Dear Judy,

Our son is in 5th grade at a charter school that’s not in the district where we live. What middle schools is he eligible for?

Charter school parent

Dear Charter school parent:

Given the proliferation of charter schools these days, your question is a timely one. We put it to the Department of Education. According to DOE spokesperson Andy Jacob, “students are eligible to apply in the district to which they are zoned and in the district in which their (public, including charter) elementary school is located. ”

However, Jacob cautioned,”not all districts have choice processes. Some have all or mostly zoned middle schools. If the charter is located in one of those districts, the student wouldn’t have any choices in that district, because there’s no choice process.”

All applicants should keep in mind there are other middle school options, even if you live in a district that has limited choice: Some schools are unzoned — open to kids all over the city, borough, or district — and some middle schools require school-based applications, separate from the district middle school application.

Although the middle school admissions timetable is standardized across the city, each district has its own ways, so it is very important to study the online middle school directories  for specifics.

Most citywide schools run their own admissions processes and students need to apply to those schools separately.  A few parents have written to ask about Mark Twain, a popular, selective school in Coney Island which accepts students based on their performance on “talent” entrance exams.  Mark Twain takes applications from all over the city but, unlike other citywide schools, students who submit the “request for testing” form for the school “will see the Twain programs as choices on the application for their district,” according to Jacob. “They’ll rank Mark Twain along with their district choices and will receive an offer to one school - the highest-ranked one to which they receive an offer.” Jacob said the district schools will not see whether the student ranked Mark Twain as a choice.

Middle school applications are due on Dec. 15, but Oct. 28, is the deadline to submit a “request for testing” form for selective schools in Districts 17, 18, 20, 21, and 22 in Brooklyn, and Districts  24, and 30 in Queens.

I would take the time to tour as many schools as you can. The bottom line is to go after the schools that match your kid.  Good luck !

Judy

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Dear Judy,

My daughter just started kindergarten at our zoned school in Brooklyn, which has a wonderful reputation. Last week, we attended the curriculum conference for her class, where the teacher outlined what the kids will learn this year. She told us that kids will learn their letter sounds, and learn to count. Well, our daughter is already reading chapter books, and able to add, subtract, and multiply. I e-mailed the teacher asking if we could sit down to discuss my daughter’s situation. She denied me a meeting stating, “I just think that at this point my goal is to now let your daughter’s development unfold in the classroom.” I was very distraught by this response. I have a 13-year-old stepson, and have never been denied a meeting by a teacher.

-Distraught Dad

Dear Distraught Dad,

Kindergarten teachers are usually more open to parent input than you describe, but it is early in the term. Give the teacher time; she has to learn all about the 25 eager new kids who show up every day. Heed what she said in her e-mail about letting your daughter’s development unfold in the classroom.

It’s a thoughtful comment, she is going to pay attention to your child, and your child will demonstrate her skills under her watchful eye. She is going to notice the books that your daughter brings to school, and her quick response to numbers. She is going to develop a strategy for her and for other kids in the class with advanced skills, as well as work with those who need catching up. (more…)

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Dear Judy,

How many classes are teachers supposed to teach in a day? My daughter’s class was merged with another. Now she is in a cramped room, with no desks, just chairs, and more than 30 kids. I attended curriculum night and when I asked why they went from three classes to two on her grade level, the teachers said the principal decided on it. Teachers are only teaching five periods a day.

Concerned mother

Dear Concerned mother:

It sounds like your daughter’s principal is faced with a familiar situation these days — not enough money to keep class size low. Evidently, the principal found that he could maintain the number of kids allowed in a class according to the teachers’ contract by combining two classes into one. That way, only two teachers, not three, would have to be budgeted. (more…)

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Dear Judy

What is the best way to find out about high school open houses and tours? Is there an updated list on Insideschools.org? How many schools should we visit? Are open houses really helpful?

8th-grade parent

Dear 8th-grade parent:

Attending an open house or tour should be a priority for kids and parents looking for a high school but, try to narrow your list to a manageable number, based on your schedule. Your daughter may be excused from class to tour a school, but can you get a note for your boss?

