School closures/delays?

Lady of leisure, I think you might have gotten a little too caught up in your own brainstorming session here.😳
I honestly didn't have much heart to finish reading your whole thing, mostly because you mentioned earlier in this thread that you’ve already made up your mind to request a school deferral the second the baby arrives.🤦 You also noted that, thank God, your little one is perfectly healthy and hitting all their milestones without any issues, so you're essentially just looking into a delay because it's legally an option available to you.
Well, if I'm being honest, that alone is enough for me to suggest that talking things through with someone on a forum like this is probably a very good idea.
Seeking to hold a child back from starting school until they're nearly eight years old—without some pretty significant underlying reason—just seems a bit irrational to me, and I suppose it makes sense for professionals to look into the specifics of the situation.
Whatever your actual opinion of them might be.😉
The deferral will likely happen regardless, but at least going through the process might force you to articulate your reasons more clearly, and maybe, just maybe, it'll give you something to actually think about.

Andrew Wright2 said:Every parent knows what's best for their kid—they're the ones actually living it.

Same here. My kid, my headache. Not the government's, not anyone else's. When things go south, like with health issues or whatever, nobody else is gonna jump in to save the day.

And look, this isn't some weird obsession or me just making excuses. It's straight from experience after dealing with our broken-down school system.

Latest disaster? Our local elementary school. My kid spent the whole year coasting with Cs, learning absolutely nothing and just being a total nuisance in class. Then, right at the end of the term, suddenly he's pulling Bs. The teachers basically handed him those grades just so they could be done with him.

So you've got these "experts"—yeah, right—who are supposed to be shaping kids' futures. They have all these resources like tutoring and specialized programs, yet my son didn't see a single bit of help or an adapted curriculum all year. But sure, under the watchful eye of the principal, the counselor, and the school psychologist, they just gift him passing grades to clear their desks.

"Experts"!!

I mean, I don't think anyone is actually arguing that those kinds of examples are anything but total garbage from an expert standpoint.
It’s just, maybe you aren't seeing that the person who signed off on delaying your kid's school placement did it just to get rid of you, too, which is honestly just as crappy as the stuff in your example. I guess when you look at it that way, it's got nothing to do with actual professional expertise.

Andrew Wright2 said:Every parent knows what's best for their kid—they're the ones actually living it.

Same here. My kid, my headache. Not the government's, not anyone else's. When things go south, like with health issues or whatever, nobody else is gonna jump in to save the day.

And look, this isn't some weird obsession or me just making excuses. It's straight from experience after dealing with our broken-down school system.

Latest disaster? Our local elementary school. My kid spent the whole year coasting with Cs, learning absolutely nothing and just being a total nuisance in class. Then, right at the end of the term, suddenly he's pulling Bs. The teachers basically handed him those grades just so they could be done with him.

So you've got these "experts"—yeah, right—who are supposed to be shaping kids' futures. They have all these resources like tutoring and specialized programs, yet my son didn't see a single bit of help or an adapted curriculum all year. But sure, under the watchful eye of the principal, the counselor, and the school psychologist, they just gift him passing grades to clear their desks.

"Experts"!!

Not really the point, but I have to say it: with an attitude toward schooling as toxic as yours, it won't be easy for you or your kid once they actually start school...

You might think it doesn't matter since you've already finished your own education, but you're already sabotaging your child. You're robbing them of a life experience that could have been positive, all because of this negativity you're harboring—a negativity that, let's be honest, you are inevitably going to pass down to them.

Look, I wouldn't go hunting for a 5 for myself, let alone my kid, if they hadn't actually put in the work or mastered the material. Never been my style. You get what you earn, period.

All this talk about "dirty laundry" can be handled with a massive eye roll or a prayer, honestly. But the second one of those so-called "experts" starts testing their knowledge—or lack thereof—on your kids, I bet you won't find it so funny. It’s easy to act all high and mighty when we're airing out the dirty laundry of politicians or CEOs; everyone loves a scandal. But the moment you point out the local bureaucrats holding the reins? Suddenly it's "too much." What, we feeling personally attacked or something?

