first day of sixth grade

Wednesday was the first day of school. This day is always stressful for me, because I know that transitioning to a new school year is so tough for SJ. When I went to orientation on Monday night, I made a point of talking to Mr. Brown at the end of the presentation. (He is his home room teacher, as well as Science.)  I prepared him that SJ would probably be difficult for him at some point in the first week of school.  

Wednesday morning was very hectic. Bob is now going to a different school than SJ.  He is at the Jr. High now.  I had to get him up at 6 a.m.  He had to get dressed, eat and be at the bus stop by 6:45.  He didn't actually get out of bed until closer to 6:15, so he didn't eat that much.  He did make it to the bus stop on time.  

I woke SJ at 7 a.m.  He was super tired too.  He didn't get out of bed until 7:20. He ate around 7:35 and was dressed by 7:50.  We were in my car at 8:06.  Not too bad for the first day of school.  

I start my day at his school.  I did my drop off duty and reminded him to have a good day when the 8:35 bell rang.  I was hoping he would get through this day with only a little distress.  

I saw his aide at the end of the day. She said he did very well.  He introduced himself to Mr. Brown as he entered his home room.  She also told me that he introduced himself to the new sixth grade teacher, Ms. Kirkland, when he had her for Language Arts. That made me so happy to hear!  

Then, I saw SJ.  He was so sad.  How can this be?  When we got outside, he told me that Mrs. Banks told the sixth graders that they can't wear tank tops to school. (This is only a problem for SJ.  He loves tank tops!) I explained that is because kids in his grade are getting older and they need to be more covered up.  "Well, I will just have to put them on when I get home each day," he said.  "That sounds good to me," I said. If that is all he is sad about on the first day of school, that is not too bad!