Anonymous
Post 03/04/2023 07:49     Subject: Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
Anonymous wrote:I’m nervous about my kid starting preschool. She’s a COVID baby who has been at home with a parent or a relative since she was born, and I’m so nervous about sending her off away from us! It’ll be good for her but wow it’s hard just thinking about it right now. We’re trying to put her in more activities and then summer camps to get her ready but I’m thinking of next school year with a mix of joy and dread.


A lot of people have said this, but I had a similar situation two years ago. My kid was the only one on the first day who just waved goodbye and walked off. We also spent the spring and summer trying to get her into some more organized activities with other kids and I do think it helped. We also slowly introduced on our bookshelves books about going to school and talked about it in the run up, so she felt really prepared.

But you should also totally look at CBOs if it makes you more comfortable. It would be nice to delay the random day off thing!
Anonymous
Post 03/04/2023 07:43     Subject: Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is there really a birthing boom? Cite?


OP here. I just did a quick google search and found the articles below. While not super significant, it’s hard for first-time parents/parents of 1 child with all of the preferences allowed to siblings trying to get the few available positions per school.

https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2022/06/the-pandemic-baby-bust-and-rebound

“Kearney spoke at a recent webinar hosted by the National Academies’ Societal Experts Action Network (SEAN) and Committee on Population that explored how the pandemic affected birth rates in the U.S., along with longer-term trends in birth rates.

Added to peoples’ economic concerns, she said, was a public health crisis that might lead them to worry about health implications and the ability to access medical facilities. The closest comparable event is the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918-1919, which led to a large decrease in birth rates despite the absence of modern contraceptives.

By analyzing data on birth rates for late 2020 and 2021, Kearney and her colleagues calculated that there were 62,000 fewer conceptions than usual during the first few months of the pandemic, which led to a baby bust six to nine months later. (That number also may include some early-term miscarriages and abortions, she noted.) But that trend reversed in summer and fall 2020, with 51,000 more conceptions than usual, which suggests that many people delayed their conceptions, said Kearney.”



https://time.com/6223625/covid-pandemic-birth-rates/

“While there was in fact an overall reduction in the birth rate—measured as the annual number of births per thousand people in a population—across the country, the NBER researchers, analyzing data and microdata from the National Center for Health Statistics and the California Department of Health, determined that the decrease didn’t look the way many observers had predicted it would, with births driven down across the board. Rather, travel restrictions likely played a role: The rate of births from women born outside the U.S., which accounted for nearly 23% of births in 2019, plummeted in 2020. And soon after, the rate of births for U.S.-born mothers began to grow.”



FWIW nearly all children eligible for PK3 in DC this Fall would have been conceived prior to March 2020. So any pandemic baby boom children would be in next year's PK3 lottery.


+1. My late August rising PK3er was conceived in December 2019. This isn't the baby boom year. And I echo what someone else said - anecdotally, most people I knew in DC who already had kids and worked in the early days of the pandemic completely held off for a long time until they had some semblance of sanity. Had I not been pregnant already, I would have too.
Anonymous
Post 03/03/2023 13:38     Subject: Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
Anonymous wrote:I’m nervous about my kid starting preschool. She’s a COVID baby who has been at home with a parent or a relative since she was born, and I’m so nervous about sending her off away from us! It’ll be good for her but wow it’s hard just thinking about it right now. We’re trying to put her in more activities and then summer camps to get her ready but I’m thinking of next school year with a mix of joy and dread.


The biggest challenge for clingy kids who know only home and family or private nannies is, in my experience, not the kids' ability to adapt to PS3. The issue is parents - as it almost always is with kids. My kid cried their eyes out at drop off every day for a week or two. I reminded myself that my kid was going to be fine and they were taking their cues from me. I hugged them, but then told them I'd see them at pick up and walked away. Most kids who react this way are only doing it to manipulate parents. Once they figure out they are going to go back every day they relax and usually love pre-school. I watched in horror parents who were in tears as they left their kids in class each day and then had the audacity to say their kids weren't ready; as if their behavior wasn't the driver of the way the kids reacted.

I'm sure lots of DCUM readers will take offence to this, but parents who say "my kid isn't ready" are projecting. Your kid will be fine. If this is emotional for you and you need to melt down for the first few days/weeks, do yourself and your kid a favor and DON"T do it in front of them.

