Being a parent. I was THAT parent last week. The class lists were posted. MA was so excited to find out her teacher. I didn't know any of the possible teachers so it didn't make a difference to me really. DB was more than likely going to get MA's teacher from last year. At our school, a Prep teacher moves up to Grade 1 the following year then moves back to Prep and so on. They also do composite classes here. Meaning they combine different grades into the same class. Last year MA's class was a 1/2 class which was good for her. She saw the grade 2 work and it motivated her to see the older students and their work. Prep is usually a stand along grade. Up to 25 students in a class.
So back to the point... Class lists. Scanning, scanning, finally find her name in a 1/2 class. Only 7 other grade 2 students in her class. They split grade 2 four ways- two 1/2s and two 2/3 classes.
As a parent here's where it gets difficult. MA sees her 2 best friends in a different class-together. She sees them in a 2/3 class and she is in a 1/2 class. My heart breaks as she tears up and there is nothing I can do to fix it and make it better. We went home and she just sat there. Last year was full of big changes and adjustments. Now I feel like we are back to the beginning.
My concerns go beyond her not being with her best friends. Will she be challenged? Who decided the classes and on what criteria(mind you she got all A's and 2 B's -in Italian and drama, on her report card last year with only going thru half of grade 1. With the USA school on a different school year than Aussie schools she was finishing up Kindergarten while the school here had already started grade 1.) I worry about her being a mother hen to the grade students. As for friends, she will still see her best friends during their outdoor time after lunch. She also is friends with the other grade 2 students in her class. But it's hard to not have those close friendships.
I called the principle and heard back from her. She answered my questions and explained they try to make the classes as even as possible (meaning they don't put all the struggling students in one class and the highest achievers in another). Classes are full and there is no room to move students, yadda, yadda, yadda. I get it. I do, but it doesn't make it any easier. MA had made several comments that made me sad for her and I just want to make it better. That's what moms do. Tonight she asked who picked the classes. And maybe because the 2/3 teacher doesn't know her, that's why she didn't pick her. I have been careful to not say how the classes were picked because I didn't want her to feel differently towards any specific teacher.
We will see how the year goes. I will be paying close attention to her school work. Her teacher seems really nice and I have heard great things about her. Guess it's time to trust the system.
DB got MA's teacher from last year and has a ton of friends with him. He is set! I am really looking forward to seeing how he goes this year!
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