Kindergarten mess Update #85!!!

[HelenePA]

I don't know if it's national or regional, but if a child isn't a strong reader by the end of kindergarten, he or she will not move on to first grade here. Children are expected to know their numbers and letters before entering kindergarten (as well as writing their names, addresses, phone numbers, counting...).

yes they did all the real Kindergarten stuff last year in prek... kindergarteni s the new first grade

 

[Magpie]

I don't know if it's national or regional, but if a child isn't a strong reader by the end of kindergarten, he or she will not move on to first grade here. Children are expected to know their numbers and letters before entering kindergarten (as well as writing their names, addresses, phone numbers, counting...).

Might be regional... our kindy teachers told us that children learn on their own schedule and there's no point forcing them to read before they're ready. She said every year most children enter kindy ready to learn to read. A few enter kindy already reading, and a few won't pick up reading until first grade.

FWIW - I didn't read until I was in second grade, while my kids were both reading before the age of four. My daughter might be a genius , but my son actually has a learning disability. What happened with him was he couldn't speak right (due to hearing issues) so I started teaching him his phonics as a way to identify the trouble spots (like M and N) and work with him on them. He learned to read while I was trying to teach him to speak.

Honestly, I really do believe most any involved, caring, reasonably educated parent can teach the basic skills. It doesn't take a teaching degree to teach one kid. (Managing a whole classroom of the little monsters is another issue altogether!)

If the teachers are shouting all the time, and the kids can't hear them, how much will they learn in a year anyway?

 

[punkin]

yes they did all the real Kindergarten stuff last year in prek... kindergarteni s the new first grade

Yes, but since the kids in Kindergarten tend to be older now because apparently "everyone" is holding their children back (particularly boys), it really doesn't matter.

 

[Mkrop]

I would be calling the Catholic school or some other private K and trying to work something out. I really think the Catholic school would work with you on the tutution. I know there is a real movement down here in the Archdiosce of Phila to market our schools and families are being encourgaged to enroll their students. I would think Arch of Scranton would be doing the same thing since they are consolidating many churches and schools up there. I am asuuming I have the right area by the codes you and hentob are using, DH's family is from the Valley and my neighbor is formerly from Tmqua and his family is still there.

I know my youngest could not survive in that atmosphere with his focus aand noise sensory issues.

GL

 

[HelenePA]

At this point finding where I live is easy so I'll just go ahead and out myself lol I live in schuylkill county other info can be easily found what school I'm talking about if anyone is really bored and feels the need to stalk me I have a very boring mostly normal life

I think my plan as of right now is give it a week maybe two at most if it's as bad as I think it could me I'll pull him out and send him to catholic that would give us enough time to get the money together too who knows if the tuition is based in family size he might be able to go for a reduced or free I've never asked anyone for "chairty" or been on welfare but this situation might make me do just that

 

[jodifla]

I think your idea to wait and see is a good one. It could be OK.

I was in an open classroom setting in 5th grade, but the school was designed for it. Our buildings had 4 classrooms each. We each had a classroom separated by a partition, but there was a space in the middle, and all the classrooms could open up to that middle space for presentations. Or you could just take down one wall to the neighboring class. It was very cool. But it was set up to be acoustically correct.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have only read the OP's post... not all the replies...

If the situation is still as desribed...
NO WAY, NO HOW, NOT EVER, NO QUESTION, would I ever send my 5 year old into that situation and subject him to those conditions...

Especially at five years old, my child would never have been able to tolerate that. That is not learning... that is not an acceptable learning environment for 5 year olds.... that is almost abuse....

Strong words, I know.
But, I am simply being point-blank and very serious.

 

[powellrj]

We just left a terrible situation. We knew it was bad but had no idea how bad it was until we left and she is in her new school.

What a huge difference it has made in all of our lives.

I would do whatever it takes to get him into a better situation. Indiana now lets you attend any school district that will accept you and take your state funding with you. Is that an option for you?

