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I spoke with Amelia’s principal today. He told me that Amelia will be in the class of the teacher who we had requested. That is a huge relief. I actually had a nightmare this week about which school Amelia would be going to. The situation is that I have heard such negative things about one of the other possible teachers that I actually considered putting her at another school for a year in order to avoid that classroom.
I feel a bit guilty about being successful in my class placement request. I would prefer not to make a request at all. It seems inegalitarian. What about the kids whose parents are tuned out? On the other hand it doesn’t seem like the fact that some parents are tuned out is a good reason for me to tune out–not to actively seek what I believe to be best for my daughter.
This whole question has larger contexts. I could undoubtedly find a better school for my daughter–especially if I sent her to a private school, but also even at some of the public schools around here. But I think neighborhood schools are very important. The advantages that my daughter gets by attending a school in her own neighborhood (living near classmates/attending Church with classmates) and that we get as a family (a short bus ride to school, no driving for me–hooray!) are significant. And also what of what we can offer our neighborhood? If all the parents who can afford to go elsewhere (in money and/or time) flee, what kind of a school would that leave behind? I have enjoyed feeling like I’ve made a difference at Amelia’s school. Like things I’ve done have made a difference for lots of kids–not just Amelia.
On the other hand, as other families choose to send their kids elsewhere and the school slowly declines, at what point do I need to say, “too bad for the neighborhood, I have to do what’s right for my daughter.” I do believe that there is a point at which your first duty is to your own children, not other people’s. But I also think we do have an obligation to help other children and other families. It is tricky to figure out where to draw the line. What do you think?
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Sometimes you have to do what is best for your particular child.