No Jitters Here!

Just before summer came to a screeching halt, as it seemed, Jonathan stated, "I am actually excited to wake up early again and be in school all day!" Emilie couldn't get to Staples soon enough to pick out her school supplies and Annelise asked over and over, "Now Mom, what day is today? How many days until school starts?" With this being our third year of school in Boston, everything was familiar territory. The kids knew who their teachers were, where they could find their classes, what events and traditions they had to look forward to during the upcoming year and which friends they couldn't wait to see. 

   

They choose their outfits wisely, with Emilie prepared in tennis shoes and shorts in case it was gym, Jonathan in one of his collared shirts that he reserves only for special occasions and Annelise in a bright floral dress and clogs to make a good first impression as a new first grader. 

Their excitement bubbled over all the way to the bus stop. They wondered aloud who would be the bus driver, which friends they would sit by in class and what games would be played at recess. Suddenly as they saw the bus stop with children gathering, they broke out in their habitual run, as if summer hadn't divided last year from this year, to see who would be able to put their belongings in the backpack line first, reserving their spot in line to get on the bus.

Someone shouted that the bus would be coming soon and the upper grade children ran up the street to race the bus back to the stop. The roar of the engine and the squeak of the brakes could be heard and all heads turned to the hoard of children racing across the grass, striving to beat the bus. Since they began racing well before the bus reached them, they all had their backpacks on and were standing in line before the bus was around the corner. Jonathan held out for a legitimate showdown with Rita, the new driver. The kids chanted "Jono! Jono! Jono!" as he ran his heart out. With sweat dripping from his newly buzzed head, he exclaimed, "Mom! I can't believe I beat it!" It was the beginning of what seemed would be a great year!

The three students arrived home and it was reported that the day was a huge success! At the dinner table, they were each given two timed uninterrupted minutes to report on their first day. (We are not at the point yet where appropriate, interesting conversation always comes with ease. For some in our family the timing is helpful to share more than the most basic facts and for others the timing helps in consolidating their thoughts into what Steve has taught them is their "elevator pitch.")

Today the highlights were:

Emilie:

1. 5th grade jobs. She is particularly excited to be in charge of the riddle of the week where a 5th grader is chosen to present a riddle over the PA system and students in the school can enter their answers into a box in the front lobby. Ideas anyone?

2. This year she will switch classes for science.

3. The Freedom Trail is walked by all fifth graders as a field trip during their colonization unit.

Jonathan:

1. This year is set up to be quite the social experience. Almost all of Jonathan's friends are in Mrs. Greene's class with him.

2. Cursive. Who can forget the excitement of this rite of passage?

3. Plymouth Plantation is the big field trip of the year. As a native Westerner, this is pretty exciting!

Annelise:

1. Finally Annelise will be able to eat lunch at school in the cafeteria -- Yea!

2. Mrs. Batt's classroom is the only first grade class to have individual desks -- very significant to a six year old.

3. Now Annelise will be able to participate in Art and Spanish with the rest of the school. Look out for interesting conversations with Annelise!

Sophia is waiting patiently for her chance. She too asks, "Now Mom, what day is today? How many days until school starts?" Sometimes her inquiry is in regards to preschool. Other days, she would like to begin counting down until the day she races the bus, eats lunch at school for the first time, and learns her first Spanish words!