J$tyle$

I grew up in the housing projects of Brooklyn NY with a single mother who struggled on welfare and put herself through school to become an administrative assistant while I ran like a hoodlum in the streets. I went to public school. 3 seperate grade schools, 1 JR High School and 3 different High Schools.

I could say more but let's leave it at that.

My mother loved and loves me as I did AND do her ... but she couldn't 'be there - she was always working.

My wife and I want a better and different childhood for our children.

My kids have real life experiences. They might be slightly sheltered but they have balance.

On top of reading, writing and arithmatic - in school my daughter learns about art, 3 different languages (Spanish, German and Hebrew), music, communication, problem solving, creative and imaginative play, athletics and respect of the people and the world she lives in.

Granted, alot of who she is today and who she becomes in the future starts with us as parents and what WE teach her ... but the school's philosophy is very similar to ours. And my wife is very active at the school.

My 9 yr old daughter has friends from all socio economic backgrounds, she has playdates, goes horseback riding, plays with her dolls, draws, paints, plays with her baby brother, and spends quality time with our family amongst many other activities.

Eventually she will/may grow out of these things - but for a 9 year old what else does she need?

I'm not even going to get into my son right now, but my daughter is one of the smartest, well adjusted and caring human beings I know ... and she's only 9!

Xmas Eve day she happily spent with my wife and her grandmother preparing FULL meals for 11 families in Pacoima that are less fortunate than ours. She knows why and she feels sad and very deeply that those families and their children would not have had "a chrstmas dinner" otherwise.

What experience is she missing out on by not being in a public school?