UrbanBaby

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

[ - ] UB it's still not the same.... even with the teeny tiny font 7 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:12 AM Flag

you are right. It isn;t the same. Life is about changes dear. Adjust! You are a homosapien. We are the kings of adpatation. That is why we lived so well and so long. I'm glad you weren't in my gene pool way back when. We would have just sat on a stump and died out [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:14 AM Flag

woah... crazy UB mom alert! [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:15 AM Flag

LOL! A new moniker! thanks! [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:15 AM Flag

this reply disturbs me more that all the anti UB posts... [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:16 AM Flag

LMAO! Why? People are acting like the format change is the end of the world. Just trying to give a little perspective [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:17 AM Flag

lol i know that... i'm still here am i not? just odd... [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:19 AM Flag

OR I'm just tired of all the whining. Trying to inject a little humor. That's all ;-) [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:19 AM Flag

[ - ] What is a typical day in your child's elementary school? Private or public? What grade? 12 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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NY Schools 05.23.08, 05:08 AM Flag

my dd is in 2nd grade and every day is different. Everyday they have a morning meeting, social studies, math, reading, outdoor play but other days they have art, science, computer mixed in. Their schedule is nicely mixed [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:10 AM Flag

^^^sorry this is private school [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:10 AM Flag

but only the specials change? So, mornings might be morning meeting, reading, then lunch, math, special (computer, art, etc). How much time spent on reading vs. math--which are subjects taught every day? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:13 AM Flag

no..every morning they start the day with a morning meeting, then after that they choose worktime which could be math, writing, ect some work the dc may have not finished or still want to work on. They do this for 45min. Then they have reading (into reading groups..some days 30min-45min). Depending on the level of reading, some of the kids have independ. reading in the library during this time which is usually the readers that are very independ. Then they have a 15min snack time. After that they have a social studies meeting which is 15min long where they discuss what project or study of Soc. Studies they are working on. This soc. studies period is 1 hr long and 2 days out of the week it's only 30 min since they fit in a movement class for the other 30min. At 12noon is a 30min lunch. They have a quiet time after lunch for 15min which some kids work on journals or reading or they go to computer for 30 min depending on the day. from 1-2pm during the week they can be at yard or music. they get a lot of time outside everyday which is great. At 2pm is science, art or shop for an hour. That is bascially from what I know of their schedule [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:27 AM Flag

^^^at noon is lunch. It's 30min long followed by a 15min quiet time to write in journals, read on their own. One day a week after lunch they go to computer. Then from 1-2pm their time is filled with yard play or music. They get a lot of yard time every day (can be 30min to 45 min daily). Then at 2ish they go to science, shop or art. This is from memory and I'm sure I'm forgetting something but this is about what it looks like [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:30 AM Flag

Interesting. So recess is separate from lunch? I'm used to the kids running around right after eating. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:43 AM Flag

yes it is. When they are in the yard they use it for sports play, free play, ect. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 06:12 AM Flag

^^but yard time is only 30min or so after lunch. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 06:14 AM Flag

first grade, selective public: every day they have math, reading workshop, writing workshop, recess. specials include art, music, dance, free play, science, spanish, chess -- all twice a week except chess, which is once a week. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 07:33 AM Flag

Wow, sounds interesting? Can you tell us which public? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 07:45 AM Flag

sounds like nest [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 08:58 AM Flag

to me, sounds like 116 [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:13 AM Flag

[ - ] UGH! I've got to go lug 15lb cat to the vet in a few minutes... one subway and one bus plus some walking. 13 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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New York City 05.23.08, 05:08 AM Flag

wait until you have a kid and have to lug a stroller besides. GL [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:09 AM Flag

Well my DD is staying with a neighbor. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:10 AM Flag

well then she could put the cat in the stroller [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:10 AM Flag

op: lol I've thought about it! [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:13 AM Flag

I'm sure you could see weirded things in NYC today! ;-) [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:15 AM Flag

^^weirder [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:15 AM Flag

True ;-) [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:18 AM Flag

15 lbs?? that's nothing [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:16 AM Flag

It certainly feels like something when he's curled up all at one end of his carrier and I'm carrying him down the street, up/down stairs, etc. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:18 AM Flag

plenty heavy when you are carrying it through the streets & subway [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:19 AM Flag

OP: Alright, I've gotta leave and take him, I hope he doesn't yowl too much, lol. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:19 AM Flag

I have a 15 lber as well and I put the cat carrier in the stroller! Makes it so much easier [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:27 AM Flag

