School starts on Monday!

[BCFD]

I'm so excited that two of my daughters will both be Montessori students as of this Monday. My oldest DD (she'll be 4 in Nov.) will transition over to the larger preschool class and my middle DD (she'll be 3 in Oct.) will be starting in a small transition class for 2-3 year olds (eventually she will move to the 3-5 year classroom). We took her for her "trial run" today and she got teary eyed when I stepped out into the hallway, but her teacher is a lovely, gentle spirited Japanese woman who is incredible and gave her lots of special attention!! : I know she is in good hands and am so excited for her to love her school like her big sister.

I can't believe TWO of my kids are in school now. WHOA!!!

[daytripper75]

That is exciting! I cannot believe it is almost here for us too. After thinking about it and researching our options for 2+ years, we are finally here!
Take some pictures! (My friend is going to take first day of school pictures in front of the same tree at her house each year, I think that sounds like a great idea!)

[Rose-Roget]

Yea! My ds will start on Wednesday this week -- FINALLY! I can't wait to see how he does.

Congratulations on your children. It's so fun to watch them grow, huh?

[Koloe]

Two more weeks for us. I really hope she likes it.

[wrzos]

Congratulations! I know I'm counting down the days till 9/3 myself - 2 more weeks and then back to school!:

[megancole]

DS (2.5) starts next Monday. He has a meet-the-teacher the Friday before. This is his first year in any type of school, so I'm very curious to see how he does.

[Jilian]

How did the first day go? My DS1 started montessori kindergarten today and he LOVED it! I was shocked because he's usually shy/clingy but he just went right in and said "bye mom" and gave me a kiss. Seeing him standing there at pickup with his uniform on and holding his lunchbox made me well up with tears. He's such a big boy. I swear that school is harder for moms than the kids!

[BCFD]

Originally Posted by Jilian

How did the first day go? My DS1 started montessori kindergarten today and he LOVED it! I was shocked because he's usually shy/clingy but he just went right in and said "bye mom" and gave me a kiss. Seeing him standing there at pickup with his uniform on and holding his lunchbox made me well up with tears. He's such a big boy. I swear that school is harder for moms than the kids!

Aww...such a big boy!! Did you get any pics? That's great that he did so well!

My almost 3 year old did great, too. She welled up with tears, but actually didn't make a sound. She just looked sad that I was leaving. Immediately her guide sat down with her on her lap and within minutes she was fine and in the swing of doing a job (I stood in the lobby and listened). When I returned a few hour later, her guide said she did fantastic. My almost 4 year old started in a new classroom today and I am over the top in love with her guide. I have always wanted her in this class because it's a much larger class and the classroom square footage is about 4 times as large as her last classroom. I loved her old teacher, but this new teacher and I click better. She actually ran outside when she saw DD, scooped her up, gave her a big hug, and carried her into the classroom. She said my DD never stopped smiling today and was in an extremely good mood.

I am just thrilled!! Any other good stories out there? When does everybody start the new school year?

[cycle]

For those who started yesterday :, I'm really glad it went well.

DS starts on Monday and I am a ball of nerves and worry. He loves the preschool he is at now and I have told him he is going to a new school, he has visited and seemed to love it. At times he is excited about going to the new school and other times he says he doesn't want to leave his current school. I know this is normal but it still breaks my heart - he has some really good friends there and I know he is going to miss them.

The first week of his school (next week) is orientation week, so I will be there on site but not with him, every morning. Then will be doing orientation to determine class placement. He will be in extended care and that is available all day next week but on Monday I am taking off work and not going to leave him, and the rest of the week I will see how it goes, probably leaving him longer every day as long as he does well. How does that sound to everyone? He really usually is a really laid back kid but I am just so worried about this although I know ultimately it is so much better for him long-term. I just feel like I am ripping him out of his comfort zone away from a place that is ultimately safe and secure and good. Ugh. Sorry to divert the thread!

[Rose-Roget]

DS started M today, and he did great!!! He cried when I left, but was totally fine a minute later (I called to check in), and when I picked him up this afternoon, he was playing happily with other children on the playground, and didn't notice me for a few minutes. His teacher said he had a very good day.

It is so weird - maybe I'm just looking for things - but I swear this M stuff really works! After he went for a week last summer, I was sure I saw changes immediately. And today, as soon as he was in the car, he picked up a toy he had and was fiddling with it. Then, he said, "I am tracing the letters. SSSSS, EEEEE, EEEE, NNNNN, SSSSS, AAAAA, EEEEE" (it was a See N Say map toy). Rarely, if ever, has letter tracing been of any interest to him.

Anyway, I just have to say that Montessori ROCKS, and I'm thrilled. I hope it keeps progressing (it would stink to pique on the first day ).