A couple of years ago, we enrolled Ava in a small, in-home Montessori preschool. We fell in love with the curriculum and the instructor, and marveled at how well Ava responded to both.
Last spring, her instructor announced plans for an expansion that would include a new building with classrooms to accommodate more than 90 children from six months to six years. Shortly thereafter, we decided to enroll Ava in the school’s new kindergarten program.
After driving by the construction site nearly every day for many months, Ava finally entered for her first day of class today. Here she is, all ready for what felt like her first official day of Kindergarten.
The new school is about eight blocks down the street from our house.
At the previous school, there were only 10 children, and a very low-tech sign-in process. I was worried that with an exponential increase in size, we’d see less of the instructor, and have less engagement overall. I was pleased to see the sign-in sheets were still there—there were five instead of one. And, the instructor was smiling from the behind the front desk, greeting the parents and children as we entered.
Ava walked right in, and hung up her new backpack. The classroom assistant was organizing a morning yoga session, to be followed by breakfast. I thought I’d like to stick around myself.
We were able to see the school during a special open house for parents on Saturday. We took Olivia, who will join the classroom for three-year-olds in January.
This is Ava’s classroom, huge and bright and open. There will be 10 students in her class.
We also met Olivia’s teacher. Liv introduced her to “Eliza,” explaining that Eliza had a twin, although Mom made her leave her at home. Her teacher asked if the twin’s name happened to be “Doolittle.” Olivia, nonplussed, responded, “No, her name is Hazel.”
I am looking forward to having the girls in one place–at least for the spring and summer. Ava seems intent on growing up as quickly as possible, though, and I’m sure first grade at the public school will be here before we know it.
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