Wednesday Links
The Promenade. Photo by John Armitage. Removing Dyker Heights’ Elaborate X-mas Decorations [NY Times] Realtors’ Index Shows Dip for Existing-Home Sales [NY Times] Young and Broke in the City, but Staying Afloat [NY Times] Grim Reaper’s ’06 Toll Record Low for Apple [NY Post] Arab-Themed School Gets 3rd Principal [NY Daily News] City Shuts Brooklyn…
The Promenade. Photo by John Armitage.
Removing Dyker Heights’ Elaborate X-mas Decorations [NY Times]
Realtors’ Index Shows Dip for Existing-Home Sales [NY Times]
Young and Broke in the City, but Staying Afloat [NY Times]
Grim Reaper’s ’06 Toll Record Low for Apple [NY Post]
Arab-Themed School Gets 3rd Principal [NY Daily News]
City Shuts Brooklyn Class for Gifted [NY Daily News]
Ombudsman Faces Critical Audience [AY Report]
NYC Comedian Moves Into Ikea [AMNY]
Bklyn Residents on the Move [Brooklyn Eagle]
Atlantic Ave. Jail-Condo Plan Falters [NY Observer]
REBNY Prez Talks Politics [NY Observer]
“Arab School”
The majority of the children attending the Khalil Gibran (a Christian by the way)Academy are neither Muslim or Arab. The Public School for Chinese culture in Chinatown is almost predominantly Chinese. The purpose of this school was to familiarize students with Arab culture and language which of course would include Islam from a historical perspective. As a non-Arab who is fluent in Arabic, due having lived in the Middle East as a child, I am often called upon for my translation services and my knowledge of certain cultures and it has become a quite lucrative second career. Arabic is an extremely difficult language to learn if not learned as a child. Most people who learn as adults don’t speak well enough to blend in with native speakers. Our State Department and other government agencies desparately need people who are fluent in Arabic. What an asset for the child who can pick up the language in school. I also think there should be language emmersion public schools aimed at non-native speakers for the Russian and Chinese language and culture as well. Many people outside of the US do speak more than one language.
9:54, Which census did you get those stat’s? I just recently read that Asian syudents have a high drop out rate which I actually found hard to believe because they are considered the model minority. But in newly arrived communities where many of these immigrants are exploited by there own community, the article stated that the children were not doing well.
EXACTLY, 12:47! I’m a parent of two (both young geniuses, absolutely) and many of their friends who are applying to these so-called “gifted” programs are just regular smart kids from upper middle class, educated families. Dime a fucking dozen.
I’m going to go on record that calling someone “loser” is pretty threadbare. Nimrod.
I hear that The What was in the gifted program at Asshat Elementary.
Didn’t you know that all parents think their child is gifted? Goes along with everyone being above average. Ever notice how most of those gifted children turn into very ordinary adults?
I’ll tell you what’s also getting old, saying “schtick”. Loser.
I’m losing interest in the what and in parodies of the waht. the schtick is getting old.
I absolutely do find the use of the term “gifted” repulsive. I have always thought it rather offensive (and I don’t have kids). They could at least use the word “advanced” or something more neutral. And there should be a way to extend that program to more kids. I’m sure there are way more “gifted” kids than only those who make it into the program.