Change in schedule
Well, it turns out there is a change in schedule (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, read the entry “A sad day” below first). There was to be an open house tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday) at school which included the kindergarten orientation for all incoming kindergartners. So there is no longer to be any kindergarten orientation at all. The school called every single parent to let them know this morning (we even got two calls, one for each child!).
This is disappointing to Matthew and makes Wednesday a very different and potentially difficult day for him, being a full 7-hour school day without any introduction to teacher or classroom or classmates beforehand. I’m sure he’ll be fine, and I am glad the school is taking it seriously. The teachers need to both grieve and prepare (and put on their smiley faces again - I hear it’s been a very difficult time for them) but it bears different planning on our part and I hope the adjustment goes smoothly. No doubt some of the parents and kids will have a very very difficult day, and I am glad Matthew knows the school and a lot of the “ropes” from having been there many times as the kid brother, especially in Emily’s kindergarten classroom year before last (he came along almost every time I volunteered which was roughly every other week for a couple hours).
Basically from what I’ve gathered, the teachers got nothing done last Friday (no surprise), and they not only need time to grieve and attend funeral services etc, but also to get ready for all the kids, and parents, and the “extra” questions and concerns that have and will undoubtedly come up. If I’m to understand correctly, there will be a meeting for all parents on Wednesday morning as well after the kids get settled which was not in the original plan. Let’s just say they are still working things through and working out the changes so we’ll have to be patient, gracious, and flexible while we adjust.
We also learned that our grocery store (located maybe 1/2 mile from the elementary school where the teachers were shot) was a staging point for questioning witnesses, police vehicles, ambulances, and all sorts of other activities. It was a real zoo there last Thursday (our normal grocery shopping day too!). Honestly, I’m glad we weren’t here for all that happened. Not sure I missed anything I would have wanted to be part of. People are still very shaken up. My guess is they will be for some time.
Please pray for us for wisdom and peace as we help our kids transition to school this fall and for opportunities to serve and encourage those around us.