"How was your first day?"
The question was buzzing throughout Nazareth as children emptied the buildings yesterday to be met by parents and young siblings.
At Shafer Elementary everything seemed to go as expected on the first day, the buses were a few minutes late arriving, everything was a bit slow during the dismissal, but all-in-all it seemed to go well.
The new principal Mr. Mudlock greeted students and parents as they entered seeking to find their new classrooms and he introduced himself to classes throughout the day.
When leaving in the morning, I heard one parent demanding to know to whom he addressed, "the current bus situation." I had to laugh knowing all-too-well how tough the week before and after school is on the person in charge of busing - I did it for a bit less than two years.
To that end the district has a page for busing information (located here) and frequently asked questions (located here).
Regarding the situation in Lower Nazareth, the early dismissal is most likely the result that they cannot afford to delay the bus departure, because if they did the buses would not make it to the high school and middle school in time for the secondary runs. It does make you wonder why the buses don't come at the same time and the parents after, say 2:20 to 2:40, but that's no longer my department (I am not employed by the district in any capacity).
That issue not-withstanding, how was your child's first day? Was there anything that surprised you? Did it get off to a good start despite the weather? Any tips or suggestions that could make the first day better?
2 comments:
You ask, How to make the first day better?? Patience and trust. It is a big job, but somehow they manage to make it happen..every year...and I am sure with very few exceptions, all the kids end up in the right place.
Thanks for the note Lori,
I hope the question didn't come across the wrong way. I think all things considered everything goes well on the first day.
The bus delays are a combination of parents taking some extra time to say goodbye and get new or reluctant students on the bus as well as drivers (both of buses and cars) getting back into the swing of things.
The reason for the question was simply that often something a parent sees on the outside looking in, isn't obvious to those of a school employee on the inside looking out.
Have a great day and thanks again for visiting,
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