I think it's cruel to take a cat on the subway. Suck it up and take a cab or a car service!! [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:30 AM Flag

[ - ] What is a typical day in your child's private or public school elementary school? 1 Reply [ Reply | Watch | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:08 AM Flag

class, gym, class, lunch, recess, class. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:08 AM Flag

[ - ] Has anyone sent their dc to TADA summer camps? DD is interested but I know of no one who has gone to ask them about it. Thanks! 2 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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New York City 05.23.08, 05:06 AM Flag

my dd friend goes every yr and loves it [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:11 AM Flag

thanks [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:15 AM Flag

[ - ] 4 yo DS had a bit of a runny nose last night (clear) and a slight cough this morning (clearing his throat kind of cough). Bouncing off the walls with energy, ate well, slept all night. Send to preschool or no? 4 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:05 AM Flag

send imo [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:09 AM Flag

yes unless he is acting tired or has a fever. You can't keep them home every time they get the sniffles [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:12 AM Flag

send her... [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:22 AM Flag

send [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:39 AM Flag

[ - ] How many kids in NEST K classes? And how many teachers? Read post that there are no teacher assistants so 1 teacher per 20 kids? Many publics have two teachers for K? 125 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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NY Schools 05.23.08, 05:05 AM Flag

When I went to the tour they said max class size is 25 and they only have one teacher. At Anderson they have two assistants for about the same size , but they are paid thru parent fundraising monies. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:22 AM Flag

this does not really worry me. These kids are well behaved. In addition they seem to pick up easily. Why do you need that second teacher, usually to help out with the problem kids . In some cases it is also to free up the teacher for some prep work. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:24 AM Flag

How can you say the kids are well behaved? Isn't there a spectrum of behavior for all kids (regardless of "giftedness", socio-economics, races)? Also I think a second teacher guarantees that more kids will get more individual time with head teacher which is more needed in K as there is a wider range of abilities in reading, etc. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:26 AM Flag

There is always 1-3 kids in the classroom which present a challenge to the teacher. I did not use the say all the kids. But in 5 classrooms in which I walked in for a few minutes. They were all attentitive and doing what was expected. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:34 AM Flag

That's true in all schools. You implied that NEST kids are better behaved than kids at other schools and so only 1 teacher was needed. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:37 AM Flag

True. From what I have seen in other schools (My DD has gone thru Pre-k for two years) My perception is that overall you will find better behaved kids at NEST. I think that this should be true for all the G&T classes. That is the reason I tested her. I wanted to give her the oppotunity to be in a classrooms where the kids were not stealing away the time from the teachers. Got to go to work! [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:41 AM Flag

I toured Nest and the kids were so well behaved it was sort of creepy. They almost seemed like little robots to me. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:28 AM Flag

I toured six schools including NEST. Kids don't seem any more well behaved than at my local school. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:33 AM Flag

Maybe it was an off day. There was something about the kids that seemed so lifeless when I was there. I actually preferred our local zoned to NEST. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:43 AM Flag

the kids did seem exceptionally quiet. how are disciplinary issues handled now? NY mag story is pretty scary.... [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:29 PM Flag

but that story was about the admission process in the past. I don't recall reading anything about the school experience from the child's point of view. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:36 PM Flag

i recall, tho i may be mistaken, something about the kids (and their parents) being very frightened about arriving on time. perhaps it was something else i googled that spoke about disciplinary issues beyond that. either way, there are new folks in charge and it would be helpful to hear from parents who are there now about how it is now. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:41 PM Flag

I agree with this post...almost creepy...like they had fallen asleep next to a pod and been replaced by alien uber-children! [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:37 PM Flag

Aw come on. Kids that do well on tests like that have a general desire to please, thus better behavior. Kids who don't desire to please (even gifted kids) are less likely to always answer everthing and answer questions "right." (note that right is in quotes) [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 02:14 PM Flag

I was told it is against DOE regulations to use parent fundraising $$ to hire assistant teachers. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:16 AM Flag

If that is true, then many schools violate this regulation [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.24.08, 06:53 AM Flag

It's just a technicality. You can't use the money for that, BUT, you use the money for other stuff and free up the money from the budget to pay for assistants. Get it? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.24.08, 08:24 AM Flag

That's awful. My good zoned school does better than that. Why does everyone seem to have drunk the NEST kool-aid? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:17 AM Flag

kool aid, indeed. but the question is why? does anyone have a clue as to whether there was a discussion among parents before? seems like a no-brainer to me. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:27 AM Flag

