Aaliyah is going to BIG KIDS SCHOOL!!!

On September 2nd, 2008 Aaliyah will begin her next phase in her journey through academia. On this day she will begin Kindergarten at Benjamin Franklin Fine Arts Center. It is very hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that she is 5 years old already. As cliche as this will sound, it really does feel as though she was born yesterday. On Monday morning, we went to have a meet and greet for new families. She insisted on getting all dolled up, and off we went.


Outside the schoolyard, there is a plaque which explains some more about the history of the school.



Here you can see the name of the school, in an old creepy typeface.



Here is the pretty girl; acting silly as usual.



This is a mural? sculpture? mosaic? Whatever it technically is, its beautiful and located on the western side of the building.




The families gathered in the assembly hall. I was impressed with the collection of speakers, lighting not to mention the balcony, and the stage.



Here is Aaliyah eagerly awaiting the introductory presentation



After a general overview from the principal, we were led to her new homeroom. Just outside the room, we discovered a lovely banner welcoming her to her new class, as well as a locker with her name on it!






Here is a picture of the new locker mates. Zarah was an irresistible little girl. Her parents were pretty cool as well!



Here it is!! My baby's classroom!! So exciting!



Aaliyah quickly found her name tag, pulled her new little workbook out, and began to color admist a room drowning in chaos. I found myself somewhat overwhelmed. I could barely hear myself think over the 30 kindergartners to be rabble rabble and the parent eagerly introducing themselves to one another.





There is nothing that makes Aaliyah quite as happy as a play kitchen. MUST get her one.



"Daddy, look at me!!"



After saying her goodbyes to her new friends she posed for a picture with her new teacher Ms. Zambrano




After leaving the new school, but before going back to the office, Aaliyah convinced me that it was mandatory to inspect the new playground.




Coming out the back door, looking to the right through a small patch of grass and a couple of trees is both a playground for big children, and one for the smaller tots.





To the left, along Wells St., was a large grassy knoll, and a nice baseball diamond.

I included this picture because the clouds were so lovely, it was a perfect day.



In this picture you can see the field, and the diamond a little more clearly.