Saturday, March 07, 2009

Brandon's First Day of School (Again?)

Brandon had his first day of school on Thursday. Again. We had a couple of issues with him at Benjamin Franklin and decided to yank him out of there and put him in the neighborhood school. His teacher (Miss Ritter) was VERY stern. That's understandable, because we go to a traditional school. The curriculum is very hard and they need to learn discipline. HOWEVER, he is only in kindergarten. No rug. No feel goods. Nothing fun. No singing happy birthday or even recognizing it for that matter. He had straight A's, but he cried every day. His aide was HORRIBLE. The least likely Tiffany you would ever see. Not the cute cheerleader type you would imagine. Fat, miserable and MEAN! She yelled and one day while we there (at Brandon)and I was shocked.

So after speaking with the teacher, and nothing changing, we pulled him.

Great choice! He is LOVING his new class. Fun, nice Mrs. Fierro made him feel welcome and he was shocked by all the bright colors and the treehouse in the room. Wow! Also, he can wear whatever shoes he wants, and shorts (no uniforms.) Whoa. Amazing. The only tricky part is he is now in school all day long. Long for him, but INCREDIBLY JOYOUS for me.

7 comments:

Amy said...

I'm so glad Brandon's happy now! I secretly wish Halle was in full day--just cuz 1/2 is SO short. Her teacher is very strict (all academics-no fuzzy wuzzies) too, but at least the aide is super sweet. They need some love, for heaven's sake! Like you said--it's only Kindergarten!

Mike, Chelsea and Co. said...

Way to take charge Whitney! Sometimes I really wonder about BFCS.

Meredith said...

Aren't you glad we have choices? Obviously you made the best choice for Brandon - way to go, mom power! I am shocked it is so rigidly strict at BF. I mean, CTA is the same (essentially) but they have colorful classrooms and a rug and warm nurturing teachers - especially in kindergarten. I really worried that Lindsay would miss out on fluffy kindergarten stuff at CTA but I found they struck a really good balance.

Kary Ann Hoopes Photography said...

I am sorry that he is havin to change schools but yeah for him having a good teacher now. Kindergarten is magical!

brittanyc said...

I'm so glad you switched him. Happiness is what's most important. And dangit, Kindergarten is supposed to be wonderful and fun!
Britt

Lytles said...

Good job Whitney! You will both be happy now! It will make such a difference for you!

TamaraLove said...

Hi Whitney! Let me tell you - Todd and I have been down that road... too many times. I believe there is NO reason for a child to have a negative experience with learning (ESPECIALLY in Kindergarten!)!!! (: We want to instill in them a LOVE and passion for school and learning! Yay!

What school is Ainsley at are you doing two schools.

I think that is ONE reason I am glad to be have my kids moving up in the grades - I don't have to deal with the craziness of the elementary school teachers...

Good luck! (: Tamara