| Author |
Message |
    
joeltfk
Citizen
Username: Joeltfk
Post Number: 126
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 9:23 pm: | 
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Without inciting a loyalty war, I'm hoping to get some information on the merits of first-grade programs at these two schools. Any family has the option of bypassing their zoned school to enter the Boyden lottery. We've been very happy with the Clinton Kindergarten program (a specific teacher in particular), and want to make the right decision for next year. Any anecdotes within the last 2-3 years, good or bad, would be helpful. It's probably fairer not to mention any teachers by name. Thanks! |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 1919
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 5:29 pm: |
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Every school in our district has great and good (and in some cases not so good) teachers. This is true at all three of the schools my children have attended (Tuscan, Seth Boyden, and MMS) and I'm sure it is true at Clinton as well. In my experience and based on what I've heard from parents at all of the other schools, the good far outweigh the not so good. However, no matter what school you choose, you can't always be guaranteed "the best" teacher in any particular grade. And, honestly, any given teacher may be "best" for some kids and not for others.
As a Seth Boyden parent, I would urge you to consider the environment and programs at each school rather than what you may hear about individual teachers. It would certainly be detrimental to your child to transfer to Seth Boyden and then transfer back purely because of "teacher draw".
If you visit Seth Boyden and speak to other parents and then compare with what you have learned from your year at Clinton, you should get a feel for which school is best for your child and your family. If you do that, I'm sure that you will be happy with your decision, no matter which of the schools you choose as a result. |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 1892
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 11:02 am: |
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Good advice as usual, sac.
Cathy |
tom connelly
Citizen
Username: Brightontom
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 2:16 pm: |
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Clinton - be loyal to your neighborhood school- |
Rivka Nelson
Citizen
Username: Rivka_nelson
Post Number: 11
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 8:11 pm: |
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Hi,
As a Clinton parent of 3 (one is at South Orange Middle School) I cannot say enough good things about Clinton Scbool and its teachers. I can truthfully say (having also worked as a substitute teacher at Clinton) that the first grade at Clinton is particularly strong teacher-wise. Your child would be well served by any teacher he/she got in first grade. Personnally, I would be hard pressed to leave a school when I have had (presumably) a positive kindergarten experience, my child has made friends at the school and has begun to bond with the school environment. Clinton is a warm, nurturing and progressive school, as well as being the most culturally diverse in the district.
I have nothing negative to say about Seth Boyden. If you feel strongly about looking at options, check it out, and see if there are compelling reasons to transfer there. I can only reassure you that Clinton School is a fine school with some very unique points and a very dedicated parent and teacher body.
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mjh
Citizen
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 60
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 18, 2005 - 7:46 am: |
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I'm a Clinton parent and I'll echo Rivka's statement, but would also assure you that whatever school you choose, you will not be able to manipulate the school to give your child the teacher of your choice each year. However, my experience at Clinton in terms of choosing the "right" teacher for my child has been very good.
Around April each year, I have a low-key conversation with my child's teacher about what teacher qualities we think are best for my child, and thus far I've found that 1) we're always in agreement; and 2) I've been satisfied with the teacher assignments.
That said, I also believe there is value in my child learning to cope with different styles of teaching. There is something to be said for developing resilience and coping skills and problem solving skills for a life that can't always be engineered by parents (IMHO). I try not to over-do it and have some faith in the teachers to make good decisions.
This is not at all meant to be a criticism of you-----you want to make a careful choice about your child's school, and that's great. |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 1906
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 18, 2005 - 9:07 am: |
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I agree with Rivka and mjh. I love SB but if my child had a perfectly good year in another school, building relationships with peers and staff, getting used to the environment, I would not change schools unless I had particular reason to fear the majority of upper grade teachers. I can't imagine that in any of our schools. Even tho personally we had a difficult experience in first grade. Kindergarten and second were both wonderful. You cannot control all the variables and children benefit from the security of the familiar as long as it is not overtly noxious. While one teacher (esp at kindergarten level) can really "make" a child's experience (by instilling love of school and belief that the adults care) one teacher cannot "break" the experience unless the child is very fragile to begin with.
Cathy |
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