1st day of Kindergarten - did you walk your child to class?

[Anonymous]

I walked to the classroom the first day. It was fine at my school; that's what most parents were doing. Not all parents, though, so it would be fine if you wanted to do something else.

My kid was in aftercare but I figured he'd be fine by the end of the day (he was). We didn't do beforecare, but assuming it's the same people as aftercare, I would have been fine starting that on the second day without me because my kid would have gained familiarity having done aftercare the day before. I think having the regular routine start one day late is fine.

OP, whatever you decide is ok. Your child will be ok right now, no matter what. Both decisions are valid, which is why it's hard to pick one!

[Anonymous]

No, my children took the bus. I said good-bye at the bus stop and they were escorted to their classrooms by 5th grade guides. No problem for either of them.

I did take them to the classroom for a meet & greet the week before school started so I could meet the teacher and we could find their cubby, lunchroom, bathroom, etc.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to do whatever my school allows. I hope that means walking my kid to the classroom on the first day, but if not, then a big hug and all smiles at the front of the school.

He is so excited, and I have so many feelings!

[Anonymous]

Always follow what their regular routine will be.

[Anonymous]

Our school doesn’t allow it.

[Anonymous]

My mom did but she was a kindergarten teacher (different school and now that I think about it I guess she took the day off or something). It was more traumatic for her than me haha. Now she is gone and I cherish those memories.

[Anonymous]

First day kindergarten I put my child on the bus and waved goodbye. You start whatever your routine is going to be for the school year. Plus a lot of schools do not allow parents to watch children to the classroom.

[Anonymous]

My kid was in before care too, but the first day of Kindergarten, I followed the same routine as other parents whose kids weren't in before care. I took him to school a little early, allowed him to play on the playground, and then the teachers came outside and called for the students to line up, and I walked him over to his new teacher's line, then I stood with the other parents while the kids left us and walked into the building together. Then the parents stood around for a few minutes and introduced ourselves to each other and then we dissipated.

The next day and every other day, the before care staff walked him over, and then made sure he got into the right line, but the first day I wanted to be there, and was luckily able to make it work. If I hadn't been able to he would have been fine with before care, but I treasured the opportunity to do it. I'm a teacher too, but luckily we had a different first day, so I could do it.

[Anonymous]

We are in Moco. We walked her in on the 1st day as did the majority of other parents. The school actually allowed for that parent time.

[Anonymous]

I'll be doing this for the first time in a few weeks too, OP. I plan to go to open house and see what they want us to do.

I plan to take PT for the first day but still expect to drop DD at beforecare and pick up from aftercare to establish the routine, unless the school tells us otherwise. We'll use open house as a walk-through of the routine, and I'm also planning to make a laminated card with her classroom and bus info once I know it (she will bus to aftercare).

Solidarity! It's harder on us than them.

[Anonymous]

My kid got on the bus. I waved bye from the curb.

He has an older brother, though. That helps.

[Anonymous]

Our school wanted us to put our kindergartener on the bus or drop off at school in the car lane. In other words, you're not walking your kid to class, parents.

The teachers said it's important for the kids to get in the routine of walking to the classroom from Day One. (Plus, I'm sure they didn't want parents getting emotional, and in turn making their kids emotional, during a classroom drop off.)

There are adults stationed in the hallways to make sure everyone gets to class. It went fine. Kindergarten flies by in the blink of an eye. Enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Nope, just to the dropoff point designated by the school. No one was allowed to walk the kids "into the classroom." That would be chaos.

[Anonymous]

OP here - we're going to the open house the week before school starts and it sounds like I should ask there what they recommend (it's FCPS). Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Yes. My kids enjoyed it and so did I. In one neighborhood that we lived in, it was a big deal. Most people at least walked their kid to school. Their was coffee available once the kids were in class. It was nice.