I signed her up today. Real pre-school, at a public school, not a day-care/learning program (although she’s been in one of those, and they’re great, but we couldn’t afford it anymore).
She’s geeked out of her little mind. So am I. The school she’ll go to is right at the end of the street where we live. I can literally see the unit where she’ll be from my front porch. Five minutes walk, tops.
She went to day camp there earlier this summer, and just loved it. A lot of the same kids she was in day camp with will be in her preschool class, too. That’ll be nice.
But one thing that I wondered about–the teacher told me that they’ll be doing a home visit, next week. Home visit? Since when do public schools do home visits for preschool? They do make an appointment & everything, so it’s not like they’ll catch my husband hanging out in his underwear or anything. But a home visit? For preschool?
Oh well. Guess that just means I can’t put off cleaning my house any longer.
My daughter started 7th grade this past Monday. There’s nothing like children to accelerate the aging process; I can remember her birth like it was last week.
Ah well, soon your daughter will be dating…and driving…and off to college…all good things, but they all make you wonder just how the years just flew by.
As for home visits, no public school that my children attended ever even requested one, much less required it.
I’m sending good wishes for a happy and successful school year Diana’s way. If she’s anything like her mom in the wit and brains department, she’ll have an awesome time!!
MilliCal starts her preschool next week. She’s been in DayCare, but that was a small group, and she could dominate them because she was (at the end) oldest. I’m waiting to see how she holds up in a larger group where she’s not the obvious leader. I’m hoping she does allright.
I don’t doubt that Diana is ready for preschool, but is preschool ready for the Dianasaur? Have they reinforced the walls? Hidden the dry goods? Locked up any temptingly shiny objects?
It’s an excuse to be sure she won’t be carrying fleas to school.
No, seriously, it’s so her teacher can get to know her on her own terms, without distractions or anxiety. My daughter got such a visit last year from our montessori school, so that the teacher could accurately assess her development and needs. A good thing, as it turns out my girl needed to be bumped up a level.
I know how you feel. My youngest, my baby, started kindergarten yesterday. He got on the bus really good and waved bye-bye to me, like the tough big boy he is, while his mom blubbered her eyes out. My hubby stayed home from work yesterday so he could see Alex off and even he got misty-eyed at seeing his son starting school.
Isn’t it awesome? My 4-year old starts next week and, without her having done anything smart or talented or cute yet at all, I’m so proud of her and happy too.
My 8-year old started 3rd grade this week, and also started football practice. I have mixed emotions about this (namely fear and pride and, uh, fear), and I’m wondering what you all think of 8-year olds playing a violent sport (Mom–we got to do hitting today!). They’re well padded now and sort of bounce off each other, so the risk of serious injury is low (right?), but if they like it, they’ll keep playing.
Anyway, congrats to all the new students and their parents–we’re growing up so fast.
I worked for and then managed a preschool and while not afilliated with the local elementary school, we worked closely with the kindergarten staff to make the trasition smooth. We visited the K class and focused on K readiness the last half of the preschool session. The K staff said they could always tell which kid came from our preschool. I wish I had though to homevisit our new additions----many children are much more talkative in their familiar suuroundings. Your home does not have to be spotless. The care provider isn’t going to think you’re a bad mom if the carpet needs a vaccuming. I hope you both have a good time at preschool.
Al, congratulations to you and Dianasaur! The GingerSnap started Grade Two yesterday. I feel so old. 30 isn’t old, is it?
[sub][sup]Please say no, please say no, please say no…[/sup][/sub]
No, Betty, 30 isn’t old. I’m 34.
Another question for the parents:
My kids have been mostly at home up until now, except for the occasional day-care foray. Then came this preschool thing. Had a sudden realization last night–I’m a parent. I actually have to act parental.
AAAAAAAAAGH!
This isn’t my job! It’s my mom’s job!
AAAAAAAAAGH!
Anyone else experience that, upon getting the kids ready for school? :eek:
And thanks for the well-wishes, everyone. I’m sure she’ll do fine, too. But boy, was she upset when we had to leave the school today. Wailed all the way home. She wants to go to school right now, darn it!
Please…
When the teacher says, “No sandals,” please listen. Don’t send your little tyke to school in sandals. It’s not to be mean; it’s a playground safety issue.
When the teacher says, “Play clothes,” she means something to play in, something that can get dirty. Please don’t send your little fashion plate to school in that one-of-a-kind designer original. (You know, that outfit that’s white…for now :rolleyes: )
When the teacher says, “No real/heirloom jewelry,” please listen. Don’t send your little darling to school in the diamond earrings your great-granny was wearing when the Titanic sunk from under her. Trust me, she will lose one.
When the teacher says, “We go outside everyday,” she means everyday. Your little sweetie-pie needs a coat and mittens when it’s cold. Just because Junior doesn’t need a coat to run from the car to the school doesn’t mean he won’t need one later.
When the teacher says, “No weapons,” please listen. Don’t send your little tot to school with a cap gun or even a plastic sword.
When the teacher says, “We need to have a meeting” or “There is a Parent’s meeting” or “There is a Back-To-School meeting,” please write it down and attend. Nothing says “I don’t care” more than missing something important at school.
Thank you.
You can now return to your regularly scheduled thread.
I have had to make time for home visits before. My children are in a Headstart program, & a home visit is usually done by the teacher and social worker/counsler. It is so they can see what our childs home life & parents are like. It is also for them to see if the parents need help with anything, like food, $$, education, jobs, things of that nature. Trust me at first I thought they were just being nosey, but it’s not. I have a daughter that attended for 2 years, & my 2 1/2 year old daughter will start in a week.
**hunnerbunner,[/b[ Head Start is a very popular program here where I live (I live in a very economically depressed area). Although my daughter never went to Head Start (I make too much money, according to their sliding scales), I know many, many other parents who’s kids have been in Head Start, and I’ve heard very good things about it.
Kinsey: Yep, I’m sure I’ll get those rules in writing. Especially the weapons thing. Remember Kayla Rolland, the first-grader that was killed by one of her classmates? That happened here. Not at the school my daughter will be attending, but here in my city. It was horrendous, and this city was a freaking mess for months afterwards. I made the decision then that I don’t care how old my child is, I will search her bookbag before and after she leaves for school, and I will happily allow the teachers & school staff to do the same.
My daughter’s been going 3 days a week for a while now and on Tuesday she starts full time, with a new teacher. We love our preschool: It’s right across the street, the teachers are well-trained and mature with very little turnover and the facility is nice.
Isn’t it great how fun and exciting they think school is at this age? I hope it lasts! My daughter cried the first day she visited, too, because she didn’t want to leave. She was so happy when she got her own nap back with her name on it and everything.
We put PlanDaughter into 3-day a week pre-school when she was 3, mostly to realize there were other children in the world - at the time there were no other children (or houses for that matter) around here (now there’s a 100 home subdivision next door, but i digress) So PlanWife takes her to the recommended-by-other-teachers-at-her-school pre-school, and is lingering at the door. PlanDaughter says, “You’re not STAYING are you, Mom?” PlanWife beats a hasty retreat.
PlanDaughter started a well-respected private university this week - with a free ride. My how time flies.
