Preschool Switcheroo

So, back in October, we pulled Katy out of Forest Hill Christian Preschool and later enrolled her in St. James Lutheran Preschool.

Withdrawing Katy from FHCP mid-year was a tough decision to make. As a parent, I struggled with the fact that I was choosing to disrupt Katy's schedule. She had already started to make friends at FHCP (we didn't have a problem with the other students in the class- it was the teachers and their teaching style that bothered me). She was learning things in preschool. Yet, the reasons for taking her out boiled down to something very simple; We needed to get Katy out of a toxic environment.

A blog can be a very open way of expressing one's opinions, so it can be a bit touchy to publicly announce to the world WHY we did what we did. Maybe, in some small way, our experience can help others avoid our situation. If nothing else, it's a way for me to express my thoughts and vent.

Katy had a great start to preschool at FHCP. She was happy and never cried when I left- I thought everything was going great!

Then, slowly, little "incidents" started popping up that really made me, as her mother, uncomfortable. First, it was the fact that she wouldn't say the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, it was the fact that she wouldn't say "Here" at roll call, every morning. The icing on the cake, though, was the fact that Katy was caught hitting another little girl in her class. Yet, the teachers failed to further investigate the catalyst for Katy's behavior (Turns out, one of Katy's classmates knocked down her block tower- not right- but at least it proves that Katy didn't just maliciously hit another child for no reason).

Every time Katy's teachers would call me into the classroom to tell me yet another one of Katy's shortcomings, I kept telling myself to not be overly sensitive. I didn't want the teachers to think that I thought my daughter could do no wrong. Trust me, I know that she can have bad days- we all have bad days. Yet, a little voice inside of me kept telling me that something was wrong...

It was quickly becoming apparent to me that EVERY day there was some new negative report. Every school day was a struggle getting ready. Katy didn't want to go to school. She would dilly-dally eating breakfast and getting ready. When I would pick Katy up from preschool and ask her what she learned, she'd reply offhandedly, "I don't know." This happened every single day she had preschool.

Where were the GOOD reports? Why were the teachers only telling me about the negative things? Why did her teachers keep forcing her to do things (over and over and over again, I might add), that really don't matter in the long run? Katy hates to do hand print artwork-she doesn't like to get her hands messy. It's okay with me if her piece of paper is blank- it's not like she HAS to do it! Plus, why couldn't her teachers see her for the individual that she is and just trace her hand, instead? Why was it so important to them if she did or did not say the Pledge (she's only two, for goodness sake!)!

Structure in the classroom is a good thing. However, structure without flexibility (especially with a classroom full of two year olds!) is bad- very bad.In my opinion, this is what was going on in Katy's classroom. Katy wasn't towing the party line and she was being reprimanded for it- constantly. It's as if, one time, something happened and then after that, her teachers were constantly on the look-out for Katy's misdeeds. Her teachers wanted order in the classroom, at any cost- never mind that they were teaching a classroom of toddlers (where chaos and free play are the norm). Time-outs were doled out for any and every infraction. Katy once got a time out for showing her teacher her princess underwear. Now, anybody who has ever had a two year old, knows that Katy wasn't trying to be an exhibitionist. She was showing her teacher her underwear because she was PROUD of the fact that she was potty-trained- not every two year old is potty trained! Now, if Katy is showing off her underpants ten years from now, we'll talk.

Let's just say, I wasn't getting the warm fuzzies from her teachers.

Finally, I had had enough. Enough is enough is enough. Enough tattletale comments. Enough negativity. Sometimes, a mama's got to do what a mama's go to do. I truly believe in a mother's instinct- don't squash it- just go with it- it's there for a reason. Something was wrong- Katy needed out. Preschool is supposed to be fun, not negative and/or stressful!

So, after some phone tag with the preschool director (another strike against Forest Hill Christian Preschool- lack of communication), Halloween was Katy's last day at Forest Hill Christian Preschool. We said our good-byes and we didn't look back.

