Get ready: Back to School

 Hello, readers! I know it’s been a while since my last post, but I have been through some personal hurdles these past few weeks and hopefully now that I got those hurdles behind me, I can get back on track. (Being an adult, a parent, a student, a full-time employee, apart-time employee, a perspective business owner, and a wife is challenging. Is there some sort of instruction manual I can borrow from someone? That’s a whole new blog, lol!)

GET READY: BACK TO SCHOOL

Benjamin "Future Scholar" 5yo

For the parents all over the world and here in Memphis, Tennessee, it is almost time for school to begin again. Memphis City Schools will begin on August 8, 2011 and this year is also my son's, Benjamin, first year in elementary school. He is starting kindergarten, I’m so elated.  So happy he is starting school, very happy to get a break from daycare fees.You all do not realize, I had to participate in open-enrollment this year. For all of you who don’t know what open enrollment is, it is us Memphis and Shelby County parents lining up outside of the Board of Education at two in the morning, hoping and praying we can get our kids in an option school or just a better school out of our neighborhood.  There were people there who had been camped out since the night prior. Those are serious, die hard parents! I am not too familiar with the neighborhood's elementary schools around my house, but I knew I wanted my son to go to a school that offers an optional program as well as a diverse atmosphere. Not to say that my neighborhood school aren’t good. There was a process to the selection. I had to research school start times and end times, location from school to job. Does the school have a before or after school program? What kind of extracurricular activities are offered? Is it in a convenient location? Does it offer a diverse atmosphere? I am big on diversity and exposure.

 In my first semester of college, I and a lot of my classmates or whatever you may call them, were in a bit of "culture shock", if I’m even using those words right. Growing up I lived in a mostly black community. In elementary, junior, and high school, there were few to no white children. We weren't raised around a lot of people from other nationalities (being truthful here).  In college, some of us, along with the other freshmen Caucasians, Asian, Hispanics, sort of tip toed around each other on campus. We had our own little race cliques at pep rallies, sports events and even in the cafeteria. I can’t speak for everyone, but I think we just didn't know how to approach one another. We did work together on class projects or in work-study programs but socially we were separated.  It got better over the semesters.  I feel you can learn a lot from other cultures, races, ethnicity, or even religions. We shouldn't limit ourselves. I think what your surround yourself with is a start to your future, and where should one start, at school. I also work in a very diverse environment and I absolutely love it. I am what you may call a people watcher. I love to see some of the people and how they dress or act.  I like to hear their opinions or political views on certain events. It is very interesting and sometimes you do learn. That is the avenue I am taking with my kids. I want to expose them to the outside world. This may open doors for lots of opportunities.

O.k., back on the subject, back to school,  in my opinion I just felt the neighborhood schools were not the right choices for my Benjamin. There is a very nice optional school close to my neighborhood but the start time is a little too late. (I did, however,  list it as a second choice on the application.)The main school of choice for Benjamin is Downtown Elementary. The board has graciously accepted our application and we will be enrolling on registration day, Tuesday, August 2nd. This school is unique because, it is downtown. I love our downtown area. Not overpopulated, not to busy, laid-back area. The school’s mission statement stood out to me, “Providing an exceptional educational foundation that enables students to be productive, self-aware, and self-sufficient learners who value themselves, contribute to their community, and are able to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing world (Downtown Elementary, 2011).”

    It is convenient from school to job, they offer before and after-care, there is an optional program, and school lets out 15 minutes I after I punch out. The added bonus, their lovely principle was at the open enrollment, early in the a.m., offering any inquisitive parents any information they may have inquired about. It gave me confidence about choosing this school for my child but this is my first time entering a child into public school. The principal seemed welcoming and comforting. (There were only a few school representatives at the open enrollment.)Those are the positives. The only negative for me is, before-care start time hours and my job's punch in time conflicts. So a kink I’ve got to work out.

Some parents may not like the idea, but I love the fact that Memphis City school children here have to wear uniforms. Benjamin’s school wears white or red plain tops, khaki, black, or navy bottoms. (Check out Memphis City School's Uniform policy here). I've been checking out the local shopping deals here in Memphis. I must warn you, I am not into name brands and not to say I am cheap, but I am a very efficient shopper.

Local stores like Roses and Village Mart have uniform shirts ranging from $5.00 -$9.99 and bottoms from $9.00 and up, depending on the brand.

Department stores in our area, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Sears have great deals on school uniforms as well. You'd better get them now because if you wait until last minute you may have a hard time finding uniforms in certain sizes and colors.

You can always shop online. I like Cookiekids.com, FrenchToast.com (a little more pricey), and Kolhs.com Cookiekids.com have reasonable deals on school uniforms, free shipping, and I love their regular kid’s selection as well.

For those of you who want to save major monies, Tennessee’s Sales Tax Holiday is August 5-7, 2011.

Be diligent shoppers. Look at the quality of the uniforms. You don’t want to purchase stuff that tears or rips easily. Buy some Woolight. You don’t want those shirts fading.

Don't forget Memphis City Schools start August 8, 2011 

School Registration for Memphis City Schools is August 2, 2011

 If you still haven't had that family outing, here are some other end of the summer activities for families, parents, young adults, teens, and children:

Can I live Celebrity Weekend. July 22nd- July 24th. There will be a school supply drive, family day picnic, a summer jam, and much more. Follow this link: http://citygearusa.com/community/can-i-live-celebrity-weekend-722-24

 Elvis Week August 10-16, 2011

Mid -South MMA Championships II August 6, 2011 at the DeSoto Civic Center. Visit http://www.desotociviccenter.com/ for ticket information.

Everything for Kids Sale August 6, 2011 at the Memphis Agriculture Center. 

The Memphis Flea Market "The Big One" August 20-21, 2011 at the Memphis Agriculture Center

The Delta Fair and Music Festival September 6-11, 2011 www.deltafest.com

So I hope this info is helpful to you all. I will try to keep the blogs coming. I got a few emails asking me about my blogs. Made me feel kind of special. *tear.

Check out what's new at my online store, J. Simones

References:

Welcome to Downtown Elementary School. 2011. Retrieved July 2011 from http://www.mcsk12.net/SCHOOLS/downtown.es/index.html

www.vendio.com/stores/jsimones