The Cupertino Courier

Education

Parents help their children cope with the first day of school

By Erin Hussey

For years, the images associated with the first day of kindergarten have been of sobbing children, worried parents and overwhelmed teachers.

But, it didn't look that way Aug. 23 for the arriving kindergartners and others at Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, one of the Cupertino Union School District's five choice schools.

Teachers, parents, children and even the classroom guinea pig seemed exuberant about the start of the school year.

"We are all about community and that's what our first day is about also," says Linda Whiteside, kindergarten teacher.

Instead of simply dropping their first-year students off at the front steps of the school, parents were invited to join their children on campus to mingle with friends and teachers. The kindergarten parents were also encouraged to stay with their children for the entire morning.

"If the parents feel comfortable, their anxiety is lower and that's communicated to the child in so many nonverbal ways," says Vicki Hawkinson, another kindergarten teacher.

Part of the introductory kindergarten activities included a scavenger-hunt type book that prompted parents and children to explore various sites of the school and classroom, including the library, bathrooms and cubbies.

"When the parents feel good, the children are going to feel good as well," says Hawkinson.

Involving parents is a major reason families decide to apply for McAuliffe.

"Parents want to be involved and they want to see the education their children are getting. You can do that here and contribute to it," says Pat Hjelmhaug, West San Jose resident and kindergarten aide. Hjelmhaug's two daughters attended McAuliffe more than 10 years ago. "There are a lot of components parents can bring to the curriculum that in a traditional school you wouldn't see."

As members of McAuliffe's community, families are expected to assist in the classroom on a weekly basis and/or help elsewhere as well as attend monthly meetings.

"They really concentrate on the social and emotional growth of the children and instill the love of learning through hands-on experiences," says Karin Erasso, Cupertino resident and mother of twins Sebastian and Camilla.

"My first day of school was definitely different. I think I was just dropped off and that was that. It's really nice that there is a day where the parents can be with their children to help them adjust."w