Hello and an Invitation from Liane Pace!

With the excitement of Kindergarten rising for both parents and students, I thought I would initiate my blog to serve as a forum for reminders and tips as well as an invitation for two get-togethers. 

First, I would like to introduce myself for those I may not know, or did not get the opportunity to meet at the "play day" in May.  My name is Liane Pace, and my son Quinn is a rising Kindergartner.  I also have two other children -- Hudson, a rising third grader, and Ellis, a "rising" preschooler :).  I am the Collegiate Kindergarten New Families Representative this school year.  I am here to assist with questions that you may have through the year, as well as to provide you with brief reminders for fun school events…and there will be so many exciting ones!  For some of you, this will not be new information because you already have a child(ren) at Collegiate, but maybe still helpful reminders.

I know it is only July, but the start of school is right around the corner and our little ones, our pride and joy, our hard-to-believe Kindergartners will be off to start their "school career!"  This is big stuff!!  In their sweet little minds and lives probably one of the biggest events thus far.  You have prepared them for this amazing journey they are about to embark on, so hopefully I can provide information to better prepare you…..

FUN, FUN and more FUN!!  Meeting new friends, teachers, administrators, participating in exciting beginning of the school year activities, becoming part of the Collegiate community, proudly wearing green and gold and maybe being a little tired too!!  All normal, all expected and all reason to celebrate!  They have done it- started Kindergarten!

Speaking of starting school, here are some helpful reminders -

•    Collegiate-provided tote bags are in lieu of backpacks for the K students.

•    Please review the handbook for important information (it was mailed last Thursday, so you should have it by now or will soon!), and please make special note of the dress code before "back-to-school" clothes and shoe shopping.

•    Be on the lookout for a Collegiate email regarding forms needed to be completed (i.e. lunch order form), volunteer positions (great way to meet fellow Collegiate parents) and other pertinent information. You should have already received an email asking you to complete and submit the new driver's form.  I would encourage you to do so, so that you are cleared to drive the students on field trips.

•    Class assignments will be mailed August 13th!!!

Now, let's have our kiddos meet again to get to know each other more - if your fun summer plans allow, as well as if the weather permits, please join us on the Collegiate playground "Fort Cougar" this Saturday, July 27th, from 10-11am.  I sent an email invitation to everyone, I hope you got it!  Also, be on the look out for a Mom's Night Out e-vite, which will be held late August!

So, for now, I urge you to explore the Collegiate website, enjoy your summer and contact me with any questions.

I will leave you with a story from just a few (very quickly passing) years ago, from my oldest sons' first day of Kindergarten - my husband and I arrived to Collegiate early with our son to take the standard "first day of school" photo in front of school, and after taking the picture we were ready to walk him into his classroom until he turned to us and said, "Mom, please let's get back in the car and drop me off in the carpool line."  My heart wanted to walk him into school, I had trouble even letting go of his hand, but his mature comment and the confident manner in which he conveyed it, as well as his excitement, provided a moment in parenthood never to be forgotten.  He was ready - our kids are ready!!

 Looking forward to seeing you soon!  Go Cougars!