The Big Day, Part II

The first day. The real first day. Whew. It was great. I mean, exhausting and long and a little bit nerve-racking, but all and all great. Due to the heat, I had a hard time sleeping last night so I took a MotrinPM. Worked like a dream. I got up at 745, showered, dressed, and headed to school.

The day itself was short; it was an open house style, only from 10-12. We had two activities planned for the kids: they make a name tag with their English and Hebrew names, and then decorate, draw, write, and collage on the name tag to show things that represent themselves (we’ll then laminate the name tags and make them permanent). We also asked them to write a poem about themselves (which we’ll read tomorrow). Parents were also welcome to hang out with the kids, schmooze with Jo, Jeff (the Jewish studies teacher) and myself, catch up with each other, have fun with their kids. It also takes away a lot of the anxiety of “The First Day of School” because it’s a short day, kids can stay as long as they and their parents want, and it’s just a fun day. They don’t have to worry about performing or seeing each other after a long summer. And plus, Jo made apple chips which were delish!

My first impressions of the kids are that they’re a great group. They all seemed really sweet and with it and happy to see Jo – and she seemed really happy to see them – and to meet me and to see each other. They were all really cute too. They’re all around 11, and have that pre-pubescent, cusp of adulthood glow to them. They’re still innocent and kind and eager to learn.

One mother was talking to me, a little bit about her child, but she also said, “This is a really good class. And I’m not just saying that because my son is in this class. My older son graduated from here, and his class was not so good, if you know what I mean. This class is really sweet.”

The parents seemed pretty parental. I think that’s the best descriptive word. They were all very friendly, some a little more than others, and most were interested in me being a Delet fellow. What exactly that meant. Here’s a sample conversation:

Parent: Joel, how long have you been here?
Joel: This is my first year.
Parent: Where did you work before? (Thinking: this kid looks barely older than my 6th grader…)
Joel: No, this is my first year teaching.
Parent: Oh great… (turning slightly pale). So, Joel, what is your role here? The teaching assistant? The aide?
Joel: No, I’m a Delet fellow.
[Parent has blank look on face.]
Joel: I’m basically the co-teacher for the 6th grade.
Parent: Oh, wonderful! (Thinking: I’m putting my kid in another school… pronto!)

But all and all, they were very nice. I just haven’t gotten the names down yet.

After the last kid left, Jo and I cleaned up, and then the Parents Association provided lunch for all the Day and Nursery school teachers. It was a decent lunch; friend chicken, corn on the cob, coleslaw. But really good brownies. Then, the best part of the day: CPR training! I’ve never had CPR or First Aid training, so this whole 30 compression-rescue breath-look for a pulse-etc techniques really got me 1) freaked out that I would ever be a victim 2) even more freaked out that I would have to perform this on someone. I mean, in an emergency, you gotta do what you gotta do. Of course. But a three hour session with rubber dummies doesn’t even come close making me a passably credible life-saver. And knowing me, I think I would just jump around, my arms flailing, going, “Oh god! Oh god! Oh god!” and then volunteer to run away and call 911.

So, after sitting through three hours of grip, grin, and blow, I was wiped. WIPED. And then I came home and to fine my (pirated) internet dead. ARGH. So I wrote, but I couldn’t post until right now! Alas!