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Russian children
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Posted by: David N.

And Amercian schools ,

I know it is what you make it , but Amercian schools for the most part are so/so . Her daughter is an over-achiever and it is our concern , that she recieve a very good education . At 9 years old she studies spanish , english , algebra , geometry , and is just starting trig. in addition , she loves swimming and plays the piano ( and is very , very good at it ) , she is hard working in her studies . Her music is really important to her and she loves playing .

Just curious about your thoughts on schools for russian children , are they main stream or private schools ?? . Have you found Amercian schools lacking . Of course there is the whole sex drugs and rock & roll thingy ( that we did not have when I went to school , in berserkly no less !! ) , so yes I know what I'am talking about .

And what about the clothes Amercian kids wear ( my parents had it easy , I was just a hippie ) , everytime I see a young boy with their pants down around their kneecaps , it makes me want to slap them upside the head and then " pants " them , pity the fool who comes knocking on my door for a date , and they had better knock on the door , no honking the horn , oh well , I had better not get started , suffice it to say there will not be any " laid back cool dudes " in my house !! .

Bach to schools ( a typo , but it looked good ) , has the adjustment to Amercian schools been good , or have any of you found them lacking ?? .

dn

Posted by: rtking

No direct experience, but my parents did...

When my parents moved to America (from Taiwan), they found the educational system in America a little lacking. University for them was easier in America than in Taiwan. (Admittance to a university in Taiwan is based upon very selective testing and fierce competition.)

When my brother, sister and I grew-up in Los Angeles, my parents decided to send us to private schools. I think there are excellent public schools as well, but my parents liked the idea that the private schools we attended fostered our desire to excel in particular subjects. (Subsequently, my brother graduated high school 2 years ahead of schedule and went to CalTech, and my sister and I both skipped a grade.)

I think it's important to find a school (whether public or private) that will help to cater to the child's natural curiousity and help them learn. I've heard of magnate programs at public schools that some of my colleagues swear by. And I have heard both good and bad things about private schools. I think it depends on your area. But I would try to find a school that will help to monitor your child's progress and will fairly evaluate their ability to progress or enroll in magnate programs in your area.

Bob

Posted by: Arnold

Hello David,

stay away from public schools, they are very bad and underfunded...

You must send the kid to privat school which means, it is going to cost you a pretty penny. After high school at a privat institution that is you might consider a good school fom the public system, because it is cheaper, but also, because the foundation will have been laid for the kids success.

You should also hire in the beginning a language tutor, or oversee this yourself, again to guaranty the little girls success.

Perhaps, a Catholic privat school would be advisable, I think it should be coed (mixed boys and girls) though...

Well, friends of mine did it like that with their kids who are now very successful in College...

Best wishes, Arnold

Posted by: David N.

rtKing ,
No doubts her music will be private , she has a piano now , and I have one here for her also . We had hoped to find her a good school , without having to move all over the country to do it . So she may be in a public school till we are both working and can afford a private one .
We ( Natasha and I ) have thought of her also going to school to become a computer programer , or something in that vain . So I have my homework to do , thanks for the imput .

Arnold ,
Underfunded , surely you jest , overspending I can buy , a friend of mine grandson is " working " on his ged , no joke he can barely read or write , and math forget it . I work with people like this every day , you would be amazed at how many people can not even read a tape measure , at work I help several of the kids ( kids to me ) who have proved themselfs worthy of teaching , math is very easy for me ( I learned how to count by playing pinochle and bridge ) todays schools ( or is it the kids ?? ) speaks volumes of our country .

Posted by: Arnold

Hi David,

I think, you have given all the examples for why it is in your kids best interest to go to privat school!

In any case, I still think it is better to invest in a youngsters early education, then having to hire a special teacher, because they can not read a tape measure to use your example.

Pay now, save later! That's my motto!

Best wishes, Arnold

Posted by: ConnerVT

This thread opens up one large can of worms, that’s for certain.

Without a doubt, it is more difficult today to raise children than it was in the past. It seems each year and each generation raises the bar, adding new problems and putting new demands and pressures on children. It’s not just an American problem. But in the US, we just seem to be leading the charge.

I had to laugh at the “sex, drugs, & rock and roll” statement, as well as the one about clothing. We all grow up to sound like our fathers, don’t we?

