Cutoff Date Issue - Bergen County - Need Advise (Hackensack: daycare, how much)

[somk]

I live in Rochelle Park, New Jersey with my 4 years old son, Oct 7 2003 born, 1 year old daughter and my wife. The cutoff date for kindergarten as per Rochelle Park School district is 5 years as of Oct 1st. He will be 5 years as of Oct 7 2008 and the cuttoff date is Oct 1st. My son completed his 3 year program (Pre-K) and doing is 4 year program (Pre-K) in saddle brook community school. Regarding the cuttoff date I spoke to the principle of the public school and explained him the current situation. Also gave him couple of examples about the kids studying in Hackensack Public schools and West Wood public schools whose cutoff dates were Oct 20 and Nov 12. Based on the test and their pre-school history, they were accepted in the Kindergarten program even though they were falling short by couple of days and did not meet the expected cutoff date. The principal denied to accept my son for the kindergarten program for Sept 2008. I even tried talking to the Superintendent, but got the same reply stating that in their history they had cases where parents requested for their child who were born on Oct 2 falling short by 1 day and they had denied admission to Kindergarten.

I am still pursuing other alternatives and didn't figure out a way, so that I could not waste 1 year of my sons education.

Any advises and alternatives (even private schools) will be of a great help.

[kristin1]

While I understand your child is probably ready to start kindergarten, keep in mind people in Bergen County tend to hold their kids back even if they do meet the cut-off, so your child could be significantly younger than his classmates if you do get an exception.

In my town, the problem seems to be out of control. People hold kids with SPRING birthdays back in order to give them an "edge" in school. It's ridiculous - who couldn't benefit from another year of pre-K. It's really affecting the balance of the classroom. My niece is an August birthday and started kindergarten this year. She is a bright child, but she is the youngest kid in her class and many kids are a full year to 18 months older than her.

Just something to consider if you are intent on pushing ahead with an exception.

[EANJ]

While the above post offers a valid and good perspective, if this is something you truly want to "push" on, then I would speak with an attorney who specializes in the education field. In Bergen County, there are several I would recommend.

Now, I am not a practicing attorney, however, based upon what you said, the town seems to have "precedent" and standing policy on their side. Be that as it may, I don't know if this is a "town" issue or "State" issue. Let me know if you would like some information on attorneys. Good luck.

[joe moving]

Wow, that sounds rough.

I can't help you with your plight. I am late September and went to Kindergarden as a 4 turning 5 year old. I really did not feel out of place and my grades were above average but my parents insisted that I stayed back although couldn't make up their mind until I was 14.

Seriously, don't do this please.

[Obrero]

Originally Posted by somk

I live in Rochelle Park, New Jersey with my 4 years old son, Oct 7 2003 born, 1 year old daughter and my wife. The cutoff date for kindergarten as per Rochelle Park School district is 5 years as of Oct 1st. He will be 5 years as of Oct 7 2008 and the cuttoff date is Oct 1st. My son completed his 3 year program (Pre-K) and doing is 4 year program (Pre-K) in saddle brook community school. Regarding the cuttoff date I spoke to the principle of the public school and explained him the current situation. Also gave him couple of examples about the kids studying in Hackensack Public schools and West Wood public schools whose cutoff dates were Oct 20 and Nov 12. Based on the test and their pre-school history, they were accepted in the Kindergarten program even though they were falling short by couple of days and did not meet the expected cutoff date. The principal denied to accept my son for the kindergarten program for Sept 2008. I even tried talking to the Superintendent, but got the same reply stating that in their history they had cases where parents requested for their child who were born on Oct 2 falling short by 1 day and they had denied admission to Kindergarten.

I am still pursuing other alternatives and didn't figure out a way, so that I could not waste 1 year of my sons education.

Any advises and alternatives (even private schools) will be of a great help.

What is the rush to send him to school? Believe me, it will only benefit him to be the oldest in the class, not the youngest. He may seem ready now but it will be more of a struggle for him to keep up when he gets to 2nd grade on. Also you should do some research on younger kids and their decision making process in their teen years. When they get to be at that age where drink / drugs / driving and sex are issues, it will only help him make better decisions being a year older. Don't think of him wasting a year of his education, think of it as a gift of another year getting him better prepared.

[somk]

First I would like to thank you all for very good suggestions and your thoughts. Well, there are couple of reasons why I am planning for Kindergarten at 5. First of all seeing his IQ, analyzing and grasping skills are better than his age old kids, infact better then even a one year elder kids, that makes me think that he is really ready for Kindergarten. Second, if he was born few days before I am sure he would have started kindergarten at 5 years, so its a matter of 6 days thats really holding him back a year.

As few of them suggested, well it is really a gift and he could do a better judgement to be on the right path during his high school days. Absolutely thats true, the more mature the kids are the better they would be able to judge in critical situations. I will keep this in mind, I have 3 more months to make this decisions, on the other hand I want to be prepared for any other possible alternatives.

As one of you (attorney) suggested, could you please suggest me any attorneys who can help me in this situation.

I really want to collect everyones opnion at this time and make the decision in Feb 2008.

Again any more suggestions will be helpful.

[cmsvmom]

My son has a late august birthday. He went to kindergarten at a daycare, since our town was not full day. He was scholarshipped at a private school with a cut off for Sept 1, so this was not an issue with either public or private school.

He currently is the youngest in his high school class (he's a senior), and he's short. But he's a recognized athlete, and an A student in honors classes.

Holding him back would have been terrible, although that is just the thing to do here. As it is, he is restless to graduate and go on to college and get that "out of the way" so he can do what he wants and make a lot of money.

[somk]

I didn't understand one thing in your explaination, that your son got the scholarship in the private school. Could you explain it, I would appreciate that. That would be really helpful in the current financial situation that I am in, also a good alternative to start him off in a private school.

[brookdaleresident]

I understand your situation, but in the end, this school may not be good for him if you feel he's ready now. You need to find out if they offer enrichment programs for gifted children, not necessarily push him ahead. Another thought is that if you use legal force (assuming it would work), you're not starting off on a positive note with this school.

My daughter went through a Montessori preschool program for 3 years prior to kindergarten (public) and it gave her an edge. She was really ready for first grade, but too young. She's in 4th now and a straight A student. In the end, I'm hoping this will be more important than if she had skipped a grade.

Good luck!

[cmsvmom]

Originally Posted by somk

I didn't understand one thing in your explaination, that your son got the scholarship in the private school. Could you explain it, I would appreciate that. That would be really helpful in the current financial situation that I am in, also a good alternative to start him off in a private school.

We started in public school but it was really not a good fit for him. We researched several private schools and applied to them, indicating an interest in financial aid. Whether or not you get financial aid depends on how much a private school may have to award you, and also their criteria for need and whether or not the school is a good fit for your kid.

We were pleasantly surprised that this assistance was available - still paid a lot of money in tuition (and taxes for schools where the "professionals" didn't meet his needs and didn't care) but it was worth it. Look into the private schools you are interested in, arrange an appointment with the admissions person, go to open houses, ask a lot of questions. Likely your child will have to take an entrance exam.

My kids have been offered financial aid from two different independent schools and a Catholic high school. Without it, we could not have done this.