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Kindergarten, Pre-K, peer model ?
Can someone clear these up for me?
Kindergarten (anywhere)- If your child is 5 before July 30th, they can go to K, correct? This is NE state wide and includes private schools, correct?
OPS Pre-K- Is for children not old enough for K, but it's based on income? If it's based on income I won't even waste the time to apply. I've also heard/read that it's based on what your child does/doesn't know to help them prepare for K.
OPS peer model- Is this based on the parents income? It's just certain elementary schools, correct?
Testing into Kindergarten- Has anyone ever had their child tested into K early? We are being sent paper work, will go through with the testing and if she gets accepted will decide then if she's ready or not.
Our other option, that we are keeping open, is the High-5 program at pre-school.
Re: Kindergarten, Pre-K, peer model ?
Only Headstart is income based. District Pre-Kindergarten is not income based. It is based on a test. They have to score under 35 out of 50 to be considered for placement in the first few rounds. After all students who scored under 35 have been placed, any open spots can be used for students who scored higher. Now, I'll say -- last year, I had a couple students who tested higher. It was a mistake - the form should not have been pulled for placement, but was. I would say no matter how ready/not ready she is, get her tested -- you never know! If she is at all shy, she may freeze up on the tester and not answer questions. I've had several students get in because of this, but end up being my academically highest students once they open up.
Any school that has an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) room can have peer models. When (if) you take her on an application day to test for Pre-K, ask 2 questions: what was her score, and what if you are interested in the model program. They will tell you who to contact and when. It's not guaranteed, but worth a shot!
At one point, I had a parent ask about getting tested. Her birthday was 3 days after the cut off, and we went as far as asking the gifted teacher about it. At that time, to get into K early, she had to test where the "average" kindergarten student tests IN DECEMBER! So, not only did she have to know all the Pre-K stuff, she had to know the first half of the year of Kind before she could even be considered to move up!
If you have any questions about Pre-K, let me know! :-)
Picture courtesy of Heidi Keene Photography
Seriously, I was just looking at Pre-K stuff this morning, and thought about posting on here. I am so confused by all of it.
I don't think our "home" school even offers Pre-K, so then what? Our friends got their DS into Sunny Slope Pre-K and he loved it. They said it wasn't totally income based, but she did say something about testing, and whether or not you qualify for reduced lunches, which we do not.
I would really love for DD to go to Pre-K, but I have no idea where to start, so let me know if you figure it out.
Stephanie - if you want me to, I can check to see if Madison's old teacher needs a peer model for the afternoons for next year. Macy will be going in the mornings as a model.
I would doubt that Elsie would qualify for PreK, but you could test her anyway. Like Amanda said, she might freeze up and not test well and then be accepted. Let me know if you want me to check on the peer model program for you.
It doesn't matter where your home school is, as long as you're in the district. 95% of my kids transfer to other schools every year! When you fill out papers for the application process, you will fill out a bubble sheet and do 1st, 2nd, 3rd choices and if you have a sibling at any of those choice schools.
The lunch part has nothing to do with whether or not you get in, unless it's head start. It's just funding purposes. All 1/2 day students get free breakfast or free lunch (depending on session). All full day students get free breakfast, lunch, AND snack. Regardless of free/reduced/full lunch status.
If you are even considering putting your kids in Pre-K, go through the process. At least test - you never know. I had one last year come to test (for this year) who's sister I had the year before. Because she knew me, she didn't freeze and tested really high. If someone else had tested, I KNOW she would have gotten in because she would have been scared to be away from mom (as it was - I had to ask her twice to come with me before she finally did).
Oh, and when I find out application days, I'll let you know! All the schools do an application day during the school day, but then they have at least 5 throughout the spring and more during the summer at the TAC building on Saturdays.
Picture courtesy of Heidi Keene Photography
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