So the weekend pretty much sucked but I didn't want that to carry over for the 1st day of school. But it did, kind of. We never received our letter stating who Rita's teacher is for the year (they send them out last minute so parents don't have the opportunity to complain). So we went to the school office and Rita wasn't on any of the class lists. Remember, we just transferred to the new school which is walking distance to our home. They knew who we were (remembered us from bugging them about getting Rita into this school six months earlier), and when they looked at their cards saw that she was placed into Mrs. D's class. So they called Mrs. D and she said that she couldn't take her because that would place her over her limit. So they had to find the principal. The principal was very apologetic for the confusion, and said that they were over enrolled and that they would have to place Rita in a "temporary" classroom until they could find a spot for her. (Huh?)

So she goes into Mrs. H's classroom and all of the kids were there already (bell had already run) and the poor girl had to walk to the front of the room (everyone looking at her) and sit in a desk that didn't have her namecard. Teacher seemed confused to have her. Rita went up and gave her a box of kleenex and said "this is for you". (All kids have to bring in a bunch of supplies to help cover incidentals.) It was sweet. We left but were annoyed because we already knew that she would have to move to another class at a future date because this teacher didn't have the proper certification to deal with an ESOL student. (My question to the principal ... can't she temporarily get put with a teacher with the certification and if the numbers work out she can stay in that class? Apparently that question was too smart / obvious for consideration.)

Anyways, we got a call yesterday afternoon that she was placed in Mrs. S's class. Great! She will get into her new class without having to spend much time with another class. But this new class is a mixed 1st/2nd grade class. We had discussed this option with Rita's teacher from last year and her opinion is that a mixed class is good for the younger kids (gives them exposure to more) but not good for the older kids. Also, M is concerned that she will be made fun of because she's in the mixed class (although they have one of these for almost every grade level due to staffing levels so lots of kids are in them). He is also concerned that emotionally / developmentally she will be with younger kids and this may put her back. I agree with him on both points but also see this as a good opportunity for her to "catch up" on 1st grade things, but have the opportunity to stretch for the things she already knows. It also means that she won't be behind every other person in her class (like she would be in a 100% second grade class) so this should help her with her academic confidence (not that she needs any but you know what I mean).

Plus, I think alot of Rita's academic success will come down to the teacher. This new teacher seems much more "with it" than Mrs. N so we are happy about that for sure. Mrs. N was your stereotypical elementary school teacher - grandmotherly, sheepish, librarian-ish, etc. (Sorry to offend anyone.) Mrs. S appears "seasoned" and positive - someone I think we could have a open and upfront relationship with. She had everything ready for Rita this morning and welcomed her warmly.

I never thought I would have this much drama to discuss about elementary school.