The law is the law, and yeah, I used it.

I was just asking if anyone knew the procedure, only to find out the "pros" don't even know who gets copies of the official decisions. So much for knowing the legal framework and understanding why the Secret Service calls for a statement.

Same old crowd running this school I went to, too. You’ll never get anywhere here unless you play their game.

The kids of the local political elite basically run the place. Even that junkie who runs gymnastics with the kids—he and a bunch of others from my generation got all the perks just because their parents were party loyalists, not because they actually worked hard.

Just asking... would you even let your kid join an activity if you knew exactly what kind of person was running it and what they've done in the past?

Andrew Wright2 said:Same old crowd running this school I went to, too. You’ll never get anywhere here unless you play their game.

The kids of the local political elite basically run the place. Even that junkie who runs gymnastics with the kids—he and a bunch of others from my generation got all the perks just because their parents were party loyalists, not because they actually worked hard.

Just asking... would you even let your kid join an activity if you knew exactly what kind of person was running it and what they've done in the past?

If I were in your shoes, I'd be homeschooling.

Honestly, you're getting too bogged down in the politics of it all—who's a Democrat, who's a Republican, who belongs to which club... Just find a different school that actually fits your kid. But a word of advice: don't wait until you're hunting for a third school once you realize the second one is just as broken. Because trust me, it will be.

you can't just homeschool your kids here because you feel like it. maybe try actually reading the laws first.

I'd suggest checking out .

So apparently, if I mention anything bad about the old communists, I’m instantly labeled some hardcore far-right zealot or an ultra-orthodox Catholic.

It’s wild how fast people sell out their own principles just to pick a side, acting like they’re clutching their party membership cards tight, praying the old regime rises from the grave.

oh my god🤦
I suppose there isn't much point in us speculating about the outreach to the Social Security Administration anymore, I guess.
Now, I'm just hoping they decide to rescind that postponement order.
The kid will almost certainly be better off back in school than stuck at home anyway.

The CSS can't just overrule an IRS decision 🤦! It's not like they're the legislative branch or anything. My god, people here clearly have zero clue how basic law works.

Are you guys even listening to yourselves? This isn't about overturning a ruling—it's just about getting a statement confirming my kid doesn't have disabilities or special needs.

I was being completely serious here—no jokes, no playing games with people. It isn't even about it being a Catholic school; it’s more about their whole philosophy regarding kids and parents. Honestly, I think you’d find the environment much more pleasant there—given how negative and toxic things feel elsewhere—and it would be easier on your child, too. Or take this, for example: https://www.waldorf-seattle.org/—though, to be fair, I've heard much better things about that first option, and people seem pretty happy there.

Andrew Wright2 said:The CSS can't just overrule an IRS decision 🤦! It's not like they're the legislative branch or anything. My god, people here clearly have zero clue how basic law works.

Are you guys even listening to yourselves? This isn't about overturning a ruling—it's just about getting a statement confirming my kid doesn't have disabilities or special needs.

I guess the CSS can pretty much do whatever it wants.😉

Didn't mean you northerntiger9. Someone mentioned earlier that I can't stand communists, which is true—so what? Where else am I gonna go where they aren't lurking around?
I mean, once those guys kill your parents in some random field, you realize being "outside the party" isn't exactly a vibe. They just aren't my cup of tea.

And just because I have a Seattle area code doesn't mean I actually live in Seattle or anything. I know how to check out alternatives, thanks for the links though.

Given the recent posts here, I’m honestly not even surprised that the school board is a total mess.
I just want to know if you really think everyone is going to vanish from their jobs if your kid misses a year of school. Do you think that junkie is suddenly going to stop working? Or that all those veteran professors are just going to retire overnight?

As a moderator, consider this a warning: stop dragging the conversation away from the topic to rant about communists.

