Redshirting consequences at Lafayette

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They're planning to testify at the SBOE hearing next week presumably about how it's incredibly unfair that DCPS is enforcing its own policy. It is spearheaded by a Lafayette parent as I understand.

The letter they're circulating uses some pretty extreme language saying kindergarten access is being threatened if your child was born before September 30th and leads to a lot of confusion. It's actually pretty gross to try and scare parents about something that absolutely will not threaten their kid's access to kindergarten but they seem to be targeting UMC PTOs too which is equally gross.

Wow, I would not have expected they would take it so far, as it is, frankly, embarrassing. Are they arguing that it is unjust that the very clear policy is being enforced against them? Or are they trying to get the policy changed for the future? This feels like FAFO territory to me.

That being said- I will be intrigued to see if there is any appetite to change the policy. I think there are good arguments both in favor and against it. But selfishly, both of my children have late september birthdays and will start DCPS pk3 while still 2 years old, Kindergarten at 4 years old, HS at 13 and College while still 17. I do worry about this quite a bit and would like the option to hold them. It seems like most things I read state that it is not in the child's best interest to go to K at 4, especially boys (both of mine are). But alas, I am not a fancy upper NW parent. I live in NE. Our schools on this side of town follow the age rules as far as I am aware. Either way I would never expect to try to blatantly flaunt the rules and then cry when I get caught.

[Anonymous]

I think they should move the cutoff to September 1, which makes more sense and is more in line with the surrounding districts from what I understand. But am fine with them enforcing it strictly.

[Anonymous]

Any cutoff has to be strictly enforced. That is the only way to be fair in thr district. Ita ridiculous these parents are asking for special treatment, but this seems to be a symptom of many families in this city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They're planning to testify at the SBOE hearing next week presumably about how it's incredibly unfair that DCPS is enforcing its own policy. It is spearheaded by a Lafayette parent as I understand.

The letter they're circulating uses some pretty extreme language saying kindergarten access is being threatened if your child was born before September 30th and leads to a lot of confusion. It's actually pretty gross to try and scare parents about something that absolutely will not threaten their kid's access to kindergarten but they seem to be targeting UMC PTOs too which is equally gross.

How is kindergarten access being threatened? They can walk into Lafayette today and enroll their kid in k. Could've enrolled in August. They had the same access as anyone else within the cutoff.
What a waste of time. Spoiled brats (the parents).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're planning to testify at the SBOE hearing next week presumably about how it's incredibly unfair that DCPS is enforcing its own policy. It is spearheaded by a Lafayette parent as I understand.

The letter they're circulating uses some pretty extreme language saying kindergarten access is being threatened if your child was born before September 30th and leads to a lot of confusion. It's actually pretty gross to try and scare parents about something that absolutely will not threaten their kid's access to kindergarten but they seem to be targeting UMC PTOs too which is equally gross.

How is kindergarten access being threatened? They can walk into Lafayette today and enroll their kid in k. Could've enrolled in August. They had the same access as anyone else within the cutoff.
What a waste of time. Spoiled brats (the parents).

The kids would be in first grade by age next year and they're currently in private PK4. The school told them to enroll in first grade, as appropriate for their age, the families want to be able to enroll in kindergarten which would be sequential but not age appropriate for DCPS kindergarten.

I'm all for making the cut off September 1 but they want to be able to pay their way into a redshirt and that's just ludicrous.

[Anonymous]

Can’t they stay in private for K next year and the year after come back to DCPS for grade 1?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t they stay in private for K next year and the year after come back to DCPS for grade 1?

Likely not because they would technically be too old for first grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t they stay in private for K next year and the year after come back to DCPS for grade 1?

Yes they can. The only time this is an issue is kindergarten. If they attend one year of compulsory school elsewhere then DCPS will let them enroll in the next grade. If a kid is in private school for kindergarten they will be enrolled in first grade if they transfer to DCPS regardless of age. Same as if a kid moves from out of state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're planning to testify at the SBOE hearing next week presumably about how it's incredibly unfair that DCPS is enforcing its own policy. It is spearheaded by a Lafayette parent as I understand.

The letter they're circulating uses some pretty extreme language saying kindergarten access is being threatened if your child was born before September 30th and leads to a lot of confusion. It's actually pretty gross to try and scare parents about something that absolutely will not threaten their kid's access to kindergarten but they seem to be targeting UMC PTOs too which is equally gross.

If the SBOE or DCPS give any air to this I’m going to be so angry. There are kindergarteners in DCPS exposed to mold and lead in their dilapidated buildings but no lets focus on rich parents whining because they didn’t get their way.