P.S. PS3 teachers are inhuman gods. I cannot imagine having to deal with a classroom full of 3 and 4 year olds every day. I used to volunteer for an hour or two and I went straight home for bourbon!
Anonymous
Post 03/03/2023 12:13     Subject: Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
The DC bilingual commute will kill you. Should be last on your list.
Anonymous
Post 03/03/2023 11:50     Subject: Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
Anonymous wrote:I think there's two COVID questions. 1, was there a dip and then a surge in births in 2021-2022-- i.e. did people who were not yet pregnant delay getting pregnant in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. So is the entering PK3 class in fall 2024 going to be small because of that? And is the entering PK3 class in fall 2025/2026 going to be bigger as delayed births happened?

Then there's the different question of "Was it easier to get a PK3 spot in school years 2020 and 2021 because of people keeping their kids home/going private?" And if that's true, does it mean that the lottery data is not a reliable guide for school year 2023 admissions?

I don't know the answers, but I think those are the questions.


Babies conceived in March/April would be born Dec/Jan. Anecdotally, the people I know that delayed getting pregnant only delayed around 6 months, so the babies ended up being born in the summer. They were not delayed enough to impact which class they will be in. The data seems to support this. https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2022/06/the-pandemic-baby-bust-and-rebound

We'll see how class sizes are impacted, but my guess is Fall 2024 will be comparable in size to other classes. My block alone has three kids that will be in that class.
Anonymous
Post 03/02/2023 14:06     Subject: Re:Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
To clarify Equitable Access Preference, some schools have a certain number of seats designated by grade and some schools it’s a straight up preference, meaning an unlimited number of students claiming the preference could get in and, in fact, apply and even be moved to the top of the wait list. Here is more info about seats vs. straight preferences as well as which schools have each for this upcoming school year. I have 2 kids at DCB and I believe anyone claiming this preference was accepted to the school based on the data shared (3rd link below).

https://www.myschooldc.org/node/116

https://www.myschooldc.org/node/49311
From the above link:

*For SY23-24 Breakthrough Montessori PCS, DC Bilingual PCS, Digital Pioneers Academy PCS, Sojourner Truth PCS, and The Children's Guild PCS will offer an Equitable Access preference

**For SY23-24 Barnard Elementary School, Capitol Hill Montessori, DC Wildflower PCS – The Riverseed School, Dorothy I. Height Elementary School, E.L. Haynes PCS – Elementary School, E.L. Haynes PCS – High School, E.L. Haynes PCS – Middle School, Excel Academy, Garrison Elementary School, H.D. Cooke Elementary School, Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS, John Lewis Elementary School, Latin American Montessori Bilingual (LAMB), Lee Montessori - Brookland, Lee Montessori - East End, MacArthur High School, Military Road Early Learning Center, Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - Calle Ocho Campus, Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - J.F. Cook Campus, School-Within-School, Stevens Early Learning Center, Two Rivers PCS at 4th Street, Two Rivers PCS at Young Elementary School, Two Rivers PCS at Young Middle School, Van Ness Elementary School, Washington Latin PCS – Cooper Campus, Washington Latin PCS – Middle School, Washington Latin PCS – Upper School, and Washington Yu Ying PCS will offer Equitable Access designated seats.

Data showing which kids got in based on preferences (find the school you’re looking for on the drop-down menu)

https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/aaron2446/viz/MSDCSeatsandWaitlistOfferData/MSDCPublicDisplay
Anonymous
Post 03/02/2023 13:53     Subject: Re:Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
Anonymous wrote:I just came here to say that I have a current 2nd grader, am in a good elementary and am not playing the lottery and STILL stress every year. The DC lottery system is stressful and not for all the type A planners (like me) that live in Washington, DC. It is hard to stay put knowing that every year there is a "chance" you "may" get into a "good/better" school. Every year around this time I tell DH it's time to think about a jump to the burbs and he always calmly reminds me about Latin, Basis, Walls and Banneker ... but the unknown is so hard (for me)!!


I was unhappy on match day a couple years ago and tried to put on a good face at daycare pickup when we heard friend after friend match at some of the popular charters. I was certain that we would lottery again. Our safety school ended up being a great fit and we learned that the grass wasn’t necessarily greener, it was just different. We haven’t lotteried since.
Anonymous
Post 03/02/2023 12:40     Subject: Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’m nervous about my kid starting preschool. She’s a COVID baby who has been at home with a parent or a relative since she was born, and I’m so nervous about sending her off away from us! It’ll be good for her but wow it’s hard just thinking about it right now. We’re trying to put her in more activities and then summer camps to get her ready but I’m thinking of next school year with a mix of joy and dread.


Not sure if you’re seeking advice (if not disregard), but I would look at CBOs for your kid. We only have experience with one CBO and one DCPS preschool, but found the DCPS PK really intense and academic and harsh. Everyone says DCPS does PK well everywhere but if I had a third kid, we’d be looking at gentler options.


