Luke’s First Day
Luke's first day of school was filled with a mix of nervousness and then courage. The day started with the family waking up, with the primary goal of getting Charlie to school. However, Charlie was understandably reluctant to go to school. In an effort to ease Charlie's nerves, we made crepes for breakfast, but he wasn't hungry, a clear sign of his anxiety. Despite his reluctance, Charlie got dressed, put on his backpack, and led the family to Jules Ferry. At the school entrance, a sweet moment occurred when Evie approached and offered to help, showing her kindness and understanding of Charlie's situation. Off he went into the schoolyard.
After dropping Charlie off, the focus shifted to Luke, whose school day started at 2 pm. We spent some quality time together, which included food shopping at the Halles and a swim in the Port Vieux, followed by a delicious lunch. However, when it was time for Luke to leave for school, he initially resisted, feeling anxious and unsure about this new experience. Gabe stepped in to help calm Luke's nerves and encourage him to go to school. With some reassurance, Luke got on his bike, and we headed to College Villa Fal. Upon arriving at the school, we saw other students gathered around. There was a group of boys who looked like typical CA groms and girls happily reuniting after the summer break. Luke decided he couldn't go in. We noticed two students locking up their bikes and saw an opportunity. Gabe approached them and introduced Luke, explaining that he was new from California and needed some help. One of the boys said he spoke English, which was a lucky break. Along with these two boys, Luke walked through the school gate. Inside, he found his name on the board, which indicated his group number. Matis directed him, and with that, Luke entered the world of French public school.
And as for me, I cried, but not in sadness. Instead, it was a moment of joy and pride as I realized I had raised a courageous son who faced his fears and is now embarking on this new chapter of his life. High Five.
After school update: Luke returned home happy, sharing that he had a great time at school. One of the things that made him particularly thrilled was his schedule! Fridays he is done at 2! Wednesdays are super chill and he doesn’t have to be there until 9! When asked about whether the teachers were aware that he didn't speak English, he said he hadn't told them, but surprisingly, he understood most of what was being said. Luke met another student in his group, and they got along well despite the language barrier. Luke also noticed that the teachers at his new school spoke slower compared to the people he had encountered in France so far. Overall, it seems that Luke's first day at school was a success. Tomorrow is Wednesday, and it's a day off from school.
