Growing up and going to school in Michigan and California, I can still remember the difference in the school systems. In Michigan I did Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades. For my 3rd grade and on I became a product of the California system. It’s funny in Michigan, I re3meber having to take my nap in Kindergarten so they would deliver the milk for our break. In 1st and 2nd grade I remember the parties, the most memorable being a valentines party where I for the one time in my life took part in passing out cards to the kids in my class. I don’t remember studying for math, English, or science tests. All I remember is the parties. You would think with those kinds of memories I would be in poor shape when we came to California
While imagine my surprise when I made it to my 3rd grade class at Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary school for the first time and discovered that I was already better at math, could read better and actually write in cursive better than them. I also remember mom and dad arguing with the school to try and fix it so I could stay advanced. Unfortunately the lost and I had to learn things all over again. So needless to say I coasted through most of the third grade.
Eisenhower today – GreatSchools Website gave it a score of 4 out of 10.
This also where I started my short political career. I ran for class president and won!!! I ran for president on the Pity Platform. You would be amazed at the impact it has on a group of kids when in the middle of your “why I should be elected” speech you start to cry and run from the room. In this instance I was the overwhelming winner. Good thing is it didn’t leave too many emotional scars…..
Now the best thing I discovered in my elementary school years in California was Summer School!! This was fun! I was allowed to take classes in things that were fun. Unlike today, Summer School was open to all students and you could take classes in subjects that interested you, I was able to take a creative writing class in the sixth grade that instilled in me my desire to be a writer – someday. Just not today. I also was allowed to take a shop class and “No Tim your too young for power tools” was the motto. I did get to beat the heck out of stuff with a hammer though.
Also while attending Eisenhower I had the opportunity to let people now that my family watched out for each other. One day Doug and his friends were playing basketball, when the ball goes out of bounds and is picked up by one of the school toughs. Doug goes up and politely asks for the ball and is told no. So he asks again and is rebuffed once more. I am standing nearby so I walk up and ask him to give him the ball, he looks at me and tells me no, so I ask him again by hitting him in the stomach, doubling him over and then once on the back of the head and guess what Doug now has the ball. And I was allowed to spend the rest of recess standing on the line. Which points out a valuable life lesson. Don’t fight fairly, fight to win.
Other fond memories include strange things only a kid would believe, like I was so light growing up, I used to be able to fly by flapping my arms really hard. I can actually visualize in my head flying above the swings as if it really happened. I know it can’t be true but what if????
Central Coast Senior 