My latest parenting quandary, as the mom of a summer baby, has been the age-old "to kindergarten...or not to kindergarten." Back in April I made a command decision, with help from daycare providers, grandparents and teacher-friends, that Steven was ready. He won't turn 5 until August 31, but what the hey - I didn't turn 5 until September of my kindergarten year. I realize the trend is to "red-shirt" our youth, giving them a leg up socially, academically, and athletically, but at nearly 4 feet tall, "Lurch" already towers over most first graders. He is also starting to read, does simple addition, and makes friends easier than I do at age 38.
So I confidently took him to his early enrollment interview, which is necessary in our school district when kids don't meet the July cut-off. I was not privy to the interview, which lasted about an hour. When the teacher brought him out, she flippantly said "We'll let you know," with no feedback at all as to how he did. So I asked, "How did he do?" The answer amazed me: "He needs to practice more with scissors."
Really? Scissors? Ok, but how did he do? I never got an answer.
He was denied via canned letter this past week, again with no explanation, and I felt like he had been rejected by Harvard. Or NASA. I wonder if he just sat there and picked his nose for the entire hour of the interview.
Of course he has no idea what is going on, and I don't plan on explaining it to him. Instead, I have chosen to send him to what promises to be an excellent kindergarten program at local Montessori school. When I drive by the public school now, I simply stick out my tongue. I'm such a good role model.
It will remain to be seen if he is accepted as a first grader next year at the public school, but if he must repeat kindergarten, I can accept that. He'll probably go on to be class president and the star of the football team. But the summer after his junior year, when he is whining about having to go to school for one more year, I will be certain to let him know he would have graduated by now IF HE HAD ONLY PRACTICED MORE WITH SCISSORS.