Because it is the only citwide downtown. No drinking koolaide involved. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 02:18 PM Flag

But where is it written that a citywide is by definition better than a district-wide or a good gen ed for that matter? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:00 PM Flag

No where. In one case you have a school full of kids who scored very high on a test, and in the examples you either have a class or two who did, or you don't have any classes that are 100% full of those kids. "thats it". And I'm frankly in the camp that there are going to be some pretty big differences between all 3 of those scenarios. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:06 PM Flag

I guess I'm in the camp that says scores aren't everything, nor is a K-12 everything. All smoke and mirrors. The emperor's new clothes. No one would give a crap about Nest if we weren't told by the DOE we should. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:09 PM Flag

I'm thinking that you don't have a dc who needs to be challenged. My dc would learn, and be fine, at a gen ed. But in what world would it not be preferable for her to be surrounded by a lot of smart peers? Why would I want my reading 4-yr old to sit through a year of K watching at least half the class learn to read? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 06:33 PM Flag

sorry, but whether the school is a citywide G&T or tt private or gen ed, way more than half the K kids will be learning to read over the course of the year. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 08:34 PM Flag

I live in D2, which according to the test scores has some of the smartest dcs in the city. Many of those families will not choose a G&T because the gen eds are so good. I am in no way worried about the peer group at our gen ed (very high ELA scores). The assumption that my dc doesn't need to be challenged when he could easily get into a citywide if we chose to send him to one is a little silly, btw. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.24.08, 06:05 AM Flag

Where do the slower learners in your zone attend? It will either be at your local gen ed, or a non-TT private, depending on incomes of those families. But it won't be at a citywide G&T. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.24.08, 08:16 AM Flag

The dcs in my zoned school are very smart (like I said, the scores don't lie) and the parents are very rich. If one had a slow learner who couldn't keep up, they would choose a private designed for those students. It's not an issue. And even if there were a slow learner or two, they would not hold up the rest of the class. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.24.08, 12:55 PM Flag

I find it strange that they have only 1 teacher, regardless of the behavior of the kids. How can more adults, more help, more individualized, attention hurt? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 09:17 AM Flag

it doesn't hurt but if it is not necessary why waste money on that? Put the money somewhere else instead. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 09:19 AM Flag

Oh, so it's easy to take care of 25 kindergarten-age kids for one person? Hello! Most people here start crying if they have to spend the whole day w/their 2 dc. It's not easy, little kids are still little kids and having 2 teachers makes a huge difference [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:52 AM Flag

eh, yes, of course it is. For goodness sake. Teachers have been doing this successfully for decades. "Most people here" are not teachers who deal with kids like that professionally. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:35 AM Flag

kids aren't the way they used to be, they are used to being the center of attention, kindergarten is rough [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:03 PM Flag

I think it varies this year between 20-22 kids depending on the teacher. "Parents as reading partners" frees up the K teachers for a bit of one on one. My son is in K. I do not have the impression that he (or anyone) lacks for attention from the teacher. Compared to our zoned school -- NEST kids are a breeze. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 09:37 AM Flag

well, i guess it depends on what you choose for comparison. private schools have MUCH smaller classes and often 2 adults. i also worry that will the DOE in charge of placement now, classes will grow to 25. if there is no waitlist, as many have claimed, then it could be even 27. even getting snack out and cleaned up would be eased by having another adult. don't you think? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 09:48 AM Flag

Sure. But considering the constraints of the DOE I don't think their (our?) dollar would be best served putting an aide (or another teacher) in my son's classroom. (To be clear: I based my comparison on the original post which was just about public schools. That said, I don't necessarily agree that more one on one is necessarily best anyway. From what I have seen at NEST, if I were going to allocate resources for the lower school, my first choice would not be an aide in each class.) [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:02 AM Flag

then for NEST lower school, how would you like to see money spent? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:05 AM Flag

With the caveat I haven't really thought about it and am not in the education administration field... The lunch process there seems too frantic. I wish lunch was more than twenty minutes (don't quote me on this!) The kids who get school lunch have little time to eat and I doubt this serves them well. I also doubt this inculcates good eating habits. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:14 AM Flag

what would it be? when we toured the principal said most classes had a student teacher or aide in addition to the head teacher [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:07 AM Flag

i toured too and they told our group what we're reading here -- that the kids are well behaved and there is no need for more teachers. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:22 AM Flag