 

[Mkrop]

At this point finding where I live is easy so I'll just go ahead and out myself lol I live in schuylkill county other info can be easily found what school I'm talking about if anyone is really bored and feels the need to stalk me I have a very boring mostly normal life

I think my plan as of right now is give it a week maybe two at most if it's as bad as I think it could me I'll pull him out and send him to catholic that would give us enough time to get the money together too who knows if the tuition is based in family size he might be able to go for a reduced or free I've never asked anyone for "chairty" or been on welfare but this situation might make me do just that

Our Catholic school is x amt for the first student, then it decreases in ratio after 3 kids in the family attend the school. Our school has payment plans and we do have some although limited financial aid available, but it never hurts to ask. We also have a reduced/free lunch program

 

[taximomfor4]

Our elementary school is all open floor plan. I can't stand it, but it seems the kids adjust. Even my ADHD one was there for 6 years and was an excellent student. Same with the child with Sensory Integration Disorder. Amazing how kids can adapt to things that adults just can't.

I guess way back when, kids were taught wherever they could stick them, and that worked fine too so as a temporary (one year) solution, just 6 classes like this instead of a whole school, while not ideal, seems perfectly workable.

 

[HelenePA]

I have only read the OP's post... not all the replies...

If the situation is still as desribed...
NO WAY, NO HOW, NOT EVER, NO QUESTION, would I ever send my 5 year old into that situation and subject him to those conditions...

Especially at five years old, my child would never have been able to tolerate that. That is not learning... that is not an acceptable learning environment for 5 year olds.... that is almost abuse....

Strong words, I know.
But, I am simply being point-blank and very serious.

Abuse? no. Is it ideal? No but seriously there is NO room for kids in the school. What do you do? As I said more "learning cottages" (ie trailers) on the school grounds is not doable. I just wish it wasn't k and prek. I do wish it was my 2nd grader.. I KNOW she'd be fine.. I just worry about him not because he's dumb but honestly she's smarter and would adapt more easily than him. There I said it.. My dd is smarter than my son and would do better in that enviroment. Anyway.. its going to happen no matter what I say we have to run down there today to drop off a paper I should have filled out at the end of the school year for one of my dd's.. i signed 2 of the dress code papers.. I seem to have fortten to return one must do that today or she wont be going to school monday

Everyone have a happy school year.. I think my horse is dead no point of beating it anymore

 

[HelenePA]

Our Catholic school is x amt for the first student, then it decreases in ratio after 3 kids in the family attend the school. Our school has payment plans and we do have some although limited financial aid available, but it never hurts to ask. We also have a reduced/free lunch program

We make to much for the free/reduced lunch program plus they bring their own lunch about 80 percent of the time.. school lunches are gross

 

[golfgal]

Our elementary school is all open floor plan. I can't stand it, but it seems the kids adjust. Even my ADHD one was there for 6 years and was an excellent student. Same with the child with Sensory Integration Disorder. Amazing how kids can adapt to things that adults just can't.

I guess way back when, kids were taught wherever they could stick them, and that worked fine too so as a temporary (one year) solution, just 6 classes like this instead of a whole school, while not ideal, seems perfectly workable.

Sometimes the open concept schools are BETTER for kids with ADHD and Sensory issues because they don't have to be RIGHT next to other kids all day long. There are more options with desk placement/work areas for them in an open concept school. Now, having said that, I went to an open concept school 4-6th grades and would NEVER send my kids to one. It was a very good school, wins all kinds of awards, etc. but it was just too easy to not do anything all day and make it look like you were working .

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Also, I don't know if it's doable for you or not, but if it doesn't go well you can withdrawal him and send hime next year when there's room. I'd check now to see how your district handles enrolling k vs. 1st grade.

In PA you must be 5 to start attending and you must be attending by the time you are 8. There is no rule about what grade you start in.

My dd has a late birthday and she actually started public school with 1st grade when she was 5 because she had already completed a K program at her daycare. My school only required a letter attesting to that. Which may be another option for you - Catholic School is not the only place to get private K classes.

