Wednesday August 15, 2007
Today was the first day of school for Hannah and Claire. They attend Sciennes Primary School. We have spent the last week frequenting the local stores to acquire the proper uniform. Sciennes (pronounced "Sheens") is liberal in their policy—it is just dark bottoms, navy sweatshirt or sweater and red/white or blue polo with their logo—and of course black “school shoes”. Also a gym uniform of a white shirt, blue shorts and plimsolles (think Keds). Claire tried on plimsolles and decreed that they were dumb looking. It took some convincing from the sales clerk that she would not be the only child wearing them. In fact Claire decreed the entire uniform as “boy clothes” (you can imagine how dull she finds boys clothes).
Today started with a blue sky and sun, which I took as a good omen for this school year. We all arrived at the school, the students play outside until the bell rings and then they line up. The scene with all the kids in uniform could be from 1950. Our girls were escorted to their classrooms, we all met their teachers, and then Jon and I were dismissed. The building is a Victorian building with a cupola, cloakrooms, and a swimming pool in the basement. While, the building is old, the rooms are high tech with interactive white boards (these are cool) and lots of computers. The teaching staff is very friendly and young. The head teacher (principal) and receptionist are very nice (Hannah says they are nice, but not as good as Mr. Litwin and Judy).
I picked them up this afternoon and they were both all smiles and have made friends, although Claire can’t recall her teacher’s name or what she did much of the day (Hannah of course gave me a moment by moment recitation).
So a major hurdle has been crossed, while not every day will be great, it is a relief that they had a good time and want to go back tomorrow.
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