November 3, 2024 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

School Daze

Back when our kids were babies and we were anxiously nail biting our way through navigating the unchartered and turbulent waters of finding the best Westside nursery school, I remember thinking that kindergarten felt like a lifetime away. Well, that lifetime is now and the path is even rockier. While our four year old son Mason and his classmates are enjoying their happy go-lucky last days of digging, painting, and playing through preschool, we’re faced with the daunting task of what happens next? 

When I was growing up on the Westside, the answers were fairly clear. Private elementary schools were virtually nonexistent so, basically, kids went to their neighborhood kindergartens and started in September if they were born before December 1.  

Today, there is all this mystery: even if kids are born before the cutoff date, are they mature enough to attend? Are they big enough? Are they ‘ready,’ whatever that means? Should boys be delayed but girls put through? Maybe they’re old enough to start public school, but then what about private? There is a whole different set of birthdates to satisfy those places. Then, there is just the mere dissection of charter versus regular schools, permitting to get in out of district, magnets, language immersion schools, point systems and applications. Should you rent an apartment in a better district or get a job in a better district? Or become a teacher and start working at a private school to get reduced tuition fees. It’s crazy!

I love the fact that the smartest girl I know sat right beside me at Kenter Canyon Elementary. She graduated valedictorian from both Paul Revere and Palisades High. She went on to Harvard and Stanford. Oh, yeah and there was her stint at Oxford after winning the Rhodes scholarship. And where did she get her start? Good ol’ public school.

Basically, I’m clinging to the fact that my kids are so brilliant, we can send them to the dusty school down the block and with a little extra work on our part, they’ll turn out just fine. Maybe they will even get a Rhodes scholarship one day!

Related Posts

Bob Rosenbloom, Esteemed Owner of Bob’s Market and Community Pillar, Passes at 92

April 9, 2024

April 9, 2024

Bob Rosenbloom, the cherished proprietor of Bob’s Market on Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica, passed away at his residence...

Don’t Miss Your Last Chance to Experience CORTEO by Cirque du Soleil!

April 25, 2023

April 25, 2023

The Show’s Run At The Microsoft Theater Ends On April 30  Time is running out for fans of CORTEO by...

Regulation of Short-Term Rentals in LA Failing as Enforcement Drops Significantly

April 4, 2023

April 4, 2023

Better Neighbors LA report highlights the inadequacies of enforcement measures for short-term rentals in Los Angeles, calling for increased regulation...

Non-Profit Helping Relieve Financial Burden For Cancer Patients

November 16, 2022

November 16, 2022

Cancer Cartel is helping cancer patients focus on their treatment, not the financial stress of living with a diagnosis. Learn...

100 Miles of Bus-Only Lanes Coming to L.A in Five Years?

October 17, 2022

October 17, 2022

L.A’s public transportation network is known for being slow due to traffic congestion. A new motion by L.A. City Council...

How to Wisely Manage Your Finances After a Job Layoff

October 3, 2022

October 3, 2022

Being laid off can be difficult, both emotionally and financially. It is important to manage your finances wisely during this...

Union Members Protest UC Policies in Westwood

May 3, 2022

May 3, 2022

Westwood and Wilshire protest takes place April 26 By Dolores Quintana The intersection of Wilshire and Westwood was the site...

Kale of All Kinds

March 16, 2022

March 16, 2022

Today at the Santa Monica Farmers Market we explore three different kinds of Kale from Cole Family Farms..Video sponsored by...

Name Revealed for Alice Waters’s Westwood Restaurant

October 20, 2021

October 20, 2021

Westside Dining Scene October 21, 2021 By Dolores Quintana Esteemed chef Alice Waters’s upcoming Westwood restaurant’s and the name has...

Community Volunteer Patrol Program Brings Civilians New Insight Into Law Enforcement

October 19, 2021

October 19, 2021

The West LA Police Department has a community patrol program bridging the gap between civilians and law enforcement. Video brought...

Police Seek Man Wanted for Sexually Assaulting Sleeping UCLA Student

September 2, 2021

September 2, 2021

Police are searching for a man wanted for sexually assaulting a female UCLA student while she slept. According to the...

Final Weekend of Marina Drive-In Movie Summer Series With New Movies Added

August 28, 2021

August 28, 2021

WHERE: Marina del Rey Boat Launch Ramp, 13477 Fiji Way at Parking Lot #2 COST: $20 per vehicle, per movie...

UCLA Admits Most Accomplished Class in Its History

July 20, 2021

July 20, 2021

New freshman and transfer cohorts are also among university’s most ethnically diverse By Ricardo Vazquez | UCLA Newsroom UCLA has...

Heritage Museum Reopens with Unique Exhibition

June 24, 2021

June 24, 2021

The California Heritage Museum welcomes back visitors with a unique and stunning quilt exhibition, learn more in this video brought to...