My anxiety is at an all time high

[Bernadine]

I'm really sorry I can only imagine how stressful it is to be worrying about your child's education.

[ninjabridemom]

:-( I'm so sorry.

[irishbride2]

I'm sorry

Have you looked into schools through FCIS that do tuition programs? Specifically look for "flexible tuition" programs. They tend to be more giving than straight financial aid at least to middle class families.

[kaybee85]

I'm sorry. Is there a way you can be on a waiting list if spots open up at the other schools?

I'm not sure what your work situation is, but maybe you can volunteer at zoned school when X starts so you get a better idea of what's going on in the classroom? You may like his teacher, even if the school has a bad grade. You can always supplement at home, too. Sort of like post time homeschooling without wanting to rip your hair out.

[W.T.Faulkner]

SMACE, did you get a waiting list # when he didn't get into the lottery? At our charter we always pull from the wait list, every enrollment.

[compassrose]

I'm so sorry. Is eventually moving to a different district an option?
FWIW, I was in a crappy district until 6th grade, and I had to teach myself some, but I went on to be valedictorian of my non-crappy HS, got a scholarship to a great college, and have a PhD from an Ivy. Having parents who care and are involved is just as important. And I didn't know we were poor or my school wasn't great then.

[rex]

ugh i am really sorry.

does he have opportunities after k to get into the other schools? more lotteries or wait lists?

[venice2007]

Ugh sorry you have to deal with it! Hope the WL get him in!

[aprilsails]

I sincerely hope some new options open up for both your boys.

[W.T.Faulkner]

Mar 3, 2015 7:12:08 GMT -5 @smace said:

Mar 3, 2015 7:09:59 GMT -5 W.T.Faulkner said:

SMACE, did you get a waiting list # when he didn't get into the lottery? At our charter we always pull from the wait list, every enrollment.

no, just a notation that I was on the WL. 

Call the admissions office at the school and see what # you are on the waiting list. Lots of families end up not turning in enrollment packets on time, so if you're near the top there might be a chance for you to get in.

ETA:  Just read your post. I'm so sorry.  This really sucks.  It shouldn't be this hard.

[kaybee85]

I would focus your supplementing at home on reading. Pay attention to what they're having him read - if they are focusing mostly on non fiction, then try to beef up fiction at home and vice versa. I teach middle school, so I'm not sure what reading Ed looks like in K, but that's where I'd research first.

I'd also supplement experiences that he my not get at a failing school (field trips). Gainesville has a free natural history museum that is kid friendly. Nature hikes with science experiments/observations, etc.

I'm so sorry you are in this situation

[stellas]

Is there a catholic school near you? They provide need based tuition assistance.

[rupertpenny]

I'm sorry. I don't know the exact numbers, but my brother (who is now 13) goes to a very affordable and highly rated catholic school in Orlando. I know parochial school isn't for everyone but it might be something to look into. My mom and step dad could only find part time work when he was little and they could still afford it, but like I said, I don't know actual numbers.

[sandyapples]

I'm sorry you are in this situation.

I know you said the school won't let you tour, but do they have a registration/orientation night? All schools here have them in February.

Is there any chance the school is better than it seems on paper?

[themoneytree]

I'm so sorry. I really hope you can find a solution. Hang in there.

[stellas]

Mar 3, 2015 7:33:54 GMT -5 @smace said:

Now I'm just feeling sorry for myself, I don't know why every fucking thing in my life has to be, like the hardest ever. I give up. omg. I cannot do this anymore. I'm literally and actually becoming crazy.

I need a slapping gif.

GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF, WOMAN.

It will be ok. Even if he has to go to the sub par school until your H can find a new job in a new city, or you get him into a magnet school or switch churches and get him into a catholic school, or you sell your house and move into a different house/apt in another school district. He will be ok. I'm guessing this elementary school isn't full of gang violence and drug dealers. It's not a complete cesspool.

[Saint Monica]

(( @smace ))


I wish I had something smart to say.

[cleo29]

I am so sorry.

[stellas]

Mar 3, 2015 7:56:14 GMT -5 @smace said:

Mar 3, 2015 7:51:18 GMT -5 stellas said:

I need a slapping gif.

GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF, WOMAN.

It will be ok. Even if he has to go to the sub par school until your H can find a new job in a new city, or you get him into a magnet school or switch churches and get him into a catholic school, or you sell your house and move into a different house/apt in another school district. He will be ok. I'm guessing this elementary school isn't full of gang violence and drug dealers. It's not a complete cesspool.

I know, I'm overreacting. It's just always something going wrong. And when I finally think that maybe something will go my way, it goes cattywompus and my anxiety goes through the roof.

I have bad coping skills.

I get it, dude. Life can be so fucking hard sometimes. You can do this, though. Think how awesomely involved you are in school this year. If you do that at X's new school you will know EVERYTHING that goes on and be able to advocate for him splendidly. AND you'll get to keep your preschool job, which will rock.

[themysteriouswife]

dont give up. I know every school is different. DD was over 25 on the wait list and was called a few days before school started for the school we wanted her in.

I hope everything works out for you.

