is this how all the charters operate?

[Anonymous]

So we got a pre-k lottery spot (school is irrelevant-its a low demand one so don't jump all over me), and got a letter indicating we had about 7 business days (last day tomorrow) to get all of our paperwork in, including health status, which means scheduling a visit to the doc. We had the option to register on 4 different dates, none of which give adequate time to take care of documentation (ie first option was 3rd day after the letter went out. I called the school and said we couldn't make it in the allocated times and the administrative aide talked to me like I'm a 2 year old, scolding me for not taking care of this in a timely way. Timely? I'm a working mother with multiple children and I sign up for this with the understanding I have a month to take care of something and suddenly I have a few days? Plus they said we can't even come to observe before we register.

When we signed up for the lottery, we did so with the idea that we'd go observe wherever we got accepted before making any decisions, as we are currently in private day care. Between the limited time allotted to take care of paperwork, the inability to observe prior to accepting, and the utterly rude and unprofessional behavior of the administrative aide, I've completely lost any excitement for this process.

I know, I know, be grateful I got a spot. Is anyone else experiencing anything like this?

[Anonymous]

Some schools are better than others at this.

[Anonymous]

Usually you have longer for the medical information. Otherwise, 7 days is way more than most would ever allow. 7 business days is ridiculous. They gave you four times, and you can't make any of them? That is on you.

[Anonymous]

You don't need to visit the doctor- you just need them to fill out the paperwork reflecting your kids' last checkup, assuming it was in the last year. The rest of it will take you 15 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Can't you just have your doctor fill out the form based on the last exam? If it was less than a year ago, it counts.

You have until May 2 to accept a slot, but given the pressure you are under, I would move quickly.

This is a charter, I assume?

[Anonymous]

Call MySchool DC. You cannot lose the slot before May 2.

[Anonymous]

I've never heard of a school that mandates you get the physical this soon. Just send in the paperwork and inform the medical is coming. You have until the first day of school for that.

[Anonymous]

Call the school and talk them.

Most charters have small admin teams, as they do not have the large budget that DCPS has. However, if you call them (vs posting randomly on DCUM) they may be able to assist.

Also, obviously, not all charters are the same. Is this Breaktrough? A brand new school which probably is just getting their feet under them? or LAMB which has been doing this for 10+ years. Or Bethune, which is known for being terrible with admin. All charters are different, yet you just painted them with a broad brush.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually you have longer for the medical information. Otherwise, 7 days is way more than most would ever allow. 7 business days is ridiculous. They gave you four times, and you can't make any of them? That is on you.

Just back from maternity leave with zero leave accrued. DH is on travel and I'm managing the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some schools are better than others at this.

+1. Putting aside the medical forms / paperwork, not being allowed to observe is a red flag to me. Think seriously if you want to accept this slot.

Did you have higher ranked choices/are you on wait lists?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So we got a pre-k lottery spot (school is irrelevant-its a low demand one so don't jump all over me), and got a letter indicating we had about 7 business days (last day tomorrow) to get all of our paperwork in, including health status, which means scheduling a visit to the doc. We had the option to register on 4 different dates, none of which give adequate time to take care of documentation (ie first option was 3rd day after the letter went out. I called the school and said we couldn't make it in the allocated times and the administrative aide talked to me like I'm a 2 year old, scolding me for not taking care of this in a timely way. Timely? I'm a working mother with multiple children and I sign up for this with the understanding I have a month to take care of something and suddenly I have a few days? Plus they said we can't even come to observe before we register.

When we signed up for the lottery, we did so with the idea that we'd go observe wherever we got accepted before making any decisions, as we are currently in private day care. Between the limited time allotted to take care of paperwork, the inability to observe prior to accepting, and the utterly rude and unprofessional behavior of the administrative aide, I've completely lost any excitement for this process.

I know, I know, be grateful I got a spot. Is anyone else experiencing anything like this?

Yup, you are the only working mother in the city trying to get your paperwork in.

[Anonymous]

Have your doctor fax you the forms. I don't get why this is that hard?

Do you need to crowd source everything you do?

[Anonymous]

OP, I'd like to also welcome you to the world of public schools. You will need to start preparing to scramble for lots of things- registration is one of them. This isn't a system designed around parental needs, in general. So, while I know it's jarring, I'd suggest you prepare yourself for more requests just like this.

[Anonymous]

Pro tip: next time get the medical, dental and residency paperwork together before the lottery day so you're ready to move quickly if you get a slot.

And make copies if you anticipate you would give up that slot to register at another school if you were offered a slot off the wait list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually you have longer for the medical information. Otherwise, 7 days is way more than most would ever allow. 7 business days is ridiculous. They gave you four times, and you can't make any of them? That is on you.

Just back from maternity leave with zero leave accrued. DH is on travel and I'm managing the kids.

Sounds like poor planning as you have more than one kid. If you would like this kid to go to school, maybe allocate one hour to doing things to further that effort.