to do away with zones? I would never want that or support it. would only serve the people who move to an iffy nabe to buy a huge space, and then get all the benefits of the good zone. would not make sense for the entire system to be one big lottery! 36 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 07.05.08, 03:18 PM Flag
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No. It wouldn't, but the lottery system should be independent of where you live. The lottery system is not accomplishing what it was designed to anyway as it is. It is actually decreasing diversity in the good schools because only a certain type of person has the time and education to manipulate the system in that way. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:20 PM Flag
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are you saying there should be no lotteries? if yes, i agree. if you are saying anyone should have access to any school regardless of where they live, then I disagree. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:25 PM Flag
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I am saying that the lottery is a failure. It should be changed or done away with. I think there should be allowances in all schools for special circumstances. I think that the failing elementary schools should be divided up and changed just like they are doing to the high schools with more magnet type situations for specific needs. There is a huge problem in most districts with few options for parents in poorer districts like 5 and 6. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:30 PM Flag
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The situation is impossible to fix. They should dismantle the entire system and start from scratch, they have been discussing ways to improve public city schools for 50 years, nothing has worked nothing will ever work [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:34 PM Flag
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I am or above. They are dismantling high schools to some degree. It needs to happen from the bottom up. There are all of these new high schools but nothing to offer options for elementary school or to fix the failing schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:39 PM Flag
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It has been going on in discussions forever and they have tried various fixes which do nothing, I just have no faith that it will ever changed having lived here for 46 years. Top to bottom, bottom up, it just all needs to be dismantled [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:42 PM Flag
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Education is a cycle that starts with the parents and their level of education. I guess things will just continue as is without a massive overall. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:45 PM Flag
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I believe it will just continue on like this, like a body with two broken limbs. I have never seen any solution even come close to improving anything. My god Wagner is still a prison! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:48 PM Flag
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I disagree. what good would that do? there should be zones, so that kids can go to school in their nabes. there should be gifted programs in those schools for kids who need them, and do away with lotteries and citywides. that way, people will stick close to home and fix the schools or move that would improve schools and/or get rid of the excess of kids. burbs will flourish and nyc will return to normal. its not the only place t live, and those with kids who cannot afford pricey nabes will either fix their local schools or leave. that is the way it is done everywhere. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:44 PM Flag
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Back to normal? How long have you lived here [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:49 PM Flag
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I have lived here since the age of 10. I went to private schools, but now have the pleasure of the public ssytem. I think there are more and more kids seeking placement in elementary than when I was growing up. we need a mass exodus to the burbs, and the best way to accomplish this is to do what I said. get rid of lotteries (will happen, since the schools that used to have a bunch of lottery spots no longer do), make citywides district wide, and put G&T programming in all the schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:53 PM Flag
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I grew up here too, knew nothing about the public system until three yrs ago and then scrimped to send to private because the schools were so depressing. More dcs? so the census says but not anymore dcs with the income to send to private than when we were small. Mass exodus is not realistic though, much as I would love to see it [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:59 PM Flag
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So curious, how did you go to private and now end up sending dc to public [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:07 PM Flag
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people like you keep saying that, but there is a change. My parents were physicians, and we went to private. My dh is a physician, and we cannot afford private. the financial structure of nyc has changed, adn I do believe there are more MC/UMC people sending dcs to public school. there are not enough good ones, and so people are calling for changes that will allow them access to more citywides, G&Ts or lottery spots. I say stop it now, and push people to send kids to local schools which they can improve, or people can move to the burbs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:23 PM Flag
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people like me? do you mean people with experience with all of this? yes. and my parents were physicians as well, and my dh is a surgeon we can afford private and the makeup of our dcs class is much as it was when we were there socially and economically. Incidentally, I am surprised to hear as a native that your experience was not similar. Sounds fishy [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:26 PM Flag
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lol! fishy? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:12 PM Flag
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Do you want all of the teachers to leave too. Most can't afford the nabes with good schools. Why should all the good schools be in affluent nabes, anyway? You can't fix a school a huge school as a parent. Principals aren't forced to listen to you, and you may be a lone voice in a voiceless population. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:51 PM Flag
