Comments on: Waiting for Super(duper)man

By: Sue C.

Sue C. — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 02:44:48 +0000

The school I teach at is in total compliance with the law. We have a wonderful full time special ed. teacher who has her own classroom. The wonderful school you are talking about legally should be taking kids in as they enroll first come first serve. The waiting list is long at my school and we take them in the order that they sign up.The school you are looking at would fit Annabelle perfectly. It is very conservatory based, where my school is very academy based. Think Julliard for the one you want and Cooper Union for mine. They have entirely different atmospheres. Good luck.

By: Tricia

Tricia — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:29:10 +0000

Oh, I just love me some Annabelle wisdom. I had to sleep on this reply and I hope you’re not saying, “Oh, shit…” to see I’ve left one. With each passing day, I’ve become more accepting and less ranting about charter schools (the conservative agenda that sucks in so many progressive liberals — gone! gone from our public schools…oops. It slipped).

Because I saw the 60 Minutes on Geoffrey Canada. Wow. And so many people I love send their beautiful and talented children to this school you’re talking about it. And others. And in any world, a 10-year-old child playing a clarinet or giving a presentation about ancient Rome is beautiful, too.

But Annabelle hit the nail on the head (I hear her saying this with a tone of outrage and disbelief). Amy, your posts have me rethinking everything I do (an how I do it) for and with my “learning skills” students — in one class of 34 tenth graders, I have 14, which includes EH and LD, identified with IEPs. Many are also identified as English language learners. Waiting for Superman guy doesn’t address these kids, which is one reason I haven’t seen the film. And neither do a lot of charter schools. But they should, of course!

They are bound by the same laws as public schools. I do know kids with IEPs who go to charter schools (not that those schools are always in compliance, but then again, as you point out, neither are publics). They must accept students, just as publics do. But maybe they get around this with lotteries and the fact that there is no clear attendance area (and testing and auditions)? Is this okay? I don’t know the answers, and I’m not naive, but I sure am with Annabelle on the questions.

Why shouldn’t Sophie be at that school eventually? She’s a born performer. I’ll never forget her Moses! Neverever, Sophie!

And for so many more reasons…

By: Missy

Missy — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:36:53 +0000

Interesting post. This response is about Annabelle and the arts school… apply and if she gets in (fingers crossed) put her in the car and drop her off on the first day, then solve the other stuff later (that she wants to be at a school with her sister.) OK, that sounds harsh, but it’s such a great opportunity. I had to be harsh with my twins who had a sibling preference and a million reasons why they didn’t want to go…. but they’re hooked. Just get in first.

By: heather hales

heather hales — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:14:44 +0000

I have heard really good things about the special ed program at Jordan elementary (goes through 6th grade), its Mesa school district, but the campus is in NW Chandler.

It is hard to choose schools, as a mother you just want what is best for your kids…if only there were magic eight balls to help us see the outcome of the choices….

as for annabelle…..you know we like our school- which runs through 8th grade, not much of a drive either.