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The Kitchen Table

First day of school today

10 years ago

Today is the first day of school in Los Angeles. It is so early that my daughter's family had to change their traditional family vacation week with the in-laws the last two summers. Grandson is in first grade and was excited to return to school to see his friends.

Last night wardrobe was selected, then changed, and another selected. So exciting--he is wearing his scorpion shirt. Snacks and lunch were packed for an early trip to school to see everyone this morning and find out who else is in his class this year and play before they settle down to classrooms. His best friend is in the class with him and about 5 others he knows from kindergarten and youth sports. It should be a good year. The few who were in classes where they did not know others that well were buoyed with calls of "See you at recess!" In a couple of days, everyone will be comfortable with the new classes and teachers.

So I am driving up shortly and we will have a late lunch when we pick him up from school. If last year was anything to go by, he will be starving. I assume it is an In 'N' Out day, or as he calls it, The Chocolate Shake Store!

It is also my DDs 8th wedding anniversary. I will get the kids fed and to bed while she and her DH go out for an early dinner. They celebrated their anniversary with dinner out while they were on vacation, but this is a nice touch too.

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Comments (8)

redcurls
10 years ago
As a retired elementary school secretary, I WELL remember the excitement (and work) involved with the first day of school. And every year, the same problem at the end of the day. Kids who had been driven to school that morning for the first day didn't know where to find "their" bus to take home. On the first day, our bus drivers would have a colored construction paper circle in their front window and would give each rider a "ticket" to match to the correct bus. The circle in the window was only used for about a week but helped the new riders a lot. After that, they all knew their bus number and the bus' position in line. We always urged parents to let their kids ride the bus the first day even if they wanted to follow the bus to school and walk their child to their classroom.
susanjf_gw
10 years ago
wow when I attended school in la, we never started this early! (grad Hollywood hi, 1964)

hope the school system is functioning...here in the se mi (Detroit area) 2-3 different city school dists were dissolved and the kids are being sent to nearby towns...
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I hope all the students, parents, teachers and spouces have a great year.
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I agree Chisue. Childhood is fleeting. DD is a stay at home mom and is determined to keep the child in childhood. She actually cried when she made the decision to put DGD in for 4 half days. Not because she would miss her but because it meant dropping an activity. She told me she refused to be that mother (her words) who micromanaged every moment of her child's day with structured activity. It's been our experience that DGD is really advanced (compared to her traditionally schooled friends) in so many areas because academics are not stressed in her life. She's read to, she prints the alphabet, writes her name, and she knows her numbers, colors, is starting phonics based reading etc. but she learns mostly through play and activities with mom and dad. She bakes and does all the steps herself with mom's guidance. (math, reading, science, motor skills) They do crafts together and she likes to do it "herself" with little help and her parents encourage this,. She recently made turkey candy pops to pass out to her friends at preschool. She helps dad wrench on the current restoration car. Puts on puppet shows and makes up dance routines. Goes to craft days and meet-ups with mommy groups and home schoolers. Little bro is following right behind in her footsteps. She learns a lot by teaching him skills. She has a lot of time spent at the local parks and meet ups with kids from all cultures and ages. I guess her days are full of spice. We call that learning.
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chisue
10 years ago
So early! Our DIL will be in her classroom next week. She had a really short vacation because Chicago schools had to go long to make up for days lost to the teachers' strike last year.

The CPS board closed 47 schools over the summer. Today they are asking for bids from *charter schools* to open in the city. (Sound a little fishy? You bet!)
katlan
10 years ago
My great niece and nephew in Georgia went back, hmmm, I think the first week of August. Something like August 6 or 7. So early. Their grandmother, my sil, sent pics. They get out the third week of May!

Many moons ago, when I was in school, we always went back the day after Labor Day. The kids are back before Labor Day now.
joyfulguy
10 years ago
Sure seems early to this old fart!

We were a "just after Labour Day" crowd, as well.

Being 10 and eldest of three sons when World War II started in 1939 and our farmhand(s) left for war, there was lots of work to do on Dad`s large farm.

We got an allowance year round, and were paid for work in summer then had to buy our clothes and school books to start school, so his kid learned at an early age that if you spend it this week ... it ain`t there when you need it for something more important, next week.

o j
morz8 - Washington Coast
10 years ago
Gosh, first day of school here isn't until Sept 4th. The kindergarten classes don't begin until the week following that, preschool the same Sept 9.

I had a note from my cousin in northern Calif where she mentioned picking up her grandchildren from their first days of school this week, just seems so darned early.
socks
10 years ago
The first day of school is so exciting. I remember the day my oldest started kdg. I was beside myself with happiness. Can you imagine, I wore a dress and heels?! I loved the elem school years for my kids and taught elem science for 19 years, retiring a couple years ago. I still miss the kids and staff but not the work.

Hope it was a fun day for your grandson, Shielajoyce.
susanjf_gw
10 years ago
old joyful..my uncles were in the same fix...2 of them were already off the farm (one in service , other couldn't) and the 2 younger boys worked both gparents and their farm, played sports and got good grades...one, the minute he was old enough, went into the service...by that time they'd lost the farms...my gma was a rosie the riveter...but you know, aside from the one (he missed out on college) they all were college grads, 2 in business and one teacher...

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