I needed to make sure that Zenon's summer wasn't going to be an overly extended version of his spring break experience at the Y. He started complaining on his second day there that he was bored and begged not to ever go back. This was very disconcerting to me as Zenon is the type of kid who likes structure, and who wanted to be mentally challenged.
This summer, Zenon started going to summer camp at the on-base child care facility. Since they're an Air Force facility, they have AFI's (Air Force Instructions) they are required to follow which included making sure that the kids always have a fun, creative and mentally challenging activity everyday, plus the places they got to every week are very cool.
Having Zenon on-base also meant waking up at 0540 and driving together to base. I felt more secure that Zenon rode with me every morning. 20 extra minutes of sleep for both of us made us significantly less overwhelmed everyday. Going to the same general vicinity also meant not having to rush each morning which has also significantly reduced stress for both of us, too.
These things made me think of transferring Zenon to the school on-base. If this happens, I wouldn't have to wake Zenon up at 0520 because we needed the 15minutes to drive to the Y to drop him off in the morning. The worst thing about this is the fact that the school is right behind the apartments, a 5-minute walk away. If our unit had an unblocked view to the North we would even be able to see the school! It's part of the route I run when I go outside the apartment complex!
So I decided to transfer Zenon to the elementary school on-base and I was determined to make sure this happens. I was trying to have him go to Kindergarten there last year but they were full and they never called me back like I was told they would.
After all things considered last year, I didn't follow up because Zenon had already settled in well. Besides, the school is rated exemplary while the school on-base has a bad reputation with academic performance.
I wasn't willing to go through another school year of rushing early in the morning, and having to wake an exhausted child to do his homework after school, so I transferred Zenon the same week he started at the child care facility on base.
I called them up and asked them for the documents they needed from me and went there the very next day. I filled everything out and asked them, if filling out all the paperwork meant my son was definitely, for sure, without a doubt, going to this school for this school year for first grade. I asked several times and they said yes. I asked about the transfer papers too and they said not to worry, the transfer papers aren't needed until July. Again, I asked them several times about this and I was told the same thing, that everything was good to go and not to worry.
Just this Monday, 2 months after I filled out the paperwork with the school and was told everything was good to go, I received a call from this school and was given the impression that they cannot accommodate Zenon.
I started getting frustrated and stressed after this phone call because I had the transfer paper submitted online as early as May. I didn't want to take any chances and did my own research thus the early transfer paperwork.
The next day, I got another phone call from the school. My worst nightmare came true. Zenon wasn't going to that school. They couldn't accommodate him. I was told not to worry, to just make sure he's still enrolled in his old school and that when school starts (IN 2 WEEKS!!!), they would know for sure if they are able to take my baby in. I asked what the waiting list was looking like for us and I was told he was the 2nd one in line for 1st grade.
I had to make sure I was hearing everything right because it was mind blowing to me what that I was being told for Zenon to go to another school for a week or so until they are sure they have a slot for him.
Never mind the possibility of paying extra to cancel the before and after school care you have in place, it's the if I am even able to arrange a new before and after school for him when he transfers late was what concerned me most.
Also, the fact that they were doing this to a military child who until their parent/s retire or get out of the service will always be at the risk of settling in then be pulled out abruptly by military orders. So a school putting this type of stress on a child made me angry, and a school located in a military installation, too?? What is going on here??
I called up the school district to know if this is how things are really handled, if there was something I could have done to prevent this from happening and if there was anything I could do to make sure Zenon got in this school. I was told that it was just how things were. I was also told that Zenon was the only 1st grade transferee they had. So how is he 2nd in the waiting list then according the school??
I spoke with my First Sergeant about this to make sure that if in case I needed some type of intervention with the school, considering they're still on an Air Force base, I wouldn't have to tell a whole story of once upon a time.
I won't change my opinion about how things are done in this school district. I still feel it is wrong.
I wasn't willing to sit down and take things as they are. I am a control freak and this was not going well with how I had planned everything.
So I made sure Zenon was still enrolled at his old school. Spoke with the on-base child care facility to know which schools they can bus the kids to.
I called up the 2 other schools I was told they bus to got all the information I needed to enroll Zenon there then spoke to my supervisor to ask for time to do what I needed to do.
This morning, I went to one of the schools. This school is part of the neighboring city's school district. Great, a better chance of having Zenon transferred, I thought.
Still. I went there, provided all the documents they needed and filled out all the paperwork I was handed. I talked to the admin staff a bit to ask how, what I could do to get an positive answer and soon. I came out and told them our situation not for sympathy but for a bit of understanding that I needed an answer so I can stop panicking.
I left the school and 5 minutes later was at the last school I could have Zenon transferred to. I got out of the car and walked to the entrance. I pulled my phone out to check the time and there was a missed call and a voicemail. It was a local number but not a number from base.
I listened to the voicemail. It was the school I was just at. They were asking me to call back. I started feeling sick to my stomach. Zenon won't be able to go there either.
I hit the call back button on my phone and right away they knew who I was. The lady on the other end sounded too happy for the news I was about to get. Good customer service. Then I was told, "your son is in!". I was shocked. I was speechless. I repeated what she said questioningly. "Zenon's in??".
Yes he was, and there was nothing else I needed to do except make sure I had the school supply list.
The admin staff I spoke with had spoken with the principal and told her what I said which was basically the same thing I had written down as reason for Zenon's transfer request.
Tears started forming, I started sobbing. I felt so overwhelmed with joy, relief, and gratitude!
The admin staff (I wish I could remember her name right now, but for the life of me I can't, but will definitely find out and never forget again!) told me the principal's first name and said to not forget to thank her when I get to meet her.
I am so grateful that Zenon is going to a school that's close to base. I can give him just a little but more time to dream, a little bit more energy to be a kid after school and not have to do homework miserably. I will finally be a more visible figure for him in school activities. I will be able to feel more secure knowing he's only a couple of minutes away.
Now, to finally get his school supplies together. :)
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