Wednesday, October 28, 2009

So you think you know where your kid is going to school?


Navigating your way through the public school system today requires a GPS. Back when I was a kid, it was simple. I lived in a school boundry, I went to the neighborhood school. Today you can't be too sure that even if you live in what you think is the school boundry, your kid will attend that school. Don't be so sure.

For example, there is the ever so popular "Sunset Elementary" in Coral Gables on Sunset Drive. Even if you live around the block from that school, there is no automatic enrollment, but there is "controlled open enrollment" with two other schools: Carver Elementary and Coral Gables Elementary. What this means is that if you live in that boundry where there are 3 schools to choose from, you can put your first choice, but the final decision is determined by the computer model. We are told that if you live closer to one, you have a better chance - but there are no guarantees.

Today students have many options when it comes to middle and high school. Besides the magnet schools which allow students who excell in a particular area to attend specialized programs, there is now the "Career Pathways Consortium" program which is designed to guide students towards a successful career. Students pick a "pathway" starting early as 8th grade so they could choose their curriculum, which in turn determines the availabity. Students may then travel to the school with their program. There are many study areas but the targeted programs for the 2009-10 school year include aviation maintenance, animal technology, environmental resources, plant biotechnology, finance, allied health assisting, new media technology and engineering technology. The idea behind these programs is to help students either jump right into the South Floirda work force or to get in many cases, college credits from Miami-Dade while attending high school. About 40% of high school seniors end up at Miami Dade College after graduation. The program helps educate students about and towards their career choice.

Here in Miami-Dade County, we have the 4th largest school system in the United States. There are many new exciting programs and areas of study in which students can particiapte. Today kids have to get an early start and work hard in order to apply and attend the programs they are interested in. It seems like a lot of pressure, but the kids who do their homework will outpace those who don't. The grade given to a school (being an "A" school, for example) is no longer determined by FCAT scores alone. For more information on schools in your area, go to http://www.dadeschools.net/ or for performance reports for specific schools, go to http://curriculum.dadeschools.net/reports.htm.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Is Columbus Day Really A Holiday???




Columbus Day was coming, which jogged my memory to think about how I never got that day off while in my previous corporate job, so I didn't feel that taking the day off now was the right thing to do. As a Realtor I seem to work many weekend days anyhow, so what is another holiday, right?

My bank was open, and everything seemed to be business as usual. I still had to drive 15 mph by my house for the school zone. Sure didn't' feel like a holiday to me. But then, there is the whole question about counting business days... do we count it or not? The bank teller told me that even though I could deposit a check, withdraw money, and speak to the bank on Columbus Day, the bank won't count that as part of their 5 day check hold because "It's a holiday".

While talking to one of my colleagues about a contract we have on a property, he said the buyer has an 8 day inspection period "not counting weekends or holidays". The big debate was - to count or not to count Christopher Columbus (day). I recently saw a program on the History Channel speaking of a theory that the Vikings actually set foot on America more than 500 years before Columbus. I am not about ruining traditions. We still have Thanksgiving, where we can remember to be grateful for what we have. What are your thoughts about Columbus Day? Many here flock to the bay for the Columbus Day Regatta, so there is a good tradition to be celebrated.