Andrew Wright2 said:So, I got summoned by Social Services because we requested an enrollment delay for school. According to the paperwork, the notice went out to us, Social Services, the local elementary school, the Department of Health, and the county records office.

Basically, my son doesn't have any disabilities or anything. We just asked for the delay because it's our legal right. He did preschool, which is mandatory anyway. He wasn't in daycare before this. Now that the delay was approved, we enrolled him in a part-time regular daycare program. Kid's fully vaccinated—all the standard stuff plus three extra shots that aren't covered. We actually had to pay for one ourselves, about $1167. Since he was born in 2010, the combo shots weren't free back then, plus we had to cover Rotavirus, Prevenar, and chickenpox.

Why the trip to Social Services? Because they need an explanation from the special education teacher at the elementary school. I actually know her—we were neighbors growing up—and she went through this exact same thing when she requested an enrollment delay for her oldest son. Totally normal kid, zero developmental issues. It’s just how it works; the official enrollment delay paperwork doesn't actually list the reason, it just says "approved."

So yeah, I have to go in and swear under oath that my kid doesn't have a disability, because if he did, we'd be eligible for certain assistance and all that...

It's a total circus just because the paperwork doesn't specify why the delay was requested or whether there are any developmental issues or disabilities involved.

Classic government. They have these massive interconnected computer systems and everyone is walking around with giant smartphones, yet instead of making life easier, they just find new ways to overcomplicate everything.

Now I have to drag both kids down to the Social Services office just to sign a statement. His medical records were already on hand, the school nurse checked him, and even the psychologist said he's fine. But nope!

We've got an appointment this Friday at 9 AM.

🤣🍿

That isn't actually a legal right you have. ☕>
In fact, by taking that stance, you're seriously infringing on your child's right to an education!

I don't feel like digging up specific statutes for you, but under US family law, parental custody and care include several key responsibilities—and education is definitely one of them.
Plus, state education laws are pretty clear about when a child is required to be in school and the procedures that need to be followed beforehand.
It's part of a parent's duty.

So, I have to disagree with you there.
But hey, you can try explaining that to the local school board.
Let us know how it goes.

My kid is already enrolled in a standard daycare. Let’s use some common sense here.

Besides, you nosorog actually said yourself—if I recall correctly—that kids shouldn't even start school until they're 8 or 9.

I'm not denying my kid an education; I just pushed school back by one year. That's it.

I'll definitely keep you posted. Just hang tight until Friday.

Andrew Wright2 said:My kid is already enrolled in a standard daycare. Let’s use some common sense here.

Besides, you nosorog actually said yourself—if I recall correctly—that kids shouldn't even start school until they're 8 or 9.

I'm not denying my kid an education; I just pushed school back by one year. That's it.

I'll definitely keep you posted. Just hang tight until Friday.

So what if she did say that? Saying something isn't the same as actually doing it or fighting tooth and nail to delay a kid's education. She vents about all sorts of things regarding the school system, but that doesn't mean she doesn't care about her kid getting caught in its gears.🤷

Andrew Wright2 said:My kid is already enrolled in a standard daycare. Let’s use some common sense here.

Besides, you nosorog actually said yourself—if I recall correctly—that kids shouldn't even start school until they're 8 or 9.

I'm not denying my kid an education; I just pushed school back by one year. That's it.

I'll definitely keep you posted. Just hang tight until Friday.

I realized he only did one single year of mandatory preschool, which I suppose means that instead of being in school or at daycare this year, he'll likely just be hanging out at home, right?
I mean, even if you have the most perfect family setup imaginable, having a seven-year-old stuck being "with mom 24/7" probably isn't exactly the healthiest thing for them, I guess.

My little guy actually started kindergarten at six years and eight months old. He’s even got some kids in his class who are younger than him.

Honestly, by the time he hit fifth grade, there wasn't even a question about asking for an extension or holding him back.