1st Day of New School: PS 107

Outside our brownstone, just a couple blocks from their new public school, PS 107. The stress of a new school added to our culture reentry shock. And, Boom is going to Kindergarten, for 5 full days a week, a shock in and of itself to the Boom. In NYC public schools, youngsters aged 4 go to Kindergarten, and are expected to write novels by the end of the year.

Putting on a good face, in front of school -- his first day in elementary school! I'm not sure who is feeling this milestone and separation more - me or him. I was in mourning.

Nothing like a Daddy hug to take the edge off the first separation into elementary school

Toys help the separation

Another hug helps too

A brave smile, on both of us

I did an illegal sneak upstairs, past the guard and around the many rigid public school rules, to sneak a shot of Alice in her 2nd grade class

Griffin's class, but I couldn't see him. 31 students are in each 4th grade class, usually with only 1 teacher. Grif's class is a "CTT" class which means special ed mainstreamed with "typical" students, so he gets a second teacher too. Still, too little room, too big brains, for such little attention. And, the "tests" loom large in 4th grade in NYC public schools.

Back to Boom

A sad moment of saying good-bye for Boom

An enthusiastic teacher, even when faced alone with 25 highly energetic kindergarten children packed in a small room

September 6, 2011

Alice's blog: This was my first day of school. I didn't know what to do or where to go. It was so crowded and there were big kids everywhere. When I went into my classroom, I felt safer there even though it was all new to me. We didn't even have math on the first day!


Now, we have math everyday, unfortunately. ;) And, now, I am more used to school and it feels like I have been at PS 107 for more than 3 years.