Comments on: Colin, Mad Libs and Kindergarten http://www.jessandchuck.com/2009/01/16/colin-mad-libs-and-kindergarten/ Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:20:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: bj http://www.jessandchuck.com/2009/01/16/colin-mad-libs-and-kindergarten/comment-page-1/#comment-379 bj Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:44:33 +0000 http://www.jessandchuck.com/2009/01/16/colin-mad-libs-and-kindergarten/#comment-379 (I don't know you -- I think I found your blog through someone else's blogroll, just making it clear, so you don't think I'm a stalker) We went through this with our 5 year old whose birthday is Nov 1. He doesn't meet Seattle's cutoff for early entrance (unlike yours) and his older sister attends a private school, whose age cutoff he did not meet (and which we think is also a good fit for him), so we didn't pursue the early admission option in SPS. And, we were really daunted by the choice system, and the "last in line", meaning that we wouldn't get access to our neighborhood school (View Ridge). It's possible that the new k-8 at Addams might end up having "last in line" spots. Depending on where you live, that might be an option. If private school is an option for you, they do occasionally admit September birthday children (different schools have different cutoffs). The application deadline was Jan 15th, but some may still take an application. And, I'm kind of making the assumption that it's good to get him into school. My 5 year old (who stayed in preschool) is getting bored in school. He blanks out during the circle time. The school ahs a lot of free time, and we bring him home early/late a lot, so it works out OK, 'cause he can still do the "works" & play with his friends. Good luck (and I hope it's not too weird having a stranger drop in and say these things. It's just that your situation matched mine so well). (I don’t know you — I think I found your blog through someone else’s blogroll, just making it clear, so you don’t think I’m a stalker)

We went through this with our 5 year old whose birthday is Nov 1. He doesn’t meet Seattle’s cutoff for early entrance (unlike yours) and his older sister attends a private school, whose age cutoff he did not meet (and which we think is also a good fit for him), so we didn’t pursue the early admission option in SPS.

And, we were really daunted by the choice system, and the “last in line”, meaning that we wouldn’t get access to our neighborhood school (View Ridge). It’s possible that the new k-8 at Addams might end up having “last in line” spots. Depending on where you live, that might be an option.

If private school is an option for you, they do occasionally admit September birthday children (different schools have different cutoffs). The application deadline was Jan 15th, but some may still take an application.

And, I’m kind of making the assumption that it’s good to get him into school. My 5 year old (who stayed in preschool) is getting bored in school. He blanks out during the circle time. The school ahs a lot of free time, and we bring him home early/late a lot, so it works out OK, ’cause he can still do the “works” & play with his friends.

Good luck (and I hope it’s not too weird having a stranger drop in and say these things. It’s just that your situation matched mine so well).

]]> By: Tracy http://www.jessandchuck.com/2009/01/16/colin-mad-libs-and-kindergarten/comment-page-1/#comment-378 Tracy Sat, 17 Jan 2009 04:34:19 +0000 http://www.jessandchuck.com/2009/01/16/colin-mad-libs-and-kindergarten/#comment-378 i hear you, i'm sure it's a tough decision. just think about the long term. he may very well be ready, but then he's going to be last to get his license and most importantly, last to turn 21. not that important, but remember what that felt like :) you want him to be the FIRST to go to Ricks, not the last! HA :) i hear you, i’m sure it’s a tough decision. just think about the long term. he may very well be ready, but then he’s going to be last to get his license and most importantly, last to turn 21. not that important, but remember what that felt like :) you want him to be the FIRST to go to Ricks, not the last! HA :)

]]> By: Jess http://www.jessandchuck.com/2009/01/16/colin-mad-libs-and-kindergarten/comment-page-1/#comment-376 Jess Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:52:22 +0000 http://www.jessandchuck.com/2009/01/16/colin-mad-libs-and-kindergarten/#comment-376 yeah, you make good points - we have talked about them before and I always think of what your mom said when I am considering what to do. The whole thing might not even matter if he doesn't get in anywhere except for West Seattle or something. It is hard because he already seems like a bit of a leader in his current class. He seems to be very confident, which is great. Granted on the other hand he has been having these tantrums lately where he becomes a raving lunatic - usually around 6 PM when he is really tired. He just argues about everything except that his arguements don't make any sense :) So in that respect I can't believe he would be ready for K but then again they don't happen at school. It is still a long time away. I am just going to do what I can to keep his options open and then decided later. yeah, you make good points – we have talked about them before and I always think of what your mom said when I am considering what to do. The whole thing might not even matter if he doesn’t get in anywhere except for West Seattle or something.

