09.15.05
I’ve got some awesome kids…
Today was just full of little stories … If you’d like the short and sweet version: the kids did great at their first day of school. Read on for more tidbits:
The kids woke up early, got dressed, put on their grembiule (a kind of smock they wear as uniforms), grabbed their backpacks and were ready to go. After a few pictures, we headed for school. All three kids go to school in the same building, but Trey’s school is actually a different school in the same building. The big kids got dropped off first, but we weren’t ever able to visit their school or meet their teachers. We arrived to a literal mob of parents, all wandering from room to room asking if their kids were in this class. Not as organized as we would expect, but it all worked out just fine. We found Chloe’s teacher, who leaned over as soon as she realized who Chloe was and said, “Hello! Welcome … to … our … class! I … am … your … friend!” Her English was hesitant, but Chloe got the message and smiled a big smile of relief. She whispered to me, “Dad! I found my first friend!” Dad gets choked up a little bit … The teacher announced it was time for the parents to leave, and we all shuffled out the door.
Heidi went to take Lance to his class. I peeked in on him before I left and he gives me a big thumbs up. Dad gets choked up a little bit …
We have a few minutes before Trey goes to school, so we waited on a nearby bench with Trey. I watched the parents milling around and catching up.
We head downstairs to Trey’s school and found the exact opposite situation. It was quiet, almost serene. Kids were playing in classrooms with books and puzzles. A few parents were sitting with their little ones. Trey’s teacher greeted him warmly, reassured us, and sat him down to play. We barely even got a “goodbye” out of him as we left. Dad gets choked up a little bit …
We catch the bus to our school, and my mind was constantly flitting back to Scuola Lombardo Radice and Scuola Leonardo Da Vinci. It was a little hard for me to concentrate on my lesson, but my teacher understood. I was glad for that.
We ducked out of school early to go get Trey. His teacher thought we might want to ease him into the schedule. When we poked our heads into his classroom we found him sitting in a circle with his classmates who were singing a song. His teacher said, “Trey, chi è¨?” Who is that? He looked at the door, and ran straight to me. Dad gets choked up a little bit. His teacher told us he did great, and that he should be staying the whole time very soon. She shuffled Trey back in the room and told the class to say goodbye to Trey. First they all said, “Ciao!” and then they all said “Good Bye!”
When it was time to get the big kids we found the same horde of parents, this time kept outside the front doors of the school. When the bell rang, kids came pouring out of the school to find a sea of adult faces. Intimidating for me, and I’m a little older than 5! I couldn’t help but smile … this is exactly how things are done in Italy. We saw Lance and then Chloe and then the stories came pouring out. While coloring, Chloe’s teacher asked her “come se dice nube in inglese?” And Chloe answered, “Clouds!” Did I ever teach her that word? Nope. She just learned it!
I have tons more, but this is getting long. Thanks so much for your prayers. We’ll keep the stories coming…
Want to see pictures? Go here: http://www.goancona.com/rotertspictures