In the past few years the DOE has implemented many new standardized assessments for NYC public schools. Internally, there has been some grumbling, particularly from school administrators who have felt like these reviews do not paint accurate portraits of their schools and are unfair assessments, but are these reports useful for parents? What can you learn from these reviews when looking to choose a school for your child? And what other tools are available for parents?

Below find an overview of the different DOE school report cards, what each one will tell you and other useful tools in researching the best NYC Public Schools for your child.

Check out our latest post about the High Line with info on all three sections. The High Line has been hyped far and wide as one of NYC's hippest new parks, but is it actually a good destination to hit with kids?  There are no swings, no playgrounds, no grassy fields. No dogs or skates, scooters, trikes, bikes or balls are allowed. It's not really a park at all, more of a promenade. A promenade up a few flights of stairs, no less. Not to mention that one of the things it's become most famous for is being a great viewing location for watching guests of the Standard Hotel with a yen for x-rated exhibitionism.

But despite all those nos (and no-nos), there are some redeeming qualities for the High Line from a kids-eye view. While the High Line might not actually have anything to "do", you can make your own fun there with a little bit of creativity and preparation.

Lots of good tidbits for you this week. We're co-hosting a Hebrew National Picnic this weekend and you're invited. Learn more about that, how to get a free Juno Baby DVD, and lots of interesting news about NYC public schools. Plus, i put together a little slideshow from this past weekend's Taste of Tribeca school fundraiser. It was a great event this year with delicious food, fun activities and great weather. If you'd like to see what it's like, watch the video and then don't miss it next year!

Photo of the week: Brendan Fraser came to the hospital to premier his new movie, Furry Vengeance with the kids at the Cornell pediatrics unit. He actually sat through the whole thing with them, which was really quite an act of charity considering how sick he must be of seeing his butt getting kicked by animals over and over...and over...again. Good man!

Here's what you might have missed on the blog this week:

Tuesday, May 18th is International Museum Day where many museums fling open their doors and invite the public free of charge or at discounted admission. 13 NYC museums are participating, although some of them are taking part on different dates. Take advantage of free admission at some of NYCs best museums this weekend and next week.

Here's a list of participating museums and what they're offering:

Photo of the Week: My daughter walked on stilts at the Tribeca Family Festival, the Tribeca Film Festival's annual street fair, handing out cards for her tumbling class. The Family Festival was better than ever this year, spidering out onto several adjacent blocks because there were so many different activities and booths. The ESPN zone was particularly a big hit with the kids as well as mini-golf, imagination playground, hair spraying, and a free screening of the film Snowmen. While the fair was unbearably crowded right in mid-day having he activities on the side streets helped bring some relief.

Yesterday we posted about our Mother's Day wishes. I always find it hard to think of what I'd like myself. How do you possibly capture all the different sides of Mother's Day—the beauty of motherhood, your love and joy for your child(ren), and maybe just a little something special to make you feel like someone really went the extra effort for you with a wonderful, thoughtful gift?

There's one Mother's Day gift that I think fits the bill perfectly, a professional portrait. Whether you want to give mom a mother and child portrait to show off her beautiful maternal bond, a portrait of dad and baby so she can gaze on the ones she loves most, or a portrait of the whole family, I can't think of any Mother's Day gift more perfect than a portrait sitting or a professional family portrait.
 

We've been watching lots of TV, with my son in the hospital for the last few weeks, so he's gotten pretty well versed in the facts of life according to commercials. Accordingly, he has learned that what all moms want for Mother's Day are flowers...or edible arrangements (because they're not just pretty but you can eat them too).

He had me convinced, but just to make sure, I asked the other folks at Mommy Poppins what their Mother's Day wishes were. Not one person mentioned Edible Arrangements, which is weird (Maybe that's just cause they haven't seen the commercial yet). In fact, every single person has a different wish or plan for their day. Read on to find out what this crew is doing...or dreams of doing (or getting) for Mother's Day this year.