| ACAT/MACAT; XYZ--This is for YOU | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 29 2005, 03:54 PM (4,408 Views) | |
| Tyler_Parent | Jan 3 2006, 12:58 AM Post #76 |
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NFarquharson: When you first posted this subject I thought, oh my, this will get heated and quick. As it turns out, you seem to have skillfully navigated through a very sensitive topic. Well done! (And personally, I think that you are right on target).
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| Want2move | Jan 3 2006, 09:09 AM Post #77 |
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This is what prompted my original post regarding the behavioral problems I had heard about. I fully understood that my children would eventually integrate with a much broader socio-economic mix of children when they attended Churchill. I had hoped that any potential problems with this would have been offset by the fact they had reached an age that they were better able to cope with these situations. Under the LI plan, this integration is occurring 4 years earlier that we expected. I don't have the brightest or most confident children out there, so this is something I have to think about as a parent. I have also clawed my way out of the hole of poverty, and I applaud anyone who has done the same, and do not fault anyone who moved to get their children into LPS. Prior to this latest fiasco by the BOE, it was a district to be proud of. But, having said that, I don't feel any concerns that are inherent with the different groups should be ignored just to be "politically correct". |
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| fyi | Jan 3 2006, 09:22 AM Post #78 |
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This is a touchy subject. Maybe parents were thinking about it, but afraid to bring it up. There are apartments throughout the city. There are kids that attend schools in the north that live in them. Living in an apartment doesn't necessary mean that you have an unstable home life. I'm sure there are people that live in apartments that come from fine families. By the same token, I'm sure there are people that live in homes that come from unstable families. Does poverty have an effect on how a child is raised? I guess I can't speak from personal experience, but I don't think that is true of all kids. People that live in apartments and trailers in the LPS area want the best education for their kids. They chose Livonia for that reason. I guess they could have rented an apartment in another city. I don't think we should judge people based on their social/economic status. I guess what I'm trying to say is that maybe you can choose where you live, but you can't choose the people that live around you. Like the old saying: You can pick your friends, but not your family. I personally think that one of the most important life lessons that I can teach my children is compassion for other people. We live in a "me" generation. What's in it for me? I tell my kids that sometimes there will be nothing in it for you. Sometimes life's rewards are not apparent immediately. Noone knows what goes on in individual families. We can't control that. All we can do is raise our kids the best way we know how and hope that it will be enough. There are no guarantees in life. You could do everything right and your child could take a wrong path. Jeffrey Dalmer amd Ted Bundy came from fine families---looked how they turned out. I'm sorry....I'll get off my soap box now..... |
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| Iliveon-Levandownbytheriver | Jan 3 2006, 09:39 AM Post #79 |
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I dont mean to be stupid or anything...but what is the talk about North and South? Do the citizens of Livonia honestly feel that there is a division that way? And by the way....very scary reference to Dalmer and Bundy. Just goes to prove...you can come from any walk of life and still be NUTS! |
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| anothermom | Jan 3 2006, 09:51 AM Post #80 |
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Briefly to Hull Alumi- So interesting to see someone bring up a different division of the district that would have generated more of a socio-economic mix! When the demographics committee came to our school last year, I started imagining the very scenario you described- (bounday divisions going north to south). I was disappointed that this was not achieved, but I think there would have been a whole new group of unhappy families. I know that some posters have encouraged others here to "look on the positive side" and accept the proposal and that that is very hard for people to do because concerns about school size and transitions are still real for people. I'll leave that stuff alone, but BEG some of the posters here to keep an open mind about children and parents who may not have the financial resources you have. I truly believe that your fears are unwarranted here in our district. Please do not judge your Livonia neighbors. Having worked with families for years, I can tell you that some of the same "ills" spoken of here also happen in working, middle and upper class homes. In low income homes what may be called "alcholism" is called a Martini or glass of wine after work to unwind