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06.18.08, 08:08 AM NY Schools
26 replies
Any NEST parents on? Dh and I are trying to decide if we should move closer to the school. We'd prefer not to leave our neighborhood/apt., but I feel like as two working parents, we're going to be really out of touch with the school community unless we live closer. I'm not worried about the bus commute for dd, but I am worried about how we can participate as a family when it involves 2 subways and a 15 min walk. Thanks [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
NY Schools 06.18.08, 08:08 AM Flag
 

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we are new nest parents and get this one - we had just moved blocks away from our zoned school two months ago and now will make the commute. I think the difference is that it is NOT a neighborhood school so a lot of people are in the same boat - the way I am rationalizing it is that it is not an easy commute for most people so everyone has to make an extra effort but if you love the school it will be worth it. There are days that dh and I laugh because pre-kids we had a great place in the East Village - who would have known?? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:11 AM Flag
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Do not move for this. Take occasional days off work to get involved if you feel you have to. Your child is going to the school not you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:11 AM Flag
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ITA. What's all this about parents want to be part of the community, etc? Yes, take time off and help out at school but beyond that leave the school to your child and live your life. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 09:12 AM Flag
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We're doing NEST from far away, and we're hoping to make connections with other families in our neighborhood (UWS), or at least upper Manhattan, early on. Do playdates early in the year, encourage the kids to become friendly. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:12 AM Flag
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For the two NEST responders above - do both parents work in the household? I would be much less concerned if one of us were home. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:15 AM Flag
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We both work, but one of us has a flexible schedule. But I'm not sure how moving closer would help, if you're both working long hours. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:17 AM Flag
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No, we're not working long hours, really, and we both have some flexibility, but I'm thinking of things like PTA meetings, Reading Partners, publishing parties, etc. I have no sense of how often families are invited to participate in the school. I also think she'd love doing the afterschool program a few days, but there's no way we can pick her up from there (no school bus at that time) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:19 AM Flag
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One thing we've been thinking about is carpooling home or something once a week, so that our kid could do once-a-week afterschool programs. Don't know if that'll be feasible. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:25 AM Flag
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Ooh, that's a GREAT idea. Never even thought of that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:25 AM Flag
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PTA meetings vary between morning and evening so both sides can be included. Parents as Reading Partners is up to you. (I do it once/month, dw every other week, another dad I know does it every week.) FYI: the afterschool thing is till 6pm. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:27 AM Flag
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ditto - i have more flexibility than dh and I will actually probably drive dc to school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:22 AM Flag
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Drive to school every day and you'll have friends coming out of the woodwork. (I'm kidding but drive and reach out to the family of one or two kids in the area and you'll be the bomb!) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:48 AM Flag
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that's kind of what i am hoping - maybe can carpool and meet some other people - i would seriously let someone else drive my car if they could pick up. I have to LOL as we almost sold our car and now I can't believe i may be driving my kid to school (HATE TO DRIVE) but this will beat a 45 minute commute. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:57 AM Flag
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Made a good friend in dc's K class with a mom who drives. She took us on some of the cold winter days and it was great. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 09:09 AM Flag
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if someone can stomach my driving and will buy me a cup of coffee in the a.m. I will gladly take them! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 09:18 AM Flag
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With an attitude like yours, you'll do fine. I have met some really nice folks at NEST. Good luck. See you in Sept. (I'll be the parent with the cutest first grader!) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 09:25 AM Flag
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Most of the rest of the families are in a similar boat. I guess community comes from drop off, pick up, some parties, and events at the school. I would not move from a place I loved to be closer to NEST. I am commuting from Brooklyn. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:20 AM Flag
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Where do you live? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:36 AM Flag
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Hell's Kitchen [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:37 AM Flag
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My DH and I also work full-time and manage to be involved. We have both done the parent reading, attended PTA meetings etc. Since our child is on a bus though, we are not there at drop-off or pick-up and while I think that you can end up knowing lots of folks just by showing up at the scheduled events and volunteering for parent reading here or there, I think there is a different level of community among the parents who either are SAHMs or have flexible schedules. Moving closer won't help with this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 08:48 AM Flag
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I am a new Nest parent and I am so psyched! Can anyone tell me a little bit more about the after school program? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 09:23 AM Flag
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It's done by Wingspan. You can google it. THey have the schedule that they offered NEST students last year, and it looked AMAZING. And very affordable, too. But NEST admin did warn me that it won't necessarily be renewed for the year, esp. with the school going to 1200 students for the fall - they may not have enough room onsite so they might have to contract out with another org who will transport the kids offsite [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 09:26 AM Flag
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NEST parent: My ds did it one day/wk this semester. He loved it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 09:45 AM Flag
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They're registering for the Fall now, though. Seems like they'll be there at least the first part of the year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 05:28 PM Flag
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Ditto here - so excited, and I've only met really nice parents from there. The commute is going to be a drag for pretty much everyone I think. I'm hoping there will be an element of "bonding through adversity" to that aspect of it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 09:32 AM Flag
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we plan on trying the commute for A whilebwith the goal of movingbafter wesuss out the situation and plant some roots in the new community. It's potentially 13 years and I think as closeas can be is best. But you don't needto decidejust yet. And congratulations. This whole schools thing, public private has been hellish. I'm glad it's over [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.18.08, 09:57 AM Flag
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