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then move. My family knew many teachers back in the day, but to answer your question, I think teachers should be given special consideration as part of their package. otherwise, people can move out. The city has too many kids to accomodate, and it cannot be fixed, unless some leave. that is obvious to private school parents and should become obvious to those who but big apts in washington heights or riverdale or harlem, and then expect to go to school in D3, or elsewhere. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:00 PM Flag
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OR from above: I like the moving suggestion. I think all these people should move and give me back my city too d$mn crowded [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:03 PM Flag
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it would also prevent people from flocking to the 'good' zones before their dc starts K, which is what happens in the 41 and 234/89 zone. We live in chelsea and I know at least 10 families who moved to the village or tribeca so they could send dc to those schools. I actually pay more in property tax (and zoned to a so so school ) than someone with a similar property in the west village. Why shouldn't my dc have the same if not more of a right to attend the 'better' village school? The property taxes in NY are not assessed based on school zones [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:41 PM Flag
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yes, but it was your choice to choose the pricier area with worse schools. people need to live with their choices and improve the schools in the areas they choose. why should I live in a tiny 2 br hovel near ps87, and have people with 3-4 bedrooms in morningside heights coming into my school? sorry, I don't buy it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:49 PM Flag
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you do realize that that person with the bigger apartment in morningside heights is funding more of your dc's school than you are...what is fair about that? Until the BOE can guarantee an equally good education to everyone in the city the 'good' schools are going to be overcrowded. Doing away with the zones would definitely alleviate some of the overcrowding in the 'better' schools and it would force people who would have otherwise gone to the 'better' school into the 'borderline' schools and they would improve. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:16 PM Flag
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I doubt the tax thing you claim. my maintainance (and tax) is huge, and much higher than the all the apts we looked at in morningside heights a few years agon. you could never get rid of zones and bus kids all over the city. it is not feasible or desirable from a financial or environmental standpoint. people can choose to buy in my nabe a much smaller apt if they want to attend the school...just like we did. i think this idea of letting people live wherever, and then letting them pick a lottery number to determine schools. would be completely crazy to do this. also, you realize I hope, that we are not talking about a way to incorporate the poor. we are talking about how to let the MC live in cheaper areas, but still get the schools in more $$ areas. I would never support that move, nor would anyone else in these nabes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:31 PM Flag
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depends where you live. I looked into it...we live on a block that is zoned for commercial use, therefore we pay more property tax per square foot than we would if we lived on a block zoned for residential use ...taxes in NYC are not based on what school you are zoned for. Maybe they should be....that would be fair...could bring more $ into the entire system that way and improve it for everyone [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:09 PM Flag
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Not AT ALL. That would make the system even more unfair. The schools in the poorest neighborhoods--which are more numerous than wealthy neighborhoods--would be a disaster. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:10 PM Flag
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ITA! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:13 PM Flag
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all of manhattan is commercially zoned. every building has commercial space for stores or doctors' offices or whatever. trust me the taxes on the uws are high high high. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 08:30 PM Flag
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Actually, if you had a district wide lottery, it would do a lot to improve all the schools in a district by balancing the population by race and class. It would also alleviate the price gouging real estate prices in certain neighborhoods. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:13 PM Flag
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no, it would be unfair to people who sacrificed space and other amenities to buy into a good zone. if you want space, go to the bubs and enjoy the great public schools there. otherwise move to our zone, and live like we do. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:15 PM Flag
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how much do you pay to live in your "good" zone and what zone is it? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:16 PM Flag
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Exactly. I have friends who wouldn't move to m zone because--God forbid--their kids would have to share a room and now they want to use my address (where my kids share a room) to get into our zoned school? I don't think so. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:17 PM Flag
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this is what kills me. all the people calling for a no zone lottery system likely have much bigger apts and a better QOL in terms of living space. or they have rent controlled apts they don't want to leave. meanwhile the struggling MC who values education made the sacrifices necessary to put their kids in a good school, only to have these people trying to make it all equal access for everyone. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:46 PM Flag
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what do you pay for a 2 br hovel near ps 87? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:17 PM Flag
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About $4400. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:24 PM Flag
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Now that your children are in a "good" school, you could move to a bigger cheaper apartment in a "bad" zone. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 08:54 PM Flag
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btdt. prefer proximity to the school, and the nabe, though less interesting is certainly more convenient [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 09:22 PM Flag
