Talk to me about public school kindergarten, please! - Page 2

[Thalia the Muse]

Full day here is 8:15 to 1:15, and that includes an hour for lunch, and a morning recess. It's really not that long!

[Thalia the Muse]

Hey -- meli, this morning I noticed that at least one kid in DD's kindergarten has a Wiggles backpack!

[UUMom]

My first three children did attend kindergarten, and it was a lovely experience for them. We carefully chose it, and were very happy with the experience. Our children all had the same K teacher, so we also became friends. I think preschool and kindy is a different animal, unlike the older grades. (I know there are horrible kindys out there, for sure, but for a lot people, it's still sweet and kind). My childrens' K teacher (RIP) used to tell the parents at the orientation that 'Childhood is a journey, not a race". I never got tired of that presentation, and I heard it multiple times... lol

So, I would say, it depends...on your needs, your childs needs, the school, the warmth of the classrrom etc etc

[Meli65]

UUmom -- and any others -- did your children attend public school after kindergarten? Why or why not?

I called the school back yesterday after still not hearing from them -- the secretary spoke to the principal and told me that they are testing (!) all this week (!!) and that I should call back next week and she'll be happy to see me then. So, we'll see.

[UUMom]

Originally Posted by Meli65

UUmom -- and any others -- did your children attend public school after kindergarten? Why or why not?

I called the school back yesterday after still not hearing from them -- the secretary spoke to the principal and told me that they are testing (!) all this week (!!) and that I should call back next week and she'll be happy to see me then. So, we'll see.

Sadly, I didn't like the ratio of little ones to teachers at our neighborhood school. The teachers were very nice to us during the visit, and I liked the playground and the principal. My oldest didn't go to public school until he was 15, and my youngest ds spent a few months in 5th grade (1 to 18 seemed less horrible at age 11) at that same neighborhood school, but then transferred back to his private school (after hsing for a time). My teen dd hasn't been to school since age 10 (attended a small private school) and my youngest has never attended school at all.

However, I would caution against thinking all private schools are better than all public schools. I have observed some very nice public school Kindys. Kindergarten is very often quite different. Some schools might be terrible for older kids, but do a very nice job with the youngest ones. I have a relative who works in a small private school, and I would sned my child to any public school kindy over that one. It's all sitting and doing A beka workbooks and there are lots of punishments, including not allowing children to play at recess. It's common to see a line up of little boys in time out against the wall.

[Thalia the Muse]

We're going on to first grade in July at the public school (they're on a multitrack year-round schedule ... don't get me started!). So far I've been really impressed with the school administration and the teachers, and as long as DD is having good experiences we'll stay with them.

They have a combined 1-3 grade "accelerated" class which is team taught and has a lot of enrichment, lets the kids work at their own pace, etc. I'm really hoping DD ends up there; I know her kindy teacher recommended her for it.

[JuicyPakwan]

I am another homeschool drop out. I put my son in 1st and dd in K this year. All around it has been a very positive experience. K is still half day here I wouldn't have put her in full day.

*I am revising my previous positive experience post. I just learned my son 7 years old!!! was exposed to the concept of oral sex between children and pornography we are now going back to home schooling. I feel utterly helpless and heartsick my sweet innocent boy has been exposed to such filth at my permission by allowing him to go to school.*****

[wildmonkeys]

nak

My ds had a positive public school kinder experience (despite our only option being all day)

As for innocence lost, we haven't had much of a problem. My ds was never much into Diego or the Wiggles (we don't have cable) but as a first grader still happily plays with many boys & girls at school rather than being more "boyish" and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

BJ
B, B & P

[Thalia the Muse]

I hadn't thought about it, but my daughter plays with a lot of boys, too. Even ones a few years older, when she's at her afterschool program. It's kind of suprising, isn't it? They're really sweet to her, too -- all her conflict and drama seems to come with little girls her own age! I guess she's less bossy with the boys ...

[Meli65]

Here's an update -- I finally got to visit the school today and get ds "assessed" (he did fine). On the positive side, it is a smaller school and everyone I met was super-nice and helpful, very willing to answer questions and work with me. The remaining schedules are two full days (9-3) and one half day afternoon (12:30 - 3), or five afternoons. I met the kindergarten teacher (one of two) and ds was totally enamoured with her classroom, esp. the butterflies they had hatched.

On the other hand, there is one teacher for twenty students in kindergarten (plus a reading tutor). I was surprised to see how quietly the children were sitting as they settled into their classroom (we were there for the first bell and to watch them all file in the school and into their rooms). I asked the principal about testing and how it affects the day-to-day learning, and she said that she felt it was "academically rigorous," much more so than it used to be, that cognitively most of the children were ready but that some of them just weren't able to sit still for so long.

I am sleeping on it but am leaning towards sending him in the fall. I feel like it's a good way to tiptoe into the system and get a feel for it -- worst case scenario, I can't imagine it will destroy his love for learning for life, right?