Question/Opinions? Totally NON related breast cancer subject

[RhondaH]

I apologize for the trivialness of this topic, but I was just looking for some input. I live in Grand Rapids Michigan (approx 10 blocks from where the church for President Fords funeral is). The day of the funeral is Tony's 1st day back to school after Christmas break (incidentally it is also his 6th birthday), but his school is 2 blocks from the church and I just read in the news today that the city is closing the area surrounding the church from 11:30-4. Would YOU keep him out of school (his school has no bus service and my mother...75 yo and gets frazzled looking for a pen...picks him up, so I would have to leave work early to pick him up) or let him go and pray for the best? Thank you for your opinions. Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

[Becky]

If Tony has his heart on going to school and sharing a special treat with his class (or if his class does something special on each child's birthday), I would let him go to school. It would be part of your gift on his special day to pick him up (and you seem to work at a nice place so they would understand why you would have to pick him up because of President Ford's funeral).


If Tony doesn't like to go to school, then it would be a special birthday treat for him to get to stay home!!!

[Leslie's sister]

Rhonda:

I can relate to this question as I have a 5 year old daughter. I would keep her at home. Main reason being that I would be worried about not being able to easily get her because of roads being closed. It would bother me. Because your son is only 6, it isn't the end of the world if he misses a day of school, esp 1st day back from vacation, day of such a big event in your town (funeral) and you son's birthday. Probably a higher percentage of children will be absent anyway due to the funeral. That is just what I would do.

[Chelee]

Rhonda, Thats a tough one. I wouldn't want him to miss the first day...but due to only being six years old and such a big event going on I know I would be worried sick. (Roads closed, traffic, people all over...weather, etc.) What a headache! I have a feeling you AREN'T going to be the ONLY one concerned about this. You might find out lots of kids don't make it for the same reason? (After all this was totally unexpected.) I am sure the teachers might even be expecting a few kids to me missing due to President Fords funeral.

I don't think it would hurt him to miss the first day under the circumstances. (I hope he isn't the type of kid that LOVES school...then your in trouble.) LOL But I would do what makes it easier for you so that you don't have to fret and worry.

Good luck.

Chelee

[Merridith]

Hasn't the school got a plan figured out to deal with this?

I'll bet most of the other busy working parents have the same problem. Give them a call.

[R.B.]

Factors to be balanced - clearly a difficult one

- Meeting peers
- Process and explanations of first day
- Not being odd one out
- Group accepance
- part of a memorable day if only indirectly by participation in first day at school

etc

unless other parents are doing the same could be difficult arriving on day two


RB

[tousled1]

Rhonda,

I think Becky's post says exactly what I would say to you. Perhaps your delimna will be resolved for you -- they may end up closing the schools for the day

[RhondaH]

for your input. Becky, Tony DOES love school and YES, I DO have an understanding employer, but after reading that "Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff designated the funeral a national special security event." and that Rumsfeld is one of the pallbearers as well as Cheney, Carter (not sure of either of the Bushs' at this point) etc will be here AND that they are inviting the public to be part of the procession from the airport to the church (they are closing the highway and my JOB is literally at the end of one of the runways), I've decided that I am keeping him home. I know it was suggested that I talk to the other working parents, but he goes to a private school and "literally" I am the only full time working mother in the class (the others are stay at home or work part time). I know this is a big event and I have thought of taking Tony to the museum when he comes to lie in state, but the night after it was announced he had passed away, he and I went down to the museum and put flowers out by the sign (little traffic as of that time) and being that he is only 5, he still doesn't grasp the concept. Thank you all for your input. Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

[tousled1]

Glad you finally made your decision Rhonda.

[RhondaH]

I just got off the phone w/ the school as they ARE closing due to the streets surrounding his school are going to be closed as well. HE'S sad, but there is nothing I can do. Presents in the morning will help though, I'm sure Take care and God bless.

Rhonda