Monday, September 15, 2008

There are many things that stand out about this preschool

I'm not sure who is happier with the new preschool, BOY, GIRL or myself. We are loving it! We had the orientation day last Monday in which we were there for an hour and I ricocheted between GIRL's class and BOY's. BOY jumped right in and made himself at home with the astronaut and space station toys. GIRL clung to me pretty closely, but was enamored with all that was offered in her classroom. Each classroom has a reading loft with a bookshelf and big, plump pillows. On Monday, that was where GIRL gravitated.

I am really impressed with the teachers. They are warm and always offer a friendly greeting to all of us. I felt invisible a lot of the time at the previous school. The greetings were always addressed to the kids. And if I greeted the teachers I felt that I was intruding on their time. It is very different here.


On Tuesday I emailed the Director, as I was a bit nervous about GIRL's transition to the new school. Primarily the drop-off. I knew once she was comfortable, she would have a blast as she loves school. The Director emailed me right back and said that she'd have GIRL's teacher call me. She did, and we had a lovely conversation. Wednesday morning came and GIRL surprised me by giving me a sideways hug good-bye. Her way of saying, "Later Mom!" She was already immersed in the doll house in her classroom. Then, when I picked her up she was literally bouncing.

BOY was on the run as soon as we got to the lower playground. (There are two great playgrounds and they alternate between the two.) He flew across the yard and was on a bicycle going across a bridge within seconds. I had to flag down his vehicle to give him a hug good-bye. BOY's class has 13 boys and 4 girls. Can you say...destiny?

So, perhaps it is me who is feeling a bit anxious with the transition. I am the new mom on the block. The parents have been very welcoming, and I'm looking forward to making new friends, but, I do miss my other mom friends. I do. We went through the trenches together...

The Pre-K class has a science center and they'll be doing a lot of science projects this year. Right now they have a bin full of metal and nonmetal objects. The game is to separate the items that gravitate to the magnets from the ones that do not. I wasn't aware that this was really a game, but indeed BOY assured me IT WAS. And he proceeded to show me how to do it.

There are many things that stand out about this preschool...

Cell phones are not allowed on campus. The Director "feels it is very important that your child feel and know they are the most important person to you. Coming to school and being picked up from school is a time when your child wants and needs your uninterrupted attention." I LOVE that! I couldn't agree more.

They have a reading program to encourage the love of reading. Every time we read a book together we log it onto a sheet. BOY & GIRL each get their own sheets. After 20 books have been read, they get to pick out a special toy from the special surprise basket. To keep. Then a new reading log begins.

It's an Episcopal preschool, so they will have a 15 minute chapel time once a week starting in October. The emphasis is on the children knowing they are all loved. They'll have a simple story and sing songs. At Christmas time they have a concert.

Last Friday, at the end of the first week, I collected the things from BOY's cubby and was surprised to discover 5 photographs that the teachers had taken of BOY over his first couple of days. Each child had photographs in their cubby. It brought tears to my eyes. This is so different from before. So very different... Things could change. Perhaps we're going through the "new school dream phase." But, whatever it is...I just want to take the time to enjoy it. Because it feels like I'm wrapped up in velvet. And I like it.


**Picture courtesy of Google Images


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26 comments:

  1. I'm so happy for you guys that you've found a place that makes you all feel happy!

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  2. I'm so glad it is going well! Honestly, I taught preschool all those years, but it wasn't until I had Dylan that I truly understood the significance of all of the little details that go into making a preschool special.

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  3. Oh I am so glad things are working out so magically.

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  4. Oh horray for you and your relief -- and for the JCKids. I remember vividly the worry of dropping off. It nearly split me in half, back then. Reassurance is all.

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  5. I'm so glad to hear this. I love the excitement of starting a new school year - even though preschool is year-round it still feels special. And it sounds like a WONDERFUL school where they'll be very happy.

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  6. I went to an Episcopal preschool. I have fond memories of marching into chapel with my hands folded. :o)

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  7. It sounds like a fantastic preschool! I'm so happy for you.

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  8. YAY! YAY!
    I am so happy this worked out for you--I have been wondering how the switch went.
    It sounds beyond awesome!

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  9. YAY! YAY!
    I am so happy this worked out for you--I have been wondering how the switch went.
    It sounds beyond awesome!

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  10. I'm so happy for you I posted twice!
    (Sorry!)

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  11. Okay...I tihink I'm getting jealous......but am so happy for you. After everything you went through, you deserve preschool bliss!!

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  12. Reading this post was the tiniest bit bittersweet... though I am THRILLED for you and your family, selfishly I sure do miss you at the old school. The trenches are lonely without you.

    But mostly I'm thrilled that you are all so happy. : )

    XO

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  13. SOUNDS like it is a great fit for all of you!!! YAY!

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  14. I love, love, love when it works out like this.

    me. smiling.

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  15. Hooray for you and BOY and GIRL!
    I am so glad that you found the perfect "niche".
    Blessings, EJT

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  16. This place sounds great. Isn't is sad that we now have to be told not to talk on our cell phones when we pick up our kids?

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  17. We miss you, JCK, but this was so necessary. Any room for Joe?

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  18. ..pick a special toy TO KEEP!!!? Wow! I would love to be in that school too!

    When Girl gave you the side-way hug, you know she is all well, didn't you? and your worries are forgotten...

    and the PHOTOS, that's something that not many schools take the effort to do!

    you are definitely a lucky lady and the kids are super on their luck too....

    unless disaster falls, if not I don't think anyone would want to dropout from here...*wink*
    (I'm speaking from a child care teacher (before) point of view)

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  19. How great for you and them. My oldest starts his first day of preschool today. I can only hope for so great an experience.

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  20. Wonderful. I am so relieved for you. It is bliss when you find the right place, isn't it?

    I love the phone thing too. It makes me sad when I watch some mothers collect tinies from the school next to our house and walk back with them talking into their phones. You would think that they could just take that little bit of time to ask about their morning and listen to the child's chatter.

    Really pleased for you all.

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  21. Wrapped in velvet? *happy sigh*

    So happy for you all.

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  22. Sounds pretty awesome, eh? I hope it continues and everyone loves it just as much.

    KEEP BELIEVING

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