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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
I have no idea.

It wasn't like they held a gun to my head, it was suggested. They can't force it, but they will suggest it and suggest it pretty hard.

I have been told that if I had refused they would then do academic testing, the tests show what grade level your kids work at. Unfortunately, I didn't even get that far, I was like: "Okay this will be good for him" I did think it was a great idea at the time just because we were in a new country.

Well for the OP's sake academic testing is a useful tool to let her know how her kids are compared to their peers in the US. She can use that information to bring up any low areas, or rest assured if they test at or above grade level. I would ask before allowing them to test if they had to place the kids according to the test, or if the parent could veto and place the kid in the grade they were at.

I know when we test a kid for learning disabilities (for example) even if they qualify, the parents do not have to put the kid in the special education program. Of course they usually want the extra support, but it is ultimately the parent's call.

The good thing is these kids are not in high school, so they have time to get acclimated before they start building their high school transcript.

I am not trying to presume anything. My son is in grade 4 as well as my step son, they seem to be at the same level from the homework I have seen from my step son. I am a mom and I can't help but worry, my main concerns are the things they haven't been learning(history, geography, as they have learned about Canada not the US).

I meant the school would be wrong to presume. It sounds like in Sprailenes case the school assumed he wouldn't be ready for the material.

02.09.2007- Met online (EverQuest 2)

07.11.2008- Met in person (Orlando)

02.14.2009- Got engaged (Toronto)

K-1

03.13.2009- NOA 1

08.24.2009- NOA 2

11.20.2009- Montreal Interview Approved!!

02.01.2010- POE @ Lewiston Bridge

02.25.2010- Applied for SS#

04.29.2010- Beach Wedding!!

AOS

05.27.2010- NOA 1 for I-131, I-485 & I-765

06.18.2010- I-485 transferred to CSC

06.21.2010- Biometrics

07.22.2010- EAD & AP approved

10.28.2010- RFE for I-485- They lost our medical!

12.09.2010- Green Card in hand!

ROC

09.14.2012- Mailed I-751 to VSC

10.26.2012- Biometrics

04.11.2013- 10 Year Green Card approved! No interview :)

8zs8cuv3suq7.png

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
I am not trying to presume anything. My son is in grade 4 as well as my step son, they seem to be at the same level from the homework I have seen from my step son. I am a mom and I can't help but worry, my main concerns are the things they haven't been learning(history, geography, as they have learned about Canada not the US).

Before I moved to the states I had been talking to my son about the states. Got him the President's flash card set, a map, even a kids book on American history and geography. Every little bit helps.

I am sure they'll be fine.

I am only speaking from my experience, every state, person, school district is different.

Donne moi une poptart!

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

I'm a teacher in Ontario and I don't agree with this date cutoff aspect. In Ontario the date is December 31 and has never been an issue. MY best friend growing up was born January 1 and my birthday is December 2 and there was never an issue on academics or social skills. In the first few years the younger children (Sept. - Dec kids) are a little more immature but everyone catches up to each other by grade 2. What if my kids had to wait this extra year, they complete grade 1 and 2 and then I move back to Canada (not likely but just posing a question). My kids would be going into grade 3 but their age group would be going into grade 4 and they would then be the odd one's out since they were a year older than their classmates? Just food for thought

Sent I130 to Chicago - March 1, 2008

NOA 1- April, 2008

Transferred to California - April, 2008

NOA 2 - March 13, 2009 (lost for awhile)

NVC case number given - March 30, 2009

NVC case complete - April 25, 2009

Email for interview - July 3, 2009

Interview - August 12, 2009 DENIED!!

PROOF OF DOMICILE:

Package 1: sent August 13, 2009

Package 1: sent back August 23, 2009 -more proof needed

Package 2: sent September 3, 2009

Package 2: sent back Nov. 1, 2009 - more proof needed

Package 3: sent January 14, 2010

Package 3: APPROVED

Received VISA: MARCH 3, 2010!!!!!!

POE: Lewiston Bridge NY, March 4, 2010

SSN: ordered March 4, 2010

SSN: received March 17, 2010

GC Welcome Letter: March 16, 2010

GC Arrived: March 22, 2010

Citizenship Application Start Date: September 2011!!

Posted

Every State is different. I looked into PA...their school board offered pre-enrollment, and an evaluation with their school board psychologist...he didn't meet the age requirement, but with proof of successful completion of his last grade, they were willing to test him to see if they would place him into the next grade or make him repeat. The State of Delaware was a bit different (I live on the boarder)...they would keep him back in his 'age appropriate' grade (even though he had successfully completed that grade in Canada)...and over the course of a month or so, they would test him and evaluate him with State approved testing guidelines...the principal and the teacher would then make the final decision...