The high school application allows you to apply to up to 12 schools, not counting the specialized high schools and charter schools. Our advice to families: don’t apply to a school you wouldn’t attend. Likewise, I can’t imagine sending a child to school without first checking it out in a visit. Students frequently venture out of their neighborhoods, and even their boroughs, for high school, so going on a school tour is a great way to test out the travel time and to check out the subway and bus connections. (more…)

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Dear Judy,

My son is just starting kindergarten in a K-8 school. If he is unhappy in a K-8 school can he apply to middle school elsewhere? Or if you are unhappy in a 6-12 school can you apply to high school elsewhere?

- Apprehensive Mom

Dear Apprehensive Mom:

The beauty of schools that combine elementary and middle school grades, or middle and high school grades, is that families may not have to go through the tedious middle and high school admissions process and can continue at the same school. However, the answer to your question- are you able to switch schools if you are not happy at a K-8 or 6-12 school? — is yes, you always have the option of going through the application process at normal school entry points, including 6th or 9th grade. (more…)

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Dear Judy,

My daughter has been attending school in another state. Now she wants to finish back in the city. She will be going into 11th grade and she’s a good student. What are her options?

-Puzzled Mom

Dear Puzzled Mom (and others who are new to the city):

Eleventh grade is a tough time to make a change, particularly for high-achieving kids who have been attending school out-of-state. The selective exam and audition high schools, known as specialized high schools, do not accept 11th-graders and many other popular schools generally don’t have available seats.

Then there are the Regents exams: kids have to pass five of them to get a diploma. Principals have some discretion on whether to waive one or two exams, based on academic records, but be sure to ask about that when your register your daughter for school. (more…)

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Dear Judy,

We just moved to New York City this summer. Do you have any ideas for free summer activities?

New to NYC

Judy answers:

Dear New to NYC,

Welcome to summer in New York City! Lots of families may be at loose ends now that summer school is ending and early camp sessions are over. A good way to meet other families in your neighborhood is to check out your neighborhood public school playground. A city initiative called “Schoolyards to Playgrounds” is working to renovate and open school playgrounds to the public. Many are now open even if school is not.

Department of Parks and Recreation playgrounds are also open from 8 am to dusk. Their website has  a list of playgrounds and other indoor and outdoor recreation programs. They also have a list of wheelchair accessible playgrounds, fields, pools and beaches. And, if you find a favorite playground, the Department is even inviting folks to pick their favorite playground, so you can see what other families recommend. (more…)

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Dear Judy,

In the fall, my son will be starting kindergarten in a school where he does not know anyone and where the classes are much larger than he is used to. All his pre-K friends will be in different schools, and I fear we will lose touch. I am wondering how to ease his transition to this new experience.

Anxious mother

Judy answers:

Dear Anxious Mother,

Ah, kindergarten is a new experience for all children, whether or not they know each other on the first day. As a parent, you know it’s important to keep your concerns to yourself. Instead, talk up the positive aspects of going to a new grown-up school where your son will learn lots of new things and find new friends. (more…)

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Dear Judy,

My son is entering 7th grade this fall. Should I be thinking about high school admissions already? What can I do to get prepared?

- Thinking Ahead Mom

Judy answers:

Dear Thinking Mom,

It’s never too soon for a middle school family to start thinking about high school. There are new choices every year as well as the popular tried-and-true schools to consider.

A smart move is to attend the high school admission process workshops that the Department of Education is holding for middle school families over the summer.The workshops are held Tuesday evenings at either Brooklyn Tech High School or Stuyvesant High School. The first session, an overview of options, is being held at Brooklyn Tech on June 30. The other sessions at Brooklyn Tech, on July 7 and 14, cover how to prepare for the specialized high school exam and how to prepare for auditions and portfolios for arts high schools. The sessions at Stuyvesant, starting on July 21 and going through August 11, will discuss large high schools, career and technical schools, new small schools, and charter schools.

