Zachary, Jonah and me

Yep, that’s right. Zachary started kindergarten today. While I’m really excited for him, I can’t help but be a little sad, too. Kindergarten actually means s-c-h-o-o-l. Which actually means he’s not a little boy anymore (sniff).

We are very fortunate that he has the opportunity to attend FLEC (Forest Lake Education Center). FLEC is a private, Christian school with an exceptional curriculum. Of course, in my biased opinion, any private curriculum has to be better than the FLA public school’s curriculum. Add to that the fact that Orange county cut $70 million from this year’s school budget, which means:

  • fewer teachers;
  • the non-reappointment of hundreds of annual contract teachers (translation: art, music and PE teachers);
  • the cutting of programs like environmental education and united arts;

just to note a few of the highlights (or lowlights).

Then there’s the actual quality of the education public students receive. The school we are zoned for, Apopka Elementary, does not inspire much confidence in me—it is ranked #1287 out of #1818 for the state of Florida. Sure, that means there are 531 schools ranking worse—but that also means there are 1286 schools that rank better. While FLEC doesn’t list a ranking since it’s private, I’m going to make a bold assumption and assume it would be ranked MUCH higher than #1287.

CIMG0354

Okay, I’m off my soapbox. 🙂 This post is about Zachary, who is in big-kid school now. His teacher is Mrs. Schonert and he already has a friend in class—Mike and Angela’s daughter, Kai. I’m not sure exacly how many students are in his class, but it looks to be approximately 15. That’s a pretty good student/teacher equation. We’ve also heard nothing but great things about Mrs. Schonert, so we’re excited for Zachary. I can’t wait to pick him up this afternoon and hear all about his day.

If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers. -Edgar W. Howe

To read about Zachary’s week before kindergarten, check out “the Goose.”

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5 Comments on “Kindergarten!”

  1. You’ve made me a friend at Fuelmyblog!!! are you mad?

    Can’t reciprocate at the moment as you ‘don’t have a blog’!!!!! – I guess you haven’t had the check over yet. When everything is sorted out I’ll try and remember to add you back. Remind me if you forget – I am very old and doddery – it’s a miracle I’m still here really – tee hee

    I hope Z survived – it’s usually much worse for the parents than the kids …….

  2. Hope you BOTH did well on Zach’s first day of Kindergarten!

    Since Braden missed the September 1st cut off by 3 days I still have another 2 years before I’ll be drying my own tears as I take him for his first day of school.

  3. I did it! I actually lived to see two generations into school, and not one homicide in the bunch! I’m as a-cited as he is! At a boy Zack! And Mom, much more time to try and pry Jonah from around your ankles as you try and work!

  4. we have on going into first grade and one into kindergarten this year. They get so big so quickly but they are actually real people now, just short.

    thank you for stopping by my blog

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