By Chloe Miles

Walking down the fourth grade hallway in the Lower School. Photo credit: Chloe Miles.

As my time at Collegiate is dwindling, I have become nostalgic and find myself reminiscing upon the simpler days in Lower School. During Convocation, I took a walk through the Lower School with my Kindergartner Elliot (‘36), and realized everything seemed much smaller now. She pointed at pictures of ice cream pinned on the walls and spoke about her puppy, Daisy. I longed to experience her pure happiness, so I ventured to Collegiate Kindergarten teacher Kimberly Workman’s class and had a conversation with the children.

Workman introduced me to her class as “Elliot’s Senior, Chloe.” She announced that I am an author like the rest of them and that they would be helping me answer questions regarding my Match article. A boy named Lee (‘36) blurted out, “My dog’s name was Chloe, but she died.” Quickly thereafter, Charlie (‘36) chimed in while shaking his head, “You know dogs don’t last that long.” I could not wait to commence our conversation. 

The Kindergartners were ecstatic to tell me about their Senior buddies and excited to show off their abilities. Ethan (‘36) boasted, “Did you know that I can write my first, second, and third name?” And he did very well. They all wanted to answer the first question, but Ethan took initiative and asked me his own: “Do you have a boyfriend yet? Are you going to get one?” I sighed. How did I not expect that question? Of course, they were going to ask, and I had nothing juicy or interesting to tell them. Instead, I laid out paper and my Galaxy pencil pouch and kindly asked them if they wanted to draw instead.

Enthusiastically, the children told me what they wanted to be when they grew up. Elliot wanted to be a vet and would not settle for anything less. Lee explained, “Uhhhh, I want to be a firetruck – a fireman… It’s because I want to see what’s inside of a firetruck.” Emmie (‘36) told me she wants to be a doctor. When I asked her why, she said, “I don’t know.” This uncertainty is very common among Upper School students as well, Emmie. 

Kimberly Workman’s Kindergarten class. Photo credit: Kimberly Workman.

As expected, the Kindergarteners were very polite to me, as well as to each other. They made sure to ask me before taking a pretty colored pen out of my pencil pouch and took turns sharing art supplies. Their manners were unmatched: “Claire, can I have the pink after you?” “Can I have it after you, Elliot?” “Can I have a turn after Lee does it?” I don’t often hear Upper Schoolers interact so warmly with each other as the Kindergarteners do. They beamed as they told me their favorite sports were soccer, football, and gymnastics, and that their favorite subject in school is P.E. Mac (’36) described how he did something kind that day: “When I was playing on the playground, someone was playing, and they fell, and I helped them up.” He stated he did not know why he did it, but I took it as a testament to his selfless personality. Another Kindergartener said she had not done anything brave or kind that day, but she knows she is kind because her “mommy and daddy say I’m really kind.” 

When I asked the children if they were excited for Upper School, the overwhelming majority yelled “Nooooooooo!” I cannot blame them. When I asked them why not, Clara (‘36) stated, “Because you get more homework, and you don’t get as much pajama days… I’m excited for some parts, but basically none parts. Some parts, because there are Sprite fountains and you get more donuts on Donut Days.” To address the rumors, there are unfortunately no Sprite fountains; but we can all dream. 

On the contrary, Charlie was excited. He exclaimed, “ I think it’s going to be good, and I’m very excited because I really want to learn… I like to learn about a lot of things. Almost everything!” Two girls, Elle (‘36) and Vivian (‘36), spoke about their love of homework and how they are excited to do it in the Upper School: “I get to do multiple homework… I love homework!” Again, neither of them knew why they loved homework.

The Kindergartners’ drawings. Photo credit: Chloe Miles.

Lastly, I decided to give them a question that would really make them think. I prefaced it by warning them of the severity and absolute importance of the inquiry and the precision that their answer should entail. “If you could be the principal, what rules would you make?”  

Emmet (‘36) stared giggling suspiciously. He began, “I would make really silly ones! No farting!” Emmet and Charlie began laughing hysterically. Charlie continued, “Farting is only allowed in the classroom! Do you think potty words are funny? I think potty words are funny!” Well, as I have progressed from Kindergarten to 12th Grade, I, and the majority of Seniors, still think potty words are funny.  

The Kindergartners so graciously gifted me their drawings, which I have cherished and kept in a top-secret place: my desk drawer. Their happiness and curiosity reminds me to find the joy in the little things, be polite to everyone, and ask lots of questions. I have no doubt that they will enjoy their time at Collegiate, so long as they protect the blissful Kindergarten spirit that is within all of us.