Start of a New Year

The beginning of the school year brings back some of my greatest childhood memories. New school supplies, new clothes freshly laundered and hanging in the closet, and new shoes to test out on the playground. I love seeing the excitement in my children's eyes when they meet their teacher for the first time and discover the classroom they will spend the year in. The first week is full of stories of reuniting with old friends and new blossoming friendships. Even the first homework assignments are completed with delight as my children can't wait to impress their teacher with their supreme knowledge.

I have two bright children: Monkey, who is 7 and in 1st grade, and Boots, who is 5 and in Kindergarten. 

Monkey has an August birthday that barely meets the cutoff. We decided to hold him back a year before beginning Kindergarten. I wanted to give him another year to mature as he can be overly hyper and highly impulsive. It is yet to be seen if this decision will benefit him in the long run or if we will eventually ask for a grade skip. Last year he attended a very academic Kindergarten program that worked great for his level, but he would have struggled to complete the necessary work the year before. I'm withholding any judgement until further along in his education, though. 

Boots is my tiny Kindergarten princess. She just turned 5 in May, but loves everything school related and loves to wow people with her math abilities. I am excited to see what this year brings for her. I love her Kindergarten teacher and am happy to hand off the messy activity time to someone else. 

Monkey and Boots enjoy school and I absolutely love the elementary school they attend. However, I want to be a partner with the school in my children's education. One teacher cannot target the strengths and weaknesses of each and every child. One teacher cannot give each and every child the exact review or acceleration that they need. I don't expect it and I think parents should give teachers a lot more credit for the amazing job that they do. This is why we will also be working through some extra school activities at home this year. I can't wait to document this journey with our family and friends.