I personally found (and so did the teachers) that the school program in the US was advanced compared to the Canadian school he was in...so we decided it was best for him to start fresh and redo the grade here...again, there are so many variables...

As parents, we naturally want our children to excel and would love to place them forward...but it goes both ways...you don't want them held back...and then not stimulated enough...and get bored or act out...but the other side of the coin is that you don't want them to struggle and feel like a failure or lose interest....Every school board has a system in place...call ahead of time...get the info...the board, teachers and principal will and should have the childs best interest in mind (or at least that's what I found)

Good luck...

********************************************************

N-400 Citizenship

06/27/2014 Mailed N-400 Packet

07/02/2014 Tracking Confirmation Packet Rec'd @ USCIS

Filed: Other Timeline
Posted (edited)

Hi Sdw,

Yes, you should definitely be concerned about your children's education and whether or not they will be held back or not. Added the fact that they are moving from one country to another, and having to adjust to everything "new" here, that is stressful for all, which affects one's education too.

I don't know about your specific school district. But I do know that the general cut-off dates in New York State are either December 1 (that's what it is in my district) or December 31. So depending on your child's birthday, and if they are using the date cutoff system, this is what is generally used to determine as to what grade your child will be in. Frankly, I don't think that a child should have to repeat a grade, just because of some stupid age requirement. This might affect them educationally and socially, as they would feel that they are "held back/lagging behind" and can get frustrated, bored, teased, can act out, etc. because of this "age requirement delay".

You can look up your specific NYS school district here and inquire further accordingly:

List of school districts in New York

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_scho...cts_in_New_York

And, just because the state says that your child has to be in a certain grade because of their age, this might not necessarily be the case. If I were you, I would do the following, before they make a final decision as to what grade your child needs to be in.

1) Get your child's Canadian school transcrips, report cards, teacher reports, curriculum infomation, etc.

2) See if you can get some sort of educational testing done to see if your child is at their grade level, as indicated, or is at par or above or below what is stated as the equivalent between the Canadian standards and US standards.

3) If they need extra help, by all means, help them out with such, so that they are not left behind.

4) Speak to the staff at your local US school district and see what they, you as parents, and your child thinks about being placed in a certain grade.

Overall decide accordingly as to what grade your child should really be in that is best suited towards their educational, social, developmental, etc. needs. Remember...It is your child's educational needs, and not the school's educational needs that should be the priority here!

Hope this helps. Good luck with your childrens' educational pursuits and good luck on the rest of your journey too.

Ant

Now the debate of moving after interview if all goes well or waiting til this school year is over. Looking for input from anyone with kids, how did your kids manage it?

My kids are in grade 4 and 7. Should I worry about them being put back at all?

So many things running through my head now.

Just trying to get things figured out more now that we have a date.

My son will be 9 in June and my daughter just turned 12 in December. I am all for extra help at home, just worried that if they have to repeat there grades what it will do to there self esteem.
Edited by Ant+D+BabyA

**Ant's 1432.gif1502.gif "Once Upon An American Immigration Journey" Condensed Timeline...**

2000 (72+ Months) "Loved": Long-Distance Dating Relationship. D Visited Ant in Canada.

2006 (<1 Month) "Visited": Ant Visited D in America. B-2 Visa Port of Entry Interrogation.

2006 (<1 Month) "Married": Wedding Elopement. Husband & Wife, D and Ant !! Together Forever!

2006 ( 3 Months I-485 Wait) "Adjusted": 2-Years Green Card.

2007 ( 2 Months) "Numbered": SSN Card.

2007 (<1 Months) "Licensed": NYS 4-Years Driver's License.

2009 (10 Months I-751 Wait) "Removed": 10-Years 5-Months Green Card.

2009 ( 9 Months Baby Wait) "Expected": Baby. It's a Boy, Baby A !!! We Are Family, Ant+D+BabyA !

2009 ( 4 Months) "Moved": New House Constructed and Moved Into.

2009 ( 2 Months N-400 Wait) "Naturalized": US Citizenship, Certificate of Naturalization. Goodbye USCIS!!!!

***Ant is a Naturalized American Citizen!!***: November 23, 2009 (Private Oath Ceremony: USCIS Office, Buffalo, NY, USA)

2009 (<1 Month) "Secured": US Citizen SSN Card.

2009 (<1 Month) "Enhanced": US Citizen NYS 8-Years Enhanced Driver's License. (in lieu of a US Passport)

2010 ( 1 Month) "Voted": US Citizen NYS Voter's Registration Card.

