First day of second grade is in the books!
Annie was jazzed to start back to school, although she was crushed to find out that her best friend M isn’t in her class this year. M’s mom and I are also crushed, because we’re friends, too (and we like to split the room mom duties). Luckily, the girls’ classrooms are directly across from each other, so, in Annie’s words, “We’re only separated by a small patch of grass.” Ok kid.
Last night, the two of us spent time perfecting Annie’s backpack to “give off the right vibe,” and how is that a thing in second grade? This girl kills me.
Mike, James and I walked her to school this morning. James refused to let go of her hand.
(She also told me that the “cool kids only wear their backpacks on one shoulder.”)
When we got to the school, she reluctantly allowed us to snap a picture of her in front of the school sign…but on her terms.
She’s dabbing. I can’t with her.
After she gave the principal a big hug, she turned around and told us that we could “leave her at the gate.” LOL no, you’re not getting rid of us that easily, my darling.
Annie only allowed Mike to take a picture with her before she declared both of us “embarrassing” and went into her classroom.
Doesn’t she look delighted?
To be fair, I know Annie was really anxious to meet her teacher, who is new to our school. I was anxious to meet her, too, so we followed her into the classroom.
After watching the teacher introduce herself to each kid, we said our goodbyes and left. James was sad to leave Annie but luckily there were no tears from him this year.
When I picked her up from school a little while ago, she announced that it was “such a fun day” and that her teacher is “so fun and nice.” When I asked, “What did you learn? What was your favorite part of the day? What was the funniest thing that happened?” she responded with, “I don’t remember.”
So glad school is back.
samatwitch says:
I love her dress. She looks ready for anything.
JustAMom says:
The dress…. the hair….. the boots….. the backpack…. I just can’t even. How does a 2nd grader manage to make me feel helplessly and utterly uncool??? Annie is the best.
Jean Winstead says:
Hi there, the little girl is so adorable and I can see that she loves going to school and her dress is pretty.
Alida says:
The cool kids also wore their backpacks on one shoulder when I was in second grade. I sure wasn’t cool in most ways (and my backpack itself was pretty heinous), but in that, at least I could try to keep up.
Sowmya says:
If you don’t mind me asking, how is that a kid who was with her in one grade is in a different class in the next one. Does the school have multiple classes for the same grade? I did not grow up in the American school system so I keep learning new things from parents whose kids are in school. My daughter is in Preschool, like James and I recently learnt that there is no after care at school for Kindergarten in our district and that we are on our own until first grade. Am pulling my hair out as to what my options are when am at work and her school is out at 12.30 or 1.
I apologize for the lengthy comment but am genuinely interested in know more about the school system and what other parents in the same boat as me (not that you are) do. Thank you!
Alyssa says:
Most schools in my state have multiple classrooms for the same grade. My daughter goes to a smaller school, so she only has 2 of each grade (she’s going into 3rd this year) and we’re lucky enough that there has only been only about 14 kids in her class each year so far. Many schools have 2-3 classrooms for the same grade with 20+ kids in the class!
We were lucky that my daughters school has full day kindergarten (7:40-3:00) with after school care. I would try looking into day cares in the area, most have care until 6pm. We have a care place called Kindercare who at one point, don’t know if they still do, used buses to pick up the kids from school and take them to their facility too. Also talk to the other moms or the staff at your daughters preschool. They might have some great options of places to use.
Sowmya says:
Thanks Alyssa! I think we have a Kindercare close to us but am not sure if they offer after care. I’ll have to find out. Right now her preschool is in a different city, close to my workplace, so I don’t really know anyone whose kids are going/will go to the same school district as my daughter. Am planning to talk to some one at the school to find out what my options are. I wish her preschool offered kindergarten as well, so I don’t have to run around trying to figure this out
Heather says:
I don’t mind you asking at all! Annie is at what our district calls a “small neighborhood school,” where there are two classes per grade (on average). Most of the schools in our district have up to five classes per grade! Second grade seems to be the year when they split the best friends, which I understand in theory but am still bummed about. That is RIDICULOUS that Kindergarteners aren’t eligible for after school care. I’m actually stunned by that! Are there other parents who have been in your situation that you know who can give you ideas about childcare? I know in our area a lot of kids go to the YMCA for their after school program, but that’s obviously only an option if there’s a Y nearby.
