School Days, School Days...

Class of 2026

The kid has FINALLY gone back to school. I think our area started later than just about everyone. My sister's kids started mid-August in the midwest, but in our area, it's a tradition to start after Labor Day weekend. So, Tuesday, we went to the school for an hour of orientation and then Wednesday was Toe's first day of school.

The area divides kids into a lower and an upper elementary so Toe starts at a new school this year.  Last year at the end of the school year I had a meeting with the new school counselor and principal (along with the school counselor who guided us through the perils of K-2) to discuss the transition to a new school, Toe's 504 plan, and his CF needs. Last week, we met again with the school counselor and principal, the district nurse (who has known Toe since Kindergarten and will follow him through high school), and Toe's teacher.  Both meetings seemed very productive and I felt heard and supported. I know it has to be overwhelming for a new teacher to hear all of Toe's individual medical needs as well as be getting a new class of individuals with quirks, needs, and talents. I do trust that we all have Toe's health and best interests at heart. We tried to assure his school team that we feel, as the parents, that it is our job to work with them and provide the support from home that THEY need; and that we understand the pressures they are under and understand that there might be some bumps along the road.

 Orientation involved a lot of paperwork and a short presentation by Toe's teacher. She is new to the district, but seems very competent and kind. I liked what I heard. I was also pleased to see that many of Toe's friends from Kindergarten (who have not been in his classes in first or second) are in his class this year. One of his good friends even has a desk at his "cluster." Even better- she is a girl who is fun and funny but who also knows when to focus and get her work done - this is an important skill when sitting next to Toe, who loves to talk a little too much.

While I waited in the "Transportation" line to turn in the form saying that school buses are giant germ tubes and I will pick up and drop off, thankyouverymuch, J and Toe hit the playground.

Happy boy on the playground after orientation.

They both were pretty muddy by the time I found them.

"Dad, I don't think those were meant for someone your size!"

SO, the next day, we got up, did breathing treatment, got ready, and WENT TO SCHOOL.

TIRED

 We parked so we could take the prerequisite "in front of the school" photo. I had a great one set up, and just as I hit the shutter (yes, I was using a point and shoot), Toe said, "Here's a quick photo tip..."

We interrupt this shot to give a quick photography tip

"When you are setting up a shot, don't choose too interesting a background. If you have too interesting a background, it makes you look at that and not the person in the shot."
"Wow, thanks," I said, as I hustled the kid closer to the front doors, hoping I could get a smile somewhere else...

Thankfully, I did get one by the front doors before I sent him inside.

First day of school, Grade 3

The first day of school went well and  Toe had a good time. The homework due Friday is great (bring three items that represent you and write two sentences about each on a note card) and includes a rubric (a teaching term - "Heidi Andrade’s commonly accepted definition is a document that articulates the expectations for an assignment by listing the criteria, or what counts, and describing levels of quality from excellent to poor."*) that set expectations for parents and kids. My teacher self had a little happy dance for that one.

I'm sure I'll have more to report later.


*http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=WhatIs