And so it begins…Pre-K

Warning – this will be the obligatory first-day-of-school post.  I don’t want my child to be the only one in the blogoshpere neglected.

We’re lucky to live in an area where there is a district run Pre-K program.  I knew as soon as I found out about it that we wanted Brad to participate.  While he’s highly developed when it comes to social skills, he’s just not interested in having Joe or me sit down and teach him anything about letters or numbers.  I was hoping an actual classroom environment might be better.  I guess we will see.

Brad is going to an elementary school about 5 minutes drive from our house.  It’s not our local school, but it’s closer to our day care provider’s home and she’ll be picking him up most days, so it was the best option.  Of course I had to practically sign my life away to get the district to approve him to go to a different school.  I had to make 4 different phone calls and appear in person – twice.  I just kept reminding myself that I’m going to have to deal with these district people for the next 16 years so I better be patient.

On Friday I went to the orientation and met his teacher.  Her name is “Mrs. Keri Lynn” and she may be the nicest person on earth.  Of course she must also be a tiny bit crazy to want to spend several hours a day with a room full of 4-year-olds.  Yesterday Brad and I went together for a “visit” day where he got to meet the teachers and the other kids and see what it would be like.  He had a great time and was very excited to go back today for his “First Day of School.”  I walked him into the classroom this morning and he smiled at me and said, “Bye Mom.” and went to play.  I am glad there was no tearful scene, but I must admit I was a little sad to be letting him go.  Even though he’s been in day care at least part time since he was 3 months old, this is the first time I’ll be turning him over to someone I didn’t personally choose and in to an environment where he’ll be judged on how he acts and the things he does might affect his future.  It was not the easiest thing I’ve ever done.

When I picked him up he told me he loved it.  I asked him his favorite part and he said “playing on the playground” which is typical.  I asked him if he made any friends and he said “no” but when I asked him if he met some people he thought he would get to be friends with he said, “Yeah, all the little girls.”  I guess that’s typical too. 

I also asked Brad what he learned today and he said, “Well, they don’t really teach us anything.”  I have a feeling that they just do a very good job of hiding the teaching inside of other activities.  Either that, or the parents and the district are all wasting a lot of time and money! 

Anyway – here are the pictures of my grown up boy!

Lucy is still not sure if she likes the idea of Brad going anywhere she’s not going.  She has never spent this much time away from him!  Hopefully it will be a good learning experience for her too.