stx today,comments

So, we had an appointment this afternoon to have JJ TESTED to see if he was a good MATCH for one of the top two private schools on the island. The SPECIALIST who tested him AXED me after the TESTING if I thought JJ needed speech therapy. He has a problem with pronouncing his Ls and sometimes his Cs sound like Ts. I told her no that sometimes children especially boys have problems with those sounds until around age 7 but if they thought that he needed speech therapy I was fine with that. She said well I AXED him to pronounce certain words and he had a problem with it. PLEASE, if a SPECIALIST cannot speak proper English how can I expect this Educator to teach my child. Then later I got the phone call that JJ was ACCEPTED by this elite school. They said they would put him in K5 but they though it would be better to keep him in preschool as he could not even demonstrate the ability to hop on one foot. Well folks, this boy can not only hop on one foot. He can walk on his hands and climb a tree like a monkey. I giggled a little because I know JJ like a book. School to him is social time and he only wants to play. I explained this before the TESTING and also explained that he would not demonstrate his ability. So anyway, hubby and I went to dinner to discuss this situation. JJ was at the other top private school on the island where a bully was allowed to beat the shit out of him every day for three weeks and I assume because the school needed the money they did not kick the kid out of school so we removed JJ. So what to do. There are other schools on the island both public and private. Do I pay $800 to $1,000 a month for JJ to have social interaction with other children or send him to public school or continue to homeschool and use the money to enroll him in classes such as swimming, gymnastics and other sports activities so he can interact with other children. What do you guys think? I have made my decision but I am interested in your input.

We try Breezes about once every 6 months because it's such a nice setting. Dinner is sometimes good, but the kitchen is always slow. Every time we go, we vow never to return.

More important, what does JJ think.

When my son was growing, I wrestled with the choice of public, private, or Montessori. We were in a rural area that had a bad public school reputation (education, not environment).

While I did not provide home schooling, I did encourage his education at home at every opportunity, and he proved at every turn to be a bright kid. I chose public schooling, primarily for socialization with his community friends. The curriculum was such that he was able to graduate high school in three of the four years.

This made me uneasy when he picked his "go away" higher education school, as he was a full year younger physically and emotionally then his contemporaries would be. I asked him to maybe attend the local university for the first year and then transfer (to gain one more year of maturing), but he was insistant and encouraging in his choice. So I trusted him again.

He ended his RIT education years with honors and had multiple lucrative offers for his professional career upon graduating. What does this mean? I think a child is going to accomplish anything they set their mind to, no matter what primary education they have, as long as they have the correct, encouraging environment at home.

Teach him to swim!

We own a condo at Club St Croix, and as such, frequent Breezez more than most. A slow kitchen is not always common. But when it happens, we tend to enjoy the company, the friends, and the environment. Never notice the time pass.

Relax mon! Give it another try.

I would at least try public school, depending on which school. I think vroberge was right on the mark . The difference though is our public schools not only have a problem with education, but environment, as well. Just stay on top of it, and see what happens. You can always go back to home schooling or transfer to a private later.

vroberge,
My twins went straight to first grade at 5, so they were always a year younger. I wouldn't do it again. It was probably easier for your son because he excelled in high school (if I'm reading that right), so he had "matured" with kids his own age. With my girls, their friends were always just a little too advanced. They did fine in elementary, but when they got to high school, I think they were not mature enough. They tended to follow, rather than lead. But...they will be 35 this month, and both are doing very well! I'm very proud of them.

Tam, how did you manage to keep your mouth shut when the specialist kept mispronouncing "ask?" I think I'd have suggested she see a specialist. Keep looking, there's got to be a better fit out there.

I have two kids in public school Elena and Lew Muckle (both schools I went too) they have been there since Sept. They are both doing well and we have had no problems. I agree with Juanita...depending on the school I would give it a shot...especially if JJ can get into Pearl B.

Tami, the Pearl Larson school is the best, they are one of the few schools that met the no child left behind criteria. I know a few teachers who work there and they are into it big time. They even buy their own supplies.I think I was told that more teachers at PL have advanced degrees than any other elem entry. Check it out. The little Stone house school over in Princess has 1/2 day programs for pre school, my grand kids are happy there. School is good it gives them socialization skills, they make friends, it helps them find their place in the world.
I have two nieces who home school. One does an incredible job using the "No School" concept and the other is failing badly IMO.
What ever you choose will be the best for JJ, good luck.

