This is the time of year I stress about school. Oddly, I stress more about the next year when school is still in session. I get wistful about the current year and hope the next year measures up. So far, it always has – which of course makes me more negative and worried that a bad year MUST be around the bend because how many good years/awesome teachers will we get in a row? When it’s the summer, I am not in school mode so I don’t think about it all that much – but right now, it’s bad.
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Based on my last paragraph about how much I have loved our teachers, you’d think I’d like it, but it is actually really busy and stressful and I just want to appreciate my teachers a way that doesn’t involved sending different things to school each day. Today was the teacher luncheon – which means that I got to go supervise Ursula’s class at lunch and recess. I do not know what is up with her class this year but they are VERY intent on confirming my identity. “You are Ursula’s mom, right?” “Are you Ursula’s mom?” My God children – I was in your class *yesterday* and we discussed it. YES! I go with Ursula! This is not news – I am in your class weekly! I swear, the kindergartners did not ask as much as these kids. They are also very interested my PTA status “are you on the PTA?” Um, yes – that is why I am always roped into helping you out.
Anyway – as part of the student watching, I had her class on the playground the same time as the 3rd graders. One of my friends has a 3rd grader (her son was in preschool with U, but due to her late birthday she did a year of TK so he’s a grade ahead now). I mentioned that this is the time of year I get stressed, blah blah. She told me 3rd grade is great. (In my defense – 3rd grade IS a big jump – the start letter grades, they start standarized testing, etc. And since I didn’t even go to third grade – well, it’s a giant mystery to me). So then a third grade teacher says “oh, don’t worry – we are sending home a packet with information about preparing for third grade”. A packet?!?!? We have never gotten a packet for other grades! I understand this was supposed to be reassuring, but being told third grade necessitates a PACKET does not ease my fears. What is happening in 3rd grade that I need adjustment information 4 whole months before it starts?
Then Ursula’s wonderful teacher came out and I was all “OMG! A packet!” and she was like “seriously Melissa? You do not need to worry about Ursula and third grade” So then I felt better. Ish. But I still hope she gets an awesome teachers – and I really, really think this year is untoppable.
I’m having similar concerns about 2nd Grade, though in my defense, we didn’t have the best Kindergarten experience (some teacher issues, though not entirely her fault), and we’ve had some 1st Grade issues (all L; his teacher has been fantastic!), so I’m a bit jittery about what next year will bring. (For the record, L started with letter grades this year; he gets a letter grade and a conduct grade for each subject.) Is elementary school supposed to be this stressful?!