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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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 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.

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

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.

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

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".

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.

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.

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!