School

Yesterday was the Panda Cub workshop. 

That means it was an orientation for incoming kindergartners and their parents. We got to Twin Ridge at 5:30, so it was early off work for David and me. Kiernan picked his own outfit and was quite anxious to go see his school. 

Once we got there they gave us a scavenger hunt card and let us wander the school as we pleased. They did recommend that we start with the cafeteria. So we had pizza and got a chance to see how Kiernan would do in a strange setting. It was no problem. The pizza helped.

While we were eating Kiernan told me that there was a beautiful girl there and that she was a princess. She left before I could see her.

After we ate we went to see the classrooms. Some of them did not smell nice and it was very hot and I was getting anxious generally. They were however despite being fairly cramped, full of stuff that grabbed the attention of all the children poking around.

I had a favorite classroom but as we don't know which one Kiernan will get so I let it pass without comment. There are 4 Kindergartens.

Next we went down to the Media center...the library. Why do they call it the media center. To me 'library' is a nearly sacred word and 'media center' is a news room.

Kiernan found a student produced book called Minecraft. He had daddy sit right down and read it to him.

We met many teachers and he hid behind us and wouldn't answer questions from anyone but us. I got the feeling that he was playing shy more than actually feeling shy.

We made a stop at the PTA table and then Kiernan was ready to go.

Unfortunately for him there was about an hour left of school activity.

We went back to the Media center and got split up. The kids went to play with 2 of the teachers and the grownups watched this slideshow. It was such a bizarre feeling seeing him go off to a room to which I was not meant to follow (things to come). The kids came back in and were split into small groups to do number or letter activities. It was nearly 7 pm by this time. Lots of tiredness was happening.

Kiernan, from the front of the room in a semicircle with other 5 year old's, began signaling to me that this was the girl.

He was sitting by and talking animatedly to a little girl in brown and pink. He was so excited he was bouncing up and down and right up in her personal space. He was talking from about 6 inches from her face. I was so entertained to see him schmooze but I was also a little worried that he was freaking her out.

She left early and I really hope it was just tiredness and overwhelmed-ness and not intimidation from Kiernan. I sort of wanted to assure her parents that Kiernan is a very gentle boy and not to worry but they were gone before I got a chance to say anything.

We got an appointment for an evaluation at the end of July. We also have a packet of activities that we are meant to complete throughout the summer to prepare him academically and psychologically for the year ahead.

The activities wrapped up successfully and we dispersed homeward with a heard of other semi-dazed parent-child groups.

Once we got home we had as normal evening as possible and contained ourselves admirably and did not grill him on his impressions of the school.

He was given a tiny stuffed panda (the mascot of the school) and this morning he wanted it to sit next to him while he played a game.

I had to really fight down the anxiety while we were there and this morning it is still sitting on my chest but I think so far the anxiety is only mine. I very much hope to keep it that way.