CJ is Ready for Kindergarten

Maki and I met with CJ's teacher, Ms. Courtney, this week and she reported that CJ is ready for kindergarten.  Phew!  There was no talk of holding him back, no qualifiers, he is ready!

She did say that although CJ enjoys all aspects of school and seems to thoroughly being in school, he does not like drawing.  Drawing seems to stymie him.  Guess that's something we need to work on. Maybe I can get Uncle Alex to help out in this area.

What activities does CJ like?  He apparently loves to read and is definitely reading, he loves math, he loves to sing and dance, he loves puzzles and problem-solving, he likes comparison games (which is faster, smaller, etc.), and he likes playing outside.

CJ gave me the thumbs up when I told him that he was going to kindergarten in September with his neighborhood buddy, Mary V.

He separated from his mother without incident

Yesterday morning, I dropped off CJ at one of the schools we are considering for kindergarten. This school organizes shadow days for potential students; it's a chance for the school to make sure he's socialized and ready for kindergarten, I guess. But it's also a chance for the students to check out the classrooms and kids.

We got to the school, CJ met the Admissions Director, then she asked him whether he wanted his mom to take him downstairs or give mom a huge and a kiss good-bye. CJ said, "I want to give you a hug and a kiss mom. Good-bye." At that, he gave me a big hug and headed downstairs with no fuss.

Oh my god, is this really my child, all grown up, charging into a new school without any fuss? I still remember his first day of preschool nearly 18 months ago. He was 3, we got to the school, I hung out in the classroom for a few minutes, then I headed for the hallway. CJ was distracted by the toys and one his friends from the neighborhood, so I headed for the stairwell. I was in the stairwell when I heard a loud wail, "where's my mom?" and a huge bout of crying. Oh god, my heart broke but I knew I had to just keep going. It took a few months, but soon he was getting dropped off without incident, cheerfully.

When he had his WPPSI (some test the private schools around here require), the report said, "He separated from his mother without incident." Again, this statement made my heart skipped. CJ really great during the testing. I told him that he was doing a playdate and that I would be downstairs and he simply said okay.

And yesterday, he said good-bye without any fuss and headed to the classroom. A friend who has kids in college says kindergarten is a big, heart-wrenching milestone for the parents. He says other milestones include: when they drive the car for the first time without you, when they go away to college, when they get married. I have a lifetime of smiles and tears ahead of me and I'm ready.

Moms Group Meeting with the Superintendent of Alexandria Public Schools

So my moms group invited Dr. Mort Sherman, the new Superintendent of Alexandria public schools, to our meeting tonight.  He came with Kimberly Graves, the principal of Jefferson Houston (our designated elementary school), another school administrator, a few parents, and the head of the Jefferson Houston PTA.

CJ will be in kindergarten next year, along with a slew of kids in our neighborhood, and there is a lot of teeth gnashing over the issue of where to send our kids.  I had heard so many awful things about Jefferson Houston, but based on what I heard from Dr. Sherman and Ms. Graves, I will definitely pay a visit to the school.  Unlike Maury and Lyles Crouch, Jefferson Houston still has declining enrollment, and even if every family in Old Town Greens and Potomac Greens sent their kid to the school, there apparently would be lots of space for more classes and teachers.  The school will definitely be accredited again this year, so we won't have the option of opting for another school, unless we use the lottery system to try and get into a special school.

This will be Ms. Graves' third year at JH, and there have apparently been huge gains at the school; Dr. Sherman is certainly impressive.  We are still looking at our many private and parochial school options.  The rubber meets the road in February, when all private school apps are due.  I've already sent in apps to St. Mary's and St. Rita.  St. Stephen's and St. Agnes, Burgundy and Grace are also contenders.  In addition, I'm definitely interested in the Spanish immersion program at one of the other schools.

My mom laughs at all of this teeth gnashing, but hey, I have one kid and I want to make sure we make the right decisions for him.

The End of Parallel Play

I've noticed recently that CJ is playing with his friends, as opposed to playing beside his friends.  My books say that somewhere between the ages of 3 and 4, kids start to play with other kids, as opposed to parallel play where they play in the same general area, but not with each other.

At a school picnic on Friday, CJ played hopscotch with other kids, then around and played with a shovel with his buddies Jack and Caden.  I was impressed, btw, that rough housing  and playing with a shovel did not turn into boo-boos or hurt feelings.  The boys were great!

When CJ's friends come or a playdate, the kids will tell stories to each other, make their trains interact with each other, and comment on each other's artwork.

First Day of Pre-K

Big milestone this week. On Wednesday, CJ started 5-day pre-K.  This is a big deal for the entire family.  For CJ, it's the start of school every day, a normal school year, school for nine months out of the year.  For me and Maki, it means we have to be organized and disciplined every day so that we can all be ready and out the door in time.

What a difference a year makes.  Last year, going to school was scary and both CJ and I were anxious as we approached the classroom.  This year, we made a calendar and counted down the days until the first day of school.  CJ made me write "first day of school" on September 10, and "not yet school" on September 9.  We talked about school, we gave each other kissing hands, and CJ picked out his own clothes.

The morning of the first day, CJ got up on time, got dressed on his own, ate breakfast by himself, and we left the house early.  For the first week, the school asks parents to drop off and pick up in the classroom; in a week or two, we will be able to drop off and pick up at the curb.  CJ greeted his teacher (whom he had met during summer camp), he greeted the kids as they entered the classroom, and he happily hugged classmates from last year (there are 3).  He did ask me why I couldn't stay and why I had to go to work, but I made a graceful exit with a big hug and a kiss, and no tears (on my part or his).

When I came to pick him up, the kids were on the rug while the teacher told a story.  The kids all looked happy and relaxed.  Chatty CJ is less than talkative about school, but I hope to hear about the details of each day as the weeks go on.

During dropoff on the second day, I went to say good-bye and CJ, without even looking up at me from whatever activity he was engaged in said, "bye, mom."  I'm so proud of him!