every day in other homes (maybe not in your home, but what about the house down the street?). Mental Illness and Domestic Violence know no socio-economic boundaries. Kids from low income homes with "behavior problems" are the kids being seen by the Pediatrician for medication in other communities. I could go on, but I'll hope my point is clear. Income does not necessarily correspond to intelligence or potential. Nearly every one of my children's friends live in homes WELL beyond the value of our home. However, I also know that with two Master's degrees in our household, we have far more ecucation than many of the adults living in these nicer homes. Judgements or labels only serve to be roadblocks to getting to know who a person really is. Something else to think about... You have heard that seeing is believing? In my field we like to turn that around and say BELIEVING is SEEING. |
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| Rose | Jan 3 2006, 09:52 AM Post #81 |
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North, south, middle. They are all the same. I have lived in three areas of Livonia and all have had their ups and downs. I just would rather consider us just as the city of Livonia. |
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| Tyler_Parent | Jan 3 2006, 10:57 AM Post #82 |
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The first I had ever heard of the term "South Siders" was in a letter to the Observer that complained about north Livonia elitists. Being a product of Detroit Public Schools, my first thought was, how ridiculous. My second thought was, cool, I never new that I was qualified to be an elitist. I just don't know whether it is fair to tell someone that their kids have been given a great opportunity, when they've just spent over $400K to live near 5&Farmington, and then find out that their kids will be bussed to a Title 1 school in Westland instead of right accross the street. Not why they paid the big bucks, and it shouldn't qualify them as elitists. I still have friends back in the hood (near the old Herman Gardens projects). I have no problem going over there with a 12-pack of Bud and my golden retriever, but let's just say that our kids don't have a lot of play dates. I tried, but she was learning things that none of us want our kids to know. It's great to say that we are all the same, but how many of us are intentionally mixing our kids for their own benefit? Hypothetically speaking, if it is really such a great opportunity, there is plenty of room in Detroit Public Schools. Or, is Detroit not part of the real world outside of North and Central Livonia? ( Don't hurt me ) |
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| 2 kids | Jan 3 2006, 11:06 AM Post #83 |
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Rose, you should expand your definition to include a part of the city of Westland, representing about 20% of LPS (Livonia Public Schools). Many people have this misconception but the City of Livonia and Livonia Public Schools are not one and the same. The city of Livonia also includes Clarenceville School District (NE corner of Livonia), which is totally separate from LPS. Parts of Novi go to Northville School District. Parts of Canton go to Van Buren School District and also to Wayne-Westland School District. |
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| fyi | Jan 3 2006, 11:07 AM Post #84 |
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| Tyler_Parent | Jan 3 2006, 11:14 AM Post #85 |
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Got it. Livonia and North Westland people are the same. Detroit people are different. I'm all set now. |
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| fyi | Jan 3 2006, 11:20 AM Post #86 |
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Big difference between the two cities. You are comparing apples to oranges. Detroit has it's own set of issues that cannot be compared to the suburbs. The crime rate in Detroit is much higher. I don't know why the crime rate in Detroit is higher than the suburbs. Can anyone offer any insight? What causes a city to decline? I'm sure that Detroit was a great place to be at one time. Schools? |
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| Tyler_Parent | Jan 3 2006, 11:23 AM Post #87 |
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Quote from a suburban 4th grader when answering their teacher (whom I'm married to) as to why they stayed up so late the night before "My mom had to go out on a date last night because we needed groceries." The name of the suburb starts with "W." I also forgot to mention that my Detroit friends send their kids to Clarencville. |
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| fyi | Jan 3 2006, 11:25 AM Post #88 |
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I don't think we have those types of employment opportunities in Livonia or north Westland. Not sure if that's what you meant or not. Sorry if I misinterpreted your post. |
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| fyi | Jan 3 2006, 11:29 AM Post #89 |
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| Tyler_Parent | Jan 3 2006, 11:35 AM Post #90 |
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I never asked them. |
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