First day , New School

Nephy started this term in a new school. We will be soon moving into a new location, hence I registered her in two of the neighborhood schools. Two weeks back, I got a call from the school about a vacancy, and I enrolled her in. I checked with my friends on the school. It's an average sort of school, nothing fancy. 

Friends said homework is minimal , hardly a page or two on rare occasions. The school had dance and drama , fit well with my drama queen. 

A nice well clad lady greeted us and inquired why we were moving schools and such , who later turned out to be the school principal. Wow, a principal talking to muggles, sorry, commoners!! 

Heard both good and bad reviews about the school. Some of the complaints, sounded just like what i had encountered in her old school, however I didn't see those as reasons to complain. 

1. Exam dates are usually not communicated through writing or mail. At the beginning of the term, a plan for each week is handed out. This is the bible to go with. So, all that is known is , exam happens on week 7 or so, and to prepare accordingly. A date is never communicated. 

2. Lack of homework, some see this as bad. I smile my most wicked smile ever. It's pain for both the child and the mother. We are double okay on no homework 

3. Lack of constant progress updates from school. Deal with it, some local schools do not host parent teacher meets every term . It's at the end of term 2 and term 4 . Teachers aren't there to follow up on each kid personally and provide updates to the whim and fancies of parents. They like us , have a job of teaching. I see nothing that a teacher can do in a class of 25/30, that a parent can't do. If there is something seriously wrong, there will definitely be a special parent-teacher meet. If not, then it's safe to assume the child is okay

4. A friend said her child in P4 had trouble in school. The teacher didn't finish the lessons before the year end , and hence were asked to complete all lessons during the year end holidays , that scared the hell out of me. 

Good Reviews : 

1. School starts at 7:50 

That's the selling point with Nephy. She was apprehensive about changing schools. I told her that she could sleep for half an hour more , worked like a charm. 

2. Reading books 

The old and the new school encourage children to bring story books to read . I perfectly see this forward thinking mentality as a value add. Without any strain, the kids learn the English language and become proficient 

3. First day school 

Turned out just fine for my little girl. Her teacher introduced her to her class , got her comfortable . Her classmates helped her with the locker , the canteen and the washrooms . Her Tamil teacher complimented her on fluent Tamil. She sounded quite happy. 

Hope the luck continues , and stays happy in this school. 

Along with Nephy, a new guy From an Overseas Indian school has started this term . His mom called me up in the evening . She asked me why I moved Nephy to such an average school. I was offended , but I answered her that my priority was more on the distance than academic excellence. 

She checked on homework, and there wasn't any, except for the weekly spelling test . 

She asked me where we are moving , happens to be the same enclave as us. She sounded quite joyed , I wasn't sure if I shared her enthusiasm. 

She enquired on commuting to and from school . Her son takes the school bus , it's a 10 minute walk . I told her , am going to ask my child to walk back or take the public bus that stops right opposite the school and she can alight almost at my doorstep . She can close her eyes and board any bus that stops before the school, it's one straight road . The lady protested . Oh, my son has never stepped on a public bus. Fine ! 

She further protested , her son has no experience walking by himself . Wow ! 

My daughter walks back home from her old school , has to cross two roads ! She is only seven ! My mentally gave my girl a hi-fi. 

I quickly wrapped up the call unwilling to hear any more nonsense!!