To: Pam Stewart, Department of Education Commisioner, Aaron Bean, Senator, Audrey Gibson, Senator, Corrine Brown, Congress woman, Dr. Donald H. Donnie Horner Jr., Commisioner, Alvin Brown, Mayer, John D. Baker, KIPP Board Chair âÃÂà...
"heaveN Knows"
"Change Florida's Kindergarten cut off date from September 1st back to December 1st ,so all 5 year olds can advance."
Why is this important?
9/25/2013
PETITION: Florida law (Section 1003.21 (a) 2.
To whom this may concern,
On behalf of our daughter Nevaeh Martin and every other ineligible, but well qualified kindergartners in the state of Florida we petition that the cutoff date to start kindergarten be changed from its current date of September 1 back to the original cutoff date of December 1.
On September 24, 2013 we were called in for a meeting at KIPP Jacksonville and during that meeting we were told that our 5 year old daughter Nevaeh H. Martin who had already been attending the school for a period of 8 weeks was no longer eligible to be in Kindergarten and that she could no longer attend the school due to Florida Statue 1003.21 (a) 2.
In the state of Florida the requirement to attend Kindergarten according to Statute (1003.21(a) 2. A child must turn 5 years old before or on September 1st.
In reality this Statute would set children back a year who does not meet these requirements, whether they are performing on or above Kindergarten level. Unfortunately although our daughter is performing above grade level her birthday falls on September 2nd which makes her ineligible for Kindergarten by one day.
Can you imagine how hard it was to tell our daughter that she could no longer attend her school, dress in her uniform with pride, play with her class mates, recite her college chants during community meetings or work with her teachers with whom she not only adapted to but also impacted with her presence and leadership while in class.
We are petitioning that Florida Statute (1003.21)(a)2 be revised back to the original 1980 Statute of December 1st which requires a child to turn 5 years old on or before December 1st.
We are also petitioning that Florida lawmakers consider that some 5 year olds are more advanced than other children their age and to determine this fact an aptitude test could be conducted to measure the actual comprehension level of all 5 year olds before considering them eligible or ineligible for Kindergarten.
In closing, we ask that you consider this petition as it would give all 5 year old children who are performing on or above grade level the opportunity to attend Kindergarten and remain in their rightful grade. We are firm believers that education is the key to success and no children should be left behind or treated unequally.
Respectfully submitted,
Mr. and Mrs. Sharrieff Martin
PETITION: Florida law (Section 1003.21 (a) 2.
To whom this may concern,
On behalf of our daughter Nevaeh Martin and every other ineligible, but well qualified kindergartners in the state of Florida we petition that the cutoff date to start kindergarten be changed from its current date of September 1 back to the original cutoff date of December 1.
On September 24, 2013 we were called in for a meeting at KIPP Jacksonville and during that meeting we were told that our 5 year old daughter Nevaeh H. Martin who had already been attending the school for a period of 8 weeks was no longer eligible to be in Kindergarten and that she could no longer attend the school due to Florida Statue 1003.21 (a) 2.
In the state of Florida the requirement to attend Kindergarten according to Statute (1003.21(a) 2. A child must turn 5 years old before or on September 1st.
In reality this Statute would set children back a year who does not meet these requirements, whether they are performing on or above Kindergarten level. Unfortunately although our daughter is performing above grade level her birthday falls on September 2nd which makes her ineligible for Kindergarten by one day.
Can you imagine how hard it was to tell our daughter that she could no longer attend her school, dress in her uniform with pride, play with her class mates, recite her college chants during community meetings or work with her teachers with whom she not only adapted to but also impacted with her presence and leadership while in class.
We are petitioning that Florida Statute (1003.21)(a)2 be revised back to the original 1980 Statute of December 1st which requires a child to turn 5 years old on or before December 1st.
We are also petitioning that Florida lawmakers consider that some 5 year olds are more advanced than other children their age and to determine this fact an aptitude test could be conducted to measure the actual comprehension level of all 5 year olds before considering them eligible or ineligible for Kindergarten.
In closing, we ask that you consider this petition as it would give all 5 year old children who are performing on or above grade level the opportunity to attend Kindergarten and remain in their rightful grade. We are firm believers that education is the key to success and no children should be left behind or treated unequally.
Respectfully submitted,
Mr. and Mrs. Sharrieff Martin