Tuesday, November 22, 2005
( 11/22/2005 12:00:00 AM )
Yesterday I discovered that I was totally wrong in thinking that Magnet School A is open for pre-school. They start at kindergarten. So they are now out of the running for Fall 2006. Of course, when Fall 2008 looms closer, we'll look at them again...unless Ella's in a fabu program and we don't want to move her.
So we're down to PSA, PSB, PST, and MSB.
Magnet School B said to come in and fill out an application before December 15th. So that's on my to-do list for next week.
Tonight we head out for a road trip to my dad's in North Carolina. I've mentioned a lil bit about the pre-school situation. I know he's going to ask about it and I hate having to explain this convoluted situation we find ourselves in.
Have a great Turkey Day everyone!
( 11/22/2005 12:00:00 AM )
MSA is out
Yesterday I discovered that I was totally wrong in thinking that Magnet School A is open for pre-school. They start at kindergarten. So they are now out of the running for Fall 2006. Of course, when Fall 2008 looms closer, we'll look at them again...unless Ella's in a fabu program and we don't want to move her.
So we're down to PSA, PSB, PST, and MSB.
Magnet School B said to come in and fill out an application before December 15th. So that's on my to-do list for next week.
Tonight we head out for a road trip to my dad's in North Carolina. I've mentioned a lil bit about the pre-school situation. I know he's going to ask about it and I hate having to explain this convoluted situation we find ourselves in.
Have a great Turkey Day everyone!
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( 11/20/2005 09:43:00 PM )
PSB: Open House
I was pretty nervous about going to our first open house this weekend. I even had the hubby & I fill out the application for practice. I mean, what if the admissions director was greeting parents? This was the one where I left an awful voicemail when I was sick. So the hubby & I discussed our ideal school, what type of environment we want Ella to be in, and all the other insane questions you have to answer on a pre-school application.
Talk about let down.
We walk in, sign in, meet the pre-school teachers, grab some hand outs, eat a cookie, drink some juice, see the extended hour area, and get outta there. All without much fanfare.
The verdict?
The hubby was like Yoda this weekend (see my other blog). He said, it'll be like daycare and the house. We'll just know the right school when we get there. And that feeling did not flood our hearts. It's a great school and if Ella does end up there, I won't be too disappointed.
But as it is Chicago and real estate is a premium, this school does not have its own playground. That's a big negative in my book. But the art room looks great. The art teacher was busy with other parents, so we didn't talk to her. In fact, outside of the pre-school teachers we just didn't talk to many people. I do love how they stress learning thru play as well.
Our next open house will be after Thanksgiving as we start on our Tuesday morning tours of CPS schools. Wish us luck!
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( 11/14/2005 10:00:00 PM )
The Schools
Here's how they play out so far:
Private School A is fairly close to home, so the benefits start right there. I'd be able to drop off Ella in the morning and then she'd only need afterschool care. Either the hubby can take the el home to pick her up or I can get there in time. It'll depend on each day. The school is expensive, but thankfully it's not much more than daycare - that is without adding in summer vacation care.
Private school B is half-way between home and work. Added benefit that if I drop her off, I can get to work sooner and most likely be able to pick her & the hubby up without having to skimp on work time or make it up on another night.
Public School with tuition (PST) is not in the best place for us to be driving in the mornings. It's in a very busy part of town and will be a PITA to get in and out of every morning and afternoon. But it comes highly recommended by a mom of one boy who use to be in daycare with Ella. She has one of her boys there.
Magnet School A is close to home, so it has the same benefits that PSA has without the huge tuition. It also requires uniforms, so that should save some money as well. Then the extra money can go to some great summer programs.
Magnet School B is close to my work so it has a huge benefit in that I can drop her off and be in my office within 20 minutes and pick her up as soon as aftercare lets off.
Aftercare...most of the programs we're looking at are 1/2 day pre-schools. So Ella would be in school from say 8:30-11:30, lunch from 11:30-12:30, and then aftercare from 12:30 to 3:30 or even as late as 6:00 pm. So, MSB would be best in reducing any afterschool time she might have.
That or the hubby & I start splitting days and he takes the el everyday. Yeah, I don't like the idea either. Him leaving home around 7 to get to work by 8, leave work at 4 to get to Ella by 5. Me leaving Ella at 8:30, getting to work by 9, leaving at 5 to get home by 5:45. Just those small amounts of time will add up to either money at before/after care or lost time between the hubby & me. I think this is one of those things that we'll figure out once we know what our options really are.
In all honesty, if we get into one of the magnet schools, that's where she's going.
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