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Relocating from Istanbul( Turkey) to Raleigh
melike March 5, 2012
Dear Friends,
We are relocating from Istanbul to Raleigh this summer as my husband will be attending a position in Raleigh. It will be diffucult for us because we are changing a country. I have a 3rd grade son now (he will be 4th grade next year). He doesn't know even an English word! Can anyone tell me that what should be done for attending him to a public school? Are we able to transfer him to a public school? Any idea, would be appreciated.. thanks..
MagnetMom March 5, 2012
Hi melike,
Your son will indeed be able to attend public schools. When you move to the US, your school will very likely be based on your address. Choose where you live wisely. If you need help choosing a place to live, have your husband talk to the Human Resources department at his new job. They can help point you to good neighborhoods nearby the office. When you go to register your son, you will need his birth certificate, his immunization records, and proof of your address (this is usually accomplished with a utility bill).
He might not know English now, but there are plenty of things you can do in the meantime to help him learn. Many TV programs are available with subtitles--kids cartoons with the subtitles on are always a good way to start. You can also find video games and websites online that will help him learn quickly. And the amazing thing about kids is that they are fast learners. In school, the teachers will provide him with extra instruction in language arts until he catches up. He'll do fine.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!77010
MagnetMom March 6, 2012
Here are a few articles to get you started: http://www.greatschools.org/search/contentSearch.page?q=magnet%2C+charter+public
Public schools are free schools. They're typically zoned by certain neighborhoods, meaning they draw boundaries on maps and if you live in those boundaries, your children are eligible to go to that specific school. When the schools have extra room, they might offer students who live in different boundaries those spaces--that's called open enrollment.
Charter schools are public schools, but they often have autonomy from the school district. They make their own rules and can be more accountable to parents. They also typically require an application and a lottery to get in.
Magnet schools are great. They draw students from a wider area, based on either a theme of interest (math, science, music, law, etc.) or based on a child testing highly. These schools require an application, and since you are moving in during the summer, you'll probably need to be there a year or so before you'll be able to apply.
Good luck!77026
xoxxolisa March 11, 2012
Dear MeLike,
I live in Charlotte but am familiar with Raleigh. I think you'll find the Cary area very desirable. The schools there are very good too! I'd recommend the checking out this site as well:
http://translation.babylon.com/turkish/to-english/
You also check out this site as well to help your son:
https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=turkish+to+english+learning+english&oq=turkish+to+english+learning+&aq=0j&aqi=g-j1&aql=&gs_sm=1&gs_upl=11946l15146l1l19594l10l10l0l5l5l0l248l820l0.4.1l5l0&gs_l=serp.1.0.0i18.11946l15146l1l19594l10l10l0l5l5l0l248l820l0j4j1l5l0&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=fb2e33546f0a907c&biw=1280&bih=688
Best of Luck to you all on your move to the USA! Iyi Å?anslar, hareket! Lisa77112
DongHaus March 13, 2012
Dear Melike,
As a child, we moved to the US when I was 10, going into 4th grade. My sister and I watched PBS shows like Sesame Street (you can probably rent videos of the show through Netflix or some other website). It helped paved the way to learning English. We thought it was hilarious and fun to watch. Reading simple books also helped. Nowadays there are a lot of video games or apps you can use to help you learn to verbalize English. Just google it.
Good luck,
Gigi77149
melike June 1, 2012
Dear All,
Thanks for the replies. We will be there in Cary in july and now I have another problem. MY son has ADHD (light) but he takes medicine- concerta. Does this prevents him going to a public school? or does he need a special education. I do not know the us system. In Turkey he goes to public school, no big difference with the friends. But Can anyone help on the matter?78723
TeacherParent June 1, 2012
ADHD children attend public school. Only children with very severe ADHD would need any kind of special education but here there is special education in the public schools.
You'll like Cary and you'll like the schools there too. Welcome to the States.78727
melike June 5, 2012
thank you very much... So when I come to CAry , only thing is just to regiter him to school? But after that if he needs that special education, will I decide or will the school management decide for this? and can you also advice which school would be ok for him? Because he doesn't know ant English word?78782
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