First
day of fifth grade for Sarek in a new school. He isn't the tallest kid
in school, but I'd bet a nutritious school lunch on top three tallest,
so he's gonna stick out in more than one way today. It's been a more
emotionally rough morning than anticipated for all of us. Weird not to
know other families. Or even what the different bell tones mean and
where Sarek's classroom is. At one point, Sarek looked overwhelmed
(rapid eye blinking to avoid tears), and I recognized
the smile he puts on when he doesn't want to let an adult down. I was
so sorry he is having to make a change he wasn't expecting, that I began
to cry. His new teacher noticed, gave me a big hug, and promised he'd
take good care of him. Sarek then ran off to play a school wide game of
banana tag. The black top is bigger than the entire length of his old
school x 2 and probably 10 times bigger than his old school play area.
Sarek can now hit his long stallion strides outside, something he has
had to rein in until now. Realizing how important a big playground is
for someone who is active but nervous about breaking social ground.
There are two basketball courts that can accomodate all levels of play.
I am very relieved about that, because there were some serious power
dynamics around basketball on a tiny playground tasked to hold the
developmental spread of a K-8 school. The basketball court at SFFS is
1/3 of the whole play area, so who uses the court space (basketball or
not) or carries weight when the teachers aren't looking, is a big deal.
Sarek wasn't on the bum end of that dynamic. But, it prevented Sarek
from nurturing crossover friendships in circles outside the basketball
clique. He struggled with this b/c he is naturally inclusive. Those of
you who know Sarek's non-sporty side know that his sporty side is a very
significant but small part of his range of interests. Other interests
include Dungeons and Dragons, Pokemon, cooking, reading, drawing,
acting, martial arts, poetry, history, whittling (sticks and time), and
knitting. I am grateful for that range to manifest. The school bought
all 350 kids eclipse glasses, so he'll be able to catch something we
didn't prepare for at home. Surprised and impressed with that. It bodes
well that S's teacher reminds me of his K teacher, Noah B., a child
whisperer of sorts. The new teacher seems like a mature skateboarder
version of Noah. Those of you at SFFS know what I mean! P.S. S wants
the world to know he is NOT grabbing himself in one of the pictures.
Thank you, M Lourdes Cordero, for your words of wisdom yesterday. They helped this morning. #newschool. #bringit
Monday, August 28, 2017
Nola's First Day of Third Grade
The
other first day of school, just three days and an hour later than
everyone else! Nola, 3rd. Before she threw open the classroom door,
she gave me a two thumbs up and a mischievous smile that twitched. The
last thing I saw was her walking in with her shoulders thrown back. Her
school reminds me of my childhood elementary school. (Bobcats, remember
the tadpoles in the creek?) I find the similarities comforting. The
biggest comfort, actually, is in the form of three great girls Nola has
known for awhile. Sid is her preschool bestie. Ayesha and Zooey are
friends from her old school. They'd make a great reunion band, except
none of us have a big enough garage in this city. #hermionegranger #feralnomore
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Saturday, February 4, 2017
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Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Singin' In The Rain (in the car)-1/12/16
Waiting for kids outside SFFS for the last part of the well worn circuit that is work-school-work-school. Round and round we go.
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