First day of school: woes or wows?
While GothamSchools joined Chancellor Klein on his annual five-borough, back-to-school tour, The New York Times’ City Room blog followed a few students as they embark on a new school year. We were particularly intrigued by the scene at PS 19 in Corona, Queens, where the Times said “confusion reigned.”
Though the K-5 school enrolls nearly 2,000 students and some classes are housed in trailers, the line of families hoping to enroll their children “extended down the better part of the block.” According to the post, the school is one of 27 that still had a kindergarten wait list in July.
What was the scene like at your school this morning? Does your school still have students waiting to enroll? Let us know below.
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Daughter started school today in Manhattan - don’t know if I should say what school we are registered at. It was a mob scene. No direction given to parents - didn’t know where to go, what to do. Not what we expected at all. You would think the schools would have the first day down to a science. Wanted to take my kid and run!
Comment by MR — September 9, 2009 @ 2:18 pm
I too am puzzled as to why schools do not have first day down to a science. It was shambolic in the 7th grade at my son’s school. The schedules are not ready. So for several more days, in a school without lockers, children are expected to come prepared for any class. Of course this means lugging extremely heavy bags from classroom to classroom.
There must be a better way!
Comment by lindyroi — September 9, 2009 @ 8:17 pm
well with the economy in shambles our schools are as well. There are way too many overcrowded classes. This isnt everywhere, it’s here in NYC.
TAG is a talented gifted school. I find out the the former Gym teacher will be my child’s teacher. The principal admits she hasn’t taught in a classroom setting in 3-4 yrs. A parent tells me more like 4-5 yrs. The principal finally says she will monitor the teacher. I mean, should I be concerned or what? Should I just take my child and run? But what about the other students?
Comment by not so satisfied mom — September 9, 2009 @ 10:21 pm
First day was calm, orderly and cheerful at PS 295 in Brooklyn.
Comment by Amy Mintzer — September 9, 2009 @ 11:02 pm
At my daughter’s school, a line was forming from the main office to a few classroom down the hall, all have problems and questions about busing.
Comment by anon — September 9, 2009 @ 11:10 pm
I was not at my son’s school but the bus arrived on time, and he came home saying his day was “perfect”, and even the Consequence Report that got sent home (for one of his imperfect moments) was a perfect start to the year.
Comment by janny226 — September 10, 2009 @ 10:29 am
I went to inquire about the Bus and found out that the school even did not enter my daughter in the system and she has been attending classes for last two days. I called the school few times before the first day of school and the reponse was computer system down, couldn’t provide any information. I am really upset and surprised to see how disorganized the school was.
Comment by Anonymous — September 10, 2009 @ 10:57 am
Consequence Report ? First day of school ? Imperfect moments ?
How silly — First day of school — many imperfect moments for children AND THEIR TEACHERS — was that really necessary ?
I work for an advocacy organization and am more than a little surprised our phones are not ringing a little more — Monday will be the real test — full day, full week, full of …..
Good luck.
Comment by Anonymous — September 10, 2009 @ 11:27 am
So are you making fun of me, Anonymous? Do you feel I’m not entitled to be happy my son had a good first day for once? Believe me, I understand that they’re not all like that.
Comment by janny226 — September 10, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
I went ot register my son for high school on August 31, 2009, I requested a small high school and small class setting. i was told that my son couuld not be register and that he would need to be evaluated and was sent to the special education office in Rockaway Blvd Queens. There I was told to request an evaluation in writing which I did. I was told that they will call me to schedule an appoiment. Today when my husband went to inquiry as why they had not called us he was told that it would take at least 30 days to be called, and that he should have been register on August 30. My husband went back to Thomas Edison High school and told them what he was told. They sent my husband to a high school which has one spot open. By the time he arrived at the high school he was told the spot already had been filled that morning!!!. We feel like we have been given the run around. Meanwhile my son is still not register for high school and has misssed 2 days of school.
Comment by James Velez — September 10, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
First day at Lower Lab (1st grade) went extremely smooth. We have absolutely nothing to complain about. It was a mob scene at pick-up after school and it was a little scary that pretty much any adult would have been able to walk up to the doors and pick up any child but it all worked out eventually.
Comment by Anonymous — September 11, 2009 @ 9:12 am
First day and week of school at PS 150 were a blessing. Extremely well organized, and really impressed by the presence of the school principal at every drop off and pick up time for Kindergartners. We’re so happy to have our daughter attend PS150.
Comment by Celine — September 30, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
I am both amazed and frightened by what I have seen in just the first two days. The line up. The dismissal. The lack of security. I called Parent Coordinator on the first day… her mail box was full!!!
I got through day 2 and she said other complaints regarding dismissal. The tiny space allotted for this children to exit is insane and the amount of caregivers coming to retrieve these children is worse, couple that with language barriers and no supervision and you have a HOT MESS!!
What is the point of filling out all those security cards and stuff if anyone come and go!!
And then day three was a “rain” line up…another chaotic experience. The kindergartner’s were told to go in through one open door entrance and into the auditorium! My son was never in this auditorium and was frightened beyond belief. It was a mob scene and no parents were allowed to accompany their children. Screaming jaded aides really did not help this situation either.
It was as if I threw him into the lions den.
This is not how you transition a child from a private pre school to kindergarten. This is how you create trauma.
I understand that his fear is his own, but it is the school’s responsibility to make a child feel safe. By having him thrown into this situation day 3 is horrible.
Another interesting note: his teacher was scene only day 1 after that, line up is done exclusively with aides and “monitors”.
Comment by Lulu Bee — October 8, 2009 @ 2:25 pm