School stupidity

The cherry blossoms are in full pink in the Botanic Gardens and it was a glorious (if hot) weekend, but this still hasn't been the best week to be a New Yorker.

Not surprisingly, New York was one of the first places outside of Mexico to report swine flu. It hasn't been reported in Brooklyn yet, but I imagine it's only a matter of time. So far the playgrounds and sing-a-longs are still pretty crowded, but if things get worse, I wouldn't be surprised if they empty out.

In other news, as the New York Times reported today, New York parents who want to enroll their 5 year olds in public school are increasingly likely to find their child on a waiting list. New York parents are well known for their neuroticism about schools, but even I can sympathize with parents who can't get their kid into the local public school. I mean, isn't that a right you have as a tax paying citizen?

It is the school madness that makes me unwilling to consider staying in New York for the long haul. My kid is adorable and cute and all, but do I really think he needs to complete a full blown "application" to get into preschool? Do I really want to pay $20 grand to make sure he makes the very best macaroni art?

My husband and I said a long time ago that we would not stay in New York once Emmett hit school age. My increasing fondness for Brooklyn makes me waver on this vow, but then I look at the tuition and application process for preschool and I think that the Midwest looks better and better.