Reaching the end of our first official school year with a 5-year-old and a 6-year-old has been eventful to say the least. Learning to navigate childcare, pre-K, kindergarten, PTA, the school board, and my own career — while also unpacking at our first duty station — was a whirlwind.
There were days I didn’t have a clue; all I could do was fake it until I made it. Lyla and Lincoln have already begun excitedly planning for the upcoming year, but I’m still wrapping my head around how we made it through the one just finished. They may smile full of anticipation for the 2024-25 school year, but I’m smiling in celebration of having hair left heading into the summer.
Navigating my children’s school schedules in the beginning felt impossible. My youngest was attending pre-K for a grand total of two hours with travel there and back obviously accounting for some of that time. It was impossible to get much done. Once I factored in the kindergarten hours for my eldest, working really seemed impossible.
After a few months we had a tough decision to make and fast: pull our youngest from pre-K to attend full-day daycare, or remain enrolled in pre-K and wait for a before-and-after program spot for both children. We were warned that for his age it could take up to two years.
The decision was ultimately made that daycare was the best choice for our family. Luckily, this is a decision that will not have to be made by families going forward! Fort Liberty will have full-day pre-K starting this year, and I’m just sad it didn’t start a year sooner.
Don’t be fooled by what you think happens in kindergarten, or even in pre-K. It’s a lot more than smelling markers and playing with glue. Projects can be challenging, and there is no shortage of them throughout the year. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t consider myself to be the greatest in the crafty department, so this certainly kept me on my toes as a parent.
Fort Liberty Summer Cheat Sheet
Fort Liberty schools also strive to keep things fun for our little learners and spirit weeks can be tough if you are not prepared. You’ll want to be sure to follow your child’s school and their PTA on Facebook to stay connected! If you can, help out with your child’s PTA even if you are not able to often. This is a great way to support our students and schools, and to get connected to your community.
If you have not this year, or if next year will be your child’s first year of school, attend your school board’s public meetings. It’s another great way to get connected, to learn about the school your child attends, and a great time to voice any concerns (not specific to one incident or child). Fort Liberty has a wonderful school board, and serving on it was such an amazing opportunity. When it comes to our children, it’s impossible to be “too connected.”
Before you switch gears into summer mode completely, there are a few things to be mindful of. Remember to check your balance with the cafeteria and to return any library books your child may have brought home. There are lots of little hands eager to read the pages of all the wonderful stories the school library provides, and you don’t want a bill for an outstanding cafeteria balance. Most importantly, Fort Liberty schools do require re-registration for returning students and completed registration for new students. You can find the family portal here: Aspen: Log On (myfollett.com)
Integrating children into a new way of life when they are school age, especially when they are new to going to school in general, is an intimidating process. The good news is that so many have gone through it before you and will help you along the way.
If you are a parent in the Fort Liberty community, I hope this summer cheat sheet will help you avoid massive hair loss, even if it’s at the hands of a skilled stylist. I don’t regret the big chop for a second, Kate the Great gave me some much-needed revitalization, but you may want to keep your inches!
The most important thing you can do as a parent living on Fort Liberty is not to be afraid to ask questions and get involved as much as you are able.