That is true, in PA, Kindergarten is optional!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

At this point finding where I live is easy so I'll just go ahead and out myself lol I live in schuylkill county other info can be easily found what school I'm talking about if anyone is really bored and feels the need to stalk me I have a very boring mostly normal life

I think my plan as of right now is give it a week maybe two at most if it's as bad as I think it could me I'll pull him out and send him to catholic that would give us enough time to get the money together too who knows if the tuition is based in family size he might be able to go for a reduced or free I've never asked anyone for "chairty" or been on welfare but this situation might make me do just that

As a mom we have to do what we have to do for our kids. Check it out, see what you can find out about going for reduced cost.

 

[disneydentist]

Well I live in a very low cost of area living my house payment is probably less than your car payment but that also means jobs don't pay as much here as they do other places we are not poor but 4k is a lot for us to come up with over a weekend! Actually is 2k we would need the school has a strict 2 payment policy if I had know about this at the end of last school year we could have done it but there is no way I can get that together over 3 days we don't have credit cards we just paid off our 2nd van the other was paid for in cash as well. As for the big deal I also went to school with no ac but it was in a class room with windows that could open for a breeze and the end of last school year they had the award cermony in the same place they have his class it was close to 90 that day after an hour I walked out of there dripping with sweat it was hot and I had a tank top on he'll be in a polo and shorts not thin ones either poor kid at least the hot icky weather will only be here a few days as much as I hate fall and temps in the 60-70's this year I'm praying they come soon I'll put on my happy face and send him with a smile honestly it's the only thing I can do right now he'll have a great time I'm sure he was a little chatter box last night it was fun for him to see everyone he had class with last year he's been looking forward to this since school ended in June ;-)

Trinity Academy tuition is $2100 (for a registered member of a parish) not $4000. It is payable in two installments or in installments through the FACTS program.

 

[MushyMushy]

I don't know why they didn't do this with the older kids instead. Their classes seem to be more quiet and seatwork oriented than the younger grades.

At any rate, back in the dark ages when I was in middle school, we had some classes like that in our gym (in the basement, no windows, NO PARTITIONS ). It was tough getting used to at first, but it worked out fine. A year or so ago, I was subbing at that school and covered for a gym teacher in that particular gym and was thinking back on that completely amazed at how we had all those classes in there.

What a shame you didn't find out about this at the beginning of summer when you could have done something about it, though!

 

[HelenePA]

Trinity Academy tuition is $2100 (for a registered member of a parish) not $4000. It is payable in two installments or in installments through the FACTS program.

I'm not a member of the parish so I think it's 3200 then there are more costs listed at the bottom add on uniforms as well it's about 4k$

 

[arminnie]

Take heart (and a deep breath!) It will be okay.

It will be okay. I'd be concerned about the heat - but that will be over in a few weeks.

But you have to realize that your son has no notion of what K-garten is suppose to be like. So I know you are upset but to him it will be normal so try and not project your unhappiness about the situation and I think he will have a good year.

I am the first of the babyboomers. Yes I am old, but I still remember elementary school. You have NO idea how crowded the schools were. I went half days through the third grade. One year we had 3 grades in one room that had been the teacher's lounge. It was tiny even for 1 grade. My mother used to say that my class was in the broom closet.

But you know what - I didn't know any better as this was my first experience with school. I remember checking with my friends on my street to see if they had the same half day so we could play together. It just seemed normal to me.

We all survived and even thrived.

 

[clh2]

Take heart (and a deep breath!) It will be okay.


And lastly, kids will go with the vibe of us adults... Act like it will be fine... an adventure! and they will follow our lead. They also sense when we are frustrated... so do watch that.

Trust me, they know it didn't go perfectly. They know there are issues that need to be ironed out. They feel bad that they weren't 100% ready to welcome your Kindergartner with open arms.

My advice... one mom to another. Be open to communicating... without feeling like you have to lay down the hammer. Take a deep breath and know that kids are more resilient than we give them credit for. And keep a positive face for your little one. Because if you show your anger, frustration, etc... HE WILL feel it, and it won't help.

Your situation would frustrate most parents. I do agree with everything that descovy mentioned (although the Girl Scout camp I volunteered for last week had different issues than the ones that she mentioned.)

I know it is hard...please check your attitude. Kids pick up on that so very fast.

Good Luck! When my DD was in K many years ago, the kids did many learning centers and were moving around about every 20 minutes or so. The gym will allow that to happen very easily!