Change of Elementary School in Ritenour

I haven't experienced this personally, but my niece goes to Wyland instead of Buder because her daycare transports to & from Wyland, but not Buder, even though they live across the street from Buder. I would suggest starting with Iveland's office and see what they say, then maybe the district office. Like someone else said, it may come down to a transportation question. If you are able to provide the transportation, then that might simplify the issue.
My stepkids both went to Iveland, and it was pretty good. My stepson loved the G/T program, the 2 teachers he had for it were just great!

When my oldest started school 2 years ago, I had similar questions. I wanted half-day kindergarten and Iveland went to all full-day. We live halfway (almost exactly) between Iveland and Wyland. Wyland still had half-day. When I called to ask if I could send her there, they said I would have to get permission from the school. Once in, she would probably be allowed to finish out there, but if I wanted my second daughter to go there she may not be able to if there was no room...so I potentially could have two kids at two different schools. We stuck with Iveland and full-day kindergarten and I'm glad we did. I love that school and can totally understand wanting to keep your daughter there. Definitely contact the school. I wouldn't say that you've heard bad things about Kratz...just keep it that you want your daughter to finish where she started (with friends and teachers she's familiar with).

I would address the gifted issue, after all this is the most important aspect of why you want her to remain in the school she is in. I have two children in the gifted program and when we moved to MO they did not allow my son in it until Jan due to the fact that AZ did not include an IQ test with their gifted test. Looking back I wish I had pushed them to give him an IQ test earlier than they did so he could have started the program sooner, instead he spent the first half of second grade whizzing through his work so he could go off and read, not very productive.
I do believe that since they do not offer a program she needs, they will be more willing to make an acception. I do not think saying you want her to finish where she started will be a strong enough arguement. Remember that having a gifted child is very much like having a special needs child. They learn in a different way, and they often require a different (or additional)ciriculum.
I have done lots of research on the gifted child and I have a lot of websites that you may find interesting. Some may even help prove your case to the school board. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you'd like the websites.
I read another post where she said they take the children from the class, this is true, but the gifted teacher also equips them with the ability to cope with the classmates that may not understand why they left. My son actually spends every Tuesday at the gifted center, to me the alternative (not allowing them to go) is far worse than the chance that one or two kids will poke fun at them. Also in todays world children are constantly being taken from class, several kids have IEP and will spend an hour here and there in a special class. If your daughter does get picked on then you address it immediatly with her teacher and he/she will keep an eye on the situation.

You can sometimes go to the school that your child will be attending and explain that you would like your child to stay in the school that she was enrolled in before the move and they will let them stay as long as there is room for your child and you will have to provide transportation.

Iveland will always have a special place in my heart for the excellent teacher my daughter had. We only went there for 1 year but Dr. Dines was awesome. I know in the Hazelwood School District, you can pay extra money per year to send your child to a school that is in a different district. I hope you can contine at Iveland, they really do care there.

If it's the same district and you're willing to transport, they sometimes allow it. I would talk to the principal and guidance counselor at Iveland and see if they can help.

Yes, transportation is usually the big issue, but keep in mind that there are budget issues between the schools. The principal at either school may not want to cooperate for this reason. I would expect less cooperation from the school you do not want your child to attend and you may want to call the superintendent's office, present your situation, and ask who you need to speak with. If you respectfully present the idea to the superintendent that it is difficult to understand why the district would provide programs for some neighborhoods which are not provided for others and that it appears unjust, you might have a better chance of being heard. It is also helpful to speak for the neighborhood rather than for just your child. School administrators are used to ignoring parents who only want more for their own child and do not consider the big picture. They have to make decisions for all the children in the district and it is always helpful if the parent can appreciate that fact.

The unfair distribution of funds to various schools, between districts as well as within districts, is something our generation and our parent's generation should be ashamed of. If you do not get satisfaction from the superintendent's office, I would approach the school board. You may also want to keep in mind that, if your request is dismissed in a manner that disatisfies you, you can contact your state senator or state representative as well as the local investagative news media.

One more great source of information might be the teacher who is the NEA respresentative to your school board. Usually this is a teacher who understands how your particular district works and may be able to suggest the best approach. Teachers are woefully underappreciated and the NEA rep puts in a lot of unpaid hours. I would offer to take him/her to lunch.

It may sound as if I'm a school teacher. I'm not. But my son spent many years in public schools and I had to learn how to change some unfair and unnacceptable conditions along the way. Although none of the schools provided the program my son needed, I was able to instigate a lot of positive change for the school my son attended. Good Luck!

I'm not familiar with the school district in particular that you are talking about...but I have some experience with the Gifted & Talented program...It takes your child away from her class and she misses out on time with them. Kids are cruel sometimes and can tease for anything different and at 6 years old I'm not sure how sensitive your daughter is, but I had this problem, my sister had this problem and when it came up with my daughter, I said no. I am a volunteer in my daughters class and just seeing some of the behaviors of the other children, it just made sense to continue to work with her at home and wait a year or two to add the G&T program.