I met with the principal this morning. I was pessimistic going into the meeting (I tried really hard not to cry) and my fears were affirmed when she wasn't going to budge on the 4 year old kindergarten rule. Lily will have to attend 4-year-old kindergarten next year if I want her to attend the school in the future. Sending Lily would mean my 4-year-old at school (away from me) 5 half-days a week in a rule-laden, academic environment. It would also entail a 3 hour driving commitment each day to and from school (Isabel would be strapped in the car for at least 2 hours).
I can understand, 4K parents want confirmation that their children will be able to attend the school. But at the same time, we were not aware that 4K is required (anywhere). She told me that the students were coming into the kindergarten program unprepared, and she felt that it was very important to have 4K before 5K. Give me a break! Claire knew her alphabet, many phonetic sounds, how to read simple words, how to count to 100, and simple addition facts before kindergarten. I think that she did just fine without 4K. If I wanted to be a booger and take this to a higher authority...I think that I would have a completely legitimate case. There was NO mention of this rule before Friday (I checked, and re-checked all the admission literature I have).
My first instinct is to say "Screw you and your preppy academy!" and pull Claire out and home-school, but I know that's not the right reaction. This is a very important, emotional decision. A decision that will have lasting consequences for our family and the education of our daughters. So, Chris and I have to make this tough choice again.
3 comments:
Oh, Erin, I wish I could make this easy for you and give you some advice or something. But it's going to be some time of hard choices. I'm sorry.
My brother was in the same boat with his kids. He didn't want to put the kids in preschool, but his kids probably wouldn't have been allowed into the congregation's school unless they started off in K3. I can see the school's point, but it just stinks that people have to be making decisions about school when their babies are still so young.
Erin, Lauren alerted me to your dilema. If you would like some thoughts please feel free to call some evening.
Education is lifelong and doesn't necessarily have to fit into someone else's preconceived schedule.Don't be so hard on yourself. Your girls will do just fine whatever you decide,simply by virtue of the character and priorities of their parents.
(And I hope they all get measuring spoons for Christmas--I loved their attempt at cake decorating!)
Erin,
This is a big one and I am saddened to read your stuggle with it all. My daughter, Mary, and I love checking on your blog just to see what the girls are up to...they are such sweet, funny, creative, trouble making, kids.
I know we don't know each other well, but I have heard about you over the years from Susan. :) If you choose the school route you will make the adjustments and take the good with the bad and life will go on. You have quality time at home...you will still be a stay at home mommy making your home a place of contentment for your kids.
If you decide to home school...there is a group of moms, a whole bunch of them, who can help you out and share in all those joys and sorrows of motherhood. And remember...if you continue to keep the kids in school, you can always change your mind. And...if you pull them out and home school, you can always take that year by year, or month by month, or day by day. :)
You and Chris will be in my prayers.
Laura
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