Lisa says: Welcome to Kindergarten
Good news: Addy didn't puke, and Lisa was amazed.
Lisa's little scholar.
I'm not going to get all sappy — it's not my style — but I admit: My eyes welled up a few times last Thursday when we took Addy to her Welcome to Kingergarten orientation at her new school, and there were several reasons why:
1. I didn't toss my cookies, but I was terribly nervous. I put on a brave face for Addy (who freaked out just before we left the house; she didn't think we were going to stay at the school with her), but my nerves were definitely getting the best of me.
2. I instantly had high hopes for Addy. Her school is gorgeous — it's new, immaculate, the kindergarten rooms are amazing and I can picture her sitting her little tush on the alphabet rugs with the other kids. Her principal was welcoming, and the teachers were so lovely, genuinely sweet to the kids and their nervous parents. (Basically, they were the exact opposite of Ms. Presnikov. I know she scared us kids and I'm pretty sure she even terrified my parents when I was a wee kindergartner.) I now know I made the right choice registering Addy for JK; I know she'll be amazing in September. (As long as my kid can do Number 1 and Number 2 on the potty by then, I'm golden.)
3. In her opening remarks (and once the parents and kids were all seated in the gym), the vice-principal welcomed the class of 2023. I got a lump in my throat. My jaw dropped and I looked over at an old friend from elementary school (oy...25 years ago) whose adorable son is starting school in September too. Her jaw dropped and I'm betting she had a little lump in her throat. It was like the next 11 years quickly flashed before my eyes and I pictured watching Addy graduate from high school. (Could I be more dramatic?)
4. Addy was a star. Like, a total superstar. She participated in all of the activities the teachers had set up. She went up and counted four hearts on the Smartboard when the teacher (who I just adored) called her name. She sat on the rug with the other kids instead of clinging to me and Peter. (Every so often she'd turn around and wave to us. A couple times she got up and asked Peyton to go sit with her. Way too cute.) She practiced with the scissors and was super excited when we saw the library. She didn't make strange and fit right in. I was really proud of her. (Can you tell?)
5. She was a good girl with her sister. She was excited to share her night with Peyton. She held her hand and explained what was going on, and told her that when she starts school, she'll be there to help her. (Getting verklempt.)
6. Peyton behaved herself. That alone made my heart swell.
So there you have it. A totally successful Welcome to Kindergarten night.
Now that I've shared with you the emotional stuff, let me divulge what I learned:
1. While she can recite the alphabet, knows her name starts with A, and knows the letter O and zero look the same, she doesn't know all the letters yet...but neither did many of the other tots. Phew. (It's something I plan to work on over the summer.) Know what letter the kids did know? M. Because M is for McDonalds. True story.
2. The other parents were just as nervous as me. It was nothing for the parents who were there with their second or third (or more) kids, but you knew the first-timers the minute you laid eyes on them: We all had cameras and did this smile/nod thing. "Like Volkswagen owners do when you see another VW on the road," said Peter. It was nice to be reminded that we're all in the same boat. I'm looking forward to meeting new moms and dads in the fall.
3. I don't give Addy enough credit. She was awesome with the teachers and with other kids, even if she mostly kept to herself. She also didn't barf in the parking lot (like I did at one of my kindergarten nights). That's a big deal.
Parents who have been though it before: Do you remember your tot's Welcome to Kindergarten night? Parents who are going through it now with me: How did your orientation go?
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CC says ....
I remember my son's orientation day like it was yesterday. He's in Gr3 now, and I've become aware that I'm now the "experienced" parent that I remember looking at so many years ago. I also remember my daughter's orientation day, and how much less nervous I was.
A word of advice about the potting training? The teachers are not allowed to touch the kids or really help them with any bathroom related activities. If your kids can't do "number 2" by themselves, try to get them in the habit of going before school. It'll take a few weeks to do this so you'll need to start in August, but it'll be one less thing for you (and them) to stress about. I did it with one of my kids, and that made things a LOT easier.
Marj (not verified) says ....
Great job Addy!
I'm hoping to get my 4 yo in a pre-school program this fall, they don't offer JK where I live.
Its funny that you say the letter M for MacDonalds. Where we live, there is no MacDonalds so on holidays one time my then 3yo yells pretty loudly "look mom! Look at the yellow rainbow!"
Tracy Chappell says ....
Of course she was a total superstar! I'm so happy to hear it. We went to Avery's JK orientation in May and she surprised me so much (she's clearly the second child, because I forgot to even write about it!). She tends to be so timid and shies away when put on the spot, but she loved being there and was thrilled to show off her amazing scissor skills. For her, I think it had to do with feeling like she was joining the Big Kids' Club at her big sister's school. Whatever the reason, like you, it made me feel so good to see her comfortable and enthusiastic.
The teachers told us that it's helpful, but not necessary, for the kids to know the alphabet before they start. I was a little nervous about this too. I'm sure Anna knew all this before she started JK, but Avery's been less interested in learning letters. I've noticed a big jump in her interest and knowledge over the past couple of months (not sure why, but maybe you will too) but otherwise, don't sweat it.
This is a big step! Congrats to all of you. Now save up your tissues for September... She'll be so adorable in her first-day-of-school outfit.