You can also pick up a copy of the Directory of Public High Schools that the DOE publishes every year. It should be available at most middle schools and at the borough enrollment offices. The directory is getting fatter and fatter each year, and just browsing through the listings of more than 500 schools can be daunting. To help you narrow your search, check the Insideschools’ reviews in the Find a School section and purchase NYC’s Best Public High Schools by Clara Hemphill and the Insideschools staff.

Consider attending the citywide high school fair next October 3 and 4. At the fair, you and your son will have the opportunity to meet with representatives and often students from many high schools. It’s a hectic and crowded event, but it will help you to jumpstart your school search. Typically around February there are fairs to introduce new schools that will open the following September.

Whether or not you attend the DOE workshops, if your son plans to take the test or audition for one of the city’s nine specialized high schools you should get a copy of the Department of Education’s Specialized High Schools Student Handbook. The handbook should be available at one of the borough enrollment offices or from your guidance counselor in the fall (although most school copies will be reserved for 8th graders.) The handbooks have a sample Specialized High School Achievement Test (SHSAT) so your 7th grader can find out what he’s up against. You can get reasonably inexpensive prep books at our bookstore. I’ve also heard about students getting together in study groups to use these prep books instead of investing in expensive tutoring courses; some middle schools hold free prep courses for 7th graders.

Bottom line: The high school application, although filed in 8th grade, shows 7th grade scores, making 7th grade a very important school year. So while you and your son take some time to attend high school fairs and open houses, don’t forget about homework and attendance! With some advance knowledge, and good grades, you’ll be ready to go through the process for real next year!

You’ve got the whole summer to enjoy. Try not to let admissions anxiety get in the way!

Judy

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Dear Judy,

My child is eligible for the gifted and talented program in NYC, and I have a question regarding his future. If he does not perform well or meet the criteria for the program in several years, would he be forced to change schools, or would he receive extra support/tutoring, etc.?

~ Christina

Dear Christina,

These days, the watchword at the Department of Education is “data”. All schools keep track of their students’ academic achievement. This applies to kids in the gifted and talented programs, as well as the general classes. If your child is struggling, the teacher should let you know and discuss with you what kind of help the school can provide. It may be tutoring or, if appropriate, counseling. If the strategies don’t work, the school may suggest placing the child in a general education class in the same school, or, in extreme cases, if he is attending out of district, transferring him back to his zoned school. Chancellor’s Regulations A-101 and A-450 establish a chain of events, including parent conferences and extra help before a transfer is put on the table.

At the start of your child’s career in G&T, if the school has not already shared its policy with you, ask what their expectations are, what kind of help will be available to a student who falls behind, and how they will handle a child who seems to be mismatched with the program. You should also keep in touch with your son’s teachers so you can be aware of any difficulties right away.

Remember, in addition to personal observations and teacher conferences, you can keep abreast of your child’s progress by logging on to ARIS (Achievement Reporting and Innovation System ) from third grade on, to view state exam results. You can log on to Acuity for interim assessment results. The principal should provide you with an ID and instructions for using these databases, which have only recently become available to parents.

During the early grades, kindergarten through third grade, you will find that the best way to keep in touch is by participating in your son’s school, through the Parents Association or, if you have the time, by volunteering in his classroom.

Meanwhile, enjoy the summer while looking forward to the new term.

Judy

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Dear Judy,

We just got the results of my daughter’s middle school choice process and ended up with a school we did not choose. Is there any way to appeal this placement? Could it be a mistake?

5th grade parent

Dear 5th grade parent:

You are not alone, we have heard from many parents with the same problem. Mistakes happen. We know a parent whose daughter was matched with a school she didn’t apply to out of her district, yet she was not “accepted” at any of the district schools she applied to. This was clearly an error. My advice? If you think this could be a mistake, check with your elementary school guidance counselor now; ask her to contact the school that “accepted” your daughter to see if her name is on their list. When in doubt, double check with the local enrollment office and finally, with the middle school enrollment office at Tweed, headed by Sandy Ferguson.

