So...I have a question about schools...My son goes to the special needs prek program at Santa Magarita (which I hate) anyways..I asked the teacher if they are gong to do anything for a prek graduation and the teacher said "no.." not a party or anything..Is this normal in Cali??..Im from GA and graduating Prek is a big deal for the kids...Also PLEASE someone tell me that Stuart Mesa Elementary school(Where my son will be next yr) is better....Im so disappointed in Santa Margarita..!!! Thanks in advance..!! 

My grandaughter just graduated from Headstart and they had a nice graduation and potluck. Maybe you can get together with the parents if the teacher doesn't want to do anything, and have something special! 

My son goes to Stuart Mesa and we arent happy ether. My son is older, he will be going into 5th grade but we have had some problems and I dont agree with how they were handled or that they should of even been a problem in the first place. The principal makes excuses for everyone. Like one of my major problems I had was my son has a 504 plan and its supposed to be read and reviewed by every teacher before school starts so they know what they need to put in place for the child. At back to school night I brought it up and she said she hadnt read it yet which ok, I was upset but she promised she would get on it right away. A month or so later I contacted her about a problem with his homework and some things on his 504 that werent being done and she said she hadnt read it still but was going to do it that weekend. Report cards came home around Christmas time and it was obvious by the report card she still hadnt read the 504. I was really upset called the principal and she just said oh the teacher has a lot of students this year and is over whelmed. She will get to it. Not happy with that answers I called the district. After Christmas break things on the 504 plan where finally being implemented. I take part of the blame, being the parent I should of been calling her all the time and bugging her about it but I was close to the end of a difficult pregnancy and took the teachers word for it. My son isnt really specially needs but has some learning disabilities which is the reason for the 504. He was still passing and doing ok in school but he could of been doing so much better if the proper things where happening. Makes me wonder about other kids in her class with a 504 and if theirs ever got read. 

My daughter was in kinder at Santa Margarita last year and they dint do anything as well. I really do think it just depends on the teacher/school. 

Sorry that was so long. But I hope your luck is better than mine. But in reality the California school system in general sucks. Cant wait to be out of this state. 

I dislike the school system here too. We are off base and my daughter's school is over 5 miles away, and no buses!
Anyway, I feel preschool graduation is a big deal. Get some certificates from the dollar store, talk to other parents, take them to Round Tree Pizza or Shakeys. Make a 'big deal' for them. Make a memory... 

If you want a party you need to talk to the classroom mom, if you even have one.

There should only be a few graduations in life. One is HS and the others left for college. 

If you want a party you need to talk to the classroom mom, if you even have one.

There should only be a few graduations in life. One is HS and the others left for college.

^^^ I agree. There are prek graduations, kindergarten, 5th grade, 8th grade and highschool. Honestly, the schools have zero extra money these days. 

Honestly, the schools have zero extra money these days.

Even the really good districts are firing teachers left and right in California these days because there isn't enough money. That special needs preschool is funded by tax dollars, not by parents paying tuition like most preschools. Money has to be cut wherever it can be without cutting the needed programs. 

It's not just a crisis in CA, it's all across America. 

It's not just a crisis in CA, it's all across America.

Not every part of America is suffering the effects of drastically dropping property taxes due to a tremendous drop in property values (60% where I live) quite like much of California is--although some are. Where we are moving the class sizes will be half of what they will be at my kids' current school next year, and their current school is actually a good school. 

It's not just a crisis in CA, it's all across America.

Agree, also CA by far is not the worst school district...according to the U.S department of Education it was reported that "South Carolina had the worst academic performance for 2010-2011"...in other words it could be worse.. 

I have kids that went to Stuart Mesa and this year has been wonderful. I am not sure if it had to do with the fact that I volunteered in their classrooms every week and talked to the teacher just about every other day on my children's progress and what can be done to improve etc. One child is on a 504 and one was in a class with extra help and at this point in the year they have improved tremendously. I know a lot of people in that school know my face and know my kids since I am there so much and always asking questions so it's been a good school year. I just pray that it is this good next year too! 

My daughter goes to north terrace this year for pre-k. They have an amazing beacon program for kids on the spectrum. My son will go there next year. 

"accountnickname --- 3 hours ago - quote
It's not just a crisis in CA, it's all across America.

Not every part of America is suffering the effects of drastically dropping property taxes due to a tremendous drop in property values (60% where I live) quite like much of California is--although some are. Where we are moving the class sizes will be half of what they will be at my kids' current school next year, and their current school is actually a good school."

And neither are all CA schools. Like most public schools, in any state you live, will depend on the dedication of the parents. 

will depend on the dedication of the parents.

The parents at my kids' school are very dedicated and the school district is highly rated. That doesn't change the fact that they simply don't have enough money to pay the salaries of all the teachers anymore. My kids' school had to fire 10 teachers, 3 are moving to middle schools, and 2 are opting to retire early. I know 3 of the fired teachers personally and they are amazing teachers who we were so lucky to have. They raised over 24k from the parents this year to cover the costs of all the extra-curriculars and field trips, but they can't use it to pay salaries.

As for it not being all CA schools I did specify that it was many areas of California that has seen a drop in property values (the taxes on which pays for a lot of the education costs), as it is not all. This combined with the budget issues the state has does not make for an easy situation.