This morning is my son’s first day of kindergarten. For the last week or so he has been preparing for the big day. His Monsters Inc backpack seemed like a “baby” pack to him now, so we got a “supercool” Batman bag and some “Star Wars” sneakers. Loves the brand-names, he does, just like most of his friends. On the way over to the school, he kept clenching his fists and grinning. “It’s so exciting!” “I’m so happy!” “I’m a real kindergartner now!”

At registration last week, we bought the mandatory $26 bag of supplies from the PTA, got him paid in advance for school lunches, signed up for a couple of committees – I dropped a fair bit of cash there. I was astounded at the amount of paperwork involved. They wanted to make copies of his birth certificate and social security card. We had to produce proof of updated vaccinations, vision test, hearing test and even a dental examination. We also had to bring utility bills to prove residency – one each for my name and my husband’s name.

Then I read the manual. Eek. His school is corporate-sponsored – oh, I mean “partnered” with a bank – they have a mini teller station at the school and older kids are trained to be bank tellers. The kids deposit on Friday. In a way, I approve, but I can’t suppress a little shiver of revulsion nonetheless. It could be worse – it could be Coca Cola or Lockheed Martin or Chick Fill A, I suppose. The rules are pretty amazing too. If he’s tardy 3 times, he has to take a “silent lunch” – as if his tardiness would be a matter of his choice or control. Looks like I’ll have to be an even earlier bird now. It’s hard to flip my natural night owl nature, but I guess it’s all part of momhood.

I walked my happy jumpybug into the class (only allowed on the first day – he’s a big boy now). He met his teacher and seemed to take to her right away. He found his name and sat in a chair and looked at the goodies on the table – a plastic box identical to the one I bought – filled with crayons, a pencil, and glue. I’m guessing that the required items I brought in will be added to a supply area. He knew three of the kids in his class already – and greeted them with hugs. When the bell rang, all the parents left. One parent videotaped the entire thing, even panning as he backed out the door – his whole experience was through a lens.

The room was big and bright and colorful, with different areas for diverse activities. The schedule for the day posted outside the door like a menu. No recess – but perhaps “creative movement” was a renaming. I see that I have a lot to learn about the school system here. This school has a very good reputation – it’s one of the reasons we bought our house. I was touched to see that outside the door there were older kids ready to walk anyone in if they were just dropped off. When we go to pick him up, one of these older kids will go into the room and bring him out – kid by kid, individually. No-one is allowed in the school without a visitor’s pass. The doors are locked from the outside, but will push open from the inside (in case of fire, etc.)

My last glimpse of my boy showed him smiling and talking to the kids at his table, introducing himself. I remember how shy I was at that age, and I feel very proud of him. He’s a great kid.

I glanced around the room. No one was crying. Yay.

We drove in this morning, but he requested that we walk home this afternoon. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.