The kids were both fairly excited about starting school. The night before, Hana was practically bouncing off the walls, declaring how excited she was.
It was a fresh morning and still foggy and dark when we took off in the morning. Once we arrived, we saw that the school principal was already calling out the names of the students for each class. It was crowded and the mike was working poorly, so we strained to hear Hana's name to be called. We consulted a bulletin board and saw that she was in class CE1(2). When the teachers were introduced, I could tell that Hana was relieved to see that she had a young, pleasant-looking woman. Hana stepped up like a big girl as her name was called, looked back at us, smiled and off she went. I was so proud of her.
Of course at this point, Manolee starts having a conniption. She thought that she should be with Hana and did not understand why her big sister was stepping ahead alone. Aye - I saw with hindsight that I had prepared Manolee all wrong - I had told her all summer how she will be going to school with her big sister for the first time! I did not think to elaborate that the same school does not mean same class... thereby setting up false expectations...
We managed to extract Manolee's eyes from Hana and went downstairs to the Maternelle sections (nursery). In France, kids start school at 2-1/2 years old and it's called Petite Section. We met her teacher, Anne-Marie, who was very nice and heartily greeted us. Manolee was v happy to see the set-up of the classroom and went straight to play with the various things laid out. We explained to Anne-Maried that Manolee speaks mostly English, that she was going to a full time nursery in England, and the all-important blankie situation - then we said goodbye - me, very reluctantly, Manolee, smiling and waving us away. I thought she would cry, but she was happy to sit by herself at one of the tables and draw. Most kids were howling by then, but she just looked around and waved at us again.
We retreated to the courtyard and peeked at her through the window - we were hiding a bit but then she saw us - I thought she would cry, but she just smiled big, waved, blew kisses and went back to drawing - I was relieved - but also kinda sad!
So we went back to the rear courtyard and lo and behold, the older kids were having recess already! We saw Hana all on her own, just walking around aimlessly looking at the ground, flinching with shoulders hunched whenever someone ran past her - my heart just broke! It was so disheartening to see her alone and seemingly sad to be alone - my Hana, who is usually so outgoing and smiling! PeeWee called her out, and she was happy to see us - she didn't cry or anything, so I think all in all she was okay.... oh but it broke my heart.
So while I was more worried about Manolee before, at this point I am more worried about Hana.
Pickup time - the Maternelle classroom door opened, I saw Manolee sitting there with her backpack on, and as soon as she saw me she started to cry! The teacher said that she had a wonderful day, slept well and ate well. She said she cried only during lunch and didn't know why. We then picked up Hana, who said that she already made one friend and was all pleased with herself. She then explained that she saw Manolee through the window at lunchtime, and upon seeing her big sister, Manolee started to cry....
Well - so there you have it, their first day at a new school in France... so far okay... we shall see how this unfolds.
