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NH_603_Family OP t1_j9wflrq wrote

Reply to comment by weveran in Kindergarten Cut Offs by NH_603_Family

Thanks for sharing your experience! October 3rd is a tricky birthday to have regarding school enrollment! As a social worker, I definitely appreciate all the research supporting later kindergarten enrollment. But my son definitely needs some sort of leveling-up next year, rather than attending his pre-school for the third year in a row. If you have any ideas for our family, please let me know!

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steelymouthtrout t1_j9wg9el wrote

Because it's a 3-day cutoff ask them to give your child an assessment and see if he's ready for kindergarten. I would push this and push this why not? You don't want to pay for another year of daycare!

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NH_603_Family OP t1_j9wh73e wrote

Thank you! I certainly will! It’s truly not about the money…education is VERY important to our family. Our town’s elementary school is not great anyways, so we are open to moving if a different town has a later cut-off date. But I will absolutely try to push this. I believe I may have an argument in that his due-date was Sept 30th, and typically they assess early developmental milestones by due-date, not by birth date. I’m a social worker with a secret lawyer side. 😆

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LilacSlumber t1_j9wsygz wrote

There is a reason the cut off date is Sept 30th. 3 days may not seem like a lot to a 30 or 40 year old, but it is to a 4 year and 5 year old.

Additionally, an academic assessment is not what will determine if a 4 year old is ready for full day Kindergarten. Kindergarten is 20% academics and 80% social/emotional.

Source - I've taught kinder for over 10 years and 1st grade for 9.

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NH_603_Family OP t1_j9wtco8 wrote

Thank you for your input! I’m willing to have my child assessed in all areas of developmental readiness for kindergarten - not just academics. I do understand that a large part of readiness has nothing to do with academics. I would be interested to learn the results of such an assessment, so I can better understand (from an objective point of view) my child’s development. I strongly feel that another year at his pre-school will bore him and not help him progress academically OR socially / emotionally. So I’m looking for a place that will better fit his needs - be it kindergarten (public or private) or another preschool aimed at 4-5 year olds. If you hav any suggestions, please let me know! And thank you for your service to our kiddos!

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George_GeorgeGlass t1_j9yhkl8 wrote

He really doesn’t have to “progress academically” at his age. Let him be a kid. He’s going there to socialize and play, not get ready for the SAT. It will be far more beneficial to him to be the older member of his class as opposed to the too young member of class for the next 13 years. Try a different Pre-K if this one is a problem but there is no benefit in rushing him and possibly actual detriment.

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LilacSlumber t1_j9wu7lr wrote

Do you mind saying what area you are in?

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NH_603_Family OP t1_j9wv2ho wrote

I live in the Mount Washington Valley (Conway) surrounding area.

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LilacSlumber t1_j9wzk3k wrote

I have had many students who have attended a private school kinder or Montessori kinder before coming to public school kinder for this reason. If there are any around you, definitely look into them.

I'm not sure how one more year of preschool will not allow your child to progress socially...? Being one of the oldest and biggest in his preschool class will teach him leadership and patience as well as give him more confidence.

Maybe you just need to find a different preschool or a pre-kinder program for him.

(I am not able to give you specific facility names because I am not familiar with your area, sorry.)

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NH_603_Family OP t1_j9x3jg2 wrote

Thank you so much for your response! Yes - I am looking into other pre-k options in my area. They are very expensive, though for the right fit I’d be willing to pay! There are also some local private and/or charter kindergarten options, which may have more flexible boards than the public elementary school.

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LilacSlumber t1_j9zsyqz wrote

Keep in mind that private and charter schools do not always staff certified teachers, in case that matters to you.

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myfacepwnsurs t1_j9x368c wrote

OP my sister lives in SAU9 and her kids birthday was October 5. She petitioned for early entrance to kindergarten and was met with a resounding no. As a matter of fact that dickhead Kevin Richard said “my kids birthday is October 7th and she didn’t get any special treatment and yours can’t either.” So my sister opted to wait a year to enroll her kid in kindergarten.

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NH_603_Family OP t1_j9x3c4a wrote

Would you mind sharing (here or in a message) which school specifically this occurred at? There are many elementary schools within SAU9, and yes, that is our district. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!

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nic425 t1_j9xpjy3 wrote

I think fryeburg’s cutoff is mid October

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PolarBlueberry t1_j9ytwh2 wrote

My brother is Oct 4 and started kindergarten at age 4. He’s a full grown adult now, but many times has stated he wished my parents waited a year to enroll him. He always felt behind his peers, and was very awkward when he started college at 17. It’s a tough birthday regarding school, but most fall birthday kids that started a year early I know would have rather have been the oldest kids in the class than the youngest.

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