August 20th, 2012

First day of school. 

First day of Kindergarten for my baby. All of the anxiety and none of the drama, an excellent beginning, not a baby anymore. In Florida, there is a program called Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK), a state-sponsored preschool program for 4-year-olds to participate. The success of today was rooted in her going to VPK, three hours a day, four days a week, learning how to be inside a classroom, interacting with others her age, and along the way she learned her ABCs, 123s, and a few sight words. She is now more than ready for Kindergarten. Both of my children attended a small Montessori school for VPK. Located in our neighborhood, the teachers and director are some of the most compassionate and experienced people in the business.

Funny thing about my son going into 2^nd grade, in order to maintain what he learned in first grade, he had to do school work over summer. Not like summer school, and very few hours a week, but he had to interrupt his LEGO time with workbooks and reading. The jump in reading and math skills during 2^nd grade is enormous, and it is important he hits the ground running.

My summer is also over. The weather is hot, still, because it’s Florida, but with the kids back in school, we no longer enjoy a morning at the beach, watching cartoons, playing video games, or reading stories. Our mornings are a flurry of activity, scurrying about the house, getting dressed, eating breakfast, and simple hygiene. Only an hour, sometimes less, to get ready and be out the door.

Back to the dreaded car line, waiting in a steady stream of vehicles, following the large white arrows painted on the cement. To challenge the madness, pedestrians, mothers holding hands with their little ones, the bigger ones in tow, walk between the cars from every direction. For twenty minutes, kids arrive in chaos, like fractals produced from a Mandelbrot equation, a strange organization appears when viewed at a distance. At the end of the day, it happens again in reverse.

A first day of school without any glitches, I pronounce it a complete success. Off to the Candy Kitchen to celebrate with milkshakes and licorice.