  Short Stories
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The First Day of School
by Aileen Fisher
I wonder if my drawing will be as good as theirs
I wonder if they'll like me, or just be full of stares
I wonder if my teacher will look like mom or gram
And I wonder if my puppy will wonder where I am.
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I am a guest editor for this edition of the Short Story newsletter and, as such, I will not strive to teach the techniques for writing short stories, for others are more qualified for this task. My forte for writing is poetry and articles, though I do write an occasional short story. I do, however, enjoy reading short stories. So, this edition will be taken more from the readers observations of the short story.
As I listened to the radio on my work to work one day last week, the lyrics of a country song talked about how the seasons of life pass: one season was dropping a child off at school for the first time. As the daughter clung to the pant leg of the singer, crying, the teacher assured the saddened parent all would be okay and this phase would soon pass. One day, the lyrics of the song expressed, the child would not even be aware that her dad left when he dropped her off at school.
Parents find first day school stories helpful, because they are relative; a bit of comedy relieves the stress. The readers enjoy stories that recall memories. How many times have we laughed or cried while reading a story simply because it touched upon something that sparked memories of the past?
Following, I have added a few things people have written about a child's first day in school. I found these while researching for this newsletter. Research is one of my strong assets, whether it be for an essay or a short story, a newsletter or even a poem. Research brings the writer closer to his topic. We have all heard the old addage to 'write about only what you know;' research is a tool that helps us become familiar with the unfamiliar and will give us a greater understanding when we venture into new areas or even when we are writing about the familiar. Research increases our awareness.
Some parents find it difficult to leave their child at the classroom and walk away. Unfortunately, lingering parents often make things more difficult both for their own children and for other students who wonder why their mum or dad isn’t still in the classroom as well. Once one child gets upset, the domino effect sets in and before long half the class is sobbing and calling for their mother.
To minimise the disruption of upset children, offering parents a morning tea elsewhere within the school grounds allows parents to still feel that they are close to their child if they are needed, without their child being distracted by their presence.
The morning tea need only be a simple affair with a supply of hot water, tea bags, coffee, sugar, milk, cold water and/or juice and some plain biscuits or cakes. Use disposable plates, disposable hot/cold cups and paper serviettes to minimise clean-up time. It is a good idea to make sure that there is also a supply of tissues on hand for parents who might be a little emotional.
This morning tea is also an excellent way for parents to meet each other. It is best if a couple of parents from the next grade, who were in this same position the previous year, run the morning tea, as they can often provide answers to many of the everyday questions that new parents may have.
http://homemanagement.suite101.com/article.cfm/first_day_of_school_for_parents
Reminisce about the good times, great friends and exceptional teachers you had during your school days. Now is not the time to talk about the wedgies you experienced or detentions you earned, but be sure to urge your child to let you know when they are having any kinds of difficulties at school and assure them that you will do your best to help them in any way you can.
http://www.helium.com/items/1135393-preparing-for-the-first-day-of-school?page=3...
Talking to your child
Your child may be anxious about what to expect on the first day at school.
If so, one way of helping them is to talk through their fears:
Explain where they'll be going, what they'll be doing, and for how long.
Answer questions, and iron out any fears by asking what they think the school might be like; emphasize the things they may enjoy doing.
Don't dismiss your child's fears - things that seem obvious or silly to an adult can seem like terrible obstacles to a five year old.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/PreparingForth...
Don't be too concerned if, in spite of your best efforts, your child cries and refuses to leave your side the first day of school while another youngster dismisses his or her parent with a wave of the lunch box. Clinging and crying are healthy coping mechanisms in very young children, so try not to overreact. Most concerned teachers will allow you to stay in the classroom for awhile. Gradually lessen the amount of time you stay, but don't sneak out when you leave; it may make your child feel abandoned and unloved.
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/family/firstday/firstday.htm
I remember my first day of school. I didn't go to preschool. My first day was for kindergarten and I had to ride the bus - a really big deal when you are smaller (and younger) than all the other "more experienced" school kids.
I remember standing at the bus stop with my mom waiting for the bus to arrive. She was telling me how to remember my bus stop so that I could get off in the afternoon. My bus stop was at the corner of a baseball field. I was to look for the backstop to know when to get off the bus.
I don't remember much about that day at school, but I remember the bus ride home. I sat diligently at the window looking for that backstop. The idea of missing my bus stop scared me silly.
Then I saw it - the backstop. I didn't expect it so soon. But I got up and got off the bus. The bus pulled away just as I realized my mom wasn't there. Now what do I do.
I'm five. I'm not allowed to cross a street by myself and here I am at the wrong bus stop. Who do I go to for help?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1025786/memories_of_the_first_day_of_sc...
The first day of school presents many opportunities for writing that will be enjoyable to the reader. The key here is to make the characters and the situations realistic in a way that the reader may readily identify. Conflicts and humor enhance the movement of the story for the reader and keep his/her interest.
If your story is non-fiction, be open and transparent with your emotions, for your reader is an emotional-being and will identify with you emotionally. If the story is fictional, try adding a twist to the plot or creating an unexpected situation. Notice the similar twists with different results in the first two stories in the "editor's picks" below.
The "editor's picks" stories below, in various ways, each reflect upon a child’s first day in school.
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First day of school memories told in short stories
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| |  | New Kid (E)
Do you remember your first day of school in a new town? Chester Scott remembers his...
#946742 by Shea   |
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As guest editor for the Short Stories Newsletter, I have no feedback or question and answer information. Your feedback is always important to the editors of the Writing.com Newsletters and we each appreciate that you take time to read the newsletters. All the editors of the Writing.com newsletters wish each of you a safe and joyous holiday season
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Short Stories: December 10, 2008 Issue [#2761]
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