@@ Back to school

[formerlyak]

It’s that time of year! So instead of an @randoms, I’m starting a Back to School thread.

My oldest is a senior. Tomorrow is his last first day of school taking a photo in front of my door. He has said he will send me first day selfies from college. He got great classes and the college apps are ready to go.

My youngest is in 4th grade and after a rough year with a terrible teacher, we are very excited about his class placement this year. It’s a very strong class with a wonderful team of teachers. Last year’s teacher didn’t finish 1/3 of the math curriculum and didn’t give feedback on any of their writing. We spent the summer catching up.

Yesterday I went to the back to school rally that the district does each year. It’s teachers, district leadership and leaders of community partner orgs. I fall into the last category. It was a great rally. The police captain came and spoke about some new partnerships that focus on adding crossing guards, e-bike safety and partnerships that help focus on mental health supports, which sounded great.

We also had a speaker named Pedro Noguera. He was fantastic and did a great talk about what “equity” really should mean in education, in contrast with how it’s often defined. He has written several books. This is his latest www.tcpress.com/a-search-for-common-ground-9780807765166

[scm1011]

Our school doesn't start for a few more weeks, but mine will be in PK and 1st. DD is VERY excited to join DS at the big kid school and I'm even more excited for only one drop off and pick up FOREVER (its a PK-8 school). I will miss my 1:1 walks to and from school with DS though - we had such great daily chats.

I'm anxiously awaiting DS' teacher assignment (should be any day now). There is only one PK teacher, who we LOVE, so I'm glad we won't have any issues there. DD is definitely less go with the flow than DS but I'm confident this teacher can help her thrive.

[StrawberryBlondie]

We don't go back till after Labor Day but my kid is SO damn excited to start 4th grade.


She had a friend over for a sleepover a couple weeks ago and we were driving home from getting bagels and drove past their school and her friend sighed and said "don't you just miss *elementary school name*" and my kid sighed and agreed and it was one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

[redheadbaker]

DS goes back the day after Labor Day. 6th grade -- last year of elementary school!

[AJL]

My daughter went back to school yesterday, 7th grade. My son starts school tomorrow at a new school. He'll be in 10th. I'm excited to have them both back in school but I was feeling sad about it yesterday. They're growing up so fast and I just want it to slow down. I think I'll feel a little better once I start classes next week. I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine.

[macmars45]

My autistic DS(7) starts next Wednesday. He is a 2nd grader. I found out he has the same teacher my twin sister had 30 years ago when we were in 2nd grade!

ETA: I start my new position as an instrutional para at the same school DS attends on Wednesday too. (I have trainings this week.) I'm so excited and happy. <3

[pixy0stix]

Kiddo starts Kindergarten next week! This week we have teacher evaluations on Thursday. Friday is a popsicle party for all the K kids and we'll learn who his teacher is and we will see his classroom. Then either Monday or Tuesday he'll have a half day, and Wednesday is his first full day. He's going to ride the bus in the mornings and he's PUMPED about it.

[abs]

DD started 7th grade last week! So far so good. She likes all of her teachers but one so I’ll take it as a win. The first few days were just fun/get to know you stuff. They are just now getting to work so we will see how it goes.

I’m always weirdly emotionally the first/last day of school. It just goes so fast.

[underwaterrhymes]

I’m having a lot of anxiety about back to school this year. I’m not sure why. K is headed into 5th and N is going into 2nd and they both have their best friends in their classes, so I’m hoping things will go smoothly for both of them.

[erbear]

We don't start until September 6 (9th and 7th grades) but preseason starts for my 9th grader on Monday. She's very nervous but also very excited. I have a lot of apprehension about high school (it's a k-12 school and I teach in the middle school -- the hs seems to be run very differently and my DD has ADHD and I really think she might get lost in the shuffle since their communication is minimal). Her teachers seem good (I know them all but her English teacher, who is new this year) so I'm hoping I'm wrong.

DD2 will be fine. Her schedule is a little tough (a couple of teachers who aren't great) but she's a good student and she'll love 8th grade when she gets there.

I start year 24 (!!) next week teaching 8th. I have a new role this year (learning support) and I'm pretty nervous but I needed a change.

