Kindergarten Have We Got A Spot...Or Not?!?

The Waiting Place...
...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No

You may remember me mentioning in this summer wrap up that enrollment for the 2015/2016 school year kindergarten class started in the beginning of August. I fired off my application that same afternoon. After a week or two enrollment closed and I inquired when we would hear something. I was told I'd hear by mid-September. So, I kept waiting. Today I got the news that Miss Roo is on the wait list for a spot in her current school's kindergarten class. So....we keep waiting I suppose.

It's anticlimactic to wait only to be told to wait some more for sure. That's the way the cookie crumbles. What makes me sad is that during these first weeks of school I am forced to think about splitting up these kids. It breaks my heart. I love Riley's class so much and so does she. It's traumatic to consider. It's been so hard on everyone losing both the PreK and the VPK teachers, but at least the kids were still together. It's the only reason some of parents didn't follow our beloved teachers to their new campus. We wanted the kids to stay together.

I understand most children leave their preschool friends behind to go to kindergarten, but it's a big transition. Being on the wait list isn't the worst news, but being in limbo isn't anyone's first choice. Mike keeps telling me not to worry, she'll get a spot or she won't. I'm just sad to leave the kids, parents and some of the staff behind. Growing up is one thing, but this feels like a break-up. We're parting ways with so many people we care about.

It's still up in the air,
And very confuzled
We'll just have to see where
When all is un-muddled and un-fuzzled
The wubulous kindergarten journey of Miss Roo unfolds
And the places she'll go...to school.

Into the Future!

I toured my first choice option for Riley's kindergarten. I was a nervous wreck. I had that feeling I remember from touring my collage while I was still a senior in High School. The feeling of being a fraud. I can't really be thinking about my baby's Elementary school career. It was completely surreal. I fussed over what to wear the entire day before and then thanks to the chilly weather this morning I had to go back to the drawing board. I went from a cute skirt to jeans dressed up with ballet flats and a cute top. Did I look like someone's mom? Did they see me and think I was lost on my way to high school? I don't know...

I arrived about 10mins early which gave me time to wolf down a granola bar and check that Riley had gotten off to school ok. I found the drive pleasant enough. It'll take us about 15-20min each way on school days, but it's not a terrible route. I liked how tucked away the school itself was. A few blocks in from any major roads in a quiet neighborhood. Feeling very much like I'd snuck backstage at a concert I headed up the sidewalk towards the bright red door. I was greeted by a friendly woman who said "Oh! Good Morning, you must be our visitor." She found the teacher I was meeting and I got a quick tour of the whole school (It's not a big place)as the kids settled in. The first thing I noticed was that they allowed the parents to walk their kids into their classrooms and say goodbye. Wonderful. At Isaac's old school they allowed it for the first week of kindergarten ONLY. You were treated like a criminal for even attempting to walk past the front gates after that.

I enjoyed the children in the kindergarten classroom very much. They reminded me of my kids, they were bright and inquisitive and very silly. There a was mutual respect between children and adults I found very reassuring. I loved the intimate class sizes and the way they nurtured creativity. It seemed like a wonderful place to learn. It is still my first choice for Riley, no question.

After a few hours I felt very anxious to get home. Maybe it was that weird feeling of being a fraud or maybe I was just tired. I hated feeling so secure in what will happen down the road, but not a clue where Riley will be next month. More than anything I just missed her. I didn't see her in the morning and than I spent time with all these 5yr olds (who seem huge compared to Roo) and I just wanted to see her. I picked her up early today.