https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 17:10:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-school#post-2776322 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 14:04:08 +0000 oskarsmommy 2776322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: its seems very casual - they look at our taxes and income / budget, then decide.. it is decided by the PTO - and the director told us one year they only had 8 families apply. We are def one of the lower earning families there (just based on observation and some internet sleuthing). </p> <p>We find out in December if we receive funds..</p> <p>I know both are wonderful options, and if I could just put him back to his old school tomorrow, with no financial penalty I would.. it's just waiting another month.. getting more settled for another month.. losing the deposit.. that concerns me.. (also adding my son is a VERY strong willed kid)</p> <p>one more reason we initially moved him - new school goes through kinder - so if he doesn't get into one of my goal charters then we can buy a year and stay put. Private school beyond preschool is not an option, although this preschool very much feeds into the private school system..</p> <p>but just today I looked at the pictures they post weekly, and he isn't smiling or looking happy in any of the pictures.. at his old school he was always smiling and looking so happy! I know it has only been 1.5 months and he needs to adjust, but mostly I just want him the feel happy and loved.. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-school#post-2776312 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 13:41:59 +0000 looch 2776312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oskarsmommy: What is the process for the financial assistance, when will you know that you are eligible for it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-school#post-2776243 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 10:43:40 +0000 CC Mommy 2776243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oskarsmommy: Hi, I have done copious research on language development in children from a young age and as you probably realize, in other countries children are commonly trilingual from birth. Early language development does so much for their brains in other areas like math and music and pursuit of additional languages, that the fine motor skills could be tuned at home with some weekly "homework" if you had a way to work that in to what I am sure is a very busy life/schedule. Bottom-line, I want my kids in an immersion school and if they are requesting it, all the better! Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-school#post-2776201 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 09:21:46 +0000 oskarsmommy 2776201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll add two more details. We paid a pretty hefty "new student fee" for the new school (more then I want to admit) and if we leave we are forfeiting it. Also if we leave we have to give 30 days notice. So he couldn't start his old school until November 1st. Yesterday I went to get him at it took 15 mins (but LA traffic is so variable) but on the way home we passed his old school and sure enough he squealed and said he wanted to go see his friends (breaks my heart). We also have a nanny with the baby the days I am at work, and with the old school she could walk to pick him up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-school#post-2776170 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 08:26:12 +0000 looch 2776170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before I explain, I just want to level set a few things: I don't subscribe to the idea that kids are bored in school. There is so much going on, and having the experience now of a full year of kindergarten, I fully understand how the program is tailored to the individual needs of each child. The kids in my son's school (120 kids) were of mixed ability and the staff has gone above and beyond in ensuring that challenging material is available for the kids that need it, remedial material and support is available for the kids that need it and that the emotional and social skills are being taught.</p> <p> I also chose to send my son to a magnet school in a different town that requires 25 minutes in the car, but the program is well worth the commute, in my opinion. The building is nothing to get excited over, but it's what they do in that building that makes the difference.</p> <p>As for K readiness, you will be surprised at the varying abilities that the kids display. If you visit the classroom, you will see it for yourself, but it's going to be eye opening. This is why I believe that teachers will ultimately prevail and will tailor the material to the needs of the child. You're going to see kids reading and other kids not even being able to write their names. I believe that all kids benefit from being in mixed ability classrooms. It teaches a life skill, which is that it does you no good to be the first or best at everything, because when you get older, you will be working with people of all abilities and if you cannot work together to complete tasks, you will not be successful.</p> <p>Does that help at all? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-school#post-2776159 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 07:23:16 +0000 petitenoisette 2776159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I think he could probably adjust nicely to the new school but it just might take some time. However, I have been driving my LO to daycare with me to work for 2+years now (40 minutes or so each way) and knowing what that is like longer term, I am very pro stay closer to home for childcare. Especially with the 2 days a week you won't even be going to work but have to drive anyway. We're finally getting into the only daycare/preschool in our home town that actually works with our schedule in 2 months and I can't wait to not be commuting together every day! For her sake and not just mine. A 25 minute walk sounds so much nicer than all that time in the car... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-school#post-2776153 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 02:05:28 +0000 oskarsmommy 2776153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would love to know reasons for anyone who votes! So far it seems like put him back and call it a day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-school#post-2776136 Wed, 27 Sep 2017 21:36:42 +0000 Mama Bird 2776136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't vote... we recently faced a similar situation, and I'm not sure if we made the right choice or not. So, our public school system is not so great, though some schools are better than others. There is also a gifted and talented program, but no one seems to be able to tell me what the difference is, beyond much more homework and probably a faster pace through the curriculum. </p> <p>We could choose between the local school (good school but standard curriculum) and a G&amp;T classroom in another, bigger school. All of B's buddies are in the local school. We thought of how much it would mean to him to be with them, and how much he'd hate the commute and the extra homework for G&amp;T, and chose the local school. </p> <p>He's very happy and hasn't complained that he's bored. He's definitely learning some new stuff. But the math. OMG, the math. What they're learning is so far behind what he's capable of, and that gap will only keep widening. And if I work on his level with him at home, he'll probably be so very bored in the classroom! I don't think he's realized yet that what they're doing now isn't games and doodles - it's basically what passes for math class here. He probably just thinks that "real" math class hasn't started yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-school#post-2776109 Wed, 27 Sep 2017 20:08:04 +0000 lamariniere 2776109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When your son starts K, would he be more likely to be in K with kids from the old school or kids from the new school? Both schools sound like they have great advantages, so I didn’t vote. </p> <p>As for kindergarten readiness, my son went to a daycare that wasn’t really a preschool (the concept of preschool didn’t really exist where we were living). When he started K, the school was known for being rigorous and very academic. I wouldn’t say he struggled in the beginning, but the kids who had gone through the school’s preschool program had a huge leg up for the first few months. My son caught up and did just fine academically, but I kind of wished he had had more K readiness. Now, we’ve just moved and started a new school. My daughter is nearly 4 and she’s in a true preschool program for the next 2 years. If things continue in the direction they seem to be going, I think she will be much more advanced when she starts K than what my DS was. But I think it also depends on your child’s personality and where you think he would fare best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-school#post-2776034 Wed, 27 Sep 2017 15:59:37 +0000 oskarsmommy 2776034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am SOOOO torn between two options for school. I will be going part time next year (home 2 days a week)</p> <p>We moved my oldest to a more "desired" preschool that is pricy, but told we would likely get financial assistance. Since we started (6 weeks now) he still says he prefers his old school. The new school is very geared toward kinder ready-ness - and it is lots bigger, huge play grounds, includes swim lessons 2-4x a week, lunch provided (by whole foods no less) has LOTS of fun party/events that the parents come to (I mean like parades, spring shows, art shows that the parents come to during school hours), and a good anmout of field trips and special things for the kids (they had a camel come to the school one year for "alladin day") But it is further away from home, and closer to my work. (20-25 min drive from home those 2 days a week with baby brother in car)</p> <p>His previous school was closer to home, I could walk there (25 min walk) with his baby brother and pick him up, is spanish immersion, has zero of the bells and whistles the other school has (tiny play area in back, no real parent involvement) but his best friend goes there, it feels more intimate because it is much smaller, and it's where he went his first year.. and they offer 3 days a week if I decide to keep him home both days I'm off (he is a HANDFULL, so I am not totally sure with the baby and him I want to commit to all day with both)</p> <p>Does kinder readiness matter? My son does seem to get frustrated and give up with things when he can't figure them out (thus the idea of hit the ground running/newer traditional preschool) and has a tiny bit of low muscle tone (so more academic preschool would encourage fine motor skills from early age)</p> <p>I know I am over thinking this - I just need some moms with older kids input. I can't see down the line enough yet..</p> <p>**eta - I think I am having a hard time because I worked so hard to get him a spot in this newer school.. but now with me being part time, making the trek to get him, and the extra cost if we don't qualify for financial aid are new concerns.. </p>