Even Kindergartners Have Jobs

Every morning, all the kindergarteners come to class a little early to complete their "jobs," from crossing out the day on the calendar to helping dump out the recycling bins. They take great pride in them. Throughout the day, they put their artwork in their cubbies. Each cubby is its own little work of art.

The Wonderful World of Kindergarten

Here's a bird's eye view of Lola's classroom. The place is massive and every spare spot it filled with the childrens' art and small photos representative of what goes on in every corner. It's very dear.

Lola's Second Grade "Buddy"

Earlier this week, every kindergartener was linked with a second grader to help show them the ropes and general befriend them. Lola, it should be noted, was "requested" by three separate second graders who had gotten to know her on the playground in the past two weeks. (She's a charmer). Here she is with her first choice, Zuzu, a little girl who went to Lola's nursery school.

Every student created a pretty impressive self-portrait, with only minimal guidance from the teacher. Miss Jo, Lola's lead teacher, commented that this year's class was especially gifted. Ahem.

Open House at Kindergarten

It has been three and a half weeks since Lola started kindergarten at Kirk of the Valley and already, it feels like she has always been there! This week, her (four) teachers opened the wondrous kindergarten room to the parents so we could see what everyone has been working on. On one end was a life-sized baby whale that they'd recently painted and hung. And everywhere you looked there was art. Here's Lola's interpretation of our little family, including our two cats. "I gave you bangs," she told her Mom with a big smile. Mom took it as the highest compliment.

Graduation Day

So the day finally came. After nearly three years at Childrens Circle Nursery School, Lola became one of 30 graduates in the Class of 2011 - the largest-ever graduating class the school has seen in its 35 years.

The Dress

Lola picked out this red pageant dress weeks before the big day. (Those pony-tail holders had little gold bells on them.) Coincidentally, her good friend Emma wore the same color. Though there were no hard feelings. Both girls will be in the same kindergarten class this month, so it seemed appropos.