It is hard because he already seems like a bit of a leader in his current class. He seems to be very confident, which is great.

Granted on the other hand he has been having these tantrums lately where he becomes a raving lunatic – usually around 6 PM when he is really tired. He just argues about everything except that his arguements don’t make any sense :) So in that respect I can’t believe he would be ready for K but then again they don’t happen at school.

It is still a long time away. I am just going to do what I can to keep his options open and then decided later.

]]> By: Tracy http://www.jessandchuck.com/2009/01/16/colin-mad-libs-and-kindergarten/comment-page-1/#comment-375 Tracy Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:45:50 +0000 http://www.jessandchuck.com/2009/01/16/colin-mad-libs-and-kindergarten/#comment-375 i don't know...i'm totally influenced by my mom who ALWAYS tells people to wait, regardless of how bright the kid is. i woudn't underestimate how the size thing will affect him. that will stay with him forever and a year can make a big difference in size and physical maturity...maybe not now or in elementary school, but in high school, etc. my brother's birthday is August 24th. he's obviously a very bright guy (and always has been) and my mom has always been thrilled at her decision to wait. and really, at the time, the only reason she did it was because his best friend at the time was 3 weeks younger and couldn't start. but she's so glad she did. my brother was pretty small headed into high school, even being in some cases 6-9 months older than other kids. she couldn't even imagine him being a year ahead. couldn't you just find an extra program for him so that's he's challenged beyond pre-school? plus, you do lots of stuff with him at home (which is probably why he's more advanced anyway). I wouldn't worry about the friends thing...they're all probably going to end up at other schools anyway. that would be more of an issue if you lived in a one school town and everyone was headed to the same kindergarten. i know lots of people (cousins, etc) who have struggled with this question, and I don't know anyone who has regretted waiting. my cousin kelly for one (with her youngest.) she waited (selfishly, since he was her last kid at home) and she's SO happy she did- he's totally thriving, and a leader in the class, even in kindergarten. you should have chuck ask eric if you want to hear more. i love the quote "i'm laughing so hard, i just can't stop"....i love feeling that way :) wish you guys were going to be there in Feb!! i don’t know…i’m totally influenced by my mom who ALWAYS tells people to wait, regardless of how bright the kid is. i woudn’t underestimate how the size thing will affect him. that will stay with him forever and a year can make a big difference in size and physical maturity…maybe not now or in elementary school, but in high school, etc.

my brother’s birthday is August 24th. he’s obviously a very bright guy (and always has been) and my mom has always been thrilled at her decision to wait. and really, at the time, the only reason she did it was because his best friend at the time was 3 weeks younger and couldn’t start. but she’s so glad she did. my brother was pretty small headed into high school, even being in some cases 6-9 months older than other kids. she couldn’t even imagine him being a year ahead.

couldn’t you just find an extra program for him so that’s he’s challenged beyond pre-school? plus, you do lots of stuff with him at home (which is probably why he’s more advanced anyway).

I wouldn’t worry about the friends thing…they’re all probably going to end up at other schools anyway. that would be more of an issue if you lived in a one school town and everyone was headed to the same kindergarten.

i know lots of people (cousins, etc) who have struggled with this question, and I don’t know anyone who has regretted waiting. my cousin kelly for one (with her youngest.) she waited (selfishly, since he was her last kid at home) and she’s SO happy she did- he’s totally thriving, and a leader in the class, even in kindergarten. you should have chuck ask eric if you want to hear more.

i love the quote “i’m laughing so hard, i just can’t stop”….i love feeling that way :)

wish you guys were going to be there in Feb!!

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