The first morning, when we arrived at the circle at US, as we hopped out of the car, Giles remarked, “Boy Mama why didn’t they take time to think through the parking?” I thought this was an amazing observation for a five year old. Don’t you think? Truth be told, after that initial glitch, everything has been uphill!
As we entered the building what we observed was teachers and staff outside welcoming boys to school with the typical handshake. It was quite striking. This simply handshake, right there on the sidewalk, was the beginning of my boys’ formal training at US! I did not realize it then, but in fact, my boys shook hands with the new head of school, Ben Rein, on that early morning on their very first day at University School! If I were to tell the truth, a tear dropped from my eye, just from seeing the sight of so many young boys shaking hands with their elders. This was acculturation in progress.
Week one at US is now complete and the boys are loving it! In fact, every night Giles comes home and tells me how much he loves US! Jarvie and Giles are in Mrs. Schreiber and Miss Bobnars’ class with 12 other boys. A few of the boys they knew previously from their travels. If first impressions can be trusted, all in all, it looks like a good fit.
The highlight of the week was definitely the Handshake Ceremony. The kindergarteners and all the new boys shake hands with everybody else in the University School Community. My boys shook some three hundred hands that morning as they were welcomed into the school. They were especially excited to shake hands with their cousin Ben, who is now in 7th grade. When Jarvie came eye to eye with Ben he melted into his arms. The thrill of Giles’ moment with Ben was caught on film.
On Thursday after school, the boys got in the car and reported they had learned that there would be a football game on Saturday at 1:00 PM at the upper school campus and they wanted to attend.
I was very impressed that my kindergartners could be told about an event with date, time and location and then accurately share that information with a request to attend.
After completing some fact finding and verifying their story, I made arrangements for the boys to attend their first US football game today with their nanny, while I attended a funeral for the father of a classmate of mine from Laurel, one of the other independent schools in the area. Indeed there were US alums at my function as well.
Did I mention that Giles are Jarvie a legacy boys at US? Well they are. Nothing like a bit of tradition! Their grandfather attended US, their three uncles, my brothers, attended US and I cross registered from Laurel! Let’s not forget Cousin Ben attends US. So there you have it.
Just to round out the week, there was a gala reception at one of the families’ homes welcoming all the parents of the kindergartners to the school. This was attended by parents, teachers and administrators. It was a truly phenomenal event! Think wedding, not get together! I was privileged to attend. It looks like I am really going to enjoy being part of this community! I am sure to have more to share with you regarding the boys’ experience at US at a later date!
Lisa J Lafave, PhD, MBA, ACC
CEO & Founder of Coaching Rocks, LLC
A Single Mom By Choice Raising Twin Surrogacy Boys
Written in My Little a Brick in University Heights, Ohio