First Steps as a Big Kid
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June 17, 2021Kindergarten, the final sign that your baby is now officially a big kid (insert crying here)! Big kid means school. This a big step for both child and parent that can direct, not just a child’s life, but the family’s life as well. I have five children (ages 10, 7, 6, 3 and infant), four of which are enrolled at Divine Mercy Academy (the baby will be there soon enough, and I will really start crying). My family has been at Divine Mercy Academy (DMA) since my oldest was in PreK 3 (it was still St. Cecilia School back then) and deciding to send my kids to Divine Mercy Academy has been one of the best decisions my husband and I ever made.
DMA has a great community. Everyone talks about finding your tribe. At DMA, it is easy. All my children have made friends who not just share interests and activities, but also a common moral belief. Not only do my kids and their friends talk about school, activities and whatever the hot topic is for that child, but they have also prayed for each other when sick or when getting a new younger brother (like mine did this year). My husband and I have also found friends who are more than just my kids' friends' parents. Yes, we have helped each other out with forgotten homework, reminded each other about tag days (more info to come), and scheduled playdates. In addition, these were the friends who helped me out when I had my 5th child by making me dinners. We have celebrated good times together and have helped each other out in more difficult times. These are different relationships I will carry on well past the time from when my children graduate from Divine Mercy Academy. More importantly, I know that I have a group of parents who will support my child on their journey.
DMA is a Catholic School. The whole school (except PreK) say morning prayers (including praying for kids who have birthdays that day) together in the All-Purpose Room (PreK does the same except in their classroom). They also pray for peace and say the Pledge of Allegiance. They go to church every week. Do not worry if your child is a little fidgety in church, they have an older buddy (usually the 5th grade) they go with, who will help them. They have religion class everyday (one of my kids’ favorite classes) where they learn prayers, saints, and bible stories. More importantly, they learn how to live the Catholic faith. I hear my children praying for a classmate who is struggling at our family nighttime prayers. I hear my children ask themselves, “How would God want me to act?” when they are faced with a difficult situation. This is something I am profoundly grateful to Divine Mercy Academy for.
The DMA teachers are great! They really are. All the teachers at Divine Mercy are always approachable and are there to assist parents with any problem they may have. There are a ton of activities that always get my children engaged and interested in learning every subject. The students love Clifford, the class pet, and cannot wait to bring him home for a night (no walking needed). The teachers take the time to learn each child’s strengths and to assist them with any struggles they may have.
DMA has uniforms. Yes! No fights or deciding what to wear every morning (this really is a great thing). Uniforms also give the students a structure that helps them know it is time to be ready for school. There are summer and winter uniforms, so everyone is comfortable in all types of weather. Two days a week they will wear their gym uniforms. Three days a week they will wear their dress uniforms. Look for the flyer from Flynn O’ Hara (the uniform store) for details. I buy uniforms online and have never had a problem. Also, watch for emails about the uniform exchange at school, (where to get gently used uniforms that were previously worn by students). This has helped me out several times. However, there are breaks from the uniform via dress down days, also called TAG days, throughout the year, when your child will have an opportunity to wear what they would like (as long as it is appropriate). So your child will still have an opportunity to show off their individuality (as my kids like to say) via their clothing. Some of the TAG days are fundraisers for charities, and the students are asked to donate $1.00. Some are gifts from the school, like on a holiday (St Patrick’s Day) or your child’s birthday, and some are earned via activities like the Read-A-Thon and buying gift cards. Some days are theme days (like pajama day) and some you are free to decide.
Kindergarten homework is not difficult (forget all the jokes you see on Facebook about homework). I like doing homework with my kindergartener. Homework helps me see what they are learning and how they are learning it, not just seeing completed activities from class (even though that is great as well). I can see if there is a struggle, and I work with the teacher to help my child. Kindergarten starts off with one assignment a night (Monday-Thursday) and increases to two assignments as the year goes on. One tip: make sure you have a set time for homework every day. Kindergarten is not the age for multi-tasking. Also have pencils, crayons, glue, and scissors just for homework; nobody wants to add to homework time by having to hunt down supplies.
Kindergartners eat lunch in their classroom. The older grades eat lunch in the All-Purpose Room, but kindergarten gets to stay in their classroom. They eat at the same time and say Grace just like the older kids (do not worry if they do not know it; they will learn). There is usually one parent and the Teacher’s Aide with the kids at lunch, and once they are done, they will have recess. I have volunteered to be a lunch parent, and it is great fun. I love being able to meet the kids and see what yummy stuff they have for lunch (always looking for new ideas). We are there to help them open thermoses and sealed snacks (so do not worry about that) and to keep them on task (you can talk to your friends, but you must eat as well).
No matter where a child goes to kindergarten, they are going to start taking those first steps as a real big kid, which they will build upon as they get older. Divine Mercy Academy kindergarten is really the best place to help students build strong first steps to build upon.
