Aiden's PreK Stepping Up Ceremony was this week and I couldn't have been a more prouder single mom. And a pretty stylish one too. I wore these heels:
And I was all smiles:
But, Aiden was kinda/sorta/maybe a little bored. So he was doing this:
He probably was doing what most of his classmates were thinking. Boys will be boys...
Then it was time for him to step up. So he was like this:
And this:
And this:
And his momma was all smiles. Again.
Now I'm all like, "It's been real PreK, but we're outta here!" And after a few incidents this week, I'm a little happy to be saying those words. As a a former NYC Public School Teacher and a person who is very passionate about education (and educational equity), I'm convinced that the NYC public school system is not designed for little brown boys to succeed.
There's been an "acting out" and hitting epidemic going on in Aiden's class. Mostly amongst the little brown boys. Mostly being silly and mostly hitting to get attention (as opposed to using their words). Yet, instead of taking those moments to facilitate the correct way to interact in a social situation, the teachers have been sending the boys out of the class and making them sit in another teacher's classroom for a set period of time. (I didn't realize this was going on until Aiden told me because his teachers didn't reach out to me to let me know themselves.)
I'm so disappointed and saddened that this has been going on. Don't get me wrong, I believe in time-outs. But I also think that they should be used effectively. When children (who are FOUR-years-old) are hitting and being silly, it is up to their educators to utilize teachable moments in order to model for them effective behaviors. Sending them away is another missed opportunity that could have been used to teach them social skills, which is exactly what kids should be learning in PreK.
After these incidents, I'm happy that we're heading to private school in the Fall where I'll be able to work with the teachers much better. I attended the curriculum night a couple weeks ago and I am convinced that it'll be worth every single cent.
Oh yeah... he's going places alright. I'll make sure of it.
CONGRATS, AIDEN!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Aiden. I wish the public schools were better but you have to do what you have to do!!!
ReplyDeleteYour son is adorable and I'm glad you've found a school that will facilitate his growth instead of shooing him away.
ReplyDeleteHooray for Aiden and kudos to you mama for taking charge of making sure he gets the best education. I'm totally with you and think that a lot of public schools aren't for our brown boys. They're so quick to write them off as thugs and trouble makers.
ReplyDeleteI used be a teacher in the public school system but I was disgusted by the lack of willingness for the administrators to work with teachers to help better educate our brown babies. They'd rather we write them up and give them a few days in ISS or at home instead of implementing programs that can teach them how to channel their anger and frustration in different ways besides acting out. You and Aiden both are going places and I'm proud of that!!
Congrats to Aiden on graduating. He will definitely be doing big things, he is a privileged young man. It is sad that some public schools are actually purposely hindering young students instead of taking each and every opportunity for growth.
ReplyDeletei'm all for educational equity also; congrats on the first of many milestones.
ReplyDeleteYaaay Aiden! So handsome. Well done Alicia (love those shoes too!) :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats Aiden! Super cute!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Aiden! Congrats Mommy and well done! When my boys graduated from elementary school, they (twins) had to give speeches thanking the parents, teachers and express their hopes for the future.., I was a wreck!! Can you imagine when they'd graduate from college one day? ;D
ReplyDeleteMy new post PSYCHEDELIC here:
http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/2012/06/psychedelic.html
Congrats to Aiden. You are doing the right thing by being involved. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteYou look great, and Aiden will be just fine. I'm glad that he's going to a new school where you can be more hands on with the teachers.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your little graduate! He looks so cute in those pictures (and I adore your shoes, too!). I agree that at age 4 the teachers should be implementing teachable moments rather than just pull them out. He'll be in good hands in your new school!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Go Aiden and go mommy :-)
ReplyDeleteSo handsome, love mommy's shoes!
ReplyDeleteXo Megan
Go Aiden Go!
ReplyDeleteNice way to express yourself!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Aiden!, looking real sharp as always....I am so proud of both of you.
ReplyDeleteGo, Aiden (and Mommy)! Sorry to hear of the unfortunate incidents his last few days of preschool, but more to look forward to when he starts his new school next year. :-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! With a mom like you, he will definitely be going places!
ReplyDeleteAiden is such a cutie!! Those shoes are fierce!! You talk about my shoes? Please, you are a beast, girlie!! Lol! ;)
ReplyDeleteCCG
Ccurlgirl.Blogspot.com