As you walk into the school, cue all the stares. People whisper and point. Okay, I'm making that up, but, have you ever been the new kid at a school? Not knowing where to go, who anyone is, or what is expected of you. When you finally figure out where your first class is, you sit in your seat very quietly, waiting for some familiar faces. Well, maybe that's not what other people do, but I know that's what I've done.
"New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings." Yup, I can agree with that. The first time my mom decided to move; mind you this was across the country, I was in 2nd grade. And just let me say, I was not expecting to move another four times in the next three years. Anyway when I first heard that I was going to move I thought I was the coolest 2nd grader EVER!!! I also never thought that other kids move whatsoever, especially not from Boston , to Portland. Then before I knew it I was in a whole new place, looking for a house. I had no idea who anyone was, and where to go. And yet there is something special about being in a place that is brand new, with only my mom. When this happened it made my mom and I rely on each other, which brought us together.
Fast forward five years of moving to different houses, meeting new people, going to new schools, and my mom becoming a record box packer. Fast forward all the way to my first day at Catlin Gabel. I know it may seem a little cliche to be writing about being new to a school. The thing is being new to this school was very different then being new to any other school. Everyone is so kind, and you end up having friends on the first day of school, which helps since it is sorta awkward to be in a class with no idea who anyone is.
Another unique thing about Catlin is the campus. Our campus has many trees/greenery. The amount of trees on our campus could put the Congo tropical forest to shame. Whenever I see the dimpled light underneath a tree, I can't help but smile. Something about broken up light shinning on leaves has a bewitching, and magical look.
Fast forward five years of moving to different houses, meeting new people, going to new schools, and my mom becoming a record box packer. Fast forward all the way to my first day at Catlin Gabel. I know it may seem a little cliche to be writing about being new to a school. The thing is being new to this school was very different then being new to any other school. Everyone is so kind, and you end up having friends on the first day of school, which helps since it is sorta awkward to be in a class with no idea who anyone is.
Another unique thing about Catlin is the campus. Our campus has many trees/greenery. The amount of trees on our campus could put the Congo tropical forest to shame. Whenever I see the dimpled light underneath a tree, I can't help but smile. Something about broken up light shinning on leaves has a bewitching, and magical look.
Hi Snow Leopard,
ReplyDeleteI thought this post was great! I can relate to being a new kid and I think you summed up the feeling really nicely in this post. Do you miss your friends from your old school?
-tinyelephant
Hi tinyelephant,
ReplyDeleteI do miss my friends at my old school, but it is always fun to make new ones!
-Snowleopard
HI Snow Leopard-
ReplyDeleteThis post was really meaningful, and I could tell you put a lot of thought and effort into it. I could really relate to a lot of things being a new kid myself, and it really was just a summary of what I had felt moving into a new school, or starting my own "new beginning." What did you find to be the hardest transition between homes and/or schools?
(BTW, your line about the light through the trees was really beautiful.) :)
-RisingSun13
Hi RisingSun13,
DeleteI think the hardest transition for me was probably that I didn't know my surroundings, and I didn't have my friends for moral support.
-TeenyTinyDolphin
Hi Teeny Tiny Dolphin,
ReplyDeleteI love all the pictures that you used and they worked well with your great writing. I agree with risingsun13 this post was really meaningful. I haven't had to switch schools but I hear about a lot. Was it hard settling into a new schools?
-FoxelephantVioleta
Hi FoxelephantVioleta,
DeleteAt the beginning it was hard since I wasn't used to switching schools, but soon it became a part of my life.
-TeenyTinyDolphin
Hey Snow leopard,
ReplyDeleteThe post you wrote was very powerful and made me think a lot about people move across the country sometimes and they need to start a whole new life. If you had the choice of going back to Boston now, would you?
Sincerely,
Soccer is Life
Hi Soccer is Life,
DeleteI think that when I lived in Massachusetts that was one part of my life, and don't get me wrong, I loved living there. The thing is, I have started a new chapter and in that case, no I don't believe I would go back.
-TeenyTinyDolphin
Hey TeenyTinyElephant,
ReplyDeleteI can relate to the fact that it's scary walking in to a new environment. I agree with Soccer Is Life that it was very powerful and it made we want to support people. How do you think we can make the MS more comfortable for new students?
Sincerely,
Bozzy
Hi Bozzy,
DeleteOverall, just keep up what you guys have been doing since Catlin was very welcoming!
-TeenyTinyDolphin
Hi TeenyTinyElephant,
ReplyDeleteI was a new student last year and it was scary going to a school i have never been to, know people from, anything. It was all brand new and everybody already had their friend groups and I was terrified that no one would like me. Thankfully, everyone excited abotu getting new classmates and were very nice to the new students.
what is your favorite part of Catlin?
MM_Z
Dear TeenyTinyDolphin,
ReplyDeleteI really liked you blog post. I was only new once and that was in kindergarden so I don't really remember much, but I can say that you blog post sums it all up. do you ever wish you still lived in Boston? is there anything Catlin could do to be better at welcoming new kids?
Bristol
Dear TeenyTinyDolphin,
ReplyDeleteI loved how meaningful your post was, and how interesting it was to read. It was really fun to read about your experiences and it was very detailed too. Is there any part of moving you really enjoy?
-Teeny Tiny Fury