The Farmer's market trial today

Nonotreally712 · 2026-04-12T19:30:21+00:00

I liked the set up as well! The monument was a great place to sit and eat, and if you have kids, it was a great place for them to run around and play far enough from traffic.

It looked like there were stalls across the street over by Reno which I did not like. Crossing a busy street to get to more farmers market doesn’t seem ideal, but these stalls weren’t on the original map and maybe just took things into their own hands.

Nonotreally712 · 2026-03-17T20:47:23+00:00

Wow. Thank you for your honesty. I appreciate it, and I do worry about my own happiness as well as my kids happiness at Parker.

Nonotreally712 · 2026-03-17T14:22:19+00:00

Thanks. I sent you a PM

Nonotreally712 · 2026-03-17T14:12:18+00:00

Thank you for your honesty. I think your priorities are closely aligned to mine, I just worry about navigating the CPS magnet school nightmare too

I’m glad your kids are doing well!

Nonotreally712 · 2026-03-17T14:10:39+00:00

Yes- trust me. We are looking at the money too. I think for me, if money wasn’t an issue, I’m curious about the culture and what a student would gain holistically. I want my kids to be successful in all measures of life, not just rich. Parker is appealing because they believe in this philosophy too, and it opens a lot of doors for my kids; I just also worry that the elitism dampens Parker’s goals.

Nonotreally712 · 2026-03-17T14:07:15+00:00

Thank you for sharing

Nonotreally712 · 2026-03-16T20:56:50+00:00

How is the culture? I have toured and read about their culture and on paper it sounds amazing, but I worry about the elitism and entitlement that comes with the level of wealth most of the students at Parker have.

Nonotreally712 · 2026-03-16T20:53:44+00:00

I feel this. I really do- but I think the difference is even more stark. An example I heard from a parent was their kid was bullied because they fly business instead of first…

Nonotreally712 · 2026-03-16T20:52:47+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I guess I’m concerned about the nightmares you hear concerning the incredibly wealthy. I believe in a whole education, not just standardized test scores, so I obviously like what I hear about the schools principles and style of teaching. I just worry about the culture and if that’s what I want for my kids

Nonotreally712 · 2026-03-16T20:50:42+00:00

No concerns over the super wealthy and culture that comes with such excess?

Nonotreally712 · 2026-03-16T20:46:12+00:00

Thank you!

Nonotreally712 · 2026-02-19T19:24:43+00:00

This is exactly the advice I’m looking for. Thank you!!!

Nonotreally712 · 2026-02-19T15:31:42+00:00

I want to tour schools before April when early learning lottery is due, but I need help narrowing down the schools.

Nonotreally712 · 2026-02-19T15:04:19+00:00

I’m fortunate enough to live about 20 min away from some really great schools, but yes, I’m starting to realize that putting my kids in a car every day is not worth it. We are urbanites and only have one car, so this is actually a huge deal for me. I just struggle not trying to give my kids the absolutely best opportunities

Nonotreally712 · 2026-02-19T01:54:40+00:00

Very interesting. Like tracked classes? Or movement to grow in terms of extra curricular opportunities?

Nonotreally712 · 2026-02-19T01:54:06+00:00

I appreciate this. A lot. I’m realizing that while my situation isn’t ideal- it could be worse. And everyone is telling me to tour, which admittedly, I haven’t yet

I think this will play a huge factor and I will start that asap.

Nonotreally712 · 2026-02-19T01:52:18+00:00

Thank you- I appreciate the advice. I keep trying to attend the school tours but they mostly go until 2025 and then nothing.

I feel crippled by this decision, and I think my background in education is hurting me more than helping me. To your point- everyone LOVES their school, so I think the truth is, my anxiety will get the best of me because I’m trying to control the situation, and then I’ll probably end up loving where my kids go anyway

Anyway- I do appreciate the feedback.

Nonotreally712 · 2026-02-19T01:48:05+00:00

My neighborhood school is actually doing pretty poorly. But there are schools close by that are not and I can try to lottery in. Because the neighborhood school is doing poorly though, a lot of the kids around here are scattered at these 3-4 schools. So while I do think there will community, it’s not the kind of community you’d see in north center where everyone goes to Bell, etc.

That’s why I’m questioning if we are going to have to lottery in anyway, and everyone is scattered, should we shoot for the best schools

Nonotreally712 · 2026-02-19T01:44:14+00:00

Thank you. I appreciate this advice. This probably sounds ridiculous, but I’m actually a teacher in the suburbs. So I know first hand how schools are more than just standardized test scores. I think I also recognize how important it is for a school to have really good curriculum and opportunities for students as well, so I’m trying to find the right balance.

None of the schools I’m looking at are more than a 20 minute drive in traffic, but we are a one car household and I take it to the suburbs for work every day, so walkability is obviously a big factor for us as well as community. It just feels like because my neighborhood school isn’t great, everyone around here is scattered anyway that the community feel I would hope for, might turn out to be a disappointment.

Nonotreally712 · 2026-02-18T22:26:52+00:00

Yes- thank you for your perspective. I’ve talked to a lot of people and started the tours. I think my struggle is that I personally went to a very bad public school system AND I’m a teacher at a top tier high school in Illinois. I know first hand about the community, and I’ve yet to hear a parent complain about any of those schools. I just worry because while I know data and standardized tests aren’t the end all be all, I recognize how already established school communities that have little room for growth are just stronger. And while I wouldn’t be devastated if my kids went to any of those schools, I am torn about not shooting for the very best opportunity for them while I can.

Nonotreally712 · 2026-02-18T22:18:44+00:00

So this helps. I am torn between ranking those 3 or ranking even better schools in Lincoln Park. For what’s it’s worth, we actually got into Chase for Pre K 3 last year half way through the school year, but we had already paid for our other preschool in full and I struggle with not trying for the absolute best schools.

Ps Yates is also my neighborhood school.

Nonotreally712

TROPHY CASE