I started school on the Tuesday after Labour Day in 1969.
I’ve been going to school for 50 years!
I was four years old, a December baby, and it was the days when the kindergarten cut-off was December 31st.
My kindergarten school picture – dress sewn by Mom
I was super excited about school and insisted Mom teach me how to write my name before we started because I thought that was something I was already supposed to know.
I only found out many years later that, because I was such a shy and introverted child, my parents had considered keeping me home an extra year to mature. They sent me to school that first day with my twin sister, hoping I’d be OK. Fortunately, it worked out and I thrived at school.
So, here I am, 50 years later, still excited about the first day of school. I hope everyone who comes into my class thrives the way I did in Miss Belyea’s class. I know some kids won’t be quite as excited, and that some parents might be worried, like my parents were. I will do my best to be as good for them as Miss Belyea was for me.
booksandbassets 
The dress made by your mother is beautiful. Your students are lucky because you love teaching 😊
Thanks. My mother made my clothes right up until 5th or 6th grade.
Hi Adrienne,
I love the look on your face in your kindie picture. I see the lovely person you are today. I also love the homemade dress. I wore those, too. And was so inspired that when my daughters went to kindergarten, I made their dresses. Thank you so much for you life sharing, you story that you give your readers. Have a happy fall.
Hugs to you and you students and puppy.
Cathie
Sent from my iPad
Cathie Padgett
🥰
Sent from Diane’s iPhone
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The first thing that hit me was that the year you started school was the year I graduated from High School. Glad you still get that beginning the school year excitement. Hope it continues for the rest of your career. I know your students benefit.
Congratulations!!!!! What a milestone!
Wow! I’m going to do the mail for myself now…I think I’m at 44, but there were some years when I was not in school. I had to work my way though university and sometimes I skipped a year or a semester to save up some money. That’s a lot of “first day’s”! Hope yours was great.
Happy anniversary! Your perspective on this formative moment and how its ripples influence you in your work five decades later is humbling to hear.