Sex – It’s been around for a long time (I don’t have the exact date). Kids in school have had pressure to become sexually active for longer than anyone alive can remember. True, currently children are becoming active earlier than in the past. But this is pressure from our media and Madison Avenue marketing, not the fault of our public schools. From my previous relationship, it was young girls that were pressuring the boys for sex.

Drugs – Lots of them around now, sure. But in the 70’s, there were also a lot of drugs being taken. In private school also.

Rock & Roll – Unless you are over 70 years old, Rock music was also around. Groups of parents would burn records, claiming it’s the Devil’s music. I spend a lot of time listening to the Classic Rock station on my car radio. Guess every generation has problems understanding the appeal of new music.

Clothing and Dress – If you were a hippie, what did your parents think of your wardrobe? In the 50’s, leather jackets and chinos were worn to the dismay of parents. My father hated my shoulder length hair in the late 70’s, as many parents thought their children looked like bums dressed in grunge during Nirvana’s rise to fame. Children select their clothing to 1) display their independence and 2) to wear the uniform of their tribe.

None of these things are the doing of public school, and to paint them all with a wide brush as failures in education is wrong. For a child who wishes to learn, and is given the proper support and attention by their family will be successful. The failure is not with the school, but with the parents.

As we have lost so much of our time to working and activities, we have become dependent on schools not only to provide education, but to be parents and daycare for our children as well. A private school will sometimes offer more of the later to you for a price. But it is the parents’ responsibility to be active in a child’s education.

I have seen the work load that a public school student takes home each night. It is much larger than I had. Many public schools are widening their curriculums, to tailor what they teach to the students’ needs and abilities. No longer it’s “One size fits all”.

The down side is that there is added pressure on schools to get students through the system. In private schools, if Johnny needs to spend an extra year in school, that’s OK, for you are paying for it. In public schools, it just adds an extra burden to a fiscally tight situation. This is where a parent’s responsibility to monitor and contribute to their child’s education becomes so important.

Yes, there are good and bad public schools. In my situation, I chose to move to a district that has a good school system. They have an excellent education record, as well as one of the best ESL programs in Vermont. On the down side, they also put the large burden on the home owner in the form of property tax. I look forward to being a part of my children’s education, and have confidence in the schools I will be sending them to.

Posted by: Arnold

I agree with Conner, location is the most important consideration when choosing a school!

Conner, I really enjoyed reading your post. It took me back to a better time... long forgotten. Thanks!

Best wishes, Arnold

Posted by: Charles

I am a high school history teacher. I can tell you from experience, the biggest single factor in a student's success or failure is parental involvement. You and your wife's direct involvement and encouragement will be the most powerful influence on your daughter's education. Appreciation of music and art is also a factor that is measureable and significant. Art and music are also disappearing from our public (political) schools. If you facilitate success and achievement for your daughter, she will be better off no matter where she attends school. You are more important for her than any teacher. Also, remember to make it easy for her to have fun outside of academics. She needs to relieve the stresses of growing up. High-achieving students put more than the usual stress on themselves.
Charles

Posted by: Bordric

All I can say is private school.

I know it is expensive but we owe these little people the most. They deserve nothing less then the best we can give them.

Public school is like a good strong Ford, private school is like a hand crafted Mercedes Benz.

Posted by: Arnold

Hello Charles,

I think you are making a good point as well, however, many children have both parents working. That's why I said privat school would be my choice. Parentel involvement and intrest in the child's progress for me goes with out saying.

I think, it would be nice if the school was offering supervised after school activities. Like group tutoring. Special educational projects, this type of thing.

Best wishes, Arnold

Posted by: Arnold

Quote:

Original geschrieben von Bordric
All I can say is private school.

I know it is expensive but we owe these little people the most. They deserve nothing less then the best we can give them.

Public school is like a good strong Ford, private school is like a hand crafted Mercedes Benz.

Hello Bordric,

not only that, but it also opens many doors in the future...

Best wishes, Arnold

Posted by: David N.

Good points all ,

The one that stands out ( to me ) is about having fun and doing things not associated with the school , and to a lesser degree her music ( I would like her to also play jazz , r&b , swing , fun music ) when I was there we talked of this and she ( Fira ) was very excited about learning new music .

