Open House in Middle School

Welcome to Middle School

It is our school’s open house; as an incoming middle schooler, I wonder what will happen today. We got there just in time a few minutes earlier but the parking lot was full, so we end up parking illegally, enough for others to get out without hitting our car.

I saw Harleen right away, an Indian friend who is very smart, a fast learner. She has thick long hair as long as mine except I got brown hair. She was carrying her backpack. I wonder if she stayed in school for the after school program and waited for open house. Beside her was a lady with long black hair to her waist, wearing traditional Indian dress. You know those silky dresses with matching pants and a scarf. She was on the phone, must be looking for their friends or other family members. I went up to her and said hi. We walk together, heading to the cafeteria but then I saw the band, playing or rather rehearsing on the side. They will be performing in front of the 6^th graders, as a welcome and perhaps encourage them to join the band. There have been some announcements every single day since school started and one of them is choir recruitment, which I never mentioned at home. I have been singing with my mom but not really into it or was I just shy to admit I love singing?  I totally forgot about Harleen but knowing her to be a quick learner, she should know me by now.

Harleen was stuck by the front door leading to the cafeteria, as if waiting for mom to finish her phone conversation. She is such a nice person, patient and respectful. I can say a lot about her since we have been in the same class last year. I kind of got to know her personality and we are on the same level. In fact, we got the achievement plaque last year. Anyway, I thought I’ll drag my mom to the music room to check it out. She is so clueless on what is going on in school. Can’t blame her, she did not go to our school. My mom obliged to my pulling, together we walk to the music room. She was wondering what is going on. There were several lines forming, like everyone doesn’t know what is going on, just like my mom.

Oh, there’s Miss White. She is the music teacher; a tall, lean and stunning red hair, holds herself well with dignity. Music teacher is like a success coach, coaching the students to be successful in singing. But my mom did not know until I told her. Actually, she needs to talk to her because she always have questions on hand, kind of making sure she get what is best for me. She is always up to date on my studies and always behind my back, sometimes it becomes annoying! Is she the music teacher? I nod. Ok, let me ask her something, she said. Oh dear, here we go again, I said to myself. She went to Miss White and asks about joining the choir and band. Well, I kind of blurted out that Miss White handles the band and choir. My mom wants to know what the difference of Grade Letter and Credit for those who will join the choir. I mean, she always want to know what benefits me the most. Aren’t all parents that way? Now, I am feeling proud to have a mom like her thou I was hiding behind her, trying to hide from Miss White. Miss White then explains that grade letter contributes toward GPA and credit is only credit. So, my mom told Miss White to choose grade letter and submitted the form to her that time. Then stand in line to inquire about the band on the other side.

While in line, my mom asks the one before us what it is all about. She did not know either. Well, she happened to ask the boy who was beside the lady what instrument he wishes to play and his eyes glow with happiness saying “I am interested in the drum”.  Have you ever played? No, but I would like to learn. You can see in his eyes the excitement of finally following his dream, hitting the drum with sticks. Actually, he is in my class too. I told my mom after she talks to him. Oh really? That is good then, you two will be in the band. I wonder how many in your class are going to join the band. Just then, my mom saw one guy on the left was free and rush to that guy to fire her inquiry. This guy, who is kind of big, looks younger than the other two guys. But I guess he should know more about what is going on. Again, my mom asks about how to join the band and he asks for my name. While he was looking for my name, my mom touched an open case clarinet that is on the table and asks how much the price for one, as the other guy in black t-shirt was explaining to the other parent, trying to show me what clarinet was. That was kind of my first choice thou I don’t have a clue what it is. My second choice would be flute thou my mom would rather have me learn flute because as she puts it, we can buy a flute in the dollar store for nothing. Hahaha… My mom is cheap. Really! He proceeded in asking if I have filled up the form which my mom did not even know about because I was keeping it from her. I know this day would come and know that my mom wants me to be in the band. The guy then points us to Miss White, to get a form.

Back in Miss White’s line, she asks how to join the band about schedules and things to prepare. Miss White gave her a stapled, two sheet paper containing all the information, pointing on the schedules of practice and information of the student who wish to join. When my mom asks about instruments, she pointed out to a row of guys who were busy talking to some parents in another line, the line where we just came from. That ended her inquiry and went to the other line again. As we were standing in line, the three guys in front were busy showing instruments, explaining and of course receiving payments. I wonder what it is all about. The instruments look shiny and in a case. It must be expensive and delicate instruments. This time, my mom asks more information on the instruments and found out it to be rent-to-own method. Now, my mom is stuck and needs my dad’s conjugal decision and off we left to met daddy somewhere in the school. I am excited at the same time concern about having to do extra work in school. But my mom is firm in her decision to put me in choir and in band. Oh boy, it’s going to be a tough year for me.

We waited a little bit at the cafeteria, my mind wishing for cinnamon rolls and as soon as the talk was done, the door flooded with people coming out. We headed to my classroom a bit late. The teacher was explaining about homework by the time we arrive at my classroom. My dad was right there by the door. He must have just got in a few minutes before us. I got bored I went outside to play with my classmates while parents are stuck inside the classroom, listening to Ms. M’s short talk about her class. Then there was a commotion. Everybody was heading one direction, full of excitement. I wonder what could be the reason behind this. Me and a few of my classmates turn to where the excitement is happening when someone was coming towards us. We decided to ask him what is going on and learned that the certificate from Miss M’s class means a free book. So, I went to get it from my mom and head to the area where books are disseminated. Grinning, I am just glad to get one more book, an addition to my ever growing library. I have all kinds of books because reading is what I do best!

After Miss M’s speech, we headed back to the music room to finish some unfinished business. I saw Melanie, one of my classmates, with her mom. She was deciding on a flute. She has brown hair like me and shy like me as well. I think we will get along really well. Our parents kind of know each other and maybe we’ll be good buddies because of a flute. Melanie showed me her flute while her mom was paying. We both played with it a little bit, trying to figure out how to put it together and so I decided to try flute instead of clarinet. You know, this will be my first instrument, a real instrument made of metal. There, my dad did a lot of talking to one of the guys and picked a flute for me. It came out a little cheaper than a clarinet. I was happy going home with a flute, a stand, and music book and care kit for the flute. Perhaps, I really like music but shy to admit it on our school’s open house!

We were the last ones to get out of the music room. 

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