[ - ] The scores on the olsat were overall much higher than last year. i think there were a few 34s, a couple of 35s and one 36 (my dc's) that I saw posted about here. Many who got into Anderson had scores in the 20s. there are two possibilities: 1) The test this year was an easier version. 2) The prepping that happened this year was more organized and effective since there was no KTSS, and the test was only announced in the fall, a couple of months before it was given. It could be the 2 factors at play, but I would not count on the super high scores next year. The doe could use a harder version, netting only 250 99s. We shall see. 58 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 07.05.08, 03:06 PM Flag
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Whatever it is all meaningless [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:09 PM Flag
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Too much testing anyway. DOE is testing crazy. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:10 PM Flag
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agree. we took it last year. the 99s I know this year aren't what I would think of as...well, um...99s. agree that anderson had a bunch of low scorers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:13 PM Flag
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lol. love posters like these. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:43 PM Flag
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yep. She saw a kid on the playground twice and feels qualified to guess kid's IQ score. Give it a rest. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 04:26 PM Flag
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funny. overheard an anderson mom at the playground asking another mom whose dc had just been accepted for K if he was "a 99." The woman looked flummoxed. meanwhile i was thinking this anderson mom's kid probably got in with a lower score, and she likely was appalled when the OLSAT was announced as the test. Now she runs around checking scores. I just shook my head. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 03:49 PM Flag
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ha! Same thing happened to me. Dumbfounded, frankly. btw, my kid can run circles aorund hers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:25 PM Flag
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np: yes, but they went on and on about how their low scoring kids were to gifted to score highly. said the smartest kids who "think out of the box" are more likely to choose a creative answer. Now they are all running around checking 99 credentials. hysterical really. a bunch of silly sheep is what this process produces. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 06:35 PM Flag
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This is so absurd. As if you're some expert on what a "99" kid looks like. Get over yourself, and fast. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:09 PM Flag
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actually, I am. there are 99s...and then there are 99s. you will see this in the classroom, I assure you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:17 PM Flag
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Then please tell us what you see as distinguishing characteristics of "true" 99s, as opposed to the imposters? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:21 PM Flag
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you know as well as I do. there are the kids who are obviously smart. inquisitive, knowledgable beyond their years or peers, able to think conceptually like an adult, vocabulary like a college educated adult and on and on. then there are the average kids that no one would see as particularly smart. both kids get a 99. tell me they are both gifted. the ceiling on the olsat is so low as not to distinguish these two kids. it will be obvious to you one day if it isn't already. In fact, if it isn't obvious to you, you likely don't have one of the true 99s. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:29 PM Flag
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NP: LOL! If you have to ask... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:32 PM Flag
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I believe intelligence (not to mention "talent" which is so often latent in 4 yos) is a multifaceted thing that can easily defy generalizations. I hear so much about all the SB 98 and SB 99s who didn't even score 90% on the OLSAT. So, how do you account for that? Also, I love the fact that because I disagree with you, you can't resist insulting me and my dc. Please, go back to judging which kids are a true 99 and which aren't. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:42 PM Flag
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obviously there is no perfect system, and some kids will be gifted and some not. I don't personally think the SB is predictive in 4 yos either. I also think discrepencies between these tests may well have to do with the method of administration and exposure. what I am saying is that some kids will be gifted, and some won't be--even with scores in the higher range required for a citywide. I don't think all 99s are equal. in fact, some kids who are even 95s might be the truly gifted kids. the hype and craziness need to stop. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 07:55 PM Flag
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NP: I disagree. Intelligence is not so hard to distinguish, and though multifaceted, we do have ideas about what constitutes intelligence in an individual. When it is not apparent, it is likely very specific, and thus, not the broad type of intelligence we usually mean. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.05.08, 08:11 PM Flag
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Give me a break, 4 year olds don't necessarily show all that they know to adults who are not their parents. Even teachers don't always recognize giftedness. My brilliant husband, was so introverted as a small child that many people thought he was retarted. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.06.08, 08:24 AM Flag
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maybe there are some asperger's kids like your dh, but there are some kids who are obviously gifted, and whether by test or onste or just casual observation, you can't miss it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.06.08, 08:47 AM Flag
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He doesn't have aspergers; he just didn't perform parlor tricks to impress the adults in his life. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.06.08, 08:53 AM Flag
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not talking about kids performing parlor tricks. just very exceptional kids who could not hide if they wanted to. surely, you have seen some like this. or perhaps you were blinded by your own narrow experience, and decided to dismiss them as being tricksters. [ Repl