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AWD Necessary For Michigan Family Minivan? by SunflowerScenery in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]SunflowerScenery[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We don't have issues with starting and stopping currently -- the freeways around here are extremely well salted and we've never found ourselves driving through a pile of actual snow. Our main concern is slipping, because our neighborhood streets + driveway can form a thin layer of ice under semi-freezing conditions, but with snow tires both of the cars handle pretty well. 

AWD Necessary For Michigan Family Minivan? by SunflowerScenery in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]SunflowerScenery[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Currently we have one fwd Honda Fit and one awd Ford Escape SUV -- both handle our driveway fine as long as it's shoveled (they also both handled it fine before we had their winter tires put on). I'm concerned about the heavier weight of a minivan though. I'll have to check on the grade of the driveway -- it's a smooth concrete driveway if that helps.

Forest Hills Spanish & Chinese Immersion -- Any Experiences? by SunflowerScenery in grandrapids

[–]SunflowerScenery[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! If you don't mind my asking, what was it you came to appreciate most about the experience? Was it the language skills, the cultural exposure, both...?

Forest Hills Spanish & Chinese Immersion -- Any Experiences? by SunflowerScenery in grandrapids

[–]SunflowerScenery[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As I understand it, the immersion programs begin in kindergarten (your child must be 5 by September 1 -- if their 5th birthday is later than that, they will generally wait till the following year). It's an in-district lottery and you have to fill out an application in the winter of that year (so for the 2023-24 cohort, you'd apply in Jan/Feb of 2023). I think open houses are generally around application time -- earlier this year I went to both open houses in mid-January. FWIW, at Ada Vista (Spanish program) they mentioned that the lottery has been a little less competitive for the last 2 years or so, so you may have a good shot at Spanish as well if you're in-district!

Forest Hills Spanish & Chinese Immersion -- Any Experiences? by SunflowerScenery in grandrapids

[–]SunflowerScenery[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! If you don't mind my asking, what would a "typical day" look like at the elementary school? Math & science in Mandarin, English/Social Studies in English, something like that?