+1. I am thinking of keeping my youngest in her small home day care until K. Prek was very intense and definitely too much for my oldest. Middle child was ok, but different personality.
Anonymous
Post 03/02/2023 12:20     Subject: Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
Anonymous wrote:I’m nervous about my kid starting preschool. She’s a COVID baby who has been at home with a parent or a relative since she was born, and I’m so nervous about sending her off away from us! It’ll be good for her but wow it’s hard just thinking about it right now. We’re trying to put her in more activities and then summer camps to get her ready but I’m thinking of next school year with a mix of joy and dread.


I was you last year - only kid who was home with parents or grandma in one-on-one situations every day of her life that she could recall (first year there were library storytimes and the like, but she was too young to remember), and it seemed crazy to think about dropping her off in a completely new group setting and then just . . . walking away. But 1) by September your kid will be so different than they are right now, 2) the student teacher ratios are amazing, and 3) she freaking LOVES it. It's going to be harder for you than it is for her!
Anonymous
Post 03/02/2023 12:10     Subject: Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
I think there's two COVID questions. 1, was there a dip and then a surge in births in 2021-2022-- i.e. did people who were not yet pregnant delay getting pregnant in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. So is the entering PK3 class in fall 2024 going to be small because of that? And is the entering PK3 class in fall 2025/2026 going to be bigger as delayed births happened?

Then there's the different question of "Was it easier to get a PK3 spot in school years 2020 and 2021 because of people keeping their kids home/going private?" And if that's true, does it mean that the lottery data is not a reliable guide for school year 2023 admissions?

I don't know the answers, but I think those are the questions.
Anonymous
Post 03/02/2023 11:59     Subject: Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
Anonymous wrote:I’m nervous about my kid starting preschool. She’s a COVID baby who has been at home with a parent or a relative since she was born, and I’m so nervous about sending her off away from us! It’ll be good for her but wow it’s hard just thinking about it right now. We’re trying to put her in more activities and then summer camps to get her ready but I’m thinking of next school year with a mix of joy and dread.


Not sure if you’re seeking advice (if not disregard), but I would look at CBOs for your kid. We only have experience with one CBO and one DCPS preschool, but found the DCPS PK really intense and academic and harsh. Everyone says DCPS does PK well everywhere but if I had a third kid, we’d be looking at gentler options.
Anonymous
Post 03/02/2023 11:46     Subject: Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
I’m nervous about my kid starting preschool. She’s a COVID baby who has been at home with a parent or a relative since she was born, and I’m so nervous about sending her off away from us! It’ll be good for her but wow it’s hard just thinking about it right now. We’re trying to put her in more activities and then summer camps to get her ready but I’m thinking of next school year with a mix of joy and dread.
Anonymous
Post 03/02/2023 09:22     Subject: Re:Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
I just came here to say that I have a current 2nd grader, am in a good elementary and am not playing the lottery and STILL stress every year. The DC lottery system is stressful and not for all the type A planners (like me) that live in Washington, DC. It is hard to stay put knowing that every year there is a "chance" you "may" get into a "good/better" school. Every year around this time I tell DH it's time to think about a jump to the burbs and he always calmly reminds me about Latin, Basis, Walls and Banneker ... but the unknown is so hard (for me)!!
Anonymous
Post 03/02/2023 09:20     Subject: Re:Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
First time parent here of a rising PK3 student. Thanks for starting this thread! Like you, I've been agonizing a bit over this but I continue to remind myself that ECE is high quality in most locations.

As a parent of a peak pandemic baby (born during one of first weeks of lockdown), it's hard to determine how predictive the waitlist data is. We ranked our IB (Marie Reed) first and second, and according to the most recent year's data, we should be in good shape. However, if you look at pre-COVID data, our chances aren't nearly as good. It seems that parents of children who were more mobile in 2020 might have moved out of the neighborhood, but those of us who had newborns in 2020 stayed put. Fingers crossed!
Anonymous
Post 03/02/2023 09:07     Subject: Re:Fellow PK3 newbies, post your lottery nerves here!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Preferences didn't change this year - what do you mean "less availability"? You're dealing with the same preferences that we all have.


Perhaps OP means that they aren't eligible for Equitable Access preferences, which are rolling out to more schools this year and likely reduce the number of non-preference seats? I don't think it's really enough to make a noticeable difference, but that's the only change I can think of.


Yeah I saw someone mentioned in a post that YY would have less seats due to increased equitable access and how other schools were introducing it too.


FWIW, schools that implemented EA last year don't appear to have filled all of those spots. I wonder if that is likely to continue.


My kids attend DCB, which implemented EA last year, and I am pretty sure DCB did not fill all of the EA spots last year.