tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790809561264810693.post6663104717919533423..comments2023-11-07T06:56:59.563-05:00Comments on Ann Arbor Schools Musings: Revenue SideRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10531344380743742801noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790809561264810693.post-52529114591681189462010-02-02T12:28:41.617-05:002010-02-02T12:28:41.617-05:00This is an interesting topic. I have long felt th...This is an interesting topic. I have long felt that AAPS is going in the wrong direction, especially with things like the elementary language program (not sure what happened with that). My kids went to a charter school and they had no language, no sports, no science labs, limited music program, no art teacher or art room and on and on. Yet, they are expanding by adding levels and more classes. They draw extensively from people who want emotional and social safety for their children, many of whom they view as different in some way -- adopted, gay parents, social or physical issue like Tourettes or speach impairment, attention issues. Things like that are why people send their kids to smaller schools. It is NOT because they are too smart for what public schools offer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790809561264810693.post-14439475926062586222010-01-25T12:58:47.507-05:002010-01-25T12:58:47.507-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.オテモヤンhttp://oppao.net/new-d/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790809561264810693.post-38330564825247952182010-01-25T10:13:49.643-05:002010-01-25T10:13:49.643-05:00Liz -- I am not the above poster, but if we had no...Liz -- I am not the above poster, but if we had not gotten into AAO, we would have gone to Honey Creek. The reason for this is one that Ruth mentioned... the open houses at AAO and the charters and the private schools were amazing. These schools are really marketing their programs, and I had a chance to ask all sorts of questions, about their school philosophy (I liked that they HAD an educational philosophy), bullying, classroom atmosphere, community, etc. Kindergarten round-up was nowhere near equivalent to this. I felt no sense of the school. I couldn't even tour it! I don't know how I could have chosen something I couldn't seem to penetrate. Also, I REALLY wanted a K-8 program for my kids, and a focus on project-based learning. And a school that seemed to cultivate a strong sense of community. I felt AAO and Honey Creek could meet all these needs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790809561264810693.post-31257103483090666132010-01-25T09:01:25.438-05:002010-01-25T09:01:25.438-05:00Hi Liz--If you look through the schools of choice ...Hi Liz--If you look through the schools of choice discussions on this blog, you will see this theme repeated by others. <br />For those of you who would like to email Liz directly with your thoughts, her email is margolis [at] aaps.k12.mi.us.<br />What I've observed myself are a few of the following reasons (note I am not speaking for anon above):<br />1. Parents don't like the local school (either past bad experience, neighbor's bad experience, or current bad experience).<br />2. They can't experience the local school (kindergarten roundup/meet with principal does not compete with the open house, orientation, visit the Open School and Private Schools do). I have noted that this would be very easy to fix.<br />3. They really want an alternative experience (and don't get into AAO but get into Honey Creek or a Montessori) or a K-8 experience (and don't get into AAO but get into Honey Creek or St. Francis, St. Thomas, etc.)<br />4. They don't know there are any other options (internal transfers) within AAPS.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10531344380743742801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790809561264810693.post-68389246764103718122010-01-25T08:08:05.490-05:002010-01-25T08:08:05.490-05:00For Anonymous,,,I would really appreciate knowing ...For Anonymous,,,I would really appreciate knowing why another AAPS school did not meet the needs of your Kindergartner after not getting into the AAOpen lottery? It will help us as a district to know this. Did you visit your elementary school? What was the reason? Curriculum? Staff? General "feeling". These things help us know how we are preceived by parents choosing other educational options.<br />Having three kids go through or currently enrolled in AAPS (and a "product" myself), I personally find it useful to know why people choose other options and what we can do to attract and retain families.<br />Thank youLiz Margolisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790809561264810693.post-28480478979291129612010-01-24T22:18:01.750-05:002010-01-24T22:18:01.750-05:00Nice to read some positive ideas. Have you read t...Nice to read some positive ideas. Have you read the discussion on Ann Arbor.com about this topic? Some nasty accusations, almost like people are trying to pick a fight. Another "Open" style school would be well received. The relative flexibility with grade levels, welcome parent involvement, and less MEAP stranglehold are all appealing. We tried to get in K last year but didn't make it--there were at least 80 applicants for 20 spots. Don't know how many of those families ended up going out of AAPS, but we did. There's no question we would have sent our kid there if we had made the lottery.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com