So last year when Natalie was in preschool we learned about this amazing charter school that our friends were taking their kids to. I read all about it here, and it has been called one of the best, or even THE best school in Arlington. Very good academically, and just seems to be an amazing school. The only problem is that you have to apply and then they choose who gets in by a random drawing. So unless you are crazy lucky you will end up on the waiting list. Which we did. Natalie was number 38, which when you consider the waiting list was over 125+ kids, isn't bad. I started her at her current school knowing that we MAY get that call that says an spot has opened up and would we like to transfer her.
Today I got the call. There is a spot and we have 24 hours to say if we want it, we then have to get her assessed to make sure she is up to the level of the Kindergarten classes (they don't want her TOO far behind), and then after assessment we have 48 hours to decide if we want the spot.
At first I was hesitant because I know Natalie LOVES her teachers, and has made some really good friends, in fact, so have I! You get to know the other Mommies as you stand around waiting for the kids to be let out of school. But, at the beginning of the school year I was praying for this. And so our decision quickly turned to, OF COURSE! Then I thought about what we would have to buy to send her there....uniforms.
A quick browse of the schools website showed what the dress code is. Each child must have the required clothes and they MUST come from one specific store. And OF COURSE that store charges more for a child's shirt than I even pay for my OWN clothes! AAAHH! Blouses for 13.50, jumpers for 45, slacks for 25, shorts for 33! I mean COME ON! How can they charge that much for a uniform, AND it's polyester for goodness sakes! GROSS!
*sigh*
At least we are learning the sacrifices parents have to make to give their kids a good education! And I was so excited to shop around town and really find CUTE pieces that would fit the dress code for a good price. Now I have to make myself sick spending a fortune on clothes. But, it's worth it in the end, right? Right.
I think...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
10 comments:
Public schools FTW!
Check out Walmart or Target. I know Target has some “uniform clothes” that fit the descriptions close enough. I’d just call the school to ask if those brands would be okay. I bet they will. If you want to save even more money – you might want to ask if parents are selling their “grown out of clothes”. However, uniforms are usually fairly worn by the time the kids grow out of them since they wear them daily.
And yes – I’d say it’s worth it.
Yeah, it HAS to be Parker Uniforms, but the secretary said she may have some left over from the used uniform sale they do, and b/c they are polyester they last forever (GROOOOSSSS), so that should help with them not looking all crappy!
Only reason I am doing this is b/c we get the benefit of a private school but without the cost!
Quit whining. Uniforms are cheaper than multiple outfits.
Besides, you want Natalie to LIKE her uniform.
FTW?
ftw=for the win
Shannon, if you can give her the "best school in Arlington", the uniform isn't much to snivel at...think of the parents who would leap at the opportunity? I don't know. It seems like charter school would be a great opportunity that will lead to other great opportunities.
Whatever decision you guys make--she will do great. Just pray about it and it will work out. But, it sounds pretty neat to be able to send her to the charter school.
Oh we are sending her, but it's still a lot of money for the clothes! And uniforms of that price are NOT cheaper than multiple outfits, not when you are a bargain hunter, for whoever anonymous is...
After a brief hesitation there was no question in my mind she is going to go there, I can still whine about having to pay such extravagant prices on something that we are being forced to buy. I wish they had guidelines and then we can find clothes that fit them rather than forcing us to buy at one high end shop.
Anonymous is your lazy dad, who can never remember his username. She'll be fine, and so will you. Love.
Post a Comment