Seriously? I'm not responsible -- and my kid is not responsible -- for DC's screwed up educational system. The fact is that if you want to go public or charter in DC you have to take the slot you're offered when you're offered it-- no deferring for later. Also not responsible for the lack of slots available (although last year it seems like just about everyone got into their first or second choice of PK programs, so I'm not sure this complaint holds).

My kid thrives in school. She's in a program that she loves and is excelling-- her skills at the immersion language are off the charts. We are caring, educated parents who reinforce what she's learning and the values of the school.

I don't get why it's "selfish" for me to want to spend quality time with her occasionally. And for her to do fun things with other relatives once in a while (Grandma won't be around forever after all). She's just a kid. My job is to help her grow up to be a well rounded person, which is about formal education but also about a lot of other things.

Maybe the U.S. education system is screwed up and achievement is low b/c we expect kids to follow ridiculous, made-for-adult rules, fit into systems that don't really work for them where they're at, and push them too hard from too young of an age.

We're talking about preschool here, not high school. Let's get some perspective.

I agree some PP's sounds really selfish. "If I could have been in part time daycare I would"....well you can and leave the DCPS or DCPCS spot for someone that really wants and won't abuse it and join a coop, and please don't mention costs are there are many affordable part time options out there. Children need breaks? Yeah that's what the 3 month summers, MANY teacher development days etc etc are. I can see an occasional family vacation that one couldn't coordinate on school days, but to go into the school year with the attitude of "I plan to take many days off" is just being rude and dare I say a bad parent. "When I was that age kids didn't even go to school"....well then keep your DC at home until age 5 and don't hog a spot. "What can it hurt with PS being ABCs and 123s?" I don't know about your kid's PS but my kid is learning a WHOLE lot more than ABCs, especially if you're in an immersion school. My kid has roles and responsibilities that he's assigned each day and it helps to provide structure and discipline. The type of attitudes displayed above are precisely why the US lags behind so many countries when it comes to education. "Kids go to school too much and need breaks, kids should start at later age"....how about going to school more and starting even younger? Ugh!!!

Anonymous wrote:

^^ Please. These kids are 3 or 4, not 14.

I keep my 5 yo, PK-4 er home occasionally to spend time with me after I've been on a long work trip, to chill with Grandma, and if it seems like she just needs a little down time. She goes back to school refreshed, recharged, and reconnected-- isn't that better for everyone?

The rules are a little ridiculous for little ones, in my opinion. In most places, kids this age aren't in school at all. If I could have done a public part-time program for this age, we would have.

We need to give kids and parents some slack.

Considering the demand for PS and PK spots, this kind of attitude is pretty insulting.

Sounds selfish: "spend time with ME after I'VE been on a long work trip..." At what point will you stop this?

^^ Please. These kids are 3 or 4, not 14.

I keep my 5 yo, PK-4 er home occasionally to spend time with me after I've been on a long work trip, to chill with Grandma, and if it seems like she just needs a little down time. She goes back to school refreshed, recharged, and reconnected-- isn't that better for everyone?

The rules are a little ridiculous for little ones, in my opinion. In most places, kids this age aren't in school at all. If I could have done a public part-time program for this age, we would have.

We need to give kids and parents some slack.

Considering the demand for PS and PK spots, this kind of attitude is pretty insulting.