I am loving Pinterest. It is such a time-waster and so inspiring at the same time. We have only a few things left to "finish" in our house before D-day arrives. Please see why...
D-day, as defined in our household, is the day we will "d"-ecide what to do with our home. We are not interested, whatsoever, in Jack attending the school that we are zoned for. It's the worst school in the district and just not our style. So, we can lottery him into another school for Kindergarten or send him to private.
The problem with W City Schools is that if your child participates in the lottery, you have to re-apply each year. This puts them at risk of having to (possibly) change schools each year. We are hoping he will get into one of W's fantastic magnet schools. The great thing about magnets (besides being the highest-ranked schools in the city) is that once you're in, you're in. And your siblings will automatically be accepted as well. We will apply for the math and sciences one first, then the arts and humanities.
As far as kingergarten goes, we will be making appointments with various private schools and public schools over the next few months to determine where he will go. The lottery application (public school) deadline is January 1st.
We have decided that if Jack doesn't get into the Magnet Schools for 1st grade, we will lottery him into a district that we would like to live in, and move. It's as simple as that. Even if it means downsizing...we are prepared to do it. We have a WONDERFUL friend who is also an incredible realtor and we are confident that she can not only sell our house, but get us a great one for a killer deal. She recently scored the most ridiculous deal for our friends Erin and Sean.
It's a lot to take in...the driving alone will determine where we will apply. There is a strong possibility that by the time Jack goes to 1st grade, my super-awesome-killer job will turn into full-time. (ummm...work at home, set my own hours, be around for my kids all the time? doubling our income at the same time? yes, please!)
It will all work out. I have a year before crunch time. We just need to install closet organizers in the master closet and hallway closet. We need to replace the sink/vanity in our 1/4 bath in our bedroom. We need new carpet for the entire upstairs and staircase, and replace the banister/railings. Replace and install a pantry in the kitchen.
The rood will still be new. The (awesome) siding will still be new. The carpet in the living room and family room will still be new. The completely renovated and super-freaking-awesome basement will still be new. The new trees and landscaping will look gorgeous, still. The poured concrete patio will hopefully be installed by the end of the year, 2011. Our new driveway will still look perfect.
See? All this from a post about Pinterest. Time waster :)
My pinterest account = my first name and then my last name :) Follow me!
We are thinking the same sort of thing, although we have a bit more time and I haven't done all the research you have. We're currently in the 2nd worst (I'd think) district in the city and in the area that funnels into a HS that we definitely don't want our kids going to. While we've heard good things about the elementary school that our kids would go to if we stayed, I don't really want to have to move them around once they're in a school and have school friends. I know they'll adapt, but if we can avoid it, we will. So we're hoping to get settled into a home in a better school district within the next few years...but we need to be able to sell our house. So we, too, are looking at upgrades we can do and improvements we can make so we can get out. I get it :)
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