A rite of passage of youngsters and parents, getting ready for kindergarten

   This article began with brainstorming on how to tell the story of the first day of school … an annual rite of passage for thousands of area youngsters.

   We wanted to find out how the day went for a child, her teacher and her family. But we realized that school for a kindergartner starts well before September, with kindergarten screening in the spring and preparations in the summer.

   Then we started to think that it might be neat to check in with the pupil throughout the year, to get a glimpse of how the lofty issues debated by educators and lawmakers in Albany and Washington affect real children in the classroom.

   This is the first in a series of stories about Rachel Scharf, 5, and her journey through kindergarten at West Seneca West Elementary School. She may remind you of your own child or grandchild, or even yourself, and you'll see that kindergarten has changed.

   As West Elementary School Principal Rachel Badger says, "We don't take naps anymore."

   … Barbara O'Brien

Comments

[nokomis]

we started my son's first year of "schooling" with a not-back-to-school picnic at a local beach with other homeschooling families.

it was *so* much fun for all the kids and parents.

[Jennifer Kazmierczak]

Rachel - good luck! Amy - hang in there, we all survive the first day of kindergarden, I promise!
Jenn

[Lydia Bezou-Hojnacki]

Unfortunately, the people most in need of education about kindergarten readiness neither use computers nor read the newspaper. When TV news is aired, they only want to know about crime, fires, and accidents.

If only we could reach these inept parents. Some children start kindergarten NOT KNOWING their names, their parent's (singular) name, phone number, or address, let alone the alphabet. "What's your name, son?" "Ya f---ing ret--d," most of the time, but sometimes my Mama calls me Dway." "I see, it says Darrell on your name tag. Is that your name?" "Huh? I dunno."

What a way to start school on a solid footing, ready to learn. I kid you not!