School News: Pre-K Applications, Budget Rally, Class Size, K Admissions Extended, New Schools Info, Scooters for Schools

There's lots going on in the world of schools right now, whether you're a parent looking to apply to public Pre-K, Kindergarten or just hearing back from the private schools. And there's lots to be concerned about with radical budget cuts threatening the quality of public school education, teachers getting laid off and class sizes growing. On the up side, there are going to be lots of new schools opening next year. Find out more about them and all this other news, and what you can do to make your voice heard for our kids. Plus we've got an update on the scooters for schools and the winners to our scooter giveaway below.

Rally for a Fair Budget
On Thursday, March 5th, at 4pm New York City Public School Teachers are rallying outside of City Hall to tell the Mayor to make a fair budget and not to cut 15,000 teachers from the school budget. Fewer teachers means larger class sizes and threatens to harm the overall quality of education for all NYC public school students. Come out and support the teachers and our children. Read more about it here.

Class Sizes Increasing
Classes sizes across New York got bigger this year despite federal and state funds that are supposed to be designated to reduce class size. The New York Times downplays the importance of class size. And parents respond. What do you think? Is class size important to you?

NYC Public Pre-K admissions begins
From Inside Schools:

Parents of children who turn four years old in 2009 can pick-up, fill-out, and submit applications for public school pre-kindergarten programs beginning Friday, March 6 through April 3. Applications and directories will be available at public elementary schools...

According to the DOE, the first round of offers will be sent to families the week of May 18. Last year, however, was the first year that the DOE centralized pre-K admissions and there were several delays and snafus throughout the process.

The Department of Education (DOE) will hold 11 pre-K information sessions spanning all five boroughs beginning March 3. See Inside Schools for the dates and locations.

Kindergarten Admissions Extended
Meanwhile, They've extended the admissions deadline for Kindergarten until Friday, March 6th, so you've got a couple extra days to get those applications in. You must apply in person to every school you want to apply to. Learn More.

42 New Schools
The City is opening 42 new schools in September of 2009, but still no word on the promised new citywide G&T schools for Brooklyn and Queens. There is lots of information about the two new Lower Manhattan schools, however.

New Lower Manhattan Schools Info
Two of the new schools are in Lower Manhattan and are hosting info sessions to meet the principals and learn more about the schools. Plus their principals have started their own blogs:

For parents curious about the new neighborhood schools, check out Principal Terry Ruyter’s PS/IS 276 blog and Principal Nancy Harris’ Spruce Street blog. If you want your info in person in addition to online, two open houses are scheduled for this week: February 25 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Tweed (52 Chambers Street) and February 26, 6:30 pm to 8 pm, at Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center, 120 Warren Street. (Inside Schools)

Scooters for Schools
Kickboard USA has received over 100 requests for scooters for school auctions from our readers and are working furiously to process them. They have promised to send out at least 50 scooters to New York City Schools and are aiming to respond to every inquiry by Wednesday, March 4th. And congrats to Elka who won a purple Maxi Kick scooter for her daughter, Kaia, and Jasmine who won a black one for her son. A big thank you to Kickboard USA for helping our city schools, our readers and making great scooters!

And, no matter how bad you have, it at least you're not one of the moms ripping each other apart over who got in where on those boards. You're not, are you?