Back To School @ MindSay

Ah Fall… my favorite time of the year.  Crunchy leaves, hurricanes, pumpkin flavored everything!  It rocks.  But this fall is a little different from those in years past, because our baby started Kindergarten this week.

 

Yes the day finally came when our big boy jumped into the elementary school pool.  Shiny and I knew two definite things about our child before we even got married.  The first was that if we had a boy we would name him “Avi.” The second was that we would do our best to send him to a Jewish day school.  Part of this came from our education background – both of us were day school kids.  The other part came from wanting our child to have a strong Judaic foundation.

 

Lots of preparation went into the days leading up to Tuesday.  Aside from the usual forms, shots, etc., we had to get him mentally ready for this big change: new school, new classmates, new teachers, new daily routine, new commute.  For me one of the hardest things was saying goodbye to his daycare/pre-school.  After all, he’d been going there since he was 3 months old.  Watching him grow up there – from being the tiniest baby in the infant room to one of the big upstairs kids.  (“Upstairs” was a magical and mysterious place for parents in the infant – 1 classes).  They had been with us through a lot, and really took great care of him.  There were quite a few weepy parents on that last Friday – hard for us to say goodbye, but not really, since playdates with preschool friends have been scheduled already.

 

Off we went to the mall to buy back to school clothes, a new back pack, and lunch box.  Kippot had to be found since he has to wear one to school every day, and his name had to be written on everything. 

 

Finally Tuesday morning arrived – and as soon as I woke Av up at 6:15 he jumped right out of bed.  “I am so excited for Kindergarten today!  I can’t wait to show everyone how clever I am!”  Mornings have now become a contest for him to see if he can get fully dressed and ready for school before Shiny gets out of the shower.  He was already and roaring to go, and off he went in the Shiny-mobile to go to his new school.

 

I met my boys at the new school and they had a special ceremony for the Kindergarten class and their parents.  The Headmaster spoke to the kids about what they can expect, and then the parents all stood up and each of us spread our Tallit (prayer shawl) over the children and we said a special blessing of thanksgiving for reaching this special day.  No tears were shed by me (surprisingly).  When I spoke with Av about what they would be doing for Mommies and Daddies and the kids, I told him that I’ll bring my camera and my tissues.  His response was: “Mommy…you’re not going to cry…you have to go to work afterwards.”  That’s my boy – always practical.

 

There was one girl who cried as they were led out and off to their classroom.  As one of the parents sitting near me said “Oh good…that’s not my kid!”  The rest of the day was spent anxious at work – IMing with Shiny – both of us wondering what he was doing, since we didn’t know the new schedule.

 

That evening when they got home, we completely grilled the kid about his day.  He told us all about the set up in the lunch room, his teachers, the school, the Hebrew language immersion part of class (“I’m going to learn more Hebrew than Abba!”), the new blessings they learned.  He summed his first day at Jewish day school right up when he said “We sure thanked God for a lot of stuff!” 

 

Day three today, and he still enjoys school.   One of his teachers informed Shiny that Av was the only kid in the class who didn’t ask “When is playtime?” during the first day, and that he was really interested in learning.  What I think is most wonderful is that I know this is really the only time in his life when he will be this excited about going to school.  I hope that excitement about learning lasts him a lifetime.

I think ever since I've started blogging, about 3 years ago, I think every summer I've written one of these. My semi-traditional Back to School Blog. Here I'll descibe my hopes, dreams, goals, and fears about the upcoming year. If you aren't a huge friend of mine, there's a good chance you won't give a damn about what it is I'm going to say. If you are my friend, you might notice that there are some subtle changes about me and what I'm looking for in life. Or maybe I'm full of it and just feel like blogging. Idk. You decide.

 

My Goals
1. Organization- By the end of the first semester I want to have figured out how to properly utilize a daily planner, and I will do this by remembering to write stuff down in mine, and not just stuffing it in the back of my locker or using it just for passes. My locker will stay clean, and I will be able to find whatever it is I need in my Binders.

 

2. Sports- By the time basketball season rolls around, I want to be in better shape than I have ever been. I will accomplish this by competing in cross country, where I will increase my ability to run 3.1 miles in 30:39 to being able to run a mile in at the most 9 minutes, preferably faster.

 

Ok, those are my two most immediate goals. Some long term goals are to keep my confidence up. I don't want to be as passive, and I don't want to be taken advantage of in school anymore. I want to know when to say no. I've decided this year is going to be about what makes me happy. I'm generally a nice person, but I'm not going to inconvenience myself to make someone else's life easier. I spent way too much effort trying to please people.

