Seriously…what else do I NOT know? Part One

Two years ago when I decided where I wanted Nolan to go to preschool, I had been informed from several sources “in the know” the registration process is grueling and not for the faint of heart. It required camping out overnight to ensure a spot in said school. This did not intimidate me or my mom (who agreed she would be my camp out buddy). When I informed James of what must be done, he of course thought we, meaning my mom and I, were crazy (considering there are preschools on almost every block in Allen. Men just don’t get it sometimes!) So about a month before the big camp out, I learned they had CHANGED the registration process. That news stopped me dead in my tracks. Apparently school administrators decided for the safety of the mothers (notice I said mothers, NOT fathers) who were camping out all night, they would change to a lottery system. A LOTTERY SYSTEM! The school is off of a major highway and there was nightly construction going on and cold temperatures, and blah, blah, blah. All I can say is this.was.not.good.

I instantly became upset, anxious, and panicky. I picked up the phone and immediately called James. His response, “That is great news! You don’t have to camp out all night now!” My response back, “Are you CRAZY? This means I now have ZERO control over the situation. This means Nolan may not get in. This is bad, very bad. With our luck, we will draw the last number!” I knew I should have called my mom first. That is exactly what I promptly did next. Her response, “OH NO! This is terrible. We have the worst luck. I am sure you will not get a good number!” “I know, I know!” I almost screamed back. Misery loves company and I knew where to find it.

All the parents attending registration had been informed over and over again leading up to the big registration day not to arrive early as it “will not increase the likelihood of getting your child in.” So dutifully the mothers obeyed and filed in on time with Starbucks in hand. Everyone looked like me. Nervous, anxious, and ready to know their fate. Chairs had been arranged in a large circle on the perimeter of the gymnasium. As we entered the gym we were given our instructions to find a seat and wait for the lottery to begin.

So as we waited, the mothers all began talking. What I quickly realized was that these mothers (myself included) were not just chatting to fill time, but sizing up the competition. “So how old is the child you want to enroll? What days do you prefer? and so on.” Secretly we were all tabulating in our heads how many people, just in our vicinity, had children the same age as ours and wanted the same school days. Don’t get me wrong. Everyone was nice and polite and cordial to each other, but I guarantee, we were all doing the same thing. We had been told we could call the day before to hear a recording of how many spots were available in each age group (after currently enrolled students enrolled younger siblings, church members enrolled, etc). Everyone was counting. One woman said she had twins. I think the world stopped for a second.

After what seemed like an eternity, the Preschool Director began explaining the process by microphone. She also said she would make special announcements when classes closed so that parents wanting in one of those-now-full-classes could then immediately sign up for the waiting list (and not have to wait any longer). How nice and thoughtful of them!

The Bucket O’ Numbers then slowly made its way around the massive circle. A staff member kept watchful eye on this bucket. The room was silent. Smiles for one was met by a frown by another. I drew 34. I had no idea if that was good or bad.

Stay Tuned…….