(Previous posts from this series):
Every American school, wherever you are, indulges in what we call 'Back To School Night'. We usually enjoy this because student behavior hasn't yet had a chance to reach crisis mode. This is key. Have Back To School Night early on before all you-know-what breaks loose.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/underpuppy/4211861992/
The Brits also have their version of this night, which in 1990 took place soon after we arrived. Miss Lunn gave a stirring opening address, and then released us to visit the classrooms and meet the teacher. I wish I could remember the name of the 1st grade teacher because she was hilarious. On the first day of school our son had come home and stated, "My teacher is 93 years old. THAT'S REALLY OLD isn't it?" I thought it was, actually, quite aged for a school teacher. But really - who was I to judge?
We walked in and browsed. I was excited to learn if perhaps some American brilliance had shown up to impress the teacher. I approached her with the respect due an elder person. She stood facing a wall of graphs attached to student names.
"So how is he doing?", I enquired, and she turned. She certainly did not look 93, and I thought about mentioning it to her - but didn't.
"Oh, he is very cooperative. Very nice." I waited for more. When nothing was forthcoming I ventured further.
"Oh. Well.. is he about where the other students are in terms of progress?" I squinted toward the graphs.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/8876379108/
She apparently decided honesty was the best policy, and said in her jolly voice, "Oh, no, ma'am, he is right down there at the bottom!"
What - OUR son? My eyes inched downward toward the lower graphs, searching for a name. She explained that the rest of the class had been in school for 2 years, and were advanced readers. Things 'might be different' in the American schools (this was a theme I was becoming familiar with).
Thank you for letting us know... What should we do?"
"Oh, not a thing, dear, not a thing. He has made the best choice we could possibly hope for. He has become chums with the smartest student in the class, Nicki, and is scratching and clawing to catch up. I have placed your son next to Nicki to help the process along a bit. No need to worry!"
Okay, so that was good. Right? In my relief, I decided to mention a point of curiosity - "You are much younger than I expected.."
She laughed, and said, "What? did you think I was 93 or something? (I always tell my classes that. And they always believe it!) Hahaha!"
We walked toward the car, not quite sure if we had just had good or bad news. Thinking of the Headmistress, I said, "I wonder if all you-know-what ever breaks out at that school."
My husband replied, "With Miss Lunn at the helm? Not a chance."
Oh, for a few more Miss Lunns on this side of the Pond. We wouldn't know what hit us.
Rule, Britannia!
the SconeLady
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/underpuppy/4211861992/">Underpuppy</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/8876379108/">Leo Reynolds</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>
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