Dear Thomas,

Just over 7 weeks ago you began full day kindergarten. Mommy was dreading this. How can I be apart from you so long every day, every week, every month from September until June? At 180 days in a school year, that is 1080 hours, give or take, away from you. At first it was hard on Mommy. Constantly worried about how you were doing. Was the work to hard? Did you eat your lunch? Did you get to the bathroom okay? Were you alright getting off and on the bus? Are the teachers treating you with respect? Are the other children kind to you?  Have you found your voice amongst others? Are you speaking up when you need help or having a question? Are you having fun? Do you miss me? Do you even think about me while in school? For the 1st couple of weeks I actually counted down the hours and minutes until I had to be at the bus stop.

Seven plus weeks later, while I do still have most of my worries, I am finally okay with you being gone so much. Your little brother behaves so much better when you are not home and you are so much less whiny. That is not the reason I am okay with it though. You are learning so much without the distractions of your siblings getting in the way. I have been told by your wonderful teachers that you are the one child in your class always striving to do your best with every assignment. Though you are usually the last one to finish your work, it is not due to goofing around. You want to make sure everything is correct. Mommy is very proud of you sweet boy. Though we both get frustrated on homework days, I do understand you are tired. You worked very, very hard all day and just want to be a kid and play when you get home. We will work on something to make homework time less stressful. For both of us.

Thomas, this is the beginning of a long haul for you. I can't promise it won't be hard. I can't promise you will always have fun and enjoy it. Just please remember, as long as you follow your school's motto until the day you graduate things will be the best as they can be.

Remember Thomas:

Be Kind.

Be Courteous.

Always Do Your Best.

And Always Ask For Help.

These words you are reciting every morning are an excellent reminder to all, including me. Remember if you need to ask, talk to, or tell me anything at all, school related or not, I am here for you. I want you to always be kind and courteous. I want you to always do your best, not to be confused with the best. And please Thomas, always ask for help. 

You have always been so smart and your intelligence is just shining through this school year. Mommy and Daddy are so, so very proud of you and love you more than you will every know. Thomas, you are our light. Our life. Our everything and more. Your siblings and yourself are what matters most to us. You are taking in everything you see, even more so than your younger brother and sister, and because of that Daddy and Mommy are striving to follow those four quotes as well. And if we do fall off, do not hesitate to remind us these wonderful words. 

Thomas, I hope the rest of the year goes smoothly for you, and I look forward with great excitement to see you grow and learn. The next big milestone you will reach is reading and I look forward with awe at the prospect of you reading us bedtime stories. 

Again sunshine, Mommy loves you so very much. Have fun in school and don't work too hard, but always do your best. 

Kisses and Hugs;

Mommy.

Wordless Wednesday-Soccer!

1st Day of Kindergarten!

My baby, who I just yesterday (so it seems) is now a kindergarten student!

My baby is just like his mommy. He was just as nervous as I was.

In fact, he flat out refused to get on the bus.

Screaming, crying holding onto his booster and the car for dear life.

Mommy couldn't do it. 

I drove him to school, with him knowing he would take the bus home.

We walked up to the school, 

him begging me to walk by his side and hold his hand.

After some waiting in a line to give the nurse his physical form we went into the library.

He waited so patiently. He just had this unsure look about him the whole time we waited.

After hanging out in the library waiting for the class lists to be called,

we finally headed into his new classroom.

Thomas found his seat on his own. 

And opened one of the 4 packages of breakfasts at the table. 

In my mind, only a few seconds passed. 

Apparently it was now a half hour into his 1st school day.

Mommy, as well as the other parents, were asked to leave.

Thomas, still appearing to be uneasy,

waved lowly at me as I walked out of his classroom,

leaving him with a group of people whom I do not know.

Though pretty late, due to his fear of the school bus,

he made it home safe and sound!

Through out the day, I wondered how he was.

If he was having fun.

If he was happy.

If he was making new friends.

If her was listening to his teachers.

Mostly, if he missed me too.

Hosted by Cecily and ???

