Back to School - 2015

Stella lined up with her new middle school home room.

2015 was a very special school year for Stella. After 7 wonderful years at PS 39 (Pre-K through 5th grade) Stella headed off to middle school.

The whole NYC middle school process is a bit of a nightmare. Basically, the process of choosing and getting accepted by a middle school in New York City is just like applying for college. And after all the tours and interviews and worrying, Stella ended up at her first choice... the coveted MS 51.

So when September 9th rolled around, Stella, Lisa and I headed across the street (yes, the school is directly across the street from our building) to drop Stella off at middle school.

The first day of school at MS 51 starts on the adjacent soccer field (there are a lot of kids in the school). We eventually found Stella's home room class in the crowd and joined the group. Up until this point Stella had been surprisingly chipper. But some tears and fear began to emerge as it became time for the classes to head into the school. Thankfully, Stella's new home room teacher (Ms. Lipollis) saw that Stella needed some extra care and asked her to come up front and help her hold the sign identifying her class. This put our minds at ease.

So Stella headed to school to begin her middle school experience.

Over the weeks it became apparent that Stellie was doing great at MS 51. She found her friends, found her classrooms, and found her rhythm. The "free-range lunch" policy that worried us and Stella turned out to be okay. (All students at MS 51 are allowed to leave the school and roam the neighborhood at lunch time.) Some days Stella would show up at home with friends and eat lunch there.

She's really hunkered down with homework and, with the exception of some struggles with French, has been getting great grades. She picked an instrument to play for her music class and now is the proud owner of a clarinet that's almost as big as she is.

But wait! I think I forgot someone!

Marni also went back to school at good old PS 39. She and her posse are tearing it up in 4th grade.

Dropping Marni off at PS 39.

Marni reunites with her posse.

Little Stella bringing up the rear on her way into school.