Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I started kindergarten at a small private Christian school in East Dallas at the age of four.  I have an October birthday and at that time parents could choose whether or not to put their child in “early” or “late.”  I turned five just about six weeks later but I was always the youngest.  It never bothered me and I never had any issues going through school.  However, I was tortured at that little private sect of a school.  They locked me out of the schoolroom and stole my Mickey Mouse necklace which my Uncle Johnny brought me back from Disneyland — a place I have yet to go.  My father was a painter and he painted that entire school plus the playground so that I was able to attend, but I was just miserable.  Public school was different way back then and in the second grade my folks allowed me to switch.  So I am basically a public school educated girl who put herself through SMU on academic scholarship.  I believe it is human nature to want more for your child than you had … at least if one comes from a normal, functioning family I believe it is.  When we were interviewing for private school for our little one I was more nervous than when I applied for college!  I had an easy time in school but my husband did not.  Where would our daughter fall?  We had only applied to one school (when I’m told people apply to four or five) and fortunately she got in.  My husband and I, both lovers of academics, truly wish that we could go back and attend this school ourselves!  Not only is it incredibly colorful, one can tell from a tour there is an innate, inherent desire for learning.  It is contagious for those who have a thirst for knowledge.  All I know is I am incredibly grateful she was accepted.  They attend chapel four times a week, which I love.  For those of you for separation of church and state, I respect that.  It is just not what we wanted for our daughter.  It is not a Catholic school, rather it is our denomination, which is Episcopalian — or, as I am oft to joke, “Whiskeypalian.”  I must confess I am not a fan of single-sex education, as I do not feel that reflects the real world.  In fact, I have read multiple studies where girls cave once they’re in college and they actually encounter males.  The real world is made up of both males and females, and I do not view their segregation as an advantage.  But that’s just me.  Anyway, she made it!  I took this picture from her introduction to the playground for “littles” which goes from Pre-K through Kindgergarten.  I told her to enjoy being the oldest, because she would be using the other playground from first all the way through the eighth grade.  The American comedian Darrel Hammond has said:

“Play is under attack in our nation’s schools – and shrinking recess periods are only part of the problem.  Homework is increasing.  Cities are building new schools without playgrounds.  Safety concerns are prompting bans of tag, soccer, and even running on the schoolyard.”

I certainly hope all schools will realize the importance of music, art, and physical activity.  At present I am just so proud our little one made it into kindergarten to start her new school!