Classical Studies and Paideia

My sweet Thomas will be entering Kindergarten this Friday morning. This mommy is a nervous wreck.
Nervous about the bus stop. The bus ride. Getting off and on the bus at the right locations. Thomas getting to his class. Listening to the Teachers and other authoritative figures. Getting along with his classmates. Worried about phrases and words he might say. Worried about him still not willing to wipe his own butt. Him buttoning his pants. Worried about him eating his breakfast and lunch. Worried about him (not) bringing things home. Worried about him falling behind. About being ahead and becoming bored. Worried the teacher won't be able to meet his needs. Worried the teacher will not Worried about him not speaking up. Not being heard. Worried.


I already tear up just thinking about him walking up those 4 steps onto the bus. The tears begin to fall when I think of him spending his days away from my watchful eyes. From now on, I am no longer his main teacher.


My baby really is no longer a baby. Technically he hasn't been a baby for some time now, but now he will no longer be with me most of the time. Now, he will be away from me for 30 hours a week. 30 hours is quite a bit of time in a week!


168 hours are in a week. 30 will be spent in school. 77 will be spent sleeping. That leaves 67 hours a week with me. Of course much of that will be going to and from school. Other car rides. Making dinners, doing homework, taking baths, and cleaning up the late afternoon and evening messes. I am going from having much of my day to devote to my children, to having just 5 waking hours with Thomas Monday through Friday.


For the next 13 years. Kindergarten through grade 12. Most of my son's days will belong to the school system. 


I am already missing him deeply. 


When relocating to a different town this past December, I was dreading finding Thomas a school. Like many parents in this County, there was no way my child was going to a school in this town. No way in hell!


After looking at the neighborhood's public school, a school I went to myself back in the 1st grade, I knew I could not send my innocent, sweet child to this school. I knew I had to make a decision. Magnet school or Catholic school. Considering our financials and beliefs a Magnet school was our only logical answer. Still I dreaded the coming school year. I was filled with worry and questions.


After reading an overview of the school, I am finally content with our choice.

School Motto:
Learning about yesterday,
To build a new tomorrow.

The school he will be attending is a Classical Studies Magnet School.

Classics (also known as Classical Studies or Classical Civilisation) is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world (Bronze Age ca. BC 3000 – Late Antiquity ca. AD 300–600); especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity (ca. BC 600 – AD 600). Initially, study of the Classics (the period's literature) was the principal study in the humanities. (source: Wikipedia)

His school is a Paideia School. 

In ancient Greek, the word n. paedeia or paideia (παιδεία) [ to educate (see PAEDEUTICS n.) + - -IA suffix1]^[1] means child-rearing, education. It was a system of instruction in Classical Athens in which students were given a well-rounded cultural education. Subjects included rhetoric, grammar, mathematics, music, philosophy, geography, natural history, and gymnastics.^[2] Paedeia was the process of educating humans into their true form, the real and genuine human nature.^{[3] (Source: Wikipedia)}

The teachers will be a facilitator instead of a dictator, which I am really looking forward to.
In Kindergarten, the children's desk will be set in blocks of 4 students per group. Starting in 1st or 2nd grade, they desks will be arranged in circles to promote dialog and conversation.

Each day during the morning announcements there will be a Latin word of the day. Through out the day, each teacher, from preschool through the 8th grade will implement it into the days studies. Like the Latin word foli, which is the English word leaf.  Using words like portfolio and foliage.


Due to our town consisting of almost half the population being Spanish speaking, in 2nd grade they will have a Spanish class. And in the 6th grade a Latin course is a requirement.

This explains how Thomas will be taught.

(Click to enlarge)

 As much as I will worry and miss my Thomas, I actually am finally looking forward to Thomas going to school.

As much as I was wanting to move already to switch school, I am now grateful this school is inter-district and am happy to say Thomas will be attending this school for the next 9 years if they are up to their own standards. Collin should be entering full day preschool next September, and Bailey as well September 2013 as the cut off is Sept 30th. (She misses it by 2 days.)

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