Here's another example of not being told something because I didn't ASK!

I called Sear/Kmart yesterday and asked what the least expensive dishwasher was. She told me it was a Galaxy at $259.99. I said great, that sounds like just what I'm looking for.

Well....today my husband went to buy it. It was $340 (something). When he asked what about the $259.99, she said that was yesterday!!

I KNOW I should have asked if it would be 259 TOMORROW! I could just as easily have gone yesterday to buy it, if I had known.

Regarding Breezez, I have been on more than a few occasions and the situation is always the same. Service of the main course can take up to an hour. That, in my opinion, is a matter of disrespect to the customer. And management does not seem interested in correction of the problem.

So, I'll take my business elsewhere, mon.

TRW. Tell us about it from the employee point of view.

Thank you all for your replies. I have to admit that I am ashamed of myself for not visiting Pearl B and giving it a chance. When we decided to move to the island I fully intended to put JJ in Pearl B and I talk a good talk about continentals putting their children in public schools and demanding a good education. When it came to putting my money where my mouth is I chickened out. I am ashamed because I believe that children learn by example and I did not practice what I preached. On one hand I have Yearasta and cruzkandy who's opinions I respect highly suggesting Pearl B. I know a Cruzian doctor whom I respect asking me if I was crazy to even consider it giving me excellent examples on why I shouldn't. Meowruff describes a lack of teaching and learning materials and having to buy toilet paper. I must admit that I am less concerned with the education JJ would receive at public school as I intend to continue to home school even if he is attending school than I am with cleanliness and mold. JJ has severe allergies. Then hubby said to me last night, "Tam you would not put JJ into public school in the states. Why would you consider it on the island?" I had to think about that one.

Trade, had I been in the states I would have have commented on the word axed but it is in the cruzian dictionary and I did not want to offend anyone culturally. I am shocked however that the word was used during an interview with parents. I have been told on more than one occasion and by many different people that I am one of "those" parents. My sister who is an educator says that I am intimidating and say exactly what is on my mind. I always want to know what is going on in a straight forward manner and have very little tolerance for what I call teacher talk. ie, Mrs, So and so would you please speak to JJ about inappropriate behavior? My response would be how is his behavior inappropriate and what corrective action did you take? I will certainly talk with him but to punish a young child hours after the offense loses it's impact.

Vroberge, JJ is ecstatic to be going back to school. He is a very lonely only child of older parents. While I am very happy home schooling and he does quite well for me he wants to be with other children and loves school.

Bombi, JJ greatly needs socialization which is why we decided to put him back in school. He is always telling me that it is play time at that at "real school" they play all the time. lol. He also loves structure.

Juanita, JJ only turned 5 at the beginning of the school year so he would graduate at 17. My two older boys were the same so we had them repeat kindergarten. They were way too immature. JJ is the same. While smart as a whip, he has been with mostly adults his entire life and when I watch him in a group I see him watching other children with an expression on his face, like what in the heck are they doing?

So I made the decision to put him in K4 at Country Day for the rest of the school year if he is happy there. I made that decision because he has had a very traumatic year and he has a lot of anxiety. He has two very good friends in K4 there and he attended summer camp there.

Because of what happened to him at the other school it was extremely hard for me to take him today and I have spent most of my morning fighting the urge to go back and get him or at least watch. Yes, I am one of those moms.

It may be in the local dictionary but it's pronounced incorrectly in the States in too many cases so I don't buy that excuse. Had you called her on it (I wouldn't have either) you could just as easily have said that the way JJ speaks is his culture.

Linda J,

Did not mean to offend, if that was the case.

In fact, we (the homeowner's association of the property) do sometimes wonder about the Breezez management and how they treat customers. As I said, we frequent the establishment more than most (convenience), and are privy to many situations that arose between management and customers that make me shudder.

What I meant to imply is that for the most part, the food is good, the setting is incredible, and we enjoy the company of our friends that do support the establishment (we don't personally know the managers).

