| Author |
Message |
    
Patti Lamberson
Citizen
Username: Plamberson
Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 6:04 pm: | 
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Hi, I'm considering a move to Maplewood or S.Orange this summer w/my husband and 5 year old twins. Here's the issue: My kids are almost finished with full-day kindergarten in Bklyn, and they were in pre-k last year. Since their birthday is 10/24 and the cut-off in the Ma/SO school district is 10/1, it looks like they might have to repeat kindergarten.
Not sure what to do... if they have to repeat kindergarten they might be bored... not to mention it's a half-day there... then again maybe it's better to be the oldest in the class vs. the youngest.
Anyone out there had this issue and/or could recommend alternatives?
Thanks!!
Patti
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mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1124
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 6:15 pm: |
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I think some people whose kids were in full-day K have been able to send them to first grade despite the cut-off after individual review (testing?) by the district, but I do not have personal experience and could be mis-remembering. Someone will probably post about it; if not, call the district at 973-762-5600, or try Searching the old Education threads or posting in Education.
The main thing of course is the proper placement for your particular kids. FWIW, a wise and kid-oriented former principal said the kids aren't that likely to be bored by repeating; there's still a lot of new stuff for them, and they themselves are very different than the year before.
Welcome and enjoy! |
Greeneyes
Citizen
Username: Greeneyes
Post Number: 792
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 6:20 pm: |
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I would call the So/Mplwd Bd. of Ed. office and ask if it would be true that your twins would have to repeat kindergarten. That may not be the case. The main number is 973-762-5600. I'm sorry I don't know the name of the contact person there.
I can't speak to the other question, but good luck in your home search! |
Wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2461
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 6:53 pm: |
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I believe Greeneyes is correct. It's one thing to be already living in the district with your kids too young for kindergarten based on the current cut-off (and then to possibly opt to send them to private kindergarten and hope to get them accepted and moved up) as opposed to moving here after your kids have already done kindergarten based on your old district's age cut-off. Of course still check it out for sure. I'm basically saying there is a difference and I believe that difference is meaningful for you to get your question correctly answered. In any event, a conditional welcome to you if you do move here! |
Patti Lamberson
Citizen
Username: Plamberson
Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 9:35 am: |
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thank you all for your feedback. So far the registrar is not being flexible with this. I'd post on the education board but it seems to be closed to new messages.
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5006
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 12:39 am: |
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Maybe you can send your children to a private school for first grade then enroll them in the public schools for second grade? |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3433
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 7:12 am: |
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My understanding is that you enroll the child(ren) in Kindergarten but they are evaluated during the first weeks of school and moved to first grade if they are found to be ready.
I know that there was a push by a number of private kindergarten parents recently to allow that evaluation to take place in the spring, instead, but I don't think anything came of that.
I believe that the cutoff date/age policy only applies to kindergarten and first grade. Placement based on prior grade in a different location kicks in in second grade, so that JTA's approach would work. |
msg
Citizen
Username: Msg
Post Number: 193
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 7:26 am: |
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I would deal directly with Marilyn Davenport, Elementary Asst Superinten. She has more authority than the registrar. It might mean some correspondence with your children's present teacher to say that they are ready academically and socially for first grade. The registrar may be a bit too rigid, go to the educators instead. |
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