[kaybee85]

I also want to echo what someone else said that the school may not be as bad as it looks on paper. These grades are based heavily on student performance. If you live in an area with struggling families, you are going to have lower performances from those students. X has the advantage of parents who care very much and are very involved. He will be okay until you can work out a more ideal situation.

[prairiedawn]

I hate that feeling. I'm so sorry, smace

[venice2007]

Mar 3, 2015 7:20:47 GMT -5 @smace said:

Mar 3, 2015 7:17:36 GMT -5 venice2007 said:

Ugh sorry you have to deal with it! Hope the WL get him in!

It won't. When I was speaking to the director of school choices he said if we didn't get in on the initial lottery, there's just very little hope of getting on in a WL.

Oh darn! That stinks! So sorry :-(

[kaybee85]

Mar 3, 2015 8:21:49 GMT -5 @smace said:

Mar 3, 2015 8:15:31 GMT -5 kaybee85 said:

I also want to echo what someone else said that the school may not be as bad as it looks on paper. These grades are based heavily on student performance. If you live in an area with struggling families, you are going to have lower performances from those students. X has the advantage of parents who care very much and are very involved. He will be okay until you can work out a more ideal situation.

See, but the thing is, the school as always been title 1 with about 80-90% on reduced or free lunch. Even when it was an "A" school, they had the same student make up. They've gone from an A to a D in 4 years, a cliff drop and I've heard nothing but bad things (well, one good experience but a lot more bad) and several teachers I know make a lemon face when I mention the school and they're like---yeah---that's bad.

Well, they have changed the way they calculate grades, and it is more difficult to get an A. That said, the bolded sucks . I'm really sorry. Obviously, you may be able to work out a parochial school or something, I just don't want you to feel like the situation will result in X not having a successful educational experience if he ends up going to zoned school. Unfortunately, it sounds like that will mean a lot more work on your end than there should be. ((smace))

[rupertpenny]

Mar 3, 2015 7:46:23 GMT -5 @smace said:

Mar 3, 2015 7:39:10 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

I'm sorry. I don't know the exact numbers, but my brother (who is now 13) goes to a very affordable and highly rated catholic school in Orlando. I know parochial school isn't for everyone but it might be something to look into. My mom and step dad could only find part time work when he was little and they could still afford it, but like I said, I don't know actual numbers.

Could you ask them for the name? I promise to not mention it here . There are so many private catholic schools.

Ygpm

[revolution]

i'm just coming in to give you hugs. I have no experience with this. I did date an elementary teacher in your area during high school. I would reach out to him if you wanted me to do anything or ask anything.

[Deleted]

In our county, we have what's called "School Choice." It's not part of the magnet lottery system. You apply to go to School XYZ outside of your zone for ABC reason. Then they approve/deny the request based on attendance levels.

www.ocps.net/cs/services/options/schoolchoice/Pages/default.aspx
Last name on the list should be able to help you.

ETA:  Or do you have any charter schools with open enrollment?  Or are they all part of the lottery?

[kaybee85]

Mar 3, 2015 8:32:59 GMT -5 @smace said:

Mar 3, 2015 8:27:17 GMT -5 kaybee85 said:

Well, they have changed the way they calculate grades, and it is more difficult to get an A. That said, the bolded sucks . I'm really sorry. Obviously, you may be able to work out a parochial school or something, I just don't want you to feel like the situation will result in X not having a successful educational experience if he ends up going to zoned school. Unfortunately, it sounds like that will mean a lot more work on your end than there should be. ((smace))

Yeah either I 'home school' after his regular school or I truly home school him which sounds really not ideal to me. He needs that social outlet. I'm so stressed out I can't even think straight, so if I stop making sense, i apologize. 

I just really believed he'd get into something and now that door is slammed shut and i'm freaking.

I think it makes total sense that you are feeling overwhelmed and freaked out. Hopefully I'm not annoying you by trying to think of solutions - I tend to try to fix things in response to venting instead of just letting the person vent. 

You've probably already thought of this, but is a zoning exemption a possibility? I know some parents in this area will get ZE based on where they work or something like that. 

[alzi]

I'm sorry:(

We already have it in our heads that we have to move before A starts K.

Us Jersey girls aren't used to this!

[cc]

Mar 3, 2015 8:52:39 GMT -5 @bigtowlittletoe said:

In our county, we have what's called "School Choice." It's not part of the magnet lottery system. You apply to go to School XYZ outside of your zone for ABC reason. Then they approve/deny the request based on attendance levels.

www.ocps.net/cs/services/options/schoolchoice/Pages/default.aspx
Last name on the list should be able to help you.

ETA:  Or do you have any charter schools with open enrollment?  Or are they all part of the lottery?

I'm not SMACE, but I also live in FL. The county I live in (also different from SMACE) very rarely approves variances. It usually only happens if your child is in a Gifted program and the school you are zoned for doesn't have it, or if your parent works at an out of zone school. I went through this when we moved and my son had just been diagnosed with ADHD. We worried that changing schools right when he was beginning treatment and seeing an improvement would cause him to backtrack. We were denied and when I asked why, they told me most variances are.

@smace I think in my county, if the school is rated a D, you can ask to move to a different school. Maybe that could be an option? Have him tested for Gifted and get a variance that way? i hate that you are going through this and can relate. Florida's education system is totally lacking and it is so frustrating.