Being a boat bum ( excuse me , professional boat builder ) , I would like to teach them sailing , and as Natasha favorite food is salmon , ( oh beat me !! ) well we might have to spend the summer in Alaska sports fishing and sight-seeing , and then there are a couple of really nice rivers to raft , and then a glider ride or 12 , and then horse back riding and camping out ( I'am a rock hound ) . To tell the truth I do not know who will have the most fun , the 3 of us I hope !! .

It is my dream to also pass on my love of reading and thinking ( which I try and combine with work ) and I have no doubt , Fira will have every chance that we can give her , it is a very elemental approach , as I have always belived that the simple pleasures in life are the best .

Perhaps part of the fun is knowing that , these simple things we take as normal , are really extraordinary for some people in the world , who can not fathom anyone really doing these things . Yes it will be fun for me just to see their eyes open wide .

Thanks all
dn

Posted by: Bordric

Hey I live in Alaska! I love fishing for Salmon.

Although it is I must admit more sport then eating.... I never liked fish to much but it is hard to beat good home smoked salmon.

I mean where else can you catch fish like this! In fresh water that is.

Posted by: Bordric

Quote:

Originally posted by Arnold
Hello Bordric,

not only that, but it also opens many doors in the future...

Best wishes, Arnold

Yes including the all important scholarship to a nice university allowing dad to buy a nice boat with that college money.

Posted by: David N.

ayup ,
that thars a fish ,
I have done the inside passage now 4 times , and loved it , commercial fished one year , got a little spoiled pulling in 2-3000 fish at a time ( hard on the arms ) . Spent one summer up in Glaicer Bay ( rough duty , I tell ya !! ) , been to places where there was not a house in any direction for 50 miles or more , and the stars , and the northern lights , and the no seeums !! . Been as close as 5 feet to three black bear cubs ( I had my eyes open for mommy bear , big time ) fished in a stream with a brown bear 50 yards away ( all 1000lbs of him ) , wolfs , eagles , moose .
Was sports fishing once and had 20 + plus whales feeding within 100 yards of us ( we had hydrophones so we could hear them feeding on creel ) . It is things like these , that I want to show my family .

Posted by: Bordric

Quote:

Originally posted by David N.
ayup ,
that thars a fish ,
I have done the inside passage now 4 times , and loved it , commercial fished one year , got a little spoiled pulling in 2-3000 fish at a time ( hard on the arms ) . Spent one summer up in Glaicer Bay ( rough duty , I tell ya !! ) , been to places where there was not a house in any direction for 50 miles or more , and the stars , and the northern lights , and the no seeums !! . Been as close as 5 feet to three black bear cubs ( I had my eyes open for mommy bear , big time ) fished in a stream with a brown bear 50 yards away ( all 1000lbs of him ) , wolfs , eagles , moose .
Was sports fishing once and had 20 + plus whales feeding within 100 yards of us ( we had hydrophones so we could hear them feeding on creel ) . It is things like these , that I want to show my family .

Ahh yes then you have experienced Alaska for sure.

We were fishing in prince William Sound one year for halibut and were in a small skif (a small 4 man boat for those that are not near water) and we had a Killer Whale come next to use, he was so huge all I seen was black as he filled my vision completely from horizon to horizon. He was huge, but so beautiful at the same time. I just swallowed and asked my buddy if he seen that hump come out of the water. His answer was "yeah and?". That is how common it was. But for a boy from Tennessee that was the sight of a lifetime. I will never forget the shear size of a whale. I guess he and his pod were also enjoying the bountiful salmon harvest.

Sorry to change the subject of the topic just interesting.

Of course bears scare the hell out of me. They are actually pretty calm as long as they have a full belly though.... In Spring though they are grumpy.

Posted by: Arnold

I get grumpy in spring, too, and I like salmon as well ... maybe I am a bear!

Best wishes, Arnold

Posted by: ConnerVT

Natalya calls me her "Big Bear". Maybe that's why she feeds me every two hours -- she doesn't like it when I'm grumpy!

(She refers to me not as being grumpy, but being "serious". You can't help but smile when you hear that word spoken by the woman you love in a Russian accent.

)

Posted by: Arnold

You know, Conner, I think the ladies must be practicing that in front of one another. You know, how to drive us crazy!

I can just imagine it a group of them standing together, saying, "No, pronounce it like this ... ".

Best wishes, Arnold