The girls will be making a huge transition from the inimate setting of their former private nursery school to "big" public school. I have so much angst concerning this move. One, it's public school. Well let me further clarify this statement, it's public school in a predominantly black community with a high level of poverty. As an educator who understands the ins and outs of how school districts with these characteristics are often slighted, I'm worried. I'm praying for superb administrators, a decided teaching staff, and a safe environment. Unlike in the suburbs where I would have to worry about their psychological safety more, I'm vexed about the quality of instruction and the behavior of the students.
Two, the class size has me worried, particularly for CC. The student-teacher ratio they have been used to was 10:2, now it will be two-and-a-half times greater (25:2). I'm crossing my fingers this school meets our expectations. I already have the days in September and October when I will be volunteering in their classrooms. I don't want to have any "I'm goin' up the school" moments, so they will know Mrs. Cruz. D and I decided not to inform them of our professions, and see how everything falls into place.
Three, I know the socialization aspect will be a culture shock for the girls because they are coming from a largely Latino environment. With their Crunchy mama, organic lunches in $60 stainless steel bento boxes, and L.L. Bean monogrammed bookbags I hope they fare well. In jest, I tell D he has to learn to do a better job of styling their hair in the morning because little sistahs will talk about their curly, Afros. I don't want them to have a complex.
We are on a fourteen month time table for our dream home. I just hope EO public schools treat us well until we move on over to the country.
PreK3 and PreK5 Portraits
With their school's uniform
Our little "Graduate"