My Baby’s First Day at Pre-K

Background: I stayed home with my daughter from the day she was born until today. We were looking forward to getting her in kindergarten this year even if she was 32 days late for the cut-off date(September 1). We believed that she will be able to get in by passing standard tests(she knew her shapes, colors, alphabet, numbers, etc). I contacted the school last February and they told me that the testing process doesn’t start until May. To cut the story short, she took the first test and passed but she failed the second test. According to the State of Maryland Laws, a child who turns five between September 2nd and December 31 can be considered for Early Admission if she passes the IQ test and make an 8-stanine(reading, mathematics, social studies.etc.)on the second test. She made a 5-stanine which according the the tester, it meant as if she has already gone through kindergarten but since she is getting in 32 days early, she had to perform like a 2nd grader to be able to get in kindergarten. Does it make sense to you? It doesn’t to me. Whoever wrote the laws made sure that only extremely advanced kids can get in early(just how many Einsteins are walking around these days?). So in the process, she was not recommended for admission but they said there is an appeal process. We decided not to appeal, we felt that we will just be wasting our time. So last summer, we had to scramble to find a pre-K for her. We were fortunate enough that we found one school at the last minute but she had to wait until one of the students moved out. It worked out well for us.
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Today my husband and I took our daughter to her pre-K for the first time. She was so eager to go to school. As soon as the door to her classroom opened, she was gone. My husband had to call her back and ask for a hug to be given one. Then she disappeared without giving mommy a kiss nor a hug.

We followed her into her classroom and she was oblivious of us. She sat on a chair infront of a table then started cutting a circle that was laid out for her and other students. Separation anxiety? I thought kids cry out loud for their mommies and daddies on the first day of school? She didn’t even know we existed anymore.

I may sound that I am complaining for having been forgotten but I’m really proud on how she handled herself. I remember when I was in my first days of kindergarten, I used to cry for my old sister to come for me.