If it is not a mistake, but just bad luck, you have until June 10 to appeal the placement, according to Department of Education spokesperson Andy Jacob. This goes for schools in districts that have middle school choice. Ask your guidance counselor for an appeal form. She can review your daughter’s situation and help fill out the appeal application. You might have a guidance counselor who knows your child well enough to go to bat for her. She may know middle school guidance counselors; she may know which schools are still open to applicants. Jacob said that “Appeals are granted based on seat availability and the selection criteria of the schools listed on the application.” He cautioned that ” Submitting an appeal does not guarantee admittance to a specific school, or even that a new placement will be offered.” You’ll be notified about appeals decisions by the end of June, according to Jacob.

Also consider checking out the few new schools that are opening next fall – they may still have openings.

Be as patient as you can. Late in summer there will be special enrollment offices to deal with unsettled admissions problems, and often the schools do not have an accurate count of who is actually attending until September. If you have applied and been endorsed by the guidance counselor, you might get an open spot.

Meanwhile, another piece of advice: don’t deride the school to which your daughter has been assigned. Do look for bright spots and emphasize them. She might just end up there!

Judy

Correction: Previously we reported, as per Jimmy Bueschen of the Manhattan enrollment office, that children  could only appeal  to schools that they had already applied to. According to parents who have copies of the appeal form, and Andy Jacob of the DOE’s press office,  children can apply to any choice program or school to which they are eligible and whose admissions are handled by the Office of Student Enrollment. That includes schools to which a child may have previously applied and new middle schools opening in September. 

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Dear Judy,

How are ELA scores typically given to parents and students? Do they come over the Acuity site or are they handed out in paper? And are they really released school by school or only at the end of the year?

Impatient Parents

Dear Impatient Parents,

Standardized test scores are produced by the New York State Education Department and are in a state database called nySTART. It is separate from the Acuity system, which deals with New York City interim assessments. The DOE has an overarching database called ARIS, which includes information from Acuity and other sources. According to DOE spokesperson Andy Jacob, schools will be distributing login information to ARIS Parent Link over the next several weeks. “By the end of school year,” he said, “parents will be able to log on to ARIS to view information about their child’s academic progress.” Meanwhile, you can log into Acuity for interim assessment results, but it won’t include the results of the state tests. If you are unsure how to log in, check with your school.

According to Grace Pepe, Director of Assessment Operations at the Department of Education, principals can access scores about a week before their official release date but the information is embargoed until after a press conference to announce the results. This year’s scores were announced May 7.

What happens next is up to your principal. Some principals will respond to individual parents’ requests for their children’s scores before the whole school gets to know. Other principals release all the scores immediately, by letter home, while some others save the information until final report cards are given out at the end of the term. Obviously, for kids whose promotion is in doubt or have a very low score, the principal should share the score with parents right away. By the way, the New York State Education Department says that results of the state math test will not be released until mid to late June.

If you want to find out why your child did not perform up to expectations, you can ask to see the “item analysis” for your child’s test. The principal has that information and can go over it with you. But if what you really want is to find out whether there was a mistake in the scoring, or if you wish to take a look at your child’s tests, you should ask the school principal for a parent request form to see a copy of the test and the answer sheet. You’ll need proof that you are the student’s parents, so you may either get the principal to attest to that or you can have the form notarized. In either case, the form goes to the Office of Accountability-Scan Center, 44-36 Vernon Boulevard, Room #206, L.I.C., N.Y. 11101, Attention: Grace Pepe. It will take some time, but the process should result in an appointment to see the tests.

Judy

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Dear Readers,

Last week’s question concerned a student theft of another student’s property. Judging from the number of comments this column received, this question clearly struck a nerve with parents. Debate among readers ranged from blaming the incident on the student for bringing a forbidden cell phone to school, to the school’s not having the personnel to adjudicate incidents.

To be fair, it can take many hours of a teacher’s or guidance counselor’s time to resolve incidents like this, to the detriment of other work. And yes, cell phones are banned from school, although some schools turn a blind eye to the rule. But my bottom line is this: it is the schools’ responsibility to respond to parents’ concerns. Schools may not be technically guilty in cases of theft, but they are guilty of ignoring or dismissing parents’ and students’ problems. Schools should develop a specific routine and designate personnel to handle such incidents, the routine should be included in the safety plan, and the safety plan should be given out to all parents. The Parents Association must be part of the team that sets up the plan.

