Kindergarten move-up day cancelled

[Hillbeans]

Generally I stay out of school politics and politics in general but i'm pretty miffed about this - I got a voice mail from the school that said "Due to the Financial crisis in our school district the Elementary school will not be hosting move-up day next week".

Um...Move up day is a chance for the kids entering Kindergarten to go and see the school and look in the classrooms, cafeteria and gym during school hours for 30 minutes...what huge financial impact would this event have on the school?

They are not serving meals, giving stuff away or having the event after hours. It is a free event. I get the feeling this is a move by the board to make a statement that our town budget was shot down by an overwhelming no vote last month.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Yea I agree WTH! I would be ticked. Those little ones need some reassurance and seeing the school prior to their actual first day is a huge comfort for most.

My daughter is in K this year. Last year they had an open house and the kids got to walk through the school and even ride the bus.

This year, the kids get to spend one day, all day in school. Riding the bus both ways, recess and lunch. All to get ready for 1st grade. Its a huge deal to the kids. My daughters full day is this Thursday. She's so stinkin excited, she can't stand herself.

I would definetly complain....and loud.

 

[hereyago]

Is this "Open House" or a precursor to Open House?

 

[Ceila]

Around here (southern NJ) "move up day" refers to the day that students get to meet their teachers for the next year, and "kindergarten round-up day" is when the soon-to-be kindergartners get to visit the school (and everything you described in your post). They might not be willing to tell the kids who their teachers will be when staffing issues are still very unresolved at this point.

Maybe there will still be some kind of orientation scheduled for closer to the start of next school year.

 

[Hillbeans]

This would have been the day to see their classroom and meet their teacher. I understand with the budget cuts that they may not have everything in place as far as staffing goes but to cancel the event and play the financial crisis card is not right.

In February at registration the kids were able to ride on the bus and we had to turn in all of our forms.

I never, ever complain about stuff at school, in fact I sent my short and sweet e-mail about this to the wrong superintendent (the one for the HS instead of the Elementary school). I think this event is being used to make a point and that is what bothers me the most.

 

[Ceila]

This would have been the day to see their classroom and meet their teacher. I understand with the budget cuts that they may not have everything in place as far as staffing goes but to cancel the event and play the financial crisis card is not right.

In February at registration the kids were able to ride on the bus and we had to turn in all of our forms.

I never, ever complain about stuff at school, in fact I sent my short and sweet e-mail about this to the wrong superintendent (the one for the HS instead of the Elementary school). I think this event is being used to make a point and that is what bothers me the most.

I really have to disagree that the school is trying to "play the financial crisis card" just to make a point. It really would not be fair to the kids - especially kindergartners - to tell them they have one teacher and then change that on them. Schools are NOT able to make classroom assignments at this point, since the budget still hasn't even been finalized at the state level.

Have you asked if they will hold one later in the summer, once the classroom situations have been resolved? My guess is that is what will happen.

Believe me, this financial crisis is affecting me, my job, and my children directly. I'm not happy with how our administration has made decisions in our district, but I think you are reading the wrong things into the decision your child's school made.

 

[DVC mom]

I am not sure how this works in your area BUT if staff is needed to cover classes so teachers can mingle with the new incoming kids this may be your issue. We have ZERO money for subs.

 

[krcit]

Generally I stay out of school politics and politics in general but i'm pretty miffed about this - I got a voice mail from the school that said "Due to the Financial crisis in our school district the Elementary school will not be hosting move-up day next week".

Um...Move up day is a chance for the kids entering Kindergarten to go and see the school and look in the classrooms, cafeteria and gym during school hours for 30 minutes...what huge financial impact would this event have on the school?

They are not serving meals, giving stuff away or having the event after hours. It is a free event. I get the feeling this is a move by the board to make a statement that our town budget was shot down by an overwhelming no vote last month.

I would inquire as to why and how finances figure in this. I don't doubt it is a 'scare tactic' used to get people to reverse their budget votes. I remember when our districts budget was voted down a few years ago. The letters started going out about how their would be no summer school, no aides in the classes and no security in the K center. Everyone panicked and of course, the budget passed on revote. I don't even vote anymore b/c if it fails they just revote and the majority of the budget is untouchable teacher/admin salaries and benefits.

 

[krcit]

I am not sure how this works in your area BUT if staff is needed to cover classes so teachers can mingle with the new incoming kids this may be your issue. We have ZERO money for subs.

That's a good point.I hadn't considered that.

