I read CORNER OFFICE: CATHLEEN BLACK by Adam Bryant in the New York Times this morning. “I am direct and I’m decisive.  I think being decisive for an executive is important.  It doesn’t mean that if it’s not my idea, then it’s a bad idea.  But I believe that most people want clarity from their boss [...]

This was the day, December 17, the day that the NYCDOE Middle School applications were due. There was a 5th grade performance that I just found out about yesterday so I didn’t get an e-mail out about it until 10:30 last night.  Too late for parents who work regular jobs.  Bad class parent. The parent [...]

Over the weekend I learned of a friend who found out her father had cancer and her sister has cancer within a 24-hour period which kind of puts all this stress about the middle school search to shame. And yet there it still is. My friend still has to turn in the triplicate computer application [...]

After a program at the school where the children performed their Greek Mythology/Greek Salad dances they had created with a visiting artist, I joined a group of mothers who were driving to another part of Brooklyn to drop off packets containing copies of report cards, standardized test results and letters of recommendation for their children [...]

We’re not really affected because we weren’t considering the Brooklyn middle school that is on the DOE’s list of a dozen schools set to close. And yet it hit home because the name is so familiar.  It’s on our list of school choices we are meant to consider for our child.  I have studied the [...]

SCHOOL CHOICES BASED ON THE DISTRICT IN WHICH YOU ATTEND SCHOOL OR RESIDE The schools for which you are eligible are pre-printed on this application. Rank your school/program choices in preference order by placing a number in the box next to each school/program.  Please see the sample below for how to rank the schools listed [...]

Eminent domain or the take over of the public services like schools and streets for the purpose of private gain. I saw the New Civilians production, IN THE FOOTPRINT, The Battle Over Atlantic Yards at the Irondale Center this evening. While I watched the actors portray the struggle of ordinary Brooklynites against the bulldozer that [...]

A palpable sense of doom descends. A sense of resignation All hope is gone Last night at Girl Scouts, Stay-at-home-mommy said; “We’ll apply everywhere.” “Charter schools?” “N0.” They’ve given up hope on charter schools.  There’s such a small chance of getting in. Today Ad-Mommy called me to get homework assignment from my daughter for her [...]

I know it’s there.   The computer printout from the DOE is in My Kid’s backpack. The parent coordinator from her school sent out an e-mail telling us to look for it. I am afraid to look. If I don’t actually read the black and white list of limited choices, I can still believe that [...]

The YouTube upload of “Bernie Sanders Amazing Speech” is making the cyberspace rounds this week.  He speaks passionately about the war on working families and the shrinking by the wealthy and powerful. By contrast, I happened upon the Cathie Black who, if not a billionaire herself, is at least on a first name basis with [...]