School for Eleanor

Eleanor started school this week.  For the past three mornings, I've walked Eleanor into a classroom, helped her with an activity, read to her and then left her with people I hardly know.  Eleanor has done surprisingly well.  She did not have to be pealed off of me.  She didn't even cry.  Her school encourages parents to read to their children for the first 15 minutes of every day as a transition time (K-2).  This is a commuter school--no buses, most students live too far to walk.  The first day, we went as a family to mark this milestone in Eleanor and our family's life.  We took a couple of pictures, but they didn't turn out so great. 

On the way to school.  It's about a 10-15 minute drive.  Eleanor was excited, but a little nervous.

Each day of the first week, Eleanor's teacher has an activity planned.  On Tuesday, the students were decorating the name tags for their cubbies.  Eleanor made each of her letters into flowers.  Then we went and hung it in her cubby.

Eleanor is pointing at her cubby, on the bottom.  This is where she stores her lunch box, blanket for rest time, extra clothes and back pack.  During the first week, the kids are allowed to bring a comfort item (stuffed animal or toy).  That goes in the cubby too.  Eleanor is very attached to her cubby and wants one at home too.  We're working on that.

We read a couple of books.  Eleanor loves the classroom library and the organization of it.  There is another baby close to Charlotte's age.  The past two mornings she and Charlotte have played together.  I love how parents and families are welcomed and encouraged to be in the classroom (at certain times).  When the Good Morning song begins to play, the parents are to leave. 

So far, Eleanor has loved everything about school.  She seems to thrive in the structure and the routine.  She has made friends and says that no one gets in trouble.  I'm sure she will have some struggles at some point, but she is off to a great start.  We are so thankful that she got into such a good school.