School Sucks

I hate Goose's school. There, I said it. It's not better this year. In fact, it's worse. Quite frankly, I don't see what the big deal is about the school. If this is a G/T or Vanguard program, I would hate to see how bad a regular school in the city is. The fact that it is rated so high means nothing to me since the ratings are basically based upon test scores.

I remember someone once telling me how they had a friend at a different Vanguard school that loved the program. The school was also a neighborhood school, and their second kid hadn't qualified for the program. Supposedly that program was so great and interesting that he wished the other kid were in it. I have no feelings like that. Let's see, the first field trip of the year is to the exact same place he went last year. Super imaginative on their part. When I asked Goose's teacher for an explanation about the type of reading test he had been given this year, she couldn't tell me the difference between this test and the one he took last year. I asked for a class schedule, and she didn't want to give me one. He missed three days of school and had three worksheets to complete while gone. What the eff do they do all day? Why not tell the parents what they are studying so we can do something at home with our children that might reinforce their studies? At the very least, I'd love to have a conversation with my son about what he does during the day. Without a guide to their studies, I have to rely on him giving me a play by play of the day, which most people know six year olds don't give.

My friend once asked me if I thought school was just about the three R's when I moaned about the time wasted in school. While I realize there is more than just learning the basics, like making friends and learning to follow rules, I do think the three R's are what it should be about. It seems to me they don't do much except learn how to walk in the halls. I swear, it takes them more than ten minutes to get back from the cafeteria. I can promise if they just go, they would get there much more quietly.

And please explain why I, the person who doesn't believe in shit homework, am stuck doing it every day with him. They have him there all day long, maybe if they spent more time in the room rather than learning how to walk down the hallway, they would learn more and not have petty worksheets.

They say that your first fight with your spouse is the same thing you will fight about for the rest of your relationship. I think it's safe to say that this subject matter has taken over.

Okay, It's Not THAT Bad...

The 2010 public school rankings for Houston came out over the weekend. TH ROGERS is ranked number 1 for both Elementary and Middle schools! (This includes the suburbs which typically have better schools.) They are ranked 3rd and 2nd in the state respectively. I know these ranking aren't the end all, but I am so proud of this school! (Although since this is a G/T school, one would hope the kids are doing commended work on standardized tests.) I have already admitted to Lance that sending Goose to school here might not have been a bad idea. Of course, I reminded him I was still the better teacher, but if you can't have mom, then I guess this school is second best.

I am happy to know about the rankings, but also really saddened by the fact that so many other children don't receive the quality of education provided at Rogers. All kids deserve a good education and shouldn't be penalized because of their socio-economic status. We all know that parental involvement is important, but it doesn't always happen. I teach my kids to read, but most of my friends haven't done so. Does that mean they aren't involved enough? No. Lucky for most of them, their kids are at great schools. These kids are our future, they all deserve the same opportunities so that they can succeed in life.

BTW, who the hell beat Rogers statewide?

The Things Kids say

Or rather their moms.

At Goose's school party last Friday, a mom told this cute little story her daughter told her about Goose.

Other Mom: " We were running late to school and I told my daughter she needed to hurry."

Daughter: "don't worry mom, we're not late until I see Goose running."

Thanks other kinder mom for sharing that with me. First of all, Goose isn't late to school. Yes, we run just about daily, but we aren't late. I walk/run Goose into school EVERY. FLIPPING. DAY. While every other kinder mom is now dropping their child off in the carpool lane, I park my car across the street and get out- sun, rain, freezing temps or not. That is what Goose wants, so I do it.

We don't arrive early. I admit that. The kids sit in the cafeteria until the teacher picks them up each day at 7:40 am. I arrive in time for Goose to get in line on the way to class and walk with him to class. Squirt sits in the car with the other boys. Then I run back and take Squirt to school.

Are we always running? Yes. Sorry, kinder classmate. I have four kids to get in my car every morning and each one, even the fourteen year old, has their own challenges getting in said car. We don't have one minute to spare most mornings, but we do get there. ON. TIME.

But again, thanks other mom for sharing that little story about us always running in the morning. I might have forgotten this is my life.