Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Daisy's first day of kindergarten


Daisy was excited this morning to start kindergarten. We picked a favorite dress to wear and Daisy insisted on wearing her garish pink belt around her waist, a look I really wish she would move beyond--but it was her first day of school and she could wear whatever she wanted, of course! She told me she had had a happy dream about starting, and when I pulled up outside the school, she said, "This is just the way it was in my dream!" There were balloons tied up outside the school ("it is a celebration," Daisy said) and the very warm and kind principal, Mr. L., standing outside to welcome the kids. I took Daisy into the kindergarten room and a nice mom, the president of the parents' association, picked up on our newness and confusion and helped us find Daisy's cubby, where she keeps her lunch, and her hook, where she hangs her backpack and coat. Maybe it sounds silly, but it made me feel good that she had her own designated cubby and hook with her name on them.

I was determined to be positive and not shed tears myself, but the truth is that I started tearing up the minute I saw the balloons and Mr. L outside the school. I am proud to say the tears did not come out until after I had left Daisy! But it became especially hard when I noticed she was doing this thing where she rubs her eyes; I know it's because her eyes are becoming teary, but she denies it. I asked her if she was feeling nervous and she said firmly, "No, I am not nervous! I am excited."

Right at the perfect moment, Mr. L came in the room and talked to the kids, and then Daisy's wonderful new teacher, Ms. Pon-Barry, said she was going to read a book to all the kids. At that point parents were asked to leave and go in the back courtyard, where there was coffee. I had told Daisy I'd be right outside, and I think that was a comfort. When I left her, she was looking fine, no tears. The only thing, and it's something that always gets me about her, is that she went up to the front of the circle but then faltered and hesitated and let other kids kind of inadvertently push her to the back. I had to tell her, "Go ahead and sit down!" She can be so uncertain about claiming her space, and one thing I noticed is that she was one of the smallest, youngest kids and, for some reason, there seemed to be a lot more boys than girls.

I went out in the courtyard for the coffee, leaving Daisy looking fine, and at that point the tears came out a little bit. What got to me was watching Daisy be so brave and try to be so grown-up. But it wasn't about feeling anything negative, feeling like she wasn't going to be okay or anything like that. On the contrary, I left feeling great about the school. It really seems to embody its slogan, emphasizing a "warm and nurturing environment" for kids.

I talked mainly with another mom whose son was starting today, and she also teared up a bit. She was very nice and it occurred to me, though it's obvious, that the school is going to be full of other parents who value the same kinds of things I do (a small, warm, cozy, nurturing environment for their kids). Her son was 6 starting kindergarten, and it reinforced the sense I'd had from looking at the kids that Daisy is one of the youngest kindergarteners. We'll have to see how that goes. Certainly I believe she is intellectually ready for kindergarten, but since she's already somewhat delayed physically for her age, I'm a bit concerned that she'll be at a pretty massive disadvantage physically, given that she may be the youngest kid on top of it all.

But I left with a very positive, happy feeling, knowing I was leaving Daisy in great hands. Oh, and this is very cool: they offered us free extended care after school, which goes till 6 pm, and it can be on a spontaneous basis. We hadn't signed up for it, because we want to give Daisy a chance to adjust to school and we're not sure how much we may need it, but Mr. L said we could use it whenever we wanted and that they were flexible about how much notice we gave. It's such an easygoing, friendly atmosphere at this school. I am optimistic!

I almost forgot: I saw Daisy a couple more times before I left, because I went upstairs to the office to turn in Daisy's vaccination papers and ask a few logistical questions. Ms. Pon-Barry was giving the new kids a tour of the school, so I saw all the kids file by and poke their heads into different classrooms. Daisy looked totally fine, if extremely wide-eyed. She smiled at me but didn't run over for hugs or anything like that. She stayed with her group and was looking quite grown up.

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4 Comments:

Anonymous Katherine C. said...

Go Daisy! Hope the first week goes well - all sounds great so far.

Looking forward to seeing you in October.

1:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great report. Looking for good things.

Gompy

9:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I took her to school this morning (second day of school). As we were walking to the school Daisy was conversing with a lamb hand puppet who was insisting on following Daisy to school even though Daisy pointed out it was against the rules. Daisy told Lambie that she was excited about starting math today. "You know why I'm excited, Lambie? -- It's because I'm really good at math!!"
M.B. (Proud Gommy)

2:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

yay!
-auntie s.

8:56 AM  

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