It’s The First Day Of School For Los Altos Elementary School Children
Today was the first day of school for children in the Los Altos Elementary School District. Last night my children seem extra amped in anticipation for today’s festivities. Who will their classmate be? Will they like their teacher? Will there be any changes in their classrooms? Will their mom (or in this case, dad) take those embarrassing pictures in front of the school (and their friends)?
The first day of school in our household revolves around making it a great day. We ready their backpacks the night before and then its off bed early. In the morning they are met with a great breakfast – hot pancakes and freshly squeezed O.J.. Their lunch-bags are stock with good food and a special “welcome back to school” treat.
With the kids ready to go, it’s picture time. This year the kids didn’t put up much of a fight. I guess they have finally accepted that it’s something they have to do. We took two photos of each child on the front porch and it was off to school.
My 8th grade son “long boarded” to Blach Junior High where he was greeted by the leadership class who gave each student brightly colored bead necklace’s. As a Junior high student, he has requested that we don’t take him to school. Apparently, its not cool to be seen with your parents on the first day of school. In the eyes of middle schooler’s, all parents are officially Dorks!
We walked my 5th grade daughter to Springer school and took more pictures of her in front of the Springer Star, a large mosaic star on the front of the multi-purpose room. Over the years, many a Springer parent has taken their child’s photo with the Springer Star in the background.
Besides getting caught up with families that you haven’t seen since June, parents are asked to register for the variety of volunteer opportunities at school. Do you want to help at the walk-a-thon? Serve hot lunch? Or be part of the technology group? There are tables with sign up sheets awaiting your signature. Los Altos schools are successful, in part, due to the hours that parents put in volunteering.
I picked up our daughter from school and took her over to Blossom Valley Shopping Center for a frozen yogurt to see how her day went. Her response, as she devoured her frozen cookie dough treat, was “it was good, Dad.” That’s all I needed to hear.
It will take a week or two to get everyone’s schedule dialed in, but for today, it was all about the kids.
