One of the hardest parts of being a parent is making a decision that you know will affect your child. We’re dealing with that right now. The kicker is that the decision is somewhat out of our control which makes it even harder.

You see, it all started three years ago. When Avery was in Kindergarten, he began bringing papers and homework in each night. Piper was very interested in what he was learning, so Avery started teaching her. It was precious. He was so patient and used the exact words that his teacher used.

At the first Parent-Teacher conference, we mentioned to Avery’s teacher that he was doing this. From that point on, the teacher sent home an extra set of papers for Piper. So, Avery would teach her … and then she’d complete the appropriate worksheets.

We found out none to soon that Piper wouldn’t be eligible for Kinder the following year. We were so upset. Having her sit in a traditional daycare setting for another year would be so boring for her. Not long after, we found a private kindergarten program that allowed children with birthdates up to 3 months later than the traditional public school program.The cost of the private program was exactly same amount as having her in a daycare. It was a no brainer! Private Kindergarten.

So, we did it … or I should say, Piper did it. She had a wonderful year. All “+’s” and “A’s” for the whole year. She was reading at Thanksgiving, doing math – actually everything that Avery was doing in public school

Then it comes to the end of the year and all the rules start changing. The school told us that they had never had a child NOT test into first grade. Come to find out, they don’t track the kids – they have no idea where the kids end up or the results of their testing. They also led us to believe that testing was in the spring. Nope. It takes place during the first 3 weeks of school. (A point which I still think is ridiculous. What child retains everything over the summer?)

F-U-R-I-O-U-S.

The night of kindergarten orientation, I got the impression from the principal that they aren’t really fond of testing kids.   The testing process couldn’t be explained by anyone there – the principal, the Kindergarten lead teacher, the Registrar … no one we came in contact with. I left that night feeling very discouraged and extremely disappointed.

So here we are … it’s the first week of school. I still have no more answers than I did 3 months ago. Other than the fact that they began testing Piper yesterday. I found out by a phone call from a classmate’s mom and a note in her backpack. They announce testing dates for all other things (i.e. TAKS, etc.) well in advance. I was a little miffed to find out about it after the fact.

In the grand scheme of things, I’m the biggest fan of my school district that there every could be. There is no where else in Texas that I would rather live. Those schools run like well-oiled machines and I fully trust that the best interest of my child’s education is their number one goal. I think that’s why the “mystery” of this ordeal has been so hard for me.

Their decision (which we have no say in, nor can we submit supporting documents) will affect her educationally for many years to come. And, yes, I understand that it’s only Kindergarten, but it affects how old she’ll be when she graduates. It affects her behavior. (Will she be able to handle the boredom of sitting through Kindergarten again?) It goes far below the exterior.

I probably wouldn’t feel so strongly if it weren’t for Avery. With him just finishing first grade in the Spring, it’s fresh on my mind. He was a very high-performing, identified as gifted first grader. I know what to expect and what is expected. It’s on my radar. Piper is ready and could do it. Socially, emotionally, and intelligently.

Now …. this is the point that I think some parents miss and what I have vowed. I will support the decision of my school. After all, they are the professionals and I think at some point, you have to just trust. That doesn’t mean that I won’t set an appointment with the counselor if they deem that she needs to repeat the year – it just means that when I do, it will be for information and not out of anger.

Who ever knew that sending kids to school was so dramatic? Thanks to all that will comment and tell me that this is the worst it gets 🙂

PS – I’ll do an Update Post when this all plays out.