Clara's preschool graduation was yesterday. They were all so cute up there on stage. Each of the classes wore different colored caps and each sang a song. Clara's class sang "If I were a Butterfly". Then all of the classes sang a song together about being ready for kindergarten.
They walked up on stage when their names were called to receive their diploma and their picture was put up on the screen. They also played a slideshow of pictures throughout the school year. The kids were so funny and would oooh and ahhh loudly each time a picture came up. It was cute for about the first 30 seconds. They did it through the entire thing.
There was a little reception in the gym after the graduation. We got to take home Clara's journal that she did throughout the year. I'll have to post some of the entries. A couple of them left us scratching our heads. She also got a chocolate bar with a picture of the girls in her class on it. That was of course a hit.
Chris headed back to work and I took the kids out to lunch to celebrate. Clara got to choose, so Chinese it was. Clara wore her cap in to show Jenny, the owner. She came and gave her a hug and gave Clara her meal for free and of course an armload of fortune cookies on the way out. She's such a sweet lady.
Here's my grown up little kindergartener all ready for the fall. She can't wait! I was surprised that she wasn't sad at all about school being over and not seeing her classmates anymore. She's just soooooo ready to go to kindergarten. I really hope her enthusiasm lasts.
She had a really great preschool experience. I'm so glad that I decided to put her in. If I had any doubts about sending her to school as opposed to homeschooling, they were definitely put to rest after this past year. And especially after graduation. She was so proud. It brought back memories of how special the first and last days of school were, each eagerly anticipated. There were class parties and end of year field days, programs, talent shows, science fairs, awards assemblies, spelling bees, movies, recess, new teachers, band concerts, and the list goes on and on. I can't deprive her of all of those and countless other special moments.
As we've neared kindergarten, I've really been kind of beating myself up about what the best route is for her schooling. Although Chris is adamantly opposed to homeschooling, I do see the pros and there is that part of me that wants to hold on to her longer. I have to be realistic though and I know there is no way homeschooling would work for our family. Clara needs to be with other people and have lots of friends; she's just like her daddy. School was about friends for him, plain and simple. And Clara loves to learn (except when it's me teaching her). If she tells me that 4+5=8 and I correct her, she will go to her grave telling me I'm wrong. But she's perfectly happy to accept it when her teacher tells her that 4+5=9. Homeschooling would only result in lots of tears (hers and mine).
And then there's private school and when it comes down to it, we're just not the private school type. The smaller class size and no standardized testing is great, but I just can't bring myself to send her to a place where everyone is wealthy. I want her to have experiences with different kinds of people (good and bad, rich and poor, christian and not) and learn empathy and compassion, not shelter her in what I've deemed to be a safe little bubble.
That said, I'm not just in love with public school either. There are a host of problems there as well. I'm not going to write it off though until we've actually experienced it firsthand. It's entirely possible for her to have wonderful teachers, make great friends and not be forever scarred by the system. The wonderful thing is we can change our minds next year if things are horrible. Or the year after. One thing's for certain, public school will challenge her and she will undoubtedly have daily opportunities to let her little light shine. I have a feeling she's going to rise to the challenge and bless many people in the process.
I hope no one thinks that I'm anti-home or private school. We've got friends in all three camps. I've gone around and around trying to decide what's best for us and what I've realized is that it's not a one-size-fits-all question. Each child and each family is different and like I said, I'm open to the possibility of either in the future if that's what fits. Just kinda getting my thoughts down on paper as we've reached this milestone :)
4 comments:
You'll make the right decisions.
You know what's funny is that I fear private school because most of the people I knew who went to private school were those kids who were so bad they got expelled from public school. This of course was when I was in school myself. Now, I know many, many people who private school that are wonderful children. Anyway, I can not seem to get past that along with the christian students you also have many troubled kids who have been kicked out of public school. On another note, I do not think that everyone is rich that goes to private school. I once made the mistake (when I was in high school) of stating that only people who were rich went to private school and got a very long, passionate lecture about how this girl's mother worked three jobs to put her into a private school. This girl lived in an area of LA where apparently there is a huge difference in the quality of education between public and private schools. Also, I know many private schools do offer scholarships for those in need. I do think we are lucky that we live in an area where we can get quality (relatively) education from our public schools. I, too, have gone back and forth and then back again on what to do. Luckily, (since I am still undecided), I have a couple more years to decide. Clara is such a beautiful (inside and out) child, she is sure to shine a light no matter where she goes.
Try not to stress about school that much. You will navigate your way through each school Clara attends and you will find where the best place for her is. Don't forget about Charter schools. There are private and public Charter schools. Every school, no matter private or public has pros and cons. They are all struggling in the present time, so no school is going to be perfect! Just find the place that Clara is most comfortable and safe in...that's the ticket to a good school and education! You should watch the movie Waiting for Superman. It's about public schools and charter schools. It has some good points/info in it. Good Luck and know that Clara will do awesome!
You're right Lisa; that was definitely a blanket statement I made about wealth and private schools. I didn't realize some offered scholarships. I wonder if that's not widely known b/c I'm always hearing people say that they would go that route if it wasn't so expensive. And I've heard the same thing about private schools having a large number of kids that have been kicked out of public school.
Laura--I may be mistaken, but I don't think there are many charter schools around here. Or perhaps I've just not heard mention of them. I didn't even know what one was until recently. I'll have to check that movie out. Hope y'all had fun at Disneyland. Can't wait to see pics.
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