First Day of School!

After the huge fiasco last year with getting the kids enrolled in school, this year went smoothly. The new school was very accomodating, as I took the kids to registration while their Father had to be in New Orleans tending to his very ill sisters.

The school allowed me to register the kids without their Father's signature on the paperwork. Last Friday Turk took the kids to school for "Meet Your Teacher" time. This was an excellent idea, as Marquel had heard that her teacher was "mean". Meeting her and getting to know her put Marquel at ease. She understands now that there is a difference between being "firm" and being "mean".

Last night, Anthonyione ("Annie") told her Father that she couldn't wait until bedtime, because she knew when she woke up she would be able to go to school! What a huge success story for these kids. But let me explain why:

Last year as I helped Marquel study for her 3rd grade achievement tests, I asked her about going to school in New Orleans. She looked at me blankly and said "I didn't go to school in New Orleans". The other night as the kids sat around our table eating dinner, Charlie talked excitedly about going to Kindergarten.

"I wish I could have gone to Kindergarten," Annie said rather wistfully.

With Turk there, we asked him about Annie and Marquel's comments. "What do you mean, you didn't go to school?" he asked them, rather incredulously. "Don't you remember I picked you up every day. Remember I took you to my office where I had the back room made into a playroom for you?"

The girls sat looking blankely at him. Once again we are reminded of the effects of generational poverty. In the matiorchal family, Mom doesn't care if her kids are educated. In fact, it is a threat to her. Couple this with the probable lack of resources in the New Orleans public schools, and school was at the very best "unmemorable" for these kids.

What a great milestone we have seen them achieve. They know their Father will come to school to check on them. He will help them with their homework. He will be there when they get off the bus. They are learning that school is important as they begin to think about "what they want to be when they grow up."

Until next time!
Stephanie