So, it will be a new school, again, this coming fall. For some, this is number 5. There have been many changes in this family’s journey. Prepped for several months for this change and still, how can they not be nervous. Breakfast is done they are in the yard killing time shooting hoops. I shout out the window that it's time to head up for our visit and tour. We are so fortunate that we can walk to school. Up a hill across one street and there it is. They want to run. I say ok and to wait at the street crossing. I (Mom) am a little nervous, too. Will the moms like me? We cross and their pace slows. They start to look around. They have been here tons of times. There shouldn't be hesitation. The reason for being here today is different, though. The questions start... questions of anxiety. What homeroom am I going to be in? What if I can't find my homeroom? Can we bring our lunch? Is this a "nut free" school? Will I know anyone in my class? Which teacher will I have? Will anyone like me? I even start to feel their anxiety. I start trying to answer the questions, getting a bit frustrated because I do not have all the answers. We turn the corner and there is the front door... people smiling. I realize that I do not have to answer. These are just questions of anxiety and they will see soon be answered.We walk thru the halls. For me it feels good within minutes. They will learn here, they will grow here, they will be challenged here, they will fail here, they will have friends here... They will be safe. They will be connected. And all questions are answered.
They start to smile, they see kids they know, the teachers say hi and invite them in. Tell them they are happy they will be in their classes. They see bright classrooms, a library, a gym, and a stage. Ways for them to express themselves. In some classes the students even call out. "Hey G", "Hi George", and "Yo Geo". Z comments later that "it seemed like they wanted me to be there. I saw kids my age and kids I knew calling my name.". And from C, "WOW, kids I know or think that I can get to know are here. And first grade looks cool".
Exhale..................
3 comments:
Walk to a new school".... . After looking forward to school, fresh with mom and dad's visions of what happens there. I can remember that the excitement before going to "school", is touched with more than a little terror at the prospect of newness, but always results in memorable delights. The two oldest of my children had the same first grade teacher when their time came a year apart and in both cases, Sister Mary sent them home, literally, two feet off the ground, after being "birthed" into the wonders of learning.
Maureen, your observations are incredibly real to me remembering the early days of school of my children and I attribute much of their later devotion to education to their first day.
The "New school" experience is at the top of the list of "awesome" moments for anyone. To surge out into new territory is important for any creature, because it is the beginning of learning, always remembered, and events that happen, even in failure, soon become gentle legends at a later time and....it can't help but make us feel really good.
Fear not my little Lantz/McLaughlin friends! You are about to enter the most exciting chapter of your lives at Essex Elementary School! I hope I can calm some of your fears and anxiety! Yes, Maureen - the moms already like you! Here I thought you were "new" to the area and I go to a baseball game and you're chit-chatting away with a great group of moms and dads who already know and like you!! Who else can go to watch a child play baseball and pack a picnic for NINE and feed anyone else who is hungry? You were so well-equipped that I was amazed to see what was coming out of your vehicle. Tables, tablecloths, chips, dips, coolers, cups, plates, Popsicles, and then to top that off, the Pizza Dude shows up!! WOW, my child wanted to know why WE don't do that??!!
There truly isn't a bad teacher in the bunch at EES. You won't have a homeroom teacher until 5th grade and both of them are great! There are 2 classes in each grade and both teachers are fabulous you can't go wrong. Yes, you can bring your lunch AND a snack. We do have a NO PEANUT table in the cafeteria and we have "peanut free" classrooms. Teachers and room moms are very sensitive to those issues. As a matter of fact, the school nurse, Mrs. Smith, is very insistent about ingredients when moms bake something for birthdays or classroom celebrations. You guys already know lots of kids from playing soccer, softball and baseball and everyone is friendly don't ya think! Plus we love new kids!! You're going to have more friends than you ever imagined.
Yes, as soon as you walk into the school you will be greeted by Mrs. Randall, the school Secretary, she’s like a mom-away-from-home. You can ask her anything and she’ll always help you! The principal, Mr. Gordon is very nice too, not scary at all. He likes to play trivia games during the week. He also lets everyone wear Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics shirts when we celebrate opening day and championships!!
Walking to school is really fun too. All the kids in your neighborhood walk too so you’ll meet plenty of friends along the way. There’s also plenty of opportunities for your mom and dad to get involved too. The PTO sponsors a lot of fun activities. Like back to school night which will be a ‘50’s sock hop theme, and a holiday fair, and science fair and an auction and field day at the end of the year. There’s so much to do and so many friends to meet and so much to learn you’re going to love it! Promise!
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