Hop Dad

Starting Second Grade

September 6, 2016 at 12:10 pm 4 comments

To My Darling Daughter,

Today you begin your second grade year. It will be hard to top the successes from first grade but I am sure you will make this one even better. Your enthusiasm for school is one of the best parts of our lives. Seeing you dive into new routines and make new friends motivates me to keep renewing my old self.

For my part I have the bag of supplies ready for you. This is another of those startling differences in your school experience when compared to mine. I didn’t arrive at second grade with…

1 Pack of Ticonderoga Pencils
2 Large Pink Erasers
1 Pack of Glue Sticks
Black Paper Mate Flair Pens (at least 2)
Headphones (NO earbuds)
1 Pencil Box (Plastic NO METAL)
1 Box of 24 Crayons
1 Box of 10 Markers
1 Ream of White paper
1 Ream of color paper (No cardstock please)
2 Blue 2 Pocket Folders
1 box of gallon Ziploc bags
1 box of sandwich bags
1 bag of baby wipes
1 container of Clorox wipes
1 bottle of hand sanitizer
1 backpack
1 lunch box
1 water bottle

There are a couple of changes in the works for you this year. This is the first class where you have a man as a teacher. I am interested to see how you handle that. The other change is no daily homework assignments. I have no doubt about how you will handle that.

When it was finally time to file into your classroom I set your supplies on your desk, then had to look for you to say goodbye and wish you well. You were already busy putting away your backpack and finding your way to the front of the classroom. It became one of those moments where I wanted to give you a big hug and say all of the meaningful words you will never forget. Yet, as it always seems to happen now, you just wanted to get to business; I had to be satisfied with waving to the back of your head.

I won’t let you get away that easily, though. Here are all of those words I wanted to say.

I cannot ask for a better young student. Your time at this school and the effort you put forth have made it a positive and powerful force in our lives. I am looking forward to all of the new things you show me along the way. I will spend my time at work hoping this first day went well. So, when I ask you about it this afternoon I will expect more detail from you than “good”.

Please be safe, be happy, keep giving it your all, and make the most of this second grade year.

I love you all of the time, forever and always.

Now, it’s time again to go to school.

Entry filed under: Being Dad.