Comments on: UrbanMamas, I apologize (sorta) for calling you names.

By: WackyMommy

WackyMommy — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:30:42 +0000

MamaToo, thank you. Best wishes. I’ll tell you what I wish other mamas had told me: Preschool, kindergarten and first grade can be so intense, for the kids and the parents. After that, your kids start figuring out (and telling you, adamantly) what is and isn’t working, what sports and “extras” they like to do, which friends they want to invite over — it gets easier. Even when it’s getting rougher, it gets easier in many ways.

By: MamaToo

MamaToo — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 23:18:32 +0000

You are always a good source of info (thanks for including links – so many don’t!) and opinion. As I get closer to this whole school thing, I get more stressed. Blood pressure rising over here, for sure. Not that high school is close, but kindergarten all of a sudden feels like college admissions, the way people talk about it.
Thanks for staying on in the ‘hood school (neighbor-hood, that is). Hope more do the same.
-MamaToo

By: Qanzas

Qanzas — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 18:52:49 +0000

As RSG says, a lot to think about. Even beyond hustling children around town, “White Flight” is irresponsible, regressive, and, um, what’s that word no one’s using? Oh yeah. It’s f-ing racist. Pussies and bitches (and a-holes) indeed.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:43:03 +0000

I have never given a goody bag to any child at any of my three children’s parties. And when the little guests ask for one I tell them: “Your treat was coming to the party.” Nuff said.

And about those magnets and the supposed awesomeness of Da Vinci, etc.: How about EVERY middle school has art and music?

And I won’t be meeting up with the Urban Mamas since they are so wretched in their classism. I once had the mother of a stripedy child tell me she couldn’t send her kid to the neighborhood school because when she went to look at the kindergartners a lot of them were wearing “you know, character shirts, like Superman and Spiderman. They all just looked so poor.”

By: Recovering Straight Girl

Recovering Straight Girl — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:09:54 +0000

Hi WM, I wondered over from LeLo’s.

Excellent post, gave me a lot to think about. I unfortunately am in the opposite dilemma; I live in the scariest of all Portland suburbs (second only to LO, I believe.) I am living here because I am forced to, kind of like an indentured servant only different. I struggle every day that the only diversity my children are exposed to is in our own home (I’m a lesbian, my partner is a woman, duh.) I fear that my three daughters are going to grow up and leave home, thinking that this town is somehow representative of the big world, where everyone has money, everyone gets what they want and they only time they see charity is during the holiday’s when the whole town suddenly looks like they’re humanitarians.

If I could leave this god-forsaken place and move TO North Portland, I would in a heart beat. Yes we have some of the best schools in the state (second to LO,) but ultimately, what are my children learning???

Oh, and I swore off goodie bags at birthday parties when the goodie bags started costing more that the gift, and a couple of years ago I told my children they could only have parties on major birthdays, 5, 10, 13, 16, 18. The other years we would have a small family get together. So far, no therapy has been necessary!

By: WackyMommy

WackyMommy — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:23:59 +0000

You girls are funny. I say tackle basketball.

Cindy, I have an idea for you, you e-mail me off list.

Mallory, I didn’t make that entirely clear, I’m sorry. That post was insanely long as it was, without bringing the magnets into it. Magnets have their place, for sure. But not when they’re starving out the neighborhood schools they’re sometimes housed in (Spanish Immersion at Beach; Odyssey at Hayhurst; Access at Sabin). If it’s a self-contained magnet, I’m fine with that. But they don’t have room for everyone, which is why we need to build our neighborhood schools to be comprehensive and strong.

By: Mallory

Mallory — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:01:08 +0000

I am all for investing in neighborhood schools, but I think the magnets have a place. If you are Artsy in your soul, you should be able to choose DaVinci or Jeff. If you are a math and science geek, Winterhaven may be the only place that you can bond with your soulmates. Do I think you should be able to transfer just because your neighborhood school is racial diverse? Hell no. But I am afraid of the baby getting thrown out with the bathwater. I would have killed to go to a school like DaVinci when I was a kid. My jock neighbor would have killed if he had to GO to DaVinci. Vive la difference, and all that.
I totally agree with you that they need to hold these meetings at an accessible time and location. Childcare should be mandatory, too!

By: Lakeitha

Lakeitha — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:15:04 +0000

I am with Cindy. No dodgeball. I am pretty sure those Urban Mamas have access to foundation funds so that they can pay for a professional coach.I could do tackle football though. A debate on the issues might be fun too, or how about we bring the students who spoke at the city council meeting to talk to the Urban Mamass maybe then they will see the issues a little more clearly.
So sorry about your experience at Jeff Cindy. Unfortunately there are some dumb folks everywhere.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 07:30:53 +0000

Amen Sister Wacky! I’m glad your staying. The last time I voluteered at Jeff I was told that if I was white they didn’t care what I had to say. So… I’ve been in the tanning booth everyday I’ve learned a couple of Aretha songs so I’ll be ready to go. It’s funny ,none of the kids at Jeff ever had an issue with the color of my skin. Dodge Ball HELL NO! I just joined the roller derby!! We need a Jeff derby team. Rock on Dems

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:51:12 +0000

Hey, I’ve got an idea… maybe the Jefferson community should challenge the Urban Mamas (is that a misnomer, or what?) to a little game of dodge ball or tackle football or something.