N. Arlington parents -- do any August/Sept boys start K "on time" or does everyone redshirt?

[Anonymous]

My DS was born in the last week of August. He is only 3 so this won't be an issue until next year, but I'm trying to get a sense of whether we should plan for an extra year of preschool. I have no idea what my DS will be like developmentally in another 16 months, but so far he seems to be on track with his peers in social/physical/verbal maturity. For many reasons, not the least being $$, I would prefer to send him to K "on time". But I do know that if he would be the youngest boy in kindergarten by a margin of multiple months, I probably would hold him back just so he could have some similar-age peers. I'm NOT looking to debate the merits of this decision as I have already read the other thread. Just trying to get a sense of whether there would be ANY other kids (especially boys) in the kindergarten class who turned 5 in August or September and start kindergarten the same year, or if virtually everyone in this position holds their kid back.

I know this will vary by region, so I'm primarily interested in North Arlington. Right now we live in the McKinley zone, but we may move to a other North Arlington neighborhood at some point.

Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

Start on time. My DC was an early November birthday, and I actually started them in school very early (since they are past the usual September cutoff). It was the school's idea, and I have never had a moment's regret.

[Anonymous]

We are starting our late August birthday son next year on time. I see no reason to hold him back. And I don't think he would benefit from another year of our play based preschool.

[Anonymous]

I didn't think FCPS allowed any "red-shirting" at all. Last I knew, parents didn't have an option because that would open a can of worms. That's why we went private for pre-school and K-6 so our August baby would get "the gift of time".

[Anonymous]

We started our DS, with a mid-Sept birthday on time...it worked beautifully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't think FCPS allowed any "red-shirting" at all. Last I knew, parents didn't have an option because that would open a can of worms. That's why we went private for pre-school and K-6 so our August baby would get "the gift of time".

Fcps allows and in some cases I've heard, actually encouraged red-shirting, also calling it the "gift of time". I sent on time, but it would have been a simple one page form if you do not attend on time in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Our son's birthday is Sept. 30th and we plan to send him on time this fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't think FCPS allowed any "red-shirting" at all. Last I knew, parents didn't have an option because that would open a can of worms. That's why we went private for pre-school and K-6 so our August baby would get "the gift of time".

Fcps allows and in some cases I've heard, actually encouraged red-shirting, also calling it the "gift of time". I sent on time, but it would have been a simple one page form if you do not attend on time in FCPS.

Interesting. When my kids went through the system, FCPS had a hard-and-fast rule about this.

[Anonymous]

My child's N Arl. class has 2 kids who were red-shirted out of 20. One is a boy and the other is a girl. I think that red-shirting gets more attention than it actually warrants. Plenty of children start on time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't think FCPS allowed any "red-shirting" at all. Last I knew, parents didn't have an option because that would open a can of worms. That's why we went private for pre-school and K-6 so our August baby would get "the gift of time".

Fcps allows and in some cases I've heard, actually encouraged red-shirting, also calling it the "gift of time". I sent on time, but it would have been a simple one page form if you do not attend on time in FCPS.

Interesting. When my kids went through the system, FCPS had a hard-and-fast rule about this.

In Arlington (relevant to this post), all it takes to redshirt is just a letter to the principal/school board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't think FCPS allowed any "red-shirting" at all. Last I knew, parents didn't have an option because that would open a can of worms. That's why we went private for pre-school and K-6 so our August baby would get "the gift of time".

Fcps allows and in some cases I've heard, actually encouraged red-shirting, also calling it the "gift of time". I sent on time, but it would have been a simple one page form if you do not attend on time in FCPS.

Interesting. When my kids went through the system, FCPS had a hard-and-fast rule about this.

You aren't legally required to send your child to school until the September after he/she becomes six so if you decide not to send your five year old and keep them back for a year there is nothing FCPS can do.

[Anonymous]

We are at ASFS and a lot of August/Sept boys start on time at our school. I know 4 Aug/Sept boys that all went on-time (at 4 or just turned 5).

[Anonymous]

In fcps I think alot of boys start on time. Have a DS in 5th grade and its surprising how many times the fact that this or that child was held back a year comes up with parents. And not in a nice way. Just saying that I think it can stick with the kids - either way.

[Anonymous]

It really depends so much on the individual child. Some children with late birthdays will do fine, others are simply not ready yet for school. I would observe my own child, especially his interactions with other children, and I would talk to my child's preschool teachers to find out what they think. Starting a child who is not ready "on time" can lead to a bad school experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: In Arlington (relevant to this post), all it takes to redshirt is just a letter to the principal/school board.

No, all it takes is not sending your kid until the following year. You don't have to notify anyone.