Parents have their own 1st-day jitters
By: Candice Leigh Helfand
JAMESBERG The situation Susan Ballone and Chris McKenna find themselves in is one that many parents are grappling with as the school year approaches.
They are the mothers of 5-year-old Christopher Ballone and 6-year-old Cullen McKenna, who will both be starting kindergarten at the John F. Kennedy School on Wednesday. And they know firsthand how difficult a child’s next step toward growing up can be for a parent.
Both have gone through the experience of sending a child to kindergarten once before. Their daughters are both about to enter the fourth grade.
"I’m not saying it makes it any easier," Ms. Ballone said. "It’s an all-day kindergarten program, and I’m used to him being home with me."
Ms. McKenna, however, noted that there are aspects of repeating the process that alleviate some tension.
"You know what to expect this time around," she said.
Her son’s personality and ideas assure her that her son will do fine in the new environment, she said.
Ms. Ballone works part time as a substitute classroom aide, so she is aware of the kinds of things the boys and their new classmates will learn over the course of the school year.
"They’re going to do a lot of addition, subtraction, colors, shapes, and will also learn the alphabet," Ms. Ballone said.
In addition to all of that, the children will be learning how to read, though Ms. Ballone noted that Christopher already has a head start in that department.
Prior to kindergarten, Christopher and Cullen were both enrolled at JFK’s preschool program, where they made many friends that will be joining him on their journey into kindergarten.
They’ve even stocked up on supplies already, which include new backpacks and a lunchbox featuring characters from the Pixar movie "Cars" (for Christopher).
The proud mothers said that Christopher and Cullen are looking forward to playing with preschool friends they haven’t seen over the summer (something that will undoubtedly help ease the children into a comfort zone).
Ms. Ballone and Ms. McKenna have several other friends going through the same transition period, and they are helping each other through it. Ms. Ballone also admitted that working at the school, and being there, would help make it easier.
They have faith in the education system Christopher and Cullen are entering though, and they trust that they will be in good hands.
"The teachers are very, very good with the kids; they teach them a lot," Ms. Ballone said.
"They’re very excited, and I’m excited for them," Ms. McKenna added.