Invitation to PreK/K!
Jana is in PreSchool I this year. Her class track is then to proceed to PreSchool II then PreK/K. Some of us were notified last week that our children have the opportunity to go PreK/K next fall instead of PreSchool II. The parents meeting was yesterday.
There are 8 slots open (out of 20) and there were parents of 8 children at the meeting. I'm thrilled! I was also a bit surprised to hear that I seem to be the only parent enthusiastic about this opportunity. From what I gather from comments and questions of the other parents is a concern for the "lessons" vs "play" ratio. And for some, losing the stability of being with the same people for the past 4 years or so. Others mentioned concern over, "repeating a class."
One parent is just assuming that since Jana is a September baby and for the school district, you must be 5 by September 1, it's a no brainer to want to jump to PreK/K. My response in general: each child is different and every parent has different values. Age doesn't make it a no brainer.
Another parent asked me how I can be so sure. I responded that I'm not, I just see more options available by taking this opportunity. Should Jana go into PreK/K in the Fall, depending on how she does, we'll have the option to:
* stay another year - it's not like she's repeating the same grade, it is PreK/K that is Montessori-like
* after a year of PreK/K, she could do K in a regular elementary school
* after a year of PreK/K, if she does really well, should might be able to start into the 1st grade.
As we walked away, the parent of one of Jana's best friends spoke to me personally. I told her that I thought her daughter was the most mature of the class and that I think it'd be a great opportunity for her. She expressed concern of pushing her daughter. I smiled, "In all honesty, I think Misty will be happier to be with older kids. How often do you see or hear of the children [Jana and Misty] playing with the younger set?"
As to the social part, well, over the years, Jana has lost a best or close friend each year. She's had to cope with that already. Lulu, Arete and Anderson. She has memories and pictures of them, and she still speaks of Arete. If she winds up separating from Misty and Alex, I'll keep with playdates with them. Jana already has friends in Kindergarten and 1st grade.
Definitely an opportunity for us.
There are 8 slots open (out of 20) and there were parents of 8 children at the meeting. I'm thrilled! I was also a bit surprised to hear that I seem to be the only parent enthusiastic about this opportunity. From what I gather from comments and questions of the other parents is a concern for the "lessons" vs "play" ratio. And for some, losing the stability of being with the same people for the past 4 years or so. Others mentioned concern over, "repeating a class."
One parent is just assuming that since Jana is a September baby and for the school district, you must be 5 by September 1, it's a no brainer to want to jump to PreK/K. My response in general: each child is different and every parent has different values. Age doesn't make it a no brainer.
Another parent asked me how I can be so sure. I responded that I'm not, I just see more options available by taking this opportunity. Should Jana go into PreK/K in the Fall, depending on how she does, we'll have the option to:
* stay another year - it's not like she's repeating the same grade, it is PreK/K that is Montessori-like
* after a year of PreK/K, she could do K in a regular elementary school
* after a year of PreK/K, if she does really well, should might be able to start into the 1st grade.
As we walked away, the parent of one of Jana's best friends spoke to me personally. I told her that I thought her daughter was the most mature of the class and that I think it'd be a great opportunity for her. She expressed concern of pushing her daughter. I smiled, "In all honesty, I think Misty will be happier to be with older kids. How often do you see or hear of the children [Jana and Misty] playing with the younger set?"
As to the social part, well, over the years, Jana has lost a best or close friend each year. She's had to cope with that already. Lulu, Arete and Anderson. She has memories and pictures of them, and she still speaks of Arete. If she winds up separating from Misty and Alex, I'll keep with playdates with them. Jana already has friends in Kindergarten and 1st grade.
Definitely an opportunity for us.