[penguingrrl]

We also don’t start until after Labor Day. My oldest will be a Junior and they are very excited, but anxious to get their schedule because they already know of a few snafus (last year guidance forgot to enroll them in an English class and had to rearrange the schedule for everyone in band to accommodate it, this year they were already told about a conflict with honors precalc).

My middle has no school to go to. Their therapeutic school discharged them due to inability to go into the building that never got better, so they will be on home bound instruction through the school district. We’ll see how that shakes out.

My youngest is starting 5th and so excited because in our town that means starting middle school. I can’t believe my baby will be in middle school, but he’s so excited about it!

[litebright]

We start next week. This week I am cramming in SO many appointments that either needed to happen or follow-ups happened to fall this week. Yesterday was dermatology for both girls, plus a PTO virtual meeting for me; today is an orthodontist appointment for DD2 and haircuts for both girls; Wednesday I have a meeting for school theater; Thursday they both have eye appointments and Friday is the HS open house. Oh yeah, and I have a real job, too. 

Next week is also insane. I need to be at two grade-level open houses on Monday that I need to help with for PTO, plus DD2's improv group; one on Tuesday; support a back to school teacher lunch on Wednesday, take DD1 to volleyball tryouts on Wednesday night (going to get DH to do that one), Thursday is the first day of school.

I still need to get them both into the pedi for check-ups & DD1's sports physical, but she doesn't need it until swimming season so it's not urgent.

I logged in to the school system late last night to look at my kids' schedules and re-confirm their registrations.

I am so stressed. Mostly due to PTO taking up so much time and planning and just ... STUFF that needs to be done. I like the people and being involved with the school, but it's a lot of work and I feel like I am doing a lot of it just to make sure it gets done/happens. Last night I totally forgot that DD2 had her improv group and didn't get her there because I had a PTO meeting. So I feel like I'm already losing my mind and school hasn't even started yet. DH (and other people) keep asking how they can help and I feel like I am so overwhelmed, I don't even know what I can pass off. But I have to figure something out because I can't handle a whole year like this.

[imimahoney]

Year 17 officially starts for me on the 28th but I've already been dealing with some parent issues and I have a leadership meeting on the 24th. My department chair role is expanding to cover the middle school so that should be an interesting change.

My kids start 6th and 3rd this year. I'm terrified for middle school for him but he's excited (and super nervous).

My 3rd grader has a lot of social issues so I hope she really finds her footing with a friend group.

Hope everyone has a great year!

[melissa]

Kids start September 5th with DD going into 9th grade and DS into 7th grade. I'm worried about DD handling getting up earlier for high school but fingers crossed she can adjust. DS didn't get one of the teachers he really wanted so he already isn't interested in going back. I'm ready for the kids to get back into a routine after having the summer off.

[Scout'sHonor]

Mine starts K on Thursday. We've been trying to wake up and get ready earlier since start time is a good 40 min before when we're usually heading out the door. I had meet the teacher last night and this afternoon we go drop off school supplies. She's been at her daycare/preschool since she was 5 months old, so this is going to be a huge change.


pixy0stix, so weird how the start days are different between the schools!

[Velar Fricative]

My kids don't start until 9/7 but they'll be entering 5th and 1st. This will be the last year they're ever in the same school, I'm already dreading two dropoffs (in opposite directions, big gaps in start times, etc.) in September 2024 but trying not to think about it too much. I'm just glad we have several more years left at their current school for DD2, we love this school.

This is year 21 of teaching for DH and he's had a really good 19 or so years at his school with solid principals, but he really despises his current one, to the point where he's exploring other schools. He could probably get an assistant principal job pretty easily but there are many perks (financially) to remaining in the classroom here and he still likes teaching anyway, but since he's been at the same school for 21 year now it's hard to go somewhere where he doesn't know for sure if he can deal with the administration there.

[wanderingback]

Not exactly back to school but my daughter has had a part time nanny so far, but is starting daycare in the fall (October after we get back from vacation). The daycare also has a preschool, so we got a back to school e-mail since school starts after Labor Day. It has all the forms and things we need.

