I’m writing as a happy parent in SFUSD who has counseled numerous families over the years during the assignment process. For a moment, as school settles in, posting some lessons learned as a parent advocate. While roughly 80% of families receive a choice on their list, the remaining 20% quickly enter a painful process of […]
The weeks leading up to school assignments are challenging for many, especially those of us in San Francisco, where our public school assignments go through a lottery of sorts. Given recent events, including delayed communication of school assignments to both parents and schools and changes to the process for twins (and perhaps other changes), I’d […]
Many of you are eagerly waiting for your round one letters from SFUSD (San Francisco Public Schools) and wondering what to do if you don’t get your first choice, or if you change your mind about which school is the best fit for your child. First off, if you plan to send your child to […]
My Child is Starting Kindergarten! Tips for Getting Ready. Your firstborn just graduated from preschool, or maybe is going directly into elementary school from home. During this exciting time, here are some tips that I wish I’d known. 1) The week before school, plan to stay in town. It’s important that your child is […]
Tips from a Mom of a Precocious Child Most of us see the gifted side of our children, and we all worry about our kids receiving the best possible education. Schools can seem slanted towards the average child, leaving parents nervous that advanced children will become bored in class. I personally spent many hours […]
It’s lottery time of year in San Francisco. If you’re still touring schools, here are some ideas on what factors to consider: How Do I Find an Elementary School? My Kid Is Heading to Kindergarten. Once you’ve toured and have an opinion of the schools that you want, how do you play the kindergarten lottery? […]
Halloween is such a fun holiday for the whole family. To make it truly fun for each person in the family, honoring your child’s personality and preferences can make all the difference between happiness and melt downs for all concerned. Here are tips for a happy, safe Halloween while bearing in mind what works best for […]
I have found a reward chart to be a useful tool in getting my children to do daily tasks, from brushing their teeth to potty training to chores. Here is a sample reward chart I have used. I included items like staying in bed, brushing teeth and keeping underpants dry. I copy and pasted images from real life […]
Would you like to know more about charter schools? Here are answers to the the kinds of questions people often ask. First a note: The information provided in this FAQ reflects California law. For information specific to your state, please consult the charter school legislation in your state. States without charter legislation are: Alabama, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, […]
Your kid now reads short books, but his writing at school stops at a phrase or a sentence. How do you encourage him to start writing stories? My kid has taught me tremendously about harnessing his creativity into stories. The biggest challenge for most people, including kids, is getting started. Once you have an idea […]