SAAC/Magnet Program -- Quandry, What Would You Do?

[Anonymous]

Been on the SAAC waitlist for two schools since the day I was able to register my K-to-be. Got notification today that we have made it into after care for our primary school (yay!), but it will be 3 more weeks until I hear about the first of 2 magnet programs at another school we have applied to. We are on the wait list there as well, and quite high on those lists, but it's a computer generated admit process so no idea if we will get into either magnet program at that school.

SAAC in Fairfax Co allows you to be on two wait lists, but if you get in, you only have 3 business days to accept, regardless of if you are waiting to hear on a magnet program admittance or not. There is no allowing someone behind you to go ahead or differing of any kind. When you accept to one you are dropped from the other wait list. So if I accept, we are dropped from the other list, and even if I get back on that wait list right away (which they allow you to do AFTER you drop) I would be 33rd on that list, lsoing my space whcih is currently No. 1. If I dont accept, I get dropped from the list at the primary school and will be 34th on THAT list when I request to be re-added.

My first concern, of course, was getting into a program and I am glad to be into one -- as 2-parent working household, this is vital.

That said, one would think that the county could adjust acceptance deadlines for magnet programs so parents who have otherwise followed all of the rules to get into the highly competitive before/after care programs and magent school application protocol arent stuck with a frustrating decision to make -- accept at one school and risk getting into the magnet program with no care, after taking the time to go to all of the orientations, applications and early registration required to even get into the lottery, or not accept and risk not having after care if you dont get into the magnet program.

My question: What would you do? Take the sure thing -- after care at a school I know he can attend if he chooses -- or lose that spot and wait on the possibility of the other program? I hate to basically cut his opportunity short before he even gets it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Been on the SAAC waitlist for two schools since the day I was able to register my K-to-be. Got notification today that we have made it into after care for our primary school (yay!), but it will be 3 more weeks until I hear about the first of 2 magnet programs at another school we have applied to. We are on the wait list there as well, and quite high on those lists, but it's a computer generated admit process so no idea if we will get into either magnet program at that school.

SAAC in Fairfax Co allows you to be on two wait lists, but if you get in, you only have 3 business days to accept, regardless of if you are waiting to hear on a magnet program admittance or not. There is no allowing someone behind you to go ahead or differing of any kind. When you accept to one you are dropped from the other wait list. So if I accept, we are dropped from the other list, and even if I get back on that wait list right away (which they allow you to do AFTER you drop) I would be 33rd on that list, lsoing my space whcih is currently No. 1. If I dont accept, I get dropped from the list at the primary school and will be 34th on THAT list when I request to be re-added.

My first concern, of course, was getting into a program and I am glad to be into one -- as 2-parent working household, this is vital.

That said, one would think that the county could adjust acceptance deadlines for magnet programs so parents who have otherwise followed all of the rules to get into the highly competitive before/after care programs and magent school application protocol arent stuck with a frustrating decision to make -- accept at one school and risk getting into the magnet program with no care, after taking the time to go to all of the orientations, applications and early registration required to even get into the lottery, or not accept and risk not having after care if you dont get into the magnet program.

My question: What would you do? Take the sure thing -- after care at a school I know he can attend if he chooses -- or lose that spot and wait on the possibility of the other program? I hate to basically cut his opportunity short before he even gets it.

I think you may be able to defer for 3 weeks. Call them up and check. I told them that we needed to give a month's notice at our current daycare and they let me start the following month. I did have to commit though, so I'm not sure if that would help you or not.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! I asked and they said no differing at all. I dont mind committing and even paying a deposit, it's the losing the other space on the wait list before knowing that's the problem. My guy won't be entering school until fall. Were you on other wait lists?

[Anonymous]

Avoid SACC, it's rotten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Avoid SACC, it's rotten.

Can you elaborate? I have heard it's different at all locations. Open to suggestions tho!

[Anonymous]

I assume there's not a bus from your base school to the magnet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Avoid SACC, it's rotten.

My child loves SACC. He really only needs to be there for 40 minutes or so, but he usually asks to be picked up much later. We are at a McLean ES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Avoid SACC, it's rotten.

Can you elaborate? I have heard it's different at all locations. Open to suggestions tho!

It luck of the draw. Some are good, and some are bad. The problem is that when issues arise the SACC manager for the county is not that responsive and he tends to support the staff over parents voicing their opinions. SACC in my opinion does not like to hear complaints, nor take any suggestions. Bring up a complaint they will tell you that there is nothing you can do, and if you don't like it, pull your child out. They also like to tell you that the principle is powerless to do anything to address issues with SACC. That doesn't seem 100% true in that it is the principle's school.

That being said, there is some good SACC centers out there. I have experienced good and bad times pertaining to the child care my children receive from SACC. Unfortunately, the bad times out weigh the good. I wish I could write it was all sunshine and butterflies, I really do, but my oldest daughter told me she is tired of the same old games, and playing Subway Surfers, a game that is an APP! It really depends on your SACC center. Do you research and avoid the rotten apples.

[Anonymous]

Accept the spot at the base school. If he gets into the magnet program, request bus transportation to and from SACC at the base school. That way, he'll still get to know neighborhood kids even though he's not in school with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I assume there's not a bus from your base school to the magnet?

Sadly, no! Some others, but wait lists all around...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Accept the spot at the base school. If he gets into the magnet program, request bus transportation to and from SACC at the base school. That way, he'll still get to know neighborhood kids even though he's not in school with them.

Unfortunately, it doesn't' seem like this will work out -- they dont provide it to our base, Sleepy Hollow

We did get into the magnet -- so now the stress really happens as we accepted to the base. #34 on the list.... anyone know of someone reliable to drive my kid 10 mins to SAAC in 7 Corners each day?

[Anonymous]

The good news is that I have talked to the magnet program folks and they said they will speak with SAAC about coordinating better -- so hopefully my struggle is someone else's gain in the future!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accept the spot at the base school. If he gets into the magnet program, request bus transportation to and from SACC at the base school. That way, he'll still get to know neighborhood kids even though he's not in school with them.

Unfortunately, it doesn't' seem like this will work out -- they dont provide it to our base, Sleepy Hollow

We did get into the magnet -- so now the stress really happens as we accepted to the base. #34 on the list.... anyone know of someone reliable to drive my kid 10 mins to SAAC in 7 Corners each day?

There are websites such as care.com where you can find people. Also uber.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at other after-care options near the magnet school? There are sometimes other options besides SACC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accept the spot at the base school. If he gets into the magnet program, request bus transportation to and from SACC at the base school. That way, he'll still get to know neighborhood kids even though he's not in school with them.

Unfortunately, it doesn't' seem like this will work out -- they dont provide it to our base, Sleepy Hollow

We did get into the magnet -- so now the stress really happens as we accepted to the base. #34 on the list.... anyone know of someone reliable to drive my kid 10 mins to SAAC in 7 Corners each day?

Since it's such a small assignment, your best bet is probably to post on your neighborhood email list. But have you talked to the Transportation office? Just because there's no fixed route doesn't mean you can't request it. They might say yes.