My daughter starts kindergarten in a little more than three weeks and I’m already feeling those stomach butterflies when you’re on the verge of something huge.
She’s still four and won’t be five until the end of November, so I’m a little concerned about her not getting lost in the shuffle and feeling comfortable in this new setting. I’ve deemed August “Kindergarten Boot Camp Month” because everything has been about the transition. I feel good.
See, education is of utmost importance to me. Being able to think critically, to analyze, to process information and make your own way in the world””that is crucial. And it is my hope that everyone at my daughter’s school knows this as well.
Her teacher is doing home visits this week, to get to know the students so they see a familiar face on the first day of school. I’m not sure if this is the norm for a lot of schools, but I know I never had a teacher in my house growing up. I’ve been preparing. I plan on using this home visit (it’s tomorrow!) to set the tone for my daughter’s academic career. Please believe – Mama Jefferson is serious about the schoolin’ and I plan on being very involved every step of the way.
I asked my veteran mamas for advice on what to ask the teacher, to make sure we were all on the same page once school starts. Here were some of the best questions I got:
- Why do you teach? What’s your motivation?
- What has been your most challenging child and how did you handle the situation and the parent?
- What are your expectations of me as a parent?
- What’s the expectation around recess and snack time? What kind of snacks will the kids be eating? Will learning experiences be connected to the food?
- How much is my baby expected to know when she enters? What are the consequences if she doesn’t know the basics?
- What do you do if the child is FAR BEYOND the basic requirements of an entering kindergartner? Do you change your approach””assign more challenging work? If there is a gifted program, what does it take to get your kid in it? How do you discipline? (Do you punish the whole class for one person’s indiscretion? Is recess taken away? Is the kid put in the corner?)
- How much access is given to the parents? Can I sit in a class and observe? Are parents invited to help in-class? How will you communicate with parents? Weekly newsletters? Email?
- If there are concerns with learning, when will you inform me?
- What can I do with my child at home to supplement what you’re teaching? How much downtime will my child have in class?
- What will my child’s day look like from half hour to half hour?
- What activities/efforts do you make to improve the girl’s social skills?
What can I say””these questions are awesome! I have all these questions ready to pepper the teacher and let her know that we have high expectations for our daughter. Whatever they’re doing in the class, we’re going to supplementing at home. If there’s any problems, I want to know immediately. As much as possible, I’d like to volunteer at the school, to make my presence known so when they see me they say, “Oh, that’s Ayanna’s mom,” not “Who are you here to see?”
My baby’s going to school…I can’t believe it.
Were you nervous when your kid entered kindergarten? What did you do to make sure they started off on the right foot?
Shelly says
Hey Tara, I am excited for you!
How well I remember those days. I should let you know that this process never ends, as each school year brings its own challenges and a new teacher who has a different approach. I have been as involved as possible in my son’s education, but the challenge has been balancing work (full-time), school (part-time) and his school work and activities around that. As soon as you can, you will want your daughter to be as independent as possible in getting her homework assignments completed. It will be a LOT of work, but I know you are up to the challenge.
Tara Pringle Jefferson says
Thanks, Shelly! Yes, this is just the beginning of a long journey, but I think we’ll be good. 🙂
Athelda Ensley says
This is certainly a important topic in our family. We decided to Home School our children about 14 years ago. This was an almost unheard of issue for most Black families then. Now we have a 16 year old and a 14 year old who are college students. They are examples of how essential education is in our community. Their ongoing success speaks to people in our circle of influence and to parents struggling to get their kids through public school. Children have to see positive results from education in order to spark their own interests for the future.
TheMrs says
Education is paramount in my household as well. When deciding to switch from nanny to day care it was very important for us to find a day care that was education based and “old school” in discipline(no rulers but stern older teachers) and we were very lucky to find one that was close to home, great price, and offered everything we were looking for. In making this decision, our children were completely prepared when they entered formal schooling at 4 yrs old. We have one more year until our last child enters school and we hope that my staying home with him will be benefitial to him as well. I actually go on 8/8 for his entrance interview for a preschool program that will work on his speech delay(although since his evaluation we have closed the gap immensly).
We have started our back to school routine as of 8/1 to prepare our children for the rigorous schedule. Bedtimes are back to 9p for our 13, 10, 10 & 9 yr olds, waking is 6a, breakfast at 7a, school starts at 8a(finishing summer packets, ironing uniforms, etc.) and then regular summer activities in the afternoon. I am looking forward to a productive year with my crew and wish you and Ayanna the best of luck in the next chapter of the story called “Parenthood.”
Wilsonlateesha says
My son is starting kindergarten as well I am very nervous and excited. So I feel where you are coming from. Those was some very good questions and I plan on using them at my son’s orientation next week when I meet his teacher. Education is very important to me and my family I want my son to have the best. I pray that my son teacher and I get along well. I plan on volunteering at his school and hopeful be a part of the PTA. So here is to our babies starting Kindergten and a good school year!!!
Pknight41 says
Our daughter is entering 9th grade, and a new school system in the fall. She’s been admitted to the most sought after college-prep public school in our district. We are proud and excited! We’ve been involved since she began school; ensuring that she loved books and reading, and was able to organize her time and supplies. In middle school she began to show independance in managing academic and extracurricular pressures, with minimal assistance from us. She’s had excellent guidance, and is showing it by the way she handles herself. We support and encourage her, and take her to libraries and supply stores.
I have volunteered at her school since she entered school. I will join the PTA and volunteer often at this school, as well. It’s of the utmost importance to us that she have a positive school experience, which translates into a comfortable and prosperous life.
It’s important to us to live well, and that involves having a good education. We are so tired of seeing those in our families and race suffer due to lack of access to a good education.
Briana Myricks says
Those are really great questions to ask! Good luck to your baby entering school and I hope you had a great experience with the home visit!
BossHogJD says
Yeas I was, and I did what you by now have done, I asked questions including, what is expected of us, and gave the teacher what clear expectations I had of her. My boy is going into first grade now so it’s time to start the process all over again! Be consistent with your level of comunication, unless it’s non existant, then step up your child’s LIFE depends on it. <—– A Proud PTA Dad!
Robin McIntosh says
Well…my daughter is going into kindergarten as well. She will be 5 in the beginning of November and I’m a little worried about her as well. But mainly because most of the kids will already be 5 so how much of a difference is there going to be in attitude, and adjustment. I met the teacher last year and she is wonderful! So hopefully with my son being in 2nd grade and in the school with his sister, she will adjust fine. Busy semester ahead…all except the baby is in school. I have 3 classes, my husband has 4 classes and the 2 older ones will be in school. We have begun bts routines now. Early bedtime (except the baby), reading and baths the hour before bed. Academics off and on throughout the day. Hopefully this year doesn’t drive me crazy!
Benita Rivera says
Thank you for writing and posting this! Here in NYC, we need every Black voice to be raised in jpiing our chorus of positive parenting, families and struggle for EXCELLENCE in education, particularly in public schools. Best wishes as you become a school parent. With you looking out, and staying involved– trust that no matter what, your baby will be just fine.