Wednesday, Justin and I went to Registration Day at his school. Before going, I printed off the following Registration Day information. I am pretty sure that all of this will look perfectly normal to all Americans reading this blog. It is clear, concise, and friendly. But for us, returning from the south of France, it felt like entering an alien universe. A friendly and inviting one, mind you. But, nevertheless, foreign territory.
So, here goes.
Step 1:
Enter Door 11 and see information table for SMS Registration Checklist
and applicable forms if needed.
Step 1. We are given instructions about where to go and told what we will see when we get there. I think this is delightful. In southern France, in most new situations, you are expected to figure it out once you arrive by observing what others do, asking questions, or trial and error. You might find others who are trying to figure it out too, in which case you both do the preceding steps together. No one gets mad about not being told in advance, because figuring it out is part of the challenge of being new. In my experience, this applies to just about every place and institution.
Step 2:
If you have visited the SMS website to print and complete registration
paperwork, and you have updated your child’s information on PowerSchool, then
proceed to Step 3. If not, then
proceed to room A108 to access PowerSchool, update student information, and
print applicable registration materials.
A108 is down the 6th Grade Hallway off of the commons. Once completed, proceed to Step 3.
Step 2. We are given the option of doing some paperwork in advance to make the registration process easier. If you haven't completed the task ahead of time, you are allowed to go do it on your own without anyone scolding you or sending you back home to do it. Cool.
Step 3:
Enter the line near the main office to see School Nurse and submit
paperwork.
Step 3. We met the school nurse. There is a school nurse. Cool.
Step 4:
6th Graders, enter line in 6th grade hall to:
1. Receive VISA/Handbook and sign name
2. Receive schedule, locker number and
combination
3. Submit order slip and pay for purchases
7th/8th Graders, proceed to cafetorium
and see grade level table to:
1. Receive VISA/Handbook and sign name
2. Receive schedule, locker number and
combination
3. Submit order slip and pay for purchases
Step 4. Our first hiccup in the process was here. Justin doesn't have a student handbook. There was a computer glitch the day he was to take the math placement test, so he took it yesterday. They will work out his schedule by Monday afternoon after he's done a French placement test (which he is excited about acing). Because the high school is across the street from the middle school, some students go over for advanced classes.
Step 5:
Do the following in the cafetorium in no particular order (shortest
line!)
o Receive P.E. shirt, if purchased
o Get picture taken (cheese!) for yearbook
o See athletic table for information and
spirit wear
o Deposit money in lunch account
o See any other table of interest – welcome
back!
Note: You may also visit your locker at any
time.
Step 5. P.E. shirt stand was manned by students, which was useful because the boy was the same size as Justin. We asked what size he wore, Justin held it up, and it worked. The shirts cost five dollars.
Brilliant idea to do school pictures on registration day. Nobody has to get their picture taken after gym class.
Lunch. Oh my goodness. Justin had to try hard not to laugh here. The lady at this table explained the lunch menu. There are two main dishes each day, but if you don't care for the main dish, you can take a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a turkey sandwich, or a large yogurt as your main dish.
What? You get to choose? And it's only $1.65. I paid for the semester, and Justin said in the car that he's been deprived all these years. In fairness to his school lunches in France, the quality was excellent, but you don't get much choice, and it was seven dollars a day.
I wonder if, at some future point in my cultural re-adaptation to American life, I will find all of this annoying and will long for the challenge of figuring things out the French way--observe, ask, trial and error.
Next--Anna's reactions to her school visit.