The way the gifted program in NYC runs is that you get in (or don't)

[conuly]

and then you sign up for all the schools you're eligible for, typically the schools with gifted programs in your district, ranking them as you do so. And then in a month they get around to telling you which school your darling child got into.

The results were back on Friday.

Evangeline did not get into the number 1 choice, a very good school with minimal homework due to lack of parental involvement with students (so says Insideschools.org, but you know, they say something nice about EVERY school). Nor into the number 2 choice, a very good school that's slightly overcrowded. No, she got into her second to last choice.

Now, the good part about this is that that choice was very nearly number one because it's one of the best schools on the Island. The bad part, and the reason it was NOT number one, is because it's all the way in freakin' Pleasant Plains, about as far away from the house as you can manage.

This is not an insurmountable problem, Jenn already had plans to move this summer for various reasons, but she was planning to move closer to the boat, not an additional 30 minutes away! So... yeah.

Comments

[steorra]

I came across something yesterday that made me think of you. I remember your post from probably a few months ago about playing with liquid mercury and how kids nowadays don't get to do that, which is good for health reasons, but still, liquid mercury is such a neat thing that it's too bad they have to miss out on it.

I was reading a book on the chemical elements, and it mentioned 'a patented alloy known as Galinstan', made from gallium, indium, and tin, which is liquid to -19 C (-2.2 F), and is used in thermometers.

I wonder how much the experience of playing with Galinstan would be like the experience of playing with mercury. The Wikipedia article mentions some significant differences in physical properties.

[conuly]

Huh, thank you!

[janewilliams20.livejournal.com]

"lack of parental involvement with students ..." I'm confused. The way that's phrased, it's as if they think this is a good thing?

[conuly]

Ha, no, but I think the result (less homework because it's less likely to get done) is an excellent thing indeed.