This is not my experience. If there is an aide/student teacher I have not been informed of it and that person has not been there for any of the parent included activities. Also, my child has not mentioned this. (There are aides at the school for outdoor activites, over seeing lunch, etc.) [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:24 AM Flag

how often does "parents are reading partners" happen? this seems like a waste of time. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:06 AM Flag

Two or three days a week. Parents take small groups and read in the hall. This allows the teacher to do one-on-one/small group instruction. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:08 AM Flag

Is this why parents are invited? If this is the case, then there is an argument for a second teacher! [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:09 AM Flag

precisely! why use parents, when a trained teacher would be better. besides, this arrangement may be a problem for parents who work full time. i would still like to hear where the money might be better put. at anderson, the parents earned the money for the class aides. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:12 AM Flag

OR: parents are not obligated to read. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:16 AM Flag

and what exactly is wrong with tasking the parents with simple things like that? it does bring the kids and the parents closer together. I think it is a great idea. Btw, no parent is forced to do that. There are always enough volunteers to take care of that. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:41 AM Flag

It's unfair to those parents who can't for work reasons or because of language difficulties. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:01 AM Flag

What is unfair to them? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:34 AM Flag

why is it unfair? You are not obligated to read to the kids. If you cannot do it don't sign up for it. Nobody is going to hold this against you or your child. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:36 AM Flag

At such young ages, kids whose parents do read get benefit of seeing parent in classroom, extra help from parent. It's unfair to kids whose parents can't come--maybe immigrants who don't speak English well? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:40 AM Flag

this is bizarre thinking. you really think that the kids whose parents cannot make it are at a disadvantage to the children whose parents are in the classroom all the time? You don't give those kids much credit, do you? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:49 AM Flag

You don't think it's great for your kid to have you come in to read and also get to know the teacher? How would you and your DC feel if you couldn't come (let's say you had a new baby and just couldn't get out)? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:52 AM Flag

OR: You are in the hall with a group of 6 kids or so and there are several other parents in different groups elsewhere at the same time. There is almost no teacher involvement in this. I do see your point about a kid possibly resenting his/er parent for never reading... I'll have to think about this issue before I answer one way or another. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:14 PM Flag

That's life. Ergo, if you cannot be involved in such level at NEST maybe you shouldn't sign up your child there? How's that for a thought. Plenty of schools out there that tell you upfront that they expect a lot from you as a parent and if you cannot do that you should look somewhere else. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:29 PM Flag

True. But what will most kids get out of this anyway? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:31 PM Flag

I'm one of the NEST parents replying here and I don't buy that. This is public education. This is about educating the children of NYC. No public school has a right to set up that kind of hurdle. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:40 PM Flag

hurdle? requiring a little more than the usual parental involvement is a hurdle? Again, go to your zoned school if you think this is a hurdle. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:41 PM Flag

Do you honestly not know that many people do not have a job that just allows them to show up two or three hours late? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:49 PM Flag

Wow. Working parents who can't read to the class during the day because the school can't afford to pay a pro to do it don't deserve to send their dcs to the school? You know what? You can have NEST. Definitely not for us. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:05 PM Flag

np. i can't volunteer to come into the classroom as much as the sahms at our preschool and it's hard on ds. he wonders why mommy can't be like the other mommies. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:03 PM Flag

I think it's a bad idea overall. How much actual learning is happening in these reading sessions? 2-3x a week seems like a lot. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:41 AM Flag

how much actual learning? Those are 5yo kids! Anything and everything is a learning experience. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:48 AM Flag

Do you really think so?! You might say this for a 2yo but lots of 5yos know so much already. These kids have probably read many of the books selected. Or they are at least read to a lot. Why not another type of project instead? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:50 AM Flag

because reading is important. my kid has been reading since she was three and most likely has read pretty much anything and everything out there. so what? she still enjoys it especially in such a "new" setting like Kindergarten with her "new" friend. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:30 PM Flag

And 2-3x of this a week isn't too much--when so much of the school day is already filled with transitions? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:32 PM Flag

plus, they do this first thing in the morning, don't they? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:34 PM Flag

Does this make it better or harder? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:35 PM Flag

better for the parents. They just stay a little longer that day at school so it won;t interfere too much with your job. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:37 PM Flag

yes it is first thing in the am. The kids pick the books. Remember, this is done to free up the teacher to work small group/one-on-one in the classroom with us in the hall. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:53 PM Flag

nobody except your child. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:53 AM Flag

maybe NEST is not your kind of school then. nobody is going to force you to sign your child up. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:31 PM Flag

