First day at Kindergarten
Tuesday night Kamille was so excited for the following day was the first day of school. She wanted to sleep in her own room because a few weeks earlier I had bought her a Hello Kitty alarm clock. We had set the alarm to go off at 6:00 am. For the first time it wasn’t hard to make her get up in the morning. On Wednesday she got up by herself when she heard the alarm going off. She went to the bathroom, sat down on the toilet and did her thing, I brushed her teeth and gave her a shower. Then it was time to get dressed. She was so cute in her new uniform.
After Kyo and I showered and got dressed, it was time to take pictures before leaving for school. Then more pictures when we got to Mt. Carmel. Students and their parents were arriving at the same time as we did. We got to meet some of her classmates and their parents. We even saw my OBGYN, Dr. O’ when she dropped off her three kids. Kyo was thinking that he might be the only parent who was lugging around a camera. I guess first day of school is really a big deal whether your child is starting Kindergarten or 8th grade. Most of the parents were taking pictures of their kids and their friends.
First bell rang at 7:58 am. Kids started lining up and by this time if parents still want to stay, we should all be moving behind the students. The final bell rings at 8:00 am and then the morning prayer starts. Then they recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the school song. After which the principal welcomes the students and parents and make other announcements. They don’t want the Kindergarteners to become restless so before the principal makes the announcements she lets them go in at this time to start their day. Parents say their final goodbyes as the kids head off to their classroom. I thought I would get really emotional but I was overcome with excitement that no tears were shed this time. Kyo and I are so happy and excited for her.
Since it was the first day of school, the Kindergarteners were only there for about an hour and forty five minutes. So Kyo and I decided to stay and wait for her. The Parents Club at school provided some breakfast treats for parents while waiting for their children. It was also the time to buy/order SCRIP. SCRIP is one of the many ways schools and other organizations raise funds. You buy the paper SCRIP (it’s like a gift certificate or a gift card) and that’s what you use to pay for stuff. And there’s also eSCRIP where you register your store club cards, debit cards and credit cards. Everytime you make a purchase using your card, a percentage of the amount spent will go to the school or organization you choose. There are several fund raising activities that the school sets up to minimize the cost of tuition and help pay for the students’ extra-curricular activities. So don’t be surprised that one day I’ll come knocking on your door to sell you chocolates or gift wrapping paper.
Around 9:40 am, parents started going into the school yard and waited for their kids to come out. At exactly 9:45 am, the Kindergarteners started to pile out of their classroom carrying with them the first of a series of blue envelopes containing correspondence from the principal, additional forms to fill out, announcements and the scrip order form. These blue envelopes are sent home inside the students’ backpacks every Wednesday and should be returned to school the next day.
Kamille was almost the last one to come out and I was getting a bit worried. But she’s there, all in one piece. My little princess, my baby! I guess you can say that we all survived the first day. Yipee!
It’s a lot of work waking up early in the morning (especially now that we have a baby on the way), getting Kamille ready for school and me for work and preparing her snacks and lunches. Kyo and I also need to do some volunteer work at her school to earn some service hours (need to complete 50 hours for this school year). We all have to make some sacrifices. We know that we are doing this for Kamille and we know she’s getting the best education we can possibly give her. And right now that is the most important thing.