The only time I have ever waited an hour for an entree was probably on a holiday seating schedule, and I just enjoyed a drink and the company of my wife and friends while waiting.

lol trade, I should have thought of that. JJ does have his own language and uses words that only we understand. One of the more funny words is the word he uses for passing gas. He calls it a bob. He also says things like, "you interrupted my talking and that is rude" One day he asked me if a lesbian friend of mine had a penis or a vagina. I'm terrified at what might come out of his mouth at any moment.

The Sunday Brunch team sure seem to have it all together. We have never had reason to complain about anything. We usually sit inside, in the bar area. Maybe the outside table service is slower. We sit at the table closest to the kitchen window. We see the food come up, and it's out of there pretty quickly. Also, we see a lot of the same faces (customers) every week.

Sounds like the evening crew could take a lesson from the brunch crew!

Tammy,
What is so interesting about that is not that he knows the words penis and vagina, but that he associates the lesbian with the male/female question to begin with. Very intuitive for a 5 year old. Country Day look out! LOL

Juanita the friend I was talking about looks like a young man. She has very short hair and flat chested and tends to dress male however she has a girl name and we refer to her as she. To JJ she looked male so he didn't understand us refering to her as female. What was odd to me is that he didn't ask if she was a boy or a girl but chose to ask the question in a different way. He is very much in awe of females and the differences in their bodies.

Tami,
I'M cracking up about JJ sudden Blur's. Been there! When any of my four kids did or said something that might be considered inappropriate and the person didn't know me or my children, I would tell them , that they (MY Kids) were my brothers and I would tell him what just happened as soon as we got home. Remember Art Linkletter(sp??) made a fortune on the Hula Hoop and a TV Show about what kids would say. LOL

Tami,

Since you decided on K4 at Country Day, can you give us an idea on the cost. I'll be looking in just a couple years and Country Day, Good hope and A-Z are all on my list to check. Also am considering Stone House and Rattan Montasori for pre-school.

Thanks in advance

in all honesty the 2 nights i worked the kitchen was on top of things,i've seen alot worse at the fine dining places downtown where they use the cliche slogan to justify slow kitchens "good food is'nt fast and fast food is'nt good" i like the place,it's beautiful out there

so my driver took me through the area around the wapa plant,now if you've never driven in that area you really need to,there are hundreds of truly desolate,hopeless projects,the entire area is run down and an eyesore,lots of empty buildings,abandoned cars just a wreck of a place,that whole stretch from downtown to breezez needs to be torn down and developed the beaches there look great but god what an eyesore,wapa needs to be moved out by hess and that whole area needs to condo's,hotels,and middle class housing,it truly could be a jewel

Didn't Seaborne buy up some of the land (beach front) between them & wapa?
My hub & I go there just to sit & watch the sea planes, pelicans, gulls, boats & the harbor. I've take some really great photos there too.
We also like altoona park..........hang there on a sunday morning w/the paper, cup of joe & a muffin & always my camera!!

TRW, RE: WAPA area.

I agree, and I think they are moving in that direction. The problem as I've heard is that when Christiansted was first being developed and expanded in recent history, there was nothing along that north shore. So thinking they couldn't put a project out in the middle of nowhere (not thinking ahead) they decided to make it convenient for the residents to get to town and such.

Here we are 40 some years later, and the mistake is realized. Half the project is empty, and not sure what they intend to do with it. Can't really put up new resorts on top of WAPA. Gonna take a good deal of cash to make any kind of development project work there.

Big problem area. I'd love to be able to tell my renters at CSC they could just walk the streets along the shore to the town (which I have no problem doing as I know the area quite well), but I would not want to put them in harms way, as you really have to know where you're walking around there.

It just does not seem like it's really part of St Croix.

i always thought STX should break away from STT and become it's own us territory but after the diageo fiasco i'm starting to think that the only thing that is going to help STX are the STT senators

that whole area needs to condo's,hotels,and middle class housing,it truly could be a jewel

So you're saying we bring more of that stateside-style gentrification to Virgin Islanders and push us in the middle of the island where we're out of sight for the visitors? Well God Bless America!!!