Readers: I will have more to say on this subject, but in the interests of time and the importance of disseminating facts, here is an excellent letter sent out to many parents this morning.
Dear All,
Today (Monday, April 8th), several parents spoke to Mr. Pavone, the principal at P.S. 78 and his assistant and found out that P.S. 78 allocated 75 seats (3 classes) in last week’s lottery.
The rumor which went around playgrounds and Supper Soccer Stars on Saturday, that they only allocated 50 seats because the new building won’t open in time for the new school year, is apparently wrong. According to P.S. 78 they accepted 75 kids and are planning 3 classes. According to Mr. Pavone there are less than 40 kids on the wait list. They are currently checking whether they can release the ranking of each name on the wait list. Last year, they allocated 50 seats and had a shorter wait list but apparently offered all kids on the list a spot, although in some cases at the last minute.
The first date at which some spots might become available for wait listed kids will be April 26th when the registration for P.S. 78 ends. Parents who don’t register their kids at P.S. 78 by April 26th will forfeit their seats.
A second important date will be the allocation of spots in the Gifted and Talented programs at the beginning of June. Some parents whose kids made it into G&T might decide not to send their kid to P.S. 78
Moitri Savard has asked that all families whose kids have been rejected for the K-program at P.S. 78 to e-mail her with names and contact info (info@queenswesthealth.com) since councilman Van Bramer has apparently asked her to compile a list with the names of affected families. Councilman Van Bramer met last year with affected families.
The unfortunately high number of rejections threatens to tear apart the networks and friendships our kids have developed over the years. It imposes tremendous mental anguish on the affected families because we thought of LIC as a place where we can settle down and raise our kids. The coming months will be an extremely stressful period for all affected families. I know of a family whose daughter was rejected last year. The family decided to move to Scarsdale, sold their LIC condo, moved into temporary quarters, found a house in Scarsdale, and received notice that their daughter was finally accepted on the day before they closed on the new house. The fact that last year all wait listed kids were finally accepted does therefore not tell the true story about the trauma inflicted on those families whose kids were rejected in the lottery at the beginning of April.
Going forward, a first step will be the release of the rankings of the rejected kids on the wait list. This will reduce the stress for some families and increase it for other families but at least each family will know where they stand which will help them to move forward and plan their lives.
Best,
Kris