An even more important question not mentioned by commenters is, how can the school establish a climate that engenders respect for the school community and reduces student-to-student crime, bullying, and other discipline problems? My answer: spend a lot of time working toward that goal. Here are some ways to do that: (more…)

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Dear Judy,

I have a question about an incident in my daughter’s school. One of her classmates disposed of my daughter’s home keys and a cell phone in a garbage can. He admitted going through her book bag when she wasn’t around. The school officials had a meeting with his parents, and the boy said he is sorry. Nobody contacted me from the school. I found out what happened myself. I called the assistant principal this morning, and she told me that school is not responsible for lost items, and I can file a police report if I want to be reimbursed by the parents of that boy. Could you please tell me what should I do in this case? Is the school really not responsible for anything? What about safety?

Upset Parent

Dear Upset Parent,

Is the school responsible for the loss? Although there is a process, spelled out in Chancellor’s Regulation A-412, that the school must follow when a student is robbed on or near school property, including writing up an incident report and a range of punishments for the student who is responsible for the theft, there is no mention of the schools’ liability for the items stolen. The Department of Education’s Discipline Code, which you should have a copy of, also has a detailed list of possible infractions and punishments but does not mention a victim’s compensation or a school’s liability. You should also ask for a copy of your school’s specific safety plan to check if it includes any options for recourse.

Even if the school is responsible, going through a legal process will probably take more time and legal fees than the items are worth. You should still, however, file a police report. The police report and the school’s report of the theft, which is called an incident report, are important documentation in case you need to establish the need for a safety transfer.

If the school is not legally responsible for your daughter’s items, it is still responsible for handling the situation properly. They have already failed to notify you and show you the incident report, as the Chancellor’s Regulation requires. Now the principal or guidance counselor should set up a conference with the boy’s parents to discuss how you can be repaid. Depending on the age of the child, there might be an arrangement for him to earn the money, or the parents might agree to reimburse you. If the principal or his designee won’t help arrange this meeting, call the district family advocate and other Department of Education contacts, such as office of School and Youth Development, (718) 935-4357, or the Office of Legal Services, (212) 374-6888
I hope this resolves in a peaceful way.

Judy

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Dear Judy,

My son has been bullied and harassed in his school since day one (he is now in 7^th grade at a pretty good school). Everything came to a head when he was mocked on Facebook. I hear that they call this cyber-bullying. Besides the embarrassment felt by my son, this led to some physical assaults. No one at the school is taking this situation seriously, but it has made my son anxious and his grades are falling. What should I do?

Worried Mom

Dear Worried Mom,

Cyber-bullying is just as serious as the more familiar physical assaults and general harassment. Cyber-bullies, or bullies of any kind, should not be ignored and victims should not be left alone to tough it out. There are two paths to take when this kind of situation gets out of hand. Although dealing with your son’s distress is foremost, you have to confront the situation that caused it. Help your son by getting the guidance counselor involved with some one-on-one sessions to help your son cope. If necessary, and possible, try some outside therapy. Once the people responsible for the bullying are identified, the school counselor should also be working with them. It may be a good idea to have a meeting between you, the parents of the offenders, and appropriate school staff. But that depends on specific factors, so consult with the guidance counselor.

At the same time, with no delay, you should report the cyber-bullying and other incidents to the principal and to the local precinct. There is a new procedure, clarifying how to handle these incidents and it specifically includes cyber-bullying. All is spelled out in Chancellor’s Regulation, A-832 which, among other things, requires the principal to investigate and share with you a report of the outcome and steps to redress the behavior. Note that if you are not satisfied with the way the school is responding, you can contact the Department of School and Community Development. Don’t forget to report the cyber-bullying incident to Facebook as well.

