Back to school...
Speaking of school, there are sooooo... many things about it that I am confused about. So many questions swimming in my head that I know I will find eventual answers for. Some of them are downright silly, but I find them assuming gigantic proportions in my mind nevertheless. For that reason, I think I shall document them here so I can look back one day, and see how much I have grown as a schoolgoer's parent.
1. Does gym shoes mean shoes only for the gym? So he needs another pair for regular wear? Will he leave them back in school? Where?
2. I always thought there'd be a teacher to handhold the kids and take them from the bus to the classroom. But it turns out I am wrong, and he has to find his own way to the classroom. Wow! My Winkie...to walk into the building by himself and walk into his own classroom a.l.o.n.e!!! Seems huge from where I am at right now.
3. Seems there can be bullies in the bus. And its better to have Winkie sit right behind the driver and not venture into the back seats. This one bit of info from a well meaning friend had me in a knot!!!
4. The supply list does not mention pencil boxes. Won't he need one??? What will happen to that cute little box of a thing he was gifted back in India???
5. What am I going to send him for lunch? How is he going to eat it in 20 minutes?????
6. I have to label all his supplies? Each and everyone of them???
7. I have to drive him along the bus routes several times and make sure he knows where to get off. What if he gets off at the wrong stop despite all this and gets lost???
...and so on. Most of them downright basic and silly as you can see. But right now playing big in my head. I know I will find out the answers to most of them during orientation on the 25th. It lasts an hour and we get a proper idea about how things will work out there in Kindergarten. R is working from home that day and it will be a family thing. So exciting.
As is most of the things to do with school right now. I know its only a matter of time before all the mystery surrounding school is pierced and I become a pro at things. *ahem*. So a while more left to enjoy my ignorance. And just a while more left till Winkie begins his formal education in a formal setting. This is the very beginning of his school life!
15 comments:
Awwww not only is it cute to watch Winkie get all excited over the prospect of starting "proper" school, its even cuter to watch you come up with all these doubts. While(as always) I dont have any answers or solutions, allow me to be the silent spectator[with lemonade no less!] :D
WB, T! Your posts had made me homesick! Have the boys both settled down now?? Anywys, your list made me think of the time when P started Foundation two years back. The questions I asked my colleagues were legion and they used to crack up with the silliness of them all!! Let me see if I can answer a couple of your queries:
1. Gym shoes - Winkie'd need a gym kit, a gym bag with gym shoes and the gym clothes. These will be hung on his peg in class (or at least they are over here). But the point is, the gym shoes come out purely for gym and he has to wear a regular, sturdy pair for to and fro school.
4. Pencil boxes - they are no use here as the children all have the pencils at their desk and use them. Am sure the orientation would throw light on this.
5. Lunch - I almost always send P sandwiches. That is what the other children bring and we don't want our kiddies to stand out, do we? Just fill it with different fillings every day. As to finishing it in 20 mins, well that is a learning curve. He will be distracted etc to be prepared for food wastage. Maybe you can get him used to eating a sandwich by himself by packing it in the box etc.
6. Labelling - unfortunately, yes. This means every single item of clothing, shoes (including the gym ones!), bags, water bottles, hats etc. Buy iron-on tapes for clothes.
Deep breaths, T. Zen, remember! :D Am sure he (and you!) will do fine, School Momma!
This is ONLY for Kindergartners...older grades have diff. instructions. Also, its depends from school district to school district. Ours is the Glastonbury school district(CT) and its excellent. Risha has gone to 2 orientations already and also she is scheduled for a mock bus ride on 26th too :-) But I hope these answers ease your worries :-))
1. Gym shoes are to be definitely worn on PE days. Other shoes are snow boots (winter) and front closed sandals(summer) and formal shoes. Depends of the parents.
2.Yes, the teacher WILL hold the kindergartner's hand and walk them the first few days. Each K teacher will come to the door to pick their class. (kids line up at a specified place)
3.K -kids get special attn from the school bus driver. They are very rarely bullied. One complaint and the matter will be handled asap.They are allotted the first 2 rows and the driver has complete info of classroom and parent.
4.pencils and most stationer is provided my the district/school. They have a bunch of them at their desk. Then they have their crayons/colors in their desk.
5.one main item, juice/water, fruit/gummy bear packet. (forks.sporks,spoon can be available at the cafeteria)
6.Esp. the ones that will be collected in a common pile. K-kids tend to mis=place their possessions, so its better to label it.
Chintu's current Montessori wants his stuff labelled too. I send his vegetarian lunch in one of the boxes from Bento lunch box (inspite of paying for lunch...coz there are not too many veggie options). I make pasta, macaroni, grilled cheese, PBJ to name a few. They become pros in eating their lunch..so don't worry about it (I learnt it from my 2.5yr old). GOOD THINGS ahead to you Wikie boy!
Wow ! I bow my head to the Illinois school system ! Gym for K s and a school bus ? That said ,must he travel by bus from the beginning ? May be you can drop him off at school until both of you are comfortable about his going alone by bus.
About point #5 , sandwiches and pasta/macaroni seem to be the absolute favourites .And about the 20 minutes ,well the 5 yr old wise one said 'relax amma,i will eat when you are'nt there telling me finish it off soon'.I didn't know where to look when i heard that :( Guess i just have to shut up and pack that lunch after all.
Its going to be exciting ,the nest few weeks . Cant wait to see whats in store.
That is so cool. Love the backpack. Happens to be Rohan's favorite character.... "Aki-Meen" :) N is already in the "what to do with school" mode given Rohan's extreme food allergies. I hope Akhil has a great time....and from the looks of it...I am positive he most certainly will:) Lets catch up when things calm down a bit for you.
Winkie looks so grown up with the back-pack and all.
I think your doubts are all valid, please do post on the orientation etc. it feels like even parents need to re-learn so many new things in a foreign country! glad to read some of the comments - at least you have some answers now.
The first backpack is so special. It brings back memories. The kindergarten teacher sent us a letter introducing herself way before school started and I sent her e-mails and left her voicemails with all my doubts and she answered each one of them so patiently and that helped immensely, and if u don't get somethings right on the first day, it's ok. Is it half day kindergarten or full day? If it lasts the whole day some schools let the kids bring a small snack along with lunch.
Its orientation day tomorrow for Ashus preschool and I have most of the Qs myself. First day of school is on Wednesday and I have lump in my stomach already as if its my first day. *gulp*
yes you will become a pro very soon!
btw i'd say for lunch stick with what he likes/eats quicker than other things, at least initially.
:)
not only you, even before you notice winkie will become a pro at the whole school business! :)
it all sounds so exciting! reminds of days when we used to buy new books and put brown paper covers and lable them! :)
cheers!
abha
hey! the Brat has the EXACT same school bag!
as for the answers - i dont have any.
but the brat used to take the school van alone at 27 months and somehow knew when to get off. also the lunch thing - be prepared for wastage - Only on days they dont like the lunch!! :) all the best.
All your doubts/questions are valid, Tharini. It's your special little person heading out into the world. I'm sure the orientation will help.
All the best to you and Winkie:)
I still haven't figured out how to label the shoes. They are all black. I tried stickers on the insole but they keep peeling off... :(
tharini
congrats to winkie and hope he loves the independence
don't school vans there have an adult in charge or a caretaker apart from the driver?
ro-
permanent marker pen stays on the insole of shoes
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