Sowmya says:
I know, I was surprised too! But then it kind of makes sense that if they provide after care it will be longer than the actual school day, which is probably 3 hours. But its tough for parents who are at work until 5 or 6. Am planning to have a meeting with an admin at her school when registration opens for next school year, to get a better idea. YMCA is the official after school care provider for our district as well but as I said, it starts from first grade. Thanks for taking the time to respond! Good luck to Annie, hope she gets to spend time with her bestie
Jackson says:
Every school district is different re aftercare and a lot has to do with funding.
I used to teach second grade and I do not recall splitting best friends. That sounds like a school or district policy. I would ask if it were me.
Deb says:
Definitely speak to your school about what kids with working parents do. We had 3 full days with 2 half days for kindergarten and that was a royal pain for us working moms (3 days we can do aftercare, 2 days it was not available). I ended up getting a sitter for the two days, but there were multiple facilities near us that sent buses for kids to be bused over for aftercare – one was the YMCA (which I heard was great – the kids can go to classes!) and the other was the Learning Experience, which is like a daycare. I also sent my kids to a daycare in another town and they offered an enrichment program in the same building as the daycare and they would bus the kids from the kindergartens in that town to the building for snack, nap, supplemental learning, and recess until their parents picked them up. The daycare was run by the school district, so the enrichment was closely tied the curriculum. I was envious of the kids in that program when I had to deal with my own town’s schedule! Lastly, I heard from another friend that there was a woman in her town who lived close to school and each year would take several kids into her home to provide aftercare until the parents can pick them up – her services were in high demand as she was very good with the kids and they had a lot of fun!
Sowmya says:
Thanks Deb! Although we have some time before she starts kindergarten, I’ve started exploring my options. So far the ones I’ve looked at are curriculum or tutoring based, which kinda makes me sad because I expected 5 year old after care would involve more outdoor time or indoor activity time. I guess I’ll keep looking and like you there is a district close to us that has better options.. planning to apply there as well but our chances of getting in are slim.
Mel says:
James is such a little ham and the freckles just slay me. They are both growing up way to fast.
Alyssa says:
She looks more put together for her first day then I do on a regular basis. If only I had as much style as Annie; love it!
Isn’t it funny how they don’t remember?! My daughter starts 3rd grade on Monday and only has a 1/2 day on her first days and she never remembers what she did lol. I think it’s all that excitement.
Katrina says:
You need to do a post just about James’s freckles. Because oh my gosh.
Annie looks so grown up, and I love how the back of her hair came out! So cute.
Last year my 3rd grade daughter was in the same class as three of her BFF’s. They were seriously The Four Amigos together, thick as thieves and all that. And this year for 4th? They ALL have separate 4th grade classes! Our first day of school wasn’t so happy over here once Aria realized that not ONE of her besties is in her new class. There were tears shed, and a pouty, sad face as she walked in line to her classroom. And after school I had to her all about how awful and lonely her day was, how she knew “NOBODY at all!!” in her new classroom, and that her life is ruined.
Meanwhile, my 5th grade son didn’t have a best friend in his new classroom, either. When I said, “Oh, I’m sorry, bud. That’s too bad.” he shrugged and said, “Eh, I’ll see them all at recess and lunch.”
Heather says:
This made me laugh out loud because I heard the same sob story from Annie. “We had free time and I had NO ONE to talk to! It was terrible! How am I going to survive this year?!”
I also LOVE Andrew’s reaction! I keep trying to tell Annie that, but…
Jackson says:
Sorry, but I had to laugh and sigh at the “end of world” drama. Eventually (I hope for all kids) the sense of entitlement dissipates and kids realize it is not always about them. They will survive :). I would be curious to hear answers to questions such as “Who did you meet today?” “Do any of the kids you met today live close to us?” and so on. That pushes the conversation outward. (Former second grade teacher here talking.)
Lainie says:
I forgot to add that my 9-year-old told me, as she prepared her first-day outfit, that “You only get one grand entrance.” I nearly fell over laughing!
RzDrms says:
Is Mike crying a little in that photo?! Because if so then Imma cry too.
jordan says:
Imma kiss all those freckles off that baby boy’s face. He is so precious.
Happy first week of 2nd grade, Annabel!
Anna says:
I wish I could go back and tell my younger self to stop worrying about a cool way to carry a backpack! It would have spared me a lot of back pain later in life!
Jackson says:
There may be a “cool” way to carry a backpack but I’m not sure there is a healthy way to carry a heavy backpack. When I taught elementary school none of the kids carried anything but their lunch. I see hs kids in my neighborhood carrying what should be in a large wagon. What do kids carry in these backpacks?
Jenna says:
My just about to be 3rd grader saw Annabel’s backpack and now wants to make one of her own. Where did you find all the cute patches?