Remember, you may have other allies among school parents, those who have had similar experiences, or PTA members in general. Consider inviting an anti-bullying expert to a school meeting. Other “official” allies are the parent coordinator, the District Family Advocate, and the Director of the Office of Family Engagement.

Another source of help, particularly when it comes to dealing with school culture and student behavior, is your school’s network leader from its school support organization. You can find your school’s network leader listed on the Department of Education website.

It takes a lot of work to undo the effects of bullying. Stick to it and good luck.

Judy

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Dear Judy,

What is the use of taking an Advanced Regents diploma? Do colleges even know what a Regents exam is? Wouldn’t it be just as well to take the five basic Regents exams and not bother with more? Or not take them at all?

– High school parent

Dear High School Parent:

For a long time, passing Regents exams was not the only way to get a New York State diploma. For many students, demonstrating competency in major subjects meant passing an easier Regents Competency test (known as the RCT). Then politicians began questioning the true value of a New York State high school diploma, and imposed Regents exams on all students to raise the standards. The New York State Education Department also offered an advanced Regents diploma to those students who followed a more rigorous curriculum. Take a look at Insideschools’ basics on diploma requirements for the specifics.

It’s true that Regents exams are unique to New York State, but in response to the No Child Left Behind law (NCLB) many states have now established exit exams to set standards for their diplomas. In that sense, New York has a leg up with college admissions officers, who have encountered Regents for a long time. Importantly, even if the colleges do not look at the Regents scores at all, and even if you never take the Regents exams themselves, the course load you take to qualify for an Advanced Regents Diploma includes exactly what college admissions offices look for: challenges and effort beyond the basic standard. Just read what City University says on its website to all its applicants: (more…)

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Dear Judy,*

We tried to register my son for kindergarten last week but were denied because of insufficient documentation. We were given a “tentative” registration but told to return with more documents ASAP.

We live in the school’s zone (we’re not trying to “game” the system) but we’re stumped as to how to meet the tough standards for documentation. We live in a co-op (thus utility bills are in the co-ops’ name, not ours) and also do all of our personal banking and bill paying electronically. In addition, my office is paperless as well, with all payroll on line. Because the schools do not accept computer print outs of documents, we are having trouble.

- Cyberdad

Dear Cyberdad,

According to Marty Barr, the director of elementary school enrollment, there are ways to get around proving residence despite the problems caused by living in a co-op and in a totally paperless universe.

You say the school accepted the documents that you submitted re the co-op, namely a mortgage statement. Another acceptable document is a proprietary lease with your name and address on it. But that is only one category. You need proof from another.

Here are some suggestions from the Department of Education for the second proof:

Request a letter from the human resources department in your office (there must be some official letterhead stationery around.) The letter should attest to the fact that your company submits payroll deductions, W2’s and 1099’s to the IRS using your address. The letter should be dated and mailed to you and you should submit the letter in the envelope, showing that you received it at your address. He also said that you can request a letter from your bank attesting to your address, and mailed to your address.

There are other possibilities including a letter from any other official agency on letterhead such as a tax refund from the state or federal government, a jury notice, an overdue parking ticket, or a letter from the social security administration re your status. You can request this if you have not received it but timing can’t be predicted.

You may find the list of documents required for registration on the Department’s website. You can find more information about enrolling in kindergarten in our Basics section.

Good luck,

Judy

*This question was not sent to Insideschools.org but was posted on a Brooklyn parent listserv.

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Dear Judy,
My daughter did not get into any of her main round choices despite having a 96+ average. She got into Brooklyn Latin but does not want to go there. I have serious concerns about the school’s neighborhood. Do we have a chance to go back to the main round, secondary round or for an appeal? I feel like the specialized high school process was presented as a method to find out early about your main round choices but no one mentioned this scenario.

Thanks for any help on this,

Disappointed in the 1st round

Dear Disappointed in the 1st round:

You still have a couple of days to reconsider. Acceptances are due Feb. 26. Think through the decision carefully. Try taking the trip she would take to Brooklyn Latin again. Speak to current students and listen to what they have to say about the neighborhood. Call the precinct to find out if there are incidents involving kids from the school or others in the community. Check out what other parents have to say on the Insideschools.org forum. If she still rejects Brooklyn Latin, your daughter’s application will be automatically entered in the main round.