Obviously. I'm just debating the merits of the activity--for discussion. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:33 PM Flag

I think it is a great thing. It's a group activity, the parents are involved, it's fun. How can you go wrong with this? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:35 PM Flag

No real learning happening. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:35 PM Flag

Don't you think that there is enough time in a Kindergartener's day already? You sure can squeeze in some of that reading somehow. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:39 PM Flag

OR: fair push back... but this seems to work. I'd love to know what the teachers think. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:17 AM Flag

About what? Reading to kids = no real learning going on? I'm a teacher. That's silly. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 02:24 PM Flag

I like this idea of parent reading. I am a former teacher and I think its great. Also in my son's current pre K class we have daily parent reading. A parent reads to the class for the first half hr of the day. I am so for parents in the classroom. Its great for everyone. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.24.08, 08:22 AM Flag

You are misled. In every class at any type of school, there will be a mix of kids in ability and behavior. Sometimes it's just the dynamics of the class. No kids from any one school are a breeze. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:11 AM Flag

Would you not agree that the population at a school like NEST where a parent/caregiver is involved in every kids education (to some degree) is much easier to deal with than the population at a troubled zoned school? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:20 AM Flag

^^^ I should add, I did not mean that the NEST class(es) are a complete breeze. I give the teachers there a lot of credit! I'm talking a comparative breeze. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:21 AM Flag

even if the kids are a breeze, can't the breezy benefit from more adult attention? even if the teachers are excellent, can't they too benefit from having another set of hands, to say nothing of another head to reflect on the day, intervene in problems, generate new ideas for activities? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:24 AM Flag

If the DOE had infinite resources or if I cared about nothing but my son, then "yes." But it doesn't and I do. I think NEST did a great job educating my son this year. I think our zoned school in Brooklyn needs extra resources far more than NEST. My kid was in pre K with some great kids last year. I don't think they are as well served by the education system in NYC as my boy. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:39 AM Flag

AMEN!!!!! [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 02:25 PM Flag

it's unfair to compare against a "trouble zoned" school. Lots of "regular" zoned schools out there with a mix of kids. From what I've seen, behavior is often result of parenting and many involved parents are quite permissive which can translate into pushy, aggressive kids. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:36 AM Flag

1. NEST v Troubled... I am not setting up a straw giant here. I am just adressing what I have seen. 2. I agree 100% about parenting and pushy kids, etc. Maybe it doesn't manifest this early, maybe they screened for it at interviews last year. I don't know. But while NEST parents certainly are involved and some are quite permissive, the kids in the K class this year (for the most part) are good kids. Look, before this goes too far, I don't want to appear like some "NEST is the one and only" parent. I'm not. I am just addressing the initial post as best I can and offering my experience. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:50 AM Flag

The initial post asked for info on how many teachers there are in K classes. You are putting more info your answer: that nest kids are super-terrific and that's why only 1 teacher is needed. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:55 AM Flag

I thought I've been pretty clear- What I am suggesting is only that I don't think the K classes at NEST need two professionals. I think the resource would be better served elsehwere. (The original post said many publics have two K teachers in the classroom. I compared NEST only to the K classrooms I had seen at my zoned public.) I'm surprised you characterize my post about NEST kids the way you did, I thought I had been balanced. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:33 AM Flag

I still think you are generally biased. Oh, those gen-ed publics with rowdy kids who are not smart need those teachers. The gifted kids at NEST are so smart and well-behaved, they don't. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:44 AM Flag

I think kids at schools like NEST already get more resources than kids at zoned schools. I also think kids at some zoned schools (at least ones like mine) need more resources. Insideschools says about my zoned school, "Most of the students come from immigrant families, and a good number come from Spanish-speaking homes." Between Chinese and Spanish, more than half the kids in pre-K last year didn't speak English. NYC would be better served with giving that K class two teachers before NEST. Not because the NEST kids are better, just they are easier. There are fewer demands on the teacher. The kids at schools like NEST are not innately better, they are fortunate. More resources would help even that out. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:58 AM Flag

Now you're injecting racism into the argument. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:08 PM Flag

Are you insane? You don't think it takes more resources to teach a child who does not speak the language? And this has nothing to do with race. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:17 PM Flag

Kids who don't speak the language are in ESL classes. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:30 PM Flag

