Kindergarten Where?

Like any good parent, I checked out the school zones before we bought our house. We found the house we wanted, it was zoned for the right school. SOLD! They have a wonderful school grade, make adequately yearly progress every year, and the principal was my elementary school gifted teacher. Wonderful! We couldn't ask for more. When we realized that Daniel has special needs, I e-mailed the principal about what is available for students like Daniel and she told me about the advanced academics program. All of the teachers are gifted endorsed. They understand the minds they are shaping. I was really feeling empowered that I now understand my son, know what he needs, and can advocate for him.

The other shoe drops. My school district in their infinite wisdon has built a new school and re-drawn elementary school zones. We are now zoned for the new school - not the wonderful school that I can see from my front yard, not the one with the advanced academic program, not the one with a principal who understands the gifted child. No. My child is now destined to be bussed to another school - one without the advanced program and a principal who doesn't think gifted is a priority. We are being bussed to create racial and economic balance. My child's education is being swapped out so bureaucrats can keep the proponents of racial balance at bay. I've gone from being an empowered parent to a frustrated parent. And I'm e-mailing the principal of this new school to demand services for my son. We'll see what comes of this!