Realize that once she turns down a specialized high school, she cannot change her mind about it. But, importantly, she can amend the application to reorder her choices, or add new ones, including the new schools that are opening next fall. According to Bonnie Gross, director of high school admissions, she not only can, but should revise her application. But remember: don’t list anything you would later rule out.

Results of the main round are due March 25. At that time, if the placement is unsatisfactory, there is still another chance to submit a supplementary application, and results are due out April 30.Then, there is an appeals process, so somewhere along the way your daughter has a good chance of getting into a good high school.

Another option: 9th graders can reapply to high school. Your daughter can take SHSAT test again, for possible placement to a specialized high school in 10th grade, and apply to other high schools as well.

Act fast and good luck.

Judy

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I have an 8 year old daughter who is in the top class; however the teacher told me that she is not interested in reading, writing and math, and is only interested in being social with the other children. She suggested I give her incentives. Can you give me some ideas to motivate my child to like reading, math and writing?

Puzzled Mom

Dear Puzzled Mom,

Do you know why she lost interest in her studies? Is she concentrating on friendships because she feels insecure and has to work hard to make and keep friends? Does she have a chance to see her friends after school or on weekends? You can help boost her self confidence by arranging playdates with friends. Is the work too difficult? If so, ask the teacher to schedule extra help or tutoring for her. Or, is she bored because the work is dull? If that’s the case, here are some ideas on how to keep her interested.

Introduce her to fun series books such as Ramona by Beverly Cleary, Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgrin, Encyclopedia Brown by Donald Sobol, or Magic Treehouse by Mary Pope Osborne. Good books are great motivators. Teachers may see these books as too easy, but they usually have kids clamoring for more. Once she is hooked on a series, the next title could be a reward for reading what the teacher assigns. Tapes and movies of these books in combination with the published versions make stories come alive. Take the time to read, watch, or listen with her. You can find plenty of other appealing books at the public library. Ask a librarian to help find those that are geared to her interests.

Encourage your daughter to write to grandparents, aunts and uncles, or neighbors who all welcome mail from kids. She can start with e-mail, and if she gets a correspondence going, she can move on to cards for special occasions and then longer letters. Writing in a diary is also fun, made even more appealing if you give her a special notebook with a pretty cover. She can write privately after she does the required school journal writing. Or, you and your daughter can read poetry and write poems together. Your participation is really important!

If you or other family members are good at math, share fun problems and puzzles. Some kids like to do arithmetic in workbooks at home. Others respond to just fooling around with a calculator or using it to solve problems that come up in shopping, like figuring out which box of raisins is the best buy or making change.

With the teacher’s cooperation, (she’ll report to you the good behavior days) your daughter can have a notebook full of stickers - one for each time she pays attention in school and does her homework willingly. When the agreed upon number is reached, you’ll reward her with something you both agree upon: Some small change? A toy she’s been yearning for? A special treat?

And, if you’d like to hear an expert speak on the topic of motivation, consider going to a talk by Rick Lavoie, author of “The Motivation Breakthrough: 6 Secrets to Turning on the Tuned-Out Child”. He will be speaking in Brooklyn on Feb. 11. See our calendar for details about this free event..

Good luck and have fun.

Judy

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Dear Judy,

Hi, I want to prepare my four-year-old for the OLSAT. We did not get a date, yet, but I heard it could be next month, and I would like to get him some test prep material or a tutor. Do you have any recommendations?

Nervous mom

Dear Nervous mom (and potentially nervous moms),

It seems to me a bad idea to put a small child through a cram sessions in the few days, weeks, or even months left before the OLSAT. It’s better to work on bringing a well-rested, calm, and happy child to the test. Your child will do much better if she does not feel the same pressures that you do. One school placement consultant we know advises parents to tell your child, just before the test, that “these people want to know what a four-year-old can do.” It sets the child up to perform well without involving her in high stakes.

