I’ll be honest. I’m gutted. We have ADORED Grant Elementary and have fought to keep our children there. We applied for a transfer to let our boys finish elementary there. We cited specific, previous instances of physical harm and a lack of safety in the classroom at another school in the district we first attended. At this school, the large classroom sizes are comparable to the school the district wants to send them to now. Of course our application to keep them in an established safe school was denied. Beyond that, the noted reason for our rejection, was frankly offensive. For a parent with safety concerns for their kids, it felt insulting to be told I only wanted it out of “family convenience”. If asking the district to provide my son with the best chance of physical safety is a “matter of convenience” that should alarm all of us. The language “family convenience” as well carries such a condescending tone to the family requesting assistance. It’s frankly inflammatory language that needs to be revised immediately.
Particularly in light of the fact that CPS employees are granted nearly all of the total approved transfers in our district each year based on employee convenience. I understand workplace benefits, but not sure of any job where those benefits (beyond insurance) extend to other members of the employee’s family daily life, which directly contributes to increased hardships for local families living in Columbia. It feels unjust and lacking empathy for all students, which for a public school district, feels pretty messed up. Make it make sense. 😫
Anyway, the board has now decided to send half of our neighborhood to Mill Creek.
Truly not trying to sound dramatic, but I’m heartbroken, depressed, and angry. My smaller-than-average, neurodivergent kid’s safety hasn’t been granted in the past. So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by their lack of compassion in a parent trying to prevent it! Their business as usual response left me in tears.
TLDR: My real question is, what awaits us at Mill Creek? Are they anti-racist and inclusive, particularly to LGBTQIA+ students and families? Is there an active and loving parent community there to support ALL kids? How do they handle bullying and physical injury done to students by their peers?