That was not the case at my local school last year. They may have had a "special" for ESL but no matter your language (there were at least three languages other than English) you were with everyone for most of the day. Granted 4/5 year olds figure out the basics pretty quickly but... [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:46 PM Flag

You are an IDIOT. At my school they are in regular classes, sitting together. The one with the most english teaches the others. None of them learn to the extent that they would be able to if they had a dedicated teacher. They often do not speak the same language. Right now I have a group of Spanish, Spanish, Korean, Polish and Chinese at one table. Only of the Spanish speakers has enough English to understand what is going on without a dedicated teacher. There is none. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 02:29 PM Flag

who are you calling an idiot? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.24.08, 06:51 AM Flag

Oh boy, you are the perfect example of a NEST parent! [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:49 AM Flag

For the most part, kids in K classes throughout the city are good kids. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:56 AM Flag

thank you. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 08:18 PM Flag

Nest parent here. Of course they could use more help. Kindergarteners are kindergarteners. They could use more help to get things done. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:32 AM Flag

so why isn't there more help? at our district school pta raised the money for paras, can't you do the same there? btw, since you're an insider: can you tell us how responsive the administration is to parents' concerns. i know this was a problem in the past and during the open house they seemed entirely non-plused. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:47 AM Flag

FIRST - it is non-plussed and SECOND - non-plussed means that they DID get upset NOT that they showed no concern. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:49 AM Flag

don't understand. is the school responsive to parental concerns. if the parents think aids in the classroom would be a good idea, why doesn't the administration relent? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:51 AM Flag

I was saying you spelled nonplussed wrong and used it in the wrong way. To be nonplussed is to show concern. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:59 AM Flag

and i was being non-plused in my response to your flame. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:04 AM Flag

FYI: Jacket image of the Compact Oxford English Dictionary nonplussed /nonplusst/ • adjective 1 surprised and confused. 2 N. Amer. informal unperturbed. — USAGE In standard English nonplussed means ‘surprised and confused’. A new meaning, ‘not disconcerted; unperturbed’, has developed recently in North American English, probably on the assumption that the prefix non- must have a negative meaning; this is not yet accepted as standard usage.— ORIGIN from Latin non plus ‘not more’. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:07 AM Flag

Now, I think there isn't more help because they are getting by without it. I think in the Kindergarten there is an assitant teacher or two that rotates around the classes and comes in when there is a project going on that the kids need help with. The parents are invited to come in when there is a big project and help the kids out then too. I think this school is heavily supported by a very active PTA and "dedicated"/parents. I feel like when I have had a problem with something in the school they have responded quite well for me. There is truth to the notion that some things at Nest are chaotic and should be run a little better. But the parents and administration are really trying, and really have a good thing going. IMHO [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:54 AM Flag

Thanks for the informative reply. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:57 AM Flag

what things at NEST are chaotic and should be run better (other than lunch which another responder already wrote about)? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:58 AM Flag

Teacher hirings, parent coffees, deciding what role they want parents to play at school (hard to define since there is a new principal). There is a reason why people think Nest is not for them (homework etc) but there is also a reason why people who are there are really grateful, consider themselves lucky and have a lot of support from the parent body. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:12 AM Flag

heard mixed things about homework. how demanding is it? your dc is in K? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:21 AM Flag

Its kind of a pain, it ebbs and flows. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:45 AM Flag

np: In my ds's class it is not a big deal. Reading log, weekly spelling (which is really basic), and the odd math homework. It is not a lot of work. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:26 PM Flag

Why are teacher hirings chaotic? Is there a lot of turnover? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:54 AM Flag

good question. any sense of the teacher turnover? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:28 PM Flag

And do you get a sense that the administration is supportive of teachers? Is there good morale overall? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:35 PM Flag

those are good questions you should have asked at the open house, no? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:40 PM Flag

at the open house we attended, these questions were asked and not answered. besides, what could they say? are they going to air their dirty laundry? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 12:45 PM Flag

1. It has been suggested on UB that NEST teachers and admin are not tight. I asked a loaded question at Parent Teacher conference and got a reply which I could not tell either said, "I'm not going there" or "I don't feel that way." So... 2a. Teacher hiring seemed chaotic this year (K parent so...) because they could not get a friggin art teacher. The Principal (and the PTA Pres) made it seem like they had no good candidates from DOE. It took forever to fill the spot for lower school art teacher. I thought it was silly till I saw the difference between the transitional/temp teachers to the current (permanent?) art teacher. She is awesome. 2b. they also had trouble filling the school nurse position. (I don't know if this is past or present tense actually.) 3. with the kids, the teachers seem nothing but positive and great. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 01:01 PM Flag

