Op - I'm having a very hard time adjusting. I think my twins are doing ok with the schedule and by now have been able to get to their classes on their own.

But- what is throwing me is that they have turned into complete monsters this week. They don't listen to anything I say, are cranky, and all over eachother physically. I think this is a combination of them not having as much physical activity that they were used to in pre-k, they are now in separate classes so they don't see eachother as much during the day, and they are adjusting to a huge change in their lives.

They have been coming home with barely touched lunches, have not been communicative at all about what their day is like. I've been good about getting them to bed early - they are practically falling asleep at the dinner table - so they at least are getting enough rest.

I find that I am really missing our preschool where I knew everyone, could have nice quick chats with the teachers and fellow parents in the morning and afternoons and know what goes on during the day.

Anonymous wrote:Me too, OP. It's so different from preschool where you have interaction with the teachers, see the class daily, etc. Our K, so far, won't allow parents in the hallways past the cafeteria or the classrooms. I made the embarassing mistake of trying to go to his classroom to retrieve something he'd left shortly after dismissal time. I had no idea that wasn't allowed (and I'm still not sure why it wasn't). After care protocol is confusing to me as well.

I'm sure this is for security reasons. The school doesn't want random adults wandering in the hallway. I'm sure you could be escorted back by a school employee.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am in the same boat... But more freaked out about how my DS will find his classroom after the first week special volunteers are gone, would he like school lunch he has been begging for since day one, etc.
No info from him either on whats going on, except the best part of school is school bus ride...
I did send a quick email to teacher with question about change of clothes and got a very quick response.
Keeping my fingures crossed...

16:34 here. I am also worried about him finding his classroom. Today was the first day they didn't meet in the cafe and walk together. I ended up taking DS in, signing in as a visitor, and walking him to his room. It is hard to find, even for me - no idea how they expect a 5yo to.

Lord have mercy. Kids are resilient. If they get a little lost someone will help them. They learn from DOING. Stop coddling.

I walked to the bus stop by myself by the age of 5. Of course other kids did too but geez, when did we start thinking kids couldn't do anything without help?

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am in the same boat... But more freaked out about how my DS will find his classroom after the first week special volunteers are gone, would he like school lunch he has been begging for since day one, etc.
No info from him either on whats going on, except the best part of school is school bus ride...
I did send a quick email to teacher with question about change of clothes and got a very quick response.
Keeping my fingures crossed...

16:34 here. I am also worried about him finding his classroom. Today was the first day they didn't meet in the cafe and walk together. I ended up taking DS in, signing in as a visitor, and walking him to his room. It is hard to find, even for me - no idea how they expect a 5yo to.

OP, I am in the same boat... But more freaked out about how my DS will find his classroom after the first week special volunteers are gone, would he like school lunch he has been begging for since day one, etc.
No info from him either on whats going on, except the best part of school is school bus ride...
I did send a quick email to teacher with question about change of clothes and got a very quick response.
Keeping my fingures crossed...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter's K teacher makes the time to interact with parents at pick up. She also has parent volunteers in class everyday. It's quite laid back.

What school? You pick up your child in the actual classroom? They frown on this at our school. Walkers get brought out to gym lobby area by 5th grade patrols to greet their parents. No teachers anywhere

This is how it works at our school. And I do mean it works -- it works just fine. You will adjust, I promise.

Anonymous wrote:Its very institutional, like a correctional facility.

I'm used to it now but since we moved from private I still find it off putting. At our private there was far more casual engagement with the staff and teachers. Parents didn't mill about the school but there was no issue about walking back to the classroom. Again no one made it a habit and everyone used car pool but if you had a lot to send in to the teacher, your child forgot something or whatever you were welcomed by the front desk not scolded for thinking that you could enter any time other than the 15 minute parent teacher conference or to volunteer to answer phones in the office. The open house and orientation was far more inviting and they really made an effort to show you what was happening in the class. Parents were encouraged to volunteer in the classes.

MCPS has a strong its none of your business attitude.

Alternatively, MCPS thinks, "We have a school of 600+ kids to run, and we don't have to spend our limited resources on making the parents feel good about writing us checks for [tens of thousands of dollars] every year."

If you think that your public school is like a jail, and you want the school staff to show you (the parent) individual attention just because, you will probably be happier moving back to private school.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter's K teacher makes the time to interact with parents at pick up. She also has parent volunteers in class everyday. It's quite laid back.

What school? You pick up your child in the actual classroom? They frown on this at our school. Walkers get brought out to gym lobby area by 5th grade patrols to greet their parents. No teachers anywhere

My daughter's K teacher makes the time to interact with parents at pick up. She also has parent volunteers in class everyday. It's quite laid back.

Public school does not interact with family. They have 25 kids to contain. No time for it. Totally sucks

Same here. My DC says she likes it and is OK at pickup, but terrible nightmares every night. And she says it's not enough playing. I feel like we should have figured out a way to send her to private. Hope that passes.

Anonymous wrote:Me, too, OP. Outside of knowing what special he had, that he had fun at recess, and ate less than half the lunch I packed... I have no idea what he did all day, which is just a weird and sad feeling after being with him all day for so long.

This. I had my oldest with me at the daycare in my office from the time she was 11 weeks (and obviously the whole time before that, on maternity leave). Driving to work without her has been so lonely. I can't stand it - even though she's come home super happy for the past three days. sigh. I'm sure it gets easier....hope it's soon! In the meantime you're not alone, OP.