No tears…but maybe a few butterflies

The school supplies have been purchased (a whole $85 dollars worth!) and delivered to the classrooms…

…the uniforms have been washed, pressed and hung in the closet. (I’m loving the simplicity of this uniform thing)…

…we’ve attended the school open house, met the new teachers, arranged car pool, packed lunches, and taken first-day-of-school-pictures…

(Don’t my 2nd graders look handsome (and slightly nerdy) in their tidy uniforms?)

love this one

…and we’ve begun the 2012-2013 school year at a brand new charter school!

I swore I would never take my kids out of traditional public school because I am a big supporter of public education…but never say never, right? For multiple reasons…mainly teacher to student ratio (approx. 25 students per class and two instructors)…and the level of parent involvement required at this particular charter school, I’ve decided to give it a try. It was a difficult decision for me, but in the end I felt good about it and took the plunge.

My kids have only been to school for 4 days and I’m already thrilled with what is happening. Last night, during a spirited game of Uno, Jeffrey informed me he is feeling very excited about school; a feeling he claims he’s never had before. Yes, this school is going to require even more of my time, but I’m very willing. I feel passionate about being involved in my kid’s school experience; supporting the school, the teachers and such.

A few day ago a neighbor of mine was telling another neighbor, with tears in her eyes, how sad she was to have her children return to school after a summer of having them by her side everyday. Although I can understand her tears on some level, I’m afraid you’ll never find me in a similar state over the start of a new school year. I love school! I love the structure it brings to our days. I love the learning and stretching that happens for my children. I love the productive nature of the whole entire deal. And of course (especially after the particularly crazy summer we’ve had this year), I love the peace and quiet that I get each day when I can collect myself and accomplish things without interruption. I’m a much happier person when this is our family’s Modus Operandi…and because I’m happier, everyone is happier. We’re already falling into a nice rhythm around here, and oh, how I love a healthy rhythm and structure (and early bedtime!). It’s how I am…can’t help it.

So no…there were no tears as my boys climbed into the carpool for their first day at their new school…but maybe there were some butterflies. With this big of a change, I worried that perhaps I had made the wrong choice, taking them from what was familiar. But it turns out my worrying was unnecessary. They did great! They’re happy…I’m happy. It’s going to be a good year.

Yeah for school!