(no subject)

[serene]

To do before the kid arrives:

Clear some space
Rearrange the computer setup
Put away the laundry
Clean the kitchen

To do soon after the kid arrives:

Buy a dresser or get one on freecycle
Sign the kid up for school
Get the kid a bus pass
Have a welcome-to-the-bay-area party for the kid?

And I'm sure there are a million other things, but that's the most pressing stuff right now.

Comments

[arkuat]

So which school are you thinking of signing her up for?

There are a lot of new small high schools in the OUSD, if you're signing her up for public school, and I've worked in many of them (and the old big ones too) as a substitute teacher.

We can talk about this on email if you'd rather. "my LJ handle"@mm.st

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

What do you know about Far West? It's the only one in our neighborhood besides Oakland Tech, and I'll homeschool her before I send her there.

[arkuat]

Far West was actually the first school that jumped to my mind. I agree with you about O Tech. Far West is one of the schools I've always enjoyed subbing at, and would gladly sub at again. In fact, if I ever get my life in enough order to seek an internship that would lead to a real teaching job and credential, Far West's principal is one of the people I'll be talking to at that time.

The school does have a lot of problems, but it's a public school in Oakland, so you already knew that, right? The students there seem to me to be more along the lines of artsy, nonconformist, or queer sorts of "trouble" rather than the other kinds.

There are a lot of good schools in east Oakland, too, as good as Far West or better. But since she is going to be new to the neighborhood, it makes sense to find a school that works that is as close to where she lives as possible.

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

Where I come from (San Diego), one cannot pick one's school, so I still have to figure out what is involved in selecting a school for her. She's 16 1/2, so it's also an option to have her take the CHSPE (she's a genius) and just move on to college, if that's what she wants. We'll talk.

(Homeschooling is an option; private or boarding schools are options, but we'd need scholarships. Other ideas are welcome. If I were willing to pretend to be keeping her at stonebender's place, we could check out the San Leandro schools...)

Thanks for your help/advice.

P. S.

[arkuat]

I'll be away from the Bay area from July 8 until August 18, but if the welcome-to-the-bay-area party happens outside of those dates, then please invite me. If she's going to wind up at Far West, I'll be happy to let her interrogate a substitute teacher who has worked there three or four times. If she wants to, of course. I know perfectly well it's probably the last thing any 16-year-old would want to do at such a party!

[arkuat]

OK, you've got my email, and this conversation is getting rather private. (With regards to your niece, if no one else.)

Re: P. S.

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

This 16-year-old might welcome it, and thanks again. :-)