For some reason this is actually making me feel like a parent, haha. Having a nanny has been wonderful and she has taught our daughter a lot, but it’s going to be nice that she’ll now have more socialization now that she’ll be about 1 when she starts. Currently she still till about 9, so we’ll see how adjustment to waking up earlier goes. Thankfully daycare is only 3 blocks away so she won’t have to wake up too much earlier for 9am drop off. My partner is going to get all the things we need like labels, crib sheet, lunch box, etc and then we’ll be all set on this new adventure!

[bronxgirl]

DD starts HS in 3 weeks and 2 days and I’m a little nervous. She’s going to a performing arts school so this will be a big change for her. Up until now she’s gone to neighborhood schools with kids she’s known for years. Now she’ll be commuting one hour and meeting all new kids. Her school sounds amazing and like a perfect fit for her, but transitions can be hard. There is another orientation day the week before school starts, but we’ll be out of town then.

[picksthemusic]

We don't start until after Labor Day.

DD will be in middle school (!!!), and is all excited and nervous. But she has two very close friends, so I think she'll be okay.

DS will be in 4th, and his cousin is starting Kindy at the same school, so he won't be alone.

We did a big back to school clothes shop on Saturday and DD got some super cute stuff - she's way more adventurous in the clothing/fashion department than I ever was at that age! I hope it lasts.

[pixy0stix]

Aug 15, 2023 9:59:18 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

Mine starts K on Thursday. We've been trying to wake up and get ready earlier since start time is a good 40 min before when we're usually heading out the door. I had meet the teacher last night and this afternoon we go drop off school supplies. She's been at her daycare/preschool since she was 5 months old, so this is going to be a huge change.


pixy0stix , so weird how the start days are different between the schools!

That is weird. Grades 1-5 start on Thursday, it's just the littles that are starting next week. Our last day at daycare is Friday, so he gets one more Splash Day, lol!

[lilac05]

I’m overwhelmed by it all.

The emails. The appointments. The billion things to put on the calendar. The school supplies. The cramming the last bits of fun into summer. And on and on.

And on top of it, I started a new company and am trying to figure out how to run a retail business.

I don’t want summer to end.

[ssmjlm]

We start the 28th and I think I'm both happy and sad it's her last year of elementary (5th grade).

There has been a lot of turnover from the principal down since COVID and we just found out that they still have not hired a media specialist/librarian. It's a combination of poor salaries and expectations.

Add in some PTA drama and I'm just trying to mentally prepare myself.

[somersault72]

Both my kids start Thursday. My oldest will be a sophomore. He had an AMAZING freshman year and is now also Troubadour (which he has wanted since 6th grade) so it should be a good year. Busy, but good. He is eligible to get his temps in mid-November. Him being in high school has me very emotional. I'm thrilled he's thriving so far, but it feels like my time with him is fleeting and I still don't know how we got here so fast.

My baby is going to kindergarten. She is SO excited. She LOVES her teacher. She gets to see her classroom for the first time tonight. One of her besties from preschool is in her class and she already knows a few of the other kids, too. I hope this is a great year for her. I think it will be. She's SO outgoing and social which will serve her well, but she's likely got ADHD like her brother and can be a little stubborn and bossy sometimes, and of course in the back of my mind I always worry about her being made fun of for her limb difference. So far it hasn't been an issue, but you never know. She has a lot of confidence and is proud of her lucky fin so I hope that serves her well should anything come up.

[erbear]

Aug 15, 2023 9:19:41 GMT -5 litebright said:

We start next week. This week I am cramming in SO many appointments that either needed to happen or follow-ups happened to fall this week. Yesterday was dermatology for both girls, plus a PTO virtual meeting for me; today is an orthodontist appointment for DD2 and haircuts for both girls; Wednesday I have a meeting for school theater; Thursday they both have eye appointments and Friday is the HS open house. Oh yeah, and I have a real job, too. 

Next week is also insane. I need to be at two grade-level open houses on Monday that I need to help with for PTO, plus DD2's improv group; one on Tuesday; support a back to school teacher lunch on Wednesday, take DD1 to volleyball tryouts on Wednesday night (going to get DH to do that one), Thursday is the first day of school.

I still need to get them both into the pedi for check-ups & DD1's sports physical, but she doesn't need it until swimming season so it's not urgent.

I logged in to the school system late last night to look at my kids' schedules and re-confirm their registrations.

