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Later this week Punxsutawney Phil will let the folks in Pennsylvania know whether they're in for six more weeks of winter, or if spring is just around the corner. Of course, six more weeks of winter in this neck of the woods might seem like a deal compared to the six additional months we sometimes experience. Those skis thrown on the fire a few weeks ago sure did the trick to placate the snow gods, who typically don't pay much attention to Phil, either way.
The world has long been shaped by the power of myth. From the myth of Punxsutawney, and his pals (including my favorite Sir Walter Wally, of Raleigh, N.C.), to the gods of Ullr, we are a people that gravitate toward myth to forecast the future. In making their predictions for the arrival of spring, those little groundhog guys rarely reach consensus. In 2011, 10 of the carefully watched critters saw a shadow, and retreated for their long winter's nap, while the other 16 were greeted by clouds, and promptly set out their patio furniture.
Their predictions are about as consistent as the predictions, and myths, associated with the degree of success a child will achieve in life depending on the type of school the child attends. An article from Time Magazine I recently ran across summed it up neatly: “... research in the field (of education) is so politicized and contradictory that you can find almost any study to support your view.”
When considering elementary school options here in Summit, my view continues to be there are no bad choices. Test scores differ from school to school, but each elementary school offers advantages unique to its location and curriculum. From a parental vantage point, it also seems inherently unhealthy for the kids at any school to enter middle school thinking they are somehow better than their peers. Our experience thus far at SMS has been overwhelmingly positive, and much to their credit, it has been the kids who have debunked this myth. Left to their own devices, they are kids excited to make new friends from different parts of the county. And while it's easy as an adult to understand how remaining open to new experiences can be invigorating, making these strides at a young age is impressive. Congratulations to the students, and to their parents, for being open-minded and fostering these community-wide relationships, and to the school for helping to make this happen.
The proverbial elephant has now entered the middle school arena. Once again it seems to be open season on making a claim that a particular school is somehow superior to another. A new middle school is set to open next fall, and parents around the county will have the chance to make a school selection based on what they believe is best for their children, and their families. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of education, and enough myths surrounding each to make any parent's head swirl (and cause Phil to pick up and leave for Puerto Vallarta where sunshine — and sleep — are far more certain). One myth that should go the way of the world being flat, however, is the myth that parents who do not choose private school are somehow less invested in their child's education.
When our girls were very young, I used to compare notes with a friend in Denver who also has two girls, a few years older than ours. I respect her tremendously and her choice to send both of her girls to a private elementary school. Early on she shared with me that her highest hope for her children was that they will discover what makes them truly happy in life. Initially, this seemed a bit trite for the vast future possibilities available — didn't she want them instead to discover the cure for cancer, or to be the next president? But I keep coming back to her words of wisdom, especially during these middle school years. What makes our daughter happy is not always what makes me happy. She has abandoned my sport of choice — where I had visions of her glory — for one that never topped my list, but one that makes her downright gleeful. Right now she's learning at a great pace, and is happy each day she goes to SMS. It may be due to the fact she daily has a chance to participate in that other sport, but in our view it's acceptable because it requires her to keep on her toes academically.
For a variety of reasons, including the fact our daughter loves attending, and seems to be thriving at SMS, our family does not plan to choose the new private school. That does not make our choice bad, or another parent's choice better. They are merely different. Just like the myth most of us had to debunk back in middle school — that putting down the kid sitting next to us is needed to make you to look good — now is a time for our community to shine, acknowledging the benefits of choice, and eschewing the myth that one individual choice is somehow better than another, especially when it's made by our neighbor next door.
Cindy Bargell lives outside of Silverthorne with her husband and two daughters. She is a card-carrying PTSA member, real estate and natural resources lawyer and part-time gymnastics coach. She welcomes your comments at cindy@visanibargell.com.
The world has long been shaped by the power of myth. From the myth of Punxsutawney, and his pals (including my favorite Sir Walter Wally, of Raleigh, N.C.), to the gods of Ullr, we are a people that gravitate toward myth to forecast the future. In making their predictions for the arrival of spring, those little groundhog guys rarely reach consensus. In 2011, 10 of the carefully watched critters saw a shadow, and retreated for their long winter's nap, while the other 16 were greeted by clouds, and promptly set out their patio furniture.
Their predictions are about as consistent as the predictions, and myths, associated with the degree of success a child will achieve in life depending on the type of school the child attends. An article from Time Magazine I recently ran across summed it up neatly: “... research in the field (of education) is so politicized and contradictory that you can find almost any study to support your view.”
When considering elementary school options here in Summit, my view continues to be there are no bad choices. Test scores differ from school to school, but each elementary school offers advantages unique to its location and curriculum. From a parental vantage point, it also seems inherently unhealthy for the kids at any school to enter middle school thinking they are somehow better than their peers. Our experience thus far at SMS has been overwhelmingly positive, and much to their credit, it has been the kids who have debunked this myth. Left to their own devices, they are kids excited to make new friends from different parts of the county. And while it's easy as an adult to understand how remaining open to new experiences can be invigorating, making these strides at a young age is impressive. Congratulations to the students, and to their parents, for being open-minded and fostering these community-wide relationships, and to the school for helping to make this happen.
The proverbial elephant has now entered the middle school arena. Once again it seems to be open season on making a claim that a particular school is somehow superior to another. A new middle school is set to open next fall, and parents around the county will have the chance to make a school selection based on what they believe is best for their children, and their families. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of education, and enough myths surrounding each to make any parent's head swirl (and cause Phil to pick up and leave for Puerto Vallarta where sunshine — and sleep — are far more certain). One myth that should go the way of the world being flat, however, is the myth that parents who do not choose private school are somehow less invested in their child's education.
When our girls were very young, I used to compare notes with a friend in Denver who also has two girls, a few years older than ours. I respect her tremendously and her choice to send both of her girls to a private elementary school. Early on she shared with me that her highest hope for her children was that they will discover what makes them truly happy in life. Initially, this seemed a bit trite for the vast future possibilities available — didn't she want them instead to discover the cure for cancer, or to be the next president? But I keep coming back to her words of wisdom, especially during these middle school years. What makes our daughter happy is not always what makes me happy. She has abandoned my sport of choice — where I had visions of her glory — for one that never topped my list, but one that makes her downright gleeful. Right now she's learning at a great pace, and is happy each day she goes to SMS. It may be due to the fact she daily has a chance to participate in that other sport, but in our view it's acceptable because it requires her to keep on her toes academically.
For a variety of reasons, including the fact our daughter loves attending, and seems to be thriving at SMS, our family does not plan to choose the new private school. That does not make our choice bad, or another parent's choice better. They are merely different. Just like the myth most of us had to debunk back in middle school — that putting down the kid sitting next to us is needed to make you to look good — now is a time for our community to shine, acknowledging the benefits of choice, and eschewing the myth that one individual choice is somehow better than another, especially when it's made by our neighbor next door.
Cindy Bargell lives outside of Silverthorne with her husband and two daughters. She is a card-carrying PTSA member, real estate and natural resources lawyer and part-time gymnastics coach. She welcomes your comments at cindy@visanibargell.com.
