UrbanBaby

07.03.08, 08:27 AM NY Schools
18 replies

Question for private school moms (or ever better, from moms that have had kids in both private and public). IYO, what should I be doing to "supplement" next year, or what am I missing by going public, not private that I can fill in the gap? No flames or snarky responses, please. I'm just trying to do as much as I can to broaden my DD or whatever (if it matters, she's going to PS9G&T class for K next year). Thanks. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
NY Schools 07.03.08, 08:27 AM Flag

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

You might want to add some creative after school activities, like art or dance class. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 08:28 AM Flag

and some physical activities. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 08:29 AM Flag

cause dance class isn't physical? [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 08:44 AM Flag

np: It depends, but in general not nearly as physical as soccer IME. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.04.08, 06:08 AM Flag

public school K is typically far more academic than private school K. So - I don't see where you would need to suppliment at all on academic front. Publics seem to lack in physical activity - so a class or two in something she likes would be fine. In both K's its much more about the social - [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 08:30 AM Flag

ITA. Stick to playdates and sporty classes, OP. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 08:43 AM Flag

Public school mom here. You don't need to "supplement" her academics in any formal sense. You should simply expose her to things she might be interested in, over the course of her childhood--art classes, music lessons, sports, drama, whatever she likes. Not because she's in public school, but because that's what is good for kids. Also, kindergartners usually find kindergarten exhausting at first--I wouldn't sign up for any afterschool activities for the fall. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 08:52 AM Flag

P.S.9 has a terrific afterschool program where dd can try almost anything she's interested in, when she's ready. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 08:53 AM Flag

I have children at both public and private. In K-1 your DC is OK, but after 2nd grade the public DC starts lacking: Science, Geography, History, and Foreign Language. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 09:53 AM Flag

Would you mind saying which public? Is it a gen ed or GT class? [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 10:03 AM Flag

Very good GenEd [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 10:10 AM Flag

Someone talk me down...walked by ps 166 today and just about cried. I know the construction is temporary, but it's so horrible looking, feeling and smelling. Three men were hanging out under the overpass in front of the front door smoking. The smoke got all trapped under the scaffold and it stunk. Seems so dingy and I can tell DS is scared. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 08:51 PM Flag

lol, sounds like you are the spooked one. I bet DS does not care. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.04.08, 06:10 AM Flag

PS9 is very academic, particularly the teacher who will likely teach the one class next year. It is also fairly enriched. I would say when dc was in K, they went on about 15+ field trips over the year, including museums, plays, concerts, dance, etc. The one thing I felt I needed to supplement was physical activity, especially in the winter months. the kids in the program learn a lot, and have a very good social experience, but the recess time can be cut with inclimate weather. there is a very good afterschool program, and plenty of options in the nabe. they also get spanish, chess, art/music 2x/week, etc. gym only 1x per week, recess 2x/day [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 12:08 PM Flag

PS 9 uses Everyday Math which sucks. At the K level, it may not matter much. But if she likes math, I'd so some simple addition and subtraction with her and makes sure she's starting to learn math facts, i.e., 4+3= 7; 6+2 = 8. If she doesn't like it, don't push it. You will need to supplement math starting in first grade. You will need to supplement grammar starting in 4th. You'd be well advised to supplement writing starting in 4th because the test prep ruins their writing. PS 9, like most publics these days in NYC, does not teach history or geography and the science is very simple. But for K, I don't think you need to be concerned or supplementing. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.03.08, 08:22 PM Flag

Honestly, I would go light on that at least in the fall. It is a hard transition for many kids (my DC was one of them) and at the end of the day he was just tired of school and wanted to play with friends. I would not do more than one afterschool during the week, and one on weekend. Then if dd does well with that you can add more in January. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.04.08, 06:08 AM Flag

ITA. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.04.08, 06:09 AM Flag

There is no reason to "supplement" at all. Let your child be a child. [ Reply | More

]
General Topics 07.04.08, 06:16 AM Flag