I am so stressed. Mostly due to PTO taking up so much time and planning and just ... STUFF that needs to be done. I like the people and being involved with the school, but it's a lot of work and I feel like I am doing a lot of it just to make sure it gets done/happens. Last night I totally forgot that DD2 had her improv group and didn't get her there because I had a PTO meeting. So I feel like I'm already losing my mind and school hasn't even started yet. DH (and other people) keep asking how they can help and I feel like I am so overwhelmed, I don't even know what I can pass off. But I have to figure something out because I can't handle a whole year like this.

Pass off one entire kid to DH.

[wawa]

we start at the end of the month, and I'm excited for them. Fingers crossed for a good teacher for Shorti - sizzli can roll with whoever historically, but Shorti does SO MUCH BETTER when she vibes with her teacher. She adored her 4th grade teacher so good chance 5th will be a little let down, but I'll settle for "not as good as Ms. S, but I still like them"

We've got a new before/after care situation, so that'll be an adjustment, but I'm hoping they'll like it. I'm not thrilled about paying for it. And everybody is a little sad to leave the in-home we've been at for 7 YEARS but it's well past time. DCP is laying on a HEAVY guilt trip though. Like, does.not.want them to go. And I get it, she's been helping raise their little behinds for years. They think of her as family. And also it's her business. But we can't stay there forever, and the transportation situation changed with the school so logistically it's harder, and I think they need some more independence and big kid structure instead of squishy mama s. who likes to spoil them.

it's been a crazy year for both my kids just generally maturing. They've been so independent it just keeps blowing my mind.
"like, hey, go ahead and get your lunch and camp bag packed for camp tomorrow" AND THEN THEY ACTUALLY DO IT. And it's like...a good lunch? with vegetables in it even. They make their own sandwiches and everything. And in the morning when it's time to go and we run down the "do you have your x, y and z" checklist they have all the things. They even put sunscreen on themselves and help each other make sure they're not missing spots. It feels like magic.

[fancynewbeesly]

So DD1 is starting 7th grade. However, due to a bone marrow transplant this summer, she is starting school on homebound. Which she isn't thrilled about. And probably she may not be back in school in person until March. Once her restrictions start to lift, it is cold and flu season and she couldn't go anyway.

The nerve wrecking thing is she is 12 (thank god) but will home by herself ALL day long while DH and I work. I get home around 4:15. DD2 is starting kindergarten so she will get her off the bus at 3:30 but except for that the day is super empty. I think after 7 months of this, she will go stir crazy and insane. I plan on her homebound teachers coming in the late afternoon-around 5 or so? So I figured the next day she will be working on school work that they supply during the day (she placed into advanced classes) and just be incredibly bored until 3:30, when DD2 comes home.

I go back to teaching end of September after my family leave and I am a nervous wreck about it. Especially because for the first three weeks it will be a sub.

DD2 is super excited for kindergarten. Orientation is in a couple of weeks.

[katfco]

I mentioned this in the ML randoms thread, but my kids went back today. It’s DD’s first time back after missing the entire fourth quarter. A kid in her home room asked if he can start making cripple jokes since she uses a cane now.

DS is starting 6th grade and super nervous about the social issues. His autism struggles are really coming to the forefront and it’s a 2-year wait for an autism therapist.

[Velar Fricative]

katfco, how awful for your DD to hear that comment (and shame on the kid for making it) and I'm so sorry about the 2-year wait. That is crazy!

[bookqueen15]

Mine start next week on Monday. DD is going into 4th and DS is starting kindergarten! I think he's a little nervous but I am glad that DD will be able to continue to walk him to his class if needed after the first day. They'll be in the same school for the first (and only) time for 3 years and I am very excited about that!

[redheadbaker]

Aug 15, 2023 11:04:54 GMT -5 katfco said:

I mentioned this in the ML randoms thread, but my kids went back today. It’s DD’s first time back after missing the entire fourth quarter. A kid in her home room asked if he can start making cripple jokes since she uses a cane now.

DS is starting 6th grade and super nervous about the social issues. His autism struggles are really coming to the forefront and it’s a 2-year wait for an autism therapist.

Did the teacher hear the kid's comment? If not, loop them in.

And a two-year wait is insane. I'm so sorry.