If you read between the lines of the schools report it's clear they hate Livanis. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:08 PM Flag

You guys all live on the UWS! Signed District 17 parent who lives in this neighborhood because I am a teacher and can't afford anywhere else. Get out of your bubble. Most parents in NYC can't afford to donate money for paras. Their children receive free lunches and are also supposed to be receiving an education. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 02:32 PM Flag

^^their children are just as "entitled" as yours. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 02:33 PM Flag

So NEST parent - how does the PTA work. When they raise funds, how/who decides where it gets spent? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:45 PM Flag

Thats a good question. I have no idea. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 07:36 PM Flag

[ - ] Anyone have an IUD that didnt agree with them? I dont know what is going on with this thing. Or if irregularity is due to stress? Freaking me out. 0 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:04 AM Flag

[ - ] When were you able to wearr your pre-pregnancy clothes after having dc #2? 2 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:04 AM Flag

only 1 wk pp and i can tell that i am going to bounce back faster than with #1. no kidding. i can already fit into some of my old tops. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:06 AM Flag

2.5 years I think? ;-) [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:10 AM Flag

[ - ] At NEST, how many teachers in K/1st grade classrooms? And how many kids in each class? 0 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:04 AM Flag

[ - ] Sroller HELP! Am traveling abroad to adopt an older infant (6-9 months). Need to bring a stroller with me. What stroller is good for an older baby and goes on the plane/cars well? TIA. 4 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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Expecting 05.23.08, 05:01 AM Flag

Any Maclaren [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:10 AM Flag

ITA. I would get the Maclaren Volo because you'll want it eventually anyway. It doesn't recline, but you won't need it to for your current purposes, and it's super-light and easy to fold. Also take a bjorn with you and try and get the airline to commit to giving you a bulkhead seat with bassinet for the way home so that you don't need to take a carseat on board. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:25 AM Flag

I agree. I have a quest and have used it since 4 or 5 months. It reclines--not fully, but pretty well--and have taken it on planes (gate checked) no problem. congratulations!!! [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:56 AM Flag

I wouldn't take an expensive stroller, they get destroyed while traveling. Buy a kolcraft or something cheap. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:56 AM Flag

[ - ] Anyone have a DH who goes to work at the crack of dawn? I'm on my own getting my 4 year old to school each day. New baby is on the way and I'm starting to freak out wondering how I'll do it with 2. Right now I get up w/ DD at 7 and have time to eat something and make beds along with getting her ready, fed and out the door. Add making lunch for school and a baby into the mix for next year...not sure how I'll get out on time. What time do you wake up when you have 2 kids in the AM and no DH? TIA. 15 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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Expecting 05.23.08, 05:00 AM Flag

I have 3 to get out the door. recently i have given up cleaning the house until after they get to school otherwise we were always late. If i wanted a clean house on my out I would have to get up at 6am or not eat. Or be on the computer. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:02 AM Flag

So what time do you get up? Do the kids help or do you do everything? Do you have their clothes put out the night before? Lunches made? And then do you go back after drop-off and straighten up? Usually in the AM I make beds, unload dishwasher, open window shades and straighten stuff. TIA. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:04 AM Flag

yes I have 2 dds and one ds on the way. My dh is up at 4:50am and out of the door by 5:20ish. I have to get up, feed both of them, make lunch while they eat breakfast, put out the clothes on the beds for them to dress after breakfast. If we are running early they can play but the rule is all needs to be done and ready for school before any playing starts. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:03 AM Flag

^^BTW we are up at 6am [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:03 AM Flag

^^^and out of the door by 7:50am [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:04 AM Flag

^^^as for lunch many times she will take what was made for dinner the night before. So I pack it up the night before and the next morning just microwave it. I find that if I don't stick to the routine it gets crazy [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:04 AM Flag

Everyone up by 6 or just you? Silly question but....do you get to shower or go to the bathroom in the AM? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:05 AM Flag

everyone is up at 6am. Sometimes the girls get up btwn 5:30 and 6am. I shower right before bedtime so I don't have to do it in the morning [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:07 AM Flag

That microwave leftover lunch....isn't it cold by the time she eats it? Or do you put it in a lunchbox w/out a cold pack? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:06 AM Flag

