Einshulung
Grace completed her first week at the "kita". We chose a local "Kinder Laden" which is like a store front kindergarten. It is a small place, right here in the neighborhood. There are 14 kids (there is a capacity for 15) two “etzeirs” (a word I am sure that I am butchering as I can’t find it in my dictionary, but it apparently means preschool teacher) and a guy named Robert, who I can’t even remember the word for it but he is basically doing his mandatory selective service in the Kita rather than in the army as they have a draft here. They teachers are both very experienced (20is years each), one female and one male (which seems common). They both seem nice (in a German way, which I won’t try to describe as I don’t think I really can yet) and when we visited many times to get info and to meet the other parents (which had to vote us eligible) Grace seemed comfortable and secure there.
I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of my daughter. She was so brave and open. Everything is SO different, the language (no one speaks English except for a few words by the teachers), the place is different, the food is different (they get breakfast and snacks and the parents rotate providing lunch for the school each day), even the bikes and scooters they ride to the park each day are different. That first day Fritz and I both cringed with unease and self-consciousness for her as she tried to integrate herself into this well established and foreign group, but that was us. I’m sure Grace must have felt some of those feeling, for even at the end of the week she is still trying to find her place, but she was out there and doing it. She was like a ray of light. Mind you she wasn’t a perfect person but she was herself and in time I’m sure that things will sort themselves out. I am actually quite curious as to how it all will unfold.
As for Zoe, I actually have her starting next week in another Kita (Kita Frankenstrasse), also in the neighborhood. I had thought about putting Grace there but it a much larger place and has 4 classes of children Grace’s age. In many ways it seemed like a good choice, it has a big yard, lots of kids, is cheaper and has less parent obligations for example. But each time we visited Grace was uncomfortable there, I am guessing because of the size. The younger kids (the Gruppe) was smaller , only two small groups and the teachers seemed nice. One even speaks English. So, I decided to start her there at least for now.
Kita Murkel was not able to take Zoe and went back and forth a bit about when they could take her. Right now they have a lot of young kids, probably about six around 2yrs old (then Grace and two 4 and 5 year old girls and two 4 and 5 yr boys ). In the end they said they could take Zoe in March so we’ll see how things go and I may move it so both kids are in the same place.
For now, after all my ridiculous anxiety, I think we have a good plan. Grace seems to be doing well and I feel comfortable with the start of Zoe’s transition (we will be doing it for over a week). When things are finally set I will basically have a walk across the street and then around the block to drop both kids off and myself to school in the morning.
I lucked out and got a spot at the local Folkshochshule with two really good teachers. I start a week from Monday. Fritz starts at Geothe this coming Tuesday.
He also had a successful week, getting our lease signed and working on transitioning utilities, etc. Our new address is :
Ebner
26 Eisenacher Strasse
10781 Berlin
Germany
Drop us a line! (We move in on Sept. 10th.)
So, it looks like we are moving into fall. The bees are gone and the weather is now colder and rainy. Schools are starting up for all of us and we are preparing to settle in to a routine. More to come.
This week was Einshulung (again don't know the spelling- it is the start first grade). It is a really big day for German kids (Sharon says bigger than graduation from HS or University). There is a ceremony on Saturday and you can see parents and kids in the streets on their way to restaurants with their Einshulungtute, a decorated cone that is filled with candy, toys and school supplies.
I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of my daughter. She was so brave and open. Everything is SO different, the language (no one speaks English except for a few words by the teachers), the place is different, the food is different (they get breakfast and snacks and the parents rotate providing lunch for the school each day), even the bikes and scooters they ride to the park each day are different. That first day Fritz and I both cringed with unease and self-consciousness for her as she tried to integrate herself into this well established and foreign group, but that was us. I’m sure Grace must have felt some of those feeling, for even at the end of the week she is still trying to find her place, but she was out there and doing it. She was like a ray of light. Mind you she wasn’t a perfect person but she was herself and in time I’m sure that things will sort themselves out. I am actually quite curious as to how it all will unfold.
As for Zoe, I actually have her starting next week in another Kita (Kita Frankenstrasse), also in the neighborhood. I had thought about putting Grace there but it a much larger place and has 4 classes of children Grace’s age. In many ways it seemed like a good choice, it has a big yard, lots of kids, is cheaper and has less parent obligations for example. But each time we visited Grace was uncomfortable there, I am guessing because of the size. The younger kids (the Gruppe) was smaller , only two small groups and the teachers seemed nice. One even speaks English. So, I decided to start her there at least for now.
Kita Murkel was not able to take Zoe and went back and forth a bit about when they could take her. Right now they have a lot of young kids, probably about six around 2yrs old (then Grace and two 4 and 5 year old girls and two 4 and 5 yr boys ). In the end they said they could take Zoe in March so we’ll see how things go and I may move it so both kids are in the same place.
For now, after all my ridiculous anxiety, I think we have a good plan. Grace seems to be doing well and I feel comfortable with the start of Zoe’s transition (we will be doing it for over a week). When things are finally set I will basically have a walk across the street and then around the block to drop both kids off and myself to school in the morning.
I lucked out and got a spot at the local Folkshochshule with two really good teachers. I start a week from Monday. Fritz starts at Geothe this coming Tuesday.
He also had a successful week, getting our lease signed and working on transitioning utilities, etc. Our new address is :
Ebner
26 Eisenacher Strasse
10781 Berlin
Germany
Drop us a line! (We move in on Sept. 10th.)
So, it looks like we are moving into fall. The bees are gone and the weather is now colder and rainy. Schools are starting up for all of us and we are preparing to settle in to a routine. More to come.
This week was Einshulung (again don't know the spelling- it is the start first grade). It is a really big day for German kids (Sharon says bigger than graduation from HS or University). There is a ceremony on Saturday and you can see parents and kids in the streets on their way to restaurants with their Einshulungtute, a decorated cone that is filled with candy, toys and school supplies.
posted by jackie and fritz at 1:18 PM
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