I don't know what to do?.. warning long

**Dancing Lotus** · 07-24-2008, 05:43 PM

Hi everyone.
She had a great first day. I'm already pleased with the communication. Her teacher has given us all a laminated magnet with her phone number and e-mail. She sent home some great info about what they will be doing this year. And a clear communication log that will be sent home everyday.

I decided in order to make things go more smoothly this year I posted a daily routine on the fridge with homework and reading time clearly marked.

She did very well on her test but I'm not paying that any mind. We are stating over in a new school and forgetting last yr happened.

**Michelle68** · 07-24-2008, 07:00 PM

I'm so glad she had a good first day, Ann. Please keep us updated on how it goes.

--Michelle

**xtena** · 07-24-2008, 08:28 PM

Wow, they've started back up to school in your neck of the woods already? LOL our kids are still going (year round)the term ends mid August and they start back up two weeks later except for the 'track one' kids who don't start till Sept.

You did the right thing by your daughter and hopefully she'll have a wonderful year and a good teacher. She already has a great mother and that's a big part of what it takes to succeed in school these days!!!

**ladykemma2** · 07-24-2008, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Mamaof2rugrats

5 years old? Says who? I know very few people who send their children to school at 5. Most I know start at 6-7. There is no rule that says the year they turn 5. IMO that's way too young. That child was just 4 not long ago! People just seem to not want to spend much time with their children these days and instead want to rush them off to public school as soon as they possibly can.

due to "no child left begind" pre k (for non english speakers) and K are mandatory here in texas. standardized testing is just around the corner and the child may not advance to the (third?) grade. kids in texas are expected to read by end of kindergarten.

**Frugal Nurse** · 07-24-2008, 08:59 PM

Ann, I am so glad you were able to work through this.
It will be the best thing for her.

Good for you! and better that you feel completely confident with your decision.

**anelth** · 07-24-2008, 09:49 PM

I think you will be glad you did this. I purposely held my daughter back a year from K. She went to pre-K when she could have gone to K. Now she is one of the oldest kids starting in the 7th grade rather than one of the youngest. It was the best thing I could have done for her. I have never regreted it. My DD and I both have September birthdays, and I truly believe I would have benefited by being held back a year like she was to allow myself to mature emotionally. I was/am very sky and insecure about myself. I always have felt inferior even though, logically, I know this is not the case.

She is very happy and content with her class and progressing at an average rate (not ahead/straight A student, but not below either). She is an average A/B student that has to study for her grades. But, the real benefit is that she will be a little girl one year longer than she would if I had sent her earlier.

Where I live, it is now becoming the norm to start kids in K at age 6. Just giving them a change to mature that one year can make a world of difference.

**Bethany** · 07-24-2008, 09:54 PM

No answers here, BUT, my son needed special help in reading for the first three months of First grade, but by April he was reading at an almost fourth grade level. Can they advance your dtr but give her special help????

**Libby** · 07-25-2008, 04:13 AM

Wow is there ever a lot of food for thought in this thread! Good job Ann!!

I was going to add (now please do not label me as anti-teacher or anything else - this is just my opinion) that just b/c you are a teacher does not mean you are best suited for the job, you know whats best for the child and are giving your job the full 200% it requires.

Sadly I have friends who have gone through all the schooling to become a teacher to only realize they want to do something else with their lives. In turn, they only 'teach' to pay off their student loans and for more schooling towards their preferred career. They only do the bare minimum and basically do a half@ssed job if that and only care b/c they are paid and told to. So....would this person truly know whats best for your child? Are they even paying enough attention to your child? When I was in pre-k and K, our class was overcrowded due to budget cuts and our classes were actually twice the number of students it should've been.

With that being said, take into consideration the level of potential in your child and how ready they are for the 'now'. Some children just aren't ready and able to start learning the actual school things - reading and match etc along with socialzation skills/how to interact with other children who are 'not like them' and are complete strangers along with following a school schedule. Some children can roll with the punches while others just need a little bit more extra attention in learning how to do so. This theme carries on throughout life. All you can do is expose them to more learning opportunities and hope they decide to retain it and get their brains going faster.

Originally Posted by AnnK

Hi everyone.
She had a great first day. I'm already pleased with the communication. Her teacher has given us all a laminated magnet with her phone number and e-mail. She sent home some great info about what they will be doing this year. And a clear communication log that will be sent home everyday.

I decided in order to make things go more smoothly this year I posted a daily routine on the fridge with homework and reading time clearly marked.

She did very well on her test but I'm not paying that any mind. We are stating over in a new school and forgetting last yr happened.

Ann - I think its great that you've given her the opportunity of time and and 2nd chance. Being at a new school and re-doing K is definately buying her more time and teaching her that she can go at her own speed....you're doing nothing but encouraging her. Plus knowing the lessons plans and when/what homework is coming will definately help you help her. I'm glad you're both happy!

And as you said, new school, no one knows she is doing K all over again - consider the first year a trial run or pre-K.

PS: There ARE teachers out there that do give it their full 200% and go over and above what they need to do. Those are the ones that are forever stuck in our memories. You do not go forgotten and unnoticed.

**heartofmine** · 07-25-2008, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by AnnK

Hi everyone.
She had a great first day. I'm already pleased with the communication. Her teacher has given us all a laminated magnet with her phone number and e-mail. She sent home some great info about what they will be doing this year. And a clear communication log that will be sent home everyday.

I decided in order to make things go more smoothly this year I posted a daily routine on the fridge with homework and reading time clearly marked.

She did very well on her test but I'm not paying that any mind. We are stating over in a new school and forgetting last yr happened.

I'm so glad to hear she's doing well and that things are looking up for you both. I'll keep your little girl in my prayers as she starts a whole new adventure in her new school.

**tamiky** · 07-27-2008, 12:54 AM

I have been a teacher for over 22 years. I highly recommend giving your little girl another year in K. At this stage especially since you are changing schools, she will quickly adapt to her environment. Also she will experience success and develop self confidence. I teach 4th grade and I wish the parents I deal with would have been wise enough to give their child that extra year at K or first grade. These are crucial learning times. Good Luck!

**ubumartin** · 07-27-2008, 08:56 AM

I am not a teacher but I work as a nurse in a special needs program. I would take two children to a 1st grade class and would see a few children in the class who struggled. Several of those who I watch struggle ended up being retained in the same room with the same teacher (who was wonderful I believe). The next year they were confident, outgoing, and you could see what knowing some of the material did for them. It was all the same but the second time around they just got it. They didn't start out behind and were not trying to catch up all year. It may be something to think about.