Switching Schools in the Middle of a School Year......

I worried about that too when we moved to a growing fast community (Forney). But the truth is everyone here is a new kid and the classes get new kids on a regular basis. The newspaper last year had an article about graduating seniors that had been in FISD since kindergarten and there were only about 15 of them. If the house is right, and you make the transition as positive as possible, I say go for it!

Your daughter will do fine; it is amazing how kids adjust. I just moved from Garland as well and it is the best move my family and I have made. Though my daughter is older than your daughter, she was in GISD through her freshman year. Things are changing in Garland and in the school district so we decided it was time to get out. I had mixed emotions considering she had new friends and old friends in high school and would have to start a new school without knowing anyone. Granted, the first couple of days were an adjustment but by the end of the week she had many new friends and doing great with her school work. Just keep everything positive and talk to your daughter each day she comes home from school about her day and new experiences. As long as she knows you are there for her it will all work out. There are many tough decisions we as parents have to make but as long as everyone's best interest is at heart, everything will fall in place.

I'm sure she will be fine. Many daycare workers have told me that kids adjust faster than we think. Often times they make the adjustment to the new school faster than the parents do. She should be fine in the first grade with a move like that, I would think it would be harder when they are older since the friendship connections are not as strong now as they will be later on. Go for the great deal!

i'm actually moving to richland hills in oct. and have a boy that is in kindergarden and i've wondered this same thing...how is he going to adapt, will he love it? i'm sure that he will as well as your kiddo will do just fine in the transfer.
much luck to you, i'm right there with you on this one.

I think you answered your own question. If you like the school district better, you have an obligation to provide what you deem best for your child. YOU are the mom. Kids adapt quickly to just about any situation. They also feed off of what they see their parents' reations are to any given situation. Go for it, Girl! Live life to the fullest and be happy!

This is just my opinion because I went through this as a child. My family moved us all the time and it never concerned them to move us in the middle of the school year. When I was young, as your child, it was not a problem. These kids are very young and make new friends easily. However, it's when it gets into the pre-teen and older years that it can lead to an identiy-crisis and low self esteem. I don't think moving your child mid-year in 1st grade will be as big of a problem as it woule be if you waited until they are 10 or older.

I think it can be just fine, depending on your approach. Talk about the positives - is she getting a bigger room? yard? can she pick the paint for her new room? my son just started 10th grade after homeschooling and he could change if I needed him to as he is just now sorting through the kids.....do not talk about the negatives unless she wants to....my best to you in your new home!

I taught elementary music (K-6) for quite a while before staying home with my daughter, and my experience is that kids are really resilient, especially that young. Assuming the school isn't drastically different from her current one, I would guess that she'll assimilate quite quickly. Not to mention the effect that a happier mom and family will have on her general attitude! Good luck with all of it!

i know a lot of people who move and don't tell the school until later, so they can finish the year! but, i think you ought to just do it and tell the school system you want to switch schools at the Christmas break, you shouldn't wait on the house just because of the school, the house is more important and your duahgter will adjust to the new school and be happy with the new house, make the house exciting for her, promise her something special for her new room that she can pick out, and just do something for her at the new school, like bring cup cakes her first week or something and let her hand them out, that might help in making new friends! change is part of life, i think it's bad when people do everything they can to avoid having change in their child's life, because that is not how the real world is, just make the change, tell her why it's a good change for her and her family and make it a smooth transition! you will all be better for it!

Trust me, there is not a dilemma. Children are really resilient. It is in some of our nature as parents to continue to shelter and overly protect our little ones...even when they're not so little any more. :-) She will be fine and tell her exciting the move is and the new people that she'll meet. Find out about the district and let her know what type of activities there are and try to even contact the school and/or a first grade teacher. Give her something to look forward to in the move other than transferring your dread. Children pick up on those types of things more than we realize. Good luck with the move and God bless!

I think it's pretty hard to switch in the middle of the year, but if you have a great opportunity go for it. I have several friends who teach in Wylie and they have great schools. It's an up and coming area- growing a lot! You will have to deal with a bit of an issue as it transitions from a small town/city to a large suburb. The kids may have to go through switching schools and stuff as it grows. Rockwall has had to deal with that a lot, but in the long run- it's great. Wherever you move will probably be good for resale value because people are wanting to move to Wylie. Now, if it's possible to wait til the Summer, I would so she could finish out the year- but that's a personal decision. Sometimes it's hard coming in in the middle- the new kid, but I'm sure she'd adjust well with help/support from you. At least it's early in the year and she'd still have a long time to make friends and connections. :) Good luck! Look for houses now- they are a lot cheaper with the market! I bet you could get a good deal! :)

Switching schools in the middle of the year can be a real shock, it's true. My parents moved a lot so I did it a few times, but later in life (6th grade, 10th grade). I think that's probably much worse. If you can avoid moving at that time, great, but if not, I'd say visit the school she would be going to before the move. I know you'd have to take some time off work, and she'd have to take time from school, but it might be worth it. Perhaps the principals/teachers on both sides could help you with ideas re. the transition.

Also, involve her in the move as much as you possibly can. Of course, she can't decide IF you're going to move, but giving her some say in parts of it will give her a feeling of control and will probably help a lot. My parents "sprang" a couple of the moves on us, which was also awful. You don't have to share the gory details of adult life, but kids aren't stupid and they need a framework to work with.

Good luck with your house hunting!