Shows You What I Know!

Remember how I said that I was sure that Paprika would get recommended for Kindergarten and not Developmental Kindergarten (DK) for next year?

Well, I was wrong! We got the letter from the school district yesterday, and out of the two hundred kids tested across the entire district, they chose 38 kids for the Developmental Kindergarten program. Paprika was one of them.

We said we would listen to the evaluation of the elementary school. Yesterday, I had a long phone conversation with the teacher who evaluated her and who is in charge of the committee that makes the decision process. I just wanted to hear what she had to say, and see if it meshed with what I know as a parent.

The child she described really did sound like Paprika. There was nothing in her report that sounded "off" to me or raised a red flag.

So, now we have two opinions- the school district's and Paprika's preschool teachers, who all say that she needs an extra year before Kindergarten.

We are still weighing what we will do, but we are definitely leaning towards taking that Developmental Kindergarten spot. The only downside is that the DK classes have mostly boys...this year's class has 18 boys and 2 girls (because generally boys need the extra year more than girls). So, that is factoring into our decision, since Paprika gravitates towards girls as friends and it is hard for me to think of her being in a class with all boys.

Oh, such a hard decision! I have been on a rollercoaster of emotions since yesterday. First I was in shock (surely there had been a mistake?!). Then I was was sad. Then I felt like a terrible parent- if only I had done this or that, she would be ready. Now I'm creeping toward acceptance.

I realize it's not my fault, or anyone's fault...she's just not ready. She has a Fall birthday, so in most states, she wouldn't be eligible for Kindergarten this year anyway! California has a December 1st cut-off for kindergarten, unlike many states which are July 1st or August 1st.



It was kind of funny because when I dropped Paprika off at preschool yesterday, all the parents were chatting like they always do. The other parents had their kids evaluated, and none of their kids got into the DK program.

One of the little girls in Paprika's class is deaf and visually impaired, and she did not get into the DK program. So, those parents who still want to give their child an extra year before Kindergarten are all paying to send their kids to private Pre-K classes next year...and are paying $700/month to do so, and fretting over waitlists and whether or not they will even get in!

When they heard Paprika got accepted to the elementary school's DK, they were as shocked as I was! Here, a little girl who is deaf and can't see very well did not get in, but Paprika did?! What?!!!

After talking to the DK teacher on the phone, I found out that many parents want to put their kids in DK, but don't get the spot. These parents re-petition for more testing, and ask to be reconsidered, but it doesn't change the committee's decision.

So, for us to have that DK spot that everyone wants, we are really in the catbird seat. The best thing for us to do is keep it, enroll her, and if she doesn't need DK or if it's not a good fit, then we can move her into regular Kindergarten...and someone in the regular Kindergarten will switch with us because the DK spots are coveted.

All I have to say is...my, how things have changed from 25 years ago! When I started first grade, at age five, no one batted an eyelash about any of this stuff. But, I guess now Kindergarten is the new first grade- and the expectations are so much higher academically, it's just a different world.

So, basically, Paprika will do Developmental Kindergarten next year. It's half day (just like the regular kindergarten) and covers the same material...just at a slower pace. Then the following year, she will do regular Kindergarten (also half-day), or she can also get bumped up to First Grade if they think she's ready.

The teacher said that the academics are not the issue with Paprika, it is really the emotional/social stuff. So, having this extra time will allow her to develop more emotionally/socially, gain more confidence in group settings, and catch up to her peers in that way.

One mom said to me..."You have a choice. She can either be a caboose or she can be an engine. If you push her when she's not ready, she will be a caboose. Wait a year? Engine."

So, gosh, it has just been hard. I would definitely be putting her in Kindergarten if it weren't for the evaluations telling me she is not ready. I asked the teacher/evaluator how often she had been wrong in her assessmet. She said that in the 20 years she's been doing this, she was wrong once...and they moved the kid to Kindergarten.

So, I am not going to let my emotions cloud what is best for Paprika. I was so excited for her to go to Kindergarten in the Fall. I know she'll still get to go...she's just lucky and gets an extra year to enjoy her life before "big school" starts. :-)



In other news, my morning sickness is back with a vengeance. I thought I was through the worst, but no...not even close. Last night I threw up so hard that I thought my internal organs came out. (How is that for a visual?!) Mr. Mustard has been working a lot, and I am just trying so hard to be functional.

The only thing that I have been able to keep down is McDonald's (#10 value meal!) - which prior to pregancy would have horrified me (I was basically eating vegan). But now...seriously...I think about McD's from the time I wake up in the morning. Whatever works, right?! ;-)

My next ultrasound is a week from today- I am looking forward to seeing Pavenzia (Paprika's name for the baby) - and am praying that the Subchorionic Hemmorage is no longer an issue! Praying for a healthy, strong baby!