Pre-K placements this week
Heads-up, pre-K families: The Department of Education announced today that it will email or snail-mail placement results to city parents late this week. Although they’re not saying precisely when communications will go out, “the end of this week” sounds pretty committal. Families who applied online will receive word by email and letter; others will receive word just by USPS.
If you choose to accept an offer, you’ll need to register between Tuesday, May 26 and Monday, June 8 at the school your child will attend. Families whose children would have gone to pre-K at PS 3 or PS 41, we’re asking where you’ll register (the schools or the new program site) and will report details. For all families, we’d suggest calling the specific school to confirm their registration hours, to minimize time away from work (and frustration).
Failure to register means giving up the offer of a pre-K seat for your child.
Questions, concerns, and comments on the pre-K process are invited by the DOE at ES_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov. If you write in, please let us know whether and when there’s a response to your email; last year, communications shortfalls plagued the process, which we hope, for everyone’s sake, will not be the case this year.
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I know it’s not a big deal waiting a couple more days, but the wait does seem like torture for us! There are so many decisions–including my sitter’s employment–hinging on the PreK news. I know she and I are both waiting anxiously.
Comment by Jessica — May 20, 2009 @ 10:18 am
I’m very excited to find out what preschool my daughter will be going to, because I’m just a nervous nilly when it comes to these things. There are three in are area, and I would love if she got into the best one that is closest to our house.
Comment by Rakisha — May 20, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
I wrote to the DOE at that email address back on February 17th and after getting no response, I emailed again on March 30th with “PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL” in the subject line and made a point of saying that I hadn’t received a reply to my first query. Lo and behold, I got a response that same day. The response, however, was not exactly helpful…it didn’t address every question I posed.
This has felt like a tremendously long wait, having applied on the first day back in early March. Can’t wait for this week to be over and a decision in hand!
Comment by Eva — May 20, 2009 @ 2:21 pm
I trying to stay optomistic. However I don’t get a warm fuzzy feeling dealing with the DOE. This is my 2nd child and have been down this road in the past. If there isn’t enough space and a lottery is in place then some of us are going to be disappointed. I am hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
Comment by Anonymous — May 20, 2009 @ 5:05 pm
It’s friday and still no word. Has anyone received an email or letter yet?
Comment by Anonymous — May 22, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
Haven’t heard anything yet neither by mail or email. It’s very frustrating that the DOE said by the end of the week and we still don’t have it.
Comment by L — May 22, 2009 @ 5:08 pm
Following my earlier comment, just got an email with the subject line “Pre-Kindergarten Round One Notification” at 6.44pm saying that we got our first choice pre-K program at our older child’s school. Over the moon and glad the wait is over!
Comment by L — May 22, 2009 @ 6:13 pm
We got a response but didn’t get a spot. WE were told that round 2 begins in July.
Comment by Anonymous — May 23, 2009 @ 6:17 am
Yes, we got a response too, didn’t get a spot.
In my opinion they just should shut down this program, there are too many kids,vbut just few available spots.
If they can not place all the kids, then why this program should exist, every child should have equal right to go to public Pre-k if parents want to send him. But right now if you are lucky you are getting the spot, if not – you are not getting anything.
What if nothing happens after round 2, which starts in July, then what: where to send a kid, how to explain to the kid, you know, public school didn’t give you a spot.
It’s just so weird. I’m very disappointed and frustrated.
Comment by Anonymous — May 24, 2009 @ 9:05 am
My son also didn’t get a spot in the pre-k. And I agree that if there isn’t enough room to accomodate everyone then the program fails. An elite few lottery winners are going to have a head start socially and academically. They will be more adjusted to clasroom life than the child who didn’t win the lottery and can’t afford private pre-school. I really think this is a disgrace and the Mayor should be held responible. It is under the blanket of Mayoral Control.
Comment by Disbelief — May 25, 2009 @ 9:35 am
Just because there isn’t room for everyone, no one should go? That’s…juvenile.
Pre-K is not mandated in New York, nor is K. I agree they should work harder to find spots for everyone, but the the all-or-nothing concept is absurd.
Comment by Julie — May 26, 2009 @ 9:40 am
This has nothing to do with mayoral control. This has to do with funding from the state. NYC continues not to receive its fair share – the % of funding is not the same as the % of students we have.
Comment by anon — May 26, 2009 @ 10:12 am
As a parent who did this last year and did not get a spot in the first round, I empathize with those not placed. However, I agree that all or nothing makes no sense. There is definitely a need for more pre-k classrooms in the neighborhoods where demand is high. How sad though that some would deprive all of pre-k because they did not get their choice.
Also, for those who are doing round two (as I did last year), I would advise that you contact schools that you think might be available or of interest to you before the summer hits so that you can try to arrange a visit/tour. I did that last year and was able to visit one school at which we were ultimately offered a spot (sadly the news came only 2 weeks before school started and we had already made a deposit at a Catholic School, so the news came too late for us). I hope the DOE does round 2 more efficiently this year.
Comment by Bronx mom — May 26, 2009 @ 10:16 am
I am under the impression that if it has to do with the DOE it falls under the blanket of Mayoral control. Perhaps that is incorrect in either case it make no sense to get upset over something that no one apparantly has control of. Round 2 offers are made much too late unless you plan on your child sitting out the year completely. I think most parents will find the money and a seat in a private school so they can compete for the g&t seats next year. This is what will cause the mass exodus of families with schol aged children over the coming years. Good luck to all
Comment by Anonymous — May 26, 2009 @ 12:29 pm
I received a spot this week for my son, but I was just wondering who and how is the deciding factor in picking the schools of choice. I’m not complaining just curious, because all of my choices were schools I wanted my child to go to. Just to comment on a previous comment, don’t give up so easy because even though your child doesn’t have to attend pre-k I think it’s very important to start them early in school.
Comment by Harlem Mom — May 27, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
If you did not get a pre-k seat in your zoned school, make it a point to call the school ASAP and tell them of your predicament, attempt to get your child on the wait list at your zone school. Waiting until the second round in June or July is not an option, you would be wasting your time and nearly assuring that your child absolutely does not get a spot. The DOE, the mayor and the chancellor’s office are of no help to you now, nor will they ever be.
Comment by zooey glass — May 28, 2009 @ 11:24 am
All of the schools that I called contend they have no say in the matter.
Comment by Anonymous — June 2, 2009 @ 1:07 pm