Then, we decided to check out another preschool, St. James Lutheran Preschool. This preschool is right up the road from us- within even closer walking distance than FHCP. Katy already had a friend in the two-year old class. Best of all, the preschool director was prompt and accommodating in her emails and her time. We visited the class on the first Monday in November and she started attending the very next Wednesday- it was that good.

When we visited the new class, I was really able to observe the teacher's interactions with the students and vice-versa. The teachers were structured, yet flexible. They were authoritative, yet comforting. Most of all, they chose to treat the children as the individuals that they are on not some sort of military collective. At circle time, the kids were all well-behaved and participatory. Sure, they weren't all exactly sitting down- some were standing and some were laying down. However, they were all engaged, nobody was hurting another. The teachers didn't mind working with what the students had to offer, instead of demanding perfection (as was the case at the other preschool).

When I asked the new teachers about their approach to discipline, I was encouraged to hear them tell me that they let the child dictate the route in which they respond. For example, some children need to be ignored while throwing a tantrum. Others, just want to be hugged and told that everything is going to be okay. In other words, it wasn't a "one size fits all" solution to discipline. Hallelujah!

So, only time will tell about Katy's success at her new school. However, I have hope that St. James Lutheran Preschool will be a better fit for our child. For now, I'm just happy that Katy is happy to attend her new class and is excited to start her (school) days! Katy comes home eager to tell me about what she did at school. She talks about the other little kids in her class. One of her teachers (Ms. Amber) even told me that it was like Katy has always been a part of the class. Music to this Mama's ears!

Meet Addyson

Addyson and Katy- Best Buds!

Meet Addyson. Blonde-haired, blue eyes and rosy cheeks- she could not look more different from Katy, if she tried. However, don't let looks deceive you because Addyson and Katy are best buds at Preshool. From sitting together at lunch, to playing together at centers, Katy loves her little friend.

Up until this point, Katy's "friends" have been the children of our friends. Katy didn't really get a say in the matter. So, it's fun and interesting to see what kind of people Katy chooses as friends.

Happy Birthday, Lucas!

Playing with Lucas

Lucas and Co.

Another weekend, another birthday....! This time, we attended Lucas' 3rd birthday at the park. Lucas and Katy are classmates at Forest Hill Christian Preschool. Apparently, Lucas has a little crush on Katy.... ;-)

Forest HIll Christian Preschool- Children's Sabbath Service

"Jesus Loves Me!"

"Too Loud!"

Today, we had the opportunity to watch Katy sing with the rest of her Preschool during church. So, we decided to be Methodist for the day and watch Lil' Miss sing. The kids sang "Jesus Loves Me" and "This Little Light of Mine." While she didn't really sing (at least, not that we could tell), Katy did far better than I had first expected. Katy was the stereotypical kid who was waving to her parents in the audience. She stood up front of the church, with her classmates, she didn't try to run towards us and she didn't cry. Katy was pretty interested in watching the other kids sing, so oftentimes, she was turned around watching her friends sing, instead of singing herself. Overall, though, I'd consider that a win!

Sentence of the Day- Preschool

Today, Nana and PopPop Jones came with me to pick Katy up from Preschool. While we were driving home, I asked her what she learned today, in class. She replied, "Let's not talk about it right now." Ha!

On a related note, Katy had a GREAT day, today, at Preschool! She said, "Present" at roll call (all the other kids just say, "Here," but leave it to our Fancy Nancy to say something fancier!) AND she held the flag AND said the Pledge of Allegiance! YAYAYAYAYA! This is a big win for us, as I've recently been getting reports of a little girl who doesn't want to participate in class.

Preschool Pumpkin Picking

"Today was my first Preschool field trip- we went to Riverbend Farm to pick pumpkins!"

"Nana and PopPop joined us on the field trip."

"This is my friend, Addyson. She's my best bud at school. I like to play with her and sit next to her at lunchtime."

"Giddy up, Horsey! Ride 'em cowgirls!!"

"Look at this cool water wheel! Here I am checking it out with some friends from school." 

(Notice, they are all boys- Daddy isn't to fond of this...)

"Here's my cheesy smile- Mommy sure likes to take a lot of pictures!"

"So many pumpkins, so little time... decisions, decisions, decisions...."

"Wheee....!"

