Back to School

Back after a vacation....

Tomorrow is the first day of school. Peter is entering 2nd grade. He's not so sure he's looking forward to it yet, so we'll see what he says Monday afternoon.

Now, I know all you parents in the U.S. have noticed how different primary school is these days, with all the new standards and testing the methodologies. Here the whole kit and caboodle is different - with pro's and con's.

Peter will have the same teacher as last year. Frau P. will remain his teacher until the end of fourth grade. We're very lucky - she's a wonderful teacher so far. But the downside of this system is obvious - what if you get a lousy teacher?

I feel like there is a lack of a new beginning with this system - remember the feeling of the first day of school? To Peter this seems like it's just a return to routine - although, because of school renovations, they are getting a new classroom.

Tuesday the first graders will come for their first day, and all the older classes will be there to welcome them - literally greeting the kids and their families as they approach the school after the ecumenical service at the church near the school (NOT the 'Free Protestant church, but that's another story). The little kids, carrying their 'school cones' (Schultuete) full of goodies, will then be treated to a show.

After that, school really starts up. Another difference between my American schooling and here is that the school days often have different lengths. Last year's first grade class had 19 periods (Germans call them hours) per week - and that obviously doesn't divide by 5 days evenly! Also, as Peter progresses through the grades, more periods will be added.

I have to note that traditionally, it is not the custom to eat lunch at school. It's expected that the children will be met at home by their own Desperate Hausfrau with a hot lunch. Most schools don't have any kind of cafeteria (although the renovation added one to our school). It's not yet clear to me if they'll be offering lunch to all children whose schedules keep them past, say, 1pm, or just to the kids in the after-school program.

It will be interesting to see what happens if we have an August heat wave !