I microwave the food very hot then it's warm enough by lunch. I do wrap it up with aluminum foil and put it in the lunch box which has a heat retaining pouch. If not she takes sandwiches [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:08 AM Flag

do you have a job honey?? I'm sure you'll manage [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:15 AM Flag

hey "honey". This place is all about finding people who have dealt with similar problems. What's your deal dear? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:18 AM Flag

OP: Hey I just got back and read this....you sound like a total a-hole, do you know that? Listen to yourself! And by the way "honey", you could NEVER handle my job, especially with two kids at home. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 09:51 AM Flag

Man, that's nasty. OP, ignore. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 10:56 AM Flag

I have 2 kids in school and a newborn. It's a pain in the ass but manageable. Don't plan on having a clean house in the am and do whatever you can hte night before like setting up coffee pot, lunch boxes, setting out clothes etc. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 11:03 AM Flag

[ - ] I'm relieved but now I have less pressure and it feels weird. We just decided NOT to sell our apartment and, completely unrelated, we hired a cleaning person for every other week. This takes so much stress off of us. So now I have a lovely warm day to spend with the kids doing fun stuff. It seems too easy! 6 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:59 AM Flag

nice. I wish I could hire someone to clean bi-weekly. I'm pg with #3, have a disbality and just can't get my apt clean as much as I want it. I can't afford to hire someone since here in NYC the cleaning ladies charge 2-3 times they would anywhere else. :( [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:01 AM Flag

OP: We are paying $80 for 1200 sq. ft (3 BR, 1 BA). Is that a lot? We don't have much extra money, but we figured we would rather spend $160/month on this than on cable tv or ordering in dinner. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:02 AM Flag

So not cable tv? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:05 AM Flag

we have a 2 bedroom and 1 bath. That is a little much for me unfortunately but you are right. It's so worth it. Let me ask you is this a flat fee or does she work by the hour? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:06 AM Flag

It is a flat fee, she brings her sister and they take anywhere from 3-5 hours. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:13 AM Flag

nice. Enjoy! [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:13 AM Flag

[ - ] UGH Oldnavy and GAP closed their sites for improvements. Come on guys..this is when your sale start. Don't you think they should have done it maybe overnight 0 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:58 AM Flag

[ - ] golden floors - suggested i do blue and white floral couches with striped chairs - thoughts? so pretty, but i am scared of blue, and scared of floral? I am very plain but feel like my room needs some color. 3 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:58 AM Flag

my sofa has floral on it but it has a golden background. I like color and always have a punch of it in the room and on the walls. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:59 AM Flag

very pretty. very feminine. I'd be scared of floral, too. Not my style, but I like contemporary. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:00 AM Flag

sounds nice. My LR is blue and we love it [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 05:15 AM Flag

[ - ] Why are there no date/time stamps on posts anymore? Do they not want us to see how few posts there are...? They have to be regretting this redesign imo, the other site is humming. 0 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:52 AM Flag

[ - ] PLEASE bring back the option to choose the size of the font. This new font sz is too small 0 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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Site Feedback 05.23.08, 04:51 AM Flag

[ - ] I'm 17 wks pg and I love how my dds (8yr and 4yr) come over and talk to the baby, kiss the tummy, rub it and just say how happy they are. This makes it so much nicer to know they are excited. 3 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:50 AM Flag

do you know if it's another dd? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:50 AM Flag

op: it's a boy this time. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:51 AM Flag

Do you think you would have stopped at 2 DCs if you had one boy and one girl? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 06:12 AM Flag

[ - ] I am 8 weeks pregnant and am having a dull, achy pain in the right side of my back. Do you think this is anything to worry about? Part of the reason that I am worried is because I have been getting up twice every night to pee and for the past two nights I have only gotten up once. I appreciate your thoughts on this. 6 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More

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Expecting 05.23.08, 04:39 AM Flag

^^ I actually think the pain is more on the side [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:40 AM Flag

Anyone??!?? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:43 AM Flag

sorry. No idea. Probably fine. Call your OB [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:44 AM Flag

I just called her yesterday about something else.:( She is going to think I am nuts [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:47 AM Flag

I would not worry about this at all. Sometimes you'll get up twice, sometimes not at all, to pee. Your uterus will lift off your bladder in a few weeks and you'll not have to pee so much until the 3rd trimester. Do you think your pain is a kidney problem?? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:53 AM Flag

Thanks for responding. I don't think it is a kidney problem because I think I would be peeing more right (or at least having the urge more)? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.23.08, 04:55 AM Flag