Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Hanging Up Her Uniform

 I have mixed feelings about Meazi's current school. I could handle the time-out for whistling, and even the dinner table talk of temptation and hell. I really didn't like the 'marriage is between a man and a woman' reminder. I have many, many issues with the Catholic church.

 Things I do like about her current school. Tinkerbell pictured above. She is Meazi's closest friend in kindergarten. Like Meazi, she has been in American for just under two years. They are girls with two countries, and two languages, and each of them have an ENORMOUS brain! We were at her house yesterday and they were talking about how many wings butterflies have, (Meazi was insisting that all butterflies have four wings), what it is like to travel in outer space, and if wild dogs eat zebras. (Is that really what they were discussing Kate? That last part?!) Masha and Meazi are great pals.

Masha's mommy Kate told us we should consider applying to a very prestigious private school for first grade. I thought this school was not even a possibility for us. She said they they were looking for families that were different. She said that they provided financial assistance for many families.

I applied. They invited Meazi to spend a half-day at the school with other potential first graders. I had to go in shortly after this for a parent interview. It lasted for over an hour. Kate watched Melese in the lobby. If you ask him who his favorite babysitter is, he will continue to say Kate. Sorry mom. Sorry nasty ladies at the YMCA.

Meazi has been accepted into this school. It is more diverse than her current school, and Meazi said they 'let her express herself the way she wants', this having more to do with art. At her current school she must use 'real colors', skies have to be blue, suns have to be yellow, etc.

She is ecstatic and I am too. It is an amazing school.

I hope we have found our place. It is described as progressive and developmental. It goes from kindergarten to 12th grade. And well, they have their own swimming pool.

The thing that I am happiest about is the idea that I won't have to see Meazi fall apart about being the 'darkest child in her class'. She spent an evening last winter completely inconsolable, even though I named every child of color in her current school. She is right, she is the darkest child in her class. This will not be the case next year, and in her words, "Mom, even some of the teachers are chocolate."

So off we go! Bring on the gay-friendly whistlers! Bring on the purple cats and polka dotted pigs! Bring back the pink skirts and the shiny silver Tom's! 

I have to say that I am not completely surprised.

Most people after spending time with her, would like to spend more time with her.

34 comments:

  1. That is really excellent. It sounds like a wonderful move for Meazi, and for your family.

    I'm shocked that they have to use "real" colors--what happened to encouraging creativity???

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  2. That sounds so wonderful! I currently have my daughter in a school/daycare in one of the whitest towns in Mass. It has a wonderful curriculum and teachers and I am so happy right now and so is she, but I know she can't stay there for too long.
    Do you mind if I ask at what age did your daughter begin to notice skin colors?

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  3. Jenn, since we have known her. She was between 3 and 4 when we met.

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  4. Thank you, Jesus. (Okay, that is just what I say - it is tongue and cheek - and it is what my brain registered because, wow, one mommy, one daddy in PRESCHOOL????)
    Coloring with the correct colors? Really? Really?
    So happy for your family.

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  5. Amazing, and wonderful!!! So happy for you. Congrats!

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  6. This is such amazing, incredible, fantastic, magical, goose-bumpy news.

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  7. Sounds like a great school and a wonderful opportunity. I did the Kindergarden/school hunt in LA…it was demoralizing and one of the reasons we moved away. We never could afforded the schools we wanted and our first born son was turned away from the University SEED school that we had such high hopes for…despite dad being a resident. So….I get it. And am so very happy that you've found a fit that makes your heart sing! And hers!

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  8. What a relief! It sounds so freeing!

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  9. This is such good news! Good for her and really good for you. Because sending your kiddo off to a place every day that you're half-ok about is tough. Yes, bring on the gay whistlers and silver Toms, indeed!!!!

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  10. Sounds wonderful:) I'm happy for your family!!

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  11. SO excited for you all! Catholic school is no place for children. My husband calls himself a "recovering Catholic". Just so much damage done. My kids go to a Waldorf school where differences are celebrated, creativity is nurtured, and their real, true little selves are encouraged, ever so gently, to come out and play. If my boys feel the need to cross dress, they do! Sounds like you've found that place for her. Now the fun begins as you can watch your little flower blossom!!

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  12. I am so happy for Meazi....and all of you. What a great environment to go to school. Yippee!

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  13. Okay, I'm a little sad about losing that cute uniform but THRILLED about the new school. Mazel. Er, Meazil.

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  14. I am so happy for Meazi (and you guys)--a school where she can feel free-er. They made a very smart decision!

    P.S. Please tell her I have not forgotten her pictures--I have just finally gotten my health ticket back so I expect to pop them in the mail to her by weekend!

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  15. sounds great!!

    (And "bring on the gay-friendly whistlers" seriously cracked me up.)

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  16. I love it when life works out just like it should. Go get it girl. Whistle until it hurts!

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  17. Awwwwww!! I mean . . . . awwwww!

    I completely understand. Our child will remain at the school because his closest friend in the world is there. I do understand your hesitation with staying at the current school. We've been doing serious deprogramming with our child. His main concern is that his father and I, as athiests, are going to hell. Well, I'm taking that belief head on. Frankly, I think I'm winning. As for the gay issue, I got to him long before the school ever did. He already knows this family supports gay marriage and gay rights. If I suspect that the school is influencing him in ways I find detrimental to him learning how to exist in a civilized society, we will probably leave too. For now though, all is well.

    We will certainly miss our "family". I'm not thrilled with the school at this point, but right now it's a good fit (even though this year has not been a banner one for the school).

    You go, Mom!! You've got to do what's best for your children. Happiness is paramount. I will miss those two little faces (as well as the two big ones!) each morning.

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  18. You guys are the other reason I am sad about leaving.

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  19. Awesome. Just awesome! Can't wait to hear more about it!

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  20. awesome. every time we do something that allows our kiddo to not be the "darkest one there" we ALL breathe a sigh of relief.

    this is gonna be a great move. congrats!

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  21. Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I cannot tell you how completely thrilled I am for all of you! Go Meazi!

    Marriage is between a man and a woman only....blech!

    The sky is blue the sun is yellow...blech!

    again...Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  22. Um, can *i* go to her new school?! Very cool!

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  23. SO happy for you and Meazi. My daughter would struggle in a school where you were not allowed to think outside the box. I hope that she will thrive in her new school. As for the skin color....that can be tough even on the most diverse schools. But, that is the world in which we live. I think daughters like ours will change this world!

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  24. I am so excited about this. Too tired to write more, just that I'm thrilled!! When can Melese start?

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  25. Such fantastic news! So happy for Meazi!

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  26. in the words of liz lemon: I want to go to there!

    good for you and good for Meazi!

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  27. Wow, this sounds like a wonderful school! Yay!

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  28. YAY!!!! That is wonderful!!!! Gah, I know the stress over trying to find the right school and the amazing feeling to FIND it! So so happy for you all!!! Meazi is incredible. I can't wait to hear more of her thoughts about her new school next year. :)

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  29. I want to spend more time with her. School karma?

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  30. How wonderful for Meazi and for you!

    I have to say, though, that I'm shocked schools still do that (about the painting). This reminded me of a song by one of my favorite singers, Harry Chapin. It's worth a listen if you don't know it - Flowers are Red - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y5t-dAa6UA.

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