District Change

[goddessoflubbock]

Well I can't seem to catch a break. I finally got DS's issues resolved and now the elementary school comes a'knocking.

DD is in 2nd grade, in the same elementary her brother went to. We used to rent a house 2 blocks from where we live now, and I bought a house in the same neighborhood *specifically* because I was so happy with the elementary school. (At the time it was because they were working with him so well despite us having no clue what his issue really was). And this spirit of cooperation continued until he left elementary and went on to middle school.

The school district has built two new elementary schools (two years after closing and selling two - go figure!).

We received a letter in the mail today telling us that if we wish our child to continue being bussed to and from school, she would have to move to the new school, as we've been "redistricted".

They arbitrarily picked the two main roads I live near as the break off point for the new school district, and I'm two blocks in on either side.

The new school is in a direction from our house that we never go. It is in a neighborhood we would never travel to. The kids in that area currently attend my daughter's elementary, but no one who lives out there is in her group of friends.

Lest I come off sounding snotty, or worse, a little bit about the neighborhood I *do* live in. My neighbors are mexican, black, white, and middle eastern. They are old, young, college students, and traditional families. I love the neighborhood for that mix. It gives my kids a perspective they wouldn't get in another area.

But I picked this elementary school. And I don't think they should be allowed to force me to change midstream.

[SomethingElse]

They're not really forcing you to change elementary school, though. They're just saying that the school bus will no longer be able to pick your child up because she's in the wrong area.

Are you going to change travelling arrangements, or are you going to attempt to get them to change their new policies?

If all else fails an idea might be to arrange for your daughter to go to a friends house in the mornings and be picked up from there?

[Aspen]

Most of the time when a child would have to change schools because of redistricting like that, they offer the parent the chance to keep them in the same school until they finish if the parent is willing to transport them. At least that is how it seems to work around here. My daughter has been placed by the school district in a school across town, but that is a different situation.

[goddessoflubbock]

I'm going to try and fight it. I do have until August. She can stay in her old school, they just won't bus her there anymore after this school year ends. (In Texas, you can send your kiddoe just about anywhere you like for school, they are very open that way).

I just don't think it's fair that they built new schools and force people who didn't want them to use them. Had they built ONE new school, more centrally located out in the Northern area, all the kids from all the new developments could have used it and none would have to change from their home schools.

The children in our neighborhood can't walk to their current elementary school - they have to cross a very busy 4 lane road that's 55 mph, and when they get across there's no sidewalks. Including where they have to climb through an underpass of the highway that goes around the town. I wouldn't let my son walk there, and he's almost 12.

Part of the problem (as I hate to admit it) is that I don't handle change well. Really, not at all. Right down to I eat the same breakfast and lunch every day, and if you tell me the day of the week I can tell you what I had for dinner So this is huge.

We may well end up driving her every day, which will be a huge hassle (and expense with the cost of gas) but something we'll have to do. Figuring out how we'll do that and get me to work on time may be the real trick.

[Sophist]

If worse comes to worse, goddess, would it be too difficult to drive her back and forth every day?

[goddessoflubbock]

It's 2 miles. It's just the headache of it all. And she can't get to school earlier than 7:30, and I have to be at work by 8:00. Ugh.

[Blandit]

I sympathize. I have a fairly easy job working for myself, cleaning houses, but I still find myself cutting it close. I barely have time to get the job done and then get back to the school to pick up! (I still have two years of half-day school to go) I have begun to let my kids walk and ride their bicycles and have been criticized by other parents for this. We live on the same road as the schools. We live on the same side of the road as the schools. We are about six blocks from the school in a small farming town of about 4000 people. The children walk together and there is a crossing gaurd at the only busy intersection. (most of you would probably laugh at what I call "busy") I figure if this is too dangerous, then we may as well live in a plastic bubble! (of course, I still pick up my five year old, because I can't rely on the others to take good care of him, yet: they have a hard enough time taking care of themselves!)

I just pray and keep repeating my favorite Bible verse; which is really becoming my life's theme: This, too, shall pass.