Question for elementary school teachers (Houston, Sugar Land: movers, neighborhoods, school district) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

Topaz · 12-15-2008, 10:26 PM

My family plans to relocate closer to my husband's job. Our kindergarten age son loves his school and his teacher. So I am trying to figure out the best way to move considering he is probably going to be sad and upset to leave familiar surroundings, his teacher, and his friends. My preschool age daughter is also very attached to her friends and school.

We have friends who are in the military who move a lot and they recommend moving mid-year rather than waiting until the summer break. Their reasoning is that if you are the new kid during the year, you get special attention. But if you are a new kid at the beginning of a school year, you can get lost in the shuffle.

Any elementary school teachers out there with insight into whether the mid-year strategy is a good one? My son's teacher is new to teaching so she doesn't have much experience upon which to draw to give advice.

Thanks!

Topaz · 12-16-2008, 06:21 AM

To add to my question above, I'm also interested in the experiences of parents who have relocated when their children were elementary school age. Especially if you have a child who dislikes change.

movingtohouston · 12-16-2008, 07:17 AM

My sons are veteran movers. They seemed to adjust better when we moved them during the school year. It gives them time to adjust and make new friends before the end of the year. They settled in quickly and made lots of friends.

Downside with moving after winter break you may be hitting testing times in the new school district. My boys had a lot of catch up work to do prior to taking their first taks test when we moved here from Ca.

Topaz · 12-16-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by movingtohouston

My sons are veteran movers. They seemed to adjust better when we moved them during the school year. It gives them time to adjust and make new friends before the end of the year. They settled in quickly and made lots of friends.

Downside with moving after winter break you may be hitting testing times in the new school district. My boys had a lot of catch up work to do prior to taking their first taks test when we moved here from Ca.

Sounds like your experience matches what our military friends said.

My son is in kindergarten now. I thought TAKS started later?

EasilyAmused · 12-16-2008, 07:29 AM

TAKS is the devil. I think they start it in 3rd though.

Topaz, where are you moving too? I thought you were happy in Sugarland.

Topaz · 12-16-2008, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Topaz, where are you moving too? I thought you were happy in Sugarland.

I'm completely happy in Sugar Land as we especially like New Territory. I'm actually rather depressed at the thought of moving.

But I'm interviewing for a job at the University of Houston (downtown) and if I land it, it won't work for us to live in Sugar Land since my husband's job is in Clear Lake and I'll be commuting now instead of being self-employed and working from home.

We probably should have listened to everyone who told us to move close to my husband's job in the first place, but we liked Sugar Land so much, we had hoped to make it work.

EasilyAmused · 12-16-2008, 07:43 AM

Clear Lake is really nice. A little slower paced than Sugarland and more for the money IMHO. You should PM tstone and he'll give you the scoop.

movingtohouston · 12-16-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topaz

Sounds like your experience matches what our military friends said.

My son is in kindergarten now. I thought TAKS started later?

Sorry, I skipped over where you said he was in Kindergarten. Good luck with your move.

Topaz · 12-16-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Clear Lake is really nice. A little slower paced than Sugarland and more for the money IMHO. You should PM tstone and he'll give you the scoop.

I did and he helpfully gave me some names of specific neighborhoods. I'm driving there today to check it out.

blancspons · 12-16-2008, 08:18 AM

In my experience as an elementary teacher, children who moved in during the year or during the summer had only minor issues and adjusted well. It really just depends on the child's personality. Parents in the military don't have a choice when they move usually- so that's that. But if you have the flexibility, I would say wait until the end of the school year for sure. It is stressful on the child to switch schools mid-year, especially if the child is shy or sensitive. Kids adjust to just about anything with loving support, but I would wait if I had the choice.