"BIG girl slide, ALL BY MYSELF!!" (This made Mommy a little nervous.)

"Hugs and snuggles for my PopPop!"

"Do you like my pumpkins? I ended up naming the big one, 'Veggie Tale.' Happy Pumpkin Picking!"

Muffin Tin Monday- First Day of Preschool Lunch

Lunch includes: Fruitables Apple/Carrot Juice Box, Mini Turkey Pepperoni, Sliced up Mozzarella Cheese Stick, Cheddar Bunnies, Apple/Peach Applesauce Pouch, Green Grapes and Fruit Snacks. 

Lil' Miss started Preschool, last Wednesday. So, I made her a special MTM lunch (with a special note- never mind that she can't yet read!). Mange!

Bento Box Lunch- Timmy Time!

"It's Timmy Time!"

This upcoming week is "Farm Week" at Preschool. So, I thought I'd make Katy a special little lunch based on one of her favorite TV shows, Timmy Time. The show is centered around a curious little lamb and his adventures in Preschool- appropriate for our own Lil' Miss, don't you think? There isn't much talking in the show, but it's amusing and not as painful to watch as some other kids shows (say, Wonder Pets and Teletubbies).

Since this was my first "real" bento box where I was cutting and shaping and creating a "scene," I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I'm pleased with the results, though. One of my main concerns was that this thing was going to take forever to create (what kind of crazy mother takes the time to cut sandwiches into cutesy shapes? This mother, that's who!) However, this lunch only took me about fifteen minutes to create from start to finish.

First, I started with some pumpernickel bread (Katy approved, from Aldi's- yay!). I cut two circles out of the bread and spread some cream cheese and stacked them (think, bread, cream cheese, bread and cream cheese on top for the "palette").

Then, I used a fluted circle cookie cutter on a piece of Provolone cheese to create the body of the sheep. I took a Pomegranate Fruit Leather and cut out legs, head and ears using various mini alphabet cookie cutters. I used scraps of American Cheese and Provolone for the paci. I used cream cheese as a "glue" to stick all the body parts together. The eyes are candy eyes found in the cake decorating section of our local craft store.

I created two turkey "flowers" to add some texture and protein to the bento box.

The bento box is rounded out by various fruits and veggies (grapes, tomatoes, broccoli and Veggie Sticks). I tried to pack them in pretty tight so that things won't  shift in transport.

Now, the real test will be to see if Katy eats it all!

Exercising Her Rights

Today was day two of Preschool. I dropped Lil' Miss off without incident and we were even able to walk to school since the weather cooperated. Got my exercise for the day!

When I picked Lil' Miss up, I asked how she did. She was smiling, sitting with the other children and in the same clothes that she came in (I consider that a win!). 

The teacher, Ms. Kris, hesitated and then said that Katy did, "alright." I pried, and found out that when it came time to recite the Pledge of Allegiance (which, I'm told they do every day), Katy refused to stand up, sat in the corner, folded her arms in protest and did NOT want to have anything to do with the Pledge! Since they can't technically FORCE her to say it, they let her be. It was a slight disruption to the class as a whole, though.

I guess Katy was just exercising her rights as an American citizen to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, due process, and equal protection....?!

Other than that, Katy did great, today! I'm told that she played and sang and participated in other group activities. She even used the potty appropriately. She ate almost all of her packed lunch, too! When I asked her what she did today, she told me, "I play with Addyson. She a girl. We no play with boys." Does it really start this young?!

Katy's First Day of Preschool

First Day of Preschool, Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Jump for JOY- it's time to go to Preschool! (She actually got some air in this picture!)

"Kermit the Frog Backpack- check! Fancy Nancy Lunchbox- check! Fancy Nancy Dress for our Fancy Katy- Check! Sock and Sneakers- check! I'm ready for Preschool!"

Today was Katy's first day of Preschool!!

She woke up on her own, right on time, excited for the day! We got her fed and dressed well before it was time to leave. Ted decided to go into work a little later, today, so that he could see her off. When we got to the school, Katy was excited to go inside and not one tear was shed (hers or mine!) during drop off.

Our baby is growing up!