It Starts....

Daughter #2 has had some stellar first few days of school. The smaller class size makes it easier to maintain order, and that's the way she like it...orderly. One of her best friends (a boy from across the street), has helped make the transition effortless for her.
A couple of her comments from the past few days:
"That was the best first day of school EVER!"
"I like that we start each day with a prayer."
"When the teacher asks a question, EVERYONE raises their hands to answer. "
She also likes that she has longer for lunch (50 minutes as compared to 20 minutes), which gets the socialization worked out of the kids when they start back from lunch (she does like to talk).

So....what does the title of this post mean?

The dirty looks from parents (and teachers) from her old school. I talked to the principal and vice principal personally when we broke the news. I talked one on one with the office staff, LSC members, and the parents we know the best so that the people that really know us have the straight scoop...straight from us. They all understood and agreed you have put your children first. They also know anything that ANYONE else says contrary to what we've told them (basically what I've already posted in decisions, decisions), is hogwash.

...but I can see the gossip mill is already cranked up and running. We've been part of this public school community for 11 years. Ten of which the Mrs. has done the newsletter, and four of which I've been on the LSC (and had been actively attending/speaking at those meetings for four years before that). I suppose I can understand that some folks think we have abandoned the school, but we haven't; The Mrs. will do the newsletter through the end of the school year, and I will help the new LSC secretary transition into her duties. I will likely still attend LSC meetings (there are community positions on the council), and perform several volunteer duties I enjoy doing there (like judging the science fair).

There is NO amount of dirty looks or backstabbing gossip that could make me feel bad or guilty about a decision we made for the betterment of our child, especially one that she initiated herself. Her old school is and excellent school, one we helped make that way, but the actual group of kids her age that she dealt with every day is not a group she enjoys being with.
For that I can only blame the parents of those other kids who don't care enough to teach their children to respect other students and teachers as they should. That is something that is out of Administrators and teachers hands, but not out of ours.