The Schools

Georg had to use his finger whistle to quiet the children; they were all talking at the same time.

"Does all this jibber-jabber mean you are excited about going to school?"

Friedrich answered him. "I am, Dad. I'm hoping it has good science classes."

"And I'm hoping it has classes where I can learn to speak and write English better."

"That's a lofty goal, Louisa."

"I think that's a goal for all of us, Dad."

"And it should be, Brigitta. Going to school will also allow you to make friends; something I'm sure all of you would like to do."

Georg and Maria saw them all smile and nod their heads and follow them out the door. Soon the high school building was in front of them.

"Georg, I don't see any other children."

"True Maria, maybe they're still on summer holiday. The administrative staff will probably be there. Let's keep walking."

Liesl soon exclaimed. "I didn't expect the high school to be such a fancy building!"

Her comment made everyone stop. They were gazing at an enormous building. In the middle was a wide staircase which was made from cement. Even the sides were cement.

This staircase led to the front door. On either side of the door were two large stone columns. This three story building was made from red brick and highlighted with several vertically fluted stone columns spaced equally with three windows in between them.

"Children, don't let its size intimidate you. I'll go in first, Maria."

Georg opened the rather large door to find it opened into a vestibule. He was immediately greeted by the person sitting behind a desk.

"Good morning sir. How may I help you?"

"I'm new to your town. I need to enroll my children."

"You must be Georg Trapp. The State Department called me to expect you. Are your children with you?"

"Yes, they're waiting with their mother."

"Please tell all of them to come in."

"Thank you, I will."

Quickly Georg opened the door to tell them. He didn't need to tell them to be quiet; they were speechless.

The lady had come from behind her desk and promptly spoke. "Good morning children."

They politely returned her greeting. Then she saw Maria. "You must be Mrs. Trapp."

"I am. You can all me Maria."

"Very well, I'm the principal, Rosemary Miller. To all the parents I'm Rosemary; to the students I'm Mrs. Rosemary. Everyone follow me to my conference room."

Rosemary could hear whispers. She's very friendly. I already feel better.

This room had a large table with more than enough chairs for everyone. Rosemary sat where she could see everyone.

"Sir, which of your children do you wish to enroll?"

"I think only my three oldest, Liesl, Friedrich and Louisa. I also need to tell you they have never attended a school; they've always been taught at home."

"You're not the first to tell me that. Do they speak English well?"

"The oldest do. But Louisa told me she knows she needs to improve."

"Friedrich, do you have any goals?"

"Yes I do. I want to study science in hope of one day finding cures for diseases like Scarlet Fever. Our mom died from it."

"I'm very sorry. You will have that opportunity here at my school."

"Liesl, I suspect you have completed requirements for graduation. The only class you need is American History. Your brother and sister will take this class too.

"Now let me tell you when school starts. Here in America there's holiday named Labor Day. It's always held on the first Monday in September. It's a Federal Holiday, Georg.

"Many families plan a special celebration; some visit a place not too far away but most have a family picnic. I see smiles from all of you."

"We love picnics. It was on our first picnic with our mom that she taught us how to sing by teaching us a fun song."

"Maria, was that song DO-RE-MI?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"We have an exceptional music teacher; her name is Victoria Grant. We have a chorus which performs twice a year. She also teaches at the elementary school. There she uses this song to give them a good foundation and soon they're able to sing almost anything."

"Our mom told us the same thing."

"I'm not surprised. Is your next destination the elementary school?"

"Yes, even my youngest girls will attend. They both told me they want to make friends."

"And I'll call there, Georg and tell Susan to expect you."

"Thank you."

Rosemary watched them leave as she thought. What a remarkable family. There are no step-mother issues with any of the children.

As soon as the door closed behind them, the jibber-jabber began again. Georg and Maria were extremely happy with their enthusiasm for attending a real school. Their enthusiasm made them hasten to the elementary school.

It wasn't as big as the high school. But it was still a large three story building. "Maria, this looks like a smaller version of high school."

"It certainly does." She felt both girls tighten their grip on her hands. "Girls, don't let the size scare you. I'm sure it's as welcoming as the high school."

"I'm not intimidated by its size. Kurt, walk with me."

"Brigitta will never cease to amaze me, Maria."

"Me neither. You need to catch up to them or she will open the door and go inside."

Georg didn't speak; instead he hurried to catch-up to the two children. "Brigitta, allow me to open the door."

"Of course, Dad, I only wanted to hurry you."

"You did. Now we need to wait for your mom and sisters."

This school's entrance was very similar to the high school; it had smaller cement columns and the cement stairs were smaller both in width and number. And the sides of the building were shorter as well.

"We're all here, darling. The girls are ready to see their school."

"Okay, follow us inside."

Once inside they were greeted. "Welcome to Jefferson and Davis Elementary School. Rosemary called me and said to expect you. I'm Susan Williams the principal. My students address as Mrs. Susan; to everyone else, I'm Susan. And I see two little girls who look a little scared. Can you tell me your names and how old you are?"

"I'm Marta and I'm seven years old and I'm in second grade."

"My name is Gretl and I'm five and a half. But my mommy says I'm in the first grade."

Maria had a full smile as she spoke. "Let me explain, Susan. None of the children have ever gone to a real school. I taught them this summer; all of them are above grade level. I've never known children to be so eager to learn. The young girl standing with my husband is Brigitta; she reads as well as I do. She and her brother, Kurt had lessons were almost the same. I don't think Kurt would mind if she was in his grade level."

"I have no objection. Do you have time to tour the school?"

"I believe they would love to." Now Susan saw smiles from all of them including Marta and Gretl.

"Let me explain about this room. There's a flag pole outside but when the weather is bad all the students gather here for an assembly. One of the older children carries an American flag to the center and we say the Pledge of Allegiance together and sing one of our national songs. Then we pray together the Lord's Prayer. Lastly I give any announcements; like upcoming holidays, choral performances or field trips. Then they go on to their classrooms.

"This hallway on my left is where the little girls will find their classrooms. A couple of them are still being prepared for the first day of school. These first two are my kindergarten rooms; they only go a half day. All together I have about forty each year.

"Gretl, my first and second grade rooms are next; I have two. They are identical."

These rooms had six square tables made for four little people; when they sat their feet were firmly on the floor. Further down the hallway were two similar rooms for second grade.

Susan told them. "Now we can take the stairs to the second floor. Follow me please."

She opened the stairwell door and held in until Georg held while the remainder of the children entered.

"This hall is for my third and fourth grade students. They have more traditional desks."

The group saw three rows of ten desks which were not at all like what they had expected.

"Dad, these desks are really different. The chair is connected to the desk top.

"I see, Brigitta."

Susan had heard her too. "They are Brigitta but they come in different sizes. When you begin school the first thing my teachers do is make sure each student finds a desk which fits them. That means you can sit easily and your feet are flat on the floor.

"Children, if you like you can sit in them."

They looked at their dad for approval. "Go ahead, children."

They acted like the three bears did in the story; they found one that fit them perfectly. Now Susan took them to the other end of the hall and told them the classrooms there were for fifth and six grade students. Then she showed them the top floor and the classrooms for seventh and eighth grade students.

"Up here is also the library, a science laboratory and our music room. What do you think, children? Are you going to enjoy my school?"

Susan saw their smiles and heard their yeses.

"Great, I look forward to welcoming you on the first day of school."

And as they walked home, mom and dad heard their happy jibber-jabber again.