The article
is all about experience of a father whose son was promoted to Class Prep from Nursery.
My (the blogger Himanshu Guru) son was promoted to the Prep Class in Delhi
Public School (DPS), Bhubaneswar. Kids don’t need to appear an examination; but
they get promoted to the higher Class through assessment and here is also the
same case. However, there are some memorable moments which I would like to
share. Parents of school going kids may love the piece to read.
Last year,
after a thorough analysis we (me and my wife) finally decided to admit Aaradha
Guru (now 5 year old), also called Hardhik, my son, in the Delhi Public School
at Phulanakhara in Cuttack district. We live at Metro Satellite City in Hanspal
and the School is in a minimum distance (about 10 kilometers) from our place.
Besides, ranking of DPS is also very good. Again, the School bus comes right
inside our colony to pick and drop the students, which was another point of
selection for us.
We were in
look of the advertisement for admission. In December 2015 once when I was
coming through the over bridge, saw the display board in front of Utkal
University. Immidiately I noted down the phone number and later called the
School. The next day I went to the School to buy the form and prospectus. These
facts may not be interesting for reading; but the first experience of starting
the admission process of a son was thrilling for me.
The next
step was to make the kid ready for the interview he would have to face to get
admitted. Hardhik is very effectionate and still his diction is not clear.
Especially since he loves me a lot, when he talks with me his voice is
adorable. It may be a shortcoming for a student but this is a precious thing
for me. However, it was the thing to be dealt with in the interview. My wife
also took pain to teach him about the numerics, letters and other things that
was mentioned in the prospectus.
We were
called for the interview in February 2016. The teacher showed some clay items
and wanted Hardhik to tell the names. Fortunately he answered everything
correctly. After some more questions she intimated that the kid was selected
and we should proceed to the first floor for admission. We discussed about the
fees and other requirements and we were given another day for admission.
After a few
days we three (me, Hardhik and my wife) went to the School for admission. I
reached the reception where a beautiful teacher instructed me to first visit
the cash section to pay the fees. I knew I needed to pay the thick fees which
is amounting to around Rs. 80, 000, but back in that moment I got a feel that
in these big short schools you have to pay for everything first and then only
your chance begins. After paying the fees we proceeded to the admission section
where a teacher noted down detail of the kid and parent. I recall, she wrote
the details in black ink in a big register and finally said ‘welcome to DPS’. I
thanked God for making me eligible to finally become father of a student.
The first day of Hardhik in School
Hardhik’s
classes started in April. On the first
day I took him to the gate of Metro Satellite City (about 200 meter from our
house) to catch the bus. We decided to send him in the bus so that he can learn
going in a bus alone. Of course other students were there but he was not
introduced to them till then. Later me and my wife went to the School in our
car. It took us some time to reach the junior section’s building. We went
inside and looked for Hardhik in his class room; but he was not there. We
looked here and there and went nervous as we did not find him. Till then he was
not issued with the identity card. We asked the teacher about our son. She
assured that he should be somewhere inside the building. It was a bit relaxing
for us but still we were severely worried. Finally my wife went to the first
floor where she found him standing accompanied by a teacher. Since there was no
identity card and the four year kid could not intimate her about his Class, she
was waiting for the parents. When I saw him coming down through the staircase
with his mom, I felt life returned back to me. We took him to his classroom and
soon the teacher started teaching them. I recall, she showed a big teddy and
asked the kids ‘who can say what is this?” when most of the kids were crying.
Later on
that day I went to the bus stop to receive Hardhik. He got down from the bus
wearing a paper made yellow crown. It was a memorable moment for me. He
intimated that the crown was provided in the School.
 |
| Hardhik in the School bus |
Daily
routine
Hardhik
started regularly going to the school. To catch the bus at 6 40 am daily we
needed to awake at 6 am. I never awoke such early only besides a few occasion.
But I had to follow the routine. I use to watch movies or working on the
computer till late night. So, the task was tough. But thinking of the affection
I managed the new routine.
I used to
take him in my bike. He was wearing the normal uniform that constituted of a
half pant. After few days rainy day began and we started going in our car. He
used to waive his hands with a smile when we were parting. I also was receiving
him at 12 15 pm. One day I became late for a few minutes and became worried.
But someone else in our colony had brought him and my wife called me and
intimated about it.
Winter days
With coming
of the winter days the school intimated us to make the kid wear the winter
school uniform that constituted of a full pant, full shirt and a sweater. When
we were going in the bike Hardhik was sitting in front of me. I used to ask him
whether he was feeling cold. He always said no, but actually he was feeling.
Hence, later I tried whether he can manage to sit in the rear seat so that the
wind will not dash. Thankfully within a few months he could make it.
The foggy
day
Life went on
and once a foggy day came. That day Hardhik cried not to go to the school. On
such occasions we used to take him to his school directly in our car. We three
set out. There was dense fog that day. All the vehicles on the road were
driving with their head lights on. But still it was tough to see an object
which was even 10 meters away. I could not judge the Phoolanakhra turning and
we almost reached Cuttack. There I asked a man who intimated that we left the
turning about 7 kms back. We reached the school late. But Hardhik cried not to
leave him there. Somehow we left him but he continuously cried and so we
decided to take him back for that day.
 |
| Hardhik (2nd from right on the back row) during the Grand parents day |
Grandparents’
day
One day we
got notice in the almanac that the school is going to organise Grand Parents
day and we are required to pay an amount and the kid’s grand parent should be
present on the occasion. I intimated about it to my father. I was not expecting
he would come. But he came all the way from Balangir (around 450 kms) we all
attended the function. It was a very emotional and exciting moment when we saw
him on stage wearing the costume. Even no parents were on their seats but
perhaps all the parents were recording the moment in their cell phones.
The last
days of Nursery
During the
last days we saw everyday, more home task was given. Finally, we got intimation
that we are required to attend the Parents teachers meet where promotion of the
kid to the upper Class (prep) will be announced. We attended the function where
Sweti maam, Hardhik’s Nursery Class teacher, intimated that he will attend the
prep class once the school will reopen on 21st March 2017.