There are elementary in SE that regularly get shot up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t they stay in private for K next year and the year after come back to DCPS for grade 1?

Yes - but that would be inconvenient for these families.

They want to navigate public education on their terms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t they stay in private for K next year and the year after come back to DCPS for grade 1?

Yes they can. The only time this is an issue is kindergarten. If they attend one year of compulsory school elsewhere then DCPS will let them enroll in the next grade. If a kid is in private school for kindergarten they will be enrolled in first grade if they transfer to DCPS regardless of age. Same as if a kid moves from out of state.

Yes this was my thought. This would have been their best course of action instead of this charade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're planning to testify at the SBOE hearing next week presumably about how it's incredibly unfair that DCPS is enforcing its own policy. It is spearheaded by a Lafayette parent as I understand.

The letter they're circulating uses some pretty extreme language saying kindergarten access is being threatened if your child was born before September 30th and leads to a lot of confusion. It's actually pretty gross to try and scare parents about something that absolutely will not threaten their kid's access to kindergarten but they seem to be targeting UMC PTOs too which is equally gross.

Wow, I would not have expected they would take it so far, as it is, frankly, embarrassing. Are they arguing that it is unjust that the very clear policy is being enforced against them? Or are they trying to get the policy changed for the future? This feels like FAFO territory to me.

That being said- I will be intrigued to see if there is any appetite to change the policy. I think there are good arguments both in favor and against it. But selfishly, both of my children have late september birthdays and will start DCPS pk3 while still 2 years old, Kindergarten at 4 years old, HS at 13 and College while still 17. I do worry about this quite a bit and would like the option to hold them. It seems like most things I read state that it is not in the child's best interest to go to K at 4, especially boys (both of mine are). But alas, I am not a fancy upper NW parent. I live in NE. Our schools on this side of town follow the age rules as far as I am aware. Either way I would never expect to try to blatantly flaunt the rules and then cry when I get caught.

My DS was a Sept birthday, youngest boy in class and just graduated a T25 college after “fancy upper NW schools.” He excelled, and even got a $$$ job when many of his friends are still unemployed.

If your sons do not thrive, you can always hold back in later years. One of his closest friends was held back, who graduated at 19, while he was 17. No biggie!

Was it ideal all the time being the youngest? No. But it wasn’t either for other kids held back, pushed on time, or for kids nowhere near the cutoffs. They all have their struggles. There’s more drama on DCUM than in real life, though I’m sure people judged me for my choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're planning to testify at the SBOE hearing next week presumably about how it's incredibly unfair that DCPS is enforcing its own policy. It is spearheaded by a Lafayette parent as I understand.

The letter they're circulating uses some pretty extreme language saying kindergarten access is being threatened if your child was born before September 30th and leads to a lot of confusion. It's actually pretty gross to try and scare parents about something that absolutely will not threaten their kid's access to kindergarten but they seem to be targeting UMC PTOs too which is equally gross.

If the SBOE or DCPS give any air to this I’m going to be so angry. There are kindergarteners in DCPS exposed to mold and lead in their dilapidated buildings but no lets focus on rich parents whining because they didn’t get their way.

Tell that outrage to the idiot DCPS person who referred child protective services to these parents. Taking time and resources away from families who really need it for a publicity stunt.

Please get facts straight, DCPS doesn’t have a policy. It’s a date at which children born before are entitled to kindergarten. Not that they must enter kindergarten.

It’s really amazing how easy it is for people to make up their own alternative facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any cutoff has to be strictly enforced. That is the only way to be fair in thr district. Ita ridiculous these parents are asking for special treatment, but this seems to be a symptom of many families in this city.

It’s a cut off for the age the district must provide kindergarten, as in an entitlement. It’s not a mandate 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

And DCPS has been doing this for YEARS. The special treatment is actually the Lafayette enforcing some arbitrary date when the rest of the schools do not and Lafayette never has.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t they stay in private for K next year and the year after come back to DCPS for grade 1?

Yes they can. The only time this is an issue is kindergarten. If they attend one year of compulsory school elsewhere then DCPS will let them enroll in the next grade. If a kid is in private school for kindergarten they will be enrolled in first grade if they transfer to DCPS regardless of age. Same as if a kid moves from out of state.

Not true.

A child from Florida is moving here and DCPS is making a spectacle for that child bc Floridas cutoff is 9/1. DCPS has also arbitrarily decided they will enforce their random enrollment dates through 2nd grade.

There is actually no legislation to support what they’re doing.
Yes this was my thought. This would have been their best course of action instead of this charade.