That’s the immediate answer to the nervous mom question, but because there have been lots of questions from many anxious parents about this subject, and although testing for the gifted and talented programs is well under way, I thought it useful to discuss this issue further.

Here’s my best advice for now and for the future: continue to do what you probably have been doing since your child was born. Read to your child and talk about what you read, play with language through rhymes and riddles, count and sort while doing everyday tasks, cut way down on television, and instead, play games, go to children’s museums, performances, zoos, and the library. Discuss everything you do, leaving plenty of opportunity for your child to do the talking. These activities are fun ways for you and your child to spend time together, and will help him succeed in school, no matter what the program.

Don’t put inappropriate pressure or unrealistic expectations on your small child. Scores on the OLSAT and the Bracken School Readiness Test, like other tests, come from a child’s reasoning and abstract thinking abilities, level of academic readiness, and his ability to convey these qualities while sitting patiently, remaining attentive for a long time, and forgoing the sidetracks a curious child will take - especially in a strange setting.

If you are still determined to prep your child, start by trying out the sample tests in the information booklet that the Department of Education supplies. Piece of cake for your child? Stop there. Need some brushing up? Search the Web for Otis-Lennon School Ability Test or OLSAT, and you will find books, software, and advice - mostly for sale to parents who want to prep their children. Some parents have recommended tutors via our forum, so take a look at what others have to say. Private tutors and services can be pricey, depending on how many hours you sign up for. Some agencies say they will help talented kids who can’t afford the fees. Others offer discounted specials.

Remember, gifted programs are not the only alternative for your bright child. There are other options in many districts. Don’t neglect your local school. Chances are it’s well-worth putting your energies toward supporting and improving it. Check out all the possibilities in our Find a School section on Insideschools.org

If your daughter does qualify for G&T programs, consider becoming a member of AGATE, a statewide advocacy organization for gifted education.

Meanwhile, relax and enjoy your bright child.

Judy

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Dear Judy,

We are in the process of applying for middle schools in District 15. Almost every school we have looked at says (1) they are highly selective with many more applicants than spots and (2) will only consider kids who rank them first or second. Are the middle schools (unlike the high schools) really informed as to where we rank them? And if so, should we avoid listing any of these schools in any spot other than one or two even if we would far prefer them to other schools in the district? Along the same lines, should we avoid listing any schools other than those we really like or by doing this are we risking not getting placed at all?

Brooklyn Mom

Dear Brooklyn Mom,

The Department of Education consistently responds to questions about the middle school application process by saying that each district has different rules, so we asked around in several districts. Wanda Barbot, middle school director at the Brooklyn Secondary School for Collaborative Studies, said that the schools in District 15 do not see how kids rank schools on their applications. On the other hand, Walter Friedman of the District 3 enrollment office said yes, the middle schools do know how you rank them on your application.

My advice to you, and to all parents and kids about to submit their applications to middle school, is that regardless of rankings, be savvy — don’t waste your first and second choices on schools where you don’t have much of a chance. Make your choices realistic with an eye to how your grades, attendance, and lateness will stack up against other applicants. To avoid total misery, do not list schools that you would hate, but be sure to list a good number of choices because the middle school guide contains this ominous phrase: “If an application is not completed or if a student does not rank sufficient choices in numerical order, he or she will be placed in a middle school in the district in which he or she resides or attends elementary school based on available space.”

Don’t forget the option to apply to schools that have a separate application process and may be open to students citywide. Look in the back of the district directories; there are 11 such schools in Brooklyn (every borough has them). Also search for “unzoned” schools in our Find a School section. There are Manhattan schools for gifted and talented kids that you test or audition for, and ICE (Institute for Collaborative Education) which does not test but asks for a personal essay. Remember, these individual applications will not compete with the ranked-list application.

Be sure to follow the directions in the middle school handbook: make sure that the information supplied by the school is correct, and that you are applying to schools for which you have a reasonable chance to get in. Finally, check our section on Applying to middle school for more tips.

Good luck!

Judy

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