M -- yes, K4 is "4 year old Kindergarten". Some places call it Junior Kindergarten and the regular 5 year old Kindergarten "Senior Kindergarten". That is only in day-care, pre-school, private school settings. Our regular public schools start with regular 5 year old kindergarten.

J -- Yep - can't send lunch to "day-cares" here. Not any sort of federal lunch program, but more b/c of allergies (if I send a pbj sandwich for B and the kid next to him is deathly allergic to Peanut Butter, then there could be issues - which I think is wrong - why punish the majority for an issue that may or may not be present?) And also, I have heard it is from parents sending things that should be kept cool (think tuna sandwich) then the child gets sick from eatting it after it has sat in their bag all morning. By not allowing you to send their lunch, they think they are preventing these situations... I am *very* big on personal responsibilty, so this just drives me batty...

However, here, the private schools don't fall under the same rule (why isn't day care considered private?? Heck, I am PAYING out my rear for it??) and you are welcome to send their lunch. Not sure why they are different, b/c they are still inspected and must be kept to code, but regardless, they are different.

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Ugh, that is terrible. Made me so sad to hear that about little B! At J's school, I have to send his lunch (except on Fridays - it's pizza day) and I am glad. They have a fridge and a microwave for heat-ups so no issues with food going bad. He is in Pre-K4. Never heard of just K4 but it seems like the same thing, just in the elementary school setting rather than at pre-school.

Meanwhile, today is THE day and I've been checking constantly online since 7 a.m for the applications to be available and they are not. Argh! I may have to go stop by all 3 schools today and get my hands on the actual forms. I need to get this done and out of my system!!!

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M -- Oh I was heartbroken... Please also understand that we didn't enroll him at this day-care blindly...it came HIGHLY recommended! Infact, two of the girls I work with send their children there (one since birth, but he is only up to the 3yr old class now) and the other started at 2), and they LOVE it! My cousin went there when she was little (8 years ago and everyone loved it! The 3yr old teacher is my grandmothers next door neighbor, B's teacher goes to church with us!!!

We were thinking we were making a good decision...and it seemed to be fine for the first month or so, but then it started going downhill... So, we knew we had to move him for his own good. I have been really upset for him b/c he has made friends here and will now have to start all over, but my boss told me this and it has made me feel so much much better: "Sometimes we, as parents, must make hard decisions that our children may not understand or like, but that is why they have parents...to make the decisions that are *best* for their well-being and to keep them safe & healthy."

So, now, I am counting the days down...only 7 more days to go till he is done! I will be off for almost three weeks for Christmas, so he only has to go through 12/15 minus the two Fridays (J is off and will keep him home).

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C - Yes - I would venture to say they are the same thing...just different places!

I am so sorry...I kinda high-jacked your thread!!

I would be making tracks to the actual school to get the forms -- so to be clear, you will apply to all three then wait to be accepted? So, hopefully, you would be accepted to all three, then be able to make your own decision as to which one to go with, right?

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No prob at all about the side-tracked thread. Happens all the time around here and it's a good thing.

Yes, you got it right. I actually called one of them and found out registration isn't until January. This is the one that is "first come first serve" that some of his preschool friends are going to. Also found out that the other two both have a lottery system for admissions so it's not THAT important I get them in this second.

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Hahaha - M, I think we are just too nice around here! NO, you didn't come across harsh at all!! and Yes, my claws wanted to come out too...I just had to hold them for a few weeks and make it till Christmas break! I think I just wanted to point out about it being so highly recommend so show why I was so shocked and upset. This problem totally, came out of left field based on the recommendations I had heard!

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