by Tom Chillemi
The eyes of innocence were fixed on Middlesex Elementary School kindergarten teacher Ms. Singleton as she read to the children on the first day of school.
The lessons of Miss Bindergarten’s book were basic: don’t jump in puddles; don’t share tissues, put them in the trash; and don’t stand on chairs.
“Should we bite our pencils?” she asked the class.
The answer came in a chorus, “No-o-o.”
The class was united and moved with precision as if they had been choreographed when she told them to stand up, turn around, jump up and down to “get the wiggles out” and lose the first day jitters.
They were smiling and quiet. Miss Bindergarten’s book was right when it said, “The fun has begun.”
Mrs. Tucker’s class was signing in by placing their name stickers on a board showing they were present. “Jose is here today,” she noted. They also sang the days of the week and the months of the year to a popular tune.
In Mrs. Hudnall’s kindergarten class each student was drawing a picture of how they could be “a good friend.” Their drawings were varied. How can you be a good friend? TaShawn Hundley had an answer that’s tried and true, “Give a hug.”
Mrs. Broaddus’ class was learning some rules. Just like a traffic light there were three colors—green, yellow and red. Yellow was a warning, being in the red meant sitting out recess for 10 minutes. The only thing worse would be a “blue” designation, which meant the student’s parents would be called. The bottom line—things will be okay “if we use listening ears and follow the rules.”
Students of Mrs. Lambert had also learned some rules before lunch. Ellie Hudnall said she learned how to be kind. Zayden Williams said he learned ears are for listening to the teacher. Charlotte Smith said she learned about playground safety and to watch where she was going.
Pre-kindergarten teacher Mrs. Gillie was helping students with lunch as they made first day friends and got used to each other. “They are superstars,” she said.
“Be the nice kid”
The cafeteria bulletin board had lessons that are good for all ages. To summarize they read: Some kids are smarter than you, some kids have cooler clothes than you, some kids are better at sports than you . . . “it doesn’t matter.”
It goes on to read, “You have to do your own thing. Be the kid who is generous and happy for others. Be the kid who can get along. Be the nice kid.”
If MES students can remember this advice they will have started “Sailing to Success,” the school motto emblazoned on the back of shirts that all teachers and staff wore.
On this first day of school, the foundation for learning seemed firm.