 

Romantically? I'm not looking for anything. No, really. I've been single since May, and it feels great. If you know me, you probably realize how long a time that is for me. It's the longest I haven't had a boyfriend since I started dating. I've been doing a lot of thinking this summer, reflecting, and I've come up with this- I don't need one. The trouble I've had with boyfriends makes it so I barely even want one. I like being able to flirt, and right now I can't think of a guy I'd be willing to date. Or I can, but he's not here so nothing can happen. I've had enough fun over this summer to last me all year, and I don't plan on continuing it. Weird, huh? For me to not want a boyfriend?

 

So, for now, I think I'll just wait it out, wait for the right guy to come to me. Instead of me chasing a fairy tale. Plus, I have a lot more standards, now. No more settling for me. No more dating a guy because he likes me, so I think I want to get to know him, only to find out he's totally wrong for me, which I would have already known if I'd have got to know him in the first place. No more liking a guy just because he likes me. I realize now, that's just plain stupid. If he's out there... he'll find me.

 

I don't have a whole lot of fears. No, "Omg I'm totally worried about failing sophomore year or not having any friends." School is school, it's supposed to get harder. I have all the friends I need, althought I won't object to more, if they aren't the kind that are friends only while they can get something from me. I've had plenty of those. I don't want to mess anything up with the friends I do have, because they mean the world to me. I don't want to do anything stupid because everyone else is doing it, I've been close to that before. I really don't want to drop the ball in leadership, again. Those are really the only things I'm worried about.

 

My attitude's a little different now. I'm curious to see if it stays with me throughout the school year. I hope it does... I like this little piece of confidence I picked up. Feel free to comment on this... I wrote it mostly for myself, but it's nice to know what other people think. See you all soon.

Bookworm has enjoyed this summer with every atom of her being, but alas, all good things must come to an end, and next Wednesday and Thursday I have to be back at school for the faculty/staff beginning of school stuff and the faculty dinner Thursday night. Friday I'm driving up with Son to help him move into his efficiency apartment because his classes start next week - his junior year in college!! Hard to believe!! He wants to take his (full size) Yamaha keyboard, which will take up most of my car, plus I'll get to spend some time with him. This time we won't have to dodge roommates or suitemates and I can just hang with him for a bit, get him all set up (if he'll let me), stock his little kitchenette, etc. And as an extra treat, on the way home, I can stop at the big used book store up there. Sweet.

This summer I'm really pleased with everything I've gotten accomplished both in my house and in my life in general. So now I'm beginning to think about putting that energy into school. And....looking forward to next summer!!

Today is the Demi-Goddesss' first day at her fancy, new private school.  Everyone was so nice to us when we got there.  The teachers who knew me kept introducing me to the other teachers as "Nurse Andria's sister"! LOL! My little one was understandable a little nervous and shy, but the cutest little girl came up to her and said, "Yay! Another girl!"  Then she started to show her where to put her backpack and told her that she would be sitting next to her. The other girls seemed happy, too.  Before my daughter came to their class, there were 9 boys and 5 girls.  The poor little lambs were feeling out numbered.

 

I think the little demi-goddess will like her new school. I pray she has a wonderful day!

Cyclone goes to a charter school. I like that very much,  for the record.  Yes, there is a constant push for fundraising (because they only get 75% of their funding from State funds and must raise the rest), but the class sizes are smaller, the facility is extremely clean, and the teachers work to make good relationships with the families.  Which is why so many families send all of their children through this particular school.

Today was Open House for our district.  Or, you could call it, Meet the Teacher and Bring All the Items on the Supply Lists.  I just realized I forgot, though, to label Cyclone's box o'stuff. Ah well. His homeroom teacher saw us bring it in and put it down, so it should be credited to us.

There are tables in the cafetorium, at this school. Tables where you buy a school "agenda" -- read, planning guide/calendar/teacher-parent communication tool -- and rent a locker for the year.  Then, there's the bus route table, the uniform table, the after-school care table (for the younger kids), and the PTSO table.   This year, I have volunteered to assist with Fundraising Coordination for the PTSO.  Why? I have no idea. But I have.

Cyclone's class list has about 18 students on it at this point. I like that. There are about 2 eighth grade classes, 2 seventh, and 3 sixth grade classes.  I think. <smile>  I'll do a better count, later. (Hey, I'm on the PTSO Board, ha ha ha!)  His classes will include journalism and art, which I think is very cool.  His homeroom teacher was pleased to see him.  This surprised me, as Cyclone had a real problem hanging on to his textbooks last year. ;)  Do you think the new glasses will help in that regard this year? 

Me, either.

Even so, we are looking forward to his final year of Middle School.  :)  I better go get to work hemstitching his uniform slacks...

And guess what? I have Cartoon Ranger's Open House in 2 hours.  Busy day!