Decision Making as a Parent

I have gotten pretty good at living in the moment. At the very least, I've gotten better at pulling myself back from the future and realizing I need to "be here now". Of course I'm not perfect, but I'm very aware.

I can't help but freak out a little when it comes to making decisions about AJ's future. Being the parents, it's up to Jason and I to research things and make our decision based on what we learn in hopes that it will be the best thing for AJ.

Kindergarten is freaking me out. I have been thinking about if for over a year and trying to determine the best thing for AJ. I thought I had it figured out, but then found out my plan was probably not the best one.

Jason and I decided last year that we would get AJ in the lottery for Academy Charter School. We really like the school, the dean, the teachers, the curriculum, the small class sizes and I like the fact that kids wear uniforms. This school would take him all the way up to 8th grade. We did a tour and the kids look so happy, the staff is so friendly and helpful. We got him on the list of the lottery and lucky enough, he got in! This school only has one full day kindergarten and also an AM and PM class. I had really hoped to get him into full day, but he only got half. The second half of the day he would go to his current school, Castle Academy.

I had it all worked out and he'd go to ACS for the morning and Castle after lunch. And then, this weekend I was at an Easter party and talked to some of AJ's current teachers and the kindergarten teacher at Castle. I asked them if AJ would essentially get a full day of Kindergarten at two schools. ALL of them answered with a resounding "NO!". They told me that the half day program at any school is tough because there is so much information crammed into it. And then he would come to Castle and essentially do some arts and crafts and have a ton of play time. Plus they didn't have a PM teacher at Castle yet and had no idea who it could be. AND that person didn't need to be certified?!I was not at all happy to hear this, but I really appreciated the honesty.

Sarah, the only full day Kindergarten teacher at Castle Academy had a really good idea. She suggested putting AJ in Castle for the AM kindergarten class. She said he will likely be in her class (she is the certified teacher in the real, full day class but if they only have a few half day kids, they get incorporated in) but he would only go until lunch time. She said that she crams most of the reading and writing into the mornings because she finds that's when her kids are most ready to learn. Then, she recommended having him go to ACS for the PM kindergarten class. This way he really will get almost a whole day of learning, rather than tons of play time. I feel good about this.. I think?

Some might ask, why not just change schools all together? And I considered it, but I really like ACS. And if I change him to another school, like his feeder public school, he will be off the list for ACS for 1st grade. He'll also be in a class with 28 kids versus 22 kids.

I just hope I'm making the right decision. Jason thinks I'm stressing too much about this and it'll all work out. I'm sure it will all work out. I just want to give AJ every opportunity to learn and succeed.

Oh, and lastly- he is still on the list for full day in ACS if it opens up. If it does, we're jumping all over that! Stay tuned...