***~~~"The End...And the Americans, Ant+D+BabyA, lived 'Happily Ever After'!"...~~~***

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

I had written a lot more about my experience but decided to shorten it and just say this. Don't let the teachers push you into anything your not comfortable with. Some teachers do not think about the kids best interest they just don't want to deal with anything that may have them do any little extra, they only want what is easier for them. I have been there many times with teachers in Canada and here in Arkansas. Kids will learn what they are taught, yeah the curriculum will be different but that will happened even if kids move from one state to another. Heck here it can be way different from one school to the next in the same district.

Heck we had so much BS with the schools here I know home school 4 kids and my oldest will be going off to University in the fall.

Danielle

Spoiler

Met Playing Everquest in 2005
Engaged 9-15-2006
K-1 & 4 K-2'S
Filed 05-09-07
Interview 03-12-08
Visa received 04-21-08
Entry 05-06-08
Married 06-21-08
AOS X5
Filed 07-08-08
Cards Received01-22-09
Roc X5
Filed 10-17-10
Cards Received02-22-11
Citizenship
Filed 10-17-11
Interview 01-12-12
Oath 06-29-12

Citizenship for older 2 boys

Filed 03/08/2014

NOA/fee waiver 03/19/2014

Biometrics 04/15/14

Interview 05/29/14

In line for Oath 06/20/14

Oath 09/19/2014 We are all done! All USC no more USCIS

 

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Any chance the debate over age and being held back has to do with the time of year they were born? In VA...if you're born before July 31, you're in 1 year, after that and you're in the following year. However, back home in ON it depended on the calendar year (not July to July)....I didn't read all the comments in the thread so this may have been pointed out already.

To the original OP....I might suggest staying most of the remainder of the school year and then moving...might be a slightly harder/ more boring summer, but if you hang out at the pool or do summer camps and stuff - the kids will meet friends for the fall before school starts.

I regret taking my daughter out mid-semester in grade 10 and wished that she could have finished up at home before moving down

Wiz(USC) and Udella(Cdn & USC!)

Naturalization

02/22/11 - Filed

02/28/11 - NOA

03/28/11 - FP

06/17/11 - status change - scheduled for interview

06/20?/11 - received physical interview letter

07/13/11 - Interview in Fairfax,VA - easiest 10 minutes of my life

07/19/11 - Oath ceremony in Fairfax, VA

******************

Removal of Conditions

12/1/09 - received at VSC

12/2/09 - NOA's for self and daughter

01/12/10 - Biometrics completed

03/15/10 - 10 Green Card Received - self and daughter

******************

Posted

I've just been talking about this with a friend, who's in the US. My 10 year old daughter is in year 5 here and we're moving to Arizona, so according to their criteria, if she'd started the school system there, she'd be in the 4th grade now.

She's already way ahead of most of the kids in her current grade as far as literacy goes but she finds Math harder, although she's testing at average for her grade.

She's extremely articulate but a little emotionally immature and prone to high anxiety so doesn't find making friends easy. Having said that, she's likely to be very popular at least initially because she's a mixed race kid with a British accent! I have no doubt that she'll find the change of educational environment difficult, so we have to take that into consideration.

If she was staying on at school here, she'd have another year at elementary school and then start high school in year 7. In Arizona, they go to elementary up to 5th grade and then do 6 through 8 at middle school.

I'm really in 2 minds about whether she should start with her age peers in the 5th grade, doing only 1 year at elementary before merging with another school into the local middle school. This would give her catch up on US social studies, allow her to repeat some of the math but probably get very bored with any literacy type lessons. It would however allow her to adjust to a new school system, and all that entails as it's so very different from the UK system, without it impacting her academically as much.

Or, whether to go ahead and have her assessed for her academic ability, pushing to get her into the 6th grade, where she'd be the youngest in her grade, but wouldn't be the only 'new' kid in school since they'd all be new and merged with another school. She'd have to cope with learning all new social studies, keep up with the math and be on par with the literacy (hopefully!) She'd also have to do this while adjusting to the said new environment. We've also got to factor in that she won't have had much of a summer break, as our visas aren't likely to come through much before end July/ beginning August, schools here don't break up until July 23rd and schools there go back August 13th! That's going to be a real shock to the system, as she's used to getting a week mid-semester 3 times a year, 2 weeks at christmas, 2 weeks at easter and then a shorter summer.

It's not an easy decision, and I suppose one that I can only make by talking to the schools.

Timeline Summary:

K-1/K-2 NOA1 - POE: 9 February - 9 July 2010

Married: 17 July 2010

AOS mailed - Interview : 22 November 2010 - 10 March 2011

ROC mailed - approved: 14 February - 18 June 2013

Citizenship mailed - ceremony: 9 February - 7 June 2017

 

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