Switching schools mid year...

So my son started Kindegarten this year; and had a really really hard time with seperation anxiety...Crying before school, crying during school, crying anytime I left his sight......

It has gotten much better; but I do feel some of the issues we've been having behavior wise are associated with his seperation anxiety.

We went into contract on our home; within the 1st 2 weeks of the school year- projecting for a very quick closing... w/in a month we were told.. At this time; I didnt think the change in schools (since the new house is in a different SD) would be as big of deal; since he would have only been in school 1 month....

When push came to shove; of course it didnt happen like that...Its December; and even if we were to close next week; we def. will not be moved in and "living" there before January...

Now Im torn; Id hate to pull him out of school mid year; to put him into a kindergarten just so in a few much (next school year) he will have to switch schools YET AGAIN... (the new SD does Kindergarten in a different school) for a child with anxiety issues; this will NOT go well....

Is there any kinda grace the district will give to allow my son to finish the school year in the Kindergarten he has become comfortable with...???

Id hate for him, to leave the friends he's made; go to a new school, adjust ALL over again, meet new friends and then in 5 months- schools out for summer; and yet another new school and yet MORE new friends in September...

Nothing about this buying a house thing has been easy for us...and I'd hate for it to effect my kids more than it already has...

Re: Switching schools mid year...

I feel your pain. We moved last school year in May, My DD was in kindergarten too.

Everyone told me NOT to tell our old district because they wouldn't let her finish out the last 2 months. So I drove her to and from- to finish out the school year.

Well, about 3 weeks into it I got a call from the old district, that she was still attending. They ripped me a new one!! Said I was comitting a crime, blah, blah,blah. I had to write a letter to the Superintendent to beg them to let DD finish her last month of Kindergarten.

They sent me a letter quickly granting the request. It turned out that the people who bought our house registered their child for EI and when the address matched our old one in the school records, they called.

My DD has always had terrible separation anxiety. I stressed soooooo much over putting her into her new school. Well, let me tell you, she adjusted immediately!

I would suggest switching him asap. Maybe before Christmas break, you can bring him in for a tour of the new school. We did and it was very helpful. I would have him start the new year in the new schhol if possible.

Good Luck!

Message edited 12/6/2010 12:56:40 PM.

Re: Switching schools mid year...

Can you just keep using IL's address for the rest of this year?
I wouldn't want to switch mid year. I think it would be tough.

Re: Switching schools mid year...

Re: Switching schools mid year...

I'm pretty sure that you can start the new school if you have a signed contract.

FYI - your inlaws will have to submit a signed affidavit that you are living with them.

Re: Switching schools mid year...

Part of me thinks that you'd be better off switching him right away - he might do better than you think, esp with a lot of time left in the school year. And if you moved further away, you would not even have the option and he'd have to adapt.

If you keep sending him there I guess the question is - what if your son is excited and talks about it at school? Will you worry about that then or will you coach him to not say anything beforehand? I would not be comfortable with telling my child not to say anything so if that's the case, I would just switch him. You are at your IL's now? Could you say that you are still living there while fixing up the new house if it comes up? Not sure if that would fly with the SD or not though.

Re: Switching schools mid year...

I would just do it. Just make the switch. He will adjust. He will HAVE to adjust. Speak with the psychologist in the new school so she is aware of the anxieties he has. They are trained to deal with things like this.

Re: Switching schools mid year...

I already live with my in laws now...and the school KNOWS we are moving- hence why my question was "is there any kinda grace the district would give"- I have no intentions to lie; or have my child lie (hide it); or be sneaking... I just want my childs best interest to be considered....

Id be all for switching right away; if he'd be in the new school for the rest of elementary there... but he'd be in the new school for 4 months and then have to switch schools YET AGAIN... (thats 3 schools in 1 year- 3 different groups of friends)

His anxiety has effected him in alot of ways; so Im pretty sure my ped would be on board in putting it in writting that its best not to have an additional change like this....

Who could I put this request into- superintendent?

Message edited 12/7/2010 2:25:00 PM.

Re: Switching schools mid year...

Re: Switching schools mid year...

While I completely understand your thinking on keeping him where he is , since he is finally starting to adjust....A part of me feels that changing him now might be hard at the moment but more benefical in the end...

If he stays where he is, he is going to form close bonds with his current classmates...While this is happening , the kids at his "new" school are doing the same....Which leaves him starting off fresh in 1st grade in a new school with a bunch of kids that already know eachother well
( have established year long friendships), playdates, birthday parties etc... Startying him now, (only 2 months in) friendships are just now starting to form kwim ?

Its like pulling off a band-aid unfortunately I think...Either way its going to hurt a little but I think the quicker the better...Also, he will meet kids in the new neighborhood and he may wonder why he can't go on the bus with them etc....

Its a tough decision


ETA- just read your update..Didnt realize he'd have to switch again ...Ugh

Message edited 12/7/2010 2:26:53 PM.

Re: Switching schools mid year...

Posted by Bops

While I completely understand your thinking on keeping him where he is , since he is finally starting to adjust....A part of me feels that changing him now might be hard at the moment but more benefical in the end...

If he stays where he is, he is going to form close bonds with his current classmates...While this is happening , the kids at his "new" school are doing the same....Which leaves him starting off fresh in 1st grade in a new school with a bunch of kids that already know eachother well
( have established year long friendships), playdates, birthday parties etc... Startying him now, (only 2 months in) friendships are just now starting to form kwim ?

Its like pulling off a band-aid unfortunately I think...Either way its going to hurt a little but I think the quicker the better...Also, he will meet kids in the new neighborhood and he may wonder why he can't go on the bus with them etc....

Its a tough decision


ETA- just read your update..Didnt realize he'd have to switch again ...Ugh

Message edited 12/7/2010 2:33:44 PM.

Re: Switching schools mid year...

I'd keep the don't ask don't tell policy. We moved mid year through my DD's 1st grade and used the in-laws address. Technically we were in district but it would have been a different elementry. The school knew we were moving but as long as they didnt ask. i didnt say anything.

And when they did it was the beginning of May anyways and it was just a casual conversation. It's the central office district policy/discretion not each individual school's policy so they won't even know unless you make a big deal out of it.

Re: Switching schools mid year...