I think you will, JoAnn.

And August? Don’t be in a hurry. Sigh.

Beatrix will be in kindergarten. It’s nice that I didn’t have to worry so much about where she was going to end up. She’s thrilled she’ll be able to climb out of the van with all the big kids every morning, but she’s worried I am going to be bored without her! 😀

Lori, you should write your school story! I really hope you share.

I’m glad your kiddo is doing better. That’s always the main goal, no matter what.

No problem, Ratna. If you have any specific questions, I’m happy to help. January is when you have to submit the paperwork. It will come fast.

And you know, that trip in the car can be a wonderful time. You know what it’s like driving with a kid. If you have to be there anyway, make the most of it.

It seems odd that you can’t check out the school until the day of orientation, when it would be too late to change your mind. I’m sure it would be fine, but you really can pick up a vibe about a school by visiting. Office staff nice and friendly? Do teachers look harassed and harried or like they want to be there? What’s the library like? Lunch room clean/bright? Gym equipment falling apart or in good shape? Etc.

Will they let you and Reagan observe a kindy class? That’s fun and telling, too.

Good luck, Chris. It will be here before you know it.

And you know, that trip in the car can be a wonderful time. You know what it’s like driving with a kid. If you have to be there anyway, make the most of it.

It seems odd that you can’t check out the school until the day of orientation, when it would be too late to change your mind. I’m sure it would be fine, but you really can pick up a vibe about a school by visiting. Office staff nice and friendly? Do teachers look harassed and harried or like they want to be there? What’s the library like? Lunch room clean/bright? Gym equipment falling apart or in good shape? Etc.

Will they let you and Reagan observe a kindy class? That’s fun and telling, too.

Good luck, Chris. It will be here before you know it.

We, too, chose a Charter and I’m so excited to jump in this Fall!

I was just shocked at how early you have to plan these things. At least with Jefferson County, *most* of the Charters have abandoned their “put your babies on our wait list” wait list, but not all have. In fact, one that piqued my interest is one of those, and I didn’t even know about it until Claire started preschool, which was YEARS too late to get her on the list.

Still, I’m excited for our choice and thrilled that the luck of the draw went the way it did.

I can only hope that I have a happy story to report back as the years go by!

We went the opposite way you did. We started at a charter, a fabulous one with a terrific reputation. It “felt” good, too, in my gut.

But after a few years it became gut-wrenchingly clear that even though it was good, it was not meeting the needs of one of my children. We moved to the neighborhood school and have had a good year. So far.

Whew!