Nella’s 1st day in the K

I dropped my baby girl off for her 1st day of Kindergarten about 15 minutes ago and I’m almost nearly recovered. I mean, I didn’t fall apart like I did when my youngest son, Albert, had his big day ~ but, in my defense, the boy started it!

I really wasn’t so sure about this school. First off, the school down the street (the one I’d thought would be her “home school”) is smaller and therefore, has smaller classes. Also, when I finally got her stuff all together for registration, the track I’d been pretty much assured she’d get into was full. That meant that her start date was weeks later and that she’d be out of school during the months I’d hoped she’d be in (these are year-round schools). But, I have to say that I liked how they set up this first day ~ even if they stupidly have 1st day on a FRIDAY!

I have been looking forward to her starting and getting her psyched up for it, but I was concerned about being unable to meet with her teacher before today. So, I could only hope that I could speak to her before class ~ something not a lot of schools go for. But, with her behavior issues and the Autism, it was important enough that I’d risk pissing the woman off. But, I was pleased to see that there was an actual orientation before hand that introduced the Kinder teachers and clued us new parents in on how the school works.

Of course, no school is Eden, so their policy about drop off may have to be modified. The assistant principle explained that we are welcome to stay with our kids from breakfast through the start of school ~ um, for next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday only. After that we will not be allowed past the gate and all the kids will be expected to go get their own breakfast, sit and eat and then line up for class.

Clearly, these people don’t know who they’re dealing with.

It’s my sincerest hope that the Princess of Darkness will surprise me and go along with it. But, I’m kinda doubtful. The kid is not big on structure and without me or someone to be right there to make sure she’ll fall in line, it’ll be bad. So, a big part of me is ready for the “missing kid” phone call! Sure, they have people at the gate and plenty of volunteers to make sure none of the kids escape from the school yard, but once more ~ these people don’t know who they’re dealing with!

So, we followed her new teacher into the room and she explained how things will go at least for next week. She had name tags ready for the kids as well as large zip-lock bags full of stuff for homework (crayons, scissors, etc.). Now, when my sons where little I’d stopped buying them a damn thing for school until I was given the supplies list by the teacher. This usually happened at the end of the first week. I even had a couple teachers (at the end of day 1) approach me indignantly because my boys had come with nothing.

Ok, I’d send them with a pencil.

But, I’d explain to those teachers that it’s infuriating to get the kids outfitted with the things we can only GUESS will be on the supply list only to ~ each and every damn year ~ discover that they won’t need half of what we’d bought AND that we still had to go out shopping again for the crap she DID want them to have! So, I’m not gonna do it! But, her teacher not only supplied the basic stuff, her only request was that they have a backpack. We may currently live in a poor, immigrant neighborhood (I appear to be one of four parents who speak English), but that sort of foresight was impressive and I’m determined to help supplement whatever expense this sort of contribution incurs.

A funny aside happened when the teacher began to call up the kids (in two’s) to clip on their name tags while checking them off on the roll sheet. She didn’t do this is any particular order, so as Nella watched the kids going up and getting theirs, at one point I heard her say “Where is Nella’s??”. (Dammit, I wish that kid would quit talking about herself in the 3rd person!) But, when her name WAS called, she sat up straight and smiled, but didn’t fricking move! Go figure.

So, things look pretty damn good so far. I did get to speak with her teacher before I left and explained as quickly as I could her behavior problems and how she’ll most likely fight the imposed structure. And, when I mentioned the “A” word, she didn’t even blink, which was a huge relief! Believe me when I say that I watched for her reaction and for any sense of fear or intimidation or even a sign that she wouldn’t want to deal with it. And, what I got was an even response and a sense that it wouldn’t be an issue for her. At the very least, she seems up to the challenge that my little one will pose. And, trust me ~ she will be a challenge! Oh, and when I explained how often I’ve been foiled by baby teachers who’d coddled her, she responded with “Oh, no, we don’t do that here”.

I’ll still keep my crappy cell phone on my hip at all times, but so far things look bright. This is really the very first step towards independence and appropriate socialization for her and I’m pretty thrilled. We “should” be moving into our new place very soon and as this seems to coincide with her new venture into the world, I plan a very special surprise night for her in the next two or three weeks. She recently discovered Rocky and as she sat entranced by the movie, she also (for the very 1st time) participated. During the big fight scene, she thumped her arms in the air and chanted “Rock-y! Rock-y! Rock-y!”. And when he went down to the mat, she watched with tears in her eyes and pleaded “Get up, Rocky! Get up!”. Besides the obvious fact that this was an actual milestone for her, the tale of Rocky Balboa is also an obvious real analogy for her own life and the real fights that she has ahead of her. So, despite the fact that this time of year has always been Jaws-marathon-time, we’ll be having our own Rocky marathon!