School meeting

Wood and I have a meeting with the principle of G's school today. We created somewhat of a controversy when we wrote a letter to the Superintendent of the Catholic School system in support of A's preschool being allowed to begin a Kindergarten program. G attends Kindergarten at a Catholic school with grades preK-8. A (and previously G) goes to a Christian, but not Catholic, preschool. However, the preschool uses a building that belongs to an area Catholic church, and bears the name of that church. Hence the somewhat tenuous tie into the Catholic school system. While the preschool is mostly independent, they do receive some financial support periodically from the Church associated with the building.

When the preschool began recruiting for the new Kindergarten program, the principal of the Catholic elementary school threw roadblocks in the way, and finally prevented them from proceeding by having the Superintendent refuse to let them go forward. Competition is a scary thing up here, apparently. We have few choices - public school, with 28 kindergarteners per classroom, or the Catholic school, which is HEAVILY academic for both preschool and Kindergarten.

A's school is fantastic. It is child centered, wonderful staff and they've been very willing to learn about adoption and transracial issues. A's teacher has a gift with celebrating the kid's differences in a natural, spontaneous way. We greatly desired to keep A here for Kindergarten. I fear the result of having A do tedious and repeated worksheets and other busywork that we've seen with G.

Did I also mention that during the recent Kindergaten Mother's day program, they read both a poem and a short story that emphasized that birth alone was the defining event that makes one a mother? Despite having 2 children that I know of in the class who were adopted and 1 child who is being raised by her grandmother.

The principal has not really listened to our concerns. When Wood attempted to explain, she responded with "well, A seems smart". Ok, when did you hear us say that A was not intelligent??? We are talking about a difference in philosophy and direction. She asked that we come in and talk with her today.

Should be interesting.