First Day of Kindergarten!

Sammy had his first day of Kindergarten today. We stopped by his classroom yesterday to meet his teacher--and figure out where to go before the totally hectic and crazy first day. So we met her...and let's just say I wasn't impressed.

I was hoping that my opinion of her would change when I went back for his actual first day, but no, she was still just as bad.

I made sure not to let Sammy hear what I thought of her so he wouldn't be influenced by my opinion, but as soon as he got into his classroom, Samuel and I both talked to the principal (who happened to be roaming around the Kindergarten area at that moment) about our concerns. The principal actually agreed with my assessment and told me that "last year was not a good year personally or professionally for Mrs. ****" and that she "had a difficult time bonding with her students the first few months."

Are you kidding me with this? This is a group of 5 year olds, not troublesome 13 year olds. How hard is it to "bond" with a bunch of Kindergartners? If you don't like kids, then don't teach. It's that simple. I looked around at the other teachers when they were meeting their students this morning and I saw them getting down at eye level and saying hello and telling them how excited they were to have them in their class, etc. Sammy's teacher never made one comment or even a hello to any of the kids, she just got basic info regarding emergency numbers and lunch and then went on to the next parent.

There was no "hi, so nice to meet you"or "I'm so excited to have **** in my class" or even acknowledging the child, etc. I mean, would it kill her to act excited about Kindergarten? I have such fond memories of Kindergarten and my teacher, Mrs. Rosell, and I just hate to have Sammy miss out on that because of a lame burned-out teacher.

The principal asked me to bring her a letter explaining our situation, but said that nothing would be done until next week when they know what their numbers are for each class. And even then, they may not be able to move him.

Anyway, I was debating whether to walk or drive to school this morning since it's only a few blocks. I figured that there would be no parking since everyone would be driving their kids on the first day, so we walked. Of course, just as we are walking out front, Hannah pees in her underwear. (That pretty much sums up our potty training experience right there in case you were wondering). Luckily, she was wearing a dress and not pants AND we were outside, so I just ran back inside, put her in a diaper and off we went. Two kids in the stroller and Helene in the Moby Wrap and 15 minutes to walk 9 blocks. Did I mention it was 78 degrees out? I was so sweaty and gross by the time I got there.

My annual "first day of school" shot

Big smile for the first day

Hannah wasted no time checking out the playgroundHanging out in front of the classroom doorOne last picture with mom before heading into class
(this is what my hair looks like curly,
for those of you who had asked about it) On his way into classWaiting for class to begin

It's an all-day Kindergarten, so at 3:10 I picked him up from school in the van as there was no way I was walking since it was 100 degrees this afternoon. I arrived 20 minutes early so I would be sure to get parking--and I had to load Hannah and Helene into the stroller. It was total chaos picking him up as the teacher didn't have a good system and was trying to coordinate with the YMCA people who were there to pick up kids, as well as the district after-school program people AND the parents. She asked me three times who I was there to pick up. Whatever.

He said he was hungry so we went to Taco Bell for a quesadilla as a treat. When I asked about his day, he said it was fun, and when I asked what he did he said "played outside". So typical, right?

I checked his lunch box and he had eaten barely anything--I guess that explains why he was so hungry. When I asked why he didn't eat his lunch, he told me that they only had 10 minutes for lunch and it wasn't enough time to eat. Not sure what that was all about, but hopefully he'll eat more tomorrow.

And I've written my letter and just need to give it to the principal tomorrow morning. Let's hope something changes next week.