 

[DVC mom]

Sorry....I forgot to add "AND MEET THE TEACHER"...that is out of the question any year at this point here. We have sign up in Feb. HOWEVER we have well over 1/2 our kids to come and sign up during the summer and up until the week school starts. We have to let those kids in too. There is NO way to keep a balanced roll race/gender etc. with so much in transition. Now with buget issues as they are...we don't have staff resolved and will not have until MUCH closer to school starting. We do not announce teachers until open house 1-2 days before school begins and that too is subject to change. I would think having a 'meet the school' prior to open house would start a frenzy of reqests to be in a certain class that a parent liked during the walkthrough. That starts another can of worms...

 

[luvsJack]

At our school, there has always been a chance of the kids not meeting their teacher on this day. The number of K teachers depends on the number of kids who register and this number can change dramatically between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next.

So, many times the kids come and see the classrooms, look around the school, meet the principal, the music teacher and the PE teachers and the "kindergarten teachers"--all of them. But they are not told whose class they will be in because another teacher may be hired or one laid off or moved. I don't see why any school district that is looking at possible changes couldn't do the same thing. It may not give the kids the opportunity to meet their own teacher but at least they will get to spend time at the school and have a chance to get over their fears a little bit.

 

[Nancyg56]

So, many times the kids come and see the classrooms, look around the school, meet the principal, the music teacher and the PE teachers and the "kindergarten teachers"--all of them. But they are not told whose class they will be in because another teacher may be hired or one laid off or moved. I don't see why any school district that is looking at possible changes couldn't do the same thing. It may not give the kids the opportunity to meet their own teacher but at least they will get to spend time at the school and have a chance to get over their fears a little bit.

I know that budgets are tight all over but I think that this is a great way to let the little ones have their special day.

I think that I would contact the administration and ask how the decision was reached to cancel Move up day. If this is simply because the students are not able to meet teachers at this time I would suggest that the school try to implement the plan the poster here has suggested. If it is to cut costs I would ask if it is possible to go to the PTO for help. If this is a scare tactic there will be pushback on all suggestions. If the finances are the true issue the administration should have no problem if the money is raised elsewhere.

 

[Stacerita]

I dont see what the big deal is. Budgets are tight everywhere. Why can't the little ones check out the school on their first day? Are they really going to remember when the cafeteria is come Sept? Probably not. IF the school needs to cut costs, then I would much rather see it be something like this than learning materials or teachers.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I dont see what the big deal is. Budgets are tight everywhere. Why can't the little ones check out the school on their first day? Are they really going to remember when the cafeteria is come Sept? Probably not. IF the school needs to cut costs, then I would much rather see it be something like this than learning materials or teachers.

Because snowy needs a special day - who cares about the budget?

 

[Hillbeans]

Because snowy needs a special day - who cares about the budget?

That is highly unfair and and if you knew me at all you'd know that I don't believe my child is a special snowflake.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I'd be ticked too. Not when I know that the Superintendents and Administration get paid beaucoup bucks... and they can't "afford" a small program like this?? Um, no. Sorry Charlie.

*Especially when I get a phone call from my mother (Elem. teacher) that brand new books are being thrown in the dumpster because they're getting new ones. Her school district is always crying poor and making all these unnecessary cuts because of the "budget." Makes me mad!

 

[ajk912]

I TOTALLY get your frustration and I was a first time mom once, as well. But every school I have seen REALLY takes care of the kindergarteners to help them transition. We always have a supply dropoff day a few days before school, so that's a good time to see the cafeteria and meet the teacher and unload your supplies. It will be ok, I promise!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Here they usually cut office staff first, before they cut classroom staff. The result is that you've got one or two people covering an office that used to have more people.

Running an event like the one you're talking about puts a lot of demands on the office staff, and if they're also handling registration they may simply not have the time.

We've never had an event like that where I live, and our Kindergarteners have all transitioned without issue.

 

[Hillbeans]

Running an event like the one you're talking about puts a lot of demands on the office staff, and if they're also handling registration they may simply not have the time.

I understand that, I really do - but they just sent out letters from the Principal along with name tags for everyone last week - so now all that $ spent on postage and paper and time is wasted. I also put in for 1/2 day at work. Oh well - i'm sure my special snowy will be just fine come September.

I should know better even bringing something like this up, i've been on the DIS for years...

 

[Ceila]

I understand that, I really do - but they just sent out letters from the Principal along with name tags for everyone last week - so now all that $ spent on postage and paper and time is wasted. I also put in for 1/2 day at work. Oh well - i'm sure my special snowy will be just fine come September.

I should know better even bringing something like this up, i've been on the DIS for years...

Aside from one comment, most people here are just trying to give you some perspective on this. Several of us have pointed out that there may be very valid reasons for them canceling (or delaying) the event. We all understand your disappointment, and are just trying to help you see that the admin might not be as uncaring as you perceive them right now.