School Daze

Melissa had an interesting first day of kindergarten back in August. I was hesitant to write about it then, but things have settled down. And it is quite the story, at least in retrospect.

Jonathan picked the children up from school that first day. Matthew's old kindergarten teacher, Ms. Pleak, was directing the children out door when she had a brief word with Jonathan. Apparently Melissa's teacher, Ms. C, spoke to her about Melissa's first day and told her that Melissa pinched her! Jonathan tried to elicit more detail from Melissa on the way home from school, but Melissa was quite subdued and wouldn't elaborate.

Twenty minutes later I got a phone call from Melissa's teacher. The day had gone well up until the end when her teacher announced that it was time to clean up and get ready to go home. Melissa was still coloring and NOT ready to stop. So Ms. C bent down and started assisting Melissa in the crayon cleanup and informed her it was time to go. Melissa did not like what she was saying so she reached over and pinched her lips closed. Ms. C told her that was inappropriate and that she needed to speak with the principal. Melissa got upset and then pinched the back of her leg! The principal came down to the classroom to speak with her, and thus the day ended.

Needless to say we were pretty shocked. How many kindergarteners get a visit from the principal on the very first day? We sat Melissa down and had a serious discussion with her about our expectations. Afterward she was uncharacteristically quiet, and remained so the rest of the day. The next day Jonathan walked her to her classroom where she apologized to her teacher.

Six weeks later it was time for parent teacher conferences and I did not relish the thought of going. Being a decent parent, well, I went anyway. I entered the classroom with some trepidation, but Ms. C greeted me warmly and had nothing but praise for Melissa which she gave liberally. After Melissa tested the boundaries, she'd settled right in and was behaving beautifully. Not only that, but Ms. C found her very bright, eager to learn, and a friend to everyone.

Whew!

Since then Melissa has come home with smiley faces every day in her behavior folder. She's also told me that she loves her teacher. A kindergartener should love her teacher. All is well. :)