The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends cutting firm round foods (carrots, grapes, hot dogs, etc.) up through the age of five. No peanuts until seven. This has to do with both chewing tendencies and size/shape of the airway in young children. The was a recent case of a healthy six year-old at Children's who was on life support due to choking on a whole grape.
http://www.healthy-children.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/pages/Choking-Prevention.aspx
I have not previously encountered crazy carrot mom but in this case the advice is sound.

Will now unhijack.

The crazy carrot mom's antics continues to spawn laughter. We've had hours of fun making jokes about the dangers of foods that haven't been pre-chewed and spit into the mouths of our children.

Aside from that, I would be wary of a new school that tried to start too large. I can't think of any worth their salt who are starting larger than 3 or 4 grades, but it is worth thinking about. That is a lot of curriculum to master with themes that link through the grades and making sure that the kids are hitting everything along the way. We started in a brand new charter a few years back and we are now finding glaring wholes in what our child knows. Very basic things that would have been taught in pre-k or kindergarten but weren't and then they were overlooked for a couple of years. The lesson I learned from this is that you need to have a very good sense of what you child should know at each grade and really keep up on it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the the 10-year parent, but in the span of 5 years I see it. Less people seem to see charters as a leading edge frontier they must help to tame and more of an entitlement to a private school environment with public school benefits. And yes, I am being inflammatory and over-generalizing the issue. At our charter the newest group of parents this year are truly overbearing. They actually spent weeks arguing that kids in pre-K would die if they were served whole baby carrots or goldfish crackers. There incessant outrage over choking hazards made it so that no one under the age of 5 can have grapes.

Kids under five should not be given whole grapes or raw baby carrots. This has absolutely nothing to do with school choice and everything to do with child safety.

So don't give YOUR kid grapes?

This is the kind of thinking that gives conservatives & libertarians a fit about the "nanny state."

Rightfully so.

To PPs way of thinking, it's miraculous that we all survived our own childhoods.

Anonymous wrote:Will any one be staying at 2 Rivers for middle school? Do any good charters have a football team?

Middle-schoolers playing football? Where are we, Alabama?

Anonymous wrote:Will any one be staying at 2 Rivers for middle school? Do any good charters have a football team?

Some kids are staying at TR, but many are leaving for Latin and BASIS. For us, we think the expeditionary model is not quite working for our DC and we need more structure. Also, I don't like the longer day in middle school. If the extra hour a day was more class time in science or an elective (like chorus, computers, photography, chess, or study hall so DC doesn't come home with homework), I think it would be great. However, it seems that a good chunk of the time is not for direct instruction, but intended to foster positive social relationships, community service and learning how to apply to high school. We can do all that outside of school.

Will any one be staying at 2 Rivers for middle school? Do any good charters have a football team?

Anonymous wrote:Back to the question. I think it's variable. It really depends on the school. Clearly there is a lot of uncertainty you have to be willing to live with. But it can work out. It seems like parents who jumped into Yu Ying, Mundo Verde, and Inspired Teaching are happy they did -- for the most part (though there are always issues).

However, I live in Brookland and remember when a lot of parents around here jumped into Hope Community PCS, which was a new school opening in the neighborhood. People later seemed to abandon it (at least for K and up).

I think the true test for the schools you named will be whether the parents remain at the school in the upper grades. It is one thing to be the charter class in the first grade versus the sixth and even fifth grades. This is when differential maths and sciences are required. Will these schools have the resources for algebra, chemistry, biology, etc. Are parents willing to allow their children to remain in the guniea pig class. Thats a tough question, and I think it will depend on each school individually. The three you named are untested at this time.

Back to the question. I think it's variable. It really depends on the school. Clearly there is a lot of uncertainty you have to be willing to live with. But it can work out. It seems like parents who jumped into Yu Ying, Mundo Verde, and Inspired Teaching are happy they did -- for the most part (though there are always issues).

However, I live in Brookland and remember when a lot of parents around here jumped into Hope Community PCS, which was a new school opening in the neighborhood. People later seemed to abandon it (at least for K and up).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the the 10-year parent, but in the span of 5 years I see it. Less people seem to see charters as a leading edge frontier they must help to tame and more of an entitlement to a private school environment with public school benefits. And yes, I am being inflammatory and over-generalizing the issue. At our charter the newest group of parents this year are truly overbearing. They actually spent weeks arguing that kids in pre-K would die if they were served whole baby carrots or goldfish crackers. There incessant outrage over choking hazards made it so that no one under the age of 5 can have grapes.

