Anonymous wrote:

adinaINdc wrote:My kids are learning three completely different languages: English, Chinese and Hebrew. Don't underestimate what the are capable of. 8)

I have a pre-ker at YY and while dc is too young for Hebrew school now, would love a recommendation for one for future reference.

Dad is Israeli, so that makes things a lot easier on us. The J has a Sunday class now for K and 1st, I believe and I think there is a Tuesday class someplace on the Hill that a lot of Yu Yingers go to (there may even be a bus to it, I'm not sure). We would be extremely interested in trying to get a Hebrew REEF class going (Hebrew aleph bet- not Jewish religion, before anyone gets excited) if we could get a critical mass interested. I think for IB, students have to learn two languages. I assume in middle school that second language will be Spanish, but maybe with enough interest we could get a Hebrew elective going too. Dreams.... 8)

My kids are learning three completely different languages: English, Chinese and Hebrew. Don't underestimate what the are capable of. 8)

15-25 min from home, depending on traffic. 45 min from work. my kiddos take a private bus service. 8)

The new building is lovely. I'll be excited to see it as it becomes more "lived in" and as the construction subsides. 8)

Hmm. My youngest is five now and my oldest is almost eight. Before my oldest was born, I bought a breast pump kit for about $150 and maybe about $25 worth of extra bottles/materials. But bottles would be used for formula too. The kit came in a bag, so I carried it back and forth to work (no need for multiple pumps). I had a small stock of frozen bags in the freezer, which I don't think I ever had to use (no need for an extra freezer). I did splurge on two nursing bras but no nursing cloths (a tanktop under a tee shirt serves the same purpose, pull the shirt up and the tank down). And I had a consultant that I had to pay for with the first baby (I didn't know what I was doing and had no one who could show me). $175 for supplies, two bras at $50 each, plus the consulting fees of about $200 = $425.

I used the same pump, bottles and materials for baby #2. So that's $425 for two kids, or $212.50 each total.

Each one breastfed for three years but I wasn't really pumping much after 12 or so months post-birth each time (I can't remember completely).

I just checked the costs of breast pump kits now and they cost about the same.

My brother an his wife pay $200/month on "sensitive tummy" formula. I would guess that regular formula would cost $180/month?

It took my brother seven weeks to pay for formula what I paid for pumping for both kids total so, for sure, I got the better financial deal. Not to mention kids who have had less sickness, which, in turn, costs less in terms of medical bills, time off of work, and general sanity.

I think it's unnecessary, honestly. If you look at kids growing up in Europe, for example, who are speaking three or four languages, I'm guessing that moms and dads there aren't supplementing education.

I'm also a Yu Ying mom and we speak another language at home. My kids are doing well in all three languages. We did have a tutor for our oldest last year for the Chinese and I imagine we'll keep her this year for both our boys, just to help them with the Chinese homework because I'm really no help at all.

I agree with the notion that if you're kids are falling behind, call in the help sooner rather than later. But until then, sit back an watch in amazement at what their little brains can soak up.

I'm a Yu Ying mom and I love the school. This will be our 3rd year in the school and it has been an excellent match for our kids. I don't know anything about Rivier School though. Good luck in your decision.