Slow down, kid, slow down.
I'm not ready for her to grow up. The end of kindergarten is feeling very emotional for me. It didn't really hit me until the night before the last day. It felt like the night before her first day all over again. I took her to school with a heavy heart, knowing that would be the last time she would enter that building as a kindergartener. I know she has much of her childhood still in front of her, but this feels like a big milestone. It's almost like kindergarten doesn't count, even though it counts more nowadays then it ever did when I was a kid. Still, it is a place for beginnings and foundations. It's where they learn simple words and concepts, color pictures and read picture books. It's where just trying your best means that you are succeeding. First grade seems like a whole different ballgame. Now it's time to get serious about school and homework. Maybe I'm not ready!!
Calli is ready, however. I had the pleasure of an end of the year conference with her teacher (whom I really will miss!!) and she had nothing but fabulous things to say about Calli. That girl will sail through first grade and excel in school. What more could I ask? Never did her teacher have to say so much as a harsh word to her; Calli's behavior was perfect throughout the year. She is also smart, beyond the kindergarten level. She is reading somewhere between a 1st-2nd grade level, counts practically higher than I can and does simple addition and subtraction. She is the best writer in the class!! She was tested for the Gifted and Talented program a few months ago and although she didn't make it (less than 10% of the school does), she scored a 97% on reading and a 99% on math. She is extremely academically focused in class and expects the best from herself. She may be a perfectionist (although I have no idea where she gets that from!). Two of the best things her teacher told me:
1) Calli keeps herself busy. Kids who finish their work quickly tend to get bored in class, but Calli would find work for herself. I found that amazing.
2) Calli is 100% focused on her schoolwork while in class, but she is very social on the playground and makes the right friends. She sees the troublemakers and all the fun they are having and instead of joining in like most kids might, she goes the other way. She avoids them and avoids peer pressure, which is a trait most children don't exhibit until they are older.
Needless to say, we could not be prouder of our little scholar. Her teacher told me she more than deserves a break and isn't worried Calli will forget things over the summer. Calli picks things up so quickly that she's sure to succeed when school is back in session in two months.
I struggle wondering what the right decisions are when it comes to the school system. It seems that the only place education is going is down. Budget crisis' abound everywhere and class sizes are only increasing (they will be going up to 24 next year for us). I wonder if the system will fail my children someday? Is it the right thing to send them? And then I look at how much Calli learned this past year (which is an understatement to say the least) and I know that I could not have taught her all that myself. With Calli I am lucky that she has the driven personality to succeed because she will always demand more from herself and others.
There are also a few things that I truly believe make a difference in a child's education. The first is being a stay at home parent. I know this opportunity is not available to all and I feel so lucky that I am able to take advantage. I have never been an advocate for preschool and Calli's kindergarten year has strengthened my position even more. She did not attend any kind of formal preschool and yet was one of the smartest kids in her class. I read with her, I spend time with her, I do her homework with her. Just these simple things that you don't really think make a difference really do. I saw firsthand the struggles some of her peers had and know they had two working parents. Calli was able to know that I was there for her anytime she needed it. I packed her lunch every.single.day. I came right down to the school to pick her up if she was sick. I attended all her school functions. It matters more than you think.
Another thing I believe is that parental involvement in education is key. I kept up emails with her teacher, I requested conferences throughout the year, even when they weren't necessary. Even when there was no specific reason; I just wanted to hear how she was doing. My daughter was spending eight hours a day in someone else's care for the first time in her life and I needed to know what was going on. I walked in to pick her up in front of the school every day, dropped her off each morning. I was there for every single kindergarten hoe-down, class party, art fair and student-lead conference. I volunteered in her classroom, tutoring a few of her classmates once a week. I brought in extra glue bottles and crayons for those whose parents sent nothing. I was involved because I care. Too many parents think those things don't matter and they do.
Not only has Calli learned a lot this last school year, but clearly I have as well. I wonder if I will always feel this sentimental about the last day of kindergarten with all my children or if it's because Calli is the first. My baby is growing up!! And I am so happy she is on the right path so far :). First grade, here we come!!
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