Back To School Night

Tonight was back to school night for Carter. Let me back up here. At Carter's last parent teacher conference last year, his teacher was slightly concerned that the public school system would not challenge him enough. She gave me some alternative ideas that we toyed with for months and months. It was an agonizing decision and process for us. We finally decided to enroll him in a local charter school near our home. I have several friends who have sent their kids to this school and most of them gave glowing reviews. The two things that we liked about the school is that they test the kids before the school year starts and group them in classes based on their abilities AND the school is extremely focused on academics. Our main concern was that Carter not be bored in school.

When I went to enroll him we found out that the school was already full. I was heartbroken. We had prayed and agonized about the decision for so long. The school tested him and put him on the waiting list. In the mean time we went forward preparing him for enrollment in the public school. We were thrilled last week when the charter school called and said they had a spot for him.

So anyway, tonight was back to school night. Carter was excited to meet his teacher. We went to the welcome meeting in the cafeteria and then went to the classroom for the teacher introduction/meeting. Imagine my surprise when we found out he has been placed in a FIRST GRADE class. We knew from last year that he is reading on about a 2nd grade level but had no idea he had tested high enough in everything else to skip over Kindergarten all together. I am a little bit concerned, mostly about his maturity and socialization. His teacher had plenty of reassuring words for me. There are 3 other Kindy students that will also be in this first grade class with him.

So now I get to go school supply shopping for the THIRD time. The first go around we got the stuff from the public school supply list. The second time we got the stuff for the charter school Kindergarten list and now I have to go get the stuff for the charter school first grade list. Sheesh.

I know this is not the biggest parenting decision we will ever have to make. I guess I'm just a little surprised that we're already making these kinds of decisions when our child is only 5. Like I said, it was a stressful process and decision for us. This is a huge new adventure for us!

Allen stayed home with the girls while I took Carter. Makenna was bawling as we were leaving and crying for Carter to stay home with her. While we were backing out of the driveway Carter said, "Mom, I think my eyes are watering a little bit." I told him it was ok to be sad. He said, "I'm going to miss Makenna when I go to school. I think my eyes are going to water on Monday too." {Cue my heart breaking into a million pieces} I assured him that my eyes would be watering on Monday morning too!