Kids under five should not be given whole grapes or raw baby carrots. This has absolutely nothing to do with school choice and everything to do with child safety.

So don't give YOUR kid grapes?

This is the kind of thinking that gives conservatives & libertarians a fit about the "nanny state."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the the 10-year parent, but in the span of 5 years I see it. Less people seem to see charters as a leading edge frontier they must help to tame and more of an entitlement to a private school environment with public school benefits. And yes, I am being inflammatory and over-generalizing the issue. At our charter the newest group of parents this year are truly overbearing. They actually spent weeks arguing that kids in pre-K would die if they were served whole baby carrots or goldfish crackers. There incessant outrage over choking hazards made it so that no one under the age of 5 can have grapes.

Kids under five should not be given whole grapes or raw baby carrots. This has absolutely nothing to do with school choice and everything to do with child safety.

Wow. I'm the PP who previously questioned the high-maintenance reputation of 1st year school parents. I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, I recognize you. Yes, you're the parent who wants to keep 100 children from eating grapes, goldfish crackers, popcorn, carrots, and pretzels. You need to let your baby of the boob, at least during school hours. You also need to refrain from smothering other children. Your hypochondria is more destructive than you know.

let your baby OFF the boob (sorry)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the the 10-year parent, but in the span of 5 years I see it. Less people seem to see charters as a leading edge frontier they must help to tame and more of an entitlement to a private school environment with public school benefits. And yes, I am being inflammatory and over-generalizing the issue. At our charter the newest group of parents this year are truly overbearing. They actually spent weeks arguing that kids in pre-K would die if they were served whole baby carrots or goldfish crackers. There incessant outrage over choking hazards made it so that no one under the age of 5 can have grapes.

Kids under five should not be given whole grapes or raw baby carrots. This has absolutely nothing to do with school choice and everything to do with child safety.

Wow. I'm the PP who previously questioned the high-maintenance reputation of 1st year school parents. I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, I recognize you. Yes, you're the parent who wants to keep 100 children from eating grapes, goldfish crackers, popcorn, carrots, and pretzels. You need to let your baby of the boob, at least during school hours. You also need to refrain from smothering other children. Your hypochondria is more destructive than you know.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the the 10-year parent, but in the span of 5 years I see it. Less people seem to see charters as a leading edge frontier they must help to tame and more of an entitlement to a private school environment with public school benefits. And yes, I am being inflammatory and over-generalizing the issue. At our charter the newest group of parents this year are truly overbearing. They actually spent weeks arguing that kids in pre-K would die if they were served whole baby carrots or goldfish crackers. There incessant outrage over choking hazards made it so that no one under the age of 5 can have grapes.

Kids under five should not be given whole grapes or raw baby carrots. This has absolutely nothing to do with school choice and everything to do with child safety.

Here we go...

Anonymous wrote:I'm the the 10-year parent, but in the span of 5 years I see it. Less people seem to see charters as a leading edge frontier they must help to tame and more of an entitlement to a private school environment with public school benefits. And yes, I am being inflammatory and over-generalizing the issue. At our charter the newest group of parents this year are truly overbearing. They actually spent weeks arguing that kids in pre-K would die if they were served whole baby carrots or goldfish crackers. There incessant outrage over choking hazards made it so that no one under the age of 5 can have grapes.

Kids under five should not be given whole grapes or raw baby carrots. This has absolutely nothing to do with school choice and everything to do with child safety.

Anonymous wrote:Less people seem to see charters as a leading edge frontier they must help to tame and more of an entitlement to a private school environment with public school benefits.

I have definitely seen this kind of attitude from parents at open houses. But I actually think this kind of entitled attitude might be less at a first year charter. I think most people know going into a 1st year that they are in for some level of uncertainty and imperfection and go along for the ride.

Anonymous wrote:At our charter the newest group of parents this year are truly overbearing. They actually spent weeks arguing that kids in pre-K would die if they were served whole baby carrots or goldfish crackers. There incessant outrage over choking hazards made it so that no one under the age of 5 can have grapes.

Sigh.

it really should have said that i'm NOT the 10 year parent.