IT'S THE SHOES, STUPID

[Thank you MotherM for today's post. To all commentors - please keep those comments coming - any topic is good - I need YOUR comment for tomorrow's post - KollelVeib]

When we were applying for my son to get into a Cheder, I was told that I should come along to the interview with my husband. In discussions with my husband, we realized that presumably the reason for this was so that they would be able to "check me out as well".

I of course wore the "nebbiest" outfit I could find, fully expecting that at some point I would find myself in conversation with some kind of secretary who would pass on details of my dress.

Imagine my surprise, when in actualty, we saw nobody the whole time other than the Menahel. We went straight into the Menahel's office, and after a 20 minute discussion were ushered out. I would like to make the story jucier and say that I noticed the Menahel looking over my dress to check my appropriateness; however, in all honesty, I did not notice anything of the sort. He spoke almost entirely to my husband during the meeting.

HOWEVER, a friend of my husband's who was close to the Menahel (who happened not to know of my husband's frienship with this individual) subsequently reported to my husband that my nail polish and shoes seemed to send the wrong message in the eyes of the Menahel. (I did not get in to that particular school, although the happy ending is that our second choice worked out very well.)

So . . . who thinks this is appropriate?

WILL SCHOOL MAKE YOUR DAUGHTER CRY THIS YEAR?

[Thank you FedUpMother for today's post. Remember, feel free to post off-topic about anything you want - Your comment may become tomorrow's post - KollelVeib]
Another year is coming to an end and another year is about to begin here in beautiful Lakewood.

We all know what that means:

-Parents brokenhearted because their child has no place in school
-School principals acting brokenhearted because they have no room for any more kids in their school
-Children, innocent 4-5 year olds, and not so innocent 13 year olds just plain brokenhearted, not really knowing what they have done to deserve this.

Is this going to go on year after year? Will everyone continue to wait until the 11th hour (the beginning of the school year)and then act surprised that there is a problem?

Let's face it. We all know that there are going to be anywhere from 40-100 kids in town with no place to go when school begins, and yet two weeks later, there will only be 5-10 problems waiting to be solved. Meaning alot WILL get done during those two weeks.

Why can't we deal with it NOW, instead of waiting? I know that the last 5-10 "problem kids" might be a little trickier, but what about the 30-90 others? Why can't we have all the meetings, and proteksia using, and Rabbonim from Eretz Yisroel mixing in, etc. RIGHT NOW?

[It would be very interesting to hear from any mothers who have had to go through the experience of not having a school for your child on the first day of school. If you have a story to share, please grace us with it. -KollelVeib]