So it’s the last day of school, the children stream out all hot and sticky and relieved to have long, lazing weeks ahead. We, their mothers, dig deep in their backpacks for the report card with that crucial number scrawled at the bottom: the number of the class our children will enter the following school year.
And then it begins: “What class did you get? Who else is in there? Who is teaching it? Are they good, bad? What’s the scoop?.” This goes on out front of the school and carries on through the stroll to the after-school hangout, the park, and then via email in the hours long after backpacks have been emptied and schedules put aside for a few months.
If you’re lucky, a crafty parent will gather all the class info and post it in a spreadsheet for everyone to peruse and add to. It’s in our natures I guess to want to know it all, right away. Who wants to walk into class in September and be surprised?
Do the kids care too? Not so much.
But we the parents, from the over-hyped-up helicopters to chilled out, work it out yourself parenters do care who our children proceed with, and who will lead them. We care for them, and for ourselves.
What adults will be tossed into the class boat with us for 180 days; who will we work alongside to fund-raise and feed and entertain our kids? Never mind all those hours spent sitting on a park bench watching little ones play, or killing time when they are dropped at a birthday party, or grabbing a quick meal before a school function.
At the end of the day, what really matters is that our children have great teachers and at least one buddy to help them adjust to the next year. But for the parents, it’s social too. I am as guilty as anyone of wanting to hang with my posse of fun mamas and dads; sipping wine at birthday party picnics, and chatting about life beyond our children, because we like each other – not because we have nothing else to say.
Having had some really terrific classes the past few years, I can vouch for how much it helps when the parents gel. It probably helps the teachers too when there is a cohesive parent group, and if the parents and teachers are happy, shouldn’t it follow that the children will benefit?
Afterall, it’s all about the children. Isn’t it? And if anyone’s wondering: WE are in 2-3 and K2 next year!
Hehehe. I thought you would actually mention the report card!!!!!!!! The report card carries a great deal of currency in my school. Btw, not everyone in Hersh’s class got 4 in theater art.. We are now to preocupied with finding a Stanislavsky school for 8 yo.):
GL with that! hehe, report card was v good, no complaints.
Yiayia & Bup are also very interested in the report cards too – hope to speak to you tomorrow & get the low down. Are they going to be future brain surgeons or what?????
Ha! They assigned Jane to 2-1. (I did inform the front office we’re moving!) This would’ve been the first time Z and J were not in the same class, yes?
yep, it would have been a first. Zane and Ben are separated for the first time in 3 years too. Hoping the cool parents will be keeping in touch though ..outside school or inside the blogosphere!