I'm tired of hearing people saying that they "sacrifice" to send their kids to private school.

[Anonymous]

8:35 Precisely. It is relative. Lately people on DCUM have been telling people how to think. Now they're telling people how to speak. It's silly.

[Anonymous]

Of course, if/since it is relative, then you can't be surprised when people who have much less or who are giving up much more are unsympathetic about the sacrifice you're making. Goes with the territory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing 9:05 was bullied by her parents...

Such an astute observation!

With those inferential skills, you must be a product of private school.

[Anonymous]

Public, actually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"I also don't understand how public schools "don't work" for your kids. Enlighten me, as I am truly curious."

I am genuinely amazed if you are really being honest (as opposed to disingenously just pretending to be honest). Are you actually, seriously, with a straight face, saying you are incapable of understanding how public schools might not work for some kids? Huh. Well, I'll bite, even though I don't actually think you are as obtuse as your question would suggest. I can think of dozens of reasons why public might not work for some people, but I'll limit myself to the situations of real, actual people that I know. Maybe:

--The child is very shy and does not do well in a large class.
--The child is off-the-charts intelligent and isn't being properly educated in public. (As an aside, amazing how everyone agrees on the moral imperative to give an appropriate education to those below the curve, but many people still seem to think highly intelligent children somehow don't deserve an appropriate education.)
--The child is being bullied and the public school won't put an end to it.
--The child needs (truly needs, not just wants) a lot of physical activity and the public school has one twenty-minute recess period a day, which is frequently taken away if even one child in the class misbehaves.

The above is a tiny, off-the-top-of-my-head sampling. Do you get it now?

For having the means to send your child to private school, you're definitely snippy, aren't you? Do I get it now? I've always "gotten it."

So you've offered 4 reasons why public schools fail kids.

- being shy and therefore not being able to function in a large class: Most ps teachers implement strategies that encourage the shy students to speak up (participate). There are talking sticks, for example, and red/yellow/green cards to indicate level of understanding. Teachers use consensograms to pre-assess. Differentiated instruction seamlessly incorporates group work where each student is assigned a role to encourage active participation and to emphasize the importance of individual effort. Furthermore, "crowds" are a part of life. To shelter your child from the masses is to do your child a disservice.

- "Off-the-Charts" Intelligent: I do love this line, as it highlights your elitist attitude nicely: "As an aside, amazing how everyone agrees on the moral imperative to give an appropriate education to those below the curve, but many people still seem to think highly intelligent children somehow don't deserve an appropriate education." Alas! The Intelligentsia are ignored, eh? I've already discussed some of the basics of differentiation. There are programs - once considered only for the "elite" (a term with which you are familiar) - that ALL students can participate in. Do your research, PP. Look up PYP and MYP (elementary and middle) and IB and AP (high). Furthermore, the emphasis across the board is on critical thinking, which starts in K and continues through grade 12. Students can master critical thinking skills in ALL classes, regardless of level.

- bullying: Bullies are bullied by their parents, who were also bullied by their own parents. So it's an endless cycle. And it's everywhere - across all socioeconomic and ethnic lines. Are you telling me that some of those entitled students enrolled in private schools don't bully through intimidation? They don't "bully" through exclusion? And from whom do they learn THAT behavior? parents . . . PS schools DO handle bullying through programs, such as peer mediation, and administrative efforts that involve parents. But the MOST effective measure comes from the parent. Build self-esteem in your child. I teach my children to stand up for anyone who's being picked on and to fight for what they believe is right. So parents who ignore insecurity in their children enable that behavior b/c they don't offer their children the means to move forward.

- physical activity: This one makes me laugh. When your child returns home, what does s/he do? sit on the couch playing with electronic games? I suppose you're relying on the school to meet all of his/her physical needs, too? YOU'RE the role model. Invest in a treadmill and some free weights. Take a walk on those warm spring days after school. If you talk the talk, walk the walk (literally WALK the walk).

And do your homework b/c your "tiny, off-the-top-of-my-head sampling" lacks evidence to support your claims.

Not the PP you are responding to, but yours is a bizarre post. So you disagree with the PP--okay, you're entitled to your opinion. But you seem to think that just because you disagree that somehow you get to be crowned the decider of what works or doesn't work for others. Your rather odd defense of public school ("Differentiated instruction seamlessly incorporates group work where each student is assigned a role to encourage active participation and to emphasize the importance of individual effort. " Did you take that line from PR materials at the local school? ) and your general level of vitriol doesn't help your case.

[Anonymous]

I think "Truly curious" is also the OP of the who sends their kids to public schools thread. And there's enough overlap in writing/argumentative style with previous threads to make me think this is a recurrent poster who loves to start the same argument.

[Anonymous]

To Parents of Private School children posting on this Thread:

Let it go. Certain people have always seen the value in a private school education and there is a term that those people often use: NOKD(not our kind, dear). Its the perfect phrase in this case. People who argue ferociously against private school have a chip on their shoulder or, just dont get it. You can not change that. You are doing the best thing for your child and nothing else matters. Be glad these people dont get it (or are NOKD) and use the public schools. You dont have to deal with them in your child's school. That, in and of it self, is an excellent reason to be grateful that you do get it and just ignor those who dont. Move on, its not worth your time to argue with these folks.

