Sep. 3, 2007 - Notice of intent
I just stumbled across an article in the community section of our paper that featured several locals who were reminiscing about their first days of school. Isn't it amazing how the memory of certain experiences never diminish? I remember my first day of first grade so very well. It began the evening before with a new 'Tom and Jerry' book bag and a soda shared with my father. I remember feeling very grown up despite the fact my toes couldn't even touch the floor from the restaurant chair where I was sitting. I loved the sensation a swinging my legs back and forth as I paused from my excited chatter just long enough to sneak another peak at my new school supplies below. That night I was to stay at my neighbor's home because my father had to work. I did not mind a bit either, because my neighbor had promised to do my hair up nice in the morning. Dad was good a lots of stuff, but styling my long hair never topped the list.
I woke up the next day long before there was motion anywhere else in the house. I don't know how many times I was sent back to bed before I finally had the green light to throw off my covers. I was ready to go to school and I was ready to get those curlers off of my head. I had high expectations for the day and I wanted to waste no time.
My dad waited with me at the bus stop with the other kids' moms. Finally, the bus came and off I went. When I arrived at my class I was seated next to a girl named Teressa. Our desks were bumped together and placed smack dab in the center row, right in the middle of the classroom. Teressa did not say much, but kept looking at me funny. I was the one to break the silence. My first words to her were,"Don't worry, my hair doesn't always look like this." She remained a girl of few words. All she could come up with was,"Good!"
The rest of the school day is now a blur, but what I do recall is getting off the bus from the return trip and bolting as fast as I could back to where I knew Dad would be. When I swung open the door to our apartment I was crying and declared that I had no need to go back. After Dad did a bit of sleuthing he discovered that I was mostly upset because my teacher was a 'boy'. Up until that one devastating day I had not known that men could be teachers. It's interesting to note that this scene would be repeated on the last day of the school year after I discovered that this same teacher would not be mine for the Second Grade. It turned out that he was a GREAT teacher and I was going to miss his cartwheels during spelling. That day however, I just wanted to be home with my dad.
It is now twenty-six years later and tomorrow is the first day of school in our school district. I am absolutely convinced that homeschool is the right thing for our family, but it still causes me to pause when I think that I won't be gathering with other moms at the bus stop and that my daughter won't be entering a first grade classroom without me, even though she is now seven and has reached our state's age of madatory enrollment. She won't learn what text books are, or about the need to look like everyone else. Tomorrow she will be home with Mom and Dad, her sister and her brothers. We will read about Mr. Popper and his penquins and we will cook. She will undoubtably empty her jar of money onto the floor to be counted just as she does everyday even though she has added nothing to the total since her last calculations.
Yes, I have learned a huge lesson since my very frist day of school. Not only can 'boys' be instructors, but moms and dads can too. Tomorrow my husband and I will remain her teachers and life will be her classroom. We will do cartwheels out in the yard together and we might even wave at the school bus as it passes by our house.
Comments
Sep. 3, 2007 - Excellent post!
Posted by christinemoers
I've had moments where I'm sad that the kids miss out on the "typical" stuff of public school. Then again, all of the public school kids miss out on the really amazing things that come with home education.
Ah well ...
Sep. 3, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mycrazylife
That's a great story and I am very surprised you remember it!
Thinking back I can remember sticking up for the little boy next to me when the boy across from him called him a name. I told the boy that it wasn't nice to call anyone names and I gave my new friend a hug. I remember hearing the teacher tell my mother that I was a compassionate little girl. Funny that is about all I remember from that day, oh and the cubby holes where we put our coats and boots. Nice memories though. Thanks for helping me to remember them.
Sep. 4, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ApplesofGold
I liked reading your memory. All I remember about my first day of school was my mother not wanting me to go and I was impatient with her because I couldn't wait to go and didn't give her one last kiss. All the way to school on the bus, I remember feeling so overwhelmingly terrible for not giving her a last kiss and couldn't wait to get home and tell her I was sorry. I don't remember the actual school day. My teacher's name was Mrs. Schwartz and she was ok, but wouldn't let me go to the bathroom one day and I peed my pants and then she told the bus driver in front of all the big kids.
Our public school district starts tomorrow, so we're having a "Not Back To School" day. One year we had a party with that theme with several families, but I don't have the energy for that this time. I think we'll go to Dunkin Donuts and go to Walmart for school supplies.
Last year I had a scavenger hunt and they found their school supplies and school sneakers that I had bought in secret to surprise them with. That was fun.
Have a great first day! Holly
Sep. 4, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I like this post. It reminded me of a comment a co-worker made the other day when she heard me say that I homeschooled. She said, "How can you stand it? How can you stand having your kids with you all the time?"
Nice, huh? She totally missed the point, I think.
carrie
carrielouise.wordpress.com
Sep. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I'll take Mr. Poppers Penguins over a bunch of crap that the other students will 'share' with my kids.
Even awesome teachers can't prevent just one bully to make it all stink.
Good thoughts.
Emily
thelearningnverstops.blogspot.com
Sep. 12, 2007 - I don't have much to say except...
Posted by anotherblogonthefire
I enjoyed this post very much.
Thanks.
Neal
