Kindergarten Orientation

I just had a funny thought as I sat down to type - that poor teacher has no clue that I am going to document everything she does this year on a blog, LOL!!!  Thank goodness I don't use real names!

But seriously, there is nothing for her to fear, so far.

I like her.  I get a good vibe from her.  I feel good around her and I feel like she will be a good fit for my little Bean Sprout.

We went to Kindergarten Orientation this morning.  It was informative.  I learned that there are 30 kids in Bean's class.  Yes, I said 30.  THIRTY.

THREE ZERO.  30 kids.

One teacher.

Thirty kids.

Nothing like budget cuts, eh?

My Bean is in the P.M. class.  During orientation the teacher told us that in the A.M. class there are two aides, but for the P.M. class the aides haven't been assigned yet.  However, she did assure us that there would be aides.  And based on what I know of the principal there I feel pretty certain that come tomorrow, the first official day of kindergarten, there will be an equal amount of aides in the P.M. class as well.

I felt bad for the teacher as one of the parents flipped out on her over the class size.  She handled it quite well, but I really wanted to just turn around and tell the parent to shut her trap as it wasn't this teacher's fault - she didn't personally cut the budget.  And based on what I heard at the end of last year, this teacher is lucky to have a job at all - yeah, in my state things are THAT bad.

The classroom was great - bright and cheery and just so welcoming.  Bean lit up when she saw it.

She also lit up what she saw one of the boys from her Early Childhood class - they're buddies and they ran to each other and hugged.  It was the cutest darn thing!

We learned all about school policies and procedures and we learned about the homework for kindergarten - some parents groaned at this, but I say bring it on.  They are only in kindergarten for 3 hours a day - they need to be getting something at home, too.  After all, the goal is to educate.

Geesh, some parents need to get a clue.  Besides, it's homework like read to your child - is that so hard?  Oh wait, for some I guess it is - it means you have to actually care.  *shaking my head*

We learned that volunteers are very welcome and I told the teacher I would love to volunteer - I think I was the only one to volunteer on the spot, but I am sure others will throughout the year.  She even said I could bring Bug along when I come in - gotta love that!

Anyways, it was a pretty standard orientation and I left feeling that while the class size is huge, it is being managed and it will work out.  I just feel good about this teacher.  There's something about her... And besides, Bean is excited - and excited kids make good learners.