Seriously, do you really want to convince them that private school is better? Because, if you do, they may decide to apply their child and get accpeted and then you have to deal with them on a daily basis. Ugh.

[Anonymous]

I'd rather have someone apply to my DC's private school who is thinking through this issue carefully (and who, to do so, reads everything she can find -- including DCUM) than the sorts of folks who pride/comfort themselves about who is NOKD (yuck -- even as a joke!).

There's a broader audience than the posters whose minds are obviously already made up. That said, there are certainly moments when I breathe a sigh of relief that a DCUM poster who believes "X" certainly would never consider my DC's school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To Parents of Private School children posting on this Thread:

Let it go. Certain people have always seen the value in a private school education and there is a term that those people often use: NOKD(not our kind, dear). Its the perfect phrase in this case. People who argue ferociously against private school have a chip on their shoulder or, just dont get it. You can not change that. You are doing the best thing for your child and nothing else matters. Be glad these people dont get it (or are NOKD) and use the public schools. You dont have to deal with them in your child's school. That, in and of it self, is an excellent reason to be grateful that you do get it and just ignor those who dont. Move on, its not worth your time to argue with these folks.

Seriously, do you really want to convince them that private school is better? Because, if you do, they may decide to apply their child and get accpeted and then you have to deal with them on a daily basis. Ugh.

Using "NOKD"? Smug. I've been both public-school and private-school, and I can assure you there is no "kind" of ehich to speak.

[Anonymous]

Awwwwww...somebody must need a hug!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"I also don't understand how public schools "don't work" for your kids. Enlighten me, as I am truly curious."

I am genuinely amazed if you are really being honest (as opposed to disingenously just pretending to be honest). Are you actually, seriously, with a straight face, saying you are incapable of understanding how public schools might not work for some kids? Huh. Well, I'll bite, even though I don't actually think you are as obtuse as your question would suggest. I can think of dozens of reasons why public might not work for some people, but I'll limit myself to the situations of real, actual people that I know. Maybe:

--The child is very shy and does not do well in a large class.
--The child is off-the-charts intelligent and isn't being properly educated in public. (As an aside, amazing how everyone agrees on the moral imperative to give an appropriate education to those below the curve, but many people still seem to think highly intelligent children somehow don't deserve an appropriate education.)
--The child is being bullied and the public school won't put an end to it.
--The child needs (truly needs, not just wants) a lot of physical activity and the public school has one twenty-minute recess period a day, which is frequently taken away if even one child in the class misbehaves.

The above is a tiny, off-the-top-of-my-head sampling. Do you get it now?

For having the means to send your child to private school, you're definitely snippy, aren't you? Do I get it now? I've always "gotten it."

So you've offered 4 reasons why public schools fail kids.

- being shy and therefore not being able to function in a large class: Most ps teachers implement strategies that encourage the shy students to speak up (participate). There are talking sticks, for example, and red/yellow/green cards to indicate level of understanding. Teachers use consensograms to pre-assess. Differentiated instruction seamlessly incorporates group work where each student is assigned a role to encourage active participation and to emphasize the importance of individual effort. Furthermore, "crowds" are a part of life. To shelter your child from the masses is to do your child a disservice.

- "Off-the-Charts" Intelligent: I do love this line, as it highlights your elitist attitude nicely: "As an aside, amazing how everyone agrees on the moral imperative to give an appropriate education to those below the curve, but many people still seem to think highly intelligent children somehow don't deserve an appropriate education." Alas! The Intelligentsia are ignored, eh? I've already discussed some of the basics of differentiation. There are programs - once considered only for the "elite" (a term with which you are familiar) - that ALL students can participate in. Do your research, PP. Look up PYP and MYP (elementary and middle) and IB and AP (high). Furthermore, the emphasis across the board is on critical thinking, which starts in K and continues through grade 12. Students can master critical thinking skills in ALL classes, regardless of level.

- bullying: Bullies are bullied by their parents, who were also bullied by their own parents. So it's an endless cycle. And it's everywhere - across all socioeconomic and ethnic lines. Are you telling me that some of those entitled students enrolled in private schools don't bully through intimidation? They don't "bully" through exclusion? And from whom do they learn THAT behavior? parents . . . PS schools DO handle bullying through programs, such as peer mediation, and administrative efforts that involve parents. But the MOST effective measure comes from the parent. Build self-esteem in your child. I teach my children to stand up for anyone who's being picked on and to fight for what they believe is right. So parents who ignore insecurity in their children enable that behavior b/c they don't offer their children the means to move forward.

- physical activity: This one makes me laugh. When your child returns home, what does s/he do? sit on the couch playing with electronic games? I suppose you're relying on the school to meet all of his/her physical needs, too? YOU'RE the role model. Invest in a treadmill and some free weights. Take a walk on those warm spring days after school. If you talk the talk, walk the walk (literally WALK the walk).

