According to a rencent Richmond School Board letter, prospective kindergarten students in the catchment area of four elementary schools will not be allowed to attend them in September due to capacity.
The four schools affected are Ferris, Blair, Tomekichi Homma and Tomsett elementaries, and only students who already have siblings attending these schools can enroll in the new school year.
The News asked some Richmond parents how important it is to send their kid to the catchment school. Here is what they say:
Sophie Lin
Photographer
Yes. Because it’s close to home, kids can play with their friends and classmates. Sometimes there is a play day, and it’s easy to arrange when it’s in walking distance. And kids can walk to school; they like it.
Yan Ge
Stay-at-Home Mom
No. I think it doesn’t matter. For me, it’s more important to look at the teachers, quality, and ranking of the school, as well as feedback from other parents. I don’t think the location is very important.
Irene Yu
Scientist
Yes. I think distance is certainly a factor for kids, especially the young ones, because as parents, I think we are busy enough. The time for young kids when you have to take them to school and back, every little bit counts. And my family try to walk as much as possible.
Marina Kosheleva
Stay-at-Home Mom
I think it’s a big-city problem. I lived in Moscow, where the population grew a lot in the past years, and people started to come to Moscow. It’s a big problem now with schools because we don’t have so much space. Here in Richmond, it’s probably the same.
Susan Zhan
Stay-at-Home Mom
Yes. It’s better to stay in their catchment area, because it’s easy to send the kid to school, otherwise, we have to drive. And we know better about the environment and the safety of this area.
