kindergarden registration - :(

boyohboyohboy wrote: ok, I cant get my mind wrapped around that caleb is old enough to be heading to school, and I have been blaming my own preg. hormones for my tears on the matter...but something has occured to me..

How is it that we spend 9 months caring for this little baby inside, making sure we eat right, do everything possible for a healthy baby...then when it gets here, we nurse it, and feed it, and stay up with it, (for years in my case) and just protect them from everything...

we dont send them to daycare with out fully inspecting the teachers, the aides, the other kids and parents, the rooms, the buildings, the food....we sneak in at unidentified times, to check them out....but as soon as they turn 5
(which is still so young to me)
we send them to a place full of STRANGERS, and just let them go, to be with whoever, doing who knows what, eating who knows what, and hearing who knows what...and going into bathrooms alone ( I never let him do that in public)

I feel like its so unresponsible of me, to just send my child off into a school system I know nothing about, and its the law. I HAVE TOO!

something seems wrong with this system.

and I alone here?

boyohboyohboy replied: ok so the 6 people that read my post, but didnt respond, think I am insane right?

I know this to shall pass, but its hard to send my baby off to school.
someone tell me this is normal..jennie?

DansMom replied: You should totally set up a visit to the school. And meet the teacher. I hear you, Stacy! It's going to be so hard to let my little boy go to this big, strange place. I did feel better after attending the open house though---do they have something like that?

MomToJade&Jordan replied: I guess I am fortunate in that the school we are zoned for I actually do an afterschool music class with. It's a great school and as hard as it's going to be to send her off without me I know she's going to love it. If you are feeling unsure about it all do some research and visit the school and the teachers. I'm sure they will be obliging.

Kaitlin'smom replied: I have another year before I have to decided where she will go.......

boyohboyohboy replied: I do believe there is an open house later in the year, which we will be attending. but my Dh also wants a (cilabis SP?) of what they are teaching him..each yr.
I just keep thinking, about all the strangers, the janitors, the caffiteria people, the aides....there are so many strangers he will be exposed too.
I know caleb will be fine...he is ready. I am not ready, especially to deal with the (what ifs..out there)

DansMom replied: Let's have a cyper-panic-party in September! That first day will be the hardest.

boyohboyohboy replied: i will so be there!

lesliesmom replied: The school we send our kids too have open houses for preschool, kindergarten and then 1st grade. We've been to them all in the last 3 years. They give us a syllabus of the class, what they plan on teaching, the way the day goes and things they do. Plus you get to meet the teacher(s), which I found to be very comforting. I definitely suggest attending. in fact, DH and I are going to the preschool open house tonight for our son, even though his sister has already been through the program (never hurts incase there has been a change in curriculum). Good luck!!

lisar replied: Well I checked out the school just like I would a daycare. Here I can go and sit thru a class all day if I want. I can meet the teachers that Lexi would get. The whole 9 yards. I did that here. And if I didnt like them then I would get them into another school. I love Lexi's teacher right now hate the school and the administration but I love her teacher which the only reason I havent pulled her out of there yet. But you can still check them out. And you can go and have lunch with them whenever you want.

And you arent alone.

mom21kid2dogs replied: I think Kindergarten tends to sneak up on every parent before they are ready.

We were fortunate to send our child to a school that is very small (68 kids total K-6) and more like a family than a school, so we didn't have grave reservations about it but it still was hard to believe she was "there" already! Luckily, she's had a fantastic experience, a great year and goes every day with exuberence.

I *think* most states now have their Dept of Ed state curriculmn standards online (I know Ohio does) which will give your husband the information he is looking for. It should outline for parents established guidelines/competencies for each grade level (i.e. what they are expected to know at the completion of each grade). If it's not online call your state dept of Ed for a free copy. Most states also publish online a "report card" of how each school in a given district does in regard to meeting the outlined state standards. You can check out how your district does in meeting the standards. You don't have to wait for the open house to observe a classroom. You should be able to set up an appointment with the school to observe. Also many districts offer "open enrollment". In our district, children can attend any elementary school (based on availability) within the district. The burden of transporting falls onto the parent, but the option is available. You might check it out if you find you don't like the neighborhood school.

Lastly, some states offer income qualifying state supported vouchers for children to attend private schools as an option to public. It might be worth checking into if you'd like a smaller school setting or have a poorly performing elementary program.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Totally normal! I felt the same way when I signed Tanner up. I do see the good in it though. He is a very social butterfly and loves to learn. We went to a big sibling class last week and he told me it was more fun than being at home. I was sad and hurt, but I know that it is what is best for him. If it wasn't, there is always the homeschooling option. I think it really is a matter of us not being ready, but they are. I don't like that feeling. I will probably worry all day on his first day.