And do your homework b/c your "tiny, off-the-top-of-my-head sampling" lacks evidence to support your claims.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To Parents of Private School children posting on this Thread:

Let it go. Certain people have always seen the value in a private school education and there is a term that those people often use: NOKD(not our kind, dear). Its the perfect phrase in this case. People who argue ferociously against private school have a chip on their shoulder or, just dont get it. You can not change that. You are doing the best thing for your child and nothing else matters. Be glad these people dont get it (or are NOKD) and use the public schools. You dont have to deal with them in your child's school. That, in and of it self, is an excellent reason to be grateful that you do get it and just ignor those who dont. Move on, its not worth your time to argue with these folks.

Seriously, do you really want to convince them that private school is better? Because, if you do, they may decide to apply their child and get accpeted and then you have to deal with them on a daily basis. Ugh.

Ugggh. Agree with the "yuck" comment, and even if this was meant as a joke.

What disturbs me more, however, is the notion that we shouldn't have an open debate about this. Let's just shut off all discussion! Close our ears and stick out our tongues....

From a mom who went to both private and public herself, and whose kids have done both public and private. I haven't posted on this thread before, so I'm not the public school mom your objecting too, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To Parents of Private School children posting on this Thread:

Let it go. Certain people have always seen the value in a private school education and there is a term that those people often use: NOKD(not our kind, dear). Its the perfect phrase in this case. People who argue ferociously against private school have a chip on their shoulder or, just dont get it. You can not change that. You are doing the best thing for your child and nothing else matters. Be glad these people dont get it (or are NOKD) and use the public schools. You dont have to deal with them in your child's school. That, in and of it self, is an excellent reason to be grateful that you do get it and just ignor those who dont. Move on, its not worth your time to argue with these folks.

Seriously, do you really want to convince them that private school is better? Because, if you do, they may decide to apply their child and get accpeted and then you have to deal with them on a daily basis. Ugh.

Dear Hostile One,

Hopefully, for the $30K you pay for tuition, your child will have access to teachers who know how to spell, who understand the rules related to contractions, and who know how to spot a fragment and comma splice.

Oh, and please explain how you "apply" your child? Your usage here is a bit unclear and may be misunderstood by other NOKDs.

Sincerely,
an NOKD public school teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I also don't understand how public schools "don't work" for your kids. Enlighten me, as I am truly curious."

I am genuinely amazed if you are really being honest (as opposed to disingenously just pretending to be honest). Are you actually, seriously, with a straight face, saying you are incapable of understanding how public schools might not work for some kids? Huh. Well, I'll bite, even though I don't actually think you are as obtuse as your question would suggest. I can think of dozens of reasons why public might not work for some people, but I'll limit myself to the situations of real, actual people that I know. Maybe:

--The child is very shy and does not do well in a large class.
--The child is off-the-charts intelligent and isn't being properly educated in public. (As an aside, amazing how everyone agrees on the moral imperative to give an appropriate education to those below the curve, but many people still seem to think highly intelligent children somehow don't deserve an appropriate education.)
--The child is being bullied and the public school won't put an end to it.
--The child needs (truly needs, not just wants) a lot of physical activity and the public school has one twenty-minute recess period a day, which is frequently taken away if even one child in the class misbehaves.

The above is a tiny, off-the-top-of-my-head sampling. Do you get it now?

I think these are all uninformed cliches, so no I don't get it. I don't think Privates are better at publics at stopping bullying, educating outstanding students, or providing outdoor time (my child at a public gets THREE recesses a day in kindergarten). Perhaps some privates have smaller class sizes -- I'll give you that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To Parents of Private School children posting on this Thread:

Let it go. Certain people have always seen the value in a private school education and there is a term that those people often use: NOKD(not our kind, dear). Its the perfect phrase in this case. People who argue ferociously against private school have a chip on their shoulder or, just dont get it. You can not change that. You are doing the best thing for your child and nothing else matters. Be glad these people dont get it (or are NOKD) and use the public schools. You dont have to deal with them in your child's school. That, in and of it self, is an excellent reason to be grateful that you do get it and just ignor those who dont. Move on, its not worth your time to argue with these folks.

Seriously, do you really want to convince them that private school is better? Because, if you do, they may decide to apply their child and get accpeted and then you have to deal with them on a daily basis. Ugh.

Dear Hostile One,

Hopefully, for the $30K you pay for tuition, your child will have access to teachers who know how to spell, who understand the rules related to contractions, and who know how to spot a fragment and comma splice.

Oh, and please explain how you "apply" your child? Your usage here is a bit unclear and may be misunderstood by other NOKDs.

Sincerely,
an NOKD public school teacher

Not hostile and not a bad writier or speller but am not a good typist and I just dont really give a darn when on this forum. Its not like I am writing a legal brief or thank you letter. Those of you who take time out to criticize writing and spelling on forums are so silly - if you really are that obsessed with how your post looks that you go back over every word of it to spell check and edit must have a lot of time on your hands. If its that importnat to you maybe you should petition Mr Steele to add a spell check feature.

[Anonymous]

9:38 If? You know better than the dictionary! Actually when something is understood to be relative